Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion. Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extended toes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping

Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion. Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extended toes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping

Footwear is disclosed herein that comprises a base with a cut-out and/or a fold pattern, either of which, when actuated, is useful to transform the footwear from a closed/relaxed configuration to an open/actuated configuration in which the rapid-entry shoe has an expanded shoe opening to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe.

The present invention relates to a medical treatment device for stimulating neurons of a patient. The device comprises a first non-invasive stimulating device for generating at least two different first stimuli to a patient's body, a second non-invasive stimulating device for generating at least two different second stimuli to the patient's body, and a control unit for selectively and intermittently actuating the stimulating devices. In a first operating mode, the control unit is configured to actuate the first stimulating device in a sequence of successive actuating periods such that a number n of first stimuli to be generated simultaneously during the actuating periods is variedly determined across the sequence and to actuate the second stimulating device so as to generate the second stimuli to be paired to the generation of at least a part of the first stimuli. In a second operating mode, the control unit is configured to actuate the second stimulating device so as to generate the second stimuli to be de-coupled from the generation of at least a part of the first stimuli.

A shoe sole comprising an elastomeric composition comprising: (D) 100 phr of a mixture of rubbers comprising: i. from 40 to 70% by weight of an isoprene polymer; ii. from 20 to 50% by weight of polybutadiene; iii. from 10 to 40% by weight of an SBR having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −60 to −40° C.; (E) from 50 to 100 phr of amorphous carbon black having a surface area greater than 85 m.sup.2/g measured with the ASTM D6556 method, and a dibutyl phthalate absorption index (DBPA) greater than 90 measured with the ASTM D2414 method; (F) from 1 to 30 phr of graphene nano-platelets, wherein at least 90% of said graphene nano-platelets has a side dimension (x, y) from 50 to 50000 nm and a thickness (z) of 0.34 to 50 nm, and wherein said graphene nano-platelets have a C/O ratio ≥100:1.

A hybrid material contains a matrix of polyurethane and foamed particles of thermoplastic polyurethane contained therein. A process can be used for producing such hybrid materials and these hybrid materials can be used as bicycle saddles, upholstery and shoe soles.

A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns. The controller optionally includes a communication port for interfacing with an external computer for purposes of optimizing and programming the controller. The wearable system is powered by a power source.

A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns. The controller optionally includes a communication port for interfacing with an external computer for purposes of optimizing and programming the controller. The wearable system is powered by a power source.

A sole (100) or inner sole for a shoe is provided. The sole (100) or inner sole comprises: a toe region (28) for supporting a user's toes; a forefoot region (26) for supporting a user's forefoot; a midfoot region (24) for supporting a user's arch; and a heel region (22) for supporting a user's heel. A longitudinal direction (X) extends from the heel region (22) towards the toe region (28). A lateral direction (Y) transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) extends from an inner side to an outer side of the sole (100) or inner sole. A plurality of force sensors (10) distributed throughout the sole (100) or inner sole. The plurality of force sensors (10) comprise: a first lateral row of force sensors (10) in the toe region (28); a second lateral row of force sensors (10) in the forefoot region (26); a first longitudinal row of force sensors (10) along the inner side of the sole (100) or inner sole from the heel region (22) to the midfoot region (24); and a second longitudinal row of force sensors (10) along the outer side of the sole (100) or inner sole from the heel region (22) to the midfoot region (24).

A sole (100) or inner sole for a shoe is provided. The sole (100) or inner sole comprises: a toe region (28) for supporting a user's toes; a forefoot region (26) for supporting a user's forefoot; a midfoot region (24) for supporting a user's arch; and a heel region (22) for supporting a user's heel. A longitudinal direction (X) extends from the heel region (22) towards the toe region (28). A lateral direction (Y) transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) extends from an inner side to an outer side of the sole (100) or inner sole. A plurality of force sensors (10) distributed throughout the sole (100) or inner sole. The plurality of force sensors (10) comprise: a first lateral row of force sensors (10) in the toe region (28); a second lateral row of force sensors (10) in the forefoot region (26); a first longitudinal row of force sensors (10) along the inner side of the sole (100) or inner sole from the heel region (22) to the midfoot region (24); and a second longitudinal row of force sensors (10) along the outer side of the sole (100) or inner sole from the heel region (22) to the midfoot region (24).