Abstract: A footwear construction is provided including an upper joined with a sole assembly having a dynamic strap system that extends over the upper to secure the footwear on a wearer's foot. The sole assembly includes strap channels for the strap system, which can be free-floating relative to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the upper, and a foxing band encircling a substantial portion of the upper.

Abstract: A footwear construction is provided including an upper joined with a sole assembly having a dynamic strap system that extends over the upper to secure the footwear on a wearer's foot. The sole assembly includes strap channels for the strap system, which can be free-floating relative to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the upper, and a foxing band encircling a substantial portion of the upper.

Abstract: A sandal construction configured to provide high performance in athletic, sporting and other activities not typically associated with sandals. The sandal includes a sole with an integrated sole plate and an upper with a heel cradle configured to assist in maintaining close contact between the sole and the heel of the wearer's foot during use. The heel cradle may be molded with a three-dimensional shape that is anatomically correct and is inwardly angled to extend into and assist in holding the heel down against the upper surface of the sole. The sole may include a dual-density midsole with a softer upper layer and firmer lower layer. The sole plate may be embedded in the lower layer. The sole plate may include a heel cup defining a central opening. The upper surface of the midsole may include a heel recess aligned with the heel cup and the central opening.

Abstract: A sandal construction configured to provide high performance in athletic, sporting and other activities not typically associated with sandals. The sandal includes a sole with an integrated sole plate and an upper with a heel cradle configured to assist in maintaining close contact between the sole and the heel of the wearer's foot during use. The heel cradle may be molded with a three-dimensional shape that is anatomically correct and is inwardly angled to extend into and assist in holding the heel down against the upper surface of the sole. The sole may include a dual-density midsole with a softer upper layer and firmer lower layer. The sole plate may be embedded in the lower layer. The sole plate may include a heel cup defining a central opening. The upper surface of the midsole may include a heel recess aligned with the heel cup and the central opening.

Abstract: A cold arc discharge is used to decompose natural gas or methane into its gaseous constituents and carbon in the form of solid particles. The gaseous constituents obtained are mainly hydrogen and acetylene and they are produced in admixture with unreacted natural gas or methane. The cold arc discharge is generated by a pulsating high voltage discharge imparted through a capacitor to a high voltage electrode or a plurality of high voltage electrodes or through a high voltage electrode to a plurality of capacitor-connected electrodes placed in a reaction zone. The apparatus for performing this process may have a tubular reactor with a cylindrical ground electrode in the middle and a cylindrical outer wall through which the high voltage electrode or electrodes extend into the reaction zone. The apparatus may also have a cylindrical shaft in the middle made of dielectric material in which a plurality of electrodes are embedded, this shaft being surrounded by a high voltage tubular electrode.

Abstract: A cold arc discharge is used to decompose natural gas or methane into its gaseous constituents and carbon in the form of solid particles. The gaseous constituents obtained are mainly hydrogen and acetylene and they are produced in admixture with unreacted natural gas or methane. The cold arc discharge is generated by a pulsating high voltage discharge imparted through a capacitor to a high voltage electrode or a plurality of high voltage electrodes or through a high voltage electrode to a plurality of capacitor—connected electrodes placed in a reaction zone. The apparatus for performing this process may have a tubular reactor with a cylindrical ground electrode in the middle and a cylindrical outer wall through which the high voltage electrode or electrodes extend into the reaction zone. The apparatus may also have a cylindrical shaft in the middle made of dielectric material in which a plurality of electrodes are embedded, this shaft being surrounded by a high voltage tubular electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for a cold arc discharge used to decompose natural gas or methane into its gaseous constituents and carbon in the form of solid particles. The gaseous constituents obtained are mainly hydrogen and acetylene and they are produced in admixture with unreacted natural gas or methane.