Abstract:
Articles of footwear (200, 300) may include an upper (202) formed from one or more upper parts (e.g., 302A, 302B), wherein at least one upper part defines an ankle-containing portion (210) of the upper (202) and at least one upper part (the same upper part or a different upper part) defines an instep-containing portion (220) of the upper (200). The foot-insertion opening (206) of the upper (202) (which may include a closure system (230)) may extend: (i) from a first side (210AL) of the ankle-containing portion (210) of the upper (202), (ii) around a rear heel or ankle area (210AR) of the upper (202), (iii) along a second side (210AM) of the ankle-containing portion (210) of the upper (202), (iv) across the instep-containing portion (220) of the upper (202), and (v) to a first side (220IL) of the instep-containing portion (220) of the upper (202). The closure system (230) may include a track (230T) (e.g., a zipper track) and a slider (230S) movable along the track (230T) to change the closure system (230)/foot-insertion opening (206) between an open configuration (a foot-insertion or foot-removal configuration) and a closed configuration (a foot-engaging configuration) One or more additional straps (e.g., an ankle strap (240), one or more interior bootie straps (320A, 320B), etc.), fasteners (240E, 240S), and/or locks (330) may be provided to engage the upper (202)/footwear (200, 300) with the wearer's foot.
Abstract:
Aspects of the present invention relate to a shoe upper that is formed as a substantially planar article with varied functional zones and integrated lockout assemblies included therein. The lockout assemblies may be inserted into a cavity formed in a multi- layer woven article allowing for a filler material, such as spacer mesh, to be included in the cavity and providing a material through which one or more lockout strands extend.
Abstract:
The invention provides a footwear article that may be worn in a first mode which permits easy removal, or may be worn in a second mode that provides a secure fit. The article includes an elastic region and a locking component on at least one of its sides. When worn in the first mode, the elastic region is capable of stretching which may increase the wearer's comfort and facilitates the removing of the article and putting on the article on at a later time. When worn in the second mode, a fastener, such as a shoelace, is engaged with the locking component prior to tying. The engagement between the locking component and the shoelace restricts the stretching of the elastic material, thus, maintaining a tight securement of the article on the foot. A variety of footwear articles are contemplated by the invention including shoes and boots.
Abstract:
A shoe comprising a sole, and an upper, the upper having left and right portions which each terminate in an upper edge, the two upper edges being opposite each other and defining a gap therebetween. A web overlies the gap, the web being connected to the sole or the upper by at least one elastic member. The web and the elastic member are arranged to provide a resilient bias tending to urge the two upper edges towards each other. The upper edges can be moved apart against the resilient bias to thereby allow the shoe to be fitted to or removed from a user's foot.
Abstract:
The invention relates to footwear comprising an active biomechanical insole (1) mounted on an outsole (50), to which an upper (5) of the footwear is attached. Pretensioned lateral segments (53) are arranged in the upper (5) of the footwear between the front toe portion (52) of the upper of the footwear and the heel portion (54) of the upper of the footwear on either lateral side of the footwear, whereby the pretensioned lateral segments (53) attract the front toe portion (52) of the upper of the footwear and the heel portion (54) of the upper of the footwear to each other.
Abstract:
An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.
Abstract:
A barefoot shoe with bottom (1) and upper (2), and with fasteners (3) for fastening the barefoot shoe on the foot of a person wearing the barefoot shoe, has a bottom (1) consisting entirely or at least almost exclusively of ring structures (15). Preferably, the upper (2) also consists entirely of ring structures (15), or the upper has areas consisting at least almost exclusively of ring structures. A barefoot shoe is thus created by which the feet of a person wearing the barefoot shoe are, in quick succession, kept wet, dry, cold, warm, etc., without there being any danger of injury and without there being any danger of annoying foreign bodies entering the shoe. The barefoot shoe also has good static friction properties, even on irregular ground surfaces. The barefoot shoe can be quickly cleaned and has sufficient hygiene properties. The barefoot shoe is also light and flexible and can be given an attractive appearance.
Abstract:
An article of footwear with flexing portions disposed in an arch portion of a sole system is disclosed. The flexing portions in the sole system increase the curling toe flexibility of the article of footwear. In addition, the sole system includes trapping portions that enhance the ability of a wearer to stop and capture a ball. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes an asymmetric fastening system biased toward a medial side of the article.
Abstract:
The invention provides a footwear article that may be worn in a first mode which permits easy removal, or may be worn in a second mode that provides a secure fit. The article includes an elastic region (26) and a locking component (28) on at least one of its sides. When worn in the first mode, the elastic region is capable of stretching which may increase the wearer's comfort and facilitates the removing of the article and putting on the article on at a later time. When worn in the second mode, a fastener, such as a shoelace (24), is engaged with the locking component prior to tying. The engagement between the locking component and the shoelace restricts the stretching of the elastic material, thus, maintaining a tight securement of the article on the foot. A variety of footwear articles are contemplated by the invention including shoes and boots.
Abstract:
A spacer textile material has at least a portion of a tensile strand located between a first layer and a second layer of the spacer textile material where the first layer and second layer have been joined together to form channels in which the tensile strand moves freely. The tensile strand may be disposed within or about the spacer textile material in any location on the material. The spacer textile material with a tensile strand may be incorporated into an article of footwear and/or article of apparel.