Abstract: A shoe and an apparatus for selectively extending spikes from the bottom of a shoe. The shoe has a sole having a longitudinal direction a plurality of spike apertures. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spike assemblies, each being locatable within one of the spike apertures an elongate member extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shoe and a cyclically alternating positioner for moving the elongate member between the first and second positions. The positioner including an actuating button. Depressing the actuating button a first time causes the positioner to move the elongate member to a first position whereat the spikes are extended from the sole. Depressing the actuating button a second time causes the positioner to move the elongate member to the second position whereat the spikes are retracted into the sole.

Abstract: A shoe and an apparatus for selectively extending spikes from the bottom of a shoe. The shoe has a sole having a longitudinal direction a plurality of spike apertures. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spike assemblies, each being locatable within one of the spike apertures an elongate member extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shoe and a cyclically alternating positioner for moving the elongate member between the first and second positions. The positioner including an actuating button. Depressing the actuating button a first time causes the positioner to move the elongate member to a first position whereat the spikes are extended from the sole. Depressing the actuating button a second time causes the positioner to move the elongate member to the second position whereat the spikes are retracted into the sole.

Abstract: An articulated anchor for measuring tapes has a planar base having opposite parallel first and second planar surfaces. A releasable adhesive pad is secured to a first planar surface for releasably adhering planar base portion to a surface of an object to be measured. A spherical ball is mounted on the second planar surface so as to extend outwardly therefrom. A ball joint housing is rotatably mounted over the ball so as to form a ball joint which may be articulated in both horizontal and vertical planes. The ball joint housing may be advantageously a rectangular solid having a ball receiving cavity formed in a lower surface and, oppositely disposed on an upper surface a slot for mating of the pull tab therein. The ball receiving cavity may include opposed facing spherical segments or dimples for retaining the ball therebetween.