Abstract: A footwear outsole includes a base portion defining a tread attachment surface, and a plurality of tread members. The tread members are coupled to the tread attachment surface and protrude away from the tread attachment surface to define a tread member height. Each tread member includes a plurality of pointed arm members that extend away from a center portion of the tread member in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the attachment surface. The arm members include a pointed tip that defines a maximum height of each tread member. The tread members include a primary surface facing away from the tread attachment surface. The primary surface includes a recessed portion that is reduced in height from the height of the plurality of edges. The tread members may be arranged in a pattern across the tread attachment surface.

Abstract: Footwear having retractable studs that provide enhanced traction on slippery surfaces when engaged. A pull cord attached to a plate within the sole of the shoe allows the studs to engage. The working parts of the shoe can be easily taken apart for cleaning or de-icing. An alternative embodiment of the shoe has a mechanism similar to that of a conventional ball point pen which is used to effectively engage or retract the studs.

Abstract: A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss.

Abstract: A unitary flexible metatarsal guard is disclosed which extends to cover a toe protector in a safety shoe or boot. The metatarsal guard of the present invention acts to transfer and disperse impact forces from the region of impact to a broader region, including the metatarsal and toe regions, thereby distributing the force over a greater surface area. The metatarsal guard of the present invention allows a full range of motion of the foot and conforms to natural crouching, walking, and running movements is designed so as to prevent any pinching, cutting, or other irritation of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A puncture or cut resistant protective sole for footwear made of woven fiber plies and flexible bonding agent disposed between adjacent woven fiber plies to define an alternating layered composite, wherein the flexible bonding agent penetrates into voids of each woven fiber ply and bonds fibers of each woven fiber ply to fibers within the same ply.

Abstract: The invention relates to an item of footwear, particularly an item of sports footwear, e.g. ski boot, cross-country ski boot, hiking footwear or the like. The leg (5) of the item of footwear is made of a textile material and is joined, preferably adhered, to a preformed, for example, extruded toe cap (4), to a, for example, extruded counter (6), and to an anatomically shaped midsole (2), above all when a watertight item of footwear is desired.

Abstract: This application is directed towards an article of footwear for deeply and quickly penetrating a turf surface, such as a soccer, rugby or football shoe. The article of footwear includes a cleat having fluted sides, which creates a channel for moving turf materials in a direction different from the direction of penetration for faster and deeper cleat penetration and better traction. The application also is directed towards an individual cleat for a shoe, wherein the cleat has fluted sides.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sole for bowling shoes in which a slip plate is detachably attached at the front portion of a bottom face thereof and a heel part is detachably attached at the back portion of the bottom face thereof, the sole for bowling shoes comprising: a fixing plate having a protecting rim formed integrally therewith along the outside edge of each of the front and back portions of the bottom face, the fixing plate having a coupling groove formed at the inside of the protecting rim; and a separating plate fixedly attached at the slip plate and the heel part, respectively, the separating plate having a coupling protrusion formed correspondingly to the coupling groove of the fixing plate.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus in the sole member. Walking or running applies a first force deforming a piezoelectric actuator, thereby generating electrical energy. An energy storage circuit stores electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric actuator for later application to electrical devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the ability of a human to run and jump with comfort comparable to running barefoot on a trampoline and with control comparable to that of the unaided human form, yet with freedom from ankle-turning roll moments associated with substantial ground contact member (GCM) extension downwardly away from the sole of the foot including, a resiliently urged GCM constrained to two degrees of freedom: translation away from the sole of the user's foot and rotation about a longitudinal axis at ground level. The apparatus relates flexure of a GCM toe pressure member to comparable flexure of user's toes at the metatarsal joints. The apparatus also incorporates lower leg to ankle pivot bracing, and extends the GCM in downward direction parallel to the lower leg while mimicking user ankle articulation with parallelism-maintaining rotation about a downwardly resiliently urged transverse pivot axis similar to the user's own ankle joint for extended travel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile excavator comprising a travel unit having at least two axles. In accordance with the invention, at least one bogie is fastened to the mobile excavator in a coupling manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welded profile for fitting a digger with a hoe bucket or loading shovel, such as a boom or stanchion, comprising upper and lower webs and sidewalls cooperating therewith, whereby the sidewalls are provided with upper and lower profile reinforced end regions which form the corner regions for the upper and lower webs arranged between the end regions.

Abstract: An excavating apparatus having a prime mover with a longitudinal centerline and a main frame with an engine, a ground drive system and an excavation boom operatively attached thereto wherein the excavation boom has a first end and a second end. The first end of the boom is operatively pivotally attached to the main frame along a main frame pivot axis. The main frame pivot axis is transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the prime mover. A head shaft operatively rotatably attached to the second end of said boom and is operatively pivotally attached to the second end of said boom Also, the excavation drum is mounted onto the head shaft in a manner that the excavation drum cooperates with the excavation chain and a fixed cutter pattern of the excavation chain to stay in consistent alignment with the fixed cutter pattern of the excavation drum.

Abstract: An invention for cemeteries that unifies, by its enveloping features, cemetery memorials and the burial monument while doing away with clutter created by ground level memorials. It has a specially designed bolt that acts as a receiving base for attaching similar designed memorials. The attachment to the surface of the granite monument is achieved thru the use of extra strength adhesives providing long term bonding. The memorials can be joined using different fasteners, but male and female threads have received favorable attention. The bolt with its male threads is fastened to the female threads located in an aperture of the memorial. The aperture is surrounded by a concavity that envelopes the large cross-sectional area of the bolt head giving the memorial and monument a unified appearance. The invention although designed for cemetery memorial situations can be utilized in other similar situations.

Abstract: The invention provides an internally illuminated sign comprising an information display section having at least one flat or curved surface which retroreflects light coming from the front of said sign and transmits light from the interior of said sign; an illuminator disposed behind the information display section; and a housing which encloses and holds said information display section and the illuminator. Those retroreflective elements used in said information display section are prismatic retroreflective elements according to the principle of total internal reflection, a large number of which are densely arranged to form a continuous retroreflective plane, at least the retroreflecting area of the back of said large number of prismatic retroreflective elements has no bonded area to other layer(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for the display of artwork, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a method for giving an image an apparent three-dimensional character by causing an observer to view a series of color decompositions of the intended image.

Abstract: A hanger for display sheets and including a frame having an upper edge defining a first slot and a second slot spaced from the first slot; at least one of the slots having an entrance portion extending downwardly from the upper edge, an intermediate portion extending in a given direction from the entrance portion, and a terminal portion extending from the intermediate portion upwardly toward the upper edge. Also included is a securing mechanism for attaching display sheets to the frame.

Abstract: An improved method for private labeling of garments which eliminates tedious and cost intensive sewing operations, wherein the original manufacturer's brand label is removed and replaced with a pressure-sensitive adhesive private label that is secured to the original care instruction label in such manner as not to obstruct the readability thereof. The private label is produced from a durable printable woven fabric that is washable, and carries a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip that adheres to non-printed portions of the care instruction label so as to form a movable flap thereover. This method is particularly useful for private labeling smaller quantities of garments, where labor intensive sewing operations are cost prohibitive.

Abstract: A securement clip for supporting a sign from an overhead ceiling rail comprising a pair of sidewalls arranged to pinch a ceiling rail, a yieldable web connecting the sidewalls, and a hanger connectable to the web. The hanger is arranged to support a sign therefrom. The hanger may be a rigid shaft or a flexible cable. The web is of V-shape in transverse cross section, having a lower apex. The hanger preferably extends through an opening in the lower apex. The sidewalls have an upper edge with a rail engaging lip disposed thereon.

Abstract: A device for supporting a substantially planar article, such as a photograph. The device includes a support layer having a size substantially similar to the substantially planar article. The device also includes a plurality of mounts arranged for receiving portions of the substantially planar article therein to secure the substantially planar article relative to the support layer.

Abstract: A reusable picture frame for easily and quickly mounting therein an item is made of four frame molding sections joined together at their ends forming a rectangle. At least one pair of the molding sections has opposing grooves therein. A pair of clear plastic sheets are adapted to mount the item therebetween and further adapted it to be flexibly pressed into the opposing grooves to temporarily secure the item within the picture frame.

Abstract: An insect killer using a fluorescent light source to attract biting insect and an electrified grid to kill biting insect is disclosed to have light reflecting mirrors that reflect light from the fluorescent light source, and electric heating elements that produce heat energy to attract biting insects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a pest by at least partially coating the pest with a particulate material that incorporates a killing or behavior-modifying agent. The method and apparatus involve drawing the pest sufficiently close to a surface bearing the particulate material, which is rendered airborne by movement of the pest in the region of the surface. The particulate material is electrostatically charged when rendered airborne, so as to be electrostatically attracted and attached to the pest.

Abstract: A fire log composition is provided that includes a combustible material(s), a modified plant oil(s) and a wax(es). A continuous process for the manufacture of a fire log is also provided. A fire log composition is provided that includes a combustible material, a plant oil and a wax.

Abstract: An improved biodiesel fuel preparation process using the step of simultaneous separation of biodiesel reaction product and glycerin, by specific gravity separation taking advantage of the pressure created by the heavier glycerin by using density loops, drawing of by-product glycerin from the bottom of the container while drawing off the lighter biodiesel reaction product from the top of the container as it is forced out by the density loop pressure. All of this is without the use of any pumps thereby reducing energy consumption and cost. Process efficiency is achieved by separating the methanolysis into two steps.

Abstract: A riser support apparatus and method for supporting a riser pipe, having a sprinkler head thereon, on a nursery wire frame table. A riser support member and a locking member are attached together onto the nursery wire table so that a riser pipe can be attached to one side and a water supply pipe line to the other side thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in a system for the generation of hydrogen by contacting an aqueous solution of a metal hydride salt with a hydrogen generation catalyst. In particular, the present invention relates to the incorporation within the system of a recycle line of water condensed from the fluid product to the feed line to be contacted with the catalyst. The internal recycle line permits the use of a more concentrated solution of metal hydride as it is diluted by the recycle line prior to contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: A reformer comprises a housing comprising a housing inner surface, a housing outer surface, and an inlet; an ignition housing comprising an ignition housing inner surface, an ignition housing outer surface, an opening, and a turbulent flow generator bordering a portion of the opening, wherein the ignition housing is disposed within the housing; a chamber defined by the housing inner surface and the ignition housing outer surface in fluid communication with the inlet and the opening; and a catalytic substrate disposed within the ignition housing in fluid communication with the opening.

Abstract: A glass run is assembled to an automobile door having a door glass. An upper portion of the glass run includes a main body provided with an interior wall part and formed so as to have a substantially U-shaped cross section, a pair of seal lips which form a seal to the door glass, a pair of engagement projections provided on an interior side surface of the interior wall part and adapted to brought into engagement with engagement recesses of a retainer and a bending portion provided on the interior wall part between both the engagement projections. Then, at the time of mounting the glass run, with the bending portion being bent so as to become convex toward an outside of a vehicle, the engagement projections are inserted into the retainer, and thereafter, by releasing the bent state, both the engagement projections are fitted in the engagement recesses, respectively.

Abstract: A glass run is assembled to an automobile door having a door glass. The glass run includes a first base portion adapted to be fitted in a sash, a facing wall part provided so as to substantially face an exterior side surface of a guide member, the exterior wall part provided substantially in parallel with an exterior side surface of the guide member, an exterior seal lip which seals the exterior side surface of the guide member, a restricting wall part which restricts a projecting portion, a mount wall part adapted to be mounted on an interior member, an interior seal lip which seals an interior side of the guide rail, an exterior sub-seal lip and an interior sub-seal lip which are provided between the exterior seal lip and the interior seal lip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spring balance assembly for use with a sash window assembly slidable within a master frame. The spring balance assembly generally includes a plurality of stacked spring assemblies and pivot brake assembly. The spring assemblies include a coil spring and a support plate that rotatably supports the coil spring. Each coil spring has a free end, an intermediate portion, and a coiled portion, wherein the free ends are operably connected to the pivot brake assembly. The coil springs are configured to prevent a portion of the spring from excessive bowing and making prolonged contact with the wall of the mounting channel to which the balance assembly is affixed. In addition, the coil springs are wound in a manner that significantly reduces the occurrence of severe bowing of the coiled portion and engagement with the channel walls. The spring balance assembly of the present invention reduces contact with the channel walls and thereby reduces any friction and the operating force.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a door that is fastened to the heat-insulating housing thereof and a swell chamber as a door-opening aid. The chamber can be impinged upon by a pressure medium and is disposed between the rear side of the door and a face of the housing. A reservoir feeding the swell chamber with a pressure fluid is disposed on a face of the door and can be compressed by pulling a door handle.

Abstract: Ceramics (including glasses and glass-ceramics) comprising nitrogen, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: A gutter cover assembly for use with conventional gutters to separate debris from rainwater that enters the gutter. The assembly includes a fascia board shield with a diverter, a cover support bracket which supports the cover from beneath the cover in a position spaced apart from the fascia shield and gutter, said bracket not contacting the gutter front wall whereby rainwater may enter the gutter through the space between the gutter and cover and through the space between the fascia board and cover.

Abstract: A fireplace mantel mounting system including a mantel and a laterally adjustable support. The mantel and the support include cooperating hardware sets enabling the mantel to be hung on the support. The support defines a horizontal slot for receiving fasteners for attaching the support to a wall. The horizontal slots permit lateral adjustment of the support facilitate centering of the support on a fireplace opening. After the support is attached to the wall in the proper position, the mantel is hung on the support by way of the cooperating hardware sets.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of connecting a geogrid to a segmental retaining wall with the use of positive connectors between upper and lower blocks.

Abstract: A glass partition includes a pair of frameless glass side parts attached to a floor and a ceiling, and a frameless glass element attached to the side parts and to the ceiling without the use of fittings, the glass element being attached to the side parts and the ceiling exclusively by a permanently elastic compound.

Abstract: Installation structure and method for installing and removing a sacrificial glazing panel. There is also disclosed a flexible sacrificial glazing panel formed of a material, sized and having a thickness to permit flexing of the panel to allow easy removal and seating of the sacrificial glazing panel within a support structure.

Abstract: A coupling system for securing an elongated wood member having a surface to a second body comprises a stitching body having a first end and a second end defining a length, and a first side and a second side. A first plurality of angled fastener bores is positioned generally on the first side of the stitching body, each configured to position a first side fastener element resting therein at least a first angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member. A second plurality of angled fastener bores positioned generally on the second side of the stitching body, each configured to position a second side fastener element resting therein at least a second angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member, such that ones of said second side fasteners and said first side fasteners form an intersection when viewed along the length of the stitching body. In one aspect, the coupling system is a hold-down securing a column having a surface to a foundation.

Abstract: An apparatus for encasing material in continuous roll stock netting is described. The apparatus has a product horn axially aligned with and diametrically opposed to a mandrel over which continuous roll stock netting has been placed. The mandrel is movable into a passageway between two gates and the netting is engaged by a set of claws, after which the mandrel retracts. A set of claws holds the netting open as a ram pushes the material through the product horn into the open netting. The first gate gathers the open end of the netting for closure by a clipper. The second gate gathers the netting and a set of adjustable clamps retracts the netting, pulling the netting tightly over the material. A second clipper clips and severs the gathered netting to enclose the material in the netting.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a movable, heated U-bar sealing device for a shrink wrap apparatus and a method for rapidly and continuously shrink wrapping a load with a flexible material such as a film. The movable, heated U-bar moves with the load as it seals the corners of the load with a film without creating multiple layers of film on the corners of the load.

Abstract: A package comprises two or more toothbrushes which are dated to indicate a service period such as by designating a starting date and/or an ending date, or some other date in the service period. The service periods are sequential and add up, ideally, to one complete year so that a package, purchased at any time during a year, provides toothbrushes that can be used for twelve sequential months. Providing sequentially dated toothbrushes provides an indication to the user to discard used toothbrushes at the ends of the service periods thereby promoting dental health as recommended by dentists and toothbrush manufacturers. The service period indicator may be numbers, letters, words, symbols, colors, figures or any combination that suggests a period of service of a particular toothbrush and may be placed at any suitable location on each toothbrush. Suitable instructions, placed on and/or in the package or separate from the package, are preferably provided to inform potential users of the meanings of the indicators.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) guiding a web material in a machine direction through a vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machine with a portion or portions of the web material being wrapped around a tube; (b) joining first and second flangeless zipper strips to first and second portions of the web material that do not form part of the portion or portions of the web material that are wrapped around the tube; (c) inserting a slider on the first and second flangeless zipper strips joined to the web material; (d) cross sealing the web material at a location downstream from the tube; and (e) dropping product through the tube and onto the most recently formed cross seal.

Abstract: A package having a reclosable pour spout is disclosed, with the package including front and rear package panels which may be joined at respective side edges thereof by inwardly extending side gussets. An upper edge portion of the package is removable, including one of the side gussets, to form a pour spout for dispensing the contents of the package. A fastener strip, which can be detachably connected to itself, extends between confronting inside surfaces of the front and rear package panels, adjacent to the pour spout, whereby the pour spout can be conveniently closed after the package is initially opened. A method of forming the present package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for wrapping multi-sheet printed products includes a conveyor carrying a multi-sheet printed product, a first rotating drum having a first exterior surface with at least one surface indentation, and a second rotating drum having a second exterior surface, the second roattaing drum interacting with the first rotating drum at a first nip. A first wrapping supply provides first wrapping to the first nip on one side of a multi-sheet printed product and a second wrapping supply provides second wrapping to the first nip on another side of the multi-sheet printed product. A method for wrapping a multi-sheet printed product is aslo provided.

Abstract: A device including a shaping member having a female part that includes a recessed region fastened to means for translation along a first direction, and provided near its edges with suckers, which are intended to receive a sheet of flexible material. The female part also includes a jaw hinged to its edges, which defines, with the recessed region, a desired shape of an envelope of a package to be produced. A male sleeve or mandrel, complementary in shape to the internal shape of the female part and capable of undergoing a translational movement in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, is also provided. The male part is positioned level with, and cooperates with, the female part. A member for fastening together the two edges of the sheet of flexible material after shaping is also provided.

Abstract: A packaging machine for use in packaging a product using rolled wrap film includes a packaging station where film is to be manipulated during a packaging operation, a support for holding rolled film and located to permit film to be drawn into the packaging station and a film grip assembly for gripping at least one edge of film during at least part of a packaging operation. The film grip assembly includes a first jaw element, a second jaw element mounted for movement between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element and at least one pneumatic actuator positioned at least partially between the first jaw element and the second jaw element for selectively moving the second jaw element.

Abstract: A filling and packaging machine capable of supplementing the shortage of heat quality without lowering package speed when a film is heat-sealed while being pressurized by a vertical sealing mechanism, comprising a film folding mechanism having an inner surface guide member for guiding the film laterally, formed on the inner surface side of the film folded up into two parts, a pair of right and left pre-heating block members having tilted support surfaces or are support surfaces formed along the width-direction of the film on the outer surface side of the film through a specified interval from the inner surface guide member so that the interval on the upstream side of the film in feeding direction is larger than the interval on the downstream side, and heaters installed in the pre-heating block members.

Abstract: A waste disposal device including a cartridge movable by rollers. The waste disposal device comprises a rotation mechanism for rotating the rotatable cartridge. The cylindrically shaped waste disposal device has an inner wall. The rotatable cartridge comprises a cylindrical shape having an outside wall. The rotation mechanism comprising at least two opposingly aligned movable rollers extends between said inner wall of said waste disposal device and said outer wall of said rotatable cartridge. The rollers are engagingly configured to cause the cartridge to rotate upon activation of the rotation mechanism.

Abstract: A filtration device useful as a personal filtration mask, home air filter, air moving equipment filter, and breathing air compressor intake filters. The filtration medium includes from 0.001 to 100% of at least one prophylactic compound. A method for reducing the amount of bacteria in a fluid stream is described using the filter device of the present invention.