| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 012146000 |
Miscellaneous parts
| 84 |
| 012142000 |
Athletic
| 9 |
| 012145000 |
Lasting
| 9 |
| 012142000 |
Felt and fabric
| 8 |
| 012142000 |
Lacing and closing | 4 |
| 20100251491 | Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements - Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110083286 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE SHOE SHELL - A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110209295 | Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120060304 | CUSHIONING DEVICE - A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120090103 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION METHOD - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear by means of a mold ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120204359 | Article of Footwear with Interchangeable Bootie - An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120246844 | Shoe Tongue Centralizer - The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278999 | FOOTWEAR WITH PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING MIDSOLE AND OUTSOLE ELEMENTS - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130061405 | Waterproof Footwear and Method for Its Production - A shoe-reinforcement material having a fiber combination with a first fiber component and a second fiber portion having a second fiber component, whereby the first fiber component has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion of the second fiber component has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion of the second fiber component has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion, and the fiber combination. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130125319 | Automated Manufacturing Of Shoe Parts - Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130219636 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130283548 | Method for Manufacturing Waterproof Footwear - The invention provides a method of manufacturing waterproof shoe component and footwear using the same. The method includes the steps of, attaching a TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, processing to get fabric A; attaching a layer of TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, then attaching a layer of TC cloth on the TPU layer, processing to get fabric B; using fabric A or fabric B to stitch a sleeve, which matches with a pre-designed shoe pattern; making a shoe mould according to the shape of the pre-designed shoe pattern, in which the sleeve can coat on cutting fabric A into a number of straps according to the numbers of the stitching lines on the sleeve, seamless stitching the straps into a whole case along the distribution of the stitching lines; then coating the whole case onto the sleeve, with the TPU layer of the case adown and covering the stitching lines; putting the sleeve that covered the case into the shoe mould, then use the hot press molding by putting the shoe into a high frequency hot press machine to get into shape. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140020191 | Direct Printing to Fabric - Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140033452 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHOE AND SHOE OBTAINED WITH THE METHOD - A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, consisting in preparing a semimanufactured component of an upper for a shoe, such that it can be arranged spread out on a flat surface or on two mutually opposite surfaces, then arranging on the inner part of the semimanufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing means for adhesive bonding between the semimanufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. One or more shapes, capable of shaping themselves complementarily with respect to the different thicknesses of the stitched seams and of the superimposed parts which constitute the outer surface of the semimanufactured component of an upper are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semimanufactured component of an upper, with the outer part of the component arranged so that the outer surface rests on the shape. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140082862 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130269 | Comfort Shoe - A method of making a shoe includes the steps of providing a midsole having a plurality of downward extending flexible projections that elastically flex when exposed to the weight of a person walking in the shoe; and determining the number of associated projections based on the anticipated weight and/or foot, width and/or foot length of the wearer of the shoe. Each one of the downwardly expending projections is configured as a small bowl-shaped element, open at the top, with a cylindrical plug extending down from the bottom of the bowl into the outsole recess that is associated with the projections. The method may include the step of selecting a dimension of the cross-sectional surface area of the cylindrical plugs of the projections, wherein said area is increased for a larger shoe size and decreased for a smaller shoe size. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140189964 | SHOES OF AUTOMATED PROCESS PRODUCTION AND SHOEMAKING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140289976 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289977 | Method of Making a Sole Structure Comprising a Fluid Filled Member with Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140298600 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING FOREFOOT WEDGE ANGLE TO CORRECT PRONATION/SUPINATION - Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140325769 | PROPRIOCEPTIVE/KINESTHETIC APPARTUS AND METHOD - Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140352082 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352083 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140359952 | FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH LEATHER FIBER SURFACE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a footwear sole includes providing a base sole, and performing an electrostatic flocking process to bond a leather material layer onto a portion of the base sole. The electrostatic flocking process includes the steps of applying an adhesive material to cover a surface of the base sole, providing a leather flock source, spraying electrically charged leather flock onto the adhesive covered surface of the base sole, and curing the base sole to bond the leather flock to the surface of the base sole. The method is described principally with respect to applying a leather material layer to a surface of a base sole, and the method may be employed to apply a leather material layer to shoe portions other than a surface of the base sole, such as a surface of the outer sole, insole, or inner sole, or a surface of a whole shoe. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373288 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150013080 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having a Textile Upper - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with flat-knit edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020321 | Lace Tag For Footwear - An article for mounting on a lace of an article of footwear is provided. The article may include a first wall disposed in a first plane and a second wall extending from the first wall in a second plane, wherein the second plane is different than the first plane. In addition, the article may include a third wall extending from the first wall in a third plane, wherein the third plane is different than the first plane. Further, the article may include at least a first side wall extending between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, the first side wall having a substantially T-shaped slot configured to receive a lace of an article of footwear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067973 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With Tensile Structures - In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150082557 | Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150101133 | Two-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150101134 | Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135449 | METHOD OF PROTECTING THE SOLES OF SHOES BY USING A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE - An improved method for protecting the sole of shoes from normal wear and tear, scratches and scrapes; allowing the consumer to enjoy the look of the original sole. The method consist of several important steps: 1) A transparent adhesive is cut in the shape of a sole. 2) The transparent adhesive is placed on the entire sole of the shoe. The “sticky” side of the adhesive is placed on the sole of the shoe. 3) The user then wears the shoe with the adhesive on the bottom of the shoe. 4) After a few wears, once the adhesive is no longer protecting the sole of the shoe, the user removes the adhesive. 5) Steps 1-4 are repeated with a new adhesive. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150143640 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150143641 | Article of Footwear with a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure - 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. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150320146 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150335102 | SHOE SOLE ADJUSTMENT PAD - A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20090188056 | Method of manufacturing an ice skate - A method of manufacturing an ice skate for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The method comprises (a) providing a sheet of thermoformable material; (b) thermoforming the sheet of thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from the heel portion and the ankle portion, one of the medial and lateral side portions comprising a skirt portion being integrally formed therewith; (c) folding the skirt portion to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot and a bottom surface; and (d) mounting an ice skate blade holder to the bottom surface of the sole. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205756 | CLEATED ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110219553 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20130180059 | Method For Manufacturing A Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Reinforced Surface - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130326828 | METHOD OF ATTACHING A TRACTION CLEAT TO A SHOE MOUNTED RECEPTACLE - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140013523 | GRAPHICAL ELEMENT LAMINATE FOR USE IN FORMING A SKATE BOOT - A method of manufacturing a skate boot, including providing a first sheet of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material being at least one of translucent and transparent, printing a graphic element on the first side of the first sheet of thermoplastic material, providing a second sheet of base layer material with a first side of the second sheet of base layer material having a design element, positioning the first side of the first sheet onto the first side of the second sheet such that the graphic image is disposed between the first side of the first sheet and the first side of the second sheet, and joining the first sheet and the second sheet together to form a graphic element laminate. The graphic element laminate is affixed to an outer surface of a skate boot core. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140230164 | IMPRINTED TAPE FOR COMBINED FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES - In order to spat an athletic performer's shoes to reinforce the foot and the ankle, an elongated tape formed of a flexible base is coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and imprinted on the other side with repetitive versions of a team or sponsor's trademark, logo, or the like in colors associated with the team or sponsor. The tape may be used by wrapping the shoes and ankles in a manner known as spatting to reinforce the shoes and display the imprinted design. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140230165 | SKATE BOOT WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY - A method of making a skate boot including manufacturing a rear element including a tendon guard for covering at least a rear portion of the ankle received within the boot, and forming a direct connection at a fixed position between contacting portions of the rear element and of a remainder of the skate boot separately from the quarters, the direct connection being formed such that the rear element is an external element of the boot and such that an upper portion of the rear element is displaceable relative to the quarters in a forward and rearward direction, the upper portion of the rear element being displaceable through flexing of the rear element about the connection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20160081420 | Article Of Footwear With Customizable Stiffness - An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20080301886 | Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear - A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20160037864 | Method of Gluing a Single Surface of a Shoe - A method of gluing a single surface of a shoe contains a first-stage processing and a second-stage processing. The first-stage processing includes a sole bonding having a first washing and polishing step, a first surface modifying step, a glue spraying step, and a sole adhering step. The second-stage processing includes a second washing and polishing step, a second surface modifying step, and an adhesive agent coating step. A vamp and sole processing includes a vamp treating step, a treatment agent coating step, and an adhesion forming step. A shoe midsole on which an adhesion promoter is sprayed and a shoe outsole on which adhesive glue is coated are adhered together to finish a shoe sole. The adhesive glue is coated on an upper surface of the shoe sole to adhere with a lower adhering surface of a vamp on which a treatment agent is coated, thus finishing a shoe. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160374435 | FOOTWEAR COMPONENT TOOLING FOR USE WITH MICROWAVE ENERGY - The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20140245544 | Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component - An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140245545 | Method Of Knitting A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue - Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150135448 | Independently Controlled Rollers For Take-Down Assembly Of Knitting Machine - A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150342284 | Method Of Making An Article Of Footwear Including Knitting A Knitted Component Of Warp Knit Construction Forming A Seamless Bootie - An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150374062 | METHOD FOR KNITTING SHOE UPPER - There is provided a method for knitting a shoe upper that can allow the reinforcement degree of the shoe upper to be changed with a small number of yarn feeders. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160044985 | INTEGRALLY-FORMED SHOE HAVING NO MACHINE SEWING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160090670 | Article of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component with Inlaid Tensile Elements and Method of Assembly - Various articles may include a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and includes multiple tubular rib structures and multiple webbed areas. An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. The upper may be assembled through a wrapping process. The upper may comprise areas with tubular rib structures arranged in different orientations over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, the vamp region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. Some regions of the upper may have a greater number of tubular rib structures than other regions, and some tubular rib structures can include tensile elements. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160166000 | Last System For Braiding Footwear | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160015131 | Shoelace and Method for Fastening a Shoe Using Same - A shoelace device is disclosed having an elongated flexible section engaged on one end to an anchor. The elongated flexible section is configured for traversing apertures formed on opposite facings of a shoe. The anchor is sized with at least one dimension larger than the apertures to form a stop for preventing passage of the first end through an aperture. The anchor has a first fastening surface configured for removably joining in a first engagement to second fastening surface located on the flexible section when the second fastening surface comes into contact is the fastening surface. A second engagement of strap portions can be achieved using combination hook and loop fabric as the second fastening surface. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160088904 | Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements - A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160198803 | REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
| 20170231327 | FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20160135981 | FOOT ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING - Method and system is disclosed for manufacturing an orthopedic insert. The process includes, initializing a plurality of sensors as pixel-based information, making one or more pressure measurement from each of the plurality of sensors, analyzing and conditioning the pressure measurements to derive a pressure value for each pressure sensor, converting the pressure values into a pixel intensity value, mapping the pixel intensity values to a graphic image, determining pixel intensity values between each mapped pixel intensity value along a first axis, determining pixel intensity values along a second axis, and machining an orthotic insert based upon the graphical image. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160051002 | TRANSPARENT HEEL POST PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20120278998 | Fix A Flop Sandal Patches - Discovery of an improved method in mending the overexposed hole when the plastic flip flop strap anchor has separated completely from the rubber sole. What is referenced to as a “patch,” is put on in a “buttoning” manner. The patch has an adhesive that has a protective cover. Before the patch is applied, the protective cover should be peeled completely to expose the adhesive. With the adhesive facing the bottom sole of the flip flop, button the patch on to the plastic anchor and secure the adhesive against the sole of the flip flop sandal. The mend is permanent, fun, colorful, creative, and | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120144603 | Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using Multi-Functional Primer - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120144604 | Multi-Functional Primer and Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using the Same - The present invention provides a multifunctional primer, comprising a first solution including 15 to 55 parts by weight of natural rubber and 750 to 1350 parts by weight of an organic solvent; a second solution from 100 parts by weight of the first solution and additionally 45 to 90 parts by weight of a polyurethane-dispersion; comprising a third solution from 100 parts by weight of the second solution and 100 to 250 parts by weight of a butadiene-based rubber solution containing 50 to 200 parts by weight of a butadiene rubber and 800 to 950 parts by weight of an organic solvent. Additionally a method of manufacturing a shoe is disclosed in an environmentally friendly manner by application of the primer to a transfer sheet, this being dried and cut into appropriate pieces, and this film-type multifunctional primer applied on a non-vulcanized outersole of a shoe. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20150290892 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLE ASSEMBLY FORMED OF MULTIPLE PREFORMS - A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20150121633 | Method for Automatically Gumming Shoe - Disclosed is an method for automatically gumming a shoe for gumming a gumming target which is an upper surface of a shoe sole or a bottom surface of a shoe body on an automatically circulating path, comprises: guiding the gumming target into the automatically circulating path; by a shape retrieving device, retrieving a shape of the target on the automatically circulating path to obtain a retrieving result; by an applying device, applying a treating agent on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the gumming target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target; applying a gum on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target again, thereby the quality and speed of gumming shoe can be enhanced. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20180020770 | METHOD OF MAKING A BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF AND WATERPROOF VAMP FOR A SHOE | 01-25-2018 |
| 012142000 |
Rubber sole attaching | 3 |
| 20100251491 | Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements - Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110083286 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE SHOE SHELL - A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110209295 | Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120060304 | CUSHIONING DEVICE - A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120090103 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION METHOD - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear by means of a mold ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120204359 | Article of Footwear with Interchangeable Bootie - An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120246844 | Shoe Tongue Centralizer - The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278999 | FOOTWEAR WITH PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING MIDSOLE AND OUTSOLE ELEMENTS - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130061405 | Waterproof Footwear and Method for Its Production - A shoe-reinforcement material having a fiber combination with a first fiber component and a second fiber portion having a second fiber component, whereby the first fiber component has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion of the second fiber component has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion of the second fiber component has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion, and the fiber combination. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130125319 | Automated Manufacturing Of Shoe Parts - Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130219636 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130283548 | Method for Manufacturing Waterproof Footwear - The invention provides a method of manufacturing waterproof shoe component and footwear using the same. The method includes the steps of, attaching a TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, processing to get fabric A; attaching a layer of TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, then attaching a layer of TC cloth on the TPU layer, processing to get fabric B; using fabric A or fabric B to stitch a sleeve, which matches with a pre-designed shoe pattern; making a shoe mould according to the shape of the pre-designed shoe pattern, in which the sleeve can coat on cutting fabric A into a number of straps according to the numbers of the stitching lines on the sleeve, seamless stitching the straps into a whole case along the distribution of the stitching lines; then coating the whole case onto the sleeve, with the TPU layer of the case adown and covering the stitching lines; putting the sleeve that covered the case into the shoe mould, then use the hot press molding by putting the shoe into a high frequency hot press machine to get into shape. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140020191 | Direct Printing to Fabric - Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140033452 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHOE AND SHOE OBTAINED WITH THE METHOD - A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, consisting in preparing a semimanufactured component of an upper for a shoe, such that it can be arranged spread out on a flat surface or on two mutually opposite surfaces, then arranging on the inner part of the semimanufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing means for adhesive bonding between the semimanufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. One or more shapes, capable of shaping themselves complementarily with respect to the different thicknesses of the stitched seams and of the superimposed parts which constitute the outer surface of the semimanufactured component of an upper are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semimanufactured component of an upper, with the outer part of the component arranged so that the outer surface rests on the shape. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140082862 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130269 | Comfort Shoe - A method of making a shoe includes the steps of providing a midsole having a plurality of downward extending flexible projections that elastically flex when exposed to the weight of a person walking in the shoe; and determining the number of associated projections based on the anticipated weight and/or foot, width and/or foot length of the wearer of the shoe. Each one of the downwardly expending projections is configured as a small bowl-shaped element, open at the top, with a cylindrical plug extending down from the bottom of the bowl into the outsole recess that is associated with the projections. The method may include the step of selecting a dimension of the cross-sectional surface area of the cylindrical plugs of the projections, wherein said area is increased for a larger shoe size and decreased for a smaller shoe size. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140189964 | SHOES OF AUTOMATED PROCESS PRODUCTION AND SHOEMAKING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140289976 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289977 | Method of Making a Sole Structure Comprising a Fluid Filled Member with Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140298600 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING FOREFOOT WEDGE ANGLE TO CORRECT PRONATION/SUPINATION - Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140325769 | PROPRIOCEPTIVE/KINESTHETIC APPARTUS AND METHOD - Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140352082 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352083 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140359952 | FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH LEATHER FIBER SURFACE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a footwear sole includes providing a base sole, and performing an electrostatic flocking process to bond a leather material layer onto a portion of the base sole. The electrostatic flocking process includes the steps of applying an adhesive material to cover a surface of the base sole, providing a leather flock source, spraying electrically charged leather flock onto the adhesive covered surface of the base sole, and curing the base sole to bond the leather flock to the surface of the base sole. The method is described principally with respect to applying a leather material layer to a surface of a base sole, and the method may be employed to apply a leather material layer to shoe portions other than a surface of the base sole, such as a surface of the outer sole, insole, or inner sole, or a surface of a whole shoe. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373288 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150013080 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having a Textile Upper - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with flat-knit edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020321 | Lace Tag For Footwear - An article for mounting on a lace of an article of footwear is provided. The article may include a first wall disposed in a first plane and a second wall extending from the first wall in a second plane, wherein the second plane is different than the first plane. In addition, the article may include a third wall extending from the first wall in a third plane, wherein the third plane is different than the first plane. Further, the article may include at least a first side wall extending between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, the first side wall having a substantially T-shaped slot configured to receive a lace of an article of footwear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067973 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With Tensile Structures - In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150082557 | Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150101133 | Two-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150101134 | Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135449 | METHOD OF PROTECTING THE SOLES OF SHOES BY USING A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE - An improved method for protecting the sole of shoes from normal wear and tear, scratches and scrapes; allowing the consumer to enjoy the look of the original sole. The method consist of several important steps: 1) A transparent adhesive is cut in the shape of a sole. 2) The transparent adhesive is placed on the entire sole of the shoe. The “sticky” side of the adhesive is placed on the sole of the shoe. 3) The user then wears the shoe with the adhesive on the bottom of the shoe. 4) After a few wears, once the adhesive is no longer protecting the sole of the shoe, the user removes the adhesive. 5) Steps 1-4 are repeated with a new adhesive. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150143640 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150143641 | Article of Footwear with a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure - 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. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150320146 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150335102 | SHOE SOLE ADJUSTMENT PAD - A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20090188056 | Method of manufacturing an ice skate - A method of manufacturing an ice skate for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The method comprises (a) providing a sheet of thermoformable material; (b) thermoforming the sheet of thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from the heel portion and the ankle portion, one of the medial and lateral side portions comprising a skirt portion being integrally formed therewith; (c) folding the skirt portion to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot and a bottom surface; and (d) mounting an ice skate blade holder to the bottom surface of the sole. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205756 | CLEATED ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110219553 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20130180059 | Method For Manufacturing A Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Reinforced Surface - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130326828 | METHOD OF ATTACHING A TRACTION CLEAT TO A SHOE MOUNTED RECEPTACLE - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140013523 | GRAPHICAL ELEMENT LAMINATE FOR USE IN FORMING A SKATE BOOT - A method of manufacturing a skate boot, including providing a first sheet of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material being at least one of translucent and transparent, printing a graphic element on the first side of the first sheet of thermoplastic material, providing a second sheet of base layer material with a first side of the second sheet of base layer material having a design element, positioning the first side of the first sheet onto the first side of the second sheet such that the graphic image is disposed between the first side of the first sheet and the first side of the second sheet, and joining the first sheet and the second sheet together to form a graphic element laminate. The graphic element laminate is affixed to an outer surface of a skate boot core. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140230164 | IMPRINTED TAPE FOR COMBINED FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES - In order to spat an athletic performer's shoes to reinforce the foot and the ankle, an elongated tape formed of a flexible base is coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and imprinted on the other side with repetitive versions of a team or sponsor's trademark, logo, or the like in colors associated with the team or sponsor. The tape may be used by wrapping the shoes and ankles in a manner known as spatting to reinforce the shoes and display the imprinted design. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140230165 | SKATE BOOT WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY - A method of making a skate boot including manufacturing a rear element including a tendon guard for covering at least a rear portion of the ankle received within the boot, and forming a direct connection at a fixed position between contacting portions of the rear element and of a remainder of the skate boot separately from the quarters, the direct connection being formed such that the rear element is an external element of the boot and such that an upper portion of the rear element is displaceable relative to the quarters in a forward and rearward direction, the upper portion of the rear element being displaceable through flexing of the rear element about the connection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20160081420 | Article Of Footwear With Customizable Stiffness - An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20080301886 | Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear - A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20160037864 | Method of Gluing a Single Surface of a Shoe - A method of gluing a single surface of a shoe contains a first-stage processing and a second-stage processing. The first-stage processing includes a sole bonding having a first washing and polishing step, a first surface modifying step, a glue spraying step, and a sole adhering step. The second-stage processing includes a second washing and polishing step, a second surface modifying step, and an adhesive agent coating step. A vamp and sole processing includes a vamp treating step, a treatment agent coating step, and an adhesion forming step. A shoe midsole on which an adhesion promoter is sprayed and a shoe outsole on which adhesive glue is coated are adhered together to finish a shoe sole. The adhesive glue is coated on an upper surface of the shoe sole to adhere with a lower adhering surface of a vamp on which a treatment agent is coated, thus finishing a shoe. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160374435 | FOOTWEAR COMPONENT TOOLING FOR USE WITH MICROWAVE ENERGY - The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20140245544 | Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component - An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140245545 | Method Of Knitting A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue - Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150135448 | Independently Controlled Rollers For Take-Down Assembly Of Knitting Machine - A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150342284 | Method Of Making An Article Of Footwear Including Knitting A Knitted Component Of Warp Knit Construction Forming A Seamless Bootie - An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150374062 | METHOD FOR KNITTING SHOE UPPER - There is provided a method for knitting a shoe upper that can allow the reinforcement degree of the shoe upper to be changed with a small number of yarn feeders. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160044985 | INTEGRALLY-FORMED SHOE HAVING NO MACHINE SEWING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160090670 | Article of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component with Inlaid Tensile Elements and Method of Assembly - Various articles may include a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and includes multiple tubular rib structures and multiple webbed areas. An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. The upper may be assembled through a wrapping process. The upper may comprise areas with tubular rib structures arranged in different orientations over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, the vamp region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. Some regions of the upper may have a greater number of tubular rib structures than other regions, and some tubular rib structures can include tensile elements. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160166000 | Last System For Braiding Footwear | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160015131 | Shoelace and Method for Fastening a Shoe Using Same - A shoelace device is disclosed having an elongated flexible section engaged on one end to an anchor. The elongated flexible section is configured for traversing apertures formed on opposite facings of a shoe. The anchor is sized with at least one dimension larger than the apertures to form a stop for preventing passage of the first end through an aperture. The anchor has a first fastening surface configured for removably joining in a first engagement to second fastening surface located on the flexible section when the second fastening surface comes into contact is the fastening surface. A second engagement of strap portions can be achieved using combination hook and loop fabric as the second fastening surface. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160088904 | Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements - A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160198803 | REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
| 20170231327 | FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20160135981 | FOOT ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING - Method and system is disclosed for manufacturing an orthopedic insert. The process includes, initializing a plurality of sensors as pixel-based information, making one or more pressure measurement from each of the plurality of sensors, analyzing and conditioning the pressure measurements to derive a pressure value for each pressure sensor, converting the pressure values into a pixel intensity value, mapping the pixel intensity values to a graphic image, determining pixel intensity values between each mapped pixel intensity value along a first axis, determining pixel intensity values along a second axis, and machining an orthotic insert based upon the graphical image. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160051002 | TRANSPARENT HEEL POST PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20120278998 | Fix A Flop Sandal Patches - Discovery of an improved method in mending the overexposed hole when the plastic flip flop strap anchor has separated completely from the rubber sole. What is referenced to as a “patch,” is put on in a “buttoning” manner. The patch has an adhesive that has a protective cover. Before the patch is applied, the protective cover should be peeled completely to expose the adhesive. With the adhesive facing the bottom sole of the flip flop, button the patch on to the plastic anchor and secure the adhesive against the sole of the flip flop sandal. The mend is permanent, fun, colorful, creative, and | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120144603 | Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using Multi-Functional Primer - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120144604 | Multi-Functional Primer and Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using the Same - The present invention provides a multifunctional primer, comprising a first solution including 15 to 55 parts by weight of natural rubber and 750 to 1350 parts by weight of an organic solvent; a second solution from 100 parts by weight of the first solution and additionally 45 to 90 parts by weight of a polyurethane-dispersion; comprising a third solution from 100 parts by weight of the second solution and 100 to 250 parts by weight of a butadiene-based rubber solution containing 50 to 200 parts by weight of a butadiene rubber and 800 to 950 parts by weight of an organic solvent. Additionally a method of manufacturing a shoe is disclosed in an environmentally friendly manner by application of the primer to a transfer sheet, this being dried and cut into appropriate pieces, and this film-type multifunctional primer applied on a non-vulcanized outersole of a shoe. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20150290892 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLE ASSEMBLY FORMED OF MULTIPLE PREFORMS - A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20150121633 | Method for Automatically Gumming Shoe - Disclosed is an method for automatically gumming a shoe for gumming a gumming target which is an upper surface of a shoe sole or a bottom surface of a shoe body on an automatically circulating path, comprises: guiding the gumming target into the automatically circulating path; by a shape retrieving device, retrieving a shape of the target on the automatically circulating path to obtain a retrieving result; by an applying device, applying a treating agent on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the gumming target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target; applying a gum on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target again, thereby the quality and speed of gumming shoe can be enhanced. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20180020770 | METHOD OF MAKING A BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF AND WATERPROOF VAMP FOR A SHOE | 01-25-2018 |
| 012142000 |
Cemented shoe | 3 |
| 20100251491 | Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements - Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110083286 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE SHOE SHELL - A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110209295 | Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120060304 | CUSHIONING DEVICE - A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120090103 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION METHOD - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear by means of a mold ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120204359 | Article of Footwear with Interchangeable Bootie - An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120246844 | Shoe Tongue Centralizer - The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278999 | FOOTWEAR WITH PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING MIDSOLE AND OUTSOLE ELEMENTS - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130061405 | Waterproof Footwear and Method for Its Production - A shoe-reinforcement material having a fiber combination with a first fiber component and a second fiber portion having a second fiber component, whereby the first fiber component has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion of the second fiber component has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion of the second fiber component has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion, and the fiber combination. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130125319 | Automated Manufacturing Of Shoe Parts - Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130219636 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130283548 | Method for Manufacturing Waterproof Footwear - The invention provides a method of manufacturing waterproof shoe component and footwear using the same. The method includes the steps of, attaching a TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, processing to get fabric A; attaching a layer of TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, then attaching a layer of TC cloth on the TPU layer, processing to get fabric B; using fabric A or fabric B to stitch a sleeve, which matches with a pre-designed shoe pattern; making a shoe mould according to the shape of the pre-designed shoe pattern, in which the sleeve can coat on cutting fabric A into a number of straps according to the numbers of the stitching lines on the sleeve, seamless stitching the straps into a whole case along the distribution of the stitching lines; then coating the whole case onto the sleeve, with the TPU layer of the case adown and covering the stitching lines; putting the sleeve that covered the case into the shoe mould, then use the hot press molding by putting the shoe into a high frequency hot press machine to get into shape. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140020191 | Direct Printing to Fabric - Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140033452 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHOE AND SHOE OBTAINED WITH THE METHOD - A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, consisting in preparing a semimanufactured component of an upper for a shoe, such that it can be arranged spread out on a flat surface or on two mutually opposite surfaces, then arranging on the inner part of the semimanufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing means for adhesive bonding between the semimanufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. One or more shapes, capable of shaping themselves complementarily with respect to the different thicknesses of the stitched seams and of the superimposed parts which constitute the outer surface of the semimanufactured component of an upper are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semimanufactured component of an upper, with the outer part of the component arranged so that the outer surface rests on the shape. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140082862 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130269 | Comfort Shoe - A method of making a shoe includes the steps of providing a midsole having a plurality of downward extending flexible projections that elastically flex when exposed to the weight of a person walking in the shoe; and determining the number of associated projections based on the anticipated weight and/or foot, width and/or foot length of the wearer of the shoe. Each one of the downwardly expending projections is configured as a small bowl-shaped element, open at the top, with a cylindrical plug extending down from the bottom of the bowl into the outsole recess that is associated with the projections. The method may include the step of selecting a dimension of the cross-sectional surface area of the cylindrical plugs of the projections, wherein said area is increased for a larger shoe size and decreased for a smaller shoe size. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140189964 | SHOES OF AUTOMATED PROCESS PRODUCTION AND SHOEMAKING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140289976 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289977 | Method of Making a Sole Structure Comprising a Fluid Filled Member with Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140298600 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING FOREFOOT WEDGE ANGLE TO CORRECT PRONATION/SUPINATION - Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140325769 | PROPRIOCEPTIVE/KINESTHETIC APPARTUS AND METHOD - Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140352082 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352083 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140359952 | FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH LEATHER FIBER SURFACE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a footwear sole includes providing a base sole, and performing an electrostatic flocking process to bond a leather material layer onto a portion of the base sole. The electrostatic flocking process includes the steps of applying an adhesive material to cover a surface of the base sole, providing a leather flock source, spraying electrically charged leather flock onto the adhesive covered surface of the base sole, and curing the base sole to bond the leather flock to the surface of the base sole. The method is described principally with respect to applying a leather material layer to a surface of a base sole, and the method may be employed to apply a leather material layer to shoe portions other than a surface of the base sole, such as a surface of the outer sole, insole, or inner sole, or a surface of a whole shoe. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373288 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150013080 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having a Textile Upper - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with flat-knit edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020321 | Lace Tag For Footwear - An article for mounting on a lace of an article of footwear is provided. The article may include a first wall disposed in a first plane and a second wall extending from the first wall in a second plane, wherein the second plane is different than the first plane. In addition, the article may include a third wall extending from the first wall in a third plane, wherein the third plane is different than the first plane. Further, the article may include at least a first side wall extending between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, the first side wall having a substantially T-shaped slot configured to receive a lace of an article of footwear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067973 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With Tensile Structures - In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150082557 | Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150101133 | Two-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150101134 | Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135449 | METHOD OF PROTECTING THE SOLES OF SHOES BY USING A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE - An improved method for protecting the sole of shoes from normal wear and tear, scratches and scrapes; allowing the consumer to enjoy the look of the original sole. The method consist of several important steps: 1) A transparent adhesive is cut in the shape of a sole. 2) The transparent adhesive is placed on the entire sole of the shoe. The “sticky” side of the adhesive is placed on the sole of the shoe. 3) The user then wears the shoe with the adhesive on the bottom of the shoe. 4) After a few wears, once the adhesive is no longer protecting the sole of the shoe, the user removes the adhesive. 5) Steps 1-4 are repeated with a new adhesive. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150143640 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150143641 | Article of Footwear with a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure - 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. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150320146 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150335102 | SHOE SOLE ADJUSTMENT PAD - A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20090188056 | Method of manufacturing an ice skate - A method of manufacturing an ice skate for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The method comprises (a) providing a sheet of thermoformable material; (b) thermoforming the sheet of thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from the heel portion and the ankle portion, one of the medial and lateral side portions comprising a skirt portion being integrally formed therewith; (c) folding the skirt portion to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot and a bottom surface; and (d) mounting an ice skate blade holder to the bottom surface of the sole. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205756 | CLEATED ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110219553 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20130180059 | Method For Manufacturing A Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Reinforced Surface - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130326828 | METHOD OF ATTACHING A TRACTION CLEAT TO A SHOE MOUNTED RECEPTACLE - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140013523 | GRAPHICAL ELEMENT LAMINATE FOR USE IN FORMING A SKATE BOOT - A method of manufacturing a skate boot, including providing a first sheet of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material being at least one of translucent and transparent, printing a graphic element on the first side of the first sheet of thermoplastic material, providing a second sheet of base layer material with a first side of the second sheet of base layer material having a design element, positioning the first side of the first sheet onto the first side of the second sheet such that the graphic image is disposed between the first side of the first sheet and the first side of the second sheet, and joining the first sheet and the second sheet together to form a graphic element laminate. The graphic element laminate is affixed to an outer surface of a skate boot core. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140230164 | IMPRINTED TAPE FOR COMBINED FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES - In order to spat an athletic performer's shoes to reinforce the foot and the ankle, an elongated tape formed of a flexible base is coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and imprinted on the other side with repetitive versions of a team or sponsor's trademark, logo, or the like in colors associated with the team or sponsor. The tape may be used by wrapping the shoes and ankles in a manner known as spatting to reinforce the shoes and display the imprinted design. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140230165 | SKATE BOOT WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY - A method of making a skate boot including manufacturing a rear element including a tendon guard for covering at least a rear portion of the ankle received within the boot, and forming a direct connection at a fixed position between contacting portions of the rear element and of a remainder of the skate boot separately from the quarters, the direct connection being formed such that the rear element is an external element of the boot and such that an upper portion of the rear element is displaceable relative to the quarters in a forward and rearward direction, the upper portion of the rear element being displaceable through flexing of the rear element about the connection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20160081420 | Article Of Footwear With Customizable Stiffness - An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20080301886 | Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear - A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20160037864 | Method of Gluing a Single Surface of a Shoe - A method of gluing a single surface of a shoe contains a first-stage processing and a second-stage processing. The first-stage processing includes a sole bonding having a first washing and polishing step, a first surface modifying step, a glue spraying step, and a sole adhering step. The second-stage processing includes a second washing and polishing step, a second surface modifying step, and an adhesive agent coating step. A vamp and sole processing includes a vamp treating step, a treatment agent coating step, and an adhesion forming step. A shoe midsole on which an adhesion promoter is sprayed and a shoe outsole on which adhesive glue is coated are adhered together to finish a shoe sole. The adhesive glue is coated on an upper surface of the shoe sole to adhere with a lower adhering surface of a vamp on which a treatment agent is coated, thus finishing a shoe. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160374435 | FOOTWEAR COMPONENT TOOLING FOR USE WITH MICROWAVE ENERGY - The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20140245544 | Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component - An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140245545 | Method Of Knitting A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue - Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150135448 | Independently Controlled Rollers For Take-Down Assembly Of Knitting Machine - A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150342284 | Method Of Making An Article Of Footwear Including Knitting A Knitted Component Of Warp Knit Construction Forming A Seamless Bootie - An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150374062 | METHOD FOR KNITTING SHOE UPPER - There is provided a method for knitting a shoe upper that can allow the reinforcement degree of the shoe upper to be changed with a small number of yarn feeders. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160044985 | INTEGRALLY-FORMED SHOE HAVING NO MACHINE SEWING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160090670 | Article of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component with Inlaid Tensile Elements and Method of Assembly - Various articles may include a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and includes multiple tubular rib structures and multiple webbed areas. An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. The upper may be assembled through a wrapping process. The upper may comprise areas with tubular rib structures arranged in different orientations over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, the vamp region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. Some regions of the upper may have a greater number of tubular rib structures than other regions, and some tubular rib structures can include tensile elements. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160166000 | Last System For Braiding Footwear | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160015131 | Shoelace and Method for Fastening a Shoe Using Same - A shoelace device is disclosed having an elongated flexible section engaged on one end to an anchor. The elongated flexible section is configured for traversing apertures formed on opposite facings of a shoe. The anchor is sized with at least one dimension larger than the apertures to form a stop for preventing passage of the first end through an aperture. The anchor has a first fastening surface configured for removably joining in a first engagement to second fastening surface located on the flexible section when the second fastening surface comes into contact is the fastening surface. A second engagement of strap portions can be achieved using combination hook and loop fabric as the second fastening surface. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160088904 | Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements - A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160198803 | REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
| 20170231327 | FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20160135981 | FOOT ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING - Method and system is disclosed for manufacturing an orthopedic insert. The process includes, initializing a plurality of sensors as pixel-based information, making one or more pressure measurement from each of the plurality of sensors, analyzing and conditioning the pressure measurements to derive a pressure value for each pressure sensor, converting the pressure values into a pixel intensity value, mapping the pixel intensity values to a graphic image, determining pixel intensity values between each mapped pixel intensity value along a first axis, determining pixel intensity values along a second axis, and machining an orthotic insert based upon the graphical image. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160051002 | TRANSPARENT HEEL POST PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20120278998 | Fix A Flop Sandal Patches - Discovery of an improved method in mending the overexposed hole when the plastic flip flop strap anchor has separated completely from the rubber sole. What is referenced to as a “patch,” is put on in a “buttoning” manner. The patch has an adhesive that has a protective cover. Before the patch is applied, the protective cover should be peeled completely to expose the adhesive. With the adhesive facing the bottom sole of the flip flop, button the patch on to the plastic anchor and secure the adhesive against the sole of the flip flop sandal. The mend is permanent, fun, colorful, creative, and | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120144603 | Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using Multi-Functional Primer - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120144604 | Multi-Functional Primer and Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using the Same - The present invention provides a multifunctional primer, comprising a first solution including 15 to 55 parts by weight of natural rubber and 750 to 1350 parts by weight of an organic solvent; a second solution from 100 parts by weight of the first solution and additionally 45 to 90 parts by weight of a polyurethane-dispersion; comprising a third solution from 100 parts by weight of the second solution and 100 to 250 parts by weight of a butadiene-based rubber solution containing 50 to 200 parts by weight of a butadiene rubber and 800 to 950 parts by weight of an organic solvent. Additionally a method of manufacturing a shoe is disclosed in an environmentally friendly manner by application of the primer to a transfer sheet, this being dried and cut into appropriate pieces, and this film-type multifunctional primer applied on a non-vulcanized outersole of a shoe. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20150290892 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLE ASSEMBLY FORMED OF MULTIPLE PREFORMS - A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20150121633 | Method for Automatically Gumming Shoe - Disclosed is an method for automatically gumming a shoe for gumming a gumming target which is an upper surface of a shoe sole or a bottom surface of a shoe body on an automatically circulating path, comprises: guiding the gumming target into the automatically circulating path; by a shape retrieving device, retrieving a shape of the target on the automatically circulating path to obtain a retrieving result; by an applying device, applying a treating agent on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the gumming target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target; applying a gum on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target again, thereby the quality and speed of gumming shoe can be enhanced. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20180020770 | METHOD OF MAKING A BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF AND WATERPROOF VAMP FOR A SHOE | 01-25-2018 |
| 012142000 |
Sole-attaching | 3 |
| 20100251491 | Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements - Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110083286 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE SHOE SHELL - A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110209295 | Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120060304 | CUSHIONING DEVICE - A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120090103 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION METHOD - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear by means of a mold ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120204359 | Article of Footwear with Interchangeable Bootie - An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120246844 | Shoe Tongue Centralizer - The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278999 | FOOTWEAR WITH PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING MIDSOLE AND OUTSOLE ELEMENTS - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130061405 | Waterproof Footwear and Method for Its Production - A shoe-reinforcement material having a fiber combination with a first fiber component and a second fiber portion having a second fiber component, whereby the first fiber component has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion of the second fiber component has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion of the second fiber component has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion, and the fiber combination. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130125319 | Automated Manufacturing Of Shoe Parts - Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130219636 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130283548 | Method for Manufacturing Waterproof Footwear - The invention provides a method of manufacturing waterproof shoe component and footwear using the same. The method includes the steps of, attaching a TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, processing to get fabric A; attaching a layer of TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, then attaching a layer of TC cloth on the TPU layer, processing to get fabric B; using fabric A or fabric B to stitch a sleeve, which matches with a pre-designed shoe pattern; making a shoe mould according to the shape of the pre-designed shoe pattern, in which the sleeve can coat on cutting fabric A into a number of straps according to the numbers of the stitching lines on the sleeve, seamless stitching the straps into a whole case along the distribution of the stitching lines; then coating the whole case onto the sleeve, with the TPU layer of the case adown and covering the stitching lines; putting the sleeve that covered the case into the shoe mould, then use the hot press molding by putting the shoe into a high frequency hot press machine to get into shape. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140020191 | Direct Printing to Fabric - Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140033452 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHOE AND SHOE OBTAINED WITH THE METHOD - A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, consisting in preparing a semimanufactured component of an upper for a shoe, such that it can be arranged spread out on a flat surface or on two mutually opposite surfaces, then arranging on the inner part of the semimanufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing means for adhesive bonding between the semimanufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. One or more shapes, capable of shaping themselves complementarily with respect to the different thicknesses of the stitched seams and of the superimposed parts which constitute the outer surface of the semimanufactured component of an upper are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semimanufactured component of an upper, with the outer part of the component arranged so that the outer surface rests on the shape. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140082862 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130269 | Comfort Shoe - A method of making a shoe includes the steps of providing a midsole having a plurality of downward extending flexible projections that elastically flex when exposed to the weight of a person walking in the shoe; and determining the number of associated projections based on the anticipated weight and/or foot, width and/or foot length of the wearer of the shoe. Each one of the downwardly expending projections is configured as a small bowl-shaped element, open at the top, with a cylindrical plug extending down from the bottom of the bowl into the outsole recess that is associated with the projections. The method may include the step of selecting a dimension of the cross-sectional surface area of the cylindrical plugs of the projections, wherein said area is increased for a larger shoe size and decreased for a smaller shoe size. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140189964 | SHOES OF AUTOMATED PROCESS PRODUCTION AND SHOEMAKING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140289976 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289977 | Method of Making a Sole Structure Comprising a Fluid Filled Member with Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140298600 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING FOREFOOT WEDGE ANGLE TO CORRECT PRONATION/SUPINATION - Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140325769 | PROPRIOCEPTIVE/KINESTHETIC APPARTUS AND METHOD - Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140352082 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352083 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140359952 | FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH LEATHER FIBER SURFACE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a footwear sole includes providing a base sole, and performing an electrostatic flocking process to bond a leather material layer onto a portion of the base sole. The electrostatic flocking process includes the steps of applying an adhesive material to cover a surface of the base sole, providing a leather flock source, spraying electrically charged leather flock onto the adhesive covered surface of the base sole, and curing the base sole to bond the leather flock to the surface of the base sole. The method is described principally with respect to applying a leather material layer to a surface of a base sole, and the method may be employed to apply a leather material layer to shoe portions other than a surface of the base sole, such as a surface of the outer sole, insole, or inner sole, or a surface of a whole shoe. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373288 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150013080 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having a Textile Upper - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with flat-knit edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020321 | Lace Tag For Footwear - An article for mounting on a lace of an article of footwear is provided. The article may include a first wall disposed in a first plane and a second wall extending from the first wall in a second plane, wherein the second plane is different than the first plane. In addition, the article may include a third wall extending from the first wall in a third plane, wherein the third plane is different than the first plane. Further, the article may include at least a first side wall extending between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, the first side wall having a substantially T-shaped slot configured to receive a lace of an article of footwear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067973 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With Tensile Structures - In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150082557 | Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150101133 | Two-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150101134 | Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135449 | METHOD OF PROTECTING THE SOLES OF SHOES BY USING A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE - An improved method for protecting the sole of shoes from normal wear and tear, scratches and scrapes; allowing the consumer to enjoy the look of the original sole. The method consist of several important steps: 1) A transparent adhesive is cut in the shape of a sole. 2) The transparent adhesive is placed on the entire sole of the shoe. The “sticky” side of the adhesive is placed on the sole of the shoe. 3) The user then wears the shoe with the adhesive on the bottom of the shoe. 4) After a few wears, once the adhesive is no longer protecting the sole of the shoe, the user removes the adhesive. 5) Steps 1-4 are repeated with a new adhesive. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150143640 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150143641 | Article of Footwear with a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure - 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. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150320146 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150335102 | SHOE SOLE ADJUSTMENT PAD - A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20090188056 | Method of manufacturing an ice skate - A method of manufacturing an ice skate for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The method comprises (a) providing a sheet of thermoformable material; (b) thermoforming the sheet of thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from the heel portion and the ankle portion, one of the medial and lateral side portions comprising a skirt portion being integrally formed therewith; (c) folding the skirt portion to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot and a bottom surface; and (d) mounting an ice skate blade holder to the bottom surface of the sole. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205756 | CLEATED ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110219553 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20130180059 | Method For Manufacturing A Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Reinforced Surface - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130326828 | METHOD OF ATTACHING A TRACTION CLEAT TO A SHOE MOUNTED RECEPTACLE - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140013523 | GRAPHICAL ELEMENT LAMINATE FOR USE IN FORMING A SKATE BOOT - A method of manufacturing a skate boot, including providing a first sheet of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material being at least one of translucent and transparent, printing a graphic element on the first side of the first sheet of thermoplastic material, providing a second sheet of base layer material with a first side of the second sheet of base layer material having a design element, positioning the first side of the first sheet onto the first side of the second sheet such that the graphic image is disposed between the first side of the first sheet and the first side of the second sheet, and joining the first sheet and the second sheet together to form a graphic element laminate. The graphic element laminate is affixed to an outer surface of a skate boot core. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140230164 | IMPRINTED TAPE FOR COMBINED FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES - In order to spat an athletic performer's shoes to reinforce the foot and the ankle, an elongated tape formed of a flexible base is coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and imprinted on the other side with repetitive versions of a team or sponsor's trademark, logo, or the like in colors associated with the team or sponsor. The tape may be used by wrapping the shoes and ankles in a manner known as spatting to reinforce the shoes and display the imprinted design. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140230165 | SKATE BOOT WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY - A method of making a skate boot including manufacturing a rear element including a tendon guard for covering at least a rear portion of the ankle received within the boot, and forming a direct connection at a fixed position between contacting portions of the rear element and of a remainder of the skate boot separately from the quarters, the direct connection being formed such that the rear element is an external element of the boot and such that an upper portion of the rear element is displaceable relative to the quarters in a forward and rearward direction, the upper portion of the rear element being displaceable through flexing of the rear element about the connection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20160081420 | Article Of Footwear With Customizable Stiffness - An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20080301886 | Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear - A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20160037864 | Method of Gluing a Single Surface of a Shoe - A method of gluing a single surface of a shoe contains a first-stage processing and a second-stage processing. The first-stage processing includes a sole bonding having a first washing and polishing step, a first surface modifying step, a glue spraying step, and a sole adhering step. The second-stage processing includes a second washing and polishing step, a second surface modifying step, and an adhesive agent coating step. A vamp and sole processing includes a vamp treating step, a treatment agent coating step, and an adhesion forming step. A shoe midsole on which an adhesion promoter is sprayed and a shoe outsole on which adhesive glue is coated are adhered together to finish a shoe sole. The adhesive glue is coated on an upper surface of the shoe sole to adhere with a lower adhering surface of a vamp on which a treatment agent is coated, thus finishing a shoe. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160374435 | FOOTWEAR COMPONENT TOOLING FOR USE WITH MICROWAVE ENERGY - The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20140245544 | Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component - An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140245545 | Method Of Knitting A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue - Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150135448 | Independently Controlled Rollers For Take-Down Assembly Of Knitting Machine - A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150342284 | Method Of Making An Article Of Footwear Including Knitting A Knitted Component Of Warp Knit Construction Forming A Seamless Bootie - An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150374062 | METHOD FOR KNITTING SHOE UPPER - There is provided a method for knitting a shoe upper that can allow the reinforcement degree of the shoe upper to be changed with a small number of yarn feeders. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160044985 | INTEGRALLY-FORMED SHOE HAVING NO MACHINE SEWING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160090670 | Article of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component with Inlaid Tensile Elements and Method of Assembly - Various articles may include a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and includes multiple tubular rib structures and multiple webbed areas. An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. The upper may be assembled through a wrapping process. The upper may comprise areas with tubular rib structures arranged in different orientations over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, the vamp region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. Some regions of the upper may have a greater number of tubular rib structures than other regions, and some tubular rib structures can include tensile elements. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160166000 | Last System For Braiding Footwear | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160015131 | Shoelace and Method for Fastening a Shoe Using Same - A shoelace device is disclosed having an elongated flexible section engaged on one end to an anchor. The elongated flexible section is configured for traversing apertures formed on opposite facings of a shoe. The anchor is sized with at least one dimension larger than the apertures to form a stop for preventing passage of the first end through an aperture. The anchor has a first fastening surface configured for removably joining in a first engagement to second fastening surface located on the flexible section when the second fastening surface comes into contact is the fastening surface. A second engagement of strap portions can be achieved using combination hook and loop fabric as the second fastening surface. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160088904 | Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements - A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160198803 | REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
| 20170231327 | FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20160135981 | FOOT ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING - Method and system is disclosed for manufacturing an orthopedic insert. The process includes, initializing a plurality of sensors as pixel-based information, making one or more pressure measurement from each of the plurality of sensors, analyzing and conditioning the pressure measurements to derive a pressure value for each pressure sensor, converting the pressure values into a pixel intensity value, mapping the pixel intensity values to a graphic image, determining pixel intensity values between each mapped pixel intensity value along a first axis, determining pixel intensity values along a second axis, and machining an orthotic insert based upon the graphical image. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160051002 | TRANSPARENT HEEL POST PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20120278998 | Fix A Flop Sandal Patches - Discovery of an improved method in mending the overexposed hole when the plastic flip flop strap anchor has separated completely from the rubber sole. What is referenced to as a “patch,” is put on in a “buttoning” manner. The patch has an adhesive that has a protective cover. Before the patch is applied, the protective cover should be peeled completely to expose the adhesive. With the adhesive facing the bottom sole of the flip flop, button the patch on to the plastic anchor and secure the adhesive against the sole of the flip flop sandal. The mend is permanent, fun, colorful, creative, and | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120144603 | Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using Multi-Functional Primer - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120144604 | Multi-Functional Primer and Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using the Same - The present invention provides a multifunctional primer, comprising a first solution including 15 to 55 parts by weight of natural rubber and 750 to 1350 parts by weight of an organic solvent; a second solution from 100 parts by weight of the first solution and additionally 45 to 90 parts by weight of a polyurethane-dispersion; comprising a third solution from 100 parts by weight of the second solution and 100 to 250 parts by weight of a butadiene-based rubber solution containing 50 to 200 parts by weight of a butadiene rubber and 800 to 950 parts by weight of an organic solvent. Additionally a method of manufacturing a shoe is disclosed in an environmentally friendly manner by application of the primer to a transfer sheet, this being dried and cut into appropriate pieces, and this film-type multifunctional primer applied on a non-vulcanized outersole of a shoe. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20150290892 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLE ASSEMBLY FORMED OF MULTIPLE PREFORMS - A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20150121633 | Method for Automatically Gumming Shoe - Disclosed is an method for automatically gumming a shoe for gumming a gumming target which is an upper surface of a shoe sole or a bottom surface of a shoe body on an automatically circulating path, comprises: guiding the gumming target into the automatically circulating path; by a shape retrieving device, retrieving a shape of the target on the automatically circulating path to obtain a retrieving result; by an applying device, applying a treating agent on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the gumming target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target; applying a gum on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target again, thereby the quality and speed of gumming shoe can be enhanced. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20180020770 | METHOD OF MAKING A BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF AND WATERPROOF VAMP FOR A SHOE | 01-25-2018 |
| 012147000 |
Heel | 2 |
| 20150305440 | REMOVABLE SHOE WEDGE - A shoe wedge includes a support structure. The support structure includes two longitudinally extending wall portions that are biased towards one another such that the wall portions define a channel extending between the wall portions and an opening that extends from an upper surface of the support structure to a lower surface of the support structure. The opening has a larger cross sectional area at the upper surface than at the lower surface. The shoe wedge further includes a body portion that extends from the support structure. The body portion is configured with a surface that substantially conforms to a portion of a sole of a shoe. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20160100653 | HIGH-HEEL TIP PROTECTOR AND REPAIR KIT - A heel protector for use with a high heel having a heel tip with a bottom surface having a size and shape. The heel protector is a flat material that is substantially sized and shaped to conform to the exact size and shape of the heel tip bottom surface. The heel protector is adhered to the bottom of the high heel tip by an adhesive. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20150305440 | REMOVABLE SHOE WEDGE - A shoe wedge includes a support structure. The support structure includes two longitudinally extending wall portions that are biased towards one another such that the wall portions define a channel extending between the wall portions and an opening that extends from an upper surface of the support structure to a lower surface of the support structure. The opening has a larger cross sectional area at the upper surface than at the lower surface. The shoe wedge further includes a body portion that extends from the support structure. The body portion is configured with a surface that substantially conforms to a portion of a sole of a shoe. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20160100653 | HIGH-HEEL TIP PROTECTOR AND REPAIR KIT - A heel protector for use with a high heel having a heel tip with a bottom surface having a size and shape. The heel protector is a flat material that is substantially sized and shaped to conform to the exact size and shape of the heel tip bottom surface. The heel protector is adhered to the bottom of the high heel tip by an adhesive. | 04-14-2016 |
| 012142000 |
Repairing | 1 |
| 20100251491 | Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements - Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110083286 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE SHOE SHELL - A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110209295 | Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120060304 | CUSHIONING DEVICE - A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120090103 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION METHOD - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear by means of a mold ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120204359 | Article of Footwear with Interchangeable Bootie - An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120246844 | Shoe Tongue Centralizer - The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278999 | FOOTWEAR WITH PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING MIDSOLE AND OUTSOLE ELEMENTS - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130061405 | Waterproof Footwear and Method for Its Production - A shoe-reinforcement material having a fiber combination with a first fiber component and a second fiber portion having a second fiber component, whereby the first fiber component has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion of the second fiber component has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion of the second fiber component has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion, and the fiber combination. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130125319 | Automated Manufacturing Of Shoe Parts - Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130219636 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130283548 | Method for Manufacturing Waterproof Footwear - The invention provides a method of manufacturing waterproof shoe component and footwear using the same. The method includes the steps of, attaching a TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, processing to get fabric A; attaching a layer of TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, then attaching a layer of TC cloth on the TPU layer, processing to get fabric B; using fabric A or fabric B to stitch a sleeve, which matches with a pre-designed shoe pattern; making a shoe mould according to the shape of the pre-designed shoe pattern, in which the sleeve can coat on cutting fabric A into a number of straps according to the numbers of the stitching lines on the sleeve, seamless stitching the straps into a whole case along the distribution of the stitching lines; then coating the whole case onto the sleeve, with the TPU layer of the case adown and covering the stitching lines; putting the sleeve that covered the case into the shoe mould, then use the hot press molding by putting the shoe into a high frequency hot press machine to get into shape. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140020191 | Direct Printing to Fabric - Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140033452 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHOE AND SHOE OBTAINED WITH THE METHOD - A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, consisting in preparing a semimanufactured component of an upper for a shoe, such that it can be arranged spread out on a flat surface or on two mutually opposite surfaces, then arranging on the inner part of the semimanufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing means for adhesive bonding between the semimanufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. One or more shapes, capable of shaping themselves complementarily with respect to the different thicknesses of the stitched seams and of the superimposed parts which constitute the outer surface of the semimanufactured component of an upper are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semimanufactured component of an upper, with the outer part of the component arranged so that the outer surface rests on the shape. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140082862 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130269 | Comfort Shoe - A method of making a shoe includes the steps of providing a midsole having a plurality of downward extending flexible projections that elastically flex when exposed to the weight of a person walking in the shoe; and determining the number of associated projections based on the anticipated weight and/or foot, width and/or foot length of the wearer of the shoe. Each one of the downwardly expending projections is configured as a small bowl-shaped element, open at the top, with a cylindrical plug extending down from the bottom of the bowl into the outsole recess that is associated with the projections. The method may include the step of selecting a dimension of the cross-sectional surface area of the cylindrical plugs of the projections, wherein said area is increased for a larger shoe size and decreased for a smaller shoe size. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140189964 | SHOES OF AUTOMATED PROCESS PRODUCTION AND SHOEMAKING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140289976 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289977 | Method of Making a Sole Structure Comprising a Fluid Filled Member with Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140298600 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING FOREFOOT WEDGE ANGLE TO CORRECT PRONATION/SUPINATION - Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140325769 | PROPRIOCEPTIVE/KINESTHETIC APPARTUS AND METHOD - Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140352082 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352083 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140359952 | FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH LEATHER FIBER SURFACE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a footwear sole includes providing a base sole, and performing an electrostatic flocking process to bond a leather material layer onto a portion of the base sole. The electrostatic flocking process includes the steps of applying an adhesive material to cover a surface of the base sole, providing a leather flock source, spraying electrically charged leather flock onto the adhesive covered surface of the base sole, and curing the base sole to bond the leather flock to the surface of the base sole. The method is described principally with respect to applying a leather material layer to a surface of a base sole, and the method may be employed to apply a leather material layer to shoe portions other than a surface of the base sole, such as a surface of the outer sole, insole, or inner sole, or a surface of a whole shoe. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373288 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150013080 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having a Textile Upper - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with flat-knit edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020321 | Lace Tag For Footwear - An article for mounting on a lace of an article of footwear is provided. The article may include a first wall disposed in a first plane and a second wall extending from the first wall in a second plane, wherein the second plane is different than the first plane. In addition, the article may include a third wall extending from the first wall in a third plane, wherein the third plane is different than the first plane. Further, the article may include at least a first side wall extending between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, the first side wall having a substantially T-shaped slot configured to receive a lace of an article of footwear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067973 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With Tensile Structures - In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150082557 | Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150101133 | Two-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150101134 | Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135449 | METHOD OF PROTECTING THE SOLES OF SHOES BY USING A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE - An improved method for protecting the sole of shoes from normal wear and tear, scratches and scrapes; allowing the consumer to enjoy the look of the original sole. The method consist of several important steps: 1) A transparent adhesive is cut in the shape of a sole. 2) The transparent adhesive is placed on the entire sole of the shoe. The “sticky” side of the adhesive is placed on the sole of the shoe. 3) The user then wears the shoe with the adhesive on the bottom of the shoe. 4) After a few wears, once the adhesive is no longer protecting the sole of the shoe, the user removes the adhesive. 5) Steps 1-4 are repeated with a new adhesive. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150143640 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150143641 | Article of Footwear with a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure - 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. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150320146 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150335102 | SHOE SOLE ADJUSTMENT PAD - A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20090188056 | Method of manufacturing an ice skate - A method of manufacturing an ice skate for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The method comprises (a) providing a sheet of thermoformable material; (b) thermoforming the sheet of thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from the heel portion and the ankle portion, one of the medial and lateral side portions comprising a skirt portion being integrally formed therewith; (c) folding the skirt portion to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot and a bottom surface; and (d) mounting an ice skate blade holder to the bottom surface of the sole. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205756 | CLEATED ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110219553 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20130180059 | Method For Manufacturing A Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Reinforced Surface - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130326828 | METHOD OF ATTACHING A TRACTION CLEAT TO A SHOE MOUNTED RECEPTACLE - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140013523 | GRAPHICAL ELEMENT LAMINATE FOR USE IN FORMING A SKATE BOOT - A method of manufacturing a skate boot, including providing a first sheet of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material being at least one of translucent and transparent, printing a graphic element on the first side of the first sheet of thermoplastic material, providing a second sheet of base layer material with a first side of the second sheet of base layer material having a design element, positioning the first side of the first sheet onto the first side of the second sheet such that the graphic image is disposed between the first side of the first sheet and the first side of the second sheet, and joining the first sheet and the second sheet together to form a graphic element laminate. The graphic element laminate is affixed to an outer surface of a skate boot core. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140230164 | IMPRINTED TAPE FOR COMBINED FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES - In order to spat an athletic performer's shoes to reinforce the foot and the ankle, an elongated tape formed of a flexible base is coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and imprinted on the other side with repetitive versions of a team or sponsor's trademark, logo, or the like in colors associated with the team or sponsor. The tape may be used by wrapping the shoes and ankles in a manner known as spatting to reinforce the shoes and display the imprinted design. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140230165 | SKATE BOOT WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY - A method of making a skate boot including manufacturing a rear element including a tendon guard for covering at least a rear portion of the ankle received within the boot, and forming a direct connection at a fixed position between contacting portions of the rear element and of a remainder of the skate boot separately from the quarters, the direct connection being formed such that the rear element is an external element of the boot and such that an upper portion of the rear element is displaceable relative to the quarters in a forward and rearward direction, the upper portion of the rear element being displaceable through flexing of the rear element about the connection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20160081420 | Article Of Footwear With Customizable Stiffness - An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20080301886 | Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear - A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20160037864 | Method of Gluing a Single Surface of a Shoe - A method of gluing a single surface of a shoe contains a first-stage processing and a second-stage processing. The first-stage processing includes a sole bonding having a first washing and polishing step, a first surface modifying step, a glue spraying step, and a sole adhering step. The second-stage processing includes a second washing and polishing step, a second surface modifying step, and an adhesive agent coating step. A vamp and sole processing includes a vamp treating step, a treatment agent coating step, and an adhesion forming step. A shoe midsole on which an adhesion promoter is sprayed and a shoe outsole on which adhesive glue is coated are adhered together to finish a shoe sole. The adhesive glue is coated on an upper surface of the shoe sole to adhere with a lower adhering surface of a vamp on which a treatment agent is coated, thus finishing a shoe. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160374435 | FOOTWEAR COMPONENT TOOLING FOR USE WITH MICROWAVE ENERGY - The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20140245544 | Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component - An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140245545 | Method Of Knitting A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue - Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150135448 | Independently Controlled Rollers For Take-Down Assembly Of Knitting Machine - A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150342284 | Method Of Making An Article Of Footwear Including Knitting A Knitted Component Of Warp Knit Construction Forming A Seamless Bootie - An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150374062 | METHOD FOR KNITTING SHOE UPPER - There is provided a method for knitting a shoe upper that can allow the reinforcement degree of the shoe upper to be changed with a small number of yarn feeders. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160044985 | INTEGRALLY-FORMED SHOE HAVING NO MACHINE SEWING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160090670 | Article of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component with Inlaid Tensile Elements and Method of Assembly - Various articles may include a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and includes multiple tubular rib structures and multiple webbed areas. An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. The upper may be assembled through a wrapping process. The upper may comprise areas with tubular rib structures arranged in different orientations over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, the vamp region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. Some regions of the upper may have a greater number of tubular rib structures than other regions, and some tubular rib structures can include tensile elements. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160166000 | Last System For Braiding Footwear | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160015131 | Shoelace and Method for Fastening a Shoe Using Same - A shoelace device is disclosed having an elongated flexible section engaged on one end to an anchor. The elongated flexible section is configured for traversing apertures formed on opposite facings of a shoe. The anchor is sized with at least one dimension larger than the apertures to form a stop for preventing passage of the first end through an aperture. The anchor has a first fastening surface configured for removably joining in a first engagement to second fastening surface located on the flexible section when the second fastening surface comes into contact is the fastening surface. A second engagement of strap portions can be achieved using combination hook and loop fabric as the second fastening surface. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160088904 | Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements - A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160198803 | REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
| 20170231327 | FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20160135981 | FOOT ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING - Method and system is disclosed for manufacturing an orthopedic insert. The process includes, initializing a plurality of sensors as pixel-based information, making one or more pressure measurement from each of the plurality of sensors, analyzing and conditioning the pressure measurements to derive a pressure value for each pressure sensor, converting the pressure values into a pixel intensity value, mapping the pixel intensity values to a graphic image, determining pixel intensity values between each mapped pixel intensity value along a first axis, determining pixel intensity values along a second axis, and machining an orthotic insert based upon the graphical image. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160051002 | TRANSPARENT HEEL POST PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20120278998 | Fix A Flop Sandal Patches - Discovery of an improved method in mending the overexposed hole when the plastic flip flop strap anchor has separated completely from the rubber sole. What is referenced to as a “patch,” is put on in a “buttoning” manner. The patch has an adhesive that has a protective cover. Before the patch is applied, the protective cover should be peeled completely to expose the adhesive. With the adhesive facing the bottom sole of the flip flop, button the patch on to the plastic anchor and secure the adhesive against the sole of the flip flop sandal. The mend is permanent, fun, colorful, creative, and | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120144603 | Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using Multi-Functional Primer - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120144604 | Multi-Functional Primer and Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using the Same - The present invention provides a multifunctional primer, comprising a first solution including 15 to 55 parts by weight of natural rubber and 750 to 1350 parts by weight of an organic solvent; a second solution from 100 parts by weight of the first solution and additionally 45 to 90 parts by weight of a polyurethane-dispersion; comprising a third solution from 100 parts by weight of the second solution and 100 to 250 parts by weight of a butadiene-based rubber solution containing 50 to 200 parts by weight of a butadiene rubber and 800 to 950 parts by weight of an organic solvent. Additionally a method of manufacturing a shoe is disclosed in an environmentally friendly manner by application of the primer to a transfer sheet, this being dried and cut into appropriate pieces, and this film-type multifunctional primer applied on a non-vulcanized outersole of a shoe. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20150290892 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLE ASSEMBLY FORMED OF MULTIPLE PREFORMS - A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20150121633 | Method for Automatically Gumming Shoe - Disclosed is an method for automatically gumming a shoe for gumming a gumming target which is an upper surface of a shoe sole or a bottom surface of a shoe body on an automatically circulating path, comprises: guiding the gumming target into the automatically circulating path; by a shape retrieving device, retrieving a shape of the target on the automatically circulating path to obtain a retrieving result; by an applying device, applying a treating agent on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the gumming target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target; applying a gum on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target again, thereby the quality and speed of gumming shoe can be enhanced. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20180020770 | METHOD OF MAKING A BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF AND WATERPROOF VAMP FOR A SHOE | 01-25-2018 |
| 012142000 |
Orthopedic | 1 |
| 20100251491 | Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements - Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110083286 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE SHOE SHELL - A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110209295 | Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120060304 | CUSHIONING DEVICE - A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120090103 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION METHOD - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear by means of a mold ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120204359 | Article of Footwear with Interchangeable Bootie - An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120246844 | Shoe Tongue Centralizer - The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278999 | FOOTWEAR WITH PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING MIDSOLE AND OUTSOLE ELEMENTS - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130061405 | Waterproof Footwear and Method for Its Production - A shoe-reinforcement material having a fiber combination with a first fiber component and a second fiber portion having a second fiber component, whereby the first fiber component has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion of the second fiber component has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion of the second fiber component has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion, and the fiber combination. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130125319 | Automated Manufacturing Of Shoe Parts - Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130219636 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130283548 | Method for Manufacturing Waterproof Footwear - The invention provides a method of manufacturing waterproof shoe component and footwear using the same. The method includes the steps of, attaching a TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, processing to get fabric A; attaching a layer of TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, then attaching a layer of TC cloth on the TPU layer, processing to get fabric B; using fabric A or fabric B to stitch a sleeve, which matches with a pre-designed shoe pattern; making a shoe mould according to the shape of the pre-designed shoe pattern, in which the sleeve can coat on cutting fabric A into a number of straps according to the numbers of the stitching lines on the sleeve, seamless stitching the straps into a whole case along the distribution of the stitching lines; then coating the whole case onto the sleeve, with the TPU layer of the case adown and covering the stitching lines; putting the sleeve that covered the case into the shoe mould, then use the hot press molding by putting the shoe into a high frequency hot press machine to get into shape. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140020191 | Direct Printing to Fabric - Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140033452 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHOE AND SHOE OBTAINED WITH THE METHOD - A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, consisting in preparing a semimanufactured component of an upper for a shoe, such that it can be arranged spread out on a flat surface or on two mutually opposite surfaces, then arranging on the inner part of the semimanufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing means for adhesive bonding between the semimanufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. One or more shapes, capable of shaping themselves complementarily with respect to the different thicknesses of the stitched seams and of the superimposed parts which constitute the outer surface of the semimanufactured component of an upper are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semimanufactured component of an upper, with the outer part of the component arranged so that the outer surface rests on the shape. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140082862 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130269 | Comfort Shoe - A method of making a shoe includes the steps of providing a midsole having a plurality of downward extending flexible projections that elastically flex when exposed to the weight of a person walking in the shoe; and determining the number of associated projections based on the anticipated weight and/or foot, width and/or foot length of the wearer of the shoe. Each one of the downwardly expending projections is configured as a small bowl-shaped element, open at the top, with a cylindrical plug extending down from the bottom of the bowl into the outsole recess that is associated with the projections. The method may include the step of selecting a dimension of the cross-sectional surface area of the cylindrical plugs of the projections, wherein said area is increased for a larger shoe size and decreased for a smaller shoe size. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140189964 | SHOES OF AUTOMATED PROCESS PRODUCTION AND SHOEMAKING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140289976 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289977 | Method of Making a Sole Structure Comprising a Fluid Filled Member with Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140298600 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING FOREFOOT WEDGE ANGLE TO CORRECT PRONATION/SUPINATION - Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140325769 | PROPRIOCEPTIVE/KINESTHETIC APPARTUS AND METHOD - Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140352082 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352083 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140359952 | FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH LEATHER FIBER SURFACE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a footwear sole includes providing a base sole, and performing an electrostatic flocking process to bond a leather material layer onto a portion of the base sole. The electrostatic flocking process includes the steps of applying an adhesive material to cover a surface of the base sole, providing a leather flock source, spraying electrically charged leather flock onto the adhesive covered surface of the base sole, and curing the base sole to bond the leather flock to the surface of the base sole. The method is described principally with respect to applying a leather material layer to a surface of a base sole, and the method may be employed to apply a leather material layer to shoe portions other than a surface of the base sole, such as a surface of the outer sole, insole, or inner sole, or a surface of a whole shoe. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373288 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150013080 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having a Textile Upper - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with flat-knit edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020321 | Lace Tag For Footwear - An article for mounting on a lace of an article of footwear is provided. The article may include a first wall disposed in a first plane and a second wall extending from the first wall in a second plane, wherein the second plane is different than the first plane. In addition, the article may include a third wall extending from the first wall in a third plane, wherein the third plane is different than the first plane. Further, the article may include at least a first side wall extending between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, the first side wall having a substantially T-shaped slot configured to receive a lace of an article of footwear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067973 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With Tensile Structures - In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150082557 | Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150101133 | Two-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150101134 | Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135449 | METHOD OF PROTECTING THE SOLES OF SHOES BY USING A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE - An improved method for protecting the sole of shoes from normal wear and tear, scratches and scrapes; allowing the consumer to enjoy the look of the original sole. The method consist of several important steps: 1) A transparent adhesive is cut in the shape of a sole. 2) The transparent adhesive is placed on the entire sole of the shoe. The “sticky” side of the adhesive is placed on the sole of the shoe. 3) The user then wears the shoe with the adhesive on the bottom of the shoe. 4) After a few wears, once the adhesive is no longer protecting the sole of the shoe, the user removes the adhesive. 5) Steps 1-4 are repeated with a new adhesive. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150143640 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150143641 | Article of Footwear with a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure - 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. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150320146 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150335102 | SHOE SOLE ADJUSTMENT PAD - A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20090188056 | Method of manufacturing an ice skate - A method of manufacturing an ice skate for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The method comprises (a) providing a sheet of thermoformable material; (b) thermoforming the sheet of thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from the heel portion and the ankle portion, one of the medial and lateral side portions comprising a skirt portion being integrally formed therewith; (c) folding the skirt portion to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot and a bottom surface; and (d) mounting an ice skate blade holder to the bottom surface of the sole. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205756 | CLEATED ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110219553 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20130180059 | Method For Manufacturing A Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Reinforced Surface - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130326828 | METHOD OF ATTACHING A TRACTION CLEAT TO A SHOE MOUNTED RECEPTACLE - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140013523 | GRAPHICAL ELEMENT LAMINATE FOR USE IN FORMING A SKATE BOOT - A method of manufacturing a skate boot, including providing a first sheet of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material being at least one of translucent and transparent, printing a graphic element on the first side of the first sheet of thermoplastic material, providing a second sheet of base layer material with a first side of the second sheet of base layer material having a design element, positioning the first side of the first sheet onto the first side of the second sheet such that the graphic image is disposed between the first side of the first sheet and the first side of the second sheet, and joining the first sheet and the second sheet together to form a graphic element laminate. The graphic element laminate is affixed to an outer surface of a skate boot core. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140230164 | IMPRINTED TAPE FOR COMBINED FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES - In order to spat an athletic performer's shoes to reinforce the foot and the ankle, an elongated tape formed of a flexible base is coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and imprinted on the other side with repetitive versions of a team or sponsor's trademark, logo, or the like in colors associated with the team or sponsor. The tape may be used by wrapping the shoes and ankles in a manner known as spatting to reinforce the shoes and display the imprinted design. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140230165 | SKATE BOOT WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY - A method of making a skate boot including manufacturing a rear element including a tendon guard for covering at least a rear portion of the ankle received within the boot, and forming a direct connection at a fixed position between contacting portions of the rear element and of a remainder of the skate boot separately from the quarters, the direct connection being formed such that the rear element is an external element of the boot and such that an upper portion of the rear element is displaceable relative to the quarters in a forward and rearward direction, the upper portion of the rear element being displaceable through flexing of the rear element about the connection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20160081420 | Article Of Footwear With Customizable Stiffness - An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20080301886 | Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear - A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20160037864 | Method of Gluing a Single Surface of a Shoe - A method of gluing a single surface of a shoe contains a first-stage processing and a second-stage processing. The first-stage processing includes a sole bonding having a first washing and polishing step, a first surface modifying step, a glue spraying step, and a sole adhering step. The second-stage processing includes a second washing and polishing step, a second surface modifying step, and an adhesive agent coating step. A vamp and sole processing includes a vamp treating step, a treatment agent coating step, and an adhesion forming step. A shoe midsole on which an adhesion promoter is sprayed and a shoe outsole on which adhesive glue is coated are adhered together to finish a shoe sole. The adhesive glue is coated on an upper surface of the shoe sole to adhere with a lower adhering surface of a vamp on which a treatment agent is coated, thus finishing a shoe. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160374435 | FOOTWEAR COMPONENT TOOLING FOR USE WITH MICROWAVE ENERGY - The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20140245544 | Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component - An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140245545 | Method Of Knitting A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue - Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150135448 | Independently Controlled Rollers For Take-Down Assembly Of Knitting Machine - A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150342284 | Method Of Making An Article Of Footwear Including Knitting A Knitted Component Of Warp Knit Construction Forming A Seamless Bootie - An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150374062 | METHOD FOR KNITTING SHOE UPPER - There is provided a method for knitting a shoe upper that can allow the reinforcement degree of the shoe upper to be changed with a small number of yarn feeders. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160044985 | INTEGRALLY-FORMED SHOE HAVING NO MACHINE SEWING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160090670 | Article of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component with Inlaid Tensile Elements and Method of Assembly - Various articles may include a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and includes multiple tubular rib structures and multiple webbed areas. An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. The upper may be assembled through a wrapping process. The upper may comprise areas with tubular rib structures arranged in different orientations over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, the vamp region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. Some regions of the upper may have a greater number of tubular rib structures than other regions, and some tubular rib structures can include tensile elements. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160166000 | Last System For Braiding Footwear | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160015131 | Shoelace and Method for Fastening a Shoe Using Same - A shoelace device is disclosed having an elongated flexible section engaged on one end to an anchor. The elongated flexible section is configured for traversing apertures formed on opposite facings of a shoe. The anchor is sized with at least one dimension larger than the apertures to form a stop for preventing passage of the first end through an aperture. The anchor has a first fastening surface configured for removably joining in a first engagement to second fastening surface located on the flexible section when the second fastening surface comes into contact is the fastening surface. A second engagement of strap portions can be achieved using combination hook and loop fabric as the second fastening surface. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160088904 | Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements - A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160198803 | REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
| 20170231327 | FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20160135981 | FOOT ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING - Method and system is disclosed for manufacturing an orthopedic insert. The process includes, initializing a plurality of sensors as pixel-based information, making one or more pressure measurement from each of the plurality of sensors, analyzing and conditioning the pressure measurements to derive a pressure value for each pressure sensor, converting the pressure values into a pixel intensity value, mapping the pixel intensity values to a graphic image, determining pixel intensity values between each mapped pixel intensity value along a first axis, determining pixel intensity values along a second axis, and machining an orthotic insert based upon the graphical image. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160051002 | TRANSPARENT HEEL POST PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20120278998 | Fix A Flop Sandal Patches - Discovery of an improved method in mending the overexposed hole when the plastic flip flop strap anchor has separated completely from the rubber sole. What is referenced to as a “patch,” is put on in a “buttoning” manner. The patch has an adhesive that has a protective cover. Before the patch is applied, the protective cover should be peeled completely to expose the adhesive. With the adhesive facing the bottom sole of the flip flop, button the patch on to the plastic anchor and secure the adhesive against the sole of the flip flop sandal. The mend is permanent, fun, colorful, creative, and | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120144603 | Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using Multi-Functional Primer - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120144604 | Multi-Functional Primer and Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using the Same - The present invention provides a multifunctional primer, comprising a first solution including 15 to 55 parts by weight of natural rubber and 750 to 1350 parts by weight of an organic solvent; a second solution from 100 parts by weight of the first solution and additionally 45 to 90 parts by weight of a polyurethane-dispersion; comprising a third solution from 100 parts by weight of the second solution and 100 to 250 parts by weight of a butadiene-based rubber solution containing 50 to 200 parts by weight of a butadiene rubber and 800 to 950 parts by weight of an organic solvent. Additionally a method of manufacturing a shoe is disclosed in an environmentally friendly manner by application of the primer to a transfer sheet, this being dried and cut into appropriate pieces, and this film-type multifunctional primer applied on a non-vulcanized outersole of a shoe. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20150290892 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLE ASSEMBLY FORMED OF MULTIPLE PREFORMS - A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20150121633 | Method for Automatically Gumming Shoe - Disclosed is an method for automatically gumming a shoe for gumming a gumming target which is an upper surface of a shoe sole or a bottom surface of a shoe body on an automatically circulating path, comprises: guiding the gumming target into the automatically circulating path; by a shape retrieving device, retrieving a shape of the target on the automatically circulating path to obtain a retrieving result; by an applying device, applying a treating agent on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the gumming target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target; applying a gum on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target again, thereby the quality and speed of gumming shoe can be enhanced. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20180020770 | METHOD OF MAKING A BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF AND WATERPROOF VAMP FOR A SHOE | 01-25-2018 |
| 012142000 |
Protection of shoes | 1 |
| 20100251491 | Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements - Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110083286 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE SHOE SHELL - A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110209295 | Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120060304 | CUSHIONING DEVICE - A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120090103 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION METHOD - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear by means of a mold ( | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120204359 | Article of Footwear with Interchangeable Bootie - An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120246844 | Shoe Tongue Centralizer - The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278999 | FOOTWEAR WITH PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING MIDSOLE AND OUTSOLE ELEMENTS - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing an outsole and a midsole. The outsole and the midsole are secured together such that a bottom surface of a first midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a first outsole element to define a first element assembly, such that a bottom surface of a second midsole element overlaps and directly secures to an upper surface of a second outsole element to define a second element assembly, and such that an outsole groove and a midsole groove are substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole. Moreover, the method includes interlocking the first and second element assemblies with each other. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20130061405 | Waterproof Footwear and Method for Its Production - A shoe-reinforcement material having a fiber combination with a first fiber component and a second fiber portion having a second fiber component, whereby the first fiber component has a first melting point and a first softening-temperature range lying below it, and a first fiber portion of the second fiber component has a second melting point and a second softening-temperature range lying below it; the first melting point and the first softening-temperature range are higher than the second melting point and the second softening-temperature range, the second fiber portion of the second fiber component has a higher melting point and a higher softening temperature lying above it than the first fiber portion, and the fiber combination. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130125319 | Automated Manufacturing Of Shoe Parts - Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130219636 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130283548 | Method for Manufacturing Waterproof Footwear - The invention provides a method of manufacturing waterproof shoe component and footwear using the same. The method includes the steps of, attaching a TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, processing to get fabric A; attaching a layer of TPU waterproof and breathable membrane on an ordinary cloth, then attaching a layer of TC cloth on the TPU layer, processing to get fabric B; using fabric A or fabric B to stitch a sleeve, which matches with a pre-designed shoe pattern; making a shoe mould according to the shape of the pre-designed shoe pattern, in which the sleeve can coat on cutting fabric A into a number of straps according to the numbers of the stitching lines on the sleeve, seamless stitching the straps into a whole case along the distribution of the stitching lines; then coating the whole case onto the sleeve, with the TPU layer of the case adown and covering the stitching lines; putting the sleeve that covered the case into the shoe mould, then use the hot press molding by putting the shoe into a high frequency hot press machine to get into shape. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140020191 | Direct Printing to Fabric - Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140033452 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHOE AND SHOE OBTAINED WITH THE METHOD - A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, consisting in preparing a semimanufactured component of an upper for a shoe, such that it can be arranged spread out on a flat surface or on two mutually opposite surfaces, then arranging on the inner part of the semimanufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing means for adhesive bonding between the semimanufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. One or more shapes, capable of shaping themselves complementarily with respect to the different thicknesses of the stitched seams and of the superimposed parts which constitute the outer surface of the semimanufactured component of an upper are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semimanufactured component of an upper, with the outer part of the component arranged so that the outer surface rests on the shape. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140082862 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130269 | Comfort Shoe - A method of making a shoe includes the steps of providing a midsole having a plurality of downward extending flexible projections that elastically flex when exposed to the weight of a person walking in the shoe; and determining the number of associated projections based on the anticipated weight and/or foot, width and/or foot length of the wearer of the shoe. Each one of the downwardly expending projections is configured as a small bowl-shaped element, open at the top, with a cylindrical plug extending down from the bottom of the bowl into the outsole recess that is associated with the projections. The method may include the step of selecting a dimension of the cross-sectional surface area of the cylindrical plugs of the projections, wherein said area is increased for a larger shoe size and decreased for a smaller shoe size. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140189964 | SHOES OF AUTOMATED PROCESS PRODUCTION AND SHOEMAKING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are shoes of an automated process production and a shoemaking method thereof. Each of the shoes of an automated process production comprises a shoe-upper material, a shoe sole and a plastic material. The shoe-upper material is one piece and includes a shoe-upper and a footrest underside coupled with each other. The plastic material is coated onto the shoe-upper and the footrest underside and filled between the footrest underside and the shoe sole, and the plastic material forms at least one support member attached to the shoe-upper and the footrest underside. The shoe sole is coupled to the footrest underside by plastic material. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140289976 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140289977 | Method of Making a Sole Structure Comprising a Fluid Filled Member with Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140298600 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING FOREFOOT WEDGE ANGLE TO CORRECT PRONATION/SUPINATION - Systems and methods for forming a forefoot wedge insert are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140325769 | PROPRIOCEPTIVE/KINESTHETIC APPARTUS AND METHOD - Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140352082 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352083 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A POLYGON LUG SOLE PATTERN - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140359952 | FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH LEATHER FIBER SURFACE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of manufacturing a footwear sole includes providing a base sole, and performing an electrostatic flocking process to bond a leather material layer onto a portion of the base sole. The electrostatic flocking process includes the steps of applying an adhesive material to cover a surface of the base sole, providing a leather flock source, spraying electrically charged leather flock onto the adhesive covered surface of the base sole, and curing the base sole to bond the leather flock to the surface of the base sole. The method is described principally with respect to applying a leather material layer to a surface of a base sole, and the method may be employed to apply a leather material layer to shoe portions other than a surface of the base sole, such as a surface of the outer sole, insole, or inner sole, or a surface of a whole shoe. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373288 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150013080 | Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having a Textile Upper - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with flat-knit edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020321 | Lace Tag For Footwear - An article for mounting on a lace of an article of footwear is provided. The article may include a first wall disposed in a first plane and a second wall extending from the first wall in a second plane, wherein the second plane is different than the first plane. In addition, the article may include a third wall extending from the first wall in a third plane, wherein the third plane is different than the first plane. Further, the article may include at least a first side wall extending between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, the first side wall having a substantially T-shaped slot configured to receive a lace of an article of footwear. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150067973 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With Tensile Structures - In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150082557 | Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150101133 | Two-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150101134 | Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing - Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150135449 | METHOD OF PROTECTING THE SOLES OF SHOES BY USING A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE - An improved method for protecting the sole of shoes from normal wear and tear, scratches and scrapes; allowing the consumer to enjoy the look of the original sole. The method consist of several important steps: 1) A transparent adhesive is cut in the shape of a sole. 2) The transparent adhesive is placed on the entire sole of the shoe. The “sticky” side of the adhesive is placed on the sole of the shoe. 3) The user then wears the shoe with the adhesive on the bottom of the shoe. 4) After a few wears, once the adhesive is no longer protecting the sole of the shoe, the user removes the adhesive. 5) Steps 1-4 are repeated with a new adhesive. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150143640 | Methods Of Manufacturing Articles Of Footwear With Tensile Strand Elements - An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150143641 | Article of Footwear with a Stretchable Upper and an Articulated Sole Structure - 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. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150320146 | Method of Making an Article of Footwear - A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150335102 | SHOE SOLE ADJUSTMENT PAD - A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20090188056 | Method of manufacturing an ice skate - A method of manufacturing an ice skate for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The method comprises (a) providing a sheet of thermoformable material; (b) thermoforming the sheet of thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from the heel portion and the ankle portion, one of the medial and lateral side portions comprising a skirt portion being integrally formed therewith; (c) folding the skirt portion to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot and a bottom surface; and (d) mounting an ice skate blade holder to the bottom surface of the sole. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205756 | CLEATED ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110219553 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20130180059 | Method For Manufacturing A Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Reinforced Surface - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130326828 | METHOD OF ATTACHING A TRACTION CLEAT TO A SHOE MOUNTED RECEPTACLE - A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140013523 | GRAPHICAL ELEMENT LAMINATE FOR USE IN FORMING A SKATE BOOT - A method of manufacturing a skate boot, including providing a first sheet of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material being at least one of translucent and transparent, printing a graphic element on the first side of the first sheet of thermoplastic material, providing a second sheet of base layer material with a first side of the second sheet of base layer material having a design element, positioning the first side of the first sheet onto the first side of the second sheet such that the graphic image is disposed between the first side of the first sheet and the first side of the second sheet, and joining the first sheet and the second sheet together to form a graphic element laminate. The graphic element laminate is affixed to an outer surface of a skate boot core. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140230164 | IMPRINTED TAPE FOR COMBINED FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES - In order to spat an athletic performer's shoes to reinforce the foot and the ankle, an elongated tape formed of a flexible base is coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and imprinted on the other side with repetitive versions of a team or sponsor's trademark, logo, or the like in colors associated with the team or sponsor. The tape may be used by wrapping the shoes and ankles in a manner known as spatting to reinforce the shoes and display the imprinted design. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140230165 | SKATE BOOT WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY - A method of making a skate boot including manufacturing a rear element including a tendon guard for covering at least a rear portion of the ankle received within the boot, and forming a direct connection at a fixed position between contacting portions of the rear element and of a remainder of the skate boot separately from the quarters, the direct connection being formed such that the rear element is an external element of the boot and such that an upper portion of the rear element is displaceable relative to the quarters in a forward and rearward direction, the upper portion of the rear element being displaceable through flexing of the rear element about the connection. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20160081420 | Article Of Footwear With Customizable Stiffness - An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20080301886 | Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear - A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20160037864 | Method of Gluing a Single Surface of a Shoe - A method of gluing a single surface of a shoe contains a first-stage processing and a second-stage processing. The first-stage processing includes a sole bonding having a first washing and polishing step, a first surface modifying step, a glue spraying step, and a sole adhering step. The second-stage processing includes a second washing and polishing step, a second surface modifying step, and an adhesive agent coating step. A vamp and sole processing includes a vamp treating step, a treatment agent coating step, and an adhesion forming step. A shoe midsole on which an adhesion promoter is sprayed and a shoe outsole on which adhesive glue is coated are adhered together to finish a shoe sole. The adhesive glue is coated on an upper surface of the shoe sole to adhere with a lower adhering surface of a vamp on which a treatment agent is coated, thus finishing a shoe. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160374435 | FOOTWEAR COMPONENT TOOLING FOR USE WITH MICROWAVE ENERGY - The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20140245544 | Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component - An article of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate a knitted component. An inlaid strand extends through the knitted component. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140245545 | Method Of Knitting A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue - Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150135448 | Independently Controlled Rollers For Take-Down Assembly Of Knitting Machine - A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150342284 | Method Of Making An Article Of Footwear Including Knitting A Knitted Component Of Warp Knit Construction Forming A Seamless Bootie - An article of footwear incorporates a seamless bootie or textile upper formed from a knitted component removed from a knitted textile element of unitary warp knit construction. The knitted component may include a first knitted component portion in the form of a seamless bootie and a second knitted component portion associated with the first knitted component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be tucked-in or folded into a pocket of first knitted component portion, such as a knitted dynamic fit component portion or a knitted tongue component portion. In some embodiments the second knitted component portion may be wrapped around at least part of the first knitted component portion. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150374062 | METHOD FOR KNITTING SHOE UPPER - There is provided a method for knitting a shoe upper that can allow the reinforcement degree of the shoe upper to be changed with a small number of yarn feeders. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160044985 | INTEGRALLY-FORMED SHOE HAVING NO MACHINE SEWING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160090670 | Article of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component with Inlaid Tensile Elements and Method of Assembly - Various articles may include a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and includes multiple tubular rib structures and multiple webbed areas. An article of footwear may include an upper incorporating a knitted component. The upper may be assembled through a wrapping process. The upper may comprise areas with tubular rib structures arranged in different orientations over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, the vamp region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. Some regions of the upper may have a greater number of tubular rib structures than other regions, and some tubular rib structures can include tensile elements. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160166000 | Last System For Braiding Footwear | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160015131 | Shoelace and Method for Fastening a Shoe Using Same - A shoelace device is disclosed having an elongated flexible section engaged on one end to an anchor. The elongated flexible section is configured for traversing apertures formed on opposite facings of a shoe. The anchor is sized with at least one dimension larger than the apertures to form a stop for preventing passage of the first end through an aperture. The anchor has a first fastening surface configured for removably joining in a first engagement to second fastening surface located on the flexible section when the second fastening surface comes into contact is the fastening surface. A second engagement of strap portions can be achieved using combination hook and loop fabric as the second fastening surface. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160088904 | Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements - A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160198803 | REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
| 20170231327 | FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20160135981 | FOOT ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING - Method and system is disclosed for manufacturing an orthopedic insert. The process includes, initializing a plurality of sensors as pixel-based information, making one or more pressure measurement from each of the plurality of sensors, analyzing and conditioning the pressure measurements to derive a pressure value for each pressure sensor, converting the pressure values into a pixel intensity value, mapping the pixel intensity values to a graphic image, determining pixel intensity values between each mapped pixel intensity value along a first axis, determining pixel intensity values along a second axis, and machining an orthotic insert based upon the graphical image. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160051002 | TRANSPARENT HEEL POST PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20120278998 | Fix A Flop Sandal Patches - Discovery of an improved method in mending the overexposed hole when the plastic flip flop strap anchor has separated completely from the rubber sole. What is referenced to as a “patch,” is put on in a “buttoning” manner. The patch has an adhesive that has a protective cover. Before the patch is applied, the protective cover should be peeled completely to expose the adhesive. With the adhesive facing the bottom sole of the flip flop, button the patch on to the plastic anchor and secure the adhesive against the sole of the flip flop sandal. The mend is permanent, fun, colorful, creative, and | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120144603 | Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using Multi-Functional Primer - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120144604 | Multi-Functional Primer and Method of Manufacturing Shoe Using the Same - The present invention provides a multifunctional primer, comprising a first solution including 15 to 55 parts by weight of natural rubber and 750 to 1350 parts by weight of an organic solvent; a second solution from 100 parts by weight of the first solution and additionally 45 to 90 parts by weight of a polyurethane-dispersion; comprising a third solution from 100 parts by weight of the second solution and 100 to 250 parts by weight of a butadiene-based rubber solution containing 50 to 200 parts by weight of a butadiene rubber and 800 to 950 parts by weight of an organic solvent. Additionally a method of manufacturing a shoe is disclosed in an environmentally friendly manner by application of the primer to a transfer sheet, this being dried and cut into appropriate pieces, and this film-type multifunctional primer applied on a non-vulcanized outersole of a shoe. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20150290892 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLE ASSEMBLY FORMED OF MULTIPLE PREFORMS - A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20150121633 | Method for Automatically Gumming Shoe - Disclosed is an method for automatically gumming a shoe for gumming a gumming target which is an upper surface of a shoe sole or a bottom surface of a shoe body on an automatically circulating path, comprises: guiding the gumming target into the automatically circulating path; by a shape retrieving device, retrieving a shape of the target on the automatically circulating path to obtain a retrieving result; by an applying device, applying a treating agent on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the gumming target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target; applying a gum on the gumming target according to the retrieving result; grabbing the target out of the automatically circulating path and then heating the gumming target again, thereby the quality and speed of gumming shoe can be enhanced. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20180020770 | METHOD OF MAKING A BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF AND WATERPROOF VAMP FOR A SHOE | 01-25-2018 |
