Abstract: A shoe includes a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has a heel outsole member, a forefoot outsole member, a heel member, a chassis member, a heel cushion, a forefoot cushion, and a shank. The heel member extends downwardly from the chassis and the heel cushion is within an open top cavity in the heel member. The chassis member includes a through heel opening and a through forefoot opening with the heel opening overlying the open top heel cavity of the heel member. The heel cushion is in the heel opening of the chassis member. The forefoot cushion is in the forefoot opening of the chassis member. The shank has a through heel opening overlying the heel through opening in the chassis member. The heel outsole member is coupled to the heel member. The forefoot outsole member is in contact with the forefoot cushion.

Abstract: An athletic shoe configured to efficiently attenuate dorsal, anterior, posterior, lateral, medial and plantar loading forces. The shoe toebox or forefoot upper includes a cutout region through what is generally inelastic outer shoe material, across which a panel of increased stretchability extends in juxtaposition with a key shoe-foot impact or pressure engagement area. The stretchable panel forms with the cutout a porous damping ventilating passageway into which a portion of the foot can enter and pass externally of an at-rest outer peripheral surface of the shoe material surrounding the cutout. Key shoe-foot impact or pressure areas include impact areas engaged by toes of a foot sliding forward within the shoe, and pressure areas engaged by bunions and bunionettes moving outward against the sides of the shoe. Upon removal of pressure by the moving foot portion, the stretchable panel retracts, and restores the cutout region back toward its initial configuration.

Abstract: The shoe cover of the present invention provides protection from hot materials falling onto a shoe during work activities. Welding, and other industrial activities, can lead to molten material or sparks damaging the shoe and may lead to workplace injury. The shoe cover of the present invention provides convenient, attractive and comfortable protection from this workplace hazard. The present invention comprises a heat resistant sheet of material that is easily attached and removed from the shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a hook that attaches to a lace at the toe end of the shoe and clips to the shoe at the heel end. The shoe cover of the present invention can be molded to conform to the shape of the shoe, thereby providing additional protective coverage and limiting the possibility of snagging or shifting during work activities.

Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.

Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.

Abstract: A device suitable for covering the sole of a foot. An embodiment includes a first layer having a shape of the sole, sized to fit along the sole without covering adjoining toes. Bonding material along a surface of the first layer is suitable for attaching the first layer to the sole or to an article of clothing covering the sole. The bonding material may be water resistant and suited to effect reversible attachment to the skin. In a related method, a first layer has a shape of the sole, sized to fit along the sole. When applied to the sole, the shape and size are configured to not extend along the toes. A bonding material, provided along a surface of the first layer, is suitable for attaching the first layer directly to skin on the sole or to an article of clothing covering the sole of the foot.

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: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.

Abstract: A protective foot pad comprises a sheet of protective material having a main body portion in the shape of the ball of a human foot and a locating tab extending from the main body portion for location between the first and second toes of the foot, an adhesive on one surface of the sheet for adhering the sheet to the foot, and a removable release liner covering the adhesive until the pad is to be adhered to the foot. The pad is especially suited for protecting the bare foot of a dancer, who will use the pad by removing the release liner to expose the adhesive, placing the exposed adhesive on the bottom of his or her foot to cover at least a portion of the ball of the foot, with the tab extending between the first and second toes, and bending the locating tab over the skin between the first and second toes. The main body portion can include one or more lateral extensions that adhere to the side of the foot.

Abstract: A membrane designed to surround the front portion of the foot and protect it from pressure that may be applied by shoes. The membrane acts as a protective barrier between the shoe and the wearer's foot. As a result, direct abrasion of the foot caused by portions of the shoe is reduced. Additionally, the membrane is designed to spread the pressure exerted by portions of the shoe, such as straps, to a significantly larger surface area of the wearer's foot. The membrane is worn on the front portion of the foot between the toes and the heel.

Abstract: The shoe cover is formed from two sheets of tough flexible material shaped to cooperatively shield a shoe. The first sheet forms a first shield member for protecting the metatarsal area of a foot or shoe. The second sheet forms a second shield member, adjustably attachable to the first shield member and shaped to generally cover the toe area of the shoes. Eyelets are arranged on a fold area of the first shield member between fastener patches so that the upper portion of the sheet can be folded upon itself to cover shoelaces tied through the eyelets and the tongues of the shoes. A wide patch of hook and loop fastener material is secured onto the back face of the first shield member to cooperate with a narrower strip of fastener material secured to the second shield member to adjustably cover the toes of shoes in a range of sizes.

Abstract: The invention is a Pointe shoe for ballet. It has a rigid mid-foot section and a rigid toe loop connected by a transverse axis joint located at the metatarsal-phalange joint (M-P). With the foot in Pointe position, the weight of the dancer is supported by the rigid mid-foot section. The downward force is passed through the M-P joint to the front of the toe loop. None of the weight of the dancer needs to be supported by the toes. In contrast, prior art Pointe shoes have a rigid shank and toe cup to assist the toes in supporting the weight of the dancer. The toes have small bones, muscles, and ligaments. This often results in pain and injury to the toes. The shoe of the invention has a mid-foot section that is shaped with support surfaces for the sole of the heel bone and the dorsal side of the cuneiform and metatarsal bones. These bones are larger and stronger than the bones of the toes. This shoe provides a larger area of bone and tissue to support the weight of the dancer on Pointe.

Abstract: Footwear and its method of construction are provided. An insole forepart is attached to the bottom of the sock liner. An upper having a vamp lining with a toe part is provided where toe part is stitched to the sock liner such that the vamp lining and the sock liner together define a volume for receiving a wearer's foot. A steel toe is positioned substantially around the toe part of the vamp lining. An outsole having a forward portion formed of a material having a first resiliency characteristic is provided. A stiffener is positioned between the forward portion of the outsole and the insole forepart where the stiffener is formed of a material having a second resiliency characteristic less than the first resiliency characteristic.

Abstract: Apparatuses, a system, and a method for engaging a wearer's toes within an interior of a footwear item are provided. A panel is configured to extend at least partially across a toebox of the interior of the footwear item. An attachment mechanism is configured to position the panel in the interior of the footwear item so that the panel is positioned inside the toebox to engage an edge of at least one of the wearer's toes. The panel includes a flexible or stretchable material such as neoprene. The attachment mechanism includes at least one of stitching, adhesive bonding, and thermal welding. The attachment mechanism joins the panel to the interior of the footwear item at a plurality of points along at least one of a lower edge of the panel and side edges of the panel, such as by joining the panel to an insole.

Abstract: A warming device for use in cold environments has a flexible pocket with at least one triangular side gusset for receiving a shoe or boot. The warming device has a receiver for receiving a heat generating packet or fuel stick heating device. The warming device may be firmly attached to a shoe or boot by constricting laces, cords or straps so that the gusset is pleated into loose folds along the side of the boot or shoe with heat generating packet or fuel stick heating device pressed substantially flat against the wearer's instep. The sole of the warming device may be modified to provide an anti-slip surface, for example, by installing studs in the sole. The sole of the warming device may be modified to adapt to specialized shoes or boots, such as ice skates.

Abstract: A toe shoe capable of providing support to a ballet dancer's foot while dancing en pointe. The toe shoe preferably includes a toe box in the toe of the toe shoe, an upper, and an outer sole. Support structure within the toe shoe includes a longitudinal support member, a foot encirculating tubular sleeve, and/or a toe ridge. In a first preferred embodiment, the support structure includes the longitudinal support member, foot encirculating tubular sleeve, and toe ridge. In a second preferred embodiment, the support structure includes the longitudinal support member and foot encirculating tubular sleeve. In a third preferred embodiment, the support structure is the longitudinal support member and toe ridge.

Abstract: Skate shields have a resiliently flexible protective shell with an upper portion curved so as to cover a medial side of the boot from near the toe to the instep and at least from the sole plate on the inner (medial) side of the boot over the boot to the outer (lateral) side of the boot. The protective shells are asymmetrically shaped, their continuity being broken in a location away from the medial side. The lower, inner medial edge of the upper shell is curved to contact and follow the medial side edge of the sole plate while a tongue extends transversely under the sole plate to hook the shield along the sole plate medial edge. The front end rests on the reinforced toe of the skate.

Abstract: A warming device for use in cold environments has a flexible pocket with at least one triangular side gusset for receiving a shoe or boot. The warming device has a receiver for receiving a heat generating packet or fuel stick heating device. The warming device may be firmly attached to a shoe or boot by constricting laces, cords or straps so that the gusset is pleated into loose folds along the side of the boot or shoe with heat generating packet or fuel stick heating device pressed substantially flat against the wearer's instep. The sole of the warming device may be modified to provide an anti-slip surface, for example, by installing studs in the sole. The sole of the warming device may be modified to adapt to specialized shoes or boots, such as ice skates.

Abstract: An article of footwear of the type that includes upper, an outer sole, and the following elements, listed below from the inside toward the outside of the article of footwear:

Abstract: A reversible toe pad used by dancers comprising a pad material and a bonded seamless fabric material. A fabric is bonded to the surface of a padding material on one side so as to form a reversible toe pad. The toe pad may be reversed so that the padding material is placed adjacent the dancer's toes or the fabric material is placed adjacent the dancer's toes, depending upon the dancer's preference. The padding material may be a gel or foam. A molding process utilizing a female mold and a male mold may be used.

Abstract: A Shoe Cover is disclosed. Also disclosed is a cover that allows a user to decorate their athletic footwear with an outer cover. The cover has an open bottom surface to enable it to be most easily donned and doffed from the shoe. The cover further has a plurality of apertures dispersed on its bottom surface through which cleats can pass when the cover is installed. A version of the cover is provided that reaches to up the wearer's calf area. Another cover is disclosed as having a cushioned area over the laces of the shoe to prevent bruising when the user presses the top of the foot against a rigid object. Finally, a version of the cover is provided that has a reinforced tip portion, such as for soccer players.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper in a tented arrangement. The article of footwear includes a sole and an upper including a shroud. The article of footwear further includes a foot engaging system for joining a foot of a user to the sole, and a biasing system which includes one or more frame members that urges or influences the shroud away from the foot of the user. The one or more frame members may be coupled to the foot holding system on a medial and a lateral side. The article of footwear further includes a plurality of straps for holding the foot to the sole in which one of the straps engages the heel. The straps are located on an exterior surface of the shroud or alternatively they are located in the interior of the shroud. Air gaps are created between the shroud and the foot for ventilation. Several foot booties for holding a foot have aeration regions for providing air to ventilate the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: An improved safety boot or shoe is disclosed which integrally incorporates a cushioned metatarsal guard to protect the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot from injury caused by objects falling onto this region of the wearer's foot. The metatarsal guard is be assembled from different segments of materials in consecutive layer fashion, and in the preferred embodiment includes a segment of impact cushion material, a segment of cut-resistant material, a segment of force absorption material, and a segment of in-step cushion material. The segments are preferably adhesively affixed together to form a sandwich, with the sandwich then being interposed between the interior of the upper and the inner lining of the safety boot or shoe. In the preferred embodiment, a rigid toe is also included, with a portion of the metatarsal guard of the present invention overlying a portion of the rigid toe.

Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper in a tented arrangement. The article of footwear includes a sole and an upper including a shroud. The article of footwear further includes a foot engaging system for joining a foot of a user to the sole, and a biasing system which includes a plurality of frame members that urges or influences the shroud away from the foot of the user. The article of footwear further includes a plurality of straps for holding the foot to the sole in which one of the straps engages the heel. The straps are located on an exterior surface of the shroud or alternatively they are located in the interior of the shroud. Air gaps are created between the shroud and the foot for ventilation. Several foot booties for holding a foot have vent openings for providing air to ventilate the foot of a wearer. Further, the foot booties are combined with straps, in which the straps are disposed between the shroud and the foot booties.

Abstract: The pointe show has an upper, a toe box and a split sole. The split sole has a front sole and a rear sole. The front sole may be located below the ball of the dancer's foot and the rear sole may be located below the heel of the dancer's foot. The split sole provides more flexibility to the pointe shoe and eliminates or reduces the “break in” of the shoe. Furthermore, the split sole shoe is lighter and easier for the dancer to rise up on her toes.

Abstract: A safety shoe includes an upper, a steel toe, an outsole and a partial insole tuck for preventing rearward movement of the steel toe.

Abstract: An improved safety shoe for protecting a person's foot from harmful injury including a high impact resistant outer shell, an inner dense foam insert, a solid toe cap, a heel cup, an inner sole, an outer sole and a moisture dissipating material surrounding the dense foam insert. The outer shell includes a series of flexible interlocking sliding bands arranged surrounding the foot and folding under the foot between the outer sole and the inner sole. Entrance to the boot is by means of a rear opening having a flush mounted buckle for closing the boot around the foot.

Abstract: A toe guard for an open toe sandal is presented. The toe guard is formed of a curved panel of rigid plastic extending around and over the front toe portion of the foot bed of the sandal and can have a base wall disposed between an upper innersole and a lower outersole.

Abstract: A one-piece toe plate is removably placeable inside the toe box of a shoe such as a running shoe, a sneaker or the like to protect the wearer's toes. The footwear can thus be used in a work situation requiring foot protection, but will be comfortable and amenable to changing shoes.

Abstract: A metatarsal protector for footwear consists of a body molded from resilient plastics material, thus facilitating walking and kneeling, the material being sufficiently flexible that it can be molded flat and bent to the required saddle shape when it is incorporated into the footwear close against the upper inner surface. The range of hardness required for the material is comparatively narrow, so that it is sufficiently flexible, but can still meet certification requirements, and as measured by a Durometer A test is between 35 and 50 Shore. The protector comprises a plurality of integral ridged projections protruding from one surface, forming between themselves a corresponding plurality of open-mouthed recesses, each of which is surrounded by a single projection (e.g. giving a circular recess) or by a plurality thereof intersecting one another (e.g. giving rectangular or triangular recesses). When an impact force is applied to the metatarsal region the resilient material deforms and absorbs the force.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper in a tented arrangement. The article of footwear includes a sole and an upper including a shroud. The article of footwear further includes a foot engaging system for joining a foot of a user to the sole, and a biasing system which includes a plurality of frame members that urges or influences the shroud away from the foot of the user. The article of footwear further includes a plurality of straps for holding the foot to the sole in which one of the straps engages the heel. The straps are located on an exterior surface of the shroud or alternatively they are located in the interior of the shroud. Air gaps are created between the shroud and the foot for ventilation. Several foot booties for holding a foot have vent openings for providing air to ventilate the foot of a wearer. Further, the foot booties are combined with straps, in which the straps are disposed between the shroud and the foot booties.

Abstract: Protective footwear includes a metatarsal guard for providing protection of the metatarsal region of the wearer. The guard, which internal of the footwear, of integral nonrigid assembly having mutually overlying multiple layers each extending both longitudinally and transversely in overlying relation to the metatarsal region of the wearer. Each layer is nonrigid and flexible. Different materials make up the different layers to within the footwear both energy absorbing and force dissipating capability for absorbing and dissipating impact forces throughout the multiple layers in order to protect the metatarsal region of the wearer from impact forces and from being cut by sharp objects.

Abstract: A safety shoe includes an upper, a steel toe, an outsole and a partial insole tuck for preventing rearward movement of the steel toe.

Abstract: A safety shoe with detachable steel toe box, particularly a toe box made of steel plate, is fixed to invest surface of an original toe box in a shoe with a drawstring for protecting the latter and a worker's toes against impairment in working.

Abstract: Footwear and its method of manufacture are provided. The footwear includes an upper having a vamp lining with a toe part disposed along an inner surface of the upper is provided. A relatively rigid insole forepart member is attached to a sock liner, the length of the insole forepart being less than the length of the sock liner. The toe part of the vamp lining is then stitched to a peripheral edge of the insole forepart, the vamp lining and insole forepart defining a cavity for receiving a portion of a wearer's foot. A steel toe is then positioned substantially around the toe part of the vamp lining.

Abstract: A foot cover insert (1) adapted to be slid over a wearer's foot (2) and to cover the instep and sides of the foot for keeping feet inside straps (3) of sandal shoes (4). The foot cover insert having an upper (5) consisting of a clear, smooth, firm, pliable, vinyl material; and a flat sole (6) consisting of a thin cork material or a fabric material that has a heavy grain. The upper (5) and sole (6) joined together at their edges to form a tubular shaped member with an enlarged first opening (7) to permit the insert to be slid over the foot of the wearer, and an enlarged second opening (8) at the front of the tubular member. The insert (1) adapted to cover only the portion of the foot between the toes and the instep, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, wherein the foot cover insert (10 can be removed and placed in any type of sandal and give a smooth and perfect look to the foot hiding imperfections of the foot and keep the foot within the boundaries of the sandal.

Abstract: A protective footwear and lower leg covering protects the shoes and lower trousers or legs of a wearer while using a mower, string trimmer, chain saw, or other equipment which may discharge objects at high speed. The covering also serves to protect the user's shoes and clothing during painting operations, and the complete closure from the sole of the shoe upward along the lower leg, also serves to protect the wearer from insect bites and stings. The device comprises a molded plastic, rubber, or other elastomer shoe or boot cover, which is sewn to an upper legging, spat or puttee configured to cover bare or trousered legs. A plurality of fastening straps secure the protective cover to a wearer's foot and lower leg. The shoe or boot cover has no sole, thus providing for easier donning by a wearer. The shoe or boot cover is secured to the shoe or boot by a strap which passes beneath the sole, or alternatively by a toe pocket or hold formed in the forward end of the cover.

Abstract: A footwear saddle and method for dissipating pressure between footwear and the wearer's foot. The saddle comprises a member having a bridge offset from a central axis of the member which overlays the instep of the wearer's foot. During usage, the pressure between the footwear and the foot is dissipated by the saddle, the bridge maintaining the gap between the instep of the foot and the saddle.

Abstract: A protective fighting boot provides for a neat appearance and for the fitting of feet of a range of sizes. A leg protector includes a thick sheet of resilient foam which covers the ankle of the wearer, and which is protected on the outside by a cloth which is corrugated along the ankle to enable elongation of the cloth when flexing at the ankle. A heel protector is held to the leg protector by straps which are attachable at different locations therealong to the leg protector to enable the same size of leg and heel protectors to be used with feet of different lengths.

Abstract: A sole construction for protective shoes comprises a protective mid-sole and an integrally molded insole and heel plug, the plug portion including a top surface, a recessed bed in the top surface, spaced-apart anchoring projections in the recessed bed and a slot extending through the insole laterally thereof adjacent the plug and communicating with the recessed bed. The mid-sole being coextensive with the insole and including a rearward extension adapted to pass through the slot in the insole and be received in the recessed bed. The rearward extension of the mid-sole includes complementary anchoring seats adapted to be selectively engaged by at least one of the anchoring projections in the bed.

Abstract: This invention is a pad for wearing inside a shoe, and positioning against a bunion; the pad being contoured on one side to fit the bunion, and contoured on its other side to fit the shoe.

Abstract: A ski boot comprising an outer boot having a sole on which an improved foot supporting insert rests, the insert including a footbed supported by a rear heel balance post, a central metatarsal balance pad and a forward toe balance pad, the insert forming and holding the foot of a skier in a functional cavus or high-arched foot positon when a foot is placed thereon and being laterally tiltable relative to the sole within the boot upon inversion or eversion of the foot thereby creating a weight shift which is transferred to a lateral edge of a ski attached to the boot causing the ski to turn.

Abstract: Pressure-compensating fitting pads having, among other things therein, glass microbeads, which pads are adapted for a variety of uses, including, but not limited to, use with or in sports footwear, or, more particularly, boots or ski boots, and, when so used, provide proper and ready fitting, firm support, and comfort to desired portions of the foot of the wearer, namely, selected major portions of front and side regions (including the ankle area), for intended purposes and activites. Sports footwear which includes such pressure-compensating fitting pads as means for effectively providing proper and ready fitting, firm support, and comfort.

Abstract: A dry insulated, impulse voltage resistant, multi-layer series wound coil having air ducts between layers for use in transformers, reactors, and the like is made with minimum solid insulation spacing between adjacent conductors and maximum air spacing radially between coil layers. The method of making includes winding on a form of alternate layers of insulation and conductors. After one layer of winding is complete, cloth-wrapped duct-forming molds are supported on the windings and further insulation and conductors are wound around the whole assembly. When the desired number of layers is complete, the assembly is vacuum cast in a resin and the forms and the molds are then removed.

Abstract: A shoe construction including an upper member preferably divided into two pieces, an upper and a mudguard piece in which the mudguard piece has a pair of depending side portions extending beneath the upper and joined along longitudinal abutting edges between the heel portion and the forepart of the upper member.The method of making this shoe includes slip-lasting the upper member after the upper and the mudguard piece have been secured together, and after the bottom edges of the mudguard piece have been secured. Thus, lasting is facilitated, because only the forepart and heel portions of the upper member need be lasted. Moreover, less attention is required for fitting the upper member about the last since the shape and fit has been substantially determined by pre-securing the bottom edges of the depending mudguard side portions.

Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.

Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.