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 sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A clothing accessory includes a flat envelope formed from at least two pieces of fabric mated to form the envelope. The envelope defines a generally rectangular shape with a first long edge and an opposing second long edge. The envelope also defines a first short edge and an opposing second short edge. The clothing accessory includes a plurality of attachment structures that are provided adjacent each of the opposing first and second long edges within the envelope.

There have been many types of sports shoes varying in design and material. The market-leading sports shoes are Nike and Asics. Nike is famous for its patented Air Max technology and Asics for its unique liquid cushioning element technology. These are excellent shoes in its own category. Yet, sports players are also looking for a shoe that can switch between the hi-rebound high performance sports mode and soft-cushioned regular mode conveniently. Our new design of the shoe sole tackles this task with a unique approach. We design the shoe sole into three zones according to its dynamic feature and fill the corresponding zones with different foaming material and an interchangeable compact MagLev module. This new design meets the challenge and opens up a new way for shoe manufacturing.

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 sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

The utility model relates to the elements for footwear decoration. A detachable shoe adornment comprises a decorative element (1) and an attachment element in the form of at least one flexible tongue (2) which is either an immediate extension of the decorative element or is connected with the decorative element at one end. Flexible tongue or tongues are affixed securely onto the inner surface of the shoe in a manner that the tongue is hidden inside the shoe while the decorative element remains outside. Flexible tongues are made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone. A securing element in the form of a layer of adhesive material, a magnet, or a hook is arranged at the surface of the tongue directly in contact with the shoe surface. The tongue can also be in the form of a loop made of a thin elastic ribbon, which is put around the metatarsophalangeal area or the toes of the user's foot before the shoes are put on.

A clipless pedal system is provided. In various embodiments, systems of the present disclosure comprise pedals and cleats for interaction with the pedals. At least one of a pedal and an associated cleat comprises a magnet, and at least one of the pedal and the associated cleat comprises a ferrous metal for interaction with the magnet. Geometric features are provided to enable both a secure connection between a cleat and a pedal and to enable a user-friendly release of the cleat from the pedal.

The present invention is a sole having an adjustable height mechanism along at least one of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis whereby the height of the sole can be adjusted creating one or more angles of inclination in the sole. The sole includes, in one embodiment, slidable spacing blocks. In a preferred embodiment, the sole further includes a motor connected to at least one block, the motor connected to a controller communicating wirelessly to a processor providing instructions to the controller for positioning the one or more blocks.

A magnetic fastener such as for an article of footwear comprises a male fastener portion and a female fastener portion. The male fastener portion is configured to magnetically fasten to the female fastener portion. The female fastener portion defines a recess with an outer periphery that is asymmetric about a center axis of the recess. The male fastener portion fits into the recess when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, and interferes with the female fastener portion when the male fastener portion is urged to rotate about the center axis of the recess away from the first orientation.

A footwear impulse-momentum device includes a first momentum actuator, a second momentum actuator, a position sensor, and a processing system, which are dimensioned to fit within a shoe sole. The first momentum actuator is coupled to receive a first control signal and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to move between a first position and a second position. The second momentum actuator is coupled to receive a second control signal and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to move between a third position and a fourth position spaced. The position sensor is configured to sense a position of the sole of the shoe and supply a shoe position signal representative thereof. The processing system is configured to receive the shoe position signal and is operable, in response thereto, to selectively generate and supply the first and second control signals to the first and second momentum actuators, respectively.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.