Abstract: A midsole (18) is formed from a first, interior member (26) and a second, exterior member (28) molded around the top and sides of the first member (26). The first and second members (26) and (28) are formed of cushionable material and the second member (28) has a higher hardness and resiliency than the first member (26).

Abstract: A transport system (10) for transporting a litter carrier (40) from one location onboard a first ship to a second location onboard another ship includes a retractable boom (12) having a stationary member (16) and a telescoping member (18) slidably engaged therein. Boom (12) also includes a hoist unit (28) which is operatively connected through a hoist cable (34) to carrier (40) to cause movement thereof. Carrier (40) includes acoustic rangefinders (50) and contact detectors (52) which are electrically coupled to a control circuit (60) located onboard one of the vessels through internal electrical conductors in hoist cable (34). Rangefinders (50) generate signals indicative of the distance between carrier (40) and a selected one of the ships. Contact detectors (52) provide signals which indicate whether carrier (40) is in transit or has landed onto a ship.

Abstract: A real time seismic telemetry system includes a central station (10) for communication with a plurality of remote data acquistion units (14). The command station (10) has a command unit (34) for controlling the operation of a transmitter (40) for providing instructions to the data acquistion units (14). The data acquistion units (14) receive the data on a receiver (80) and process the data in a logic control circuit (88). Remote data is picked up with a hydrophone (30) and converted to digital data for transmission through a transmitter (78) which is tuned to a discrete channel for each data acquistion unit (14). The command station (10) has a PCM receiver (62) tuned to each of the channels for demodulating the data stream therefrom. A digital receiver (66) is provided for synchronizing and processing the data. The digital receiver (66) synchronizes both to the bit rate and to the beginning and ending of the digital word such that data contained in the digital word can be multiplexed onto a data bus (68).

Abstract: A pad (30) for the protection and support of the Achilles tendon of the foot is provided for an over-the-ankle shoe (10). The pad (30) is formed of resiliently yieldable material and is disposed between the exterior upper (26) of the shoe and an interior linear (28). The pad (30) extends vertically from the top (38) of the shoe downward sufficiently to cover the most exteriorly prominent section of the Achilles tendon, and extends horizontally at least far enough to protect the Achilles tendon from strain or injury, while allowing for flexure of same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hub replacement device for use in vehicle tire retreading processes. An envelope (30) is sealed against the tire carcass sidewalls (22, 24) to provide an environmental seal of the new tread (54) on the carcass crown (50) during the vulcanization process. Three arcuate rigid plates (16, 18, 20), each with a pair of ribs (56, 58), are installed between the carcass beads (12, 14), for supporting the beads (12, 14), a predetermined distance apart along a majority of the bead circumference. Integral with each support plate (16, 18, 20) are pairs of opposing toggle clamps (32, 40) with hooked ends (36). A pair of annular discs (26, 28) are located on each side of the tire for applying a compressive force on the envelope (30) against the carcass sidewalls (22, 24). The annular discs (26, 28) are each equipped with pairs of anchor loops (42, 44) to which the hooked ends (36) of the toggle clamps (32,40) are releasably engaged.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe (10) includes joining a toe bottom sock portion (54) on a join line (56) to a toe portion (46) of an upper (12) to form a shoe sock (57). The join line (56) is near toe portion bottom margin (60) and the front perimeter of sock portion (54), and extends from a first side (50) of shoe (10) around the front (51) to a second side (52). A sole (30) is joined to the shoe sock (57) to complete the shoe (10).

Abstract: A combined animal feeder and waterer including a hopper (20) that stores a quantity of pelletized material and is partially closed at the bottom by a restricting plate (40). The restricting plate has an orifice (38) extending therethrough and offset from the center of the hopper (20). The orifice (38) extends downwardly and rearwardly into an agitation chamber (32) wherein a rotor (34) is disposed for agitating the pelletized material and disposing it outward through an orifice into a feeding bowl (16). A water reservoir (66) is included in the base and integral therewith and communicates with a drinking well (17) through an orifice (70). The orifice (70) is disposed in the lower portion of the interface between the reservoir (66) and the drinking well (17). A breathing hole (72) allows the water in the reservoir (66) to seek the same level as the water in the drinking well (17) by a gravity feed distribution system. The size of the drinking well (17) is small relative to the size of the reservoir (66).

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both user and non-users with limited access provided to the non-user under the control of the user. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscribed with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). Selected non-users may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of the selected non-users determined by a subscriber user. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system.

Abstract: A stabilizing strap (80) for external use with a shoe (98) includes a plantar strap (82), a first dorsal strap (84), a second dorsal strap (86) and an Achilles strap (94). Dorsal strap (84) is attached at one end to the medial end of plantar strap (82) and at one end thereof dorsal strap (86) is attached to the lateral end of plantar strap (82). Achilles strap (94) is attached at one end thereof to the medial end of plantar strap (82). A ring clasp (96) is attached to the lateral end of plantar strap (82) for receiving the free end of Achilles strap (94) and for cooperating therewith to enable adjustable tensioning of the strap about shoe (98). Eyelets (88) are provided along the edges (90, 92) of dorsal straps (84, 86). A lace (106) is provided to extend between edges (90, 92) of dorsal straps (84, 86) and to be received in eyelets (88) to thus adjustably tension the dorsal straps about shoe (98).

Abstract: A traffic marker support comprises a base (10) formed from polyvinyl chloride with a first angle iron section (16) and a second angle iron section (18) molded integral therewith. The lateral sides of the angle iron sections (16) and (18) form a channel (24) in the base (10). An upright marker (12) is disposed within the channel (24) and a bolt (30) used to secure the devices together. The lower surface (20) of the angle iron (18) and the lower surface (22) of the angle iron (16) are imbedded within the base (10) proximate the lower surface thereof with the channel (24) extending below the surface of the base (10) but not exposing the apexes of the angle iron sections (16) and (18). The reinforcement structure prevents rotational movement of the upright marker (12) with respect to the base (10) such that breakage at the uppermost portions of the angle iron sections (16) and ( 18) is prevented.

Abstract: A housing (18) is provided for maintaining the plugs (14, 16) of a pair of extension cords (10, 12) connected. The housing (18) includes first and second members (24, 26) which are connected by a hinge (28) along one edge. The interior surfaces (38, 44) of each of the first and second members (24, 26) include a series of grooves (54, 56) distributed along the length of the members. Retaining washers (30, 32) are designed to be engageable with the grooves (54, 56) to hold the plugs of a connected pair of extension cords in engagement. The provision of a series of grooves (54, 56) permits the housing (18) to be adapted for use with a wide range of plug lengths. The slots (88) in the retaining washers (30, 32) are designed so that the cable passing therethrough is slightly offset from the central axis to resist motion in the plugs.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both user and non-users with limited access provided to the non-user under the control of the user. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF Net telephones (24). Selected non-users may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of the selected non-users is determined by a subscriber user. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system.

Abstract: A well coring apparatus is provided with the capability for monitoring the length of the core in the inner barrel (32) of a core barrel (16) and the rate at which the core enters the inner barrel (32). The device includes a Sonic Core Monitor (78) which is disposed in the upper end of the inner barrel (32) and a piston (68) which is disposed in the lower end thereof. The Sonic Core Monitor (78) generates an ultrasonic pulse that is transmitted down to the surface of the piston (68) and reflected back up to the Sonic Core Monitor (78). The time between the transmitted and received pulse is then measured and distance determined therefrom. Both length of core and rate of core entry into the inner barrel (32) can then be determined. If the core is proceeding at too slow a rate, a valve (50) can be opened to allow drilling fluid to bypass the core barrel (16). This provides the surface operator with an indication that a jam has occurred.

Abstract: A surgical face mask (10) having a pleated panel (12) for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer, and including head straps (16,18,24,26) for securing the face mask (10) to the wearer. A polyester Sontara material (36) is flame laminated and compressed with an open-cell polyester foam (34) to form an integral laminate moisture barrier which is secured across the top of the pleated panel (12). The barrier restricts the moisture content of vapor from permeating the face mask (10) and clouding eyeglasses, or the like. A polyester top border strip (58) is folded around the top edge of the pleated panel (12), and a malleable stay (38) is sandwiched therebetween. The entire combination, including the moisture barrier (32) is heat seal bonded proximate the top edge of the face mask (10) by heat seal bond techniques.

Abstract: A method for determining the productivity of a well site includes extracting a core with sponge coring techniques and measuring the parameters of the core. The parameters measured are porosity, permeability and percent mobile oil. A core factor is calculated which is the square root of the product of permeability and porosity and indicates the space available in the core for oil production. The core factor is multiplied by the percent mobile oil to provide a Production Index. The Production Index indicates the capacity of a given oil well to produce oil. With the Production Index data, perforations are selectively placed in various areas along the longitudinal axis of a well casing (38) to selectively allow communication between the interior of the well casing and a formation of interest. In this manner, only areas having high oil mobility are communicated within a given region of the formation of interest.

Abstract: A security system for a sterilization container (10) comprises a first member (18) and a second member (24) of a clamp (16). The first member (18) is adjacent to the second member (24) when the container (10) is closed, and is in a position spaced from the second member (24) when the container (10) is open. A non-stick surface (28) is formed on the first member (18) on an area remote from the second member (24) when the first and second members are adjacent. A security band (30) is placed around portions (22, 26) of the first and second members (18, 24) while they are adjacent, the band (30) shrinking during a sterilization treatment of the container (10) to bind the first member (18) to the second member (24). The band (30) releases from the first member (18) when the second member (24) is moved to a position spaced from the first member (18 ).

Abstract: A sole (12) for an athletic shoe (10) includes a base member (42) having a main lower surface (22). A contact surface (26) extends downwardly from the base member (42) to below the main lower surface (22) in order to contact the ground or floor before the main lower surface (22) as the shoe (10) descends. The contact surface (26) includes a horizontally elongate, resiliently flexible spiroidal member (38). The spiroidal member (38) has a plurality of involutions (56). Each involution (56) has a plurality of longitudinal portions (52-54) and a plurality of transverse portions (48-50). Portions (48-54) have flat bottom surfaces (30) for frictionally gripping the ground or floor disposed opposite the portions' attachments (96) to base member (42). Portions (48-54) provide a braking, shock-absorbing and anti-slipping action in response to horizontal shear forces normal to them.