The North Face Apparel Corporation

Jake Rivas

Barry J McGeough

Donald Raymond Reardon

Gregory McNamara

Greg Mcnamara

Barry Mcgeough

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an article of footwear including a snake-shaped foot plate that prevents 'penetration,' when concentrated stresses are transmitted to cause discomfort to the wearer, of intermediate sized rocks through a shoe. Specifically the snake-shaped plate embodiments with plurality of longitudinally staggered, substantially lateral cutouts enable increased torsional flexibility and distribute the stresses towards the outer parts of the shoe. The plate insert can include a plurality of longitudinally staggered cutouts extending substantially laterally from the central longitudinal axis forming a plurality of outriggers such that the cutouts on the left side are not located directly opposite from the cutouts on the right side. The cutouts can be straight or curved and the endpoints can be laterally aligned or not.

Supporting plate apparatus for shoes

An article of footwear comprising a sliding eyelet apparatus comprising a flexible track comprising at least one groove and at least one track, and a lace carrier comprising a lever comprising at least one tooth to engage said groove, a spring; and a slider comprising a rail to engage said flexible track.

Adjustable sliding eyelet for footwear

Snake plate insert for shoes

Reinforcing heel cage for shoes

Growing community of inventors

Oakland, CA, United States of America

Jake Rivas