A footwear article includes a collar elevator that is conducive to hands-free donning to secure the wearer's foot during wear. A footwear article capable of hands-free donning includes a sole and an upper having a heel region. The upper includes an inner material layer and an outer material layer. The footwear article also includes a collar elevator positioned between the inner material layer and the outer material layer in the heel region. The collar elevator, in an example, comprises a strand-receiving aperture through which a stitch extends attaching the collar elevator to the upper.

A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.

A protective device, in particular a safety toe cap, for use with an article of footwear is provided. A safety toe cap of the present technology includes one or more strain hardened portions configured to strengthen or reinforce sections of the safety toe cap against impact, particularly from above. The one or more strain hardened portions have increased strength in relation to adjacent non-strain hardened portions and therefore may maintain adequate protection of a user's toes and foot, while simultaneously allowing for lowered material use and a device with a lightweight, streamlined profile.

The present invention relates to a high-heeled shoe comprising an insert (E) and a base body (G), wherein the base body (G) is produced as a single part via a 3D printing process. The insert (E) comprises a surface (EF) that has an upper side (EO) and a lower side (EU), wherein a heel (A) is formed on the lower side (EU). The base body (G) comprises a base surface (F) and an inner flap (I), wherein the base surface (F) has an upper side (FO), a lower side (FU) and a first cavity (H1), and the inner flap (I) has an upper side (IO) and a lower side (IU), wherein the lower side (IU) of the inner flap (I) is joined with the upper side (FO) of the base surface (F) of the base body (G) such that, between the lower side (IU), the upper side (FO) and the first cavity (H1), a second cavity (H2) is formed which forms an overall cavity (HG) with the first cavity (H1), wherein the overall cavity (HG) essentially corresponds to the shape of the insert (E). The insert (E) is positioned in the overall cavity (HG) such that the lower side (EU) of the surface (EF) of the insert (E) is completely contacted with the upper side (FO) of the base surface (F) of the base body (G), and the lower side (IU) of the inner flap (I) completely covers the upper side (EO) of the surface (EF) of the insert (E). The present invention furthermore relates to a process for producing the high-heeled shoe and to the use of an inner flap (I) for completely covering the upper side (EO) of the surface (EF) of an insert (E) in a high-heeled shoe.

The present invention relates to a high-heeled shoe comprising an insert (E) and a base body (G), wherein the base body (G) is produced as a single part via a 3D printing process. The insert (E) comprises a surface (EF) that has an upper side (EO) and a lower side (EU), wherein a heel (A) is formed on the lower side (EU). The base body (G) comprises a base surface (F) and an inner flap (I), wherein the base surface (F) has an upper side (FO), a lower side (FU) and a first cavity (H1), and the inner flap (I) has an upper side (IO) and a lower side (IU), wherein the lower side (IU) of the inner flap (I) is joined with the upper side (FO) of the base surface (F) of the base body (G) such that, between the lower side (IU), the upper side (FO) and the first cavity (H1), a second cavity (H2) is formed which forms an overall cavity (HG) with the first cavity (H1), wherein the overall cavity (HG) essentially corresponds to the shape of the insert (E). The insert (E) is positioned in the overall cavity (HG) such that the lower side (EU) of the surface (EF) of the insert (E) is completely contacted with the upper side (FO) of the base surface (F) of the base body (G), and the lower side (IU) of the inner flap (I) completely covers the upper side (EO) of the surface (EF) of the insert (E). The present invention furthermore relates to a process for producing the high-heeled shoe and to the use of an inner flap (I) for completely covering the upper side (EO) of the surface (EF) of an insert (E) in a high-heeled shoe.

A footwear article includes a collar elevator that returns an ankle collar from a lowered state that is conducive to donning up to a raised state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The collar elevator may be arranged at various positions among the footwear article, such as above or below a strobel. The collar elevator may be coupled to the footwear article using various connectors. The footwear article may have other features, such as an ankle collar, that are configured in a manner to work together with the collar elevator.

A pressure injected plastic footwear is provided characterized in that comprising double liner made of fabric, one on the inside part and one on the outside part; both liners may be identical or different and provide the footwear with special characteristics such as being fire retardant, antifungal, anti-mold and hermetic to moisture and liquid water as well as thermal insulating.

A footwear article includes a collar elevator that returns an ankle collar from a lowered state that is conducive to donning up to a raised state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The collar elevator includes a lever arm. The lever arm may be deformable and biased towards the raised state. The lever arm may be articulated with a biasing force urging the lever arm to the raised state. The lever arm may have a variety of cross sections as well. The lever arm extends from a base, which may a sole portion of the footwear article. The lever arm and the base may be monolithic, permanently joined, removably joined, or otherwise connected.

A footwear article includes a collar elevator that is conducive to hands-free donning to secure the wearer’s foot during wear. A footwear article capable of hands-free donning comprises a sole; an upper having a heel region; and a collar elevator coupled with the upper in the heel region. The footwear also includes a base affixed to the sole. The collar elevator is attached to the base and the base is an outsole, a midsole, an insole, or a strobel.

A protective device, in particular a safety toe cap, for use with an article of footwear is provided. A safety toe cap of the present technology includes one or more strain hardened portions configured to strengthen or reinforce sections of the safety toe cap against impact, particularly from above. The one or more strain hardened portions have increased strength in relation to adjacent non-strain hardened portions and therefore may maintain adequate protection of a user's toes and foot, while simultaneously allowing for lowered material use and a device with a lightweight, streamlined profile.