Abstract: A fastener for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener is a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end and a paddle at the opposite end, the paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which the cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop. The openings are preferably disposed at different points along the length of the paddle so that the different sized loops may be used for different eyelet spacings. In another embodiment, a feed bar is severably connected to the fastener for use in positioning the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into a desired cross-bar opening. Alternatively, the paddle may be provided with registration means.

Abstract: A sandal includes a pair of heel posts on a sole, a heel strap between the heel posts, a toe post on the sole, an adjustable toe strap, and an adjustable cinch strap attached to the toe post. The cinch strap has a longitudinal portion which extends longitudinally through a heel cinch on one of the heel posts, and a transverse instep portion which thereupon extends transversely through a heel cinch on another heel post. The adjustable toe and cinch straps ensures a secure, custom fit.

Abstract: Supporting device, particularly usable for motorcycling boots including a semirigid body which is formed monolithically and can be associated with the boot upper. The body is provided with a band which surrounds the lateral and rear regions of the foot. The body also has a pair of wings which embrace the malleolar region. A device is thus obtained which has optimum support characteristics for the upper and protective characteristics for the ankle region of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blank arranged to be folded into an inner wrapper for wrapping a bundle of articles such as cigarettes within a pack. The blank comprises a fixed portion which is anchored relative to the pack and a displaceable portion which is arranged to lift at least one of the cigarettes clear of the bundle of cigarettes while facilitating subsequent removal thereof from the pack. The displaceable portion comprises a cover flap for covering the accessible ends of the article which are exposed on opening of the pack, and a lifting strip joined to the cover flap. The cover flap is arranged to tear away from the lifting strip only once at least one of the cigarettes has been lifted clear of the bundle of cigarettes under influence of the lifting strip.

Abstract: With hinge lid packs having a pack part 10 and a lid 11 hinged thereon, especially when they are equipped with round edges, it is difficult to ensure that the lid 11 precisely remains in the proper closing position. In order to guarantee an accurate closing position, a closing pressure is applied to the lid which is a result of frictional resistance or interlocking of a collar 23 in the lid 11. Collar 23 and lid 11 are interlocked by pushing webs 42, which define a recess 29 of the collar 23, into lateral openings 43 of an inner lid flap 39 so that the webs 42 move into a wedged position.

Abstract: A medicine reminder device for reminding an individual taking medication of the time the next dosage should be taken. The medicine reminder device includes a base structure and a time indicator. In the preferred embodiment, the base structure includes a foundation, a cylindrical support which extends upward from the foundation, and an annular lip which extends outward from the cylindrical support. The foundation has a reference mark imprinted thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the time indicator is a ring assembly which rotates around the cylindrical support. The ring assembly defines an annular groove which receives the annular lip to secure the ring assembly to the base structure. The ring assembly has sequential time indicia imprinted thereon.

Abstract: A business card carousel index system having a housing comprised of a base and a lid. The housing encloses a carousel to which business cards are mounted. The carousel is attached through support and placement arms through the lid and a base so that operation of the lid will alter the distance between the carousel and the base. In use, a business card may be punched utilizing a flexing device located at the front of the housing, after which the punched card may be placed upon rings on the carousel. When a user wishes to access the cards contained within the housing, the lid of the housing is lifted thereby elevating the carousel above the base of the housing, so that rotational movement will be allowed.

Abstract: A dual use kit of structural members, and method of using the kit to perform different functions during shipment and use of a transport refrigeration unit. Structural members of the kit initially form a shipping crate for a transport refrigeration unit, for protecting the transport refrigeration unit during shipment from a manufacturer to a user. The transport refrigeration unit is mounted on the outer surface of a predetermined trailer wall such that the return air plenum extends into a conditioned space defined by the trailer. Structural members of the shipping crate are convertible by the user to form an air return bulkhead adjacent to an inner surface of the predetermined wall of a trailer, to direct trailer air into the return air plenum of the transport refrigeration unit.

Abstract: The rigidity of a high performance ski boot is increased by forming interlocking connections between a front tongue, a footbed and a rear ankle portion of the boot. Such connections are particularly effective in reducing or eliminating transverse spreading or sideward flaring of the front tongue as a skier leans forwardly against the tongue during aggressive ski maneuvers. By eliminating such transverse flaring and distortion, the foot support and overall performance of the boot is increased.

Abstract: A device for limiting dorsiflexion past a chosen, optimum angle while permitting further forward flexion of the leg relative to the sport shoe contact surface. The device is advantageously used with a sport shoe including a sole, a shell mounted to the sole for receipt of the user's foot and an upwardly extending movable tongue or cuff mounted to the shell. The sole includes an upper foot supporting surface. In one embodiment the tongue is positioned so that dorsiflexion of the user's leg causes the tongue to move forward. The tongue is coupled to the upper foot supporting surface so that dorsiflexion between an initial angle and an optimum angle is relatively unrestrained but further dorsiflexion past the optimum angle is minimized or eliminated by the concurrent lifting of the upper foot supporting surface. In another embodiment the sole is a unitary member and the upper foot supporting surface is a part of the sole. In this embodiment a tongue assembly stops dorsiflexion past an optimum angle.

Abstract: A collapsible article carrier (c) of the basket type, includes opposed side walls (22, 48), opposed end walls (28,44; 30,46), a base (12), a medial partition structure (62,64; 120,122) connecting together the opposed end walls and disposed substantially centrally of the carrier and a plurality of transverse partition panels (84,86; 100,102) connecting the medial partition structure with each of the side walls and thereby creating a number of article receiving cells within the carrier. Corner panels (32, 34, 50, 52) are provided between each of the end walls and side walls of the carrier to form a bevelled corner arrangement and the relationship between the dimensions of the various panels defining each corner cell is such as to allow the carrier to collapse. The transverse partition panels are set at an inclined angle (other than 90.degree.) between the medial partition structure and the associated side wall.

Abstract: A child's shoe of elastomeric, deformable sole construction has a cavity located in a middle portion of the sole, between the upper and lower surfaces and connected to the side of the sole by a passageway. In use, volumetric changes of the cavity create an air flow through the passageway and a whistle, with the whistle selectively positioned to make noise or not make noise.

Abstract: A screw on shoe heel enables anyone to quickly and easily replace their own worn shoe heels using only a simple screwdriver without the need for taking the shoes to a shoe repair professional. The screw on heel has a set of holes running therethrough. The shoe has an arch support plate traversing its length and both the shoe and the support plate have a set of screw holes (corresponding to the holes in the screw on heel) in the heel area. The screw holes in the support plate are threaded. A cushion covers the arch support plate to keep the shoe comfortable to wear. When the heel is screwed onto the shoe, the heads of the screws are recessed into the heel shielding them from contact with the ground.

Abstract: A shoe construction having an upper formed with a toe cap at one end and a heel receiving surface at the opposite end, a molded outsole and shank attached to the upper with a heel connecting the shank into the upper at the heel receiving surface, a single attachment means securing the connection, an aperture in the heel receiving surface and matching aperture in the shank so that a cushion carried internally of the upper is located in the matching apertures to be visible from the exterior of the upper at the heel as an identification of the shoe construction.

Abstract: A sport shoe such as a ski boot having a shell with a notch extended to near the toe region thereof and a strip bridging the notch and being adapted to be tightened onto the shell to close it, is provided with a toe piece adapted to overlie the shell at the toe region; the toe piece has a lug which intervenes, in use, between the strip and the shell to tighten the toe piece onto the shell through said strip.

Abstract: The skate with aligned wheels includes a shell and a quarter. The quarter is provided with a plurality of holes adapted to engage with a plurality of lugs of the shell for adjusting the position of the quarter on the shell.

Abstract: An adjustment system for ski boots includes a collar which can be swivelled in relation to a shell, the forward pivotal movement of which may optionally be damped by a damping spring which on one side is supported on an offset formation of the collar and on the other side by a bolt mounted in the shell. The shell side end of the bolt is mounted by means of a ball joint in a sleeve which may itself designed as such a sleeve. The pivoting movement of the collar in a rearward direction may be limited by an adjustable stop member, which is formed by a sleeve mounted in the shell. The sleeve comprises at least one catch formation into which an externally operable counter catch formation engages, with the sleeve in angular staggered relationship to at least one catch formation and comprising a guide member directed parallel to the access of the sleeve and extending over the axial length thereof, thus co-acting with a counter member provided in the shell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light and strong cycling shoe sole. A shoe according to the present invention includes a core, fibrous layers surrounding the core to reinforce the core, and a resin for integrating the fibrous layers and core.

Abstract: A cushioning element for use in a shoe is disclosed. The cushioning element includes four fluid-filled support chambers which are compressible but not collapsible, and which are disposed at different locations throughout the midsole of the shoe. The element also includes four variable volume fluid reservoir chambers which are collapsible to reduce the volume thereof. The reservoir chambers are controllably linked in fluid communication with the support chambers so as to be selectively in full communication with or isolated from the support chambers. By selectively isolating one or more of the reservoir chambers from one or more of the support chambers, and collapsing the isolated chamber, fluid may be moved from one support chamber to another at a different location, thereby increasing the stiffness of the midsole at a selected location.

Abstract: A shoe insole-midsole device configured to fit the profile of the human foot with a distinctive toe end and a distinctive heel. The midfoot section of the insole/midsole device is characterized by an asymmetrical domed structure that is presented to the plantar aspect of the foot at a location found to be the anatomical apex of the foot's arch system. The domed structure displays physical properties such as to catalyze muscle group balancing by utilizing the body's proprioceptive feedback mechanisms. The net result will be a more structurally sound foot capable of more energy efficient and less injury inducing use. In addition to the predominant dome characteristic, the insole/midsole is also typified by a posterior most skiving which reduces impact velocity, thus easing the introduction of the dome characteristic to the plantar aspect of the foot.