An article may include a first polymeric material layer having a surface. A first conductive trace may form at least a portion of the first layer surface. The article may further include a second polymeric material layer. The second layer may have a first surface, a portion of the second layer first surface being bonded to a portion of the first layer surface. The second layer may have a portion of a channel defined therein, the channel at least partially coinciding with a portion of the first conductive trace. The article may also include a first patch interposed between the first layer surface and the second layer first surface. The first patch may span the channel and cover a portion of the first conductive trace.

The invention described herein is a self-cleaning footwear system comprising a sole, where a plurality of check valves are located within said sole. The plurality of check valves are preferably configured between an upper sole and a lower sole to allow debris to flow downwards but not upwards. The plurality of check valves preferably further comprise flap assemblies, where a length of flexible material preferably further comprises a semi-circular flap on one end. The flexible material is preferably a rubber-type material. The sole could be attached to normal footwear, as shown in a sandal. Alternately, the sole could be attached to any type of footwear.

A removable heel connector apparatus comprises a shoe, a heel connector, a heel, a heel release. The heel connector includes a bolt to connect the heel against withdrawal from the shoe. The heel may be withdrawn from the shoe by depressing the heel release. The heel connector also includes a torque balance providing strength and durability in use to a shoe with removable heel as if an ordinary shoe without removable heel.

The inventive subject matter shown and described is directed to an item of footwear with a tensioning system, comprising: a shell for enclosing a foot and at least a portion of a lower leg; a pair of opposing edges generally aligned along the top of foot portion of the shell and/or a front lower leg portion, the edges generally aligning with a longitudinal axis of the foot and/or lower leg, the opposing edges defining opposite sides of the shell; a foot retraction system comprising a tension path and at least two anchor points disposed along the path on the opposite sides of the shell and supporting at least one tensionable cable section disposed along the path, at least one anchor point comprising a tensioning mechanism, the tensioning mechanism allowing for adjustable tensioning of the cable section, the anchor points being arranged on opposite sides of the shell that support the edges, at least one being on a lateral or medial side of a boot and not on the top of the foot and front of the lower leg, so that tensioning of the cable causes the opposing edges to converge together. The inventive subject matter is particularly suitable for use in boots for snow and skating sports or any other such sport where sliding movement of the foot or leg relative to the item of footwear is undesirable and where secure coupling of the item to the foot and leg facilitates transfer of power to a board, ski, skate blade, set of skate wheels, etc., that is coupled to the item.

A footwear ornamentation assembly includes at least one insert and a plurality of design members that can be mounted on the insert or a flip-flop for decoration purposes. The at least one insert is releasably affixed on top of a flip-flop sole. The plurality of design members present different appearances. A method for decorating a flip-flop using the flip-flop ornamentation assembly includes selecting the at least one insert from a plurality of inserts, affixing the selected insert to a top of the flip-flop sole, selecting one or more design members from the plurality of design members, and mounting the selected one or more design members to the at least one of the selected insert and the flip-flop.

The present invention relates to a sole element, such as an insole, for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, as well as to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe. A sole element for a shoe comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion comprises a deformable material, which is adapted to generate heat by being deformed. The sole element moreover comprises a transport element adapted for selectively directing the generated heat from the second portion to the first portion.

A foot support system for any shoe; walking, athletic, men, women's dress shoes, children's shoes. The system includes a base that conforming to the contour of a human foot, a heel post attached to the base and extending substantially under heel bone to relieve pressure on contact and provide stability and heel support, a transverse metatarsal stabilization bar located posterior or behind the metatarsal heads in the mid foot for stability of control of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal. A first ray extension originates at the metatarsal stabilization bar posterior to the metatarsal heads in the middle of the foot and ending distal-end to the mid-section of the first toe. Fifth ray extension originates at the transverse metatarsal stabilization bar posterior to the metatarsal heads in the middle of the foot and ending distal-end to the mid-section of the fifth toe. The orthotic system can be designed as an insert independent of a convention shoe sole, or may be incorporated into the sole of the shoe.

An article of footwear has a sole assembly that is further comprised of a chassis, a reinforcing member and a forefoot plate. The reinforcing member includes lateral and medial forefoot portions that fit with corresponding recesses in the forefoot plate and the reinforcing member in the forefoot region of the chassis. The reinforcing member includes a central portion that figs with a corresponding recess in the heel region of the chassis. The chassis and the forefoot plate include ridges on their outer surfaces. Cleats extending from ridges in the forefoot of the chassis are vertically aligned with protrusions on ridges in the forefoot plate. The protrusions can help diffuse forces applied by the cleats against the inner components of the sole and foot to reduce point loading.

An insole liner for a shoe is disclosed. The liner consists of a wedge shaped member having opposite back and front ends, a top surface and a bottom surface. The liner has a polyurethane base layer, a middle layer made of silicone gel and a top layer made from memory foam. The wedge shaped member has a thickness which tapers from the back end towards the front end. The base layer has a shore hardness which progressively decreases from the back end of the wedge shaped member to the front end of the wedge shaped member and wherein the middle layer has a shore hardness which progressively increases from the back end of the wedge shaped member to the front end of the wedge shaped member. Finally, the bottom surface has a plurality of projections.

The separate insole 2 with the, ventilation system is separately insertable in the shoe and the separate insole 2 has longitudinal grooves I downwards, which extend from the space of the heel to the space of the toe through bottom surface an elastic foam layer of the separate insole 2. The rear ends of the longitudinal grooves 1 have an air inlet in the space of the heel and the front ends of the longitudinal grooves 1 have an air outlet in the space of the toe. During step, the longitudinal grooves 1 are gradually compressed from the heel to the toe and air is forced from the longitudinal grooves 1 to the inner toe space of the shoe.

The present disclosure illustrates a vamp with an embossed pattern. The vamp includes plain cloth and an embossed layer. The plain cloth is breathable fabric blended with hot-melt adhesive yarn. The embossed layer is formed on the plain cloth by a cold press process performed with cold press apparatus. The embossed layer formed on the vamp serves as a predetermined design pattern or as a structural reinforcement. The herein described process of manufacturing the vamp may be used as a basis to improve the manufacturing efficiency and quality of the vamp to produce a high quality shoe product at a reasonable price. The resulting shoe product has present-day desired characteristics and features beyond those provided in shoes made with conventional vamps, and may include added comfort, specific protection features and appear aesthetically appealing and fashionable.

The present invention relates to an interchangeable footwear device. The device may include a flip-flop sandal design wherein the device may include interchangeable structural features to allow a user to change features as associated with a particular terrain. The interchangeable footwear device includes a gripping system to traverse a number of different terrains. The footwear may include a sole member having a thong member attached to a top of the sole and a heel strap selectively attached to the sole. The heel strap may be selectively attached to the sole with a fastener that may be manually adjusted in a secured or unsecured position to remove the heel strap from the sole. In particular, the interchangeable footwear device may include a gripping unit selectively attached to the sole member of the footwear. The gripping unit may include a toe grip pad and a heel grip pad.

A cushioning member includes a first lattice structure and a second lattice structure. The first lattice structure includes a first network of struts and nodes with voids defined between the struts and nodes. The second lattice structure includes a second network of struts and nodes with voids defined between the struts and nodes. The first network of struts and nodes is interwoven with the second network of struts and nodes such that the first network of struts and nodes extends through the voids in the second network of struts and nodes.

The embodiments relate to an article of footwear and method of manufacturing that includes a first layer and a second layer configured to form a plurality of tunnels configured to receive a cord system. The manufacturing includes steps of placing a first layer, placing a cord on the first layer, securing the cord on the first layer, placing a second layer on the first layer and the cord, attaching the second layer to the first layer, and detaching the cord from the first layer. When the cord is secured with a thread, the thread may be removed by dissolving or cutting. The attaching of the second layer to the first layer can be completed by stitching or thermal welding, for example.

CIVIC chiefs are working with police and residents’ groups after an attempted murder in the city centre.

IT was the perfectly scripted Hollywood ending for a distinctly familiar cinema audience.

AN ICONIC Hampshire hotel which closed its doors after going into administration has been bought by an international hotelier.

A HAMPSHIRE charity has launched its annual search for local good causes that need a cash boost.

A ?SOUTHAMPTON man has ?received? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?most? ?prestigious? ?awards? ?in ?sailing in recognition of a life spent inspiring thousands of people to take up the past time.

It's 40 years today since Southampton FC began their memorable journey to glory in the 1976 FA Cup - and we've got some never before seen photos.

EASTLEIGH manager Ben Strevens admitted wishing his side’s match against second-from-bottom Chorley was postponed after all.

AFC BOURNEMOUTH have completed the signing of flexible attacker Lys Mousset from French side Le Havre for an undisclosed fee understood to be in the region of 6.5million euros. The 20-year-old, who was reportedly on the radar of Arsenal, Spurs, Sunderland, Southampton, Copenhagen and Monaco, has signed a four-year deal at the Vitality Stadium. A product of the revered Le Havre Academy that brought through the likes of Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Lassana Diarra, Mousset scored 14 goals for the Ligue 2 outfit from wide and central attacking positions last season. Capped eight times at under-20 level by France, he appeared against England in the recent Toulon Tournament final and also attracted interest from Bristol City, Italian club Torino and Spanish top-flight side Sevilla. Mousset is Eddie Howe's third new arrival this summer following the permanent signing of midfielder Emerson Hyndman from Fulham and Nathan Ake's season-long loan from Chelsea.

A FORMER Aston Villa striker has died after he was Tasered by police.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is fully committed to the club amid speculation of a move to Arsenal.

BOURNEMOUTH manager Eddie Howe has been given the full backing of chairman Jeff Mostyn.

Bournemouth have been fined £35,000 after accepting a charge from the Football Association for a breach of anti-doping rules.

NEW Forest carp farmers Heather Fisheries were delighted to be asked to provide a memorial fish for the Stone family to put into Christchurch Angling Club’s Hucklesbrook Lake.

A HAMPSHRIE 12-year-old with cerebral palsy spent time with the captain of Southampton Football Club, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

A COLLEGE in Eastleigh has ranked as the best in Hampshire and tenth nationally for student achievement rates.

X FACTOR and Strictly Come Dancing have come to mean it's nearly time for Father Christmas to fall down the chimney of TV addicts.

Dark Souls Remastered is the perfect opportunity to return to one of gaming’s most rewarding and memorable series.

A NEW drive to urge people to stack their shopping trollies with healthier foods could help tackle Southampton’s shocking premature death rates, an academic has said.

A SOUTHAMPTON man has been charged with attempted murder.

MARIO Lemina wants to remain at Galatasaray beyond the end of the season.

FORMER Saint Peter Crouch has revealed the "embarrassing" moment Theo Walcott and Nathan Dyer burst onto the scene.

FORMER Saints manager Ronald Koeman took to Twitter to thank everyone for their support after undergoing a heart procedure last Sunday.

St. Mary's Stadium, Carling Cup, Tuesday August 10, 2010

Sir Ben Ainslie steered Land Rover BAR back to winning ways in the America's Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday by comfortably beating Sweden's Artemis Racing in Bermuda.

VENUES showing the upcoming Rugby World Cup Semi Final between England and New Zealand taking place on Saturday October 26 at 9am.

EVEN from a young age he wanted to conquer the world of sailing.

ALTHOUGH it is not possible to go to the berth Titanic sailed from, ABP do allow members of the public to visit the Titanic memorial.

THE WINNING design for a stained glass window to the Titanic crew who perish in the disaster has been revealed this weekend.

The family of the helmsman of the Titanic, whose final resting place was a mystery for decades, have now marked his grave with a headstone in Aberdeen.

The Odeon cinema in Southampton is set to become a hive of entertainment for Final Fantasy fans.

Bandai Namco announced today that the release of the Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered has been postponed.

Bandai Namco announced they are collaborating with Aardman Studios and game studio DigixArt on WWI game 11-11: Memories Retold.

THIS election in Winchester is widely seen as the closest since 1997.

THE Liberal Democrats came close today to snatching Winchester and Chandler's Ford in what would have been a stunning victory.