A cushioning device for high heel shoes includes a layer of energy field generators producing electric/magnetic fields, and a chamber filled with an ER/MR fluid. The strengths of electric/magnetic fields are positioned in preassigned locations of the layer, according to the pressure distribution of foot. The viscosity of the ER/MR fluid can be adjusted by different strengths of electric/magnetic fields, so that different locations of foot can receive different supports from the cushioning device to enhance the comfort.

The invention relates to a sports boot for the pursuit of ski sport. The sports boot comprises a sensor arrangement (29) having several pressure-sensitive sensors (9a-d) in a distributed layout which are respectively connected or can be connected via cable connections (17a-d) to an electronic signal processing device. At least one first sensor (9a) is positioned in a forefoot portion (31) of the sole arrangement (30) of the sports boot and at least one second sensor (9b) is positioned in a heel portion (32) of the sole arrangement (30). A first cable connection (17a) between the at least one first sensor (9a) and the electronic signal processing device and a second cable connection (17b) between the at least one second sensor (9b) and the electronic signal processing device are respectively starting from the at least one first sensor (9a) and from the at least one second sensor (9b) and each run in the direction towards a sole center region (34) of the sole arrangement (30). The first and second cable connection (17a, 17b) then run out from the sole center region (34) via the heel portion (35) in the direction towards the upper boot portion (28) in which the signal processing device is positioned or can be positioned.

The invention relates to a sports boot for the pursuit of ski sport. The sports boot comprises a sensor arrangement (29) having several pressure-sensitive sensors (9a-d) in a distributed layout which are respectively connected or can be connected via cable connections (17a-d) to an electronic signal processing device. At least one first sensor (9a) is positioned in a forefoot portion (31) of the sole arrangement (30) of the sports boot and at least one second sensor (9b) is positioned in a heel portion (32) of the sole arrangement (30). A first cable connection (17a) between the at least one first sensor (9a) and the electronic signal processing device and a second cable connection (17b) between the at least one second sensor (9b) and the electronic signal processing device are respectively starting from the at least one first sensor (9a) and from the at least one second sensor (9b) and each run in the direction towards a sole center region (34) of the sole arrangement (30). The first and second cable connection (17a, 17b) then run out from the sole center region (34) via the heel portion (35) in the direction towards the upper boot portion (28) in which the signal processing device is positioned or can be positioned.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

A heel cap manufacturing method includes the steps of: a) preparing a multilayer composite material; b) performing the first time of molding by thermal pressing to the multilayer composite material by a thermal pressing device to obtain a thermal pressed semi-product; c) taking out the thermal pressed semi-product from the thermal pressing device and fixing it to a heel cap mold; d) performing the second time of molding by cold pressing to the thermal pressed semi-product together with the heel cap mold in a cooling device to obtain a cooled semi-product; and e) demolding and rewarming the cooled semi-product to obtain a finished heel cap. The present invention uses the processing manner of molding twice by cold and thermal pressing to manufacture the structurally more complex heel cap, effectively lowering difficulty of the manufacturing process and raising production efficiency. A heel cap manufacturing equipment is also provided.

A heel cap manufacturing method includes the steps of: a) preparing a multilayer composite material; b) performing the first time of molding by thermal pressing to the multilayer composite material by a thermal pressing device to obtain a thermal pressed semi-product; c) taking out the thermal pressed semi-product from the thermal pressing device and fixing it to a heel cap mold; d) performing the second time of molding by cold pressing to the thermal pressed semi-product together with the heel cap mold in a cooling device to obtain a cooled semi-product; and e) demolding and rewarming the cooled semi-product to obtain a finished heel cap. The present invention uses the processing manner of molding twice by cold and thermal pressing to manufacture the structurally more complex heel cap, effectively lowering difficulty of the manufacturing process and raising production efficiency. A heel cap manufacturing equipment is also provided.

The convertible shoe consists of: a top portion having a stylized upper, a footbed, and an underside with bottom side attachment; an insert with top side attachment and a bottom side attachment; and a bottom portion having a top side attachment and a tread on the bottom. The top side attachment of the bottom portion and insert are identical, and the bottom side attachment of the top portion and insert are identical. The bottom side attachment is sized and configured to correspond to, and attach to, the top side attachment, such that the top portion can attach directly to the bottom portion to create a low-heeled shoe, or attach to the insert which is attached to the bottom portion to create a high-heeled shoe.

The convertible shoe consists of: a top portion having a stylized upper, a footbed, and an underside with bottom side attachment; an insert with top side attachment and a bottom side attachment; and a bottom portion having a top side attachment and a tread on the bottom. The top side attachment of the bottom portion and insert are identical, and the bottom side attachment of the top portion and insert are identical. The bottom side attachment is sized and configured to correspond to, and attach to, the top side attachment, such that the top portion can attach directly to the bottom portion to create a low-heeled shoe, or attach to the insert which is attached to the bottom portion to create a high-heeled shoe.