Process for the preparation of polyisoprene with a mainly alternating cis-1,4-alt-3,4 structure comprising polymerizing isoprene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising: (a) at least one pyridyl iron complex having general formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein: R.sub.1 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; R.sub.2 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.10, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.3, alkyl groups; X, mutually identical or different, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or they are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, —OCOR.sub.3 groups or —OR.sub.3 groups wherein R.sub.3 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups. n is 2 or 3; (b) at least one co-catalyst selected from organo-derivative compounds of aluminum, preferably from (b.sub.1) aluminoxanes having general formula (II):
(R.sub.4).sub.2—Al—O—[—Al(R.sub.5)—O—].sub.m—Al—(R.sub.6).sub.2  (II) wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6, mutually identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine; or they are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, said groups being optionally substituted with one or more silicon or germanium atoms; and m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1000; (b.sub.2) aluminum compounds having general formula (III):
Al(R.sub.7)(R.sub.8)(R.sub.9)  (III) wherein R.sub.7 is a hydrogen atom, or is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, alkylaryl groups, arylalkyl groups, alkoxy groups; R.sub.8 and R.sub.9, mutually identical or different, are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, alkylaryl groups, arylalkyl groups; wherein the molar ratio between the aluminum present in the co-catalyst and the iron present in the iron pyridyl complex having general formula (I) is ranging from 5 to 60, preferably from 8 to 55.

Process for the preparation of polyisoprene with a mainly alternating cis-1,4-alt-3,4 structure comprising polymerizing isoprene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising: (a) at least one pyridyl iron complex having general formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein: R.sub.1 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; R.sub.2 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.10, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.3, alkyl groups; X, mutually identical or different, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or they are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, —OCOR.sub.3 groups or —OR.sub.3 groups wherein R.sub.3 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups. n is 2 or 3; (b) at least one co-catalyst selected from organo-derivative compounds of aluminum, preferably from (b.sub.1) aluminoxanes having general formula (II):
(R.sub.4).sub.2—Al—O—[—Al(R.sub.5)—O—].sub.m—Al—(R.sub.6).sub.2  (II) wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6, mutually identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine; or they are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, said groups being optionally substituted with one or more silicon or germanium atoms; and m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1000; (b.sub.2) aluminum compounds having general formula (III):
Al(R.sub.7)(R.sub.8)(R.sub.9)  (III) wherein R.sub.7 is a hydrogen atom, or is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, alkylaryl groups, arylalkyl groups, alkoxy groups; R.sub.8 and R.sub.9, mutually identical or different, are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, alkylaryl groups, arylalkyl groups; wherein the molar ratio between the aluminum present in the co-catalyst and the iron present in the iron pyridyl complex having general formula (I) is ranging from 5 to 60, preferably from 8 to 55.

A heel traction device for attachment to a heel of a shoe or a boot comprises a traction platform formed of a flexible rubber material. The traction platform has a first face for contacting a ground surface and a second face for attachment to the heel of the shoe or boot. The traction platform defines a plurality of openings formed therethrough for receiving a traction element in each of said openings. A support band is connected to the traction platform for securing the traction platform to the shoe or a boot. The support band has a rear portion for attachment to a rear portion of the shoe or the boot and two opposing side portions for attachment to side portions of the shoe or the boot. Each of the side portions define a slot formed therethrough for receiving a strap.

Footwear with a heel portion having a clasp member with resilient arms having locking tabs that engage with locking slots in a receptacle member in a main portion, when the heel portion abuts against the main portion. The locking tabs disengage from the locking slots when simultaneously squeezed together by a tool that extends through locking tab access holes on both sides of the main portion. The locking tab access holes are too small for a child's fingers to enter. The clasp member and receptacle member can be in either the heel portion or the main portion.

Footwear with a heel portion having a clasp member with resilient arms having locking tabs that engage with locking slots in a receptacle member in a main portion, when the heel portion abuts against the main portion. The locking tabs disengage from the locking slots when simultaneously squeezed together by a tool that extends through locking tab access holes on both sides of the main portion. The locking tab access holes are too small for a child's fingers to enter. The clasp member and receptacle member can be in either the heel portion or the main portion.

The present invention is related to a water-resistant shoe and a method of making the water-resistant shoe. In most embodiments the shoe comprises an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a bootie product comprised of a bootie, a bootie liner, a strobel and a gasket. In many embodiments water-resistant materials such as tape or glue are used to cover all seams and joints. In some embodiments the different pieces are tested for water-resistance before combining and in others the final shoe is tested for water-resistance. The present shoe and method provide a comfortable yet water-resistant shoe.

The present invention is related to a water-resistant shoe and a method of making the water-resistant shoe. In most embodiments the shoe comprises an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a bootie product comprised of a bootie, a bootie liner, a strobel and a gasket. In many embodiments water-resistant materials such as tape or glue are used to cover all seams and joints. In some embodiments the different pieces are tested for water-resistance before combining and in others the final shoe is tested for water-resistance. The present shoe and method provide a comfortable yet water-resistant shoe.

A separable footwear article may comprise an outsole oriented at the bottom of the footwear and configured for ground contact, the outsole comprising a first material; an upper portion releasably coupled to the outsole with thread using chain stitching, the upper portion comprising a second material different from the first material; and an insole removeably disposed adjacent the upper portion and the outsole, the insole comprising a third material different from the first material and the second material; wherein the outsole, the upper portion, and insole are capable of being separated by releasing the thread and hand pulling the thread from the footwear article.

A separable footwear article may comprise an outsole oriented at the bottom of the footwear and configured for ground contact, the outsole comprising a first material; an upper portion releasably coupled to the outsole with thread using chain stitching, the upper portion comprising a second material different from the first material; and an insole removeably disposed adjacent the upper portion and the outsole, the insole comprising a third material different from the first material and the second material; wherein the outsole, the upper portion, and insole are capable of being separated by releasing the thread and hand pulling the thread from the footwear article.

An adjustable clog with a unique strap system is described. The sole assembly for the clog has an interior sole wing situated near a heel of the sole assembly, and an exterior sole wing on an opposite side of the sole assembly from the interior sole wing, near the heel of the sole assembly, wherein the interior sole wing and the exterior sole wing consist of webbing strap and rubber that extend above the sole assembly. The clog also includes an upper, where the upper is affixed to the sole assembly. A wing hook strap is affixed to the interior sole wing on the first end of the wing hook strap and to the paracord loop on a second end of the wing hook strap, wherein the wing hook strap includes a first G-hook that hooks into one of the first plurality of hook pockets. A heel strap connected to the interior sole wing on the first end of the heel strap and the exterior sole wing on a second end of the heel strap through the mechanical ring, said heel strap includes a second G-hook that hooks into one of the second plurality of hook pockets.