Abstract: A connecting system for connecting a first hollow part and a second hollow part of a garment display device being in a shape of at least a portion of a human body, the first part and the second part comprising perimetric rim portions facing each other when the display device is in an assembled state, with fastening means comprising a projection protruding from each of the rim portion which comprises an opening extending into an internal hollow section, the projections being positioned such that said openings in each of the projections face each other when the display device is in said assembled state; a pin element fitting within the hollow sections for connecting the projections to each other.

Abstract: A resilient clip is provided for engaging a dog house coupling feature of a trim component. The resilient clip has a mating member for engaging a hole defined in a body panel. The resilient clip includes a triangular mating feature that is positioned relative to the coupling region. The triangular mating feature contacts at least one surface of the dog house structure to minimize rotation of the resilient clip with respect the to the dog house. This reduces rotation of the resilient clip with respect to the hole defined in the body panel.

Abstract: A buckle has a strap attaching structure which has at least one shock absorbing flexible portion attached to the strap attaching structure. The shock absorbing flexible portion can be a flexible fin, which extends longitudinally along the strap attaching structure. The free end of the fin extends away from the strap attaching structure. The strap is wrapped around the strap attaching structure and the flexible portion. When a force is exerted against the strap attaching structure by pulling on the strap, the strap presses against the flexible portion and causes it to bend, thus decelerating the load caused by the strap and absorbing the initial force on the buckle.

Abstract: Disclosed are interlocking safety restraint mechanisms and safety restraint systems incorporating such mechanisms. Embodiments of the safety restraint mechanisms include a first locking mechanism adapted to receive and lock into place a buckle tongue and a second locking mechanism adapted to receive and lock into place an anchor tongue. The interlocking safety restraint mechanism is configured to automatically release the buckle tongue upon insertion of the anchor tongue and is further configured to automatically release the anchor tongue upon insertion of the buckle tongue.

Abstract: A lace locker (100, 200) is disclosed having a housing (110, 210) that may include an attachment flange (112, 212), and a cam lever (120, 220) pivotably attached to the housing, such that the cam lever is movable between a locking position and a release position. The lace locker receives a lace (96) that extends between a toothed cam portion (123, 223) of the cam lever and a front wall (114, 214) of the housing, such that in the locking position the lace locker clampingly engages the lace. A lever portion (122, 222) of the lace locker includes an aperture adapted to accommodate the lace. A biasing member such as a spring (230) may optionally be included to bias the lace locker toward the locking position. A cooperative lever tab (241) and housing aperture (243) may be provided to temporarily latch the lace locker in the release position.

Abstract: To improve the liquid barrier properties of a carpet, a repellency compound, such as a fluorochemical, is applied to the backstitch side or underside of the primary backing layer of a carpet.

Abstract: A manufacturing process of a composite nonwoven composed of two webs, respectively, a lower web comprising long artificial and/or synthetic fibres, the size of which is between 15 and 80 mm, and an upper web comprising short natural fibres, the size of which is between 0.5 and 8 mm, characterized, on-line, by: dispersing fist of all the natural fibres into the water; then, putting the aqueous dispersion thus obtained on a carded lower web that is about to form or has been manufactured beforehand; then filtering the excess water through the lower web; then interlacing the fibres of the upper web with the fibres of the lower web with water jets; finally drying and then reeling up the obtained nonwoven composite. An installation for carrying out the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding a sheet of aligned parallel yarns onto a beam is described. The beam winder utilizes a circularly arced yarn spool rack that feeds each yarn with air flow to an alignment comb through associated guide tubes. The distance between each spool of yarn and the alignment comb is substantially the same for all spools of yarn, thereby equalizing the force necessary to pull them to the comb. Next, the aligned sheet of material is preshrunk using heated rollers and wound onto a beam. Multiple speed controlled stepper motors are utilized to maintain a constant low level of tension in the sheet during the shrinking process. After shrinkage, the tension level of the yarn sheet is increased as it is wrapped onto the beam. A turntable that supports two or more beams is provided to facilitate the rapid switching of beams once one beam has become full.

Abstract: Chamber inserts and apparatuses for processing a substrate. In an example, the chamber insert may include a cylindrical body portion including an open top end portion and an open bottom end portion, a first protruding portion extending outwardly from a first portion of the cylindrical body portion, the first portion positioned circumferentially along the cylindrical body portion and a second protruding portion extending outwardly from a second portion of the cylindrical body portion, the second portion positioned circumferentially along less than all of the cylindrical body portion. In another example, the chamber insert may include a cylindrical body portion including an open top end portion and an open bottom end portion, the cylindrical body portion including a slit and at least one hole, the slit and the at least one hole positioned circumferentially along the cylindrical body portion and a first protruding portion extending outwardly from a first portion of the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a head gimbal assembly incorporating a PZT micro-actuator includes providing a PZT element, mounting the PZT element to a micro-actuator to provide a PZT micro-actuator, mounting a slider to the PZT micro-actuator to provide a slider and PZT micro-actuator assembly, mounting the slider and PZT micro-actuator assembly to a head gimbal assembly, electrically connecting the slider and PZT micro-actuator assembly to the head gimbal assembly, and treating the PZT element.

Abstract: An office chair is provided having a contoured back assembly comprising a back frame and a suspension fabric. The fabric is attached to the back frame through a spline wherein the back frame has a three-dimensional contoured shape formed by overlapped frame rings with the fabric being joined thereto by a spline. The fabric is secured to the frame by a machine wherein the fabric is first stretched from the outer edge of the fabric and then is clamped to a frame surface in the pre-tensioned or pre-streched condition. The fabric edges are allowed to hang loose and then fixed in the frame by a spline. Once secured, the fabric is unclamped from the frame.

Abstract: An office chair is provided having a contoured back assembly comprising a back frame and a suspension fabric. The fabric is attached to the back frame about its periphery wherein the back frame has a three-dimensional contoured shape formed by overlapped frame rings with the fabric being joined thereto. The fabric is secured to the frame by a machine wherein the fabric is first stretched from the outer edge of the fabric and then is clamped by a front frame section in the pre-tensioned or pre-streched condition. The fabric edges are allowed to hang loose and then fixed in the front frame section. Once secured, the fabric is unclamped from the front frame section, and then this sub-assembly is affixed to the rear frame ring to complete the assembly of the back frame.

Abstract: A tool is provided for removing a fuel injector from a cylinder head. The tool comprises a pair of threaded bolts and an engaging member. The engaging member has a pair of threaded openings for threadably receiving each of the bolts. The engaging member is positioned adjacent the fuel injector such that when the bolts are threaded into the engaging member, the distal end of the bolts will engage the cylinder head moving the engaging member in a direction toward the proximal end of the bolt. The engaging member engages and drives the fuel injector axially outward relative to the cylinder head for extracting the fuel injector from the head.

Abstract: A process for cold forging a metal fastener such as a self-clinching standoff includes a punch and die set at the final head trimming station which produces the shear burr only on the underside of the fastener head where it is not visible after installation. A knock-out pin which is reciprocal within the bore of the punch forcibly ejects the fastener through a passage in the die to a point beyond an opposite side of the die. A stripper sleeve which is reciprocal about the outside surface of the punch then moves from a retracted position over the end of the punch pushing a residual scrap ring from around the outside of the punch.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of manufacturing a plurality of removable permanently magnetized elements from a substrate comprising ferrite material. The method prints symbol images on the substrate with an offset, automatic sheet-fed press, and die cuts the symbol images on the substrate with an automatic sheet-fed die cutter to form a plurality of elements forming portions of the substrate. Thereafter, the method magnetizes the ferrite material to permanently magnetize the substrate and form the plurality of permanently magnetized elements. The method reduces wastage, permits for improved substrate registration, more accurate symbol placement on the substrate, higher production speeds, and reduced labor costs.

Abstract: The installation kit is used to install a garbage disposer. The kit is used to apply a compressive force to the sink flange during installation of a plumbing element, such as a strainer assembly, and also to support the motor/chopping assembly. The kit facilitates fast and safe installation of the garbage disposer by a single installer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hardened structural parts from sheet steel. The method includes shaping at least one shaped part made of sheet steel provided with a cathodic corrosion protection coating, performing any required final trim of the shaped part and possibly any required punching, or the creation of a perforation pattern, subsequently heating the shaped part, at least over partial areas, under the admission of atmospheric oxygen to a temperature which permits austenizing of the steel material, and thereafter transferring the structural part to a mold-hardening tool and performing mold-hardening in the mold-hardening tool, wherein the structural part is cooled by the contact with and pressing by the mold-hardening tool and is hardened thereby.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a proximity probe offset to an axis defining an extension cable. The method and apparatus include a sensing element; a cylindrical part molded with a moldable material; a recess configured in one of two opposing ends defining the cylindrical part to receive the sensing element; a first and a second ferrule each extending from opposing surfaces defining an exterior of the cylindrical part, a first axis defining the first and second ferrules being offset from a second axis defining the cylindrical part; and an extension cable operably attached to the sensing element via the first and second ferrules, the sensing element being disposed offset relative to the extension cable.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotary driving device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mounting a turntable, which is equipped with an anti-slipping section on a disc-placeable surface, to a rotary shaft; rotating the turntable; and shaving off a disc-contact surface, with which a disc contacts when the disc is placed, of the anti-slipping section with a cutting tool through a cutting off machining method from outside of the disc-placeable surface toward the rotary shaft. A cutting edge of the cutting tool is placed widthwise in parallel with an end face of the anti-slipping section and thickness-wise along an axial direction of the rotary shaft. The cutting edge is set such that the sections of the tool other than the cutting edge do not touch the anti-slipping section.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetoresistive junction in a process of manufacturing a magnetoresistive memory cell includes providing a semiconductor substrate having at least one via contact layer on a main surface thereof, depositing a layered structure of magnetoresistive junction layers on the via contact layer, depositing an etch stop layer on the layered structure of magnetoresistive junction layers, depositing at least one hard mask layer on the etch stop layer, patterning and etching the hard mask layer to create a hard mask, removing of polymer residuals from the hard mask, etching of the etch stop layer, and etching the layered structure of magnetoresistive junction layers to create the magnetoresistive junction. The etching stops at the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte having a mixture of solvents including propylene carbonate (PC) and dimethoxyethane (DME), and a salt mixture. The salt mixture includes lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiTFS), and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonimide (LiTFSI), and the cell contains less than 1500 ppm by weight of sodium. The mixture of solvents can further include ethylene carbonate (EC).

Abstract: A machine to form the heads of coils made of relatively large rectangular wire so that it fits within the slots of the stator of an electric machine is described herein. The machine receives a coil having unformed first and second heads separated by first and second legs and apply controlled deformation thereto to yield properly shaped heads. The machine comprises first and second leg support mechanisms for gripping the first and second legs and four head forming elements for contacting portions of the heads of the wire coil while the first and second legs are gripped by the leg support. The head forming elements are mounted to the first and second leg support mechanisms for relative movement therebetween. Actuators, coupled to a controller so as to be controlled therefrom are provided for moving the head forming elements and the first and second heads between spaced apart relationships and forming relationships.

Abstract: A method for stringing a conductive element through a hollow sheath to assemble an electrical cable is provided by injecting compressed gas into the sheath to propel the conductive element therethrough. The conductive element is loaded into a closed channel in fluid communication with a source of compressed gas. A first end of the channel terminating in a needle is inserted into the sheath. The sheath is sealed around the needle and secured into position. Compressed gas, for example, air or nitrogen, is injected in pulses into the channel towards the sheath. The compressed gas radially expands the sheath and forms an air bearing on an inner surface of the sheath. The conductive element is propelled through the sheath over the air bearing. Upon removal of the pressurized gas, the sheath contracts to a normal position to secure the conductive element therein.

Abstract: A terminal crimping machine includes an applicator having crimp tooling configured to crimp a terminal to a wire in a crimping zone and an applicator motor driving the crimp tooling to and from the crimping zone. The machine also includes a feeder device positioned adjacent to the applicator, wherein the feeder device has a terminal feeding member configured to successively feed terminals to the crimping zone. A feeder motor drives the terminal feeding member in a terminal feeding direction and in a retracting direction, wherein the terminals are fed to the crimping zone as the terminal feeding member is moved in the terminal feeding direction.

Abstract: A component mounting device includes a head to which a component is attached e.g. by suction and a base for holding a substrate onto which the component is to be mounted. The head and the base are shifted relatively in an axial direction in order to mount the component onto the substrate. An attachment part is detachably attached to at least one of the head and the base, and has a projection at a position distant from the center of axis. The head and the base are shifted relatively in the axial direction so that the projection comes into contact with an opposing section on the head or the base. The relative shifting of the head and the base is repeated for a plurality of cycles while changing the attachment orientation of the attachment part for every cycle so that a plurality of coordinate values is obtained, each coordinate value corresponding to a contact point between the projection and the opposing section in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board assembly. A flexible printed circuit board assembly of the present invention comprises a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of circuit patterns; a connector mounted at a location spaced apart by a certain distance from an end of the flexible printed circuit board and electrically connected to the, circuit patterns; and a stiffener attached to a region on a bottom surface of the flexible printed circuit board below the connector and having a size corresponding to that of the connector. A connector inside portion and a connector outside portion of the flexible printed circuit board located inside and outside with respect to the connector can be bent. The connector outside portion is bent and bonded to a bottom surface of the stiffener, and the connector inside portion is bent and bonded to a bottom surface of the connector outside portion.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cable and the cable obtained by implementing the method. The cable comprises a central conductor of aluminum covered in a layer of copper, said method improving the mechanical characteristics of the cable, in particular in terms of elongation and bending, and increasing its lifetime. According to the invention, the method consists in interposing an intermediate layer of nickel, niobium, tantalum, or vanadium between the central conductor and the copper layer. The invention is applicable in particular in the aviation industry.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel injector nozzle where a nozzle seat and a nozzle insert are made using a metal injection molding process. The nozzle seat and the nozzle insert are assembled and bonded together while in their green state. The resulting nozzle assembly is then debinded and sintered to obtain the desired fuel injector nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylinder liner made from gray cast iron, an aluminum material or a ceramic material for an engine block for an internal combustion engine. According to the invention, it is provided that the cylinder liner has a thermally sprayed layer of a low-alloy iron alloy or a bonding layer, which consists of a nickel-aluminum alloy made up of 80 to 95% by weight of nickel and 5 to 20% by weight of aluminum, on its worn running surface, and has a layer serving as a tribological running surface on top of the bonding layer. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a cylinder liner of this type and to a composite part made up of an engine block for an internal combustion engine and at least one cylinder liner of this type. The invention allows the inexpensive repair of worn cylinder liners without the need to adapt new pistons.

Abstract: Pinion gears for planetary gear transmissions are hobbed, heat treated, and then ground to get better control of the leads/profiles on all the gear teeth. Then a light shot peening is applied to the tooth flanks to achieve the desired compressive residual stresses on the tooth surface. By applying the process in the controlled manner specified, the surface is not over-cold worked. Next, a chemically assisted isotropic surface treatment is applied over the pinion gears to improve the surface finish on the gear teeth. For low speed applications the surface finish improves the lambda ratio, allowing for a good oil film thickness on the surface of the gear teeth.

Abstract: A method of coating a hearing aid coil component. A fluidized bed is provided with a fusing powder. The coil component is heated to a predetermined temperature. The heated coil component is dipped into the fluidized bed for a predetermined dipping time of 3 seconds or less to develop a coating layer of a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: Manufacturing method for impregnating with lubricant a porous bearing material retained in a bearing retaining cavity in a bearing retainer. Under a reduced-pressure space within a vacuum chamber, a bearing structural unit in which a porous bearing material is retained in a bearing retaining cavity in a bearing retainer is, with an opening in the bearing structural unit directed down, immersed in or contacted on lubricant to cover over the bearing-structural-unit opening; by then restoring chamber pressure, the porous bearing material is impregnated with the lubricant. The manufacturing method controls to a minimum adhesion of lubricant to the bearing-retainer exterior, to eliminate as far as possible the trouble of lubricant cleanup, and at the same time makes the impregnation of the porous bearing material with lubricant more sound and facilitates the impregnation job despite its being under a reduced-pressure atmosphere.

Abstract: A personal accessory including a first device such as a money clip, and a magnet mounted on the first device, allowing a second magnetically attracted device such as a cigar cutter or another type of personal device to be removably linked to the first device.

Abstract: A hand-guided working tool has an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a fan wheel driven by the crankshaft. An air cleaning device is provided for cleaning the combustion air for the internal combustion engine. The air cleaning device has a dirt chamber and a vacuum channel extending away from the dirt chamber and opening in the area of the fan wheel. A section of the vacuum channel is formed by a vacuum hose. The vacuum hose is arranged in a mounting area of a fastening element and comprises a mounting channel through which the fastening element is accessible.

Abstract: An improved knife structure includes a main body having a plurality of connecting sections on an edge of the main body; a ceramic knife body having a plurality of connected sections on an edge of the ceramic knife body, and the connected sections are connected by the corresponding connecting sections of the ceramic knife body; a blade section disposed on another edge of the ceramic knife body; and two side panels disposed on both sides of the main body, so that the blade section of the knife is wear-resisting and easy to produce in mass quantity and has the effect of lowering costs.

Abstract: A disposable wooden utensil includes a handle having a distal end and an opposite neck end. A load-engaging member extends cantilevered from the neck end in generally coplanar alignment with the handle so as to form a neck between the handle and the load-engaging member. A raised dorsal ridge is formed substantially medially along the handle and extends substantially along the load-engaging member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a keyless shoe lock assembly for a reciprocating saw. The keyless shoe lock assembly is capable of engaging and releasing a shoe bracket for the positional adjustment of a shoe relative to a blade clamp of the reciprocating saw. The keyless shoe lock assembly includes a shoe bracket for positional adjustment relative to a lock plate, a pin for alternately engaging and releasing the shoe bracket, and a lever connected to the pin for the rotation therof. The keyless shoe lock assembly may be used to alternately engage and release a shoe bracket without additional hardware.

Abstract: A portable, hand-operated trimmer has a head module that is removably connected to a power control module. The head module has a power head enclosing an electric motor that is operatively connected to a trimming blade. The power head is selectably settable in a plurality of angular positions with respect to a head support, including a neutral position representing 0 degree rotation, 45 degree flexion and dorsiflexion positions, and 90 degree flexion and dorsiflexion positions. The power head also encloses a stator cartridge that is connected to the housing of the power head by a plurality of fastening members. The head support rotates about the stator cartridge and is engaged by way of a movable engagement pin that is received within a selected recess defined in the stator cartridge. The power head housing and stator cartridge further define molded sockets to receive corresponding pivot arms of the head support. An O-ring is disposed about one of the pivot arms to dampen free rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a laser leveling device that can generate a laser line at arbitrary angular positions within a predetermined angle range. The laser leveling device includes a housing, a laser generating module for generating a fan-shaped laser line on a vertical object surface to form a laser line thereon. The laser generating module is connected to the housing with a shaft-connection structure having an axis perpendicular to the vertical object surface, The laser leveling device further includes an electronic inclinometer module provided inside the housing and fixed relative to the laser generating module, and an electronic display module for displaying the angle of the laser line rotating around the axis with respect to a reference line. With this structure, the user can visually observe the angle of the laser line with respect to the reference line to conveniently and rapidly set the laser line in a desired angle.

Abstract: In an azimuth/inclination-angle detection apparatus, a measurement data obtaining unit obtains first and second measurement data sets g and h from acceleration and magnetic sensors, respectively. A first computation unit calculates an azimuth ?0, an elevation angle ?0, and a geomagnetism depression angle ?0 from the measurement data sets g and h. An averaging unit accumulates and averages the geomagnetism depression angle ?0 so as to obtain a value to be used as a geomagnetism depression angle ?. A second computation unit calculates an azimuth ? and an elevation angle ? from the second measurement data set h and the geomagnetism depression angle ?. When a plurality of solutions exist, they are stored as candidates (?1, ?1) and (?2, ?2). A selection unit selects a detection value (?, ?) from the candidates (?1, ?1) and (?2, ?2) with reference to the above-described values ?0 and ?0 serving as reference values.

Abstract: Provided herein is a sheet material cutting apparatus having a cutter with a cutting surface; a cutting surface guard disposed about the cutting surface of the cutter; and a cutting table disposed about the cutting surface of the cutter. The cutting surface guard further has an opening for receiving the sheet material. The cutting table further has a receiving surface for receiving the sheet material for cutting. The cutting table further has a spacer hole for receiving the cutting surface of the cutter, preventing the cutting surface of the cutter from contacting objects not received by the receiving surface of the cutting table. The spacer hole of the cutting table further has a hole there through the cutting table, preventing accumulation of matter within the spacer hole. The cutter is disposed on an upright mobility device, providing control of the apparatus from a position elevated from the cutting elevation.

Abstract: This invention pertains to systems and methods for removing wrinkles in apparel and other fabrics using a conventional dryer. The system utilizes a fluid-dispensing container, or “dryer ball”. The dryer ball is included with the articles of clothing during the dryer cycle. During the agitation of the dryer cycle the dryer ball will release a fluid contained therein. In certain aspects of the invention the dryer ball will be a substantially spherical receptacle containing a fluid or fluid-like substance. The fluid will be released in a temporal fashion during the dryer cycle. The combined action of the ball and the released fluid during the dryer cycle facilitates the removal of wrinkles from fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for drying and conditioning sports equipment and apparel. A base contains an airflow generator, such as a motorized fan. Ambient temperature air is conveyed through a plurality of tubular members. Apertures in the tubular members allow for airflow to be conveyed to the surface of sports equipment or apparel. The sports equipment and apparel is maintained a distance from the apertures by pegs, pins or other support members. The base may contain a pad for conveying airflow with a fragrance or an antifungal agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and warming a towel or other articles includes a cabinet having an open top and a bar removably mounted across the top end of the cabinet. A towel to be dried and warmed is draped over the bar and suspended in the cabinet. Heated air, preferably supplied by a standard hair dried is introduced through an opening through the lower end of the cabinet. The open top of the cabinet provides for a bottom-to-top flow path for the heated air supplied to the cabinet. With the towel disposed in the flow path it is thereby heated by the air circulating therethrough by exposing both the inner surface and outer surface of the draped towel to the heated air.

Abstract: The object is to provide a method for drying and storing activated aluminum fine particles which can be a hydrogen source for fuel cells for a long term without being deactivated. A thermal shock treatment as an activation of the aluminum fine particles, which repeats rapid heating and cooling, is performed to aluminum fine particles obtained by milling aluminum alloy; moisture contained in the activated aluminum fine particles is filtrated; said aluminum fine particles are pre-frozen; and the aluminum fine particles are freeze-dried and then stored in nitrogen atmosphere or vacuum-packed.

Abstract: Process for upgrading wood parts, wherein the wood parts in a hydrothermolysis step are brought under the influence of saturated steam at a temperature in the range of 130-220° C., such that a conversion of hemicellulose and lignin present in the wood parts takes place, wherein the wood parts are subsequently dried in a curing step to a moisture content which is lower than about 3 wt. % at a temperature in the range of 100-220° C., wherein the wood parts at the start of the hydrothermolysis step have an initial moisture content which is in the range of 10-25 wt. %.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding device comprising: a sheet storage case which stores sheets; a heating reproduction type dehumidification member; moving means which moves the dehumidification member; and a heating reproduction section having heating means which reproduces the dehumidification member by heating, wherein the heating reproduction section is connected to the sheet storage case such that they are separated from each other, the dehumidification member is disposed across the interior of the sheet storage case and the heating reproduction section and moved cyclically between the interior of the sheet storage case and the heating reproduction section by the moving means, and the dehumidification member dehumidified in the interior of the sheet storage case is reproduced by heating by the heating means in the heating reproduction section.

Abstract: A ventilating structure for a shoe is provided, which contains a duct member containing a number of air ducts communicating with a plurality of through holes at the sole's rim, a first pad member having a plurality of through holes on top of the duct member, a semi-spherical bubble member fixedly attached to the top of the first pad member covering at least a through hole of the first pad member directly above an air duct of the duct member, and a second pad member on top of the first pad member having a number of through holes and a bulged section accommodating the bubble member. As a user walks on a shoe of the invention, the bubble member, like a pump, undergoes intermittent compressions and releases by the user's foot, causing warm and humid air to be expelled out or fresh air to be drawn inside of the shoe quickly and periodically.

Abstract: A ribbon capable of being connected to a ballet shoe and wrapped around the ankle of a person wearing the ballet shoe to secure the ballet shoe to the person, wherein the ribbon is made of a material that can expand and contract, and wherein the ribbon is capable of remaining snug against the ankle as the person moves their ankle with respect to their toes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe for providing enhanced comfort and protection to a user's foot having a sole with a top surface, an upper placed above the top surface, an optional arch made of a single unit of malleable material and placed between the top surface and upper, and an optional metatarsal guard made of a single unit of malleable material and placed between the top surface and upper. A bootie having a bottom is removably attached to the top surface by a securing mechanism placed between the top surface and bottom of bootie. The invention also includes a method for making the shoe.