Abstract: A cross-country ski boot comprises a sole of synthetic resin and including a heel portion defining a recess of V-shaped cross section and upwardly projecting lateral edges forwardly of the heel portion.

Abstract: An overshoe is provided having improved means for facilitating its being put on or taken off, especially over bulky or unusually shaped footwear. The overshoe is provided with opposing apertures on either side of the ankle, extending from almost the heel, vertically to the top of the ankle of the overshoe. These apertures are closed by appropriate fasteners, such as slide type fasteners, which are attached to expandable flaps so that the entire ankle portion of the overshoe can adapt to bulky footwear. When the overshoe is unfastened, the rear portion of the ankle of the overshoe serves as a convenient grip to facilitate putting on or taking off of the overshoe. The overshoe is particularly adapted to be worn over orthopedic type shoes.

Abstract: Appliance for the treatment, particularly in a liquid, of a product like leather, consisting of a perforated drum (1) containing compartments (9, 10, 11) separated by partitions (12, 13, 14) and connecting with the outside via openings (9a, 9b, 9c) closed by doors, along with a tank (7) surrounding the drum (1) and provided with an opening (8), a fixing means enabling the drum (1) and the tank (7) to be fixed together in rotation when the opening (9a) of a compartment (9) is placed opposite the opening (8) in the tank (7) and a drive means (22) enabling the drum (1) and the tank (7) to be swung round jointly between a first position in which the opening (8) of the tank is in a top position and a second position in which the opening (8) of the tank is placed on the side, the said first position corresponding to the treatment and loading of the product and the second position corresponding to its discharge.

Abstract: A computer-controlled machine for progressively roughing marginal portions of shoe bottoms comprises a tool support arm, on which two rotary roughing brushes are carried side-by-side, and a shoe support between which and the arm relative movement takes place lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom. The relative lengthwise movement is fore-and-aft, and the left hand tool is arranged to operate along the right hand side of the shoe bottom as relative movement takes place in one direction, and vice versa in the opposite direction. For effecting such relative lengthwise movement, furthermore, the shoe support is mounted for movement along an arcuate path about an axis extending transversely of the shoe bottom. Conveniently, two shoe supports are provided, arranged side-by-side, the tool support arm being aligned alternately with each shoe support.

Abstract: Covering element or tongue for rock-climbing, mountain skying and similar ort boots comprising a single, shaped laminar element divided into first and second parts, an end of one part being relatively slidable or longitudinally moveable with respect to an opposite end of the other part to impart an improved flexibility to the covering element or tongue. In a preferred embodiment, the end of one part is connected to an opposite end of the other part by hinge structure formed by a partly notched intermediate zone of the covering element and so that one end region of one part is superimposed over an end region of the other part.

Abstract: An insole rest (14) that supports a shoe assembly (64) formed of a last (66) having an upper (70) draped thereon and an insole (68) located on its bottom. A first motor (36) is so connected to the insole rest as to effect heightwise movement of the insole rest and a second motor (38) is so connected to the insole rest as to effect swinging movement of the insole rest.

Abstract: Apparatus for the combined marginal roughing and toe scouring of shoe bottoms has a shoe support movable in an arcuate path past marginal roughing tools and a scouring tool, the roughing tools being movable widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom, and the scouring tool heightwise. All the movements are under the control of n.c. motors. The scouring tool thus follows a pre-determined path, giving enhanced control of the degree of scouring. To assist in accuracy, the shoe support has height datum means which, after use and subsequent to toe support means being locked in adjusted position, are moved out of the way so as not to impede the roughing and scouring.

Abstract: An arrangement for molding a flat insole (412) and adhesively attaching the molded insole to the bottom of a last (414) comprising an upper mold (62) and a lower mold (14) having complementary molding surfaces that are initially spaced from each other so that the flat insole is transported between the molding surfaces and are then closed upon the insole to mold the flat insole to the shape of the molding surfaces. The upper mold is then raised while the molded insole is retained on the upper mold molding surface after which the insole is released from the upper mold molding surface and descends onto the bottom of the last. The molded insole is then pressed onto the last bottom by an applicator (378) and is attached to the last bottom by an adhesive patch (421) on the last bottom that was previously applied to the last bottom by the applicator.

Abstract: An athletic shoe particularly adapted for use in sports where sudden turns, starts, stops and lateral movements are involved, in which the sole 14 includes a lengthwise concavity 46 for gripping action; the medial aspect 54 of the sole is linear and rouned off from about the first metatarsal extension up to and including the heel; the sole includes a two-tiered construction from the first metatarsal phalangal joint to distal at 58 to the fifth metatarsal head at 60 so a lowered area at 64 casts the user's weight forwardly to assist in sudden starts; the lateral edge 52 of the sole comprises a projecting wing 90 from the generally vertical side of the shoe; the heel is flared on the lateral edge and a projecting wing 72 is provided from behind the fifth metatarsal to just below the malleolus and around the heel to meet the aforementioned medial wing; and the posterior aspect of the sole is beveled; the shoe having a wrapped around construction on the exterior affording support for the user's foot.

Abstract: There are provided thermoplastic or through the action of solvent shapable, shoe stiffening and likewise non-slip inner material for the heel region in the form of continuous sheets or blanks consisting of an embedded fiber structure which is loaded or filled with at least one synthetic resin acting as a stiffening agent at normal temperature up to about 60.degree. C. in an amount of 0.1 to 0.9 kg per square meter fiber structure in the course of which the loading in a given case can contain fillers, dyestuffs, pigments, plasticizers, propellants, stabilizers, processing aids and/or extenders in the customary amounts.

Abstract: Closing straps for a ski boot formed of plastics material have corresponding ends adjustably secured by pulling levers fixed on one flap of the boot upper. The ends of the straps remote from the pulling levers are releasably connected with projection elements on the other flap of the upper integrally formed with such flap from the same plastics material from which the upper is made by injection molding.

Abstract: Machine for performing a progressive roughing operation on shoe bottoms has a three-axis computer controlled stepping motor arrangement for moving two rotary radial roughing tools along a pre-determined path in relation to the shoe bottom being operated upon. The tools are also mounted on a common sub-frame for pivotal movement about a transverse axis which extends tangential to the shoe bottom engaging portion of the operating surface of the tools, again by computer-controlled stepping motor. Grinding stones are provided for grinding the tools, and a further stepping motor operates to move the tools relative to the sub-frame to maintain the shoe bottom engaging region of the operating surface of each tool in the datum plane in which said transverse axis lies.

Abstract: A bowling shoe protector comprising a thin, slightly flexible sole having an enlarged, generally foot-shaped configuration, and a single support strap secured at the longitudinal center of the sole. The strap includes a hook and pile connector so that the strap can form a loop which receives a shoe and secures the shoe to the sole of the protector. The sole preferably includes a pair of small raised peripheral wall portions to prevent displacement of the shoe past the periphal edge of the shoe protector.

Abstract: A fixing band for fixing a cyclist's shoe onto a pedal of a bicycle, which comprises a band body and a buckle, a shoe binding portion at an intermediate portion of the band body displaced in a circular arc widthwise outwardly of the band body with respect to the straight line connecting a base carrying the buckle and an insertion end to be inserted into the buckle, so that the binding portion is allowed to contact throughout with the outer surface of the shoe's instep.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe having a pocket, generally disposed laterally and mounted upon the quarter portion for the shoe, the pocket comprises a liner of material, or a pair of the same, each stitched or otherwise fastened to the side of the shoe, so that the front and back edges of the pocket are confiningly affixed to the shoe, while the bottom edge of the pocket may be stitched to the quarter panel upwardly of the sole, or the same may be secured with the shoe through the effort of the stitching that holds the sole shank to the shoe quarter portion. Proximate the upward edge of the formed pocket, in one embodiment, is stitched to the shoe near the location of its eyestay, and having a zipper provided through the pocket, or at least its front liner, to attain access into the pocket and wherein miscellaneous personal items may be located for safe keeping, particularly during shoe usage, as when jogging.

Abstract: A unitary one-piece molded plastic skate, for use with ice or roller skate runners, has a lower shell portion and an upper portion shell portion with the upper shell portion comprising a tendon guard and side ankle flaps, the tendon guard portion of the upper being integrally molded to form a hinge with the rear heel portion of the lower portion. The side ankle flaps overlap upward extensions of side walls of the lower shell portion. A mold apparatus for forming the one-piece skate boot and said mold apparatus including a core formed to the inner shape of the skate boot and having an upstanding leg portion with the thin walled sleeve fixed to the upstanding portion and having a downwardly extending skirt which, in the molding operation, is in contact at the edge thereof with the mold cavities so as to form the flaps of the upper portion but to leave a hinge portion at the heel rear.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending cuts of leather or other synthetic materials by means of a suction action exerted over the cuts, which were previously gummed, providing an additional action of pressure over the cuts manually or by a pneumatic press installed over the cover of the working bench.

Abstract: A dynamic internal fitting system for a ski boot having a lower shell member and an upper cuff member. Interior of the ski boot there is provided a pair of strap members for engaging the lateral and dorsal aspects of a foot. One end of the strap members is attached to the sole of the ski boot. The opposite end of the strap members is connected to one end of a cable by means of a pivotable linking member. The cable extends from the linking member and is connected at its opposite end to a pulley. The pulley is releasably coupled to the cuff member and means are provided for manually selectively adjusting the length of the cable wrapped about the pulley. During skiing maneuvers, as the position of the foot changes in the boot, the linking member pivots for dynamically adjusting the tension applied to and the position of the strap members relative to the foot engaged thereby. Additionally, as the cuff member pivots relative to the shell member, the pulley rotates with the cuff member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for stretching fur pelts and the like which includes a first rack which initially receives and stretches the pelt thereon provided with several different forms of fastening devices, a second rack which is suitably configured to accommodate and receive the first rack thereon, a connecting area between the first and the second rack to operatively join together the two racks so that when the first and second racks are thusly disposed, additional beneficial stretching of the fur can occur.

Abstract: A tanning machine wherein a pressure roller urges one side of a hide or skin against the blades of an elongated rotary severing device has a grinding unit which treats the blades of the severing device and is mounted in the frame of the tanning machine. The grinding unit has elongated straight first guide members which are fixedly mounted in the frame and extend in parallelism with the axis of the severing device, a first carriage which is reciprocable along the first guide members by a motor through the medium of an endless chain and carries second guide members extending radially of the severing device, a second carriage which is reciprocable along the second guide members and supports a grinding tool, and a cam and follower arrangement which moves the second carriage along the second guide members in response to reciprocation of the first carriage along the first guide members.