Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.

Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.

A combination, comprising: a shoe having an upper and a sole, wherein the shoe is configured to cover an instep of a foot of a wearer; and a heel integration system including an insert having a front end and a back end, the insert configured to be disposed in the shoe, and configured to receive an ankle-foot orthoses brace while the shoe is worn, the insert having a heel portion and an ankle portion, the ankle portion having a curved wall with at least one bulge formed therein,
wherein the bulge is created from an indentation formed on an interior surface of the ankle portion which forms a protrusion on an exterior surface of the ankle portion.

System for automatically putting on/taking off a footwear (S), comprising: a fixed inner sole (1), to support the front part of a user's sole; a movable inner sole (2), for supporting the rear part of the user's sole, connected to the fixed inner sole (1) and movable relative to the fixed inner sole (1) by means of a joint (3); a lower inflatable cushion (4) fixed to the movable inner sole (2), on a side of the movable inner sole (2) which is opposite to the one intended to come into contact with the rear part of the user's sole; where the lower inflatable cushion (4) has the capacity to store, through a supply/drain valve (5), a quantity of fluid under pressure. The fluid stored in the lower inflatable cushion (4) can also be partially or totally evacuated (4) by means of the valve (5); an upper inflatable cushion (6), intended to be fixed in an area and on a surface of the (S) footwear where the laces are usually placed; a flexible hose (7) that is non-deformable in terms of volume that permanently ensures fluid communication between the lower inflatable cushion (4) and the upper inflatable cushion (6); where the movable inner sole (2) is capable of moving between a first extreme position, in which the movable inner sole (2) compresses to a minimum the lower inflatable cushion (4), the lower inflatable cushion (4) having maximum volume and the upper inflatable cushion (6) having minimum volume implicitly, and a second extreme position, in which the movable inner sole (2) compresses to the maximum the lower inflatable cushion (4), the lower inflatable cushion (4) having minimum volume and the upper inflatable cushion (6) having maximum volume; the system additionally comprises a locking/unlocking assembly of the movable inner sole (2) in/from the second extreme position.

A rearfoot support device is provided that extends upwards on both medial and lateral sides of the heel in order to stabilize the subtalar joint in a neutral position and reduce medial longitudinal arch collapse. The device supports the subtalar joint by cradling the heel on the medial and lateral sides to prevent the subtalar joint from deviating excessively from the neutral position. Unlike conventional orthotic support devices, the rearfoot support device includes a clamp closure system to accommodate different foot widths, which securely clamp the device to the rearfoot of a user and support the subtalar joint without the need for fasteners or wrapping around the midfoot or dorsum of the foot. The device fits securely to the heel and rearfoot, and can be worn barefoot, with backless footwear or with enclosed footwear to provide improved subtalar joint motion control.

A convertible high heel and flat shoe, comprising a sole including a heel section; and a high heel piece positionable between a high heel mode where the high heel piece supports the heel section and a flat shoe mode where the high heel piece is received within the sole.

Devices and methods are provided for promoting labour. An example device includes a platform and an upper portion. The platform includes a substantially level upper surface to receive a first foot of the user. The platform is substantially rigid to support the user's weight. The upper surface defines a height that provides an elevation differential between the first foot and a second foot of the user. The elevation differential can cause an uneven gait when the user walks while wearing the device. The upper portion is attached to the platform for releasably securing the platform to the first foot of the user. An example method involves positioning a first foot of a user on an upper surface of a platform device, securing the platform device to the first foot; and walking with the platform device secured to the first foot and a second foot of the user being free.

Devices and methods are provided for promoting labour. An example device includes a platform and an upper portion. The platform includes a substantially level upper surface to receive a first foot of the user. The platform is substantially rigid to support the user's weight. The upper surface defines a height that provides an elevation differential between the first foot and a second foot of the user. The elevation differential can cause an uneven gait when the user walks while wearing the device. The upper portion is attached to the platform for releasably securing the platform to the first foot of the user. An example method involves positioning a first foot of a user on an upper surface of a platform device, securing the platform device to the first foot; and walking with the platform device secured to the first foot and a second foot of the user being free.

The invention relates to the field of the footwear industry, namely footwear (5) with a sole (6) of variable dimensions. The proposed method of dimensional change of the footwear sole (6) and the footwear (5) include a sole (6) of variable dimensions, the height of which may increase or decrease or return to the initial position, depending on the position of the sole (6) in contact with the supporting surface. The method of changing the height of the sole (6) of the footwear (5) proposed according to the invention facilitates climbing uphill, stairs, downhill, cycling by creating an effect of upward acting escalator without jerking or an effect of downward acting escalator without jerking, respectively.

The invention relates to the field of the footwear industry, namely footwear (5) with a sole (6) of variable dimensions. The proposed method of dimensional change of the footwear sole (6) and the footwear (5) include a sole (6) of variable dimensions, the height of which may increase or decrease or return to the initial position, depending on the position of the sole (6) in contact with the supporting surface. The method of changing the height of the sole (6) of the footwear (5) proposed according to the invention facilitates climbing uphill, stairs, downhill, cycling by creating an effect of upward acting escalator without jerking or an effect of downward acting escalator without jerking, respectively.