Abstract: A boot appliance for improved traction for attachment to the sole of a boot includes a toe portion, a heel portion and a resilient middle portion for stretchably connecting the toe and heel portions. Both the toe and heel portions include stud tread designs on the bottom surfaces whereby to provide improved traction, cushion and wear prevention. The toe and heel portions also include toe and heel restraining straps, respectfully, for releaseably connecting the boot appliance for improved traction to the sole and heel of a boot.

Abstract: A combination tool is disclosed particularly suitable for emergency rescue applications, generally composed of two pivotally connected elongate handle members having an axe head and pick head mounted respectively thereon. The handle members may be locked together to be used as a composite structure, scissored apart to perform a variety of wire cutting and clamping functions, or alternatively separated from one another to be used independently. A plurality of head attachments are additionally disclosed which may be selectively mounted onto the axe head member to adapt the tool for use as a spade, hoe, hewing adz, basher, metal cutter, strap wrench, pipe wrench, and various other tools. The head attachments are mounted to the axe head member by a rotatable locking member which provides a quick connect and disconnect means for securing the attachments to the device. A holster, shoulder strap, and shoulder harness are utilized to carry the combination tool and head attachments upon a user.

Abstract: An improved selective absorber on a glass substrate having high solar absorption and low infrared emission. The Selective Absorber on a glass substrate includes an electrically conducting layer of silver metal having a thickness on the order of 0.1 microns, and an absorbing layer of either black nickel or, alternatively, a layer of oxidized iron over a layer of nickel or bright nickel. The method of this invention defines the process of producing the Selective Absorber on a glass substrate by thoroughly cleaning the glass, chemically depositing a thin layer of silver metal over the clean glass surface, then electroplating an absorbing layer over the silver layer. The absorbing layer may be electroplated black nickel or, alternatively, an electroplated layer of nickel or bright nickel, such as cobalt-nickel, and an electroplated cover layer of iron. The glass substate and composite layers are heat treated to thermally cured to improve its optical and properties.