Abstract: An exercise apparatus used to work core muscles such as one's abdomen, obliques, and lower back. The exercise apparatus includes a framework, a leg brace, and a waist support. In some embodiments, the leg brace is motorized, the waist support is motorized, or both the leg brace and the waist support are motorized.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus used to work core muscles such as one's abdomen, obliques, and lower back. The exercise apparatus includes a framework, a leg brace, and a waist support. In some embodiments, the leg brace is motorized, the waist support is motorized, or both the leg brace and the waist support are motorized.

Abstract: A roller skate includes a boot and at least a pair of wheels that are mounted to an underside of the boot. The wheels are oriented at an acute or perpendicular angle to the traditional straight ahead longitudinal direction of the boot so that, in use, the user moves at least somewhat laterally when skating. The orientation of the wheels can be adjusted with a lock-down device being used to fix the wheels in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A sleeve expander for use with a steam treatment machine that generally includes a base, a first expander arm, a second expander arm, and an actuator. The base supports the expander arms and actuator, and it has a mounting surface for connecting the sleeve expander to the steam treatment machine, preferably at a lower portion of the machine. The actuator is linked to the expander arms to move the first expander arm toward and away from the second expander arm during a steaming cycle so that the operator merely has to place the garment sleeves over the expander prior to initiating the steaming operation. A full steam treatment machine including a suzi and two of the sleeve expanders is also disclosed.

Abstract: A garment clamp apparatus for stabilizing a shirt during pressing of the sleeves. The apparatus is for use on a shirt pressing machine of the type having a housing, a plurality of press platens supported by the housing, and a movable tray carrying sleeve supports or bucks. The garment clamp apparatus includes a clamp for securely mounting the apparatus to the support structure of the housing. A frame extends forwardly from the clamp between the press platens. A pneumatic cylinder connects the frame with an extendable foot, which is movable linearly against the bias of a pair of return springs between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the foot engages the shirt in the area between the sleeves and holds the sleeves taut on the sleeve supports for the pressing operation. Guide shaft assemblies are disposed between the frame and the foot. The pneumatic cylinder can be connected into the existing pneumatic control system without modification of the control algorithm.

Abstract: A collar former (10) for use in finishing garment collars (24) as a part of laundering of the garments (22). The collar former (10) includes a split-cone section (12), base section (14), and a control mechanism (16). The split-cone section (12) includes two partially conical support members (18, 20) that are pivotally connected together at their smaller axial ends to form an axially-split conical support structure (42). The support members are outwardly biased from each other by a spring (28). Heating pads (38, 40) are mounted on the inside surfaces of the support members (18, 20), respectively, to supply heat to their outer surfaces. The control mechanism (16) includes a foot pedal (68), lever (70), pulley (74), and cable (76). Downward actuation of the foot pedal (68) is transferred via the cable (76) to the first support member (18) to move it toward the other support member (20) against the outward bias provided by spring (28).