An apparatus for measuring normal and shear stress at a surface. The apparatus includes a substrate; and a plurality of sensing units on the substrate. Each sensing unit includes a mechanical transducer having a receiving surface and a sensing surface; and a plurality of normal force sensors between the sensing surface and the substrate.

A customizable arch support system for use in fashionable high heeled shoes, designed to provide superior configurability and comfort for the wearer. More particularly, the system provides configurability so that it will provide superior support and comfort for the wearer, while maintaining minimal cross section profile which causes less limitations for the shoe designer.

A water resistant footwear having an upper made of a water vapor transpiring material resistant to water with a first extreme flap and at least a portion having a first thickness and provided with a second extreme flap. The first flap and the second flap have relative second thicknesses lower than the first thickness of the portion and are superimposed on each other with the interposition of a thermo-double-sided adhesive layer which can be activated by raising the temperature. The first flap and the second flap superimposed are fixed to each other by thermo-sealing. Furthermore, the footwear has an insole fixed to an edge of the upper and a waterproof sole obtained by direct injection molding on the upper and arranged so as to cover one face of the insole and seal it.

A water resistant footwear having an upper made of a water vapor transpiring material resistant to water with a first extreme flap and at least a portion having a first thickness and provided with a second extreme flap. The first flap and the second flap have relative second thicknesses lower than the first thickness of the portion and are superimposed on each other with the interposition of a thermo-double-sided adhesive layer which can be activated by raising the temperature. The first flap and the second flap superimposed are fixed to each other by thermo-sealing. Furthermore, the footwear has an insole fixed to an edge of the upper and a waterproof sole obtained by direct injection molding on the upper and arranged so as to cover one face of the insole and seal it.

An active footwear suspension system is disclosed. The footwear system provides dynamic suspension using at least one or more variable resistance beams. At least one or more VRB from an anchor plate positioned forward of and/or aft of an arch section of the footwear, thus providing selectable suspension to the wearer. The selected rotation of the VRBs from a first position to a second position provides customized suspension between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance per zone.

An active footwear suspension system is disclosed. The footwear system provides dynamic suspension using at least one or more variable resistance beams. At least one or more VRB from an anchor plate positioned forward of and/or aft of an arch section of the footwear, thus providing selectable suspension to the wearer. The selected rotation of the VRBs from a first position to a second position provides customized suspension between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance per zone.

An insole made of two membrane foils, between which a liquid is provided. The membrane foils have very little elasticity and high stiffness to respond quickly to load by pushing liquid quickly from an area under the foot to another area of the foot, by which the balance response is made faster for a person who uses such insoles. Especially in the field of multiple sclerosis, post-stroke rehabilitation, golf and race have such insoles have proven to be very advantageous.

An insole made of two membrane foils, between which a liquid is provided. The membrane foils have very little elasticity and high stiffness to respond quickly to load by pushing liquid quickly from an area under the foot to another area of the foot, by which the balance response is made faster for a person who uses such insoles. Especially in the field of multiple sclerosis, post-stroke rehabilitation, golf and race have such insoles have proven to be very advantageous.

Insole compression systems apply intermittent pressure to a foot or other body part, for example in order to increase circulation and facilitate removal of metabolic waste. The insole compression systems, including actuators and batteries, may be fully contained within a removable insole, and are thus discreet and easy to use. In exemplary insole compression systems, extension springs and a torsion spring interact with an a-frame to deliver an approximately constant extension force.

Insole compression systems apply intermittent pressure to a foot or other body part, for example in order to increase circulation and facilitate removal of metabolic waste. The insole compression systems, including actuators and batteries, may be fully contained within a removable insole, and are thus discreet and easy to use. In exemplary insole compression systems, extension springs and a torsion spring interact with an a-frame to deliver an approximately constant extension force.