Patents Examined by Marie Denise Patterson
  • Patent number: 5598925
    Abstract: The holder for a sound recording medium housing includes a base plate (1); a slider (2) mounted on the base plate (1) so as to be displaceable between a storage position and a removal position; a releasable locking device (17) for releasably locking the slider (2) in the storage position; a spring (8) for urging the slider (2) from the storage position to the removal position; and a clamping device for securing the sound recording medium housing on the slider (1) and preventing rattling noise due to motions including vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Torsten Bieck
  • Patent number: 5575091
    Abstract: Ski boot made of plastic material constituted by a shell (1) surrounding the foot and the heel and by a collar (2) articulated on the shell and equipped with a rigid reinforcement (4) intended to ensure a good transfer of the movements of the leg to the ski. This reinforcement is fixed to the collar. It is asymmetrical and extends along the back of the collar, mainly on the inner side of the boot in its upper part (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Lange International S.A.
    Inventor: Mario Mattiuzzo
  • Patent number: 5575394
    Abstract: A plastic container for storing and shipping semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer carrier of substantially rigid and transparent material supporting the wafers and maintaining the wafers in spaced relation to each other, top and bottom covers for the wafer carrier formed of stiff but resiliently flexibly yieldable material, the wafer carrier having upper and lower enlarged rim portions extending around the peripheries of the top and bottom of the wafer carrier and being embraced by enlarged peripherally extending rim portions of the top and bottom covers, the top and bottom covers having partially cylindrical panels with elongate beads or ridges formed thereon to engage and maintain the edges of the wafers spaced from the partially cylindrical surfaces, offset tabs on the wafer carrier and top and bottom covers facilitating of flexibly lifting small portions of the covers off the wafer carriers and then progressively disengaging the covers from the wafer carriers; a package comprising a multiplicity of cov
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Fluoroware, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Nyseth
  • Patent number: 5572805
    Abstract: A composite shoe bottom is disclosed comprising a lower layer of firm material and an upper softer layer superposed thereon. Each layer has an upper contoured surface such that the total compressibility of the shoe bottom, as determined by the relative thicknesses of the layers, is predetermined and differs along the surface. The upper layer has an uppermost surface which is shaped to fit against and be complemental to the bottom of the foot of a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Comfort Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik O. Giese, Roger J. Brown
  • Patent number: 5566477
    Abstract: A shoelace cover incorporating an interchangeable fashion panel for covering the shoelaces of a gym shoe. The shoelace cover is secured to the shoe by a number of straps threaded through slots in the shoelace cover. A strap secured to each side of the gym shoe includes a loop and hook material such that the straps can be disengaged and the shoelace cover can be drawn back to expose the shoelaces of the shoe. The fashion panel is attached to the shoelace cover by a loop and hook material such that at the whim of the shoe wearer, the fashion panel can be replaced by other fashion panels to convey a fashion statement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventors: Leroy Mathis, Cheryl McClellan
  • Patent number: 5566479
    Abstract: A shoe to be worn by diabetic persons, or persons afflicted with various types of foot maladies, where excess pressure exerted upon a portion of the foot tends to give rise to ulceration. The shoe body is fabricated to have relieved areas in the inner surface that contacts the foot at locations where the excess pressure is thought to possibly occur. Mounted within each relieved area is a force sensing resistor unit that is connected to a switching circuit. When the switching circuit senses a pressure against the force sensing resistor of a value corresponding to a set threshold, the switching circuit causes the energization of an alarm unit to warn the wearer of the existence of this threshold pressure. At this point in time, the wearer can remove the shoe to prevent the damage to the foot. Provision can be made to adjust the critical threshold pressure at which the alarm is given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventors: Frank B. Gray, John L. Parris, Rainer G. Riffert
  • Patent number: 5564202
    Abstract: A sole and viscoelastic sole insert for footwear having an insert filled with an alternating configuration of gel and gas filled cells is provided. The impact response can be varied by altering the ratio of gas-filled to gel-filled cells or by altering the pressure under which the cells and/or pellets are filled with gas or gel. In similar fashion, an insert incorporating one or more springs may provide a number of impact responses by varying the number of springs and/or the spring design parameters. Advantageously, the inserts can be adapted to be readily removable from the sole so that the wearer can change the insert to provide a "universal" shoe ideally suited for a variety of applications and wearer preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Reuben Hoppenstein
  • Patent number: 5564565
    Abstract: A disposable receptacle for receiving and retaining for disposal a used hypodermic syringe comprising a body in the shape of the frustum of a pyramid and formed of two mating halves joined together along a vertical plane comprehending the pyramid axis, each half being molded of a light inexpensive plastic material and defining half of a orifice extending from the top of the pyramid down partially toward its bottom. Inside the upper rim of the orifice formed by joining the two halves is a recess provided with resilient means to permit the syringe cap to be passed into the orifice but retained against withdrawal therefrom. Thereby the syringe may be withdrawn from its cap for use and re-inserted after use for disposal with the receptacle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Todd H. Yamada
  • Patent number: 5562212
    Abstract: A container for receiving a plurality of elongate objects to be stored parallel to each other and including receiving and closure parts having each complementary two opposite spaced relatively large side walls having each an end section extending perpendicular to the side walls and having a width smaller than a distance between side walls, and two divergent sections extending from opposite ends of the end section and connecting the end section to respective longitudinal ends of the respective side walls of the receiving and closure parts, and with the end sections of the receiving and closure parts having a row of spaced projections, on the outer surfaces, and the end sections of the closure part having at least one boss formed on the inner surfaces of the sections and cooperating with the projections on the outer surfaces of the end sections of the receiving part for connecting the parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Rose-Plastic GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Rosler
  • Patent number: 5561920
    Abstract: A shoe construction having an energy return system together with features providing cushioning and stability. The energy return system includes a rigid frame having a torsional rigidity bar in the midfoot area integrally connecting annular walls in the forefoot and heel areas of the midsole. A net of monofilaments or fibers is secured under tension in the areas defined by the annular walls with the net positioned over an open area in the midsole. A cantilevered system of support pads is positioned in the arch area to support the medial side of the midfoot.The energy return system also includes a rigid frame having annular walls in the heel area. A net of fibers is secured under tension in the area defined by the heel annular walls. The open areas can have inserted within them a variety of inserts to view the components of the energy return system from outside the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Graham, Bernie Allen, Michael Kirk, Stephen Francis, Edward Tavino, Kenton Geer, Gary J. Troy
  • Patent number: 5557864
    Abstract: A footwear fastening system and a method of converting lace fastened footwear to hook-and-loop fastened footwear comprising hook-and-loop fastener strips which are secured to the footwear by means of a lace which passes through adjacent eyelets along each upper side of the footwear. The fastener strips are anchored to one upper side with the lace and are passed beneath the lace on the other upper side and tensioned to draw the upper sides together into a snug fit. Tubular posts may be disposed between the eyelets and laced to the upper sides by the lace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Lloyd A. Marks
  • Patent number: 5555584
    Abstract: A method of producing a custom-fitting article such as a custom-fitting footbed (for example, a removable insole), a custom-fitting hand grip, a custom-fitting body pad, and a custom-fitting orthopedic cast. A member for producing same and a composition for use in connection therewith are also provided. A member, such as a gel pad or gel-filled envelope, is provided which comprises a body of formable material having a minimum setting temperature greater than 130.degree. F. and being setable by heating for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and subsequent cooling. The member is conformed by biasing it against a body part of a person or mammal with sufficient pressure to conform the member to the shape of the body part. The member is then heated for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and thereafter cooled so that the formable material is set and the member remains flexible while resiliently retaining an impression of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Polymer Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan T. Moore, III, Deborah L. James, Maurice E. Wheeler, William H. Weber, James W. Hoover
  • Patent number: 5555980
    Abstract: A collapsible palletized container is provided including a base with individual sidewalls extending upward therefrom and a lid. The base includes grooves thereon which receive tongues attached to lower edges of the sidewalls. The tongues are angled so that the sidewalls are pivoted into position adjacent the base. The tongues and grooves are configured to prevent vertical translation of the sidewalls away from the base. Each sidewall includes two side edges including joints thereon to hold adjacent sidewalls together thereby obviating the need for girding straps to resist forces exerted horizontally by loads within the container. The sidewalls include ribs to reinforce the sidewalls. The lid connects to the sidewalls with clips connected therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson's Trading Post, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Johnston, James S. Tyler, Guy C. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 5555650
    Abstract: A laceless athletic shoe is disclosed. The shoe presents a thin, uniform upper surface, permitting truer kicks when contacted by a soccer or other ball. An integral elastic area in the upper expands to receive the wearer's foot, while carbon fibers embedded in and grooves formed across the outsole provide greater torsional stability and flexibility of the shoe during turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventors: Mark A. Longbottom, Simon J. Peel
  • Patent number: 5547075
    Abstract: A multipurpose mailing envelope which consists of a combination of an outer jacket of biodegradable material such as paper, cardboard or the like, and an inner jacket of soft elastic plastic padding material which stiffens the outer jacket and which is disposed loosely therein. The inside surfaces of the outer jacket and the outside surfaces of the inner jacket are hydrophilic and have adhesion which precludes undesirable slipping during production and/or filling. The outer jacket and inner jacket are easy to dispose of after use and can be easily separated by hand as appropriate to the material involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Nederlandse Pillo-Pak Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Hoogerwoord
  • Patent number: 5544433
    Abstract: An innerboot particularly for sports shoes which includes a first flap and a second flap in which the tips that are adjacent to the toe region are free and/or cannot mutually overlap. The first and second flaps can therefore mutually overlap in any direction so as to improve user fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Nordica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Borsoi, Ivan Martinazzo
  • Patent number: 5544431
    Abstract: The instant invention is an improved sport shoe having a spring biased heel with operator insertable foam inserts for varying the biasing ability of the heel. The foam inserts are colored allowing instant determination of the type of activity the shoe is suitable for. The inserts allowing the wearer of the shoe to customize the shoe for a particular activity. High deceit foam inserts provide support for basketball or the like jumping sports. Medium deceit foam inserts provide support for aerobic or the like activities. Low deceit foam inserts provide support for low impact activities such as jogging and no foam inserts provide unlimited spring range suitable for cushioned walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Roy Dixon
  • Patent number: 5544744
    Abstract: An engine parts organizer comprised of a parts organizer having two outer bins and an upwardly extending inner bin therebetween. A first insert is adapted to be removably coupled with the inner bin of the parts organizer. A second insert is adapted to be removably coupled with the open top of the inner bin of the parts organizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: John I. Oman
  • Patent number: 5544430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe cover that can be attached to a selected athletic shoe to provide an improved appearance of the upper portion of the shoe. The lower edge of the shoe cover attaches to the bottom of the shoe upper or to the side of the sole portion, so the bottom surface of the sole is not restricted. The top of the cover is retained tightly against the top of the shoe upper to give the cover a snug fit against the selected shoe. The shoe cover also carries one or more ankle supporting straps that are positioned near the wear's ankle when the shoe cover is installed on the shoe. The straps can be wrapped around the user's ankle where they are held closed with fasteners. Thus, the ankle support straps do not require that a separate sock element be worn under the shoe or that the straps be permanently attached to the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Jaggo, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph G. Jacko
  • Patent number: 5544429
    Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe such as a running shoe, includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot, particularly the sides, and that has a constant thickness in frontal plane cross sections. The thickness of the shoe sole side contour equals and therefore varies exactly as the thickness of the load-bearing sole portion varies due to heel lift, for example. Thus, the outer contour of the edge portion of the sole has at least a portion which lies along a theoretically ideal stability plane for providing natural stability and efficient motion of the shoe and foot particularly in an inverted and everted mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Frampton E. Ellis, III