Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is a footwear article. The footwear article includes a double layer knitted upper having a foot bed, an upper portion continuous with the foot bed, an ankle opening, and an inner void for receiving a foot of a wearer. The double layer knitted upper has an outer knit layer defining an exterior surface of the double layer knitted upper. The double layer knitted upper also has an inner knit layer monolithically knit to the outer knit layer. The inner knit layer has a plurality of inner knit regions that spatially correspond to the plurality of outer knit regions of the outer knit layer. The outer knit layer and the inner knit layer substantially define the foot bed and the upper portion of the double layer knitted upper.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A sole body includes a groove whose inner wall surfaces can be caused to come close to, and separate from, each other with an adjustment mechanism, and a transformable portion provided in the groove, extending between the inner wall surfaces, and elastically deformable. The transformable portion includes: rising portions which are continuous with the inner wall surfaces and extend in the thickness direction of the sole body while the inner wall surfaces have come close to each other; and a coupling portion for coupling the rising portions to each other at one end. A first cavity is provided between the inner wall surfaces and the rising portions, while a second cavity is provided between the rising portions.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a cushioning element. The cushioning element can be disposed in the upper and/or the sole structure. The cushioning element is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user during pronation events. The cushioning element can be a dynamically responsive material or shape that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to the application of a force.

Abstract: Customized, form-fitting athletic articles with a heat moldable material that a wearer may heat to soften after purchase to conform the heat moldable material so the contours of the wearer's body may provide many advantages for consumers, such as increased comfort, performance, or safety. The heat moldable material may be incorporated into the upper of an athletic shoe. The heat moldable material may be sufficiently flexible so as not to impede the necessary movements of a wearer or the athletic shoe while performing activities, such as running, walking, jumping, etc. The heat moldable material may be reusable in that it may be reheated and remolded multiple times so that the article may be re-customized or re-fitted as needed. The article may also include a temperature sensitive indicator that indicates when the heat moldable material has been softened.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper secured to an outsole in combination having three toe pockets, the first toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a big toe of a wearer, and the second toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a second toe of the wearer, and the third toe pocket having a configuration to receive within the remaining third toe, fourth toe and fifth toe of the wearer.

Abstract: An expandable shoe has a top portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion, a sole, a heel and a first elastic member. The first elastic member joins the top portion to the pair of side portions at a critical location which is at the junction of the top portion and the side portions. The first elastic member is in the shape of an inverted “U” extending along the front of the shoe. The expandable shoe may further have a second elastic member joining the back portion to the side portions at the critical locations at the junctions of the back and side portions and the junctions of the back and the rear of the sole. The second elastic member is in the shape of an upright “U”.

Abstract: Footwear, such as a sports boot, including a shell or a shell element made of a rigid plastic base material whose softening point is greater than 170° C. and a method of manufacturing such footwear. At least in one local portion of the shell or shell element, the base material of the shell includes an additive having a melting temperature lower than 100° C., in a proportion of between 3% and 45% in a first embodiment and between 10% and 25% in a second embodiment. A heating machine includes a base provided to receive at least one boot along a longitudinal direction defined by the sole and a hot air blower. The heating machine includes at least two air blowing channels facing one another and located on each side of the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The sandal with pneumatic support includes an inflatable bladder in the sole, in the area immediately beneath the arch of the foot when the sandal is worn. A manual air pump is provided integrally with the sandal. In one embodiment, the pump is located atop the toe divider of a flip-flop type sandal. In another embodiment, the pump is located in the heel. A pressure relief valve is located along one of the upper straps of the sandal. The arch bladder, air pump, and relief valve communicate pneumatically with one another. The sandal may be devoid of structure extending between the toes when worn, but may include straps passing over and/or around the foot. The sandal provides greatly improved support and reduces or eliminates muscular problems resulting from the lack of arch support in sandals.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole. The article of footwear also includes an outer surface defined on the upper or the sole. Moreover, the article of footwear includes a chamber wall operably coupled to one of the upper and the sole. The chamber wall defines at least a portion of a chamber operable to hold a vacuum for at least partially conforming the footwear to the foot of the wearer. Moreover, the footwear includes a valve including a passage that extends through the chamber wall to be in selective fluid communication with the chamber. The valve is operable to provide suction to draw the vacuum within the chamber. The valve is partially defined by an outer rim, and the outer rim is flush with the outer surface or recessed inward from the outer surface toward the chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe, including a concave body having an erecting circumferential rim having one or more foot securing areas along at least a portion of the circumference of the rim, where the one or more foot securing areas are inwardly-protruding, so as to secure a foot in the concave body when the shoe is worn, and where the one or more foot securing areas have an elasticity that enables the one or more foot securing areas to be pushed outwardly to receive the foot.

Abstract: An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.

Abstract: A pneumatic inflation device disposed within the sole of a shoe and comprising a pump with integral air release valve and which is entirely within the sole, a pump actuator which is entirely within the sole when not in use, and an inflatable bladder which is entirely within the sole and is operatively connected to the pump. Such a device can include a mechanism to lock the pump actuator within the sole such that the mechanism's cap is flush with the outer wall of the sole and finger-operable to allow the shoe-wearer to easily operate the inflation device and release air therefrom.

Abstract: A footwear assembly with integral footbed suspension system is disclosed. A shoe comprises a sole, a blade extending away from the sole, an Energy Return System (ERS) connected to the blade, an upper, and a cradle coupled to the upper and coupled to the ERS via a plurality of ties, wherein the ERS is intermediate the cradle and the blade. The ERS is configured to resiliently deform under pressure from the foot while the foot is substantially suspended via the cradle relative to the sole. A plurality of sensors are configured to detect relative movement between components of the shoe and to transmit data to a chip positioned in the shoe. The data can be used for gait and performance analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the upper U of an athletic shoe comprising a first opening 1 out of which the foot sticks upwards during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue. The two openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other, and the upper U comprises a medial side stretchable part 51 which covers a part of a medial side face of an arch of the foot, a lateral side stretchable part 50 which covers a part of a lateral side face of a ball of a little toe (a fifth toe), a front part 3 located forward of the two stretchable parts 50, 51 and a rear part 4 located backward of the two stretchable parts. Each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is provided so as to essentially cross one of side faces of the upper U from a top surface of a sole S to the second opening 2. Young's modulus along the lengthwise direction L of the foot of each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is set smaller than that of the front part 3 and the rear part 4.

Abstract: Lacing systems are disclosed for use with footwear or other articles. The lacing system can comprises flexible webbing lace guides. In some embodiments, a lace guide can include a first lace guide element and a second lace guide element. The lace can pass through the first and second lace guides consecutively on the first side of the article before crossing to the opposing side of the article. The first and second lace guide elements can be angled towards each other to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide elements. In some embodiments, the lace guide can have a central portion that is less flexible than the end portions so as to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide when tension is applied to the lace.

Abstract: A heel counter 4 includes: a support section 43 extending in a forward direction from a back side 1b of an upper 1; a rib 40 extending in the forward direction generally in parallel to the support section 43 at a position above the support section 43 from the back side 1b of the upper 1 along a medial side 11 and extending in the forward direction generally in parallel to the support section 43 at a position above the support section 43 from the back side 1b of the upper 1 along a lateral side 12; and first and second bridge means 41a, 41b and 42 connecting the support section 43 and the rib 40 to each other allowing the support section 43 to support the rib 40, wherein: a foremost one 46b of a plurality of connection portions 46b, 46c and 46e by which the rib 40 and the bridge means 41a, 41b and 42 are connected to each other is provided on the medial side of the upper 1; and the foremost connection portion 46b is located forward of a rear end of a talus bone B8.

Abstract: The shoe is a foldable shoe with sufficient rigidity during use but allows for folding during periods of non-use. The shoe has an upper which is made of a flexible material that makes it possible to push the upper together in the longitudinal direction of the shoe. In a portion of the shoe there are reinforcing elements which run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shoe and maintain the form of the shoe in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shoe. Rigid material is formed around the toe area and the heel area of the shoe. To make the shoe sufficiently rigid for use, an outer element that clamps onto the reinforcing elements, a stiff insole, or both is used.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a decoupled foot stabilizer system. The foot stabilizer system is decoupled from a midfoot region of the article of footwear. The foot stabilizer system includes a plurality of strap members. The foot stabilizer system may optionally include a bootie. The plurality of strap members extend underneath a portion of a foot of a wearer. The plurality of strap members are configured to receive a lace at one end. A lace running through the ends of the strap members pulls on the strap members when the lace is tightened and causes the foot stabilizer system to conform to the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A method for producing a shoe that can be adapted to the foot of a wearer, is made of hard, thermoplastic synthetic material and is worn for sports, includes heating a prefabricated shoe at least in sections and adapting the shoe by applying pressure from the outside and by shaping the heated area. The shoe is then cooled, a correction strip, which is made of a hard material and is taken from the foot, is introduced in to the prefabricated shoe and the heated shoe is pressed onto the correction strip by applying pressure. A strip correction and a shoe are also provided.

Abstract: A shoe contains an adjustable space for the foot and several fluidically connected chambers. In order to adjust the space for the foot, the flowability of a magnetorheological fluid can be influenced by one or more devices that generate a magnetic field and thereby adjust the space for the foot resulting in a better fitting of the shoe. The novel system may also be implemented in orthoses (e.g., pronation correction) or in complete shoes with orthotics devices for correcting musculoskeletal abnormalities.

Abstract: A variety of devices for protecting a user's foot from injury are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device may be a metatarsal protection device, which may include a first layer of material having top and bottom surfaces, with at least one of such surfaces including a series of cones or a pattern of hexagons thereon. The metatarsal protection device may also include a second relatively rigid layer of material overlying the first layer, and the first layer may be shaped to conform to the metatarsal region of the user's foot, such that the device is configured to protect the metatarsal region against injury. Other configurations and variations of a metatarsal protection device are also disclosed, as are other uses for the principles of the invention(s) disclosed herein (e.g., protection devices for other areas of the foot, etc.

Abstract: Natural mobility footwear, including a sole and an upper which together, define separate seats for toes or toe groups, the thin sole comprises at a bottom at least one distribution of ridges and valleys configured like an enhanced version of the body's own skin, the multiple parts/pieces of the sole provide a wider range of movement, much like being barefoot, the thin sole also improves the level of environmental feedback received by the foot and body, this feedback enables the body to make adjustments or corrections, which might improve balance, agility, and stability during exercise or activity.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an inflatable system may have a valve incorporated therein to adjust the level of cushioning in the article of footwear. The valve may be in communication with an inflatable bladder and may have a body, a piston, and an interface. The body may have an interior chamber, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The piston may be located within the interior of the body and can be spring actuated. The interface may be connected to the body such that movement of the interface between a first position and a second position results in the piston moving between a first position wherein fluid is permitted to enter the interior chamber at a first rate and a second position wherein fluid is permitted to enter at a second rate, wherein the first rate is greater than the second rate.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a shape correcting member is disclosed. The shape correcting member includes an inner surface associated with a portion of a foot and an outer surface disposed opposite of the inner surface. The inner surface is pre-shaped to fit the contours of a portion of the foot and the outer surface is substantially non-protruding. With this arrangement, the outer surface may facilitate accurate kicking.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable bladders for use in articles of manufacture. The method includes the steps of providing a first polymer film, applying a curable release coating to the polymer film in a pattern that corresponds to the configuration of the inflatable bladder, curing the release coating to the first polymer film, providing a second polymer film with the first polymer film to form a layered element such that the release coating is disposed between the polymer films, positioning the layered element between two plies of material, applying heat and pressure to adhere the polymer films together except in the area where the release coating has been applied to form an inflatable compartment surrounded by a sealed perimeter, and removing the plies of material from the adhered first and second polymer films.

Abstract: A fluid-filled may include including an outer barrier, a tensile member, and a fluid. The tensile member may be located within barrier and formed from a textile element that includes a pair of spaced layers joined by a plurality of connecting members. In some configurations, an edge of the tensile member may have a finished configuration or the tensile member may be contoured. The fluid is also located within the barrier and pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier. In manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, a textile tensile member may be formed with at least one contoured surface or a finished edge. The tensile member is then located within a polymer barrier and bonded to opposite sides of the barrier.

Abstract: The invention is directed to intelligent systems for articles of footwear that adjust automatically in response to a measured performance characteristic. The intelligent systems include one or more adjustable elements coupled to a mechanism that actuates the adjustable elements in response to a signal from a sensor to modify the performance characteristic of the article of footwear. The intelligent system adjusts the performance characteristics of the article of footwear without human intervention.

Abstract: Customized, form-fitting athletic articles with a heat moldable material that a wearer may heat to soften after purchase to conform the heat moldable material so the contours of the wearer's body may provide many advantages for consumers, such as increased comfort, performance, or safety. The heat moldable material may be incorporated into the upper of an athletic shoe. The heat moldable material may be sufficiently flexible so as not to impede the necessary movements of a wearer or the athletic shoe while performing activities, such as running, walking, jumping, etc. The heat moldable material may be reusable in that it may be reheated and remolded multiple times so that the article may be re-customized or re-fitted as needed. The article may also include a temperature sensitive indicator that indicates when the heat moldable material has been softened.

Abstract: A customizable pointe shoe insert is provided. Such an insert achieves a “perfect fit” that is customized to each dancer's foot by using a moldable material to substantially fill the voids within the box of the shoe, so weight is optimally distributed across a greater percentage of the surfaces of the toes and forefoot when en pointe. Through use of such an insert, painful and damaging pressure points may also be removed. An insert may be constructed from an impression material that when applied, precisely contours itself to the foot and then quickly chemically cures into a rubbery, resilient solid. This highly customized fit greatly improves day-to-day comfort and reduces long-term damage to the foot, while also improving stability, support and alignment inside the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention refers to sports footwear having a custom fitting device comprising a plurality of expandable bladders arranged within the footwear at a respective plurality of regions of the wearer's foot; an actuation unit can be associated to the footwear in fluid communication with the bladders by means of suitable connection means to actuate the selective expansion of the bladders; the bladders and the connection means are integrally formed on a support element made in one piece at least partly wrapping the wearer's foot and fastened to the footwear.

Abstract: Customized, form-fitting athletic articles with a heat moldable material that a wearer may heat to soften after purchase to conform the heat moldable material so the contours of the wearer's body may provide many advantages for consumers, such as increased comfort, performance, or safety. The heat moldable material may be incorporated into the upper of an athletic shoe. The heat moldable material may be sufficiently flexible so as not to impede the necessary movements of a wearer or the athletic shoe while performing activities, such as running, walking, jumping, etc. The heat moldable material may be reusable in that it may be reheated and remolded multiple times so that the article may be re-customized or re-fitted as needed. The article may also include a temperature sensitive indicator that indicates when the heat moldable material has been softened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the upper U of an athletic shoe comprising a first opening 1 out of which the foot sticks upwards during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue. The two openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other, and the upper U comprises a medial side stretchable part 51 which covers a part of a medial side face of an arch of the foot, a lateral side stretchable part 50 which covers a part of a lateral side face of a ball of a little toe (a fifth toe), a front part 3 located forward of the two stretchable parts 50, 51 and a rear part 4 located backward of the two stretchable parts. Each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is provided so as to essentially cross one of side faces of the upper U from a top surface of a sole S to the second opening 2. Young's modulus along the lengthwise direction L of the foot of each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is set smaller than that of the front part 3 and the rear part 4.

Abstract: Individually formed footwear such as shoes and insoles for correcting the feet position and alleviate related problems. The shoe or insole comprises at least one layer made of thermoplastic material, which material is advantageously chosen from a group of ABS, PVC, A-PET and PETG. A method for providing such footwear to a client at a retail store is likewise presented.

Abstract: A dance shoe comprising a foot compartment or portion thereof that is malleable at a temperature above a temperature of intended use, and when malleable, the shoe is hand moldable to a conformation desired by a user. The invention particularly relates to en pointe shoes for ballet and other forms of dance.

Abstract: A foot insert is provided that is capable of providing protective cushioning to an area at the front of a wearer's foot including an area extending from the front tips of the toes to the metatarsal region of the ball portion of the foot. The foot insert includes a half-sock formed from a stretchable fabric material and is capable of extending over a toe portion up to about a mid-point of a length of a wearer's foot. A cushioning pad is attached to a lower sole portion of the half-sock and is formed from a shape-memory material that is capable of substantially permanently molding into a shape of a bottom portion and toes of the wearer's foot upon use.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a foot portion positioned along a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The sole portion and the foot portion are in fluid communication. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradle a portion of the foot. The stability device can also include a plurality of finger-shaped elements that encircle the top of the foot and expand down onto the foot due to an increase in fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to intelligent systems for articles of footwear that adjust automatically in response to a measured performance characteristic. The intelligent systems include one or more adjustable elements coupled to a mechanism that actuates the adjustable elements in response to a signal from a sensor to modify the performance characteristic of the article of footwear. The intelligent system adjusts the performance characteristics of the article of footwear without human intervention.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an anatomical toepiece that is adapted for insertion into the footbed of a footwear article to provide increased comfort and control. The toepiece comprises a core comprising an anchoring flange for embedded attachment within the footbed of the footwear article. Additionally, the core comprises an inter-toe engagement portion which extends upwardly from the anchoring flange for engagement between the great toe and the adjacent digit, and a wing which caps the inter-toe engagement portion and extends outwardly in both directions over a portion of the upper forefoot.

Abstract: An article of footwear is constructed to dynamically provide width adjustment by cooperative expansion and contraction of a longitudinal split midsole with an expansion element integrated with an outsole that allows the midsole to expand from a narrow width to a wider width. The upper of the shoe has a corresponding section that can expand to a similar degree as the midsole and outsole to enable the volume of the upper to increase proportionally to the width of the sole.

Abstract: A sport shoe comprises a sole and an upper portion attached to the sole and defining an inner space with the sole, and having an entrance opening for receiving a user's foot therethrough, into the inner space, and an attachment system to secure the user's foot therein, the sport shoe having, in longitudinal succession, a heel cage, a middle section, and a toe box, the middle section having at least four generally transversally-oriented strips in the upper portion, including tightening strips receiving the attachment system externally and having a heat-moldable layer internally, and flexibility strips, the tightening strips and flexibility strips being in longitudinally alternating succession, at least a section of the flexibility strips being heat moldable layer free.

Abstract: An article of footwear which includes a midsole and foot stabilizer. The foot stabilizer includes a longitudinally extending spine portion and a plurality of ribs extending laterally therefrom from opposing lateral and medial sides. The plurality of ribs being positioned to at least partially underlie a foot of a user. The spine portion is disposed above and affixed to the midsole and the ribs are contoured to partially enclose the foot of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a functional footwear which comprises an insole having a toe-seating portion, whose height is higher than that of the remaining portion thereof other than the toe-seating portion, for allowing a user's toe to be seated thereon. The toe-seating portion of the insole of the functional footwear is formed higher than the remaining portion of the insole other than the toe-seating portion, so that toes of a walker are placed higher than the other portions of the sole of the feet of the walker, thereby obtaining an effect of the backward walking even when the walker walks forwardly.

Abstract: A foot support is disclosed. The foot support may be a shoe insert including a depression underlying the first proximal phalange and/or the first metatarsal head, a raised medial arch support, and a medial heel post.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a foot portion positioned along a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The sole portion and the foot portion are in fluid communication. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradle a portion of the foot. The stability device can also include a plurality of finger-shaped elements that encircle the top of the foot and expand down onto the foot due to an increase in fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole including a cushioning element. The shoe sole can include a heel cup or heel rim having a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of heel of a foot. Further, the heel part can include a plurality of side walls arranged below the heel cup or rim and at least one tension element that interconnects at least one side wall to another side wall or to the heel cup or rim. The heel cup or rim, the plurality of side walls, and the at least one tension element can be integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports boot (1) for walking or cross-country skiing, with a flexible shaft (2) receiving the foot, and a reinforcement (5) surrounding the shaft (2) on its external side by sections and being connected with the outsole (3). The shaft (2) is formed in this connection by a cushioned inner boot (6), and a coat (8) of fabric o some other material compatible with the skin. The reinforcement (5) is formed by a latticed or net-like support structure (12) for the inner boot (6), and composed of flexible ribbon elements (13) having, however, the highest possible tensile strength, and being made of plastic or textiles, said ribbon elements resting against external part sections of the inner boot (6), or surrounding the inner boot (6) on its external side within part sections. In this connection, the latticed or net-like support structure (12) is variable with respect to its delimiting or receiving volume as required by means of a lacing system (14).

Abstract: An article of footwear intended for use with a left foot and a right foot is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an interior space configured to fit a left for and a right foot. Additionally, the article of footwear may be associated with an insert that deforms during use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a footbed made of cotton fabric, polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate, polyester and thermoplastic gel rubber. The invention also provides footwear which includes a footbed as described herein.

Abstract: Footgear with an inner sole (66) having a grid of removable resilient elements to permit removal of selected elements (68) to provide relief to ulcerated or injured areas of the foot. An air bladder (64) may underlie sole (66), preferably with additional cushioning material (40) within the air bladder. A walker (12) with a soft support (20) may be provided with the inner sole within the support. Some of the removal resilient elements may have a higher density or height than others. The footgear may include an adhesively-backed resilient pad (212) to provide additional support to a region. The footgear may include means for reducing shear stress on a bottom surface of the foot. An edema patch (240) may be provided for covering an open space (248) left after a user has removed a removable section from the grid. The edema patch applies pressure to the afflicted zone of the foot (250) preventing fluids from building up.