Abstract: Designs and compositions of insoles for footwear are described herein. The insoles may be customized for a given foot. In some examples, the insole (100) includes a base comprising a variable thickness component (205), a directional stiffness component, a stability component, and a reinforcement component. The base may be a single composition that is manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A dual-hardness outsole includes a front section, a middle section, and a rear section, at least the middle section of the outsole including a wedge having a bottom surface which extends below another bottom surface of at least one of the front and rear sections such that the wedge carries more weight than the other bottom surface. The outsole comprises a hard portion and a soft portion that are secured to each other and together form the wedge, a cross-sectional profile of the hard and soft density portions being such that a center portion of the wedge is softer than opposite lateral portions thereof.

Abstract: A retractable high heel shoe. The retractable high heel shoe includes a shoe having an upper portion extending perpendicularly upwards from a sole defining an interior volume that can receive a foot therein. A heel having a lower side is affixed to the sole at a rear side of the shoe. The heel includes a plurality of sections that can telescopically move between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention is a sole having an adjustable height mechanism along at least one of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis whereby the height of the sole can be adjusted creating one or more angles of inclination in the sole. The sole includes, in one embodiment, slidable spacing blocks. In a preferred embodiment, the sole further includes a motor connected to at least one block, the motor connected to a controller communicating wirelessly to a processor providing instructions to the controller for positioning the one or more blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high heel for women, and particularly, to a high heel which not only prevents weight from being concentrated to the toe when worn but also absorbs shock to achieve walking comfort, and in which stress is provided to the arch of the sole to prevent deformation of the toes and exercise the Achilles' tendon such that joints are protected and the posture is corrected thereby preventing damage to the spine. To this end, a protrusion part 1 is formed at a part to support a back end of the arching of the sole, and an inclined surface 2 inclined downward from a back end of the protrusion part 1, which positions the heel of the sole to an end part of the high heel such that the Achilles' tendon can be exercised while walking.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole having an insert piece and a layer of material disposed on a top surface of the insert piece; and an upper extending above the sole. The insert piece extends from at least one of a front or middle portion of the shoe to a rear of the shoe, with the top surface of the insert piece inclined upwardly toward the rear of the shoe and then leveling off at a rear portion of the shoe. A top surface of the layer of material is inclined upwardly from the at least one of the front or middle portion of the shoe to the rear of the shoe, such that at the rear portion of the shoe an angle of inclination is significantly greater for the top surface of the layer of material than for the top surface of the insert piece.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning.

Abstract: The nesting modular elevators for footwear are a plurality of tapered, progressively wider units that assemble sequentially to one another and attach to the shoe of the wearer. Each unit has a generally oval planform and a hollow interior, permitting each successively smaller unit to be stored compactly within the next larger unit for storage. The base unit has a wide footprint that provides good stability for the assembly when in use. The larger or lowermost unit(s) may be omitted from the assembly when less than maximum height is required. In one embodiment, the units have mating laterally opposed channels and tracks respectively along the upper and lower edges thereof. In another embodiment, the units have mating opposed fore and aft tabs and slots respectively in the upper and lower edges thereof. These systems provide positive engagement of the units with one another, and preclude slippage between units.

Abstract: The nesting modular elevators for footwear are a plurality of tapered, progressively wider units that assemble sequentially to one another and attach to the shoe of the wearer. Each unit has a generally oval planform and a hollow interior, permitting each successively smaller unit to be stored compactly within the next larger unit for storage. The base unit has a wide footprint that provides good stability for the assembly when in use. The larger or lowermost unit(s) may be omitted from the assembly when less than maximum height is required. In one embodiment, the units have mating laterally opposed channels and tracks respectively along the upper and lower edges thereof. In another embodiment, the units have mating opposed fore and aft tabs and slots respectively in the upper and lower edges thereof. These systems provide positive engagement of the units with one another, and preclude slippage between units.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hiking boot attachment is provided that assists in the descent of slopes. The hiking boot attachment includes a platform that engages the underside of a mid-portion of a sole of a hiking boot, in a region under a ball of a hiker's foot. A strap system is attached to the platform and secures the platform to the hiking boot. Further, one or more supports are secured to the platform. The one or more supports each have a portion that extends downward from a bottom face of the platform to engage the ground and lift the platform above the ground. This may reduce incline of the hiking boot when descending a slope. The portions of the one or more supports that engage the ground deliver downward force to regions of ground disposed to lateral sides of the hiking boot, to promote stability.

Abstract: An article of footwear for use in weight lifting is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a non-deforming midsole. Also, the article of footwear includes a raised heel and a substantially flat bottom surface. Additionally, the article of footwear includes holes formed along the bottom of the midsole in order to reduce the weight of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning.

Abstract: A footwear comprises a sole and a heel provided with a first heel portion fixed to said sole, said heel comprising a second heel portion, rotatable around a hinge device and adjustable from a first position, in which said second heel portion protrudes transversely from said sole, to a second position in which said second heel portion is rotated to said sole; a footwear comprises a sole provided with a heel, and a support portion connected to said sole on which a further heel is obtained shaped to supportingly receive said heel.

Abstract: A leg lift device is provided for attachment to a shoe and includes a sole, a lift insert and a shoe receiver attached to the sole. The shoe receiver includes a first section to engage a toe of a shoe and a second section to engage a heel of a shoe. The device also includes an attachment strap. A selected method is also provided. The device is used to reduce the physiological strain placed on the knees, hip and back of the patient when walking by arranging the therapeutic device and the leg lift device by arranging the height of the device and show to match that of a therapeutic device on the opposite foot. Also, the lift insert can include a transverse edge at either the front or rear which recessed from a corresponding edge of the sole plate to reduce pressure on the foot in these areas.

Abstract: A method and device to provide support devices to distribute pressure over a contact area; for example, an insole support device to distribute pressure over the insole of a person's foot are described. The support device is a visco-elastic material having a sufficient density and thickness to provide a relatively uniform pressure to the insole when compressed.

Abstract: Height increasing device with a wedge shaped resilient foam portion, a spandex elastic type slip on shoe, the foam portion bonded to the bottom of the spandex elastic shoe, the elastic shoe having an open front allowing the user's toes to exit the elastic shoe, and the wedge shaped foam situated under the user's heal area so that the thickest portion of the wedge is at the rear of the user's heal and the thinnest portion is located at the mid foot area. A preferred embodiment includes the resilient foam portion is constructed of Evo Foam.

Abstract: The shoe with fixtures for walking on a slope comprises a U-shaped base-member 11, having a bottom base-member 11b and two arm base-members 11a extending upward from both ends of the bottom base-member 11b, for being fitted in the heel portion 4, two shafts 12b fixed almost in the middle of each of both arm base-members 11a a U-shaped adjusting-member 16, which has a bottom adjusting-member 15 and two arm adjusting-members 14 fixed to both ends of the bottom adjusting-member 15 at a vicinity of the lower end of the arm adjusting-member 14 two holes 14a, arranged almost in the middle of each arm adjusting-member 14 for engaging with the shafts 12b, and two clamping members 13 or set nuts 12a for fastening the U-shaped adjusting-member 16 to the U-shaped base-member 11, wherein the U-shaped adjusting-member 16 is rotated or turned almost vertically to be adjusted and fastened at an appropriate height of the heel portion 4 to the U-shaped base-member 11 by the set nuts 12a.

Abstract: An apparatus for orthopedic treatment including a top surface, a bottom surface, and an angle of inclination formed between the top surface and the bottom surface is disclosed. In addition, the apparatus, in some embodiments, may be integrally formed as part of a piece of footwear. A method for providing stability during ambulation including providing and insert and elevating a toe using the insert is also disclosed. Also disclosed is an apparatus for orthopedic treatment wherein the angle of inclination is between approximately 1 and 60 degrees. Also disclosed is an apparatus for orthopedic treatment manufactured from an elastomeric material. Also disclosed is an apparatus for orthopedic treatment, where the top surface further includes at least one fastener.

Abstract: Form-correcting shoes designed so that when a player wears these shoes he automatically gets the condition that all skeletal muscles are in equally alert, the backbone is fixed to the pelvis, and the upper arms are fixed to the shoulders, thereby helping him play easily in the right forms the sports using rackets or bats or clubs, such as tennis, badminton, baseball and golf, and other kinds of sports.

Abstract: A series of interchangeable stackable intermediate core sole modules have mating interlocking post and hole connectors and mating hook and loop fasteners and edge ridges for stacking a series of the core modules. Footwear uppers have a conventional top foot accommodating structure and a bottom surface with mating components to interconnect with the core modules. Footwear bottoms have a bottom surface with conventional soles and have an upper surface with mating components to interconnect with the core modules. Interchangeable core modules vary in material, color, texture, style, shape, thickness, and other physical features for individualizing footwear.

Abstract: An alpine ski boot has a curb intended to allow the boot to be held on a ski by either a front binding or a rear binding. The curb has a flange (4) which is nonremovably secured to the lower part of the boot and a removable curb piece (8; 16; 16′) fixable either immediately underneath the flange, wherein the overall height of the boot measured from a lower surface of the curb piece to the top of the boot is maximized or immediately above the flange wherein the overall height of the boot from the lower surface of the boot adjacent the flange to the top of the boot is minimized.

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 article of footwear that includes a sizing system 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 member located within the upper, in which the sizing member is attached to the upper at the rear end of the athletic shoe. The sizing member includes an inner core, a separation feature, a fastening system, and locking feature. The inner core is substantially enclosed in a lining and the separation feature includes a plurality of perforations at the top of the sizing member. The sizing member enables a user to adjust the effective length of the shoe. The article of footwear may also include separable sockliner layers. This enables a user to adjust the effective height of the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to athletic shoes used in sports that require asymmetric movement of the feet, such as fencing. The asymmetric shoes of the present invention include a trailing shoe and a leading shoe that are each specially adapted to the particular asymmetric movement of the trailing and leading foot, respectively, allowing each foot to perform optimally. The leading and trailing shoes each include an upper and a sole. The trailing shoe sole includes front, rear, lateral, and medial portions, the lateral sole portion having a greater thickness than the medial portion.

Abstract: The present invention is footwear for use by an able-bodied person to test and appreciate the functions of a prosthetic foot. The footwear includes an upper for attachment to a user's foot and a mounting plate attached to the inside sole of the footwear. An adapter is mounted to the mounting plate for receipt of the foot prosthesis. The adapter allows for adjustment of the prosthesis with respect to the footwear.

Abstract: An orthopedic shoe appliance is provided having a pad with a wedge. The wedge is located on the pad in the area where the big toe would rest on the pad. The wedge provides a means to elevate the big toe up from the top planar surface of the pad. The relation between the pad and the wedge is defined by an angle. The angle is preferably in the range of from 20 to 30 degrees for normal ambulation. A method of providing for improved stability of the foot structure during ambulation comprising the steps of providing an orthopedic shoe appliance having a pad, said pad being provided with a wedge, said wedge being located on said pad in an area where a big toe would rest on said pad, said wedge providing a means to elevate said big toe up from a top planar surface of said pad during ambulation, and, said wedge providing an angle.

Abstract: A weight-training method uses a shoe insert to elevate the user's heel while performing weight-training exercises, such as squats. The method entails placing a wedge-shaped shoe insert into the user's shoe at the start of a weight-training exercise to raise the user's heel. The wedge-shaped insert is made of a relatively hard rubber or thermoplastic material and is shaped to fit into the heel portion of the user's shoe.

Abstract: A thong is composed of a sole and a strap attached to the sole for securing a foot. The sole is provided in the upper surface thereof with a breathable body made of a plurality of elastic filaments which are intertwined to form a network body having a number of gaps for driving out foul air and foot perspiration.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper, a sole and an adjustable heel assembly including a first heel member connected to the sole at a rear portion thereof and a second heel member arranged at least partially within the first heel member. The second heel member is movable relative to the first member between a first position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a first height and a second position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a second height greater than the first height. In the first position of the second heel member, the second heel member is arranged partially within the first heel member whereas in the second position of the second heel member, the second heel member is arranged below the first heel member.

Abstract: A seashore sandal includes a body which has drain holes and grooves in a recessed top chamber thereof and two recessed bottom chambers, an insole made of plastic wires and fastened to the recessed top chamber at the top side of the body, and two bottom blocks made of plastic wires and respectively fastened to the recessed bottom chambers at the bottom side of the body. Sands are carried away from the top side of the body through the grooves and the drain holes to the bottom side of the body when water is applied to the top side of the body.

Abstract: A scuff type slipper is produced so economically that it may be disposable, yet it has excellent cushioning properties and a sole with sufficient stiffness that the heel end will not fold under when in use. The slipper is produced from third web cushioning material. This has two planar thermoplastic webs spaced apart from one another by a middle thermoplastic web in the form of a plurality of bubbles hermetically sealed to the outer webs, trapping gas in the bubbles for cushioning and imparting stiffness. A vamp portion is formed by folding over a strip of the material at the toe end and fusion bonding it along the sides to the sole of the slipper and then cutting the slipper from the strip.

Abstract: A slipper having good draining functions and providing enhanced support, including an outsole having a top face provided with a pre-determined number of raised portions along its periphery, and a pre-determined number of water outlets each being located between two adjacent raised portions; an insole formed by a multiplicity of interwoven elastic filaments and having a pre-determined thickness and multiple gaps, the insole being disposed on the top face of the outsole and being surrounded by the raised portions; and an upper secured to the outsole such that it forms an arching receiving space adapted to receive a user's foot. The slipper allows water to drain away quickly, and the raised portions provide a stopping function to the toes of the user's foot when the user advances.

Abstract: An aquatic exercise shoe having an upper made up of a vamp, a counter, a heel and an instep part. A foot receiving an opening is provided in the upper between the vamp and the counter. A heel strap is attached to the counter and has ends attached to the instep. Cross straps are provided each having a first end attached to the heel and extends across the opening and attached to the instep. The straps are self adjusting by opening and closing. Button holes are provided in the strap ends to receive buttons attached to the instep part to adjust the length of the strap. Holes are formed in the sole to drain water from the inside of the shoe.

Abstract: Disclosed are footwear products incorporating the use of natural materials therein, and more particularly, disclosed are insoles, liners, and footwear incorporating loofah material. The loofah material is arranged so as to provide direct contact with a user foot in order to avail to the user foot the loofah therapeutic benefits of skin massaging, exfoliation of the skin, increased blood flow and ventilation, and the wearability benefits of a non-slip surface and evacuation of foreign objects from direct contact from a user foot. The insoles are at least partially formed of loofah material and can be provided in a flat or contoured form. As another embodiment, the loofah insole is provided as part of a loofah sandal arrangement which incorporates sandal straps and sandals fasteners for attachment to a user foot in a sandal arrangement.

Abstract: A water sport boot (10) having an upper (12), a resiliently compressible sole pad (14), a stretchable heel cup (16), an adjustable strap (18), an achilles panel (20), toe box foxing (22), and an elastic leg band (92). Heel cup (16) and adjustable strap (18) cooperate to seal off the heel and ankle region of the upper in order to prevent water from entering the instep region (26) of upper (12). Sole pad (14) is made of a relatively thin, resiliently compressible material that easily and quickly conforms to the contour of the surface being stepped on in order to provide good tactile sensation. Sole pad (14) also has a corrugated rib pattern on its exterior underside to increase traction.

Abstract: The disclose invention is of a foot protective covering designed for beach and water wear which embodies three portions: a permeable elastic portion on the top of the foot; an insulative portion on the bottom of the foot from the heel to the base of the toes; and a toe portion of flexible elastic on the bottom and sides of the toes. The toes may be webbed by adding material connecting the sides of the toes to one another to provide increased propulsion when swimming. Additional material may be added to the interior of the covering to increase insulation or to decrease friction when the article is being donned or removed.

Abstract: A foot bath formed of a base and a wall which are relatively collapsible wherein the reservoir is empty of fluid and there is no foot in the reservoir. The wall is inflatable by filling the cells with air, and deflatable by removing the air from the wall.

Abstract: A slipper having an upper sheet 4 and a lower sheet 5, which are adhered together to form a sole. To the upper sheet 4 are attached two band parts 6L and 6R which can be folded parallely against upper sheet 4. Attachment slots 7, into which the lateral edges of band parts 6L and 6R can be inserted, are also provided on upper sheet 4. Furthermore, an auxiliary sheet 8 is provided between upper sheet 4 and lower sheet 5 so as to be in contact with the lower faces of band parts 6L and 6R, which have been inserted into attachment slot 7, and the lower face of upper sheet 4. The auxiliary sheet 8 and the lateral edges of band parts 6L and 6R are sewn together along attachment slot 7 by means of stitch 9.

Abstract: A variable-height insole system for a shoe includes a soft-flexible insole and a plurality of heel supporting members in the shoe under the insole. The heel supporting members generally increase in hardness in a downward direction. Selectable lift inserts insertable between the heel supporting members have the greatest hardness.

Abstract: A turntable is provided for an article of footwear having a sole with a recess therein. The recess of the sole has a central hub, an arcuate lug and two locating lugs. A spring module is located in the recess and has a large aperture through which passes the hub. The turntable is located in the recess and has an arcuate recess in which the arcuate lug locates, a central opening in which the central hub locates, and an enlarged recess in which the spring module locates.

Abstract: A slip-on shoe is shaped so that it can be worn on either foot of a user, and it includes a pumice stone which is attached to a top surface of the shoe. A wearer can wear the shoe on one foot and then rub the other bare foot over the pumice stone to remove callouses.

Abstract: A disposable shower thong including a sole member formed of a flat planar paper material that has a top surface and a bottom surface. The paper material of the sole member has a top layer and a bottom layer with a common sheeting therebetween. Each layer is comprised of a corrugated paper sheet. The corrugated sheet of each layer has an alternating sequence of protruding crests and recessed troughs defining a wave-like filler. The sole member has a front foot section, a heel section and an end step section. Lastly, an elongated strap is positioned around the sole member and attached by an adhesive to the bottom surface of the sole. The strap, when attached to the bottom surface, forms a semi-spherical loop about the top surface of the sole.

Abstract: An elevating shoe includes a shoe body having an upper, a sole, a heel, and an inner member provided in the shoe body for raising the height of the wearer, the heel including a heel body for supporting the weight of the wearer and a heel configuration forming member provided behind the heel body for forming a desired heel configuration, the heel configuration forming member being made of a resilient material, a rearward bottom end of the heel body being positioned forward of the rearward end of the shoe body. The inner member is formed with an elevating portion formed with a rising surface and a top surface, the rising surface extending from a peripheral edge of the inner member to the top surface without any step. In one embodiment, the heel configuration forming member is provided with an outer flexible coating.

Abstract: A foot sponge for providing cleansing of the feet includes a sponge member which provides a foot receptacle thereinside. The foot receptacle is characterized by an insole upon which a user's foot rests, a fore-foot receptacle into which the fore-foot of the user's foot is received, and preferably a heel receptacle for receiving the heel and ankle area of the user's foot. Preferably, the nose of the forefoot cavity is pre-soaped with a viscous liquid soap. The underside of the sponge member is flat and is connected with a base member having a plurality of uniformly distributed suction cups facing outwardly therefrom. In the preferred form of the foot sponge according to the present invention, the sponge member is composed of two parts, an outer component of a "dry" or "open cell" sponge material which provides the general shape and structural integrity to the foot sponge and an inner component of a "wet" or "closed cell" sponge material which provides a washing interface with the user's skin.

Abstract: A leg apparatus shoe sole has an upper sole member and a lower sole member interconnected by expanders so as to be movable towards and away from each other wherein the expanders are connected with a remote actuator by a drive wire. The actuator is operated to reduce the thickness of the shoe sole when the associated leg is the free leg and to increase its thickness when the associated leg is the supporting leg.

Abstract: An elevating shoe includes a shoe body having an upper, a sole, a heel, an inner member provided in the shoe body for raising the height of the wearer. The inner member includes an elevating portion formed with a top portion defined by a minimum area necessary to support the heel bone of the wearer, a forward slope portion, and a rearward slope portion, the forward and rearward slope portions being positioned between a peripheral edge of the elevating portion and the top portion, and extending from the peripheral edge of the elevating portion to the top portion with a substantially continuous gradient which rises toward the top portion, and being connected to the top portion with an identical color to one another. The third person is hard to perceive the provision of the deceptive inner member.

Abstract: A shower sandal having an interior lined with a multiplicity of flexible protrusions and having suction cups on the underside to secure the sandal to the shower, the sandal being sufficiently large that the foot of the user can be moved about within the sandal against the flexible protrusions to clean and massage the various areas of the foot.

Abstract: An orthosis to support the sole of a foot of a person comprising a support surface having a shape conforming substantially to the shape of the sole of the foot and the support surface comprises a first opening underlying a first portion of the sole of the foot.

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.

Abstract: A levered footwear to provide a manipulating force to an aquatic board is described. The footwear has a rigid structure extending to the rear of the heel of the wearer, which is attached to a flexible member covering a portion of the wearer's foot. An adjustable strapping holds the flexible member in place on the wearer's foot.