Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a cord lock assembly configured to selectively tighten and loosen a draw cord of an article. The cord lock assembly may include a shell, a piston and a spring member. The shell defines an interior chamber and includes aligned shell cord passages. The piston is slidably retained within the interior chamber. The piston includes a piston cord passage formed therethrough. The spring member exerts a force into the piston within the shell so that the piston cord passage is misaligned with respect to the shell cord passages in a locked position. A cord may be operatively secured to the piston and may be configured to be pulled to move the piston to align the piston cord passage with the shell cord passages in an unlocked position so that a draw cord may freely pass therethrough.

Abstract: A band clamp includes an elongated band having a base portion which in cross section extends in a plane and first and second side portions. The first and second side portions of the band protrude away from the plane. A first housing is attached to the band and a second housing is attached to the band in a spaced manner from the first housing. A fastener is attached to one of the first and second housings in an adjustable manner. The fastener selectively engages with another of the first and second housings in a quick connect manner, such that the first and second housings can be brought closer to each other for tensioning the clamp around an associated object.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic tie down device with flexible, fabric hook and loop fastener panels that reduce or eliminate the safety and other risks associated with tie down devices that include rigid structural elements such as hooks, locks, clamps, and the like. Such a device would prevent damage or marring of the surface to which the tie-down device is being secured. The tie-down device would be suitable with a wide range of connection points so as to be operable with larger anchor points or oddly shaped anchor points that are not operable with traditional tie down hooks. The improved device might also allow for the selective attachment of a traditional, rigid hook.

Abstract: A method for producing closure elements for metal touch-and-close fasteners, in a metal carrier (3) notches (13) corresponding to the outlines of hook elements (1) to be configured being made, while leaving a connecting line in each case, and bending operations being carried out in order to raise the regions delimited by the notches (13) as hooking elements (1) around the connecting lines serving as bending lines out of the plane of the carrier (3), is characterized in that the carrier (3) is guided through the region (5) of the tooth engagement between rotational bodies (7, 9) having peripheral teeth, wherein the tooth shapes of the rotational bodies (7, 9) and the type of the tooth engagement are selected such that the tooth engagement is effective with respect to cutting for the configuration of the notches (13) and effective with respect to stamping for the bending operations.

Abstract: A belt clamp comprising a first member, a second member having a hinge engagement with the first member at a distal end of the second member, the second member having a recess for receiving a belt, a fastener for clamping the first member to the second member, and the first member having a side portion that is proximately alignable with the second member by operation of the hinge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking apparatus for an accessory. The locking apparatus includes a locking housing having a space section, a rotary lever rotating about a hinge, a torsion spring supporting the rotary lever, a push part exposed out of the locking housing, a first locking protrusion provided in the rotary lever and a locking bar having a second locking protrusion. When the locking bar is inserted into the locking housing, the second locking protrusion is locked with the first locking protrusion, so that the accessory is locked. When the push part is pressed, the second locking protrusion is separated from the first locking protrusion, so that the accessory is unlocked.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiments, the device and method for fastening includes a first component including an aperture, and a second component including a base with a perpendicular post to be inserted into the aperture to engage the fastener and of a diameter similar to the diameter of the aperture, a sprung latch with a flange to be inserted into the aperture along with the post that engages the surface of the first component underneath the aperture to fasten the second component to the first component, a rotating actuator that rotates on an axis on the base and actuates the flanges to allow clearance for insertion or extraction from the aperture, and a hinge to assemble the rotating actuator to the base.

Abstract: A buckle device 10 for a seat belt includes: an anchor plate 11 that can be attached to a vehicle body side; a buckle 20 to which a tongue of the seat belt can be detachably attached; and a woven fabric 30 that is passed through hole portions 14, 26 formed respectively in the anchor plate 11 and the buckle 20, the woven fabric 30 being folded back so as to overlap at least triply and being sewn together in the overlapping part. A tip end portion 31a of the woven fabric 30 tucked into the inner side contacts the opposing buckle 20.

Abstract: A knot retainer (1) for preventing a knot (2) comprising a knot body (8) from unintentionally becoming undone. The retainer comprises a plate-like member (3) and at least one thread-like member (4). The plate-like member (3) comprises a first end (5) and a second end (6) opposite the first end. The plate-like member further comprises first fastening means (10, 12, 13) for attaching and holding a first portion (16) of the thread-like member at or near the first end and second fastening means (11, 14, 15) for attaching and holding a second portion (17) of the thread-like member at or near the second end. The at least one thread-like member comprises at least a third portion (18) and a fourth portion (19) for being arranged adjacent the knot body on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the plate-like member and the thread-like member is elastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a multifilament thread in a melt-spinning process, wherein a treatment channel is formed between a housing plate and an impact plate. The housing plate has a nozzle bore which opens into the treatment channel and is connected to a compressed-air connection. Together with the housing plate, the impact plate forms an inlet opening and an outlet opening at both ends of the treatment channel. In order to check the swirling effects which are produced on the thread by the eddying within the treatment channel, according to the invention the impact plate has a thread guiding element in the part piece of the treatment channel between the nozzle bore and the inlet opening, which thread guiding element is configured so as to protrude into the treatment channel in order to deflect the thread.

Abstract: A machine tool for pointing a plurality of wires is provided. The machine tool comprises a magazine, a base frame, a slide guide, a fixture, a grinder, and a numerical control system. The magazine is operable for holding the plurality of wires, to extend a wire end from the magazine and to allow relative freedom of rotation of the wires along their longitudinal axis. The slide guide is coupled to the base frame and extends from a loading station to a grinding station. The fixture has clamping sections operable to pivot toward each other to engage the wires therebetween. The numerical control system is operable to control the fixture and the grinder. The fixture is operable to translate along the slide guide to engage the wire end with the grinder. The fixture and the grinder cooperate to grind a desired number of facets into the wire end.

Abstract: A processing module positioning system for window blind slats utilizes a position adjustment assembly to move plural processing modules to predetermined positions. The position adjustment assembly includes a servo motor employed to drive a connecting strap. A position control frame is fixed on the connecting strap, so that when the connecting strap is driven to move, the position control frame will be moved by the connecting strap to drive the processing modules connected on the position control frame to move. The position control frame can be connected to and disconnected from the processing modules.

Abstract: A hand-operated rivet setting tool, having an upper handle, a lower handle, a housing which is connected to the lower handle at its first end and houses a pump assembly and a flexible reservoir, the pump assembly, connected to a flexible reservoir, the front assembly for setting a rivet, having a nose tube connected to a hydraulic cylinder of the pump assembly, a lever assembly, wherein the lever assembly and at least one of the handles are operationally connected to the pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly is sufficiently designed to advance the hydraulic cylinder with the nose tube to set the rivet when the lever of the lever assembly is in a first position, and wherein the pump assembly is sufficiently designed to open a passage for oil to return into the flexible reservoir and the hydraulic cylinder with the nose tube to retrieve toward the housing when the lever of the lever assembly is in a second position.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool including an anvil member having a swage cavity, a collet having a pull section with a fastener engagement end and a plurality of teeth, and an anvil member. The plurality of teeth includes a first tooth with a first inner diameter, and each of the remainder of teeth includes a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. The collet has a protrusion extending the length of the pull section to increase the contact area with the anvil member. The anvil member includes a swage cavity with an entrance section, a swage land located adjacent to the entrance section, and an inner bore located adjacent to the swage land.

Abstract: A handle structure suitable for disposing on a surface of a carrier is provided. The carrier has a locating part is assemble to a case. The handle structure includes a holder, an elastic element and a fastening element. The holder has a rotating axis and a locating element, and has a first end and a second end opposite thereto. The rotating axis connecting to the carrier is disposed on the first end, and the holder is pivoted on the surface. The locating element disposed on the first end interferes with the locating part. The elastic element has a first fixing part fixed to the carrier and a pushing part connected to the first fixing part and pushing against the holder. The fastening element has a second fixing part fixed to the carrier and a fastening part connected to the second fixing part and fastened to the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a dry tube assembly includes a mounting structure configured to mount the apparatus to a top guide of a reactor vessel, a clamping assembly configured to engage the dry tube assembly, and a positioning assembly that is configured to position and rotate the clamping assembly relative to the dry tube assembly. The dry tube assembly is buckled and removed without exercising a joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vapour barrier collar (1) comprising a number of sheet elements (2, 3, 4, 5) including side sheet elements (2, 3), which extend substantially along a longitudinal axis (L), and top (4) and bottom (5) sheet elements, respectively, which extend substantially along a lateral axis (A), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L). Each sheet element (2, 3, 4, 5) has two end edges (6) adjacent to a first edge (7) of the sheet element (2, 3, 4, 5). The sheet elements (2, 3, 4, 5) are mutually joined together in joints (8) extending along the end edges (6), and mounting means (9) are provided along the first edges (7) of the sheet elements (2, 3, 4, 5). The mounting means (9) extend uninterruptedly along the entire length of the first edge (7) of each sheet element (2, 3, 4, 5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alignment apparatus for use in the construction of modular or prefabricated structures and a method for aligning the individual modules using the alignment apparatus. The apparatus is comprised of a first plate that has at least one pin positioned axially through the first plate, and an optional second plate having a pin-receiving hole. The modules are aligned by fastening the first plate to a first module and drilling a hole in the first and second modules to receive the pin. The modules are then joined together and are aligned by sliding the pin into the holes of the modules.

Abstract: A method is provided for mounting a wing of an aircraft to a fuselage of the aircraft, in which a difference between a vertical target position and a vertical actual position of a mounting point is determined Then, on the basis of the determined difference, a readjustment of the wing is performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for placing rivet elements by means of a portable riveting device driven by an electric motor, comprising a placing device, wherein the force of the placing device utilized to place a rivet element is monitored based on the current consumed by the electric motor, wherein the path travelled by the rivet clement during the placement operation and/or travelled by the placing device during the placement operation of the rivet element is repeatedly measured by at least one sensor unit, and wherein the force of the placing device exerted on the respective measuring point is determined at the respective measuring point and is compared to a reference force value range for the respective measuring point, wherein the placement operation of the rivet element is not qualitatively accepted, if at a measuring point the force of the placing device exerted at said measuring point is outside the reference force value range for said measuring point.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a face plate for a golf club head comprises providing a label for the face plate of the golf club head, providing a mold apparatus, positioning the label in the mold apparatus, providing a mold compound in a non-solid form, positioning the mold compound over the label and in the mold apparatus, and changing the mold compound to a solid form defining the face plate after positioning the mold compound over the label and in the mold apparatus. Other examples, methods, and related apparatuses are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electric rotating machine having a stator that includes a stator core having slots formed at an inner periphery thereof, and a stator winding constituted by conductive wires wound on the slots. The stator winding includes in-slot portions accommodated in the slots and turn portions each connecting each adjacent two of the in-slot portions outside the slots. The stator core includes a core member having at least three tooth portions extending in a radial direction of the stator core and a core back portion integrally connecting the tooth portions at a radially end side thereof. The core member is configured such that each of the first tooth portions folded toward the core back portion is capable of unfolding to extend between a corresponding adjacent two of the in-slot portions when the core member is at a predetermined axial position with respect to the stator winding.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotor for rotating electrical machines, notably an alternator, the rotor including two magnet wheels defining between them at least one interpole space arranged to receive at least one magnet. At least one angular indexing mark is produced on at least one of the magnet wheels. At least one groove partially delimiting the interpole space is formed, by machining, on the magnet wheel while maintaining the magnet wheel in an angular position dependent on the angular indexing mark.

Abstract: A process for forming a lamination stack of superposed metallic laminations, comprising the steps of: providing a locking lamination having locking openings adjacent to respective projecting tabs; providing a passage lamination with passage openings, each having a deformed edge portion; axially aligning and fitting each tab of the locking lamination through a passage opening of the passage lamination; and pressing each tab against an adjacent face of the passage lamination, until each tab is contained in a respective passage opening of the passage lamination and partially seated on an edge portion of the passage opening, deformed to the inside of the locking opening of the locking lamination, axially locking the latter to the passage lamination.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic powder production method, a magnetic sheet production method, and an antenna module production method that are capable of reducing a size of magnetic particles, achieving thinning and a low loss, and improving magnetic permeability without lowering it. At least two oxide-based magnetic materials are mixed, preliminarily calcined, and pulverized. The pulverized magnetic materials are typically formed into a paste by being dispersed in an organic solvent, and the magnetic materials are applied onto a film after being subjected to defoaming processing. Accordingly, a sheet-like magnetic material is formed. The sheet-like magnetic material is cut into predetermined sizes so as to be fragmented into particles, with the result that magnetic particles are formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabrication method of an element with nanogap electrodes including a first electrode, a second electrode provided above the first electrode, and a gap provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, the gap being in an order of nanometer to allow resistive state to be switched by applying a predetermined voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, the method comprising: forming the first electrode; forming a spacer on an upper surface of the first electrode; forming the second electrode in contact with an upper surface of the spacer; and removing the spacer to form the gap.

Abstract: To provide a chip mounting system in which a whole system can be made compact in size irrespective of the fact that a transfer stage and a tool holding member are installed between a chip feeding section and a substrate holding section. In a chip mounting system 1 in which a transfer stage 16 is disposed between a chip feeding stage 3 and a substrate holding stage 4 and a pick-up head 22 and a mounting head 33 are provided movably in a Y-axis direction in which the chip feeding stage 3 and the substrate holding stage 4 are aligned, a movable table 15 which is movable in an X-axis direction which intersects the Y-axis direction at right angles is provided in a region R0 defined between the chip feeding stage 3 and the substrate holding stage 4, and the transfer stage 16 and a tool holding member 63 which holds at least one of replacement tools 23a, 34a for a pick-up tool 23 and a mounting tool 34 are provided on the movable table 15.

Abstract: Two concentrically-arranged annular reservoirs 32, 33 are placed at a position spaced away from a substrate 9 along a direction of movement of a stamping head 4, and the stamping head 4 is arranged so as to be able to linearly move between the reservoirs 32, 33 and the substrate 9. Paste is retained in the inner reservoir 32, and the outer reservoir 33 serves as a test-stamping field. The stamping head 4 performs paste stamping operation while moving between a position P1 set on the reservoir 32 and the substrate 9. A position P2 where test-stamping is performed is set on the reservoir 33 along a traffic line of the stamping head 4.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling a pair of implantable neurostimulator lead extension plugs to a connector port of a neurostimulator device includes a connector coupled to a first end of an elongate body and a flexible bifurcation member coupled to a second end of the elongate body, wherein the bifurcation member includes a first branch, to which a first housing, having first and second ports, is coupled, and a second branch, to which a second housing, having first and second ports, is coupled. Openings of the first and second ports of each housing provide for side-by-side insertion of first and second connector terminals of one of the lead extension plugs. Contacts within each port provide for electrical coupling with corresponding contacts of the connector terminals of the plug, and are coupled to corresponding contacts of the adapter connector via conductors extending within the elongate body between the corresponding housing and connector.

Abstract: An RFID device interposer has folded ends that bring conductive lead end portions of conductive leads of the interposer to an underside of the interposer. The central conductive lead portions of the conductive leads remain on an upper surface of a dielectric substrate of the interposer. The folded ends of the interposer may be held together with an adhesive, or with thermal compression bonding. The interposer may also have an additional conductive material layer on an underside of the dielectric substrate. The conductive material layer may be capacitively coupled to the conductive leads of the interposer. The interposer may be tuned by varying the pressure used to secure the folded ends. This may be used to provide a better impedance match between a chip of the interposer, and the conductive leads and an antenna to which the interposer is coupled.

Abstract: A device suitable for placing a component on a substrate is provided with a component feeding device, a component pick-and-place device comprising a nozzle, a substrate carrier, means for moving the component pick-and-place device from the component feeding device to the substrate carrier and vice versa, as well as a global measuring system for determining the position of the component pick-and-place device during movement of the component pick-and-place device from the component feeding device to the substrate carrier and vice versa. The device is further provided with a local measuring system, remote from the global measuring system, for almost continually determining, in the proximity of a desired position of the component on the substrate, the position of the component pick-and-place device with respect to the substrate, which local measuring system is located closer to the substrate carrier than the global measuring system.

Abstract: A shielding arrangement for an electronic component mounted on a circuit board includes a shield formed by a frame sidewall arranged to be oriented upstanding from the circuit board and surrounding the electronic component mounted on the circuit board. A first cover portion substantially closes the surrounding sidewall, enclosing the electronic component on the circuit board. A conductive layer, formed by vacuum deposition covers an inside surface of the surrounding sidewall and an inside surface of the first cover portion, continuously. As an alternative to the conductive layer, the frame can be composed of an electrically conductive plastic. The first cover portion can be a stamped metal plate integrated with the frame by overmolding.

Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing a damaged section of an air-cooled turbine blade, the blade having a first wall, a second wall, a trailing edge, and a plurality of cooling holes, the plenum formed between the first and second walls and having a predetermined shape, and the plurality of cooling holes formed on the trailing edge in flow communication with the plenum and having predetermined shapes. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the method includes the steps of injecting a filler material into the blade plenum and the plurality of blade cooling holes, the filler material capable of solidifying into the predetermined shapes of the blade plenum and blade cooling holes. Then, the damaged section of the blade is laser welded and machined to original dimensions. Next, the filler material is removed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a radiator including preparing, aligning, punching, bending, shearing and riveting, rotating, and removing processes is provided. The shearing, riveting, and rotating processes are repeated. A sheet metal is continuously punched to form a plurality of heat dissipation fins in a manufacturing machine, the heat dissipation fins are then orderly sheared, inserted into the metal base, and further fixed with the metal base by two-direction riveting. The radiator can thus be obtained in an automatic and faster process without unnecessary assembling steps with higher yield and reduced costs.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling a prosthetic heart valve, including a procedure for tightly wrapping fabric around a heart valve support stent. The support stent typically includes alternating cusps and commissures that create a highly contoured undulating outflow edge. The system includes a mandrel for retaining tension without manual assistance in a tubular length of fabric wrapped over the support stent. The mandrel may include an inner clamping mechanism for holding the first end of the fabric tube, a pedestal tube on which the support stent rests and through which the fabric tube passes, and an outer clamping mechanism for holding the free end of the fabric tube. The inner and outer clamping mechanisms include discrete clamps spaced apart 120° from each other that pull the fabric only in the cusps of the support stent. The inner clamping mechanism, outer clamping mechanism, and pedestal are relatively axially movable.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head that includes a discharge port, a supply path for supplying the liquid to the discharge port, a transparent member, and an absorptive member, wherein the transparent member and the absorptive member include supply path sections that become a part of a wall of the supply path. The method includes bringing the transparent and absorptive member into contact with each other in such a manner that surfaces of both members including the supply path sections are brought into contact with each other in the vicinity of the supply path sections, welding the both members by irradiating the contact portion where the both members are in contact with each other with the laser beam, and exhausting gas from an exhaust path formed on the liquid discharge head in the vicinity of the contact portion at least throughout the welding process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a wheel hub to reduce lateral run-out. Specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for machining the inner and outer surfaces of the wheel hub after the wheel bolts and bearing have been attached to the wheel hub. A grind wheel is used to finish an inner flange portion and outer flange portion of the wheel hub.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of forming reinforcements, baffles and seals having malleable carriers. The process typically includes application of an activatable material to a malleable carrier and contouring of the activatable material the malleable carrier or both.

Abstract: A method for assembling a tower includes positioning a heated ring-shaped metal billet within a hot rolling mechanism. The hot rolling mechanism is rolled about at least a portion of the heated ring-shaped metal billet. At least a portion of the heated ring-shaped metal billet is removed, thereby at least partially forming a weld neck on the heated ring-shaped metal billet. The weld neck is welded to a tower can, thereby at least partially assembling a tower.

Abstract: A nail clipper including threaded supporting shaft and threaded inner wall of a blade body the most away from the lever. The threaded supporting shaft and the threaded inner wall of the blade body can be screwed together clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the distance between the two cutting edges.

Abstract: A cigar cutter mainly formed by a bottom sheet, a left blade, a right blade and an upper sheet. The four sheets are locked by a stud, while the left and right blade are movable with respective to the bottom sheet. The centers of these sheets have holes which are aligned. When a cigar passes through the hole, the two blades can move inwards to cut the cigar. A skilled design mechanism is formed in the four sheets so that as the two blades can be received within the two blades in a storage state. When it is desired to insert a cigar into the holes of the sheets, the two blades can be compressed inwards, and than the blades will resilient outwards by resilient forces of springs.

Abstract: A folding knife has a slot disposed in the thickness of the tang with a roller cam extending outside of the perimeter of the tang and rotatably attached within the slot. A safety assembly disposed within the handle has a stud extending through a slot in the handle and moves the assembly between a safe and an unsafe position. In the safe position the safety assembly is forced against the tang thereby preventing opening. An adjustable bias element assists the blade in exiting the blade slot. The bias element is in spring communication with the roller cam. Applying pressure to the stud urges the blade from the closed position as the bias element is centered with the roller cam and the blade is forced to an open position by the spring force of the bias element on the roller cam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a chainsaw safety device are described. In some embodiments, a method comprises activating a chainsaw, receiving a first acceleration value associated with acceleration of the chainsaw, comparing the first acceleration value to a predetermined acceleration threshold, and deactivating the chainsaw based on the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending the useful life of a cutting edge of a cutting edge tool is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing for supporting a cutting edge tool such as a shaving razor. Disposed within the housing can be at least one metal member that is positioned underneath or in proximity to the cutting edge of the tool. The metal member can comprise a plurality of upward facing protrusions configured in a grid pattern. The method comprises providing a housing containing the metal member, and placing a cutting edge tool on the housing such that the cutting edge is positioned in proximity to the metal member. It is observed that placing a cutting edge tool on the apparatus can prevent or inhibit oxidation from forming on the cutting edge, thereby extending the cutting tool's useful life.

Abstract: A spirit level comprises a planar base that functions, with the level in a first orientation, as a first level face which rests, in use, on a surface of an item whose level is to be determined. The level is further provided with leveling means comprising first and second vials each filled with a liquid to form a bubble, the longitudinal axis of the first vial being substantially parallel to the plane of the planar base, the longitudinal axis of the second vial being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first vial. Optical means are provided to provide an image of one of the vials such that the level of the surface can be determined about two axes, with the planar base resting on the surface of the item whose level is to be determined.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.

Abstract: A headstack locator assembly for locating and fixing a headstack on a spinstand and which mitigates the aforementioned prior art limitations. The headstack locator assembly includes a headstack locator received on a fixed locator. The headstack locator connects to a headstack, while the fixed locator is permanently secured to a spinstand. A vacuum is used to clamp the headstack locator to the fixed locator for testing of the headstack. Upon test completion, the headstack locator is released from the fixed locator by applying positive air pressure to the assembly. More generally, an apparatus and methods for generally locating and reversibly, pneumatically coupling various elements to each other.

Abstract: A laundry drying device, including a front wall; a seal connected to the front wall; a rear wall; a tub located between the front wall and the rear wall; a rotatable laundry drum arranged in the tub, the rotatable laundry drum being accessible by way of the seal; and a heat pump. The heat pump includes an evaporator that is arranged at least partially between the laundry drum and the rear wall; and a condenser that is arranged at least partially above the laundry drum.

Abstract: A shoe-cover dispenser is described, including, for example, features that facilitate the simultaneous loading of multiple shoe covers and/or features that prevent incomplete release of shoe covers. The shoe-cover dispenser can include a shell and a removable shoe-cover cartridge sized to fit within the shell. The removable shoe-cover cartridge can be configured to releasably hold a plurality of shoe covers, such as by releasably holding three or more clips attached to an elastic element of each shoe cover. These clips can be preloaded into the removable shoe-cover cartridge prior to delivery to an end-user. Release of a shoe cover can be initiated by downward movement of a foot pad. To prevent tilting of the foot pad, the shell can include a guide plate substantially abutting a substantially vertical side of the foot pad and/or an alignment rod positioned within a substantially vertical hole in the foot pad.

Abstract: A sandal type overshoe for releasable mounting on primary footwear, e.g., a boot or shoe, is disclosed. The overshoe comprises a sole with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a hindfoot portion. Toe, side and heel anchor pieces are disposed along the perimeter of the sole and accept two removable lace pieces, one of which connects the front anchor piece and the side anchor pieces, and one of which connects the heel anchor pieces to the side anchor pieces. The sole portion has a ground engaging surface that can provide enhanced traction or other functionality.