Abstract: An athletic shoe with a force responsive sole includes a first sole portion (110) having a multiplicity of projecting cleats (20), a second sole portion (12) with corresponding apertures (22) to receive the cleats (20). In one embodiment, a resilient membrane (14) is positioned between the sole portions and normally covers the apertures (22) so as to hold the cleats (20) separated from the apertures (22) in a rest position. A correspondingly apertured guide plate (15) is provided between the first sole portion (10) and the membrane (14) in the apertures (26) of which the cleats (20) are positioned to restrict transverse relative movement of the two sole portions (10, 12) and to maintain the cleats (20) in alignment with the apertures (22).

Abstract: A compact disc storage container for single compact discs, having storage locations for identifying graphics and a graphics in booklet form. The compact disc storage container includes a flexible sheet, preferably transparent, which is cut to form a flap, the cut terminating at two ends and having arcuate regions adjacent the ends. The arcuate regions resist tearing as the flap is opened to insert and remove the compact disc from the compact disc storage container.

Abstract: A drinking glass having a cup portion, a stem attached to the cup and upon which the cup is supported, and a detachable base engageable with the stem in two distinct alternative base positions. The base is capable of securely maintaining the drinking glass at rest in an upright orientation in at least one of the base positions on a range of support surfaces. The range of support surfaces suitably includes a hard even surface and a penetrable uneven surface. In one embodiment, the base is in an upright position and the drinking glass is maintained in an upright orientation on a reasonably flat surface by means of a flange. In this upright base position the base engages with the stem via mating engagement of a spike in a hollow interior of the stem.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable, container which facilitates the storage and retrieval of flexible, elongated elements, such as line, cord, rope, hose, wire and the like is disclosed. The line storage device incorporates a base portion which enables the device to stay in a stationary position while in use. Extending from the base portion is a conically-tapered, flexible, body portion that terminates in a closeable aperture. The aperture provides an opening into the interior of the line storage device through which a first end of the line or other elongated element is passed as it is stored or retrieved. The line is linearly fed or "stuffed" into the device by the operator through a "bottle-neck" that is created by grasping the body portion near the opening of the container. As the line enters the container through the bottle-neck, it is effectively wiped clean and dry.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for attaching decorative articles to shoelace tips. The adapter is small and inconspicuous with an outer cylindrical shape only about one inch in length and one quarter of an inch in outer diameter. The adapter has at one end a fitting for releasable securement to a decorative article, such as a light stick. At its opposite end the adapter is hollow and defines therewithin a plurality of coaxial sockets of decreasing diameter proceeding from the shoelace attachment end toward the decorative article receiving end. Each of the sockets preferably has a plurality of radially inwardly directed ribs that aids in frictionally engaging the stiffened tip of a shoelace within a socket of corresponding size. The adapter may be attached to the stiffened plastic tips of shoelaces to fasten decorative articles, such as light sticks to the shoes of a wearer.

Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.

Abstract: An adjustable child shoe comprises a heel, a toecap and an insole. The heel has a position guiding groove, an instep, a plurality of positioning protrusions, and a plurality of fastening elements. The toecap has two flaps, an outsole, an adjustable pad, a foldable extending pad and a plurality of positioning holes. A plurality of fastening elements are disposed in the toecap and the heel.

Abstract: A shoe includes a heel support for receiving a rotatable and replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a graphite insert supported by the heel support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. The replaceable rear sole and the graphite insert allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: A method for removing material from a portion of an edge of a shoe upper folded over the bottom of a shoe, comprises the steps of moving the bottom of the shoe in relation to lateral roughing wheels (15) for roughing the edges according to two different paths and in relation to a first (26) and a second tool (22) for roughing the heel and toe areas. The roughing wheels (15) rotate according to an axis substantially parallel to the length of the footwear to provide a removing action directed towards the inside of the bottom, and are movable along a path comprising a forward stroke and a return stroke which are carried out at different distances towards the inside of the bottom. The first tool and the second tool rotate to provide a removing action directed towards the inside of the bottom along a path substantially parallel to the length of the footwear in respective heel and toe areas.

Abstract: A shoe part for running shoes for field and track events wherein each shoe has a sole, a hard plate for a forefoot portion of the shoe sole, including a plurality of columnar projections and a plurality of shorter projecting portions terminating short of the columnar projections on a surface side of the hard plate. The hard plate includes an elastic region projecting from adjacent surrounding surfaces of the hard plate and lying in a central region of the surface side of the hard plate at which maximum compressive load is applied during running.

Abstract: A boot for gliding sports, and more specifically, for "snowboarding". The boot includes two distinct zones with different characteristics and functions, including a first relatively rigid energy/power circuit, distributed with respect to the foot, so as to centralize the forces, and especially the front and rear supports or the torsion control, during practice of the sport, and a second relatively flexible, sensitive circuit independent of the energy/power circuit, and adapted to ensure comfort of the foot as well as transmission of information originating from the gliding member towards the ankle. Both of the circuits are affixed to a common reference element.

Abstract: An embossed carrier tape system includes a carrier tape having formed therein a number of pockets spaced at equal intervals longitudinally of the carrier tape for accommodating surface mountable electronic parts. A cover tape extends along the length of the carrier tape in superposition thereover on the side where the pocket opening is provided. The cover tape is provided with an engagement wall adapted to be in contact engagement with the inner walls of the corresponding pockets, and is further provided with a buffer (8) expandable longitudinally of the cover tape and extending transversely of the length of the cover tape at locations over the web portions of the carrier tape between adjacent pockets, whereby the need for adhesively bonding the cover tape and the carrier tape is eliminated.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for packaging curved articles, such as beverage bottles or cans. Retainer flaps extending inwardly from heel cutouts are connected to the side panels and the bottom panel by gusset panels. The fold lines of the gusset panels are arranged to create a bias which maintains pressure on the articles to prevent movement within the carrier. The lower gusset panels are located between the bottom of the adjacent article and the bottom panel of the carrier.

Abstract: A shoe and polymeric shoe sole having a heel portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the medial side to the lateral side relative to the horizontal support surface, a forefoot portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the lateral side to the medial side relative to the support surface, and a diagonally crossing neutral zone in the midfoot portion. The heel portion has a central, resilient, compressible, calcaneal pad which is substantially unslanted, preferably with a downward, slightly convex configuration. The calcaneal pad protrudes downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the heel portion and is recessed upwardly above the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the heel portion. The metatarsal head pad extends downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the forefoot portion and is recessed above the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the forefoot portion.

Abstract: An elevating shoe includes a shoe body having an upper, a sole, a heel, an inner member provided in the shoe body for raising the height of the wearer. The inner member includes an elevating portion formed with a top portion defined by a minimum area necessary to support the heel bone of the wearer, a forward slope portion, and a rearward slope portion, the forward and rearward slope portions being positioned between a peripheral edge of the elevating portion and the top portion, and extending from the peripheral edge of the elevating portion to the top portion with a substantially continuous gradient which rises toward the top portion, and being connected to the top portion with an identical color to one another. The third person is hard to perceive the provision of the deceptive inner member.

Abstract: A high heel shoe designed such that the bottom of the foot of a wearer will contact the sole of the shoe along the same points that said foot would contact a smooth, level floor if standing with feet flat on said floor, providing the foot of a wearer with the same support surface in a high heel shoe that would be present in a flat shoe. The shoe sole structure hinges a forward sole section to a rigid rear sole section with a planar upper surface such that the straight hinge line passes below the lowest points of the first and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot of the wearer. The sole of the invention does not apply pressure in the sensitive arch area of the foot due to the planar nature of the upper surface of the rear sole section and it supports the ball and heel of the foot in the same manner as if the foot were standing on a flat surface. The rigid coupling between the forward and rear sole sections permits balancing forces from the toes to immediately counteract instability in the heel area.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprising a sole portion (10) with a forward toe end (12) and a rear end (13), an inner medial side (15) and an outer lateral side (16). Blade-like projections (20) extend downwardly from the sole portion (10) and are angled relative to a generally longitudinal line (31) from the toe end (12) to the rear end (13) of the sole portion (10) so that an outer end (31) of each projection nearer to the medial side (15) is located nearer to the toe end. The angled projections provide increased grip for the outside foot of a wearer during turning movement. The heights of the projections (20) progressively reduce from the rear end (13) of the sole portion towards the toe end (12). At least the forwardmost one (21) of the medial projections has an outer corner (33) at the end of the lower extremity (30) which is displaced inwardly towards the lateral side (16).

Abstract: A shoe having an outer sole, an upper attached to the outer sole for enclosing the wearer's foot, and an insole. A compressible and expansible elastic insert is accommodated in a cavity between the outer sole and the insole. The elastic insert has a flat body formed of spring material. Projecting out of the plane of the body is a spiraling, tapering leaf which elastically deflects in response to relative movements of the outer sole and the insole toward and away from one another.

Abstract: A shoe having a three-quarter or high top upper that is formed at least partially of flexible material has a central rotary closure on an instep cover in a section between the metatarsophalangeal joint area and the ankle joint area, especially near ankle joint area, and is coupled with at least two tightening elements, one tightening element of central rotary closure acting to close the portion of the throat area extending from the closure toward the shoe tip and the other one or two of the tightening elements running upward, especially at an angle (.alpha.) relative to horizontal which is about 10.degree. to 50.degree., especially about 20.degree. to 40.degree., over a guide element on the upper material at or above the central rotary closure, and ending at an attaching point on the instep cover located approximately at at least the same height as the top of this guide element, so that a tightening action can be produced toward the rear in an area between the top and bottom of the heel portion of the upper.

Abstract: A T-fastener installation kit includes a packaging device for loading the T-fastener into a slotted needle without requiring the hands of the surgeon to touch the sharp end of the needle. T-fasteners may be commonly used, for example, in surgical procedures in which the T-fasteners are used to secure a patient's stomach or bowel in apposition to the abdominal wall. The packaging device includes a housing having a cylindrical recess into which the "T" head of the T-fastener is loaded. The surgeon can slide the open end of the slotted needle into the cylindrical recess and over the "T" head of the T-fastener, thereby effectively loading the T-fastener into the slotted needle without requiring the surgeon to touch the sharp point of the needle.