Abstract: In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an instep strap would be used to increase tension on a cord that would substantially encircle a circumference of an ankle portion of a shoe. In the exemplary embodiment, a first end of the cord would be attached to an instep portion of a first side of a shoe upper; a second end of the cord would be attached to an instep portion of a second side of the shoe; and the cord would pass through at least one channel substantially disposed around the circumference of the ankle portion of the shoe. In an alternative exemplary two-cord embodiment of the present invention, an instep strap would be used to increase tension on two cords. By tightening and fastening the instep strap, both cords would be somewhat distorted and a tension would be created, or increased, thereby causing a snug fit of the shoe.

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 custom moldable insole comprising a first chamber containing a silicone base and a second chamber containing a catalyst. Both fluids are forced to pass though a shared static mixing channel where they will thoroughly mix and flow into a third chamber. The third chamber is a continuation of the mixer that opens up into a bag to hold the silicone as it flows to the arch and metatarsal areas of the foot in the upper layer of the insole. Within a few minutes as the user stands wearing the shoe the silicone cures to the shape of the bottom of the wearers foot providing increase support and comfort.

Abstract: An improved footwear structure having an upper and a sole, associated to such upper. The footwear structure also having fitting means, which are associated to such upper and such sole for accommodating the internal volume of such footwear structure to the size of a user's foot by means of co-operating resilient deformations of such upper and such sole.

Abstract: A shoe includes an upper having a heel portion that has a rear wall adapted to extend around the heel of a foot. At least one adjustment pad is attached loosely to the rear wall within the heel portion. The adjustment pad includes an intermediate part, first and second ends on two opposite sides of the intermediate part, a first surface confronting the rear wall, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A strap passage unit is provided on the rear wall. A strap is attached to the adjustment pad, and passes movably through the strap passage unit. When the strap is pulled to move through the strap passage unit, the strap is tensed, and the adjustment pad is moved inward so as to abut against the foot in the shoe.

Abstract: Ergonomic systems which provide medical therapy, comfort and enhanced function are provided. Surfaces are provided with adjustable contour, transient force damping and temperature. The technologies are applied to footwear, seating surfaces an cryotherapy devices. The cooling and cryotherapy system employ an evaporator in close proximity to skin, and therefore employ methods to reduce risk of frostbite. Advanced control and power supply options are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved expandable shoe and inner assembly are disclosed. The expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly is disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a first board portion and a second board portion in overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the position of the first board portion relative to the second board portion. One of the board portions has a longitudinal projection which extends into a corresponding cavity in the sole of the shoe.

Abstract: An inflatable footwear for providing customized support for the user. The inflatable footwear includes an inner assembly with sole and upper portions and an outer assembly also having sole and upper portions, said outer assembly being coupled to said inner assembly along a annular edge and defining an interior air chamber for being inflated and supporting the foot and ankle of the user.

Abstract: Footwear comprising a sole for supporting a foot and an upper attached to the sole for covering the foot and adjoining ankle. The sole and upper define an interior of the footwear and is sized and shaped for receiving the foot and ankle. The upper has an outer shell that forms an exterior of the footwear and an inner lining that is adjacent the foot and ankle when they are received in the interior of the footwear. A compressible generally U-shaped pad is positioned between the shell and the lining of the upper. The pad has a bottom section and a pair spaced-apart side sections extending up from the bottom section. The pad is sized and positioned in the upper such that when the foot and ankle are received in the footwear, the bottom section of the pad is disposed immediately below a medial malleolus of the foot and the side sections of the pad extend up along opposite sides of the medial malleolus up to at least about the distal neck of the tibia.

Abstract: An inflatable liner for a boot, such as a snowboard boot. An oily chalk like substance consisting of 90% sweet starch, 9% lubricant, and 1% stearate is included between two sheets of plastic that make up bladder of the liner. The bladder is attached to the EVA of the liner before the EVA is folded, stitched, heated and molded. This allows the bladder to be attached while the EVA is still flat and allows attachment to be performed by machine stitching. The bladder is partially inflated before the EVA is heated and molded. The oily chalk like substance and the partial inflation of the bladder allows the installed bladder to pass through the heating and molding steps of the EVA without the two sheets that make up the bladder melting together. The design and installation of the bladder minimizes the amount of slipping of a wearer's foot and heel within the boot.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for pressure molding multi-layer footwear for use in the field of sport footwear. The apparatus for pressure molding multi-layer footwear has two pressure forming receptacles, each having an inflatable vessel therein. The inflatable vessel is shaped and adapted to surround sides of the footwear, such as a skate. The inflatable vessel has an opening for receiving the skate and an air inlet for inflating the inflatable vessel. The apparatus may further has an air supply device connectable to a control system that will manage the airflow into the inflatable vessel to create the desired pressure onto the skate in order to provide a custom-fit skate.

Abstract: A comfortable heel counter for a dress shoe is provided. The dress shoe includes an upper that has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is connected to the second portion to define a heel counter pocket. A heel counter insert is disposed between the first portion and the second portion in the heel counter pocket. The heel counter insert is disposed in spaced relation to a calcaneus bone of a wearer. The heel counter insert provides comfort to the wearer and an improved fitting of the dress shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having an inflatable tongue which can be slightly deflated or inflated after lacing up or otherwise closing the shoe to conform to the user's foot and the lacing to provide a more comfortable fit of the shoe. The tongue includes an inner bladder of an expandable foam material with a valve on the tongue fluidly communicating the exterior of the tongue with the interior of the bladder to selectively inflate and deflate the same upon introduction and release of air to the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a conformable device (20) including a light cure material (37) for customizing a portion of an article of footwear (53) in order to enhance conformance or fit, support, comfort, and cushioning, in partial or complete combination. In particular, a custom conformable device (20) consisting of an insole, or portion thereof, can serve to accommodate the unique anatomical features and characteristics of an individual wearer. Further, the present invention teaches a method of making a conformable device (20) including the use of a light table (120) that can be part a point of purchase display (206), or alternately, the floor (222) of a retail store (220).

Abstract: A footbed for sport footwear made of a shell, which defines the general shape of the footwear. The footbed has a sole portion and a padding wall for partially separating the sides and back of a wearer's foot from the shell. The padding wall partially cups the wearer's heel and extending from the back of the wearer's foot along each side of the heel, along each side of the midfoot and along each side of the forefoot. The footbed is adapted for determining the size of the footwear in terms of width. The footbed may further comprise a toe wall portion for determining the size of the footwear in terms of length.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a dynamically-controlled cushioning system is disclosed. The cushioning system includes a sealed, fluid-filled bladder formed with a plurality of separate cushioning chambers, and a control system. The control system, which includes a CPU, pressure sensors and valves, controls fluid communication between the chambers to dynamically adjust the pressure in the cushioning chambers for various conditions such as the activity that the footwear is used in, the weight of the individual and the individual's running style. Certain adjustments can be made while the footwear is in use.

Abstract: A laminate of a thermally pointbonded nonwoven base fabric and a coating of polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride on at least one surface of the base fabric, and a footwear upper made from the laminate and wherein the upper functions additionally as a lining for the footwear.

Abstract: A lasted skate boot for ice skates or in-line roller skates, the lasted skate boot comprising an upper having an outer shell molded of synthetic material and an inner lining mounted inside the outer shell. The outer shell comprises a heel counter, an ankle portion, medial and lateral quarters and reinforcing elements provided on the heel counter, ankle portion, medial quarter or lateral quarter. Each of the reinforcing elements comprises a ridge formed on one of the inner or outer surface of the outer shell and a groove registering with the ridge, the groove being formed on one of the inner or outer surface of the outer shell. The outer shell may also comprise an ankle portion having an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel counter. The lower and upper parts of the ankle portion follow the rear profile of the Achilles tendon.

Abstract: A tightening device adapted to equip an article of footwear, which makes it possible to hold the foot laterally, while distributing on the foot the pressure generated by the tightening device. The tightening device includes an upper flap that partially covers a lower flap. The flaps hold the foot by the tightening device which includes at least one anchor positioned on each of the flaps. The upper flap is more flexible than the lower flap.

Abstract: A skate boot having a sole and an upper, the upper having a medial quarter and a lateral quarter and defining a first pair of parallel fastening rows around the front edge of each quarter, at least in the vamp area of the boot. The median axis of the rows extends between the third and the fourth metatarsal bones of the foot.

Abstract: The invention provides an orthotic insert for an article of footwear, which includes a cupped heel portion, the cupped heel portion having a concave upper bearing surface that extends above a most posterior cephalad portion of a calcaneous; and a heat-malleable mid-foot portion continuously coupled to the heel portion, the mid-foot portion having a medial longitudinal arch and a heat-deformable upper bearing surface. The invention also provides a method of treating a podiatric condition with an orthotic insert and a method of manufacturing a heat-malleable orthotic insert for an article of footwear.

Abstract: An orthopaedic shoe has an outsole and a special insole including an array of independently vertically movable sections or elements which are heat moldable to retain the contour of the users foot and which serve to reduce or avoid peak pressures and evenly distribute pressure during walking. The resilient sections preferably have a height which is substantially equal to or greater than the lateral extent of the sections, to permit swaying action and to reduce shear forces on the users feet.

Abstract: An inflatable liner for a boot, such as a snowboard boot. An oily chalk like substance consisting of 90% sweet starch, 9% lubricant, and 1% stearate is included between two sheets of plastic that make up bladder of the liner. The bladder is attached to the EVA of the liner before the EVA is folded, stitched, heated and molded. This allows the bladder to be attached while the EVA is still flat and allows attachment to be performed by machine stitching. The bladder is partially inflated before the EVA is heated and molded. The oily chalk like substance and the partial inflation of the bladder allows the installed bladder to pass through the heating and molding steps of the EVA without the two sheets that make up the bladder melting together. The design and installation of the bladder minimizes the amount of slipping of a wearer's foot and heel within the boot.

Abstract: A footbed for sport footwear made of a shell, which defines the general shape of the footwear. The footbed has a sole portion and a padding wall for partially separating the sides and back of a wearer's foot from the shell. The padding wall partially cups the wearer's heel and extending from the back of the wearer's foot along each side of the heel, along each side of the midfoot and along each side of the forefoot. The footbed is adapted for determining the size of the footwear in terms of width. The footbed may further comprise a toe wall portion for determining the size of the footwear in terms of length.

Abstract: An adjustable skate includes a boot, a liner, and a bladder. The boot includes an upper and a sole, the upper having a toe cap and a heel portion. The liner is mounted in the boot and includes a bottom plate slidably mounted on the sole and a toe box on a front end of the bottom plate. A chamber for receiving a foot of a wearer's foot is defined between the toe box of the liner and the heel portion of the boot. The bladder is mounted between the toe box of the liner and the toe cap of the boot. The bladder has a volume that is adjustable through inflation of air into the bladder or discharge of air out of the bladder, thereby moving the liner along a lengthwise direction of the boot.

Abstract: A comfort upper for footwear adapted in particular to equip a sports boot and an inner liner for a sports boot. The upper includes a stiffener, positioned between the inner lining and the outer covering, which is made of a thermoformable material. The upper also includes a comfort element, positioned between the inner lining and the stiffener, which is softer than the stiffener and which is possibly made of thermoformable material. This comfort element includes perforations enabling the thermoforming of the stiffener by propulsion of hot air within the footwear.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shell to cover the wearer's foot and a pocket provided at an inner surface of the shell to receive a filling material so that the pocket and the filling material project into an interior space of the shoe and provide better fit for the wearer. The filling material is removable from the pocket for replacement and may be configured to have any shape and thickness so as to fit the foot of an individual. The filling material may be a foam, a fluid, a moisture absorbent, a heat-generating element, or a stiffener.

Abstract: A custom moldable footwear is disclosed having a base and an upper portion. The upper portion contains within it two bladders located on the medial and lateral side of the foot. The two bladders are placed approximately between the base and malleoli, and between the middle of the heel and the proximal metatarsals. The bladders have within them a dry composite. The dry composite is impregnated by a fast setting resin/hardener liquid that is dispensed via a double barrel syringe and spiral cap through a small opening located on the posterior heel.

Abstract: An orthopaedic shoe has an outsole and a special insole including an array of independently vertically movable sections or elements which are heat moldable to retain the contour of the users foot and which serve to reduce or avoid peak pressures and evenly distribute pressure during walking. The resilient sections preferably have a height which is substantially equal to or greater than the lateral extent of the sections, to permit swaying action and to reduce shear forces on the users feet.

Abstract: A shoe for treating and preventing chronic foot wounds such as ulcerations in diabetes patients. A malleable shoe upper is attached to a sole and receives a custom-fitted orthosis produced by imprinting the patient's plantar aspect into heat-deformable foam or a hardening silicone. A heel of the shoe includes an internal spring to further dampen reactive forces.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.

Abstract: Footwear including a sole for supporting a foot and an upper attached to the sole for covering the foot. The sole and upper define an interior of the footwear sized and shaped for receiving the foot. The upper has an inner surface adapted for engaging the foot when it is received in the interior of the footwear and an outer surface forming an exterior of the footwear. The upper also includes compressible cushioning permitting the upper to conform to the foot when it is received in the interior of the footwear to improve the fit of the footwear. The compressible cushioning is sized, shaped and positioned in the upper to at least partially surround a protrusion extending from the foot and is at least partially omitted from an area of the upper corresponding to the protrusion. Thus, a recess is formed in the upper for accommodating the protrusion to relieve pressure applied to the foot by the upper at the protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material with a substrate and a plurality of compressible projections connected to the substrate. The projections may be formed in a thermoplastic substrate to have a variety of shapes, including a shape that defines a base portion and a spring portion. The spring portion may have a structure of a belleville spring that exhibits a non-linear and bi-stable response to compressive forces. The material may be incorporated into an upper for an article of footwear, thereby providing the footwear with enhanced fit and comfort characteristics.

Abstract: The snowboarding boot of the invention includes a boot shell having a toe portion, a heel portion, an ankle portion, and a top portion. In the preferred embodiment, a selectively inflatable bladder is disposed at each of these portions to allow the user of the snowboarding boot to selectively adjust the secureness of the fit between his foot and the boot. In one embodiment, each of the bladders is connected together so that inflation of one bladder provides fluid pressure to all of the bladders. In another embodiment, each of the fluid bladders is separate allowing the user to adjust the inflation pressure of each bladder individually.

Abstract: A cushioning insert (1) to be inserted in the heel zone of a shoe is provided with a honey-comb structure (2) which is improved in such a manner that it provides good cushioning properties and sufficiently supports the heel even if the outsoles or soles (16) of the shoe are relatively thin. To this end, the cushioning insert (1) is made of a structural unit that includes heel shell (3) and a gas-tight honey-comb structure that is provided on the upper side (7.1) or the lower side (10) of the shell bottom (7) of the heel shell (3).

Abstract: In a shoe, an apparatus for the support of a foot, comprising a semi rigid piece of metal or plastic extending from the heel to the ball of the foot, disposed over the inner sole of the shoe, and a screw penetrating upward to raise or lower the semi rigid piece.

Abstract: An improved sole construction for use in shoes. The sole construction consists of a hammock-like lattice formed of medium to high modulus polymers, or a lightweight metal alloy. The lattice substantially conforms in topography to the foot, or a weight-bearing portion thereof (such as the heel or forefoot). The lattice may be disposed on, and supported by, a resilient frame, or secured directly to the shoe upper. The lattice supports the foot while suspending it slightly, even during gait, above the interior base of the shoe. The suspended portions of the foot are thusly protected from the shock of striking a surface (such as the ground, during gait), and are gently supported while bearing a load.

Abstract: An orthotic pad is disclosed for reducing pressure and shear stresses on dermal and muscle tissue in treatment areas extending over bony prominences. This pad includes a hydrocolloid-containing adhesive body having oppositely-facing non-parallel first, and second major surfaces. The pad is formed of a soft, deformable and shape-recoverable adhesive material in which particles of at least one moisture-absorbing and moisture-swellable hydrocolloid material are dispersed. The first surface of the pad is contoured to match that of the treatment area for adhesively engaging and covering such area, and the second surface has a developed shape for corrective redistribution of external forces exertable against the treatment area to prevent further damage from pressure or shear forces, promote the healing process and, in appropriate cases, provide orthopedic correction.

Abstract: A boot with a resilient pad fixed inside the cloth and foam layers forming the toe box.

Abstract: An insole insert for application into a shoe, and which is formed as a laminar material of various layers of paper, polymer, stranded thermoplastic or thermosetting material, foams of select consistencies and texture, in addition to a felt or microfiber type of upper layer, to add to the cushioning and softness of the insert, when applied. The insert, when subjected to heat and pressure, particularly pressure applied by the foot, conforms to the contours of the foot, and sustains such, even after prolonged usage after application into a shoe.

Abstract: An inflatable liner for a boot, such as a snowboard boot. An oily chalk like substance consisting of 90% sweet starch, 9% lubricant, and 1% stearate is included between two sheets of plastic that make up bladder of the liner. The bladder is attached to the EVA of the liner before the EVA is folded, stitched, heated and molded. This allows the bladder to be attached while the EVA is still flat and allows attachment to be performed by machine stitching. The bladder is partially iflated before the EVA is heated and molded. The oily chalk like substance and the partial inflation of the bladder allows the installed baldder to apss through the heating and molding steps of the EVA without the two sheets that make up the bladder melting together. The design and installation of the bladder minimizes the amount of slipping of a wearer's foot and heal within the boot.

Abstract: A custom conformable device that supports and cushions a user's anatomical part, such the foot. The device is self-inflating, conforms to the shape of the user's foot, utilizes an inflatable bladder with a valve, and contains an expandable material such as an open cell foam. When the valve is open the expandable material expands, causing the bladder to inflate and to conform to the shape of the user's anatomical part. Once the desired shape is achieved, the valve is closed, sealing the bladder. Once the bladder is sealed, the expandable material retains the shape of the user's anatomical part. The user may open the valve to adjust the level of support provided by the device by allowing more fluid to enter the bladder, or by forcing fluid to exit the bladder.

Abstract: A driving shoe that is also comfortable for walking includes extensive cushioning in the shoe's heel regions and sides and a line of substantially constant curvature in the heel region extending to the rear of the shoe that allows for rapid pivoting between the accelerator and brake without having to lift the foot during driving and for a more natural gait during walking.

Abstract: This invention provides deformable low density trauma mitigation or pressure reducing composition comprising a viscous fluid and a plurality of macroparticulates and, optionally, microparticulates dispersed within the viscous fluid. The viscous fluid can comprise a water/oil emulsion, a glycerin/water mixture, a plasticizer or the like. In a further embodiment the composition comprises a viscous fluid and an enhancer which is a polytetrafluoroethylene-molybdenum disulfide combination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for functionally covering footwear of various sizes and shapes is provided. In one embodiment an overshoe, having an upper portion with an inside portion and a heel portion is provided. A first inwardly protruding deformable absorber, which is adapted to restrain footwear placed within the overshoe, is then located within the upper portion of the overshoe.

Abstract: A custom orthotic sandal is formed to a biomechanically corrected shape of a user. To obtain the proper shape for the sandal, a negative cast is taken of the user's foot. A positive impression cast is then formed from the negative cast. The positive impression cast is then modified to correct for biomechanical abnormalities of the user's foot. The custom orthotic sandal is formed by adhering a moldable material on the sole of the sandal. The positive impression cast is then pressed on the moldable material to form the proper shape. The moldable material is then set and the sole is assembled into the sandal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing individually contoured shoe inserts. The apparatus scans a foot of a user and generates data signal representative of the shape of the scanned foot. The data signal is analyzed and modified by a processor based upon characteristics of the user's foot, qualities desired by the user and the manner in which the user walks. The modified data signals are provide to control an insert forming device which molds a blank template to produce an insert of a desired shape. The insert is provided to the user for the placement in a shoe. modified data may be stored in a memory device or on a recording medium for use at a future date to produce other inserts.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed which comprises a vamp, a lower support connected to the vamp and at least one insert mounted in the lower support and which includes an airtight casing having a plurality of elements positioned therein which are elastically deformable such that the biomechanics of the foot of the user are optimized.

Abstract: A boot comprising a sole with an upper which includes an asymmetrical medial and lateral quarter. Strategically located pads are provided on the inner of the upper on opposite sides of the metatarsal in the vamp area and around the ankle. Flexible compressible inserts are provided in the medial dorsal area and in the posterior lateral area, providing compression and extension in the sagittal plane. A scewered lacing arrangement is provided with the lower segment of the lacing extending with the median axis of the lacing approximately at the fourth metatarsal bone and the upper segment of the lacing being provided in the anterior area of the ankle. A light-weight tongue follows the contours of the gap formed by the lacing and is connected to the lateral quarter of the upper along the side thereof and at the front is anchored to a toe box which has a rear edge forming a parabolic outline coincident with the joints between the metatarsus and the phalanges.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.