Abstract: A system for joining a limb liner to a prosthesis. The prosthesis has a socket that is joined to the remainder of the prosthesis using a hub assembly. The hub assembly includes a first hub and a second hub. The first hub is disposed within the interior of the socket. The second hub is disposed outside the interior of the socket. An air conduit extends through the hub assembly that enables air to be drawn into the socket and/or vented from the socket. An inflatable interface is disposed within the socket. The inflatable interface receives air through the air conduit in the hub assembly. The inflatable interface is capable of filling any gaps that may exist between a limb liner being worn by an amputee and the socket.

Abstract: A dehumidifier apparatus comprises a housing having an air inlet for receiving incoming air, an air outlet spaced therefrom for allowing the air to exit from the housing, the housing being configured to provide an interior air passageway connecting the air inlet to the air outlet; an air mover mounted within the air passageway for moving the air through the air passageway from the air inlet to the air outlet; a compressor mounted in the housing for compressing a refrigerant; an evaporator located within the air passageway for evaporating the refrigerant during a dehumidifying cycle, and thereby cooling air flowing through the evaporator and causing water in the air to condense on a surface of the evaporator; a condenser for condensing the refrigerant during the dehumidifier cycle, the condenser being located in the air passageway downstream of the evaporator in series with the evaporator; refrigerant flow lines configured to allow for a flow of the refrigerant between the compressor, the condenser, and the ev

Abstract: A shoe shock absorbing and support system that is able to cushion the impact of a heel striking a surface to reduce injury and fatigue and to compensate for uneven surfaces while minimizing injury to the wearer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cushion layer formed of a soft, shock-absorption material is incorporated into the heel. The present invention also provides a multiple layer contour system that provides stability and cushioning without greatly increasing the thickness of the inner sole of the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite shoe bottom that has a lower shaped support layer with a lower surface and an increased height around the periphery of the heel area and an irregular contoured upper stabilizing surface for the wearer's foot; a shoe upper superimposed upon the upper surface of the lower layer; an upper cushioning layer of a material that is softer than the lower layer, the upper layer having a varying thickness which is pre-shaped to a contour complementary to the bottom surface of the wearer's foot and having an increased height around the periphery of the heel area and in the arch area to form a raised arch support and to provide an irregular contoured upper stabilizing surface for the wearer's foot; and means for forming an outsole secured to at least a portion of the lower surface of the lower support layer and comprising at least one strip of a wear resistant material which is positioned upon the lower layer in an area which will experience abrasion or shock.

Abstract: A composite shoe bottom is disclosed comprising a lower layer of firm material and an upper softer layer superposed thereon. Each layer has an upper contoured surface such that the total compressibility of the shoe bottom, as determined by the relative thicknesses of the layers, is predetermined and differs along the surface. The upper layer has an uppermost surface which is shaped to fit against and be complemental to the bottom of the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: A composite shoe bottom is disclosed comprising a lower layer of firm material and an upper softer layer superposed thereon. Each layer has an upper contoured surface such that the total compressibility of the shoe bottom, as determined by the relative thicknesses of the layers, is predetermined and differs along the surface. The upper layer has an uppermost surface which is shaped to fit against and be complemental to the bottom of the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe which has a light-weight and readily flexible sole construction including shock absorbing portions in the heel and forefoot areas of the sole having different shock absorbing porperties with the shock absorbing portion in the heel area having a shock absorbing property greater than that in the forefoot area. Flexible nubs are included on the sole for traction and cushioning purposes where the spacing between nubs in heavy load bearing areas of the sole is less than the spacing between nubs in light load bearing areas of the sole. The nubs are positioned to facilitate flexing of the sole along normal breaklines corresponding to the joints of the foot of a wearer. The heel portion of the sole may include a cut out forming in part a vertically extending deflection rib surrounding a shock absorbing portion to further enhance shock absorbing, cushioning and propulsion properties.

Abstract: An athletic shoe construction having shock absorbing elements in the heel and forefoot areas of the sole portion of the shoe which elements are surrounded on their sides by comparatively hard rim portions of a sole shell or mid-sole.

Abstract: A ski boot having a stiff outer shell and a soft inner boot within the shell. A front part of the ski boot has a stiff corrugated front portion adapted to overlap the top and forward portion of the lower leg of the wearer and which allows the wearer to bend the lower leg in the forward direction to flex the corrugated front portion while allowing the heel of the wearer to remain in the heel portion of the shell.

Abstract: A glove construction in the form of a mitten which will conform to the hand during flexing movement. The construction comprises an outer shell covering having back and palm portions joined together to form a mitten. An inner lining having individual finger receiving pockets is included within the shell and is bonded to the palm portion of the shell. The back portion of the shell has pleated joints extending across the width thereof.

Abstract: A flexible air circulation shoe material adapted to be used as an insole for a shoe and also adapted to form the upper of a shoe. The material comprises two mesh-like fabrics separated by a corrugated separating material extending between and joining the two fabrics to provide a non-collapsible air space therebetween and where the separating material resists deformation of the fabrics towards each other upon application of a compressive force.

Abstract: An insulated glove construction having a strip of mesh-like insulation material extending over the front, back and tip portions of each of the fingers and of the thumb of the glove and positioned between outer and inner linings making up the glove body. Heating means may be provided to warm the tips of the front of the fingers and the tip of the front of the thumb of the glove. Battery means may be carried in the glove body to provide a source of energy for the heating means.

Abstract: An insulated insole construction comprising a layer of plastic mesh material shaped such that when inserted in a shoe, it will have a portion extending over the inner sole of the shoe. A portion of the insole may be bent to form a toe cap to encircle the inner toe area of the shoe and the insole may have an additional portion engaging the inner sides of the shoe in the heel and arch area. The plastic mesh material comprises two spaced mesh-like plastic fabrics separated by a plastic separating material, all of which are encased within plastic films to form a non-collapsible chamber between the plastic films.

Abstract: A glove construction patterned to be conformal to the articulated movements of the human hand where a plurality of individual parts are designed and constructed to accommodate controlled extension and compression of the outer cover with respect to finger, thumb and metacarpal joints. The finger portions are provided with telescoping sections terminating at the lateral sides of the fingers on a neutral line of the finger joint called "the line of non-extension." The thumb back is comprised of three sections which form a natural thumb contour in the normal working attitude. The finger sections join the hand portion of the glove to provide a natural break line for the palm and metacarpal joints.An outer leather lining for a glove is provided with the inwardly facing surface of the lining having a water impermeable film bonded thereto.