Kaepa, Inc.

Retama Technology Corporation

In-stride, Inc.

Joseph J Skaja

Martyn R Shorten

Thomas M Adams

Jack Wang

Mark Weber

Footwear comprising a sole, an upper, and a lace-binding system comprising a plurality of replaceable eyelet extenders. Replacing eyelet extenders, or components thereof, with others of a different color facilitates switching footwear from one color pattern to another. Replacing eyelet extenders, or components thereof, with others of a different length, flexibility, or elasticity facilitates modifying flexibility between eyelets and lace.

Footwear with replaceable eyelet extenders

A high polymer resin material is configured into a shoe sole component having a plurality of inwardly extending indentations in one or both of the top and bottom members of the component. The indentations extend into the interval between the members and adjacent to the opposite member to provide support members for the sole component. The sole component can be constructed by molding upper and lower sole component halves wherein the molds are configured to provide indentations in the top and bottom members. The upper and lower sole component halves are then joined to complete the sole component.

Shoe sole component and shoe sole component construction method

A shock absorbing component having a pair of surfaces with a plurality of inwardly extending indentations in the top and bottom surfaces. The indentations extend between the surfaces to provide support members for the shock absorbing component. At least some of the indentations are hemispherical. The surfaces may be formed of mesh material to allow the passage of gas or fluid therethrough. One or more inserts may be placed in the indentations. The shock absorbing component can be constructed by molding upper and lower shock absorbing component halves wherein the molds are configured to provide indentations in the top and bottom surfaces. The upper and lower halves are then joined to complete the shock absorbing component.

Shock absorbing component and construction method

A process for making a cushioning component from a pair of sheets of flexible thermoplastic resin in which the sheets are placed against a pair of molds having hemispherical protrusions for forming opposing hemispherical indentations in the sheets. The indentations in the first sheet abut those of the second sheet when the sheets are joined to complete the cushioning component. During the process, inserts may be positioned on the protrusions before the sheets are placed in the molds, and the inserts then may be adhered to the indentations during molding.

Construction method for cushioning component

This lacing assembly is for use with an article of footwear (10) and includes lower and upper vamp sections (26 and 30) connected by a single continuous lace (36). The lower vamp section (26) includes opposed vamp portions (28) having lace-receiving eyelets (42) including opposed upper end locking eyelets (44). The upper vamp section (30) includes opposed vamp portions (32) having lace receiving eyelets (46) including opposed lower end locking eyelets (48). The locking eyelets (44 and 48) include a locking member (50) having an eyelet opening (54) and a communicating slit (60) which receives the lace (36) in locked relation. The locking eyelets (44 and 48) permit the fit of the lower vamp section (26) to be adjusted selectively and independently of the upper vamp section (30). The lacing assembly also provides lace locking eyelets (150) which can be used at the upper end of the vamp section (26, 30) as a whole or intermediate the ends of said vamp section as a whole so that the lace can be adjusted and maintained in adjustment.

Footwear lace locking assembly

This lacing assembly is for use with an article of footwear and includes lower and upper vamp sections connected by a single continuous lace. The lower vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace-receiving eyelets including opposed upper end locking eyelets. The upper vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace receiving eyelets including opposed lower end locking eyelets. The locking eyelets include a locking member having an eyelet opening and a communicating slit which receives the lace in locked relation. The locking eyelets permit the fit of the lower vamp section to be adjusted selectively and independently of the upper vamp section.

This identifying device is attached to a portion of an article such as a shoe and includes a retainer having a flanged base and raised peripheral walls defining at least one socket. Identifying elements having the same configuration as the sockets are removably snap-fitted into the sockets. The shoe portion includes attached upper and lower plies of material, the upper ply having openings receiving the peripheral walls and overlying the flanged base to hold the retainer in place.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Joseph J Skaja