Abstract: A system for modifying properties of an article of footwear is disclosed, wherein the article of footwear includes a removable foot-supporting member that includes a frame portion that defines an aperture, one of a plurality of insert portions that are received by the aperture, and a restraining member attached to an upper surface of the frame portion. By removing the insert portion, which has a specific physical characteristic, and replacing it with an alternate insert portion, which has a different physical characteristic, properties of the article of footwear are modified. The restraining member is attached to the upper surface of the frame portion, but not to the upper surface of the insert portion. The restraining member prevents upward movement of the insert portions and stretches to accommodate insert portions having various dimensions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustable shoe footbed system which allows for varying the width of a shoe. The footbed system consists of an upper member and a set of detachable lower members of various thicknesses. The effective width of a shoe can be varied by the proper choice of lower member.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having an improved upper, and method of manufacture are presented herein. The upper is generally comprised of a forefoot panel extending over a portion of the sole corresponding to a forward area of a wearer's foot, a mid-section panel extending over a portion of the sole corresponding to a midfoot area of the wearer's foot, and a rear panel extending over a portion of the sole corresponding to a rearfoot area of the wearer's foot. The upper further comprises a first expansion joint joining the forefoot panel to the mid-section panel, and a second expansion joint joining the mid-section panel to the rearfoot panel.

Abstract: A customization system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The customization system comprises an insert system. The insert system includes an insert and a heel member. Both the insert and the heel member may be interchangeable, allowing the user to modify the article of footwear to provide a customized fit or performance optimization.

Abstract: A skate having a base adapted to support a user's boot, a frame equipped with a plurality of wheels and having a transverse arch in its central portion, at least one rear quarter capable of sliding on the base and adapted to surround the heel zone and the lower leg of the boot. The base has two edges that project upwardly and surround the lower portion of the rear quarter, each of the vertical edges having a longitudinal groove capable of receiving a platform provided on the outer sides of the rear quarter, and attaching mechanism allowing the attachment of the rear quarter to the base in various positions.

Abstract: An object of footwear for children which allows adults to visually determine whether the shoe proper fits the child and can be adjusted in its effective size when it is determined that the shoe has become too small. The article of footwear comprises a fitting system comprising: (1) a substantially transparent window disposed in a predetermined location in the vamp so that when a wearer who has a foot that properly fits in the article of footwear puts on the article of footwear, a portion of a toe of the wearer can be seen through the window, and (2) a sizing member attached to the upper, the sizing member being placed within the opening against the heel portion to create a first effective size of the article of footwear, the sizing member being removable to create a second effective size of the article of footwear. The present invention also provides a method of determining when to adjust the effective size of an article of footwear and adjusting the effective size of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A method of making an expandable shoe is disclosed. An intermediate footwear structure is provided having an expandable upper portion. A stabilizing material is provided to the intermediate structure to resist expansion of the upper portion, and a last is inserted into the intermediate structure. A subsequent manufacturing operation is performed to the intermediate structure, and the stabilizing material is acted upon to permit longitudinal movement of the upper portion. The size of the last is selected from among the sizes within the intended range of shoe sizes for the expandable shoe, depending on the characteristics of the upper portion of the shoe, and the desired shoe size range.

Abstract: A size-adjustable in-line skate having a base carrying a plurality of wheels thereon. An upper is secured to a top surface of the base and defines a heel portion, a toe portion, and diametrically opposed side wall portions. The upper is supported by a support structure that includes a heel cup and a toe cup. The toe cup is secured to the toe portion of the upper and slideably coupled to the base so that the toe cup can slide longitudinally with respect to the base. An actuator is coupled to the toe cup and travels therewith. When the actuator is translated, engagement members on the actuator disengage with detents on the base to allow the toe cup to freely slide between longitudinal positions to adjust the shoe size of the skate.

Abstract: Inner boot, particularly for a sports shoe such as a ski boot, an in-line roller skate or an ice skate, comprising a front portion, that covers the toes and part of the forefoot of the user, and a rear portion, that extends at the region of the plantar's arch up to the heel; the front portion is connected to the rear portion by way of one or more interconnection bellows having, in a rest position, its maximum elongation.

Abstract: A resilient anti-fatigue layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer includes a mat of fibers heat bonded together with a tight surface against the sole and a loose surface against the floor. The mat of fibers includes a generally flat portion shaped to match the bottom of the shoe and a plurality of tabs formed of the mat at the edges of the bottom portion and projecting beyond the edges of the bottom portion with at least one tab at the front, two tabs at the rear and at least one tab at each side, with each tab having attached thereto a respective strap. The straps provide a on each side a single strap which extends from the front side connection tab, through slots provided in a toe connection member to the rear side tabs, to the heel tabs and over the foot.

Abstract: An inline skate with changeable length has an inner boot, an adjusting device, an outer boot and a wheel assembly. The adjusting device is attached to the inner boot and comprises a block and a key. The block has a longitudinal adjustment slot and a transverse slot communicating with the longitudinal adjustment slot. The key is mounted through the transverse slot and selectively extends into the longitudinal adjustment slot. The outer boot has an outer toe and an outer heel. The outer toe has a rear edge and a tongue formed on and protruding from the rear edge, mounted slidably in the longitudinal adjustment slot and having multiple adjustment slots. The adjustment slots selectively align with the transverse slot in the block and are engaged by the key. A wheel assembly is mounted under the outer heel. Hence, adjusting the length of the inline skate is easy and convenient.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.

Abstract: Sole with stretchable structure, a footwear article provided with such a sole and its assembly method. The invention relates to a footwear sole where the forepart is associated with a stretchable material making it possible to fit differing foot widths easily; it also relates to the footwear equipped with such a sole and the method for mounting this footwear. It is constituted of a sole base (1) comprising openings (4) in which the lugs (3) of the stretchable part (2) are positioned in a sealed manner. The insole (5) comprises a deformable structure (6) in its forepart. When the wearer's foot is put into a footwear article provided with such a complex, it exerts pressure on the edges of the upper (10) thus causing deformation of the sole. This ability of deforming the sole avoids feelings of compression of the foot. The device according to the invention is intended in particular for the manufacture of footwear with the ability of adapting to differing foot anatomies.

Abstract: A skate (200) having a frame (226) adapted to support a plurality of wheels (228) and a base (214) disposed above the frame. The base includes a platform (280) having a longitudinal rail (282) with a plurality of locking detents (288), and an upwardly extending guide tab (284). A separable semirigid toe cup (216) includes an elongate slit (254) therethrough, and slidably engages the rail of the base, such that the toe cup can be adjusted longitudinally. An angled channel (264) in the toe cup engages the guide tab, such that the width of the slit, and therefore the width of the toe cup, increases as the toe cup is moved to lengthen the skate. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a threaded post (302) extends transversely through the slit, permitting independent adjustment of the width of the toe cap.

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: A traction system for use on conventional flexible footwear is provided that includes both toe and heel sections that are independently attached to a wearer's footwear and are connected with a flexible linkage. The flexible linkage allows the traction system to move with the normal movement of the flexible footwear so as to provide a natural walking and running movement. The traction system provides numerous benefits over previously available crampon and other spiked traction systems, including flexibility, light weight, practical usability with a wide variety of footwear types—including highly flexible footwear such as running shoes, compactability, and ready adjustability between different sizes and types of footwear.

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. A lighted visualization window provides a visualization window to the inner assembly. The inner assembly may include size markings through the visualization window so that a size of the adjusted shoe may be determined as shoe size is adjusted.

Abstract: A length-adjustable shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes an outsole, an insole attached on the outsole, an upper attached on the insole, means for adjusting a length of the insole, which is provided at the insole, an upper tension member provided at the upper, a lower tension member provided at the outsole, and means for fastening a front part and a rear part of the upper divided by the upper tension member to maintain a size of the shoe at a wearer's foot size. The shoe is extended and contracted longitudinally without change of an outer shape of the shoe, by the length-adjusting means, the upper tension member, the lower tension member, and the fastening means. The shoe can accommodate a wearer suffering hallux valgus or hallux varus, a wearer with both feet having different sizes, and a wearer with rapid growth rate. The shoe can be worn by a wearer for a long period of time without needless expenditure due to purchase of two pair of shoes.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.

Abstract: A resilient anti-fatigue layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer includes a mat of fibers heat bonded together with a tight surface against the sole and a loose surface against the floor. The mat of fibers includes a generally flat portion shaped to match the bottom of the shoe and a plurality of tabs formed of the mat at the edges of the bottom portion and projecting beyond the edges of the bottom portion with at least one tab at the front, two tabs at the rear and at least one tab at each side, with each tab having attached thereto a respective strap. The straps provide a on each side a single strap which extends from the front side connection tab, through slots provided in a toe connection member to the rear side tabs, to the heel tabs and over the foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the shape of a foot by means of comparing the shape of the foot with the shape of the reference foot. This is done by fitting a reference shoe to the foot, locating the area wherein the foot and the reference shoe do not coincide, selecting appropriate filler units for the located area and attaching the filler unit to a corresponding area of a shoe last and reforming the shape of the reference shoe by fitting the reference shoe to the shoe last. This is repeated until the reference shoe and the foot fit together.

Abstract: A pivotal counter assembly for a shoe has a base, a pivot, a counter plate, a torsion spring, a push button, an engaging device and a biasing member. The pivot is pivotally mounted in the base with a pivot pin. The counter plate extends upward from the pivot. The torsion spring is mounted around the pivot pin to provide a recoil force to the pivot. The push button is slidably mounted in the base. The engaging device is mounted between the push button and the pivot to hold the counter plate at a desired position. The biasing member is mounted between the push button and the base to provide a restitution force to the push button. In such an arrangement, the user does not need to manually push the push button, and the use of the counter assembly is easy and convenient.

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: A system for modifying properties of an article of footwear is disclosed, wherein the article of footwear includes a removable foot-supporting member that includes a frame portion that defines an aperture, one of a plurality of insert portions that are received by the aperture, and a restraining member attached to an upper surface of the frame portion. By removing the insert portion, which has a specific physical characteristic, and replacing it with an alternate insert portion, which has a different physical characteristic, properties of the article of footwear are modified. The restraining member is attached to the upper surface of the frame portion, but not to the upper surface of the insert portion. The restraining member prevents upward movement of the insert portions and stretches to accommodate insert portions having various dimensions.

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. The control includes a locking mechanism shaped to engage and hold one of the first and second board portions, a biasing mechanism to bias the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the first and second board portions; and an urging member having a proximal portion external of the shoe outer shell and positioned and movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shoe and in transverse alignment with the locking mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to an upper part for a shoe, in which the dimensional design of its inside and outside provides considerable adjustability through assembly with fastening devices positioned and construction in such a way that it gives a highly stable upper part, the characteristics of which in terms of material and properties permit is adaptation to different sizes of feet. The upper part of the shoe is in the form of woven fabric or some other flexible material, the fastening devices are in the form of hook and loop-type fastening devices such as VELCRO, at least some of which exhibit circular form, and the under side of the outside of the upper part of the shoe exhibits connecting devices essentially for its detachable attachment to a sole or other under part of the shoe capable of being placed in contact with a floor.

Abstract: A protective boot made from a foldable material such as Nomex™ material or Kevlar™ material or, for some applications, such as neoprene has an ankle-covering portion and a foot-covering portion, which has a heel end and a toe end. Near the toe end, the foot-covering portion is foldable onto itself and is fastenable to itself when and where folded onto itself, whereby the foot-covering portion can be adjustably sized. Hook-and-loop fasteners, which are preferred, or other fasteners are used for fastening the foot-covering portion releasably to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any one of plural positions. Hook-and-loop fasteners, if used therefor, enable the foot-covering portion to be releasably fastened to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any position within a range of possible positions. The protective boot has two hook-and-loop straps, each drawn around the protective boot and fastened to itself and to said fastening means.

Abstract: A baby shoe comprises a sole part positioned under the baby foot, a tongue part covering the baby instep, a first side coat part covering one side face of the baby foot and partially overlapping with the tongue part, and a second side coat part covering the other side face of the baby foot and partially overlapping with the tongue part. A front end of the tongue part is connected to a front end of the sole part. The first and the second side coat parts have edge parts, respectively which are opposed to each other over the tongue part and extend to the front end of the sole part. In each of the edge parts of the first and the second side coat parts, its front part close to the front end of the sole part is sewed on the tongue part.

Abstract: A footwear structure including an outsole, an upper and a midsole. The outsole may include at least one stretch zone for allowing expansion and contraction of the outsole, e.g. corresponding to expansion and contraction of a user's foot during wear. The upper may include stretch zones for allowing expansion of the upper, and the midsole may include varying regions of rigidity.

Abstract: the present invention provides a method for making ready-made shoes fitting individuals foot shapes. This method includes the steps of forming a separate forefoot part and a separate rearfoot part, and connecting them detachably by means of a connecting means to form a shoe body. This makes it possible to easily produce sorts of shoes of different widths for each size by forming forefoot parts of different widths and/or rearfoot parts of different widths, selecting any of these parts of different widths and connecting the forefoot and rearfoot parts. This also makes it possible to easily produce sorts of shoes each pair of which has different sizes and/or widths, by forming forefoot parts of different sizes and/or widths and/or rearfoot parts of different sizes and/or widths, selecting any of these parts of different sizes and/or widths and connecting the forefoot and rearfoot parts.

Abstract: An expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a control to adjust a dimension of the inner assembly and thereby a corresponding dimension of the shoe. A visualization window provides a view port to the inner assembly so that size markings on the inner assembly may be visible through the view port. The inner assembly includes first and second board portions, each shaped for relative movement with respect to the other, and a manually urgable member. When the urgable member is released from an engagement member fixed to one of the first and second board portions, the first and second board portions may be moved to adjust the shoe dimension and when the urgable member is in engagement with the fixed engagement member the first and second board portions resist movement relative to one another.

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 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. The control includes a locking mechanism shaped to engage and hold one of the first and second board portions, a biasing mechanism to bias the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the first and second board portions; and an urging member having a proximal portion external of the shoe outer shell and positioned and movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shoe and in transverse alignment with the locking mechanism. In one embodiment, a lighted visualization window provides a visualization window to the inner assembly.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper sized for receiving a range of foot sizes from a minimum foot size to a maximum foot size. A growth indicator is connected with the shoe upper and includes an indicator for indicating when the foot of a wearer is equal to or greater than the maximum size of the range of foot sizes.

Abstract: An improved footwear structure, which comprises an upper and a sole, associated to such upper. The footwear structure also comprises 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: The ice spike for mountaineering is composed of a front frame and a rear frame joined to one another by a joining strip which comprises two parallel rows of holes spaced at regular intervals. Lengthwise adjustment of the ice spike is performed by the joining strip and a stud designed to be inserted in one of the holes of one of the two rows of the joining strip. The holes of the second row are offset longitudinally with respect to those of the first row, this enabling the length of the spike to be adjusted by one shoe size or by half a shoe size.

Abstract: Sole with stretchable structure, a footwear article provided with such a sole and its assembly method.

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: A length-adjustable shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes an outsole, an insole attached on the outsole, an upper attached on the insole, means for adjusting a length of the insole, which is provided at the insole, an upper tension member provided at the upper, a lower tension member provided at the outsole, and means for fastening a front part and a rear part of the upper divided by the upper tension member to maintain a size of the shoe at a wearer's foot size. The shoe is extended and contracted longitudinally without change of an outer shape of the shoe, by the length-adjusting means, the upper tension member, the lower tension member, and the fastening means. The shoe can accommodate a wearer suffering hallux valgus or hallux varus, a wearer with both feet having different sizes, and a wearer with rapid growth rate. The shoe can be worn by a wearer for a long period of time without needless expenditure due to purchase of two pair of shoes.

Abstract: A sports shoe comprising a sole on which a shell divided into a heel unit and a separate toe unit is associated; the heel unit and the toe unit are mutually associated so that they can slide along a substantially longitudinal axis and comprise an adjustment device for increasing the overall volume of the sports shoe by means of a forward movement of the toe unit.

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 traction system for use on conventional flexible footwear is provided that includes both toe and heel sections that are independently attached to a wearer's footwear and are connected with a flexible linkage. The flexible linkage allows the traction system to move with the normal movement of the flexible footwear so as to provide a natural walking and running movement. The traction system provides numerous benefits over previously available crampon and other spiked traction systems, including flexibility, light weight, practical usability with a wide variety of footwear types—including highly flexible footwear such as running shoes, compactability, and ready adjustability between different sizes and types of footwear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the shape of a foot by means of comparing the shape of the foot with the shape of the reference foot. This is done by fitting a reference shoe to the foot, locating the area wherein the foot and the reference shoe do not coincide, selecting appropriate filler units for the located area and attaching the filler unit to a corresponding area of a shoe last and reforming the shape of the reference shoe by fitting the reference shoe to the shoe last. This is repeated until the reference shoe and the foot fit together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making ready-made shoes fitting individuals' foot shapes. This method includes the steps of forming a separate forefoot part and a separate rearfoot part, and connecting them detachably by means of a connecting means to form a shoe body. This makes it possible to easily produce sorts of shoes of different widths for each size by forming forefoot parts of different widths and/or rearfoot parts of different widths, selecting any of these parts of different widths and connecting the forefoot and rearfoot parts. This also makes it possible to easily produce sorts of shoes each pair of which has different sizes and/or widths, by forming forefoot parts of different sizes and/or widths and/or rearfoot parts of different sizes and/or widths, selecting any of these parts of different sizes and/or widths and connecting the forefoot and rearfoot parts.

Abstract: A footwear structure including an upper and a separate midsole having interlocking shank portions. The upper has an upward extending arc in the shank area which defines a shank interlock portion therein. The midsole has a corresponding arc which defines a shank interlock portion on a bottom surface thereof which mates with the arc in the upper for resisting motion of the midsole relative to the outsole in the case where the midsole is unsecured within the structure to allow for removal of the midsole. The structure may include an outsole having a shank interlock area that mates with the shank interlock of the midsole, with or without an upper disposed between the midsole and the outsole. The shank interlock areas may include a continuous arc or an abruptly changing arc, and the midsole may be removable or non-removable from the structure. A rigid shank insert may be provided between the midsole and outsole, and the midsole may include a variety of layers.

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. The control includes a locking mechanism shaped to engage and hold one of the first and second board portions, a biasing mechanism to bias the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the first and second board portions; and an urging member having a proximal portion external of the shoe outer shell and positioned and movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shoe and in transverse alignment with the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A skate includes a base, an adjusting member, and a boot including a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is provided on a front portion of an upper side of the base. The rear portion is secured in place when the adjusting member is in its initial position. When the adjusting member is pushed, the rear portion is adjustable along a longitudinal direction of the base.

Abstract: A protective boot made from a foldable material such as Nomex™ material or Kevlar™ material or, for some applications, such as neoprene has an ankle-covering portion and a foot-covering portion, which has a heel end and a toe end. Near the toe end, the foot-covering portion is foldable onto itself and is fastenable to itself when and where folded onto itself, whereby the foot-covering portion can be adjustably sized. Hook-and-loop fasteners, which are preferred, or other fasteners are used for fastening the foot-covering portion releasably to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any one of plural positions. Hook-and-loop fasteners, if used therefor, enable the foot-covering portion to be releasably fastened to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any position within a range of possible positions. The protective boot has two hook-and-loop straps, each drawn around the protective boot and fastened to itself and to said fastening means.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided that includes a sizing apparatus to allow the shoe size to be adjustable by the wearer. The article of footwear in the form of a shoe includes a sole, an upper extending from the sole, and a sizing apparatus located within the upper, in which a sizing member is attached to the upper at the rear end of the shoe. The sizing apparatus may include a composite inner core, a detachment feature, and a dual selective fastening system. The inner core may be substantially enclosed in a lining. The sizing apparatus enables a user to adjust the effective length of the shoe to at least three effective lengths. A method of adjusting the size of the article of footwear is provided to make the shoe at least three effective lengths.

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. The control includes a locking mechanism shaped to engage and hold one of the first and second board portions, a biasing mechanism to bias the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the first and second board portions; and an urging member having a proximal portion external of the shoe outer shell and positioned and movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shoe and in transverse alignment with the locking mechanism.