Patents Examined by Jila Mohandesi
  • Patent number: 6230423
    Abstract: A heat moldable boot liner has an upper portion extending upwardly from a foot portion, which has a pair of flaps extending along the foot portion, the flaps being adjustable to bring one of the flaps into overlapping relationship relative to the other of the flaps over the wearer's foot. A tongue extends upwardly from the other one of the flaps within the upper portion of the liner, which has another pair of flaps intended to be overlapped over the tongue at the lower portion of the wearer's leg. The foot portion includes a heel portion shaped to fit snugly the user's heel. The present liner can be heat-molded in a single-stage molding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Donnelly
  • Patent number: 6226898
    Abstract: A downhill ski boot (10) includes an inner shell (14) that is secured within a substantially rigid outer shell (12). The outer shell has a base (18) and an ankle cuff (20). The base includes a sidewall portion (24) having medial and lateral sides, with a longitudinal gap (32) being defined therebetween which exposes the inner shell. The inner shell also receives a removable liner (16). The outer shell may be secured by fasteners to closely conform the inner shell and liner about the foot. The ankle cuff and base are reinforced by a segmented strut to aid in transfer of force from the lower leg to the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Trimble, James A. Vandergrift
  • Patent number: 6209228
    Abstract: A shoe pad assembly has a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and an elastic base layer. The first layer is an air permeable fabric. The second layer has a gauze dipping in a solution containing activated carbon, alum, resin and ceramic powders producing far-infrared to form two web-shaped films on the gauze to become an air permeable layer. The third layer is a water absorbing polyethylene terephthalate non-woven fabric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Shi-Hong Yang
  • Patent number: 6209161
    Abstract: An apparatus having a shoe and a shoe insert. The shoe insert is removably positioned within a toe portion of the shoe. The shoe insert is of a hollow construction and opens across a bottom of said shoe insert. The shoe insert has a shape which matches the shape of an interior of the toe portion. A handle portion having an inwardly extending ridge is formed at an end of the shoe insert. The handle has a size and shape suitable for grasping by human fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Chen Tsung-Ping
  • Patent number: 6205686
    Abstract: An attachment to footwear, particularly boots, to assist in their removal from the foot of the wearer. The attachment comprises a strap hinged to the heel of the footwear. Fasteners secure the strap against the heel extending generally vertically upward in a stored position. In use, the strap is loosened and placed on the surface so the wearer may place weight on the strap to anchor the footwear so the wearer's foot may be withdrawn. The strap may have decorative features and define an opening to accommodate a spur. In another embodiment, the attachment comprises a spring steel wire bail to which the strap is hinged. The bail may be detachably secured to the footwear in the welt in the heel area by an elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Merwyn C. Davis
  • Patent number: 6199305
    Abstract: A shoe produced by a vamp cut method and having an enlarged slip-on region while ensuring proper fitting and gripping on the foot. The shoe is formed with a sole, a vamp cut shaft, an apron, and a closure element cooperating with the apron. The closure element is variable in length and fastened by one end to the apron and by the other end in the region of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: Johannes Steuerwald, Ingrid Schabsky
  • Patent number: 6195921
    Abstract: The virtual intelligence shoe with a podiatric analysis system provided with a portable pair of shoe-like body types thereof, into two of which a miniature electronic module and an enclosed sensor mat are permanently embedded in the shoe-like with a mechanical air package enclosing the electronic module to serve as a shock absorption. A miniature electronic module comprises a transmitting circuit with pressure resistance, shoe temperature and warning buzzer for full memory capacity, which receives the variable pressure and temperature voltage signals, convert them into resistance (ohm) and Celsius, respectively. The electrical signals can be emitted in an infrared light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Vinncente Hoa Gia Truong
  • Patent number: 6193061
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an indexed storage cradle system for compact discs comprising a series of storage cradles rotatably mounted in parallel in a housing. Each cradle consists of a base having generally parallel vertically upstanding side walls, a rear wall and a vertical upstanding front wall. One of said side walls is higher than the other to act as a guide when inserting the disc into the slot formed between the two side walls. Means are provided on each of said side walls to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle. The top of the front wall of each cradle is provided with a cutout portion and a tab is provided either on the bottom or the top of said cutout to facilitate pulling down the cradle and the location of the tab alternates on adjacent cradles to minimize the chance of inadvertently pulling down the adjacent cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Diskjocki
    Inventors: Gene Lew, Philip Dewhurst
  • Patent number: 6173510
    Abstract: The boot is one wherein the rear part of its sole (13), between the heel and approximately the middle of the sole, and the lower rear part of the upper (12) are rigid, while the rest of the upper (11) and of the sole (16) are flexible. This boot makes it possible to walk with ease and can be fixed on a gliding board while perfectly fulfilling its function as an interface between the leg and the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zanco
  • Patent number: 6170176
    Abstract: An orthopedic shoe appliance is provided having a pad with a wedge. The wedge is located on the pad in the area where the big toe would rest on the pad. The wedge provides a means to elevate the big toe up from the top planar surface of the pad. The relation between the pad and the wedge is defined by an angle. The angle is preferably in the range of from 20 to 30 degrees for normal ambulation. A method of providing for improved stability of the foot structure during ambulation comprising the steps of providing an orthopedic shoe appliance having a pad, said pad being provided with a wedge, said wedge being located on said pad in an area where a big toe would rest on said pad, said wedge providing a means to elevate said big toe up from a top planar surface of said pad during ambulation, and, said wedge providing an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: James G. Clough
  • Patent number: 6138383
    Abstract: The invention in a shoe insert to be fitted into and maintained in a conventional walking or running shoe to provide support and cushioning to the foot of such shoe wearer. The shoe insert is to fit into a shoe to grip to the shoe insole and is manufactured from a vio-elastic polyperic material having a recovery or compression set less than two (2) percent providing a rapid rate of force dissipation to a shoe wearer that is equal to their rate of gait, with further cushioning provided by a selection and formation of cavities in the insert surface that is in engagement with a shoe insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventors: Richard A. Steinke, Vincent F. Panaroni, Todd W. Hooks
  • Patent number: 6138385
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to design a sole (1), and a shoe with such a sole (1), so that the length of the sole (1) or of the upper attached to it can be easily adjusted, using adjustment means (11), to meet the needs of the wearer of the shoe. This is achieved by virtue of the act that a front thrust block (7) is fitted at the rear (5) of the front sole (2) and a rear thrust block (8) at the front (6) of the rear sole (3). The shoe is fitted with at least one adjustment means (11) which forms a force-locking connection with the two thrust blocks (7, 8), the jointed section (4) thus being adjustable by the adjustment means (11) to various lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Puma Aktiengellschaft Rudolf Dassler Sport
    Inventors: Roland Jungkind, Reinhold Sussmann, Horst Widmann
  • Patent number: 6131312
    Abstract: A safety shoe with detachable steel toe box, particularly a toe box made of steel plate, is fixed to invest surface of an original toe box in a shoe with a drawstring for protecting the latter and a worker's toes against impairment in working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Cheng-Che Hung
  • Patent number: 6128837
    Abstract: A three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion having an upper sheet and a lower sheet, with all peripheral edges sealed to form a hollow interior. An upper area of the air cushion is larger than the interior area, permitting the air cushion body to have three dimensions instead of two dimensions. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion has one or more air chambers and a similar curvature as the upper surface of a foot, so as to have excellent adaptability and shock absorbing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Ing Jing Huang
  • Patent number: 6125255
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic roll for use in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a shaft in a mold cavity and molding a core in the mold cavity with the shaft in the cavity. The core defines a pocket on the periphery of the core. The method further includes the step of attaching a magnet to the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Litman, Jorge A. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6119861
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting pipes during their storage and transport includes pipe holders having an operating position in which the pipe holders are disposed in superimposed spaced relationship. Pipes are disposed in the spaces between the pipe holders, the pipe holders having an upper side and a lower side with the upper and lower sides having opposed spaced apart recesses for accommodating the pipes. A clamping device is provided for clamping the pipe holders and the pipes into a clamped unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Thread Guard Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Volkrad W. H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6105283
    Abstract: An orthoinsert for shoes to control and correct many types of abnormally functioning feet. The orthoinsert comprises an insole plate which has the full length of an entire foot or a length corresponding to the length of an insole except the forefoot part, an arch filler and a heel site for holding the heel in well-aligned position. The arch filler and the heel site are integrated with the plate. A forefoot wedge is attached to the fore part of the undersurface of the insole plate to control the angle of the forefoot to the ground surface. A rearfoot wedge is attached to the rear part of the undersurface of the insole plate to control and correct the angle of the rearfoot to the ground surface to provide and achieve a total underfoot comfort during walking. Three types of orthoinsert accommodate semipronated, oversupinated and hyperpronated feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: In-sik Park
  • Patent number: 6101747
    Abstract: An athletic shoe having basketball assembly including a flat backboard affixed to the athletic shoe. A rim is attached to the backboard and supports a flexible net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Gregg A. Myles
  • Patent number: 6050004
    Abstract: A sport boot adapted in particular to gliding on snow, ice or hard ground, having an outer sole adapted to be made integral with a gliding member if necessary, and from which an upper extends to cover the skater's foot, wherein the boot has two parts, the first of which, made from a relatively rigid material, constitutes a cradle forming a rear envelope adapted to house the skater's heel and extending forward to constitute the sole, which is adapted to be made integral, during assembly, with a second part, made from a relatively flexible material, constituting a vamp covering the skater's forefoot, having a plantar support, that is nested then respectively connected to the cradle by fixed connecting elements that are implemented after a relative adjustment of the vamp in the longitudinal direction with respect to said cradle, between at least two positions corresponding to at least two successive sizes, the vamp furthermore including deformation zones allowing its nesting in the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Miralles, Raphael Reiller
  • Patent number: 6039174
    Abstract: A container for carrying spectacles or the like is formed as an elongate case 1 having jaw members 2,3 at one end thereof for opening and closing the case 1. A single control button 4 is provided which is operatively connected to jaw moving means such that when the case 1 is open operation of the button 4 causes the jaw members 2,3 to close, while when the case 1 is closed, operation of the button 4 causes the jaw members 2,3 to open. This is achieved by the fact that the jaw members are acted upon by urging means that respectively act to open or close the case 1, one of the urging means being the stronger, and that upon operation of the button 4 the stronger of urging means is alternately engaged and disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Graham Rogers