An article of footwear includes an upper having an internal volume adapted to receive a foot of a wearer and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a chassis plate provided within the upper, a midsole secured to the chassis plate such that the upper extends between the chassis plate and the midsole, and an outsole tread element attached to a ground facing surface of the midsole.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure that has a front midsole component and a rear midsole component. A connecting member connects the front midsole component to the rear midsole component. The connecting member defines a groove at a lower side of the sole structure between the front midsole component and the rear midsole component. The front midsole component and the rear midsole component are pivotable relative to one another at the groove between a use position and an access position. Confronting surfaces of the connecting member at the groove are closer to one another in the access position than in the use position so that the groove is relatively open in the use position, and the groove is relatively closed in the access position.

An article of footwear, including one or more interchangeable upper portions, the upper portion including loops on a bottom portion of the upper portion, a sole, the sole having engagement points around a perimeter of the sole, wherein the engagement points in the sole allow the loops to be inserted and/or removed; at least two spring lock systems, the spring lock systems located in the perimeter of the sole, wherein the spring lock systems include a spring, a flexible shaft, a lock and a spring plate, the lock and the spring plate being located in the engagement points, wherein the loops of the one or more upper portions to the sole engage with the lock and spring plate to secure and/or release the loops in position; and two or more sets of buttons on the sole to release or engage the spring lock system.

Sole structures, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices include: (a) a first footwear component having a ground-facing surface, wherein a forefoot portion of the ground-facing surface includes arched medial and lateral surfaces and (b) a second footwear component having an upper-facing surface, wherein a forefoot portion of the upper-facing surface includes arched medial and lateral surfaces that face (and optionally contact) the respective arched medial and lateral surfaces of the first footwear component. The first and second footwear components are movably engaged together such that: (a) the arched medial surface of the first footwear component moves with respect to and along the arched medial surface of the second footwear component and (b) the arched lateral surface of the first footwear component moves with respect to and along the arched lateral surface of the second footwear component.

A customizable therapeutic or occupational shoe sole and methods of producing the shoe sole are provided. The shoe sole includes an outsole, a midsole made from a shock absorptive material and an energy returner integrated with the midsole via an opening in the midsole. The energy returner includes a front lever arm secured to a front bottom recess of the midsole and includes a rear lever arm secured to a rear top recess of the midsole. The rear lever arm includes a lever arm joint for coupling the rear lever arm to the front lever arm. In some embodiments, shoe sole includes an adjustable base to enhance body mass control of the subject via a plantar flexor tendon, thereby customizing for unique biomechanics by relocating the adjustable base relative to the rear lever arm.

The invention relates to a method for monitoring or visualizing the running speed (v) of an athlete (1). To determine the running speed of the athlete in an easy manner the proposed method comprises the steps: a) Providing a piece of garment (2) or a shoe (2′), which are worn by the athlete (1) during miming, wherein the piece of garment (2) or the shoe (2′) is provided with a coating (3) applied at an outer surface (4) of the piece of garment (2) or the shoe, wherein the coating (3) comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal, or wherein the piece of garment (2) or the shoe (2′) is made at least partially of a material, especially by a yarn, which comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal; b) Monitoring the color (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3) of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal during running of the athlete (1); c) Evaluating the running speed (v) of the athlete (1) on the basis of the actual color (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3) of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal. Furthermore, the invention relates to an athletic garment or shoe.

A medical shoe having a plurality of outsole projections is provided. The medical shoe may include a sole assembly configured to support a foot, and a frame surrounding the sole assembly. The sole assembly may include a midsole portion forming a substantially planar surface for supporting the foot and an outsole portion including the plurality of outsole projections extending from the midsole portion. The frame may include a plurality of through holes corresponding to the plurality of outsole projections. The plurality of outsole projections may extend through the plurality of through holes so as to form a ground contacting surface. The plurality of outsole projections may also be provided in a symmetrical pattern. The sole assembly may be secured to the frame by a self-locking fit between the sole assembly and the frame.

A medical shoe having a plurality of outsole projections is provided. The medical shoe may include a sole assembly configured to support a foot, and a frame surrounding the sole assembly. The sole assembly may include a midsole portion forming a substantially planar surface for supporting the foot and an outsole portion including the plurality of outsole projections extending from the midsole portion. The frame may include a plurality of through holes corresponding to the plurality of outsole projections. The plurality of outsole projections may extend through the plurality of through holes so as to form a ground contacting surface. The plurality of outsole projections may also be provided in a symmetrical pattern. The sole assembly may be secured to the frame by a self-locking fit between the sole assembly and the frame.

A footwear structure includes an upper provided with a mouth, a tip end and a front portion that is between the mouth and the tip end, a first lining housed inside the footwear structure, and a first through opening arranged on the front portion of the upper, and a first appendage externally arranged on the first lining at a position substantially corresponding to the first through opening, wherein the first appendage engages the first through opening and wherein the first appendage is accessible from the outside of the footwear structure.

A convertible shoe intended for use by babies and young children. Acknowledging that there is very little wear on the soles of the shoes for children learning to walk because of their weight and the few steps they take, this shoe has interchangeable upper shoes that can be mated to a common sole. It saves the cost of buying complete shoes, which can get expensive for growing feet. Rather, one can buy multiple decorative upper shoes to unite with a common sole, at a cost savings. Additionally, this offers a simpler way to put shoes on babies and insure that their toes are not jammed or feet twisted.