A system, recharge apparatus, and method includes transmit coils positioned in a pattern to allow at least one of the transmit coils to establish a wireless link with a receive coil positioned in proximity of the recharge apparatus. A power source is coupled to the transmit coils and configured to selectively energize ones of the transmit coils to transfer power to the receive coil. An energy efficiency detection circuit is configured to detect an electrical response of each one of the transmit coils when energized by the power source, the electrical response indicative of an energy efficiency between the one of the transmit coils and the receive coil. The power source selectively energizes ones of the transmit coils, selected according to a statistical analysis of an historical record and the electrical response indicative of the energy efficiency meeting a minimum efficiency criterion for energy transfer to the receive coil.

A shoe with an integrated electronic touchscreen display is provided. The shoe includes a flexible electronic display material having an embedded touch screen, which is operably connected to a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery is secured within a heel of the shoe. In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery is disposed on a detachable outsole having the ability to generate power via static electricity generated by walking to recharge the rechargeable battery. The embedded touch screen may alter the colors or other qualities of the flexible electronic display. In this way, the wearer can customize the outward appearance of their shoes. Some embodiments include a ventilation system for cooling.

A footwear for carrying a firearm includes an upper and a holster. The upper defines a cavity adapted to receive a foot. The holster is integrally formed with the upper. The holster is adapted to receive the firearm. The holster has a configuration specific to stabilizing the firearm within the holster and to the upper.

Systems, methods, and software products analyze foot strikes. A runner profile defining characteristics of a user and a shoe type of the shoes is received. Shoe characteristics are retrieved based upon the shoe type. A model of shoe wear is configured based upon both the runner profile and the shoe characteristics. Sensor data indicative of movement of a runner's foot is received from a foot strike monitor configured with the shoes and processed through the model to determine a user's expected lifetime for the shoes. The user's expected lifetime is indicated to the user.

An athletic shoe with a legging sleeve connected thereto. The athletic shoe may take any of a variety of high-performance shoes known in the art, such as tennis shoes, basketball shoes, and the like. The legging sleeve component is integrally connected as part of the shoe and is extensible over the calf, knees and thigh of the wearer and operative to form a compressive fit thereabout. Integrated as part of such legging sleeve may include pockets, channels and pouches for receiving brace structures, support devices, protective coverings and a variety of other implements to facilitate movement, support and promote proper form when playing sports. Such device may further include integration with sensors so as to monitor physical activity, or measurement of a variety of other physiological parameters for use in a variety of applications.

A haptic transducer is provided, comprising a motor including a yoke, an inner cavity formed by the yoke, and a magnet assembly disposed within the inner cavity; a diaphragm disposed above the magnet assembly; a suspension extending concentrically around the diaphragm and having an inner edge attached to the diaphragm and an outer edge attached to the yoke; a cylindrical coil coupled to the diaphragm and suspended within the inner cavity around the magnet assembly; a first hole extending through the motor; and a second hole axially aligned with the first hole and extending through the diaphragm, a fastener extending through the first hole into the second hole. A footplate system is also provided, comprising a footplate configured for placement in a piece of footwear; a moving motor transducer configured to transfer haptic sensations to the footplate; and a top fastener configured to secure the haptic transducer to the footplate.

A footwear cover system and method to prevent unwanted matter from entering a shoe of a wearer. The footwear cover system includes the shoe having a relatively soft and flexible upper portion for surrounding at least part of the wearer's foot and a sole attached to the upper portion of the shoe. The relatively soft and flexible upper portion has a toe-receiving forepart section, a mid-foot receiving section, and a heel-receiving rear part section. A housing surrounds the shoe and fastens to the shoe at an intersection of the sole and the flexible upper portion. A waterproof rain cover is stored within the housing and adapted to being extended from the housing to enclose the flexible upper portion. A structure is used to secure the waterproof rain cover in place after it has enclosed the flexible upper portion of the shoe.

A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and a nest formed as a bag filled with one or more gasses located between the first plate and the second plate. The shoe may further include one or more springs located in cavities in the gas filled nest for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. Pods may be located within the openings in the center of the springs, and the pods may be filled with one or more gasses. The pods may protrude from a bottom or a top surface of the nest. Spring sandwiches including one or more springs positioned between plates may be constructed and placed in various portions of a shoe. The shoe may also include piping with lights.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a knitted component forming an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion of an article of footwear. The knitted component may include a first layer defining a void and a second layer second layer at least partially surrounding the first layer. The second layer may form an outer surface on the overfoot portion and the underfoot portion, and a portion of the first layer may be continuous with a portion of the second layer in an ankle region of the knitted component. An interstitial space may be formed between the first layer and the second layer, and a component may be disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

A portion of ankle movement can be harnessed into stored energy that can be released for various purposes, such as to assist in movement or to charge a battery. This harnessing can be achieved in various manners. In one example manner, an offset pulley component can transfer ankle movement to a generator in a shoe insole. In another example manner, a slider can cause a brace arch to match an ankle arch such that the movement is appropriately harnessed.