Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus to facilitate the retrieval of a personal device from a compartment or pocket. The apparatus has a back surface with a support attached to the back surface in a manner that allows the support to move and a tab or loop on one end of the support. An elastic tape is attached to the back surface and to the support. Also attached to the support is a ribbon which is secured to the elastic tape at a connection point. The support can be extended to retrieve the personal device from the compartment or pocket which stretches the elastic tape and the ribbon until the ribbon is fully extended preventing the further extension of the support. The elastic tape may then facilitate the retraction of the apparatus into the compartment or pocket.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus to facilitate the retrieval of a personal device from a compartment or pocket. The apparatus has a back surface with a support attached to the back surface in a manner that allows the support to move and a tab or loop on one end of the support. An elastic tape is attached to the back surface and to the support. Also attached to the support is a ribbon which is secured to the elastic tape at a connection point. The support can be extended to retrieve the personal device from the compartment or pocket which stretches the elastic tape and the ribbon until the ribbon is fully extended preventing the further extension of the support. The elastic tape may then facilitate the retraction of the apparatus into the compartment or pocket.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an article of footwear that has an upper extending around at least a portion of a foot. The outsole is secured to the upper. The article of footwear has a midsole that is detachably secured to the outsole. This midsole has a vertically projecting generally dome shaped support element located in the heel portion of the midsole. The dome shaped support element may be in contact with outsole interior sidewalls only while in an compressed state or it may remain in contact with the interior sidewalls in an uncompressed state. The dome shaped support element is at least partially covered by a cushioning cover that is made of a material less stiff than the material comprising the dome shaped support element. The cushioning cover may be partially covered by a heel plate that extends from the heel of the shoe towards the toe of the shoe. The heel plate may or may not extend the entire length of the shoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe configured to provide comfort for use in dry conditions and to facilitate water removal in wet conditions. The shoe includes two removable inserts—one specifically configured for dry conditions and one specifically configured for wet conditions. Embodiments of the shoe include an upper, an innersole, an outsole and a first removable insert. The insert may include a plurality of holes and a plurality of protrusions on its bottom surface to aid in water removal. The outsole may include a wicking textile on its upper surface and at least one drain hole for aiding in the removal of water from the shoe. The drain hole(s) slopes upwardly from the outsole toward the wicking textile.

Abstract: A shoe or other product adapted to emit light, sound, or other energy or radiation is disclosed. Embodiments of the shoes may contain switches depressed only when subjected to the momentum of or pressure from a moveable object such as a rotating ball. The ball and switches may additionally be encapsulated in a housing with a window visible outside the shoe, permitting wearers and others to view the switching being performed.

Abstract: A pair of educational footwear teaches children all of the skills attendant to wearing footwear, particularly footwear having laces. Indicia on the exterior of the footwear which face one another when the footwear is properly aligned for wearing teach children how to accomplish the task of putting the left item of footwear on the left foot and the right item of footwear on the right foot; a bi-colored lace cooperates with color-coded eyelets to teach children how to properly lace the footwear; and a retaining device holds one end of the lace in a looped configuration to make it much easier for a child to tie the lace with a bowknot. All of these features combine in an inconspicuous manner, and therefore may be incorporated in any type of footwear for daily wear.

Abstract: A styled shoe construction designed for comfort including a flexible, durable, synthetic outsole member having a narrow heel or tongue portion received in the recess of a styled leather heel. The shoe construction further includes a synthetic fiberboard insole member in which its backpart area is substantially rigid while its forepart area is substantially flexible, is lightweight, breathable, and water-absorptive, and is cement-lasted between the inturned marginal edges of a styled leather upper and the top surfaces of the marginal edges of the outsole member and heel. A highly resilient elongated urethane foam bottom filler is received within the cavity between the insole member and the outsole member, and a heel cushion member preferably of the same material as the bottom filler is secured to the top backpart surface of the insole member.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer alloy comprising the reaction product of at least one polyisocyanate, at least one substantially linear polyhydroxyl compound, and/or at least one chain extender and at least one epoxy resin. Upon curing, a thermoset polymer alloy results which is cured through the epoxy functionality which is bound in the structure.

Abstract: Thixotropic compositions and methods for forming the same are disclosed. The thixotropic agent consists essentially of leather fibers.