A43B CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
Description
A43B covers the structural components, design features, and functional characteristics that define footwear construction and performance. This includes soles, heels, uppers, fastening systems, insoles, and specialized structural elements that contribute to fit, comfort, durability, or protective properties. The classification encompasses innovations in materials, manufacturing techniques, and design configurations specific to shoes, boots, and similar articles worn on the foot, excluding complete footwear designs classified elsewhere and production machinery.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass A43B recorded 48,804 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 3,405 in 2013 to 3,051 in 2023 (-10%), peaking at 5,863 applications in 2016. The most active applicants in class A43 are NIKE (4,108 applications), NIKE INNOVATE (3,339 applications) and NIKE INNOVATE (1,253 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
12 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open
- A43B 1/00 Footwear characterised by the material
- A43B 11/00 Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps
- A43B 13/00 Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B 15/00 Welts for footwear
- A43B 17/00 Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
- A43B 19/00 Shoe-shaped inserts; Inserts covering the instep
- A43B 21/00 Heels; Top-pieces or top-lifts
- A43B 23/00 Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
- A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes (non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00)
- A43B 7/00 Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B 9/00 Footwear characterised by the assembling of the individual parts
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A43, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- NIKE US 4,108
- NIKE INNOVATE US 3,339
- NIKE INNOVATE NL 1,253
- 耐克创新有限合伙公司 969
- NIKE INNOVATE 910
- ADIDAS DE 768
- ASICS CORPORATION JP 591
- PUMA SE DE 344
- ADIDAS 323
- UNDER ARMOUR US 235