Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for continuous crimping of a thermoplastic material thread. According to the method, a transporting medium is pressurized, the transporting medium is heated, and a thread is transported, with the transporting medium, though a conveyor duct and out of an outlet opening of the conveyor duct at a transporting speed. The thread is transported from the outlet opening of the conveyor duct to an inlet opening of a stuffer box. The thread is compressed into a plug in the stuffer box by decelerating the thread. The plug is transported from an outlet opening of the stuffer box at a plug speed that is lower than the transporting speed such that the plug is cooled and opened to form a texturized and tensioned thread. At least one parameter of the plug is measured. The at least one measured parameter is compared with a target value of the at least one measured parameter.

Abstract: A continuous and uninterrupted process for knitting a plurality of cylindrical blanks, automatically transferring the knit blanks sequentially to a shrink apparatus, continuously shrinking the blanks for a predetermined period of time, and automatically transferring the shrunken blanks from the shrink apparatus to a remote location. The invention also includes an apparatus for carrying out the process having a shrink apparatus with a blank input conduit, a blank output conduit, a plurality of heating chambers, and means for transferring knitted tubular blanks from knitting machines to heating chambers. A heat source transfers heat to the heating chambers to heat and shrink the blanks, and an associated component automatically transfers the shrunken blanks to a remote location.

Abstract: A shaver for cartridge casenecks indexes on the shoulder of the case and permits a rotating cutter assembly to shave the neck of cartridge cases while a pilot end from the same shaft rotating the cutter assembly supports the caseneck.

Abstract: A tool carrier of a five-axis machine tool can be swivelled about a swivel axis which intersects a machining axis, about which a milling head is rotatable, in the region of the latter, at an acute angle which is preferably between 30.degree. and 60.degree., most preferably 45.degree.. As a result, during swivelling movements, only slight compensating movements, distributed over all the axes, are necessary, and yet the tool carrier can be kept short, so that deformations of the same remain small, which ensures high stability and great accuracy. In addition, large swivel angles of 90.degree. or more on both sides are possible without collision problems, which permits a great degree of adaptation of the position of the cutting edge to the workpiece surface and high surface quality as a result. The machine tool is especially suitable for milling turbine and engine blades as well as compressor impellers.

Abstract: A tool turret has a housing, a head connected nonrotatably with the housing, and a tool face arranged concentrically to and encompassing the head. The tool face is rotatable around the housing longitudinal axis relative to the housing and head, and is lockable in predetermined angular positions with the housing. A receiving and holding area for a drivable tool is provided in the tool face. A head shaft extends radially in the head relative to its central longitudinal axis. The head shaft can be driven through a miter-wheel gearing and a transmission shaft extending in the rotary axis of the tool face by a motor. A clutch is movable in a longitudinal direction along the head shaft axis relative to the driving shaft of a tool found in the work position, to join the head shaft and the tool shaft.

Abstract: An extractor for use in removing a solid, smooth, press fit shaft from a sing where access to the shaft is restricted. The extractor has a jacket and a collet. The collet fits around the shaft and the collet in turn fits within the jacket. The exterior of the collet end within which the shaft is placed is tapered and this tapered portion of the collet fits within a similarly tapered bore in the jacket. The collet has a threaded end opposite the tapered portion and the threaded end protrudes from the jacket when the tapered portion is fully seated within the tapered bore of the jacket. A nut is placed onto the threaded end and tightened such that the collet is pulled further into the jacket. The movement of the tapered portion within the tapered bore creates a wedging action which forces the collet against the shaft. As the nut is further tightened, the collet grips the shaft tighter.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for setting the toe-in on motor vehicles during assembly thereof is disclosed which includes a sensor assembly operative to accurately sense the position of a nut runner prior to torquing of a locking jam nut so as to thereby ensure the full desired torque loading is applied to the jam nut. The method includes the step of rotating the nut runner in a reverse direction a predetermined distance subsequent to ascertaining its position so as to provide a distance of travel to assure alignment of the wrenching surfaces of the nut runner and jam nut.

Abstract: An automatic fastener installation machine feeds fasteners to a fastener inserter and senses the orientation and size of the fastener in the fastener inserter prior to inserting the fastener into a fastener hole in a work piece to determine whether the proper sized fastener is properly oriented in the fastener inserter. A support structure holds the work piece in position under the fastener inserter and the machine moves to the next fastener insert position while a fastener feeder delivers a fastener to a fastener holder. A vision system creates an image of the fastener in the fastener holder and compares predetermined points in the image with corresponding predetermined points that would be produced by the vision system of an image of a properly sized and oriented fastener in the holder, and produces a signal for the automatic fastener installation machine to proceed with its cycle when it determines that a fastener of the correct size is positioned correctly in the holder.

Abstract: An assembly system comprises a supply jig for holding and positioning a plurality of parts one by one, a supply center for inserting a plurality of parts into the supply jig, a plurality of assembly centers for taking out the parts from the supply jig and assembling the parts into products in parallel processing, carrier conveyor for carrying the supply jig from the supply center to the assembly centers and return conveyor for returning the supply jig from the assembly centers to the supply center. The supply jig supplies the common parts which are required in all of the assembly centers, while each of the assembly centers comprises individual supply means for supplying a non-common part. Thus, this system can cope with assembling various types of products simultaneously, and can eliminate line stoppage upon occurrence of a trouble or for periodic inspection in any one of the centers, thereby production capability is improved.

Abstract: A die (24) and punch (32) is employed to form a joint (74) between at least two sheets of material (70; and 72). The preferred embodiment die (24) has a shield (54) surrounding an anvil (52). This shield (54) has at least one aperture (120) extending therethrough.

Abstract: A tube and fitting assembly is made by the method of relatively moving a tube into an internal bore in a fitting with the internal bore extending end-to-end in the fitting, longitudinally compressing the tube to radially expand it into engagement with the wall of the internal bore, internally threading either the tube or the fitting and with the threads being adapted to receive a second member until it is sealed fluid-tight against the tube and there is therefore no need for a fluid-tight seal between the tube and the first fitting.

Abstract: A conduit, to be attached to a fluid port in a block or wall, has an enlarged end with a sealing ring and an attachment plate with a cut-out engaging the enlarged end, preferably with the plate secured against the enlarged end by a retaining ring or convolution. The plate has an attachment hole with a snap ring in the hole which is snap-locked onto a barbed stud threaded into the block retaining the enlarged conduit end in the fluid port. The conduit is disconnected by unthreading the stud through the plate hole from the block.

Abstract: A programmable pin feeder for use in connection with an automated component assembly system, for providing pin headers from a supply reel containing a continuous carrier strip of the pins. The feeder includes a motor for indexing the carrier strip, a pin removing mechanism for removing pins from the carrier strip, a pin crimping mechanism for crimping pins in the carrier strip, a gripper for releasably gripping the pin headers at a pick-up station, and a cutter for cutting the headers from the carrier strip. A programmable logic controller is responsive to Pin Count, Pin Configuration and Pin Crimping instructions, and actuates the motor, pin removing mechanism, pin crimping mechanism, gripper and cutter as a function of the instructions to provide the desired pin headers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating the use of existing onsertion machines by trimming and sequencing a plurality of components to be onsetted on an as-needed basis from components of generic values obtained from the manufacturer and providing the sequence of components to a single pick-up point on the onsertion machine. Post-encapsulation trimming of these components by laser also results in novel components of high precision.

Abstract: An armature for an electric motor with a shaft, a stack of laminations arranged on the shaft, a commutator likewise arranged on the shaft and comprising several commutator segments and a plastic filling, and a wire winding wound around the stack of laminations and welded to the commutator is manufactured by first fixedly arranging a commutator blank without plastic filling by means of an auxiliary assembly device on the shaft, then attaching and welding the wire winding to the commutator blank, subsequently filling the assembly consisting of commutator blank, stack of laminations and wire winding with plastic and uniting it into an inherently stable, compact unit, and, finally, removing the auxiliary device again.

Abstract: A magnetic head is formed by depositing a pad pattern on a substrate with a flat upper surface. The pad pattern includes two spaced inner slopes that face each other. An air bearing surface plane is defined between the inner slopes where the air bearing surface of the magnetic head is to be formed. An undercoat layer is deposited on the pad pattern, such that the undercoat layer follows the contour of the inner slopes to form a recessed region between the inner slopes. A magnetic layer is deposited on the undercoat layer to form a first pole P1 that follows the contours of the inner slopes. A gap layer is then formed on top of the first pole P1 and follows its contour. Conductive coils are formed within the recessed region. A second magnetic layer is deposited over the coils and gap layer to form a second pole P2. The magnetic head is lapped at the air bearing surface plane to form the final air bearing surface.

Abstract: A controller having a housing with a cover plate attached and a user moveable control shaft extending from the housing. The cover plate has a spring member with tabs attached which permits the cover to be attached to the housing over the shaft and the assembly shaft inserted into a clearance hole in a panel to which it is to be attached and pivoted into locking tabs on the panel and the spring tabs cammed along the panel surface deflecting the spring until the spring tabs drop into an aperture provided in the panel, locking the cover plate and housing to the panel.

Abstract: A heat resistant multilayer circuit board used in the transportation environment in cars, boats, planes, etc, having two or more conductive layers, with at least two conductive layers electrically and mechanically connected by an interconnecting adhesive layer, at least one of the conductive layers being affixed to a heat resistant substrate. The interconnecting adhesive layer comprises a conductive adhesive material having a plurality of deformable, heat fusible metallic particles dispersed substantially throughout a non-conductive adhesive. The fabricated multilayer circuit boards have interconnections which are reliable, heat resistant, and capable of withstanding thermal cycling and typical circuit board finishing and assembly processes.

Abstract: A method for mounting components, includes a first step for feeding to a component feed unit a plurality of stacked-in-stages trays on which components are accommodated, a second step for taking out the components of a Top-stage tray sequentially one by one to mount them onto a board, and a third step for, when the components on the tray are exhausted, removing the empty top-stage tray, and then returning to the second step. An apparatus for mounting Components includes a component feed unit for feeding a plurality of stacked-in-stages trays on which components are accommodated, and a pickup device which can selectively hold either a component pickup nozzle or a tray transfer nozzle. The pickup device is movable between the component feed unit and a specified position of a substrate or between the component feed unit and a tray removal box. A nozzle replacement unit is provided for performing replacement of the pickup nozzle and the tray Transfer nozzle.

Abstract: A method of inserting terminal in which a problem that time for search varies with relative position between the wires and the connector is eliminated, and the position of the connector housing can flexibly be determined. The method of inserting terminal according to the present invention comprises the steps of: correcting a relative position of a terminal insertion head against a connector housing while two positions on front end portion on an engagement side of the connector housing being image-processed by a television camera; and inserting a terminal with wire from a rear portion of the connector housing by using the terminal insertion head.

Abstract: A method for, and product of manufacturing vessel lid covers including electrically conductive pin assemblies for vessel container housings including pre-plating both the lid covers and pins in a first area and forming the pre-plated lid covers with their pin assemblies in a second area with selected portions of the lid covers being freed of plating during the process to enhance pin assembly fusing and the product formed.

Abstract: An electrical set screw connector has an insulating cover over a metal body which includes conductor receiving passages or ports and intersecting set screws adapted to clamp down on conductor ends in the conductor receiving passages or ports. The connector insulating cover includes a vestibule or tubular chamber for each set screw. The outer end of the vestibule is restricted to capture the screw and each vestibule is internally threaded. The outer end of each vestibule includes a drive hole for the set screw. The connector insulating cover is made by dipping using the backed out set screws as core pins for each set screw vestibule with removable shanks in the set screw recesses forming the drive holes.

Abstract: This rodless cylinder is a rodless cylinder of pneumatic driving slit type, and a cyliner tube is provied with a curved part bent in the axial direction, and a slit of nearly trapezoidal section is formed along the longituinal direction of the inner circumferential side of the curve, and a seal belt with both ends fixed within the cylinder tube is arranged to be fitted to the slit and a piston is inserted within the cylinder. The piston has a piston body and seal pistons connected rockable to both sides of the piston body, and the piston body is provied with a connecting part projecting from the slit to the outside and a belt inserting hole for insertion of the seal belt. On an outer circumferential part of the piston body and the seal pistons, an annular groove with a bottom being a part of a spherical surface is formed and a wear ring having an inner circumferential surface with the same curved surface is inserted slantwise within the annular groove.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of screen cylinders, e.g. for removal of debris such as sand, rock, metal, resin etc. from a liquid suspension used in the pulp and paper industry. The screen is of the type having a plurality of slot passages, each extending axially the entire axial length of the cylinder. According to the invention, the width of the slots is controlled by determining the physical structure of the screen, particularly the overall thickness of the screen and the backing reinforcement ribs, prior to the rolling of the screen plate into a cylinder. A table of a number of different sizes is included showing the practical range of application of the invention. The invention allows the use of standard cutters used in the milling of the slots for the production of screens with much narrower slots to obtain an improved degree of removal of contaminants without having to use specially thin cutters. Screens produced by the method are also claimed.

Abstract: An outer ring of an axle bearing is heat-treated and a through hole can be formed quickly and reliably. The outer ring has raceways on its inner periphery along which rolling elements roll. A through hole for mounting an antilock brake sensor is formed in the outer ring to extend from its outer periphery to the inner periphery. A plug is inserted into the hole thus formed. After hardening the raceways, the plug is pulled out of the hole. Since the hole is formed before hardening the raceways, it can be formed easily by drilling with an ordinary carbon steel tool. Since the raceways are hardened after inserting the rod-shaped metal plug into the hole 9, the heat produced during hardening will disperse through the plug. It is thus possible to prevent shoulder portions of the raceways from melting due to overheating.

Abstract: The clipper of the present invention includes a clipper handle with a first component and a second component which are moveable with respect to each other. A nail holder extends from the clipper handle, the nail holder having a curved cross section. A slot for receiving the fingernail to be clipped is defined in the nail holder. A blade is slidably mounted with respect to the nail holder, and has a cross section which corresponds to the curved cross section of the nail holder. The blade terminates in a blade edge. The nail holder and the blade are each mounted to one of the first and second components. Therefore, when relative movement is effected between the handle components, a sliding action takes place between the nail holder and the blade to cut a nail which has been inserted into the slot in the nail holder. The curved cross section of the nail holder and the blade ensures that the nail will be cut in an ideally rounded configuration.

Abstract: A pocketknife with integral light includes a hollow handle and a cutting blade pivotally connected thereto. The hollow handle at its forward end includes an open compartment containing a battery, connected to an illumination pathway containing an LED electrically connected to the battery. A belt clip covers the open compartment and includes a push button adapted to switch the LED on and off. The open compartment and illumination pathway are sealed to resist moisture and dust from reaching the electrical components. The light from the LED is directed at the tip of a serrated edge of the cutting blade. The device provides the convenience of combining a pocketknife with a light, the light important for the safe use of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A utility knife has a blade magazine removably mounted in a manually holdable housing and rotatable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. The blade magazine has a series of radially and longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced blade-receiving slots for separately receiving thin blades having a cutting edge at at least one end thereof, each slot having an open front end to enable a blade therein to be removed from the magazine by forward movement through the front end of the slot. The housing also carries a slidable transport mechanism having a manually engageable actuator projecting from the housing and slidable in a longitudinal direction between front and rear positions, the transport mechanism also having a blade-engaging arm within the housing.

Abstract: A combination spoon and straw utensil for consuming a comestible wherein the functions of sucking and spooning are distinct. The straw section features an improved aspiration intake port which is flared and contoured to improve fluid communication with the bottommost surface of a vessel containing a comestible. A barrier, isolating the functions of spooning and sucking, prevents inadvertent flow of a liquid from the spoon cavity into and through the spoon section during the function of spooning.

Abstract: A jig saw 30 includes a housing 32 and a keyless shoe 54 which can be adjusted relative to the housing to selectively position a cutting blade 48 for effecting a cut perpendicular to the plane of a workpiece 66, or a cut which is bevelled with respect to the plane of the workpiece. A locking mechanism 58 includes a lever 60 which is formed with a locking section 170 having a wide cross section portion and a narrow cross section portion. When making an adjustment, the locking mechanism 58 is unlocked by pivoting the lever 60 so that the narrow portion of the locking section 170 is in a prescribed alignment. After making the adjustment to a desired relative orientation and position between the housing 32 and the shoe 54, the lever 60 is pivoted to the locked position. In this position, the wide portion of the locking section 170 is placed in a prescribed alignment whereby the components of the locking mechanism 58 are locked, or tightened.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener, including a body member having a bottom surface with a first predetermined configuration, a top surface with a second predetermined configuration, and a recess in the top surface extending from a periphery of the body member across a portion of the body member, a blade mounted to the top surface of the body member adjacent an upper edge of the recess so as to enable sharpening of a pencil, and adhesive provide at the bottom surface of the body member for selectively fastening the body member to another article.

Abstract: A chalk box having a generally teardrop-shaped main body section and an arched neck section extending forwardly from the main body section. A reel containing a line is rotatably mounted within the case. The line exits the case through in aperture at the forward end of the neck section. The line exits through the aperture at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the case. The configuration of the case makes the chalk box of the present invention less awkward to use than prior art chalk boxes. Also, the case may be provided with a hook lying along the longitudinal axis of the case. When the line is engaged with the hook and the case is suspended at the end of the line, the chalk box functions as a plum bob.

Abstract: A multipurpose square (20A) (20B) which performs and simplifies many of the tasks previously accomplished by the use of multiple tools including the framing square, try square, combination square, layout square, and protractor. The square includes indicia in calibrated scales for rafter, angle, and linear measurements. The square has a profile which facilitates the rapid marking of layouts for various standard dimensional construction materials as well as marking cuts for stair stringers and bond timbers. The square is configured to allow it to be "holstered" or carried in the pockets of standard tool aprons so as to be readily accessible to the tradesman.

Abstract: The scanning head according to the invention has the horizontal main axis (1) and is provided for numerically controlled gear measuring devices. Its feeler (2) is guided by a linear slide (4) and the latter is guided by a leaf spring parallelogram (11, 12, 13, 14) in the two coordinate directions (6) and (16). Mechanical devices (8) and (18) hold the feeler in a definite central position from which it can be deflected with the same measuring force in both the positive and negative coordinate directions. A centrally located two-dimensional ruled grating scale (10) detects all deflections of the feeler in the plane spanned by the two coordinates. To adjust the third coordinate direction, a pivot mechanism (3) is used, with a roller bearing (2) being provided for weight balance for the leaf spring parallelogram, the outer ring of the bearing being suspended by at least two springs (21, 22) on a fixed part (23) above the scanning head.

Abstract: A centering apparatus and method is provided which automatically measuring the radius or radius deviation of a large cylindrical bore, and shorten the time required for centering. The inspection apparatus is supported on a rise and fall base which is horizontally supported on a top portion of the large cylindrical bore in such a manner that it is allowed to vertically move in parallel with a fine wire which is hung perpendicularly from the center of the top portion. The inspection apparatus having a non-contact type two-dimensional position sensor for detecting the relative position of the fine wire to the cent-er of the inspection apparatus. The inspection apparatus is positioned at an arbitrary height.

Abstract: A disposable razor having a rubberized handle comprising an extruded substantially rigid inner core of thermoplastic material and a covering layer comprising a compatible thermoplastic rubber coextrudable with the inner core.

Abstract: A device for measuring a figure. The measuring device includes an auxiliary tracer to obtain measurement coordinates when a measuring lever of the measuring device is beyond a predetermined rotatable range. The auxiliary tracer functions to increase the measurable range of the measuring device without having to increase the over-all length of the measuring device. The device includes a body having a pair of wheels with a measuring lever extending therefrom and having a main tracer. An auxiliary tracer is provided on an auxiliary arm extending from the measuring lever. Data from either the main tracer or the auxiliary tracer can be processed by a processor to measure the figure.

Abstract: The device comprises a blower (2) with an associated motor (1) which is flange-mounted to it. A flexible tube or hose (6) is connected to the sleeve (7) located on a cap (5) which partially covers the blower (2), and at the other end, to a suction or intake opening (8) of the blower (2). In this way, the sucked air impinges on the motor (1) therefore cooling it, and this air is also preheated, allowing in this way to save energy with respect to a conventional drier having the same operation parameters. The hot air is conveyed from the outlet opening of the blower (2), towards the frusto-conical sleeve (14) which discharges it.

Abstract: A hair dryer including more than one switch to control air flow rate and/or temperature. The switches are located on different portions of the hair dryer, allowing the user to select air flow rate and/or temperature when gripping the dryer in different ways. In one aspect, a switch is mounted like a trigger on a pistol-shaped hair dryer. A collar located entirely around the hair dryer's barrel mechanically links this trigger switch to a lever positioned on the barrel. When the lever on the barrel is squeezed or pulled, the collar rotates around a pivot to activate the trigger. This collar arrangement thus provides a second switch to control the air flow rate and/or temperature of the dryer.

Abstract: An improved substrate processing system. The system may be used for double sided scrubbing of a semiconductor substrate. The wet stations of the system has covers which prevent accumulated liquid from dripping outside of the station and which minimize dripping on the substrates. Transport tunnels are provided between modules to prevent leakage between the modules. A substrate transport mechanism which is moveable along a rail is provided with the stabilizer to provide for stable substrate transfer. The processing system has two brush stations which are placed within a single enclosure. The sensors located throughout the system, which sense the presence of a wafer, are fixedly mounted in a frame so that they are self-aligned to one another. In the sender station, two sensors are used, with the system requiring both sensors to sense the presence of a wafer to increase the reliability. In the dry station, the heating lamp is shielded from the substrate to reduce particulate contamination.

Abstract: A process for drying a solution containing the material. The process includes the following steps: (1) subjecting the solution to vacuum-assisted freezing by introducing the solution into an evacuated chamber in the form of a spray, the droplets of which are at a sufficiently low temperature to ensure that they freeze at the vacuum pressure inside the chamber; (2) collecting the frozen droplets of the solution on a collecting surface of the chamber and controlling the temperature of the collecting surface and the pressure within the chamber so that the frozen solvent sublimes from the collected frozen droplets.

Abstract: A shoe having a replaceable sole pad for use by roofers is provided wherein the shoe has a thin lower flexible portion with a sheet or layer of hook fasteners of the hook-and-loop type fastener system disposed on a bottom surface thereof, and wherein a replaceable sole pad is provided having a sheet or layer of the corresponding loop elements provided on an upper surface thereof. The sole pad is constructed of a high density, closed-cell foam that provides greatly improved traction on roofing surfaces, thereby improving worker safety and productivity or efficiency, and provides adequate durability to make the shoe with the replaceable soles cost justifiable, when factoring in the improved productivity. The sole pad is installed and removed from the shoe in the conventional manner in which two object are fastened and unfastened by the use of hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: Footware is made such that a thickness of a heel region from a sole upper surface to the ground is thinner at a backward portion than at a forward portion, whereby a line connecting a position on a lower surface of the sole under the head of the second metatarsus to a front end on a lower surface of the heel region of the sole is lifted at an angle with a horizontal line connecting a grounded rear end on the lower surface of the heel region to a front end thereof in a state where a weight is loaded to the human heel, and the backward portion of the heel region comprises an impact absorbing mechanism, whereby a level of the human heel which is in contact with a foot is depressed when loaded. Thus, the footwear protects a knee joint of a patient suffering from the osteoarthritis of the knee and enables them to easily walk.

Abstract: An insole for an article of footwear which includes an apertured top layer formed of a non-absorbent, thermally non-conductive thermoplastic material, a non-woven layer having a first portion formed of a mixture of moisture-wicking and moisture-absorbent fibers affixed to the top layer, and, optionally, a second portion including fibers which are non-adsorbent and non-absorbent, and, in various embodiments, a barrier layer and/or cushioning layer(s) forming a laminate in which the non-woven layer is sandwiched between the top layer and such other layers. The chemical formulation of the top layer of thermoplastic material can be varied to alter its coefficient of friction or degree of slip resistance of the insole depending upon the requirements of a particular application.

Abstract: A fastener for a snowboard boot includes first, second and third loops with corresponding first, second and third connectors. The first connector is connected to a first side of the boot, and the second connector is attached to a second side of the boot. A strap is connected to the third connector. The strap extends from the third connector to the first loop and passes through the first loop. The strap then extends toward the second loop and passes through the second loop. Thereafter, the strap extends toward the third loop, passes through the third loop and extends toward the second loop. The strap may include a hook and loop or other type fastener for securing the free end of the strap in place.

Abstract: A vacuum fitted ski boot which includes an air pump for automatically pumping air from an interior cavity within the boot for holding the requisite vacuum to maintain a close-fitting contact between the user's foot and the boot. An ankle cuff is mounted for relative angular movement with respect to a boot shell. A vacuum pump is mounted on the boot and is operated responsive to angular movement of the ankle cuff when there is flexing motion between the user's lower leg and foot during skiing. In different embodiments the pump can be mounted on the anterior, posterior, medial or lateral sides of the boot. In another embodiment the pump is comprised of an envelope which is fitted between the boot sole and the instep of the user's foot. The envelope has wall portions which define an interior cavity, and the wall portions are caused to undergo movement toward and away from each other responsive to pronation and supination movement of the foot during skiing to pump air out from the interior cavity of the boot.

Abstract: An accessory ski boot protection device which is easily and quickly installed onto the ski boot when needed to walk on surfaces which may damage the soles of the boot, which need to be kept in good condition being that they are a critical component of the total ski binding system. And when the skier easily and quickly removes the ski protection device from the ski boot, and as he or she prepares to re-enter the bindings, he or she may quickly and easily attach the ski protection device on the ski pant leg exterior, one device on one pant leg, and the other device on the other pant leg. Also, features such as walking traction and walking comfort are provided as well as other features which are advantageous over the prior art.

Abstract: A golf shoe spike which does not produce so-called spike marks in a putting green due to the use of plastic construction material in which to obviate rupture of the plastic during tightening and untightening preparatory to replacement of a worn spike, the peripheral edge of the spike body is non-circular for improved turning engagement with a wrench having a matching non-circular spike body-receiving compartment and, at each change in direction characteristic of the non-circular spike body edge, a spike is located to provide optimum plastic material since the spike location coincides with a contact site at which the wrench and spike body interengage each other during the tightening and untightening of the spike.

Abstract: A boot holster is provided as may be used by a police officer or military personnel for carrying a concealed weapon. The holster includes a rear strap loop which receives a flexible strap fixed along the top portion of the boot. A pistol strap is permanently affixed to the holster along the rear thereof and is releasably affixed to the front of the holster whereby the pistol can be easily removed as needed.

Abstract: The invention provides a coupling assembly for coupling a tool to a dipperstick, or arm, on an apparatus which has a hydraulic system for moving the tool. The coupling assembly includes a coupler body having a frame that defines a central cavity, and also having link structure for pivotally coupling to the dipperstick. An actuator assembly positioned within the central cavity includes a latch pin that can slide between an engaged position and a retracted position. In the engaged position, an end of the latch pin projects out from a rear end of the frame for engaging a receptacle defined by the tool. In the retracted position, the end of the latch pin does not project out from the frame. A bias structure normally urges the latch pin toward the engaged position with a bias force. A hydraulic latch cylinder has a fixed part and a movable part rigidly coupled to the latch pin such that, when the movable part is extended from the fixed part, the latch pin is urged to the retracted position.