Abstract: A toothbrush (1) comprising a plurality of T-shaped bristles (5) is described. Each of the bristles (5) comprises an elongated cleansing head (11,22) terminated at each end by rounded ends (13,27) and having between the ends a plurality of cleansing elements (12,24). The rounded ends (13,27) are provided for presenting a nonabrasive surface to the subgingival surfaces (17) surrounding a tooth when the cleansing surface of the cleansing head (11,22) is moved across the surface of the tooth during cleansing of the tooth. In one embodiment, the cleansing elements (12,24) are conically shaped members (12) terminated by a relatively sharp tip. In another embodiment of the invention the cleansing elements (12,24) comprise parallel, substantially rectangular members (24) terminated by a relatively sharp edge (25).

Abstract: A ski binding having a portion which holds the ski boot and moves relative to a ski over a predetermined distance and in predetermined directions, which may be perpendicular to each other, relative to the ski. The binding employs a mechanical or electromechanical transducer for sensing the skier's movement which triggers a relative movement of the binding. Guides are provided to direct and limit the movement of the binding. A power activator for the binding is generally disposed between the sole of the ski boot and the ski and utilizes relatively minor movements of the ski boot sole, or electrical power, to move the binding portion relative to the ski.

Abstract: A shoe such as a running shoe is disclosed which fits comfortably on the foot of the wearer during most times and which includes a sensor such as a bar movably attached to the shoe for increasing the tightness of the fit when the foot is moved relative to the lower leg in a plurality of directions from a normal position to positions relative in which greater forces are expected to be exerted by the user. Typically, the increase in forces is achieved by placing a movable insert in the shoe which is connected with the sensor via a cable. In a simplified form, the sensor is constructed so as to tighten a portion of the shoe against the foot to increase tightness of the fit.

Abstract: A step-in ski binding with a laterally movable side-clamping member (3,4), a step-in member (26,126) coupled to the side-clamping member (3,4), a force unit (20,146) for providing a clamping force and connecting members (11,27,110,127) for moving the movable side-clamping member (3,4) from its open position to its closed position as the step-in member (26,126) is moved from a clamp-opened position to a clamp-closed position and for applying the clamping force to the movable side-clamping members (3,4) as the step-in member (26,126) is further moved from its clamp-closed position to a clamping force applied position.

Abstract: A sport shoe (1, 101, 201, 400, 500, 600, 650, 700, 750, 780, 800, 850, 900, 950) is disclosed comprising a dynamic fitting system responsive to wearer movement. In various embodiments of the shoe there is provided movable strap members (17, 19), a movable instep tongue member (163, 263), a movable footbed (412, 516, 605, 705, 784), a movable tongue and heel receiving member (860, 861), adjustable cuff members (701) and interior and exterior tongue assemblies (915, 920). In use the above members in response to wearer movement tighten momentarily the fit of the sport shoe from a close fit.

Abstract: In a ski binding (1) there is provided ski boot heel locating members (30, 31) for locating a ski boot mounted plate (3) between a pair of clamping members (16, 17). The plate member 3 is provided with curved lateral edges (4, 5) the forward edge of which is provided with a length and angle for moving the plate (3) and the ski boot (2) to which it is attached forwardly at a distance sufficient for the heel of the ski boot (2) to clear the forward edge of the heel locating members (30, 31) during a lateral release as the plate (3) and clamping members (16, 17) are engaged.

Abstract: A sport shoe (1, 50, 70) is described having a tongue assembly (15, 30, 35, 76) comprising an upper section (16, 31, 56, 83) and a lower section (17, 32, 37, 86). The upper and lower sections (16, 17, 31, 32, 35, 57, 85, 86) are movably coupled so that, as the upper section (16, 31, 56, 86) is moved toward the toe of the sport shoe (1, 50, 70), the lower portion of the upper section (16, 31, 56, 85) and the lower section (17, 32, 57, 86) press a foot rearwardly and downwardly toward a heel cup (5, 79) of the sport shoe (1, 50, 70).

Abstract: A ski release side clamping binding with hinged jaw members is described. In the binding there is provided a housing. In the interior of the housing there is movably mounted a pair of housing mounted plate members. To each of the housing mounted plate members there is pivotably attached a jaw member. Coupled to the jaw member is a resilient clamping member. The resilient clamping means is provided for resiliently releasably clamping a ski boot between the jaw members. In use, the jaw members are free to pivot downwardly when the jaw members have moved outwardly a specified distance from the housing against the restraining force of the resilient clamping member. The downward pivoting of the jaw members is provided for removing a potential obstruction to the movement of the ski boot by the jaw members during a rotational release and the like.

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: A sport shoe (1,30,50) is described provided with a cuff means (3,52) and means (17,57,58,70,71) responsive to forward lean coupled to said cuff means (3,52) for tightening said cuff means (3,52) about a leg enclosed thereby. In one embodiment the tightening means (17) is coupled to a cuff-mounted buckle means (10,31) for pulling cuff flap means (4,5) together with forward lean of the cuff means (5). In another embodiment a tongue member (53), in cooperation with the tightening means (57,58,70,71) pulls the cuff means (55,56) together with forward lean. In all of the embodiments forward and rearward lean dynamically adjust the fit of the cuff means (3,52) with respect to a leg enclosed thereby.

Abstract: A releasable ski binding (1) is provided having a movable clamping member (4,5) for releasably securing a ski boot (10a) to a ski (2) rearward of the toe and forward of the rear of the heel of the ski boot (10a). In the binding (1), a connecting member (11) is provided which is responsive to a predetermined lateral movement of the movable clamping member (4,5) relative to the ski (2) for allowing the movable clamping member (4,5) to disengage the connecting member (11) and move rearwardly out of the way of lateral movement of the ski boot (10a) relative to the ski (2).

Abstract: In a step-in electrical releasable ski binding (1) there is provided clamping means (5,6) having an open condition and a closed condition and a force unit (15) for providing a clamping force for releasably securing a ski boot (4) to a ski (2). A holding means (32) is provided for holding the clamping means (5,6) in its open condition against the force of the force unit (15). An electrically operated solenoid assembly (40) is provided which is responsive to the placing of the ski boot (4) in skiing position in the binding for releasing the clamping means (5,6) from the holding means (32) for closing the clamping means (5,6) with the force of the force unit (15).

Abstract: A releasable step-in ski binding has movable clamping members (1,2) at the forward ends of a pair of elongated arms (21,22,21',22'). The rear ends of the arms (21,22,21',22') are coupled to a pair of transverse spring members (43,44) forming a transverse spring assembly (10). A lever member (11,11') is pivotably mounted on the binding and has a first position for compressing the rear ends of the arms (21,22,21'22') against the springs (43,44) for opening the clamping members (1) and (2). Extending from the lever member (11,11') there is provided a member (14) for receiving a ski pole tip to move the lever member (11,11') to its first position for opening the clamping members (1,2). In one embodiment a ski boot receiving member (12) for moving the lever member (11) to a second position is provided for closing the clamping members (1,2). In another embodiment a trigger member (103) between the clamping members (1,2) is provided for closing the clamping members (1,2).

Abstract: A releasable ski binding (1) is disclosed and described comprising separable binding parts (3) including clamping members (3c) for releasably securing a ski boot to a ski and responsive to a predetermined force applied to the binding parts (3) for a predetermined period of time for separating the binding parts (3). In the embodiment disclosed the members (52,53) are coupled in frictional engagement with one of the members (52) movable at a controllable rate of movement in response to a movement of the binding parts (3). With the predetermined force applied for the predetermined period of time, the movable member (52) effects a complete and substantially instantaneous release of all clamping forces from the binding parts (3).

Abstract: An intravascular catheter apparatus (1) is described comprising a hub (2), means forming a first passageway (4), a canula (3), a puncturing means (9), a sealing means (8) and a means forming a second passageway (5) with said sealing means (8) extending a predetermined distance into said second passageway (5) for closing a hole (17) left in said sealing means (8) upon the withdrawal of said puncturing means (9) therefrom in response to a contact with a member (15) inserted in the second passageway (5).

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: A ski brake (1) is provided having a pair of movable arm members (15,16). Each of the arm members has a braking surface (18). A pair of spring members (22,23) provide a moving force for moving the arm members (15,16) from an inoperative position to an operative position. A holding member (20) connected to the arm members (15,16) is provided for holding the arm members (15,16) in their inoperative position against the force of the spring members (22,23). A recess (9) is provided for engaging the holding member (20) when the holding member (20) is in its operative position for restraining the arm members (15,16) against a force of ice and snow impacting the braking surface (18) which is greater than the force required to be applied to said holding means (20) to move the arm members (15,16) from their inoperative to their operative position.

Abstract: A releasable ski binding having a boot mounted plate means (1,19) is provided for use with a ski brake (3) having a holding means (2,2') for centering the boot plate (1,19) laterally and longitudinally with respect to clamping members in the binding. In one embodiment the holding means (2) is removably received in a recess (5) in the boot mounted plate (1). In another embodiment the holding means (2') is shaped to enclose the end of a boot mounted plate (19) for centering the boot mounted plate (19).

Abstract: A ski binding, including a housing (10) in which there is mounted a movable clamping member (11,12) having an open position for receiving a clamp-receiving member (3) and a closed position for clamping the clamp-receiving member and a movable step-in member (40) mounted in said housing (10) having a part (41) thereof extendable beyond the surface of the housing (10) for opening and thereafter closing the clamping member (11,12) as the extendable part (41) of the movable step-in member (40) is pressed toward the housing (10). In one embodiment, the movable step-in member (41) slidably engages a facing surface (60) on a part of the clamping member (11,12) during the opening and closing of the clamping member (11,12).

Abstract: A step-in side-clamp safety ski release system is described. In the system there is provided a first assembly for mounting to the sole of a ski boot and a second assembly for mounting to the upper surface of a ski. One of the first and second assemblies comprises a plate member and the other of the first and second assemblies comprises a pair of inwardly directed facing protuberances for overlaying the plate member in a releasable engagement. In the binding there is also provided a movable overcenter mechanism. The overcenter mechanism is provided with a resilient member for providing a spring force which is movable between a clamping position for releasably, resiliently clamping the plate member and the protuberances together, and an unclamping position for voluntarily separating the plate member and the protuberances.