Provided is a joint protection device, including a joint protection body whose longitudinal and horizontal shapes match a shape of a joint, joint protection body being an integrally formed rigid hollow housing with an opened bottom and including a front supporting portion and side supporting portions respectively wrapping a front surface and side surfaces of joint to provide front and side support for joint; at least one notch being provided in a portion, close to a joint movement area, of joint protection body, and dividing joint protection body into a plurality of joint pieces; adjacent joint pieces being connected by two local junctions respectively provided at appropriate positions on two sides of joint protection body, and capable of rotating with local junctions as rotation fulcrums; and when joint pieces rotate around rotation fulcrums to a limiting position, adjacent joint pieces coming into contact with each other and stopping rotating.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

Legwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a stretchable main body part including an innermost-toe joint side region and an outermost-toe joint side region and a low-stretching part provided around the innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side region and configured to prevent the regions from becoming displaced relative to a foot in a downward direction or a front-back direction. The low-stretching part at least either is less stretchable than the main body part or has larger friction with the foot than the main body part has with the foot.

Legwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a stretchable main body part including an innermost-toe joint side region and an outermost-toe joint side region and a low-stretching part provided around the innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side region and configured to prevent the regions from becoming displaced relative to a foot in a downward direction or a front-back direction. The low-stretching part at least either is less stretchable than the main body part or has larger friction with the foot than the main body part has with the foot.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

A footbed for use in footwear is provided. The footbed assembly includes a resilient, flexible material (e.g. EVA or PU foam) that extends the entire length of the footbed. a heel plate made from a material that is more rigid (plastic, carbon fiber) than the resilient foam attaches to the flexible material. The shape of the resilient footbed defines a geometry that provides support and comfort to the user by reducing peak pressures, improving cushioning, and enhancing foot support. The resilient foam and heel plate defines the shape of the midfoot R2 and rearfoot R1 of the footbed while the resilient flexible foam continues forward to define the shape of the forefoot R3 region of the footbed.