An ankle brace which is positioned on an ankle and shoe of a person which incorporates a tensioning structure which permits full range of motion to the ankle joint but which prevents the ankle joint from moving past its normal range of motion to protect the ankle joint. The ankle brace is configured to permit a person wearing the brace to position the same on a shoe.

A footwear retention elastic device is provided and may comprise a band body comprising a planar structure with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface. The band body may further comprise a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite that of the first terminal end. The band body may comprise a protective layer disposed upon the first side surface such that the protective layer covers at least a majority of the first side surface of the band body. The band body may comprise a buffer layer disposed upon the second side surface such that the buffer layer covers at least a majority of the second side surface of the band body.

A footwear retention elastic device is provided and may comprise a band body comprising a planar structure with a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface. The band body may further comprise a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite that of the first terminal end. The band body may comprise a protective layer disposed upon the first side surface such that the protective layer covers at least a majority of the first side surface of the band body. The band body may comprise a buffer layer disposed upon the second side surface such that the buffer layer covers at least a majority of the second side surface of the band body.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for operating an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes receiving, e.g., via a controller through a wireless communications device from a GPS satellite service, location data of a user. The controller also receives, e.g., from a backend server-class computer or other remote computing node, location data for a target object or site, such as a virtual shoe hidden at a virtual spot. The controller retrieves or predicts path plan data including a derived route for traversing from the user's location to the target's location within a geographic area. The controller then transmits command signals to a navigation alert system mounted to the IES's shoe structure to output visual, audio, and/or tactile cues that guide the user along the derived route.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for operating an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes receiving, e.g., via a controller through a wireless communications device from a GPS satellite service, location data of a user. The controller also receives, e.g., from a backend server-class computer or other remote computing node, location data for a target object or site, such as a virtual shoe hidden at a virtual spot. The controller retrieves or predicts path plan data including a derived route for traversing from the user's location to the target's location within a geographic area. The controller then transmits command signals to a navigation alert system mounted to the IES's shoe structure to output visual, audio, and/or tactile cues that guide the user along the derived route.

Stability footwear (e.g., a pair of therapeutic shoes) may include at least one stabilizing member, stabilizer, and/or outrigger on a lateral (outer or inner) side of a shoe, substantially adjacent to a sole of a shoe. A stabilizer may be positioned proximate a surface on which the sole rests and extending anywhere from a front, substantially a toe, to a heel of a shoe. The stabilizing member, stabilizer, and/or outrigger may reduce undesired foot roll and consequential ankle injuries and/or falls, by providing additional lateral support that does not compromise mobility or performance of the user.

A mobility enhancement device has an elongate strap of flexible material and a slide member having an inner face secured to a first surface of the strap and an outer smooth surface configured for sliding engagement with a floor surface. The strap is secured in a loop about a user's foot or footwear with releasable fastener devices associated with opposite end portions of the strap secured together and the slide member positioned to face downward from a ventral region of the sole of the foot or footwear so that the outer smooth surface is positioned for sliding engagement with a floor surface during ambulation or transfer.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for efficiently and rapidly cleaning the bottom of a shoe. The system includes a base having a plurality of alternating, complementary shaped cleansing portions separated by grooves. The configuration of the cleansing portions provides for a sturdy and efficient device for cleaning the bottom of a shoe.

In an example, a wearable article includes a nonwoven textile sheet having a first portion and a second portion contiguous with the first portion. The first portion has a first density and a first modulus of elasticity. The second portion has a second density less than the first density and has a second modulus of elasticity less than the first modulus of elasticity. The first portion is shaped differently than the second portion as an integral implement of the wearable article. A method of manufacturing a wearable article may comprise thermoforming the first portion while the second portion contiguous with the thermoformed first portion is not thermoformed.

In an example, a wearable article includes a nonwoven textile sheet having a first portion and a second portion contiguous with the first portion. The first portion has a first density and a first modulus of elasticity. The second portion has a second density less than the first density and has a second modulus of elasticity less than the first modulus of elasticity. The first portion is shaped differently than the second portion as an integral implement of the wearable article. A method of manufacturing a wearable article may comprise thermoforming the first portion while the second portion contiguous with the thermoformed first portion is not thermoformed.