A decoration for a shoe element and a method of decorating a shoe element includes the steps of cutting a substrate to correspond to the shape of the shoe element and applying decorative elements to the substrate. Openings are cut in a protective cover to align with areas where the decorative elements are applied to the substrate. The protective cover and the substrate are aligned, including aligning the openings in the protective cover with the decorative elements on the substrate. In the process, the substrate is coupled to the protective cover to form a one piece, and the one piece is coupled to the shoe element. The decoration, once installed on the shoe, includes the substrate under the protective cover with raised decorative elements appearing through the openings.

A decoration for a shoe element and a method of decorating a shoe element includes the steps of cutting a substrate to correspond to the shape of the shoe element and applying decorative elements to the substrate. Openings are cut in a protective cover to align with areas where the decorative elements are applied to the substrate. The protective cover and the substrate are aligned, including aligning the openings in the protective cover with the decorative elements on the substrate. In the process, the substrate is coupled to the protective cover to form a one piece, and the one piece is coupled to the shoe element. The decoration, once installed on the shoe, includes the substrate under the protective cover with raised decorative elements appearing through the openings.

A compass-sensor embedded footwear system and an operation method thereof are provided. The compass-sensor embedded footwear system includes: a footwear including: a footwear sole; two pressure sensors embedded in the footwear sole; a compass sensor configured in a fixed orientation with respect to the footwear sole; and a control-communication unit connecting to each of the two pressure sensors and compass sensor.

A compass-sensor embedded footwear system and an operation method thereof are provided. The compass-sensor embedded footwear system includes: a footwear including: a footwear sole; two pressure sensors embedded in the footwear sole; a compass sensor configured in a fixed orientation with respect to the footwear sole; and a control-communication unit connecting to each of the two pressure sensors and compass sensor.

A three-layered shoe construction having an outsole with a first section located in the arch portion and extending into and towards the medial side of both the forefoot and hind foot areas, and a second section located in the remainder of the outsole, the first section including a plurality of horizontal grooves, the second section including a plurality of small and elongated apertures, the outsole having a first cavity on its interior face; a dual-density midsole having a first density in the forefoot area and a second density in the hind foot area, the second density being greater than the first density, the midsole having a second cavity on its proximal face; and an insole having a top face including a plurality of raised projections, the outer perimeter and medial half of the arch portion being smooth. The specific construction associated with the three-layered shoe enhances flexibility, cushioning, and breathability.

A shoe construction including an outsole having a first section which includes portions of the forefoot and midfoot areas, a second section which includes portions of the forefoot, midfoot and hind foot areas, and a third section which includes portions of the midfoot and hind foot areas, the first and third sections including a plurality of curved and straight grooves and the second section including a plurality of diagonal grooves, the outsole further including a cavity, raised projections and a pair of protrusions for mating with a projected area and corresponding grooves and recesses on the midsole when the outsole and midsole are mated together, the midsole having a first density in the forefoot area and a second density in the hind foot area, the proximal face of the midsole including a second cavity for receiving the insole, the insole having a top face including a plurality of raised projections.

A smart module for a smart shoe includes a second cover, a first cover, an antenna, a circuit board, and a power supply unit. The second cover cooperates with the first cover to form a housing for receiving the antenna, the circuit board, and the power supply unit. The antenna and the power supply unit are electrically connected to the circuit board. The power supply unit supplies power to the circuit board and the antenna. The first cover includes at least one positioning member. The antenna includes at least one positioning hole. The circuit board includes at least one positioning hole. The positioning holes in the antenna and the circuit board align with and receive the positioning member of the first cover to ensure that the antenna and the circuit board are mounted at appropriate locations in the first cover. Therefore, the smart module facilitates easy assembly.

Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Automated painting of a shoe sole portion of a shoe is enhanced by use of a jig. The shoe sole portion may be secured between top and bottom plates of the jig such that a side surface of the shoe sole portion is left exposed. Additionally, the jig is adapted to create configurable masking lines along the side surface of the shoe sole portion using multi-layer deforming layers.

Automated painting of a shoe sole portion of a shoe is enhanced by use of a jig. The shoe sole portion may be secured between top and bottom plates of the jig such that a side surface of the shoe sole portion is left exposed. Additionally, the jig is adapted to create configurable masking lines along the side surface of the shoe sole portion using multi-layer deforming layers.