A43B1/0054

Attachment apparatuses and associated methods of use and manufacture

A system for carrying or using a device includes the device and at least one attachment apparatus. The device may include at least one attachment element. The attachment apparatus may include a length of material and at least one attachment point arranged on an end of the length of material. The at least one attachment point may include at least one magnetic feature configured to attach and detach the device and the length of material. The material can include but is not limited to cloth, metallic (magnetic and non-magnetic), fibrous material, and so forth.

SHOES FOR BALL SPORTS

Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.

System for adjusting pressure locally on the skin and subcutaneous tissue

A system for adjusting pressure locally acting on the skin including a set of adjacent modules distributed so as to form a layer each module includes a cushion capable of changing shape and comprising a cavity, a valve, a tank, and a pressure sensor, wherein the cavity and the tank are in communication with each other by means of the valve, and the sensor is placed so as to sense pressure directly or indirectly acting on the cushion and a feedback loop arranged such as to increase or decrease the change in the shape of the cushion on the basis of the pressure detected by the sensor.

Quick change shock mitigation outsole insert with energy harvester
10959487 · 2021-03-30 · ·

A modular article of footwear has a shock absorbing insert placed between the insole and the outsole thereof, for example at the heel. The insert includes a spring carrier having upper and lower portions, each having a plurality seats for receiving a respective ends of respective coil springs. Each of the springs extends between said upper and lower portions and is captured therebetween. A pair of opposed permanent magnets generates a separating force which supplements the supporting force of the mechanical springs. The insert may also contain a device for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.

FOOTWEAR FASTENING SYSTEM
20210037924 · 2021-02-11 · ·

An article of footwear facilitates relatively easy donning and removal, and secure adjustment. The article of footwear comprises a sole structure, an upper secured to the sole structure, and a plurality of tensioning cables having proximal ends fixed to at least one of the upper or the sole structure and extending out of the upper. A strap has a proximal end connected to distal ends of the plurality of tensioning cables, and has a distal end releasably securable to the upper to tighten the tensioning cables. A webbed spacer is secured to the plurality of tensioning cables. The webbed spacer extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables, and the adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables spaced apart from one another by the webbed spacer.

FOOTWEAR FASTENING SYSTEM
20210068502 · 2021-03-11 · ·

An article of footwear facilitates relatively easy donning and removal, and secure adjustment. The article of footwear comprises a sole structure, an upper secured to the sole structure, and a plurality of tensioning cables having proximal ends fixed to at least one of the upper or the sole structure and extending out of the upper. A strap has a proximal end connected to distal ends of the plurality of tensioning cables, and has a distal end releasably securable to the upper to tighten the tensioning cables. A webbed spacer is secured to the plurality of tensioning cables. The webbed spacer extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables, and the adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables spaced apart from one another by the webbed spacer.

Closure for an article of footwear

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled with the sole structure. The upper has a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The closure includes a closure panel and a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the first side portion of the upper and the second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the unitary closure panel. A selective and reusable fastener is further provided to couple the closure panel to the second side panel of the upper.

Shoe with sole pivot
10959486 · 2021-03-30 · ·

The pivotable footwear including a front portion, a heel portion, a flexible sole defining a channel extending across the flexible sole, a shoe upper attached to the flexible sole, and a lockable hinge mechanism disposed within the channel. The lockable hinge has an unlocked position wherein the heel portion of said footwear is free to pivot about the channel relative to the front portion of the footwear, and a locked position wherein the heel portion of the footwear is locked into position relative to the front portion of said footwear. The lockable hinge mechanism is electronically actuated and battery operated and controlled to move between the locked position and the unlocked position by actuation of an electronic remote control. That is, actuation of the electronic remote control causes the hinge to move the footwear to an open, foot insertion position and a wearable locked position.

FOLDABLE SHOE

A foldable shoe includes a first sole section located under the ball of a wearer's foot including a first outsole portion and a first footbed. The foldable shoe further includes a second sole section located under the heel of a wearer's foot, the second sole section including 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. A first magnetic material disposed in the first sole section and a second magnetic material disposed in the second sole section creates a magnetic connection to retain the foldable shoe in first position or second position.

Footwear and Method
20210068492 · 2021-03-11 ·

Footwear with a weight sensor for determining the weight of the user, a step counter for determined the number of steps a user takes, a display to show weight and steps, and a wireless transceiver to communicate with a smartphone or smartwatch. The footwear can be hung using the integrated magnet.