A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot or about the footwear.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pedal for a bicycle that includes a body, a spindle rotatably secured to the body and for connection with the bicycle, a first magnetic platter non-rotatably secured within the body, and a second magnetic platter rotatably secured within the body and overlaying the first magnetic platter. The first and second magnetic platters each include two magnetic blocks that are separated and magnetically charged by a respective permanent magnet plate positioned therebetween. The second magnetic platter includes a keyed protrusion configured to be engaged by a ferrous metal cleat, which can rotate the second magnetic platter between a first position where the pedal is in a magnetically inactive state and a second position where the pedal is in a magnetically active state magnetically securing the cleat to the second magnetic platter.

A shoe comprising an upper, a midsole coupled to the upper, a midsole insert comprising a channel, the midsole insert positioned proximal a junction between the upper and the midsole, and a shoe panel configured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe. The midsole insert may further comprise a magnet within the channel that mates with a magnet of the shoe panel. Alternatively, the midsole insert channel may comprise one or more locking slots configured to receive one or more protrusions extending from the shoe panel. The shoe panel may be a midfoot or heel panel and may be detachably coupled to the upper by a hook and loop closure. The shoe may be a cupsole shoe with the midsole channel positioned proximal a junction between an inner surface of a vertical wall of the cupsole and the upper.

An item of footwear for magnetotherapy comprises a lower sole in which there is defined a tread surface, an intermediate container which can be received in an opening which is defined in the lower sole, a magnetic field generator, a control unit, a battery, an inner sole which is or can be placed over the intermediate container and a vamp structure which is connected to the lower sole. The intermediate container is produced from material having greater rigidity with respect to the lower sole and comprises respective recesses which are intended to receive the magnetic field generator, the control unit and the battery, respectively.

A detachable, retrofitting light accessory for both magnetic and adhesive attachment to a high-heeled shoe having an open archway with a ferrous metal shank, having a light-emitting diode (LED) light assembly, a magnet affixed to the LED light assembly and configured to magnetically engage the ferrous metal shank in the open archway of the shoe, and to magnetically attach the light accessory to the shoe, and a double-sided adhesive strip configured for placement between the magnet and an outer surface in the open archway to also adhesively attach the light accessory to the shoe, to prevent the light accessory from slipping relative to the shoe during use.

An article of footwear can include a ferromagnetic body disposed in the article, and a magnetometer to measure a strength or direction of a magnetic field that is influenced by a position of the ferromagnetic body. One of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer can be configured to move relative to the other one of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer, for example according to movement of a foot in the article. In an example, the ferromagnetic body is disposed in a compressible insole and the ferromagnetic body moves in response to compression or relaxation of the insole. The magnetometer can be disposed in a platform or sole portion of the article that is relatively stationary compared to the ferromagnetic body. Rate of change information about the magnetic field can be used to control article functions or to provide information about a foot strike or step rate.

Design for footwear in the form of a slide that is designed to be made up of several parts or components. All or a subset of these are manufactured by one or more manufacturers and provided to another party for assembly in a location that is “local” to a point of sale. The assembly of the separate or modular parts or components produces a slide that is suitable for sale to and for wear by the purchaser or end user. One or more of the parts or components provided to the assembling party is in the form of a blank that can be modified to provide local customization while other embodiments will have that customized part or component manufactured locally for later assembly. Further, the new design for slides includes one or more features that allow the end user or wearer to adjust the size and fit of each slide.

Provided is a last for shaping a shoe upper. The last includes at least an outer peripheral portion including an aggregate of a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks being joinable together and separable from each other.

A foldable shoe includes a first sole section under the ball of a wearer's foot and includes a first outsole portion and a first footbed. A second sole section is located under the heel the foot and includes a second outsole portion and a second footbed. An upper section extends from the first sole section, and a hinge is connected to the first sole section and the second sole section and is configured to fold the foldable shoe from a first position, to be worn, to a second position, for storage. The upper section includes a first upper section connected to the first sole section and a second upper section connected to the second sole section. A connector connects the first upper section to the second upper section when the foldable shoe is in the first position and is disengaged when the foldable shoe is in the second position.

The present invention discloses a shoe with a tracking device. The tracking device may allow for tracking the shoe. The shoe may include more than one tracking device on the shoe. The show may alert a user of the shoe with a vibration and/or words “med time” when it is time for the user to take medication.