Abstract: A dynamic internal fitting system for a sport shoe (1) is described in which there is provided a foot-engaging means (5) for engaging a foot, a leg-engaging means (6) for engaging the leg to which the foot is attached, an assembly (7) for movably mounting the leg-engaging means (6) in said sport shoe (1) for movement of said leg-engaging means (6) and a coupling assembly (8) for coupling said leg-engaging means (6) and said foot-engaging means (5) for tightening and loosening the foot-engaging means (5) relative to said foot as said leg-engaging assembly (6) is moved.

Abstract: The machine comprises a dished cutter rotary supported by a shaft connected to a driving shaft by means of a sliding coupling device comprising an extension of the shaft having a radial pin sliding in slots of a hollow shaft.A grinding wheel is supported by an arm laterally hinged to the cutter and driven by an independent motor to sharpen the cutter with a constant cutting edge. The machine comprises moreover, a clutch controlling the feeding roller for material to be skived, which includes spring means providing thrust, while a speed variator makes it possible to adjust the speed of rotation of the feeding roller.

Abstract: Safety device for crampons which permits a mountain climber to travel without danger on snow-covered slopes by preventing snow from accumulating below his crampons, would cause him to slip and fall. It comprises a sheet of deformable material which placed below the frame of the crampon and fastened to it by a plurality of side hooks and end hooks. The user can install it very easily. The invention may be used to equip all types of crampons and thus promote the safety of mountain climbers.

Abstract: A back support construction including a base, upper and lower back support plates of extended surface area, mechanical linkages for positively bodily moving each of the upper and lower back support plates in their entireties independently of each other toward and away from the base while each maintains parallelism with the base, knobs extending laterally from the base for actuating the mechanical linkages, and padding on the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping the counters of shoe uppers is of the type which includes, on higher portions of the same frame or framework, two heating stations for heating portions of the upper, reactivating glue for assembly of the shoe uppers. In lower portions of the apparatus, two shaping stations for shaping the counters, which are made of a preform, comprise a last and shaper able to engage with one another to clamp the shoe upper tightly. The apparatus is provided with instrumentalities allowing each shaping station to operate in three stages; namely, (a) holding of the shoe piece on the last and fitting it to the height of the shoe upper, (b) positioning of the piece by holding of the preform shaper on the shoe upper at slight pressure, and then (c) properly shaping by clamping of the shoe upper between the shaper and last under a rather high pressure of 5 to 6 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A shoe side or combined heel seat and side lasting machine has two cement applying nozzles movable from an initial position, adjacent one another, outwardly to a first position, determined by abutments associated one with each nozzle, which abutments guide the nozzles in a straight line in the shoe bottom waist region. In the combined machine version, such outward movement causes a V-shaped pattern of adhesive to be applied in the shoe bottom heel seat region. Selector means is also provided for causing, according to whether the shoe is a left or right, the abutment associated with the nozzle tracking along the inside edge of the shoe bottom, to move from its first to a second position when the nozzle reaches the shoe bottom joint region, while the other nozzle continues in a straight line, thus to facilitate adhesive application to marginal portions of the shoe bottom up to the ball region.

Abstract: A shell for an orthotic is formed monolithically and includes a heel post, a navicular flange and a metatarsal raise. The shell can be made from a semi-rigid material, such as molded rubber, and encapsulated by a suitable covering so as to form a universal orthotic.

Abstract: A hide stretching apparatus, in particular one for the tentering of hides for drying. The apparatus comprises a stretching frame (1) with a number of mutually spaced radial sliding guides (2). The stretching clamps (4) gripping the edges of the hide have been arranged to be reciprocatingly movable along the sliding guides (2). The stretching frame (1) is placed upon a special hide changing table (10) carrying under each sliding guide a clamp displacement member (12). The clamps (4) carry jaws (5 and 6) which attach to the edge of the hide (11) to be stretched. The jaws are opened and closed by means of a lever (9) turnably carried on the clamp. The clamp displacement member (12) has two gripping members (15, 18a) which can be made to engage the clamp (4) on both sides according to commands given, for the displacing of the clamps (4) reciprocatingly along the sliding guides (2).

Abstract: This invention provides for disposable boots constructed of heat-sealed flexible film with lines of perforation to create an economical and practical panel and hence, pair of disposable foot apparel which has a sole, foot portion and leg segment. To a sheet of heat-sealable film material, a series of heat seal lines and perforation lines are applied to a pre-set pattern resulting in a roll of continuous panels comprising pairs of disposable boots. A number of additional embodiments may be incorporated to achieve additional insulating, fashion, strength and comfort qualities.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction which features an outer sole (18) having at least one opening (26) through which a protrusion (30) of a less dense midsole (16) extends. The cutout area (26) of the more dense outsole (18) decreases the overall weight of the sole (12), while the less dense protrusion (30) aids in cushioning the foot to provide greater comfort and support. Other protrusions (32 and 68) may also be provided through other openings in the outsole to further lessen weight and increase the cushioning effect on the foot. Additionally, grooves (42) may be provided on the upper surface (40) of the midsole (16) to increase flexibility of the sole (12) and further aid in cushioning the foot and providing peripheral support were needed. The invention may be applied to athletic shoes (FIGS. 1-9), a woman's high-heeled shoe (FIGS. 10-14), or other footwear.

Abstract: A ski-shoe for traveling on snow has an elongated generally flat base plate having an upwardly curved front end and a pair of longitudinally extending side edges. Respective upright sides extending the full length of the base plate have lower edges joined to the side edges of the base plate. A pair of side rails extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper edges of the sides and having lower edges lying above the base plate form downwardly open channels with the respective sides. The foot of the user is secured to the base plaate between its front and rear ends and between these sides. At least one flap is pivotal underneath the base plate between an axis lying ahead of the flap between an upper position lying generally against the base plate and a down position extending transversely downwardly from the base plate. The sides, rails, and base plate all are made integrally of a synthetic resin and the device has an overall length of less than 1 meter.

Abstract: A process for making a shoe for use in conjunction with various sports. The shoe comprises an upper portion, a walking sole, an intermediate element and at least one projecting portion. The process comprises the steps of integrating the projecting portion together with the intermediate element to form an integral assembly and then integrating the integral assembly with the upper portion and the walking sole to form the shoe.

Abstract: An adjustable fastener for securing two relatively movable ski boot portions together includes a T-bolt mounted in one boot portion, a threaded actuator on the T-bolt and a friction device adapted to be moved relative to the T-bolt upon rotation of the actuator to engage one of the boot portions for securing them together in a selected position after desired relative movement.

Abstract: An improved protective shoe. The shoe may be an industrial or athletic shoe. A protective cover overlies the toe and instep and is at least partially removeable from the shoe itself. The protective cover has an outer flexible sheet and an inner energy-absorbing layer. A particular improvement lies in providing a flap overlying the shoelaces, with a pair of openable flap closure means on each side of the flap so as to provide an unbroken cushioned surface over the very vulnerable high point of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe upper is directly joined to a shoe sole and contoured to a last by stitching a socklining to an upper and providing a mold engaging lip between the lower periphery of the upper and the stitched seam. The stitched socklining and upper are then mounted on a last. The lasted socklining and upper are mounted in a two piece, resilient upper mold and the upper mold is then mounted on a bottom mold having expanding, foaming resin therein with the mold engaging lip resiliently held between the edges of the upper and lower molds. An integrally joined shoe upper and sole are formed thereby.

Abstract: A convertible sports device has a housing, and sport members movable between an extended and a retracted position relative to the housing. An arresting member is provided, which in a first position abuts against a first face of each of the sport members so as to arrest them in the extended position, and in a second position abuts against another face of the sport members so as to arrest the latter in the retracted position. The housing may be formed as a bottom portion of a shoe or may be attachable to the shoe. The arresting member may be actuated by an actuator which, in turn, may be actuated by a foot of a user so that the sport members may be retracted or extended without the need to use one's hands.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making boots for aquatic activities, more particularly for underwater diving. The method consists in the steps of forming a sock from a sheet of cellular elastomeric material and adhering an outsole assembly, including unvulcanized non-cellular rubber composition, to the sole portion and to the adjacent part of the upper of the sock all around the sole portion; placing the resulting unit in an oven; and vulcanizing under pressure said outsole assembly in situ on said sock at a maximum temperature below the degrading temperature of the cellular elastomeric material of the sock.

Abstract: An article of footwear and process for making same in which upper portions of a shoe are fastened to a synthetic sole by placing portions of the upper through slots on the outer periphery of the sole turning same under, and fastening same by coaction of an undersole to the sole; the uppers fastened by means of studs which traverse therethrough to blind holes disposed on opposed faces of the sole and undersole.

Abstract: An easel of the type having a generally planar material prop and a support to maintain the prop at a desired attitude. The support includes a plate which is adapted to be releasably affixed to a surface and a hinge formed of first and second members each having a base and extending legs. Each member base is secured to a different one of the prop and plate in a manner which allows a selective relative rotational movement between the base and the associated prop or plate. The axis of rotation is generally perpendicular to the associated one of the prop and plate. The legs are secured to each other in a manner which allows a selective relative pivoting movement of the members about an axis spaced from their bases.

Abstract: A multi-station machine for marginal roughing and toe scouring of shoe bottoms has a turret arrangement, carrying a plurality of shoe supports. At a marginal roughing station two rotary roughing tools operate along opposite marginal portions, during movement of the tools lengthwise of the shoe bottom respectively in a first and a return direction, the shoe support being movable heightwise and widthwise of the shoe bottom so that each tool follows the shoe bottom margin contour. The tools can also pivot about a horizontal axis to maintain their plane normal to the shoe bottom portion being operated upon. In-machine brush grinding is provided, using rotating stones, the speed of rotation being about twice that of the roughing brushes, and the direction of rotation such that the peripheries of stone and brush, at the point of contact, move in the same direction.