Abstract: A storage package for an article and a booklet includes a pair of panels secured together and movable between a closed storage orientation, wherein the panels are substantially overlying with at least an article and a booklet supported by the article disposed intermediate the pair of panels, and an open use orientation, wherein the panels are not substantially overlying and the article and booklet are accessible. A fixed base formed of plastic defines a cavity with a bottom face mounted on one of the panels and an open top face. A floating holder formed of rigid plastic is disposed within the cavity intermediate the faces for receiving and maintaining thereon the article and booklet, the holder being movable between a plurality of positions variably spaced above the cavity bottom face. A spring secured to one of the base and holder biases the holder above the cavity bottom face, thereby to accommodate booklets of varying thickness.

Abstract: A removeable shoestring cover for athletic shoes which provides an upwardly facing wiping surface of suede or other suitable material and which cover is attached to the shoestrings at the upper and lower edge of the cover by flaps which fold around portions of the shoestrings and which flaps are held in the retaining position by a hook and loop type fastener or other suitable fastener.

Abstract: A combination display and packaging for a toilet seat assembly including, when the assembly is in a closed position on a toilet, a toilet seat having a downwardly facing surface, a toilet seat cover substantially overlying the seat and having an upwardly facing surface, and a hinge pivotably connecting the cover and the seat, the display and packaging comprising a back wall, a loop on the back wall for supporting the back wall in a vertically extending position on a projection, the toilet seat assembly being supported on the back wall such that the downwardly facing surface of the toilet seat faces the back wall and such that the hinge and the entire upwardly facing surface of the cover are visible.

Abstract: A package for multiple articles such as trigger sprayers. The articles are placed adjacent each other and secured against an upright backing member. The backing member has an aperture formed by cutting and folding a flap of the backing member material. The aperture serves as a finger hole for carrying the package while the flap serves as a spacer for separating the adjacent articles. In one embodiment a shrinkband is wrapped around the articles and the backing member to secure the articles to the backing member with the uppermost edge of the shrinkband remaining below the finger hole. In an alternative embodiment a shrinkwrap encases the articles and backing member to secure the articles to the backing member. An access hole may be cut in the shrinkwrap around the finger hole in the backing member if use of the finger hole for handling the package is desired.

Abstract: An adjustable internal energy return system for use in running shoes and the like to provide an energy storage and release mechanism in the heel portion of the running shoe. The energy return system utilizes a tension adjustment strap to increase the base tension of a resilient carriage by providing additional resiliency. The tension adjustment strap is an additional independent energy return mechanism to the resilient carriage.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for maintaining the tuckboard of footwear in a particular shape. The apparatus includes a tuckboard member made from a sheet of deformable material such as a fiberboard. Retention members are attached to the opposite surfaces of the tuckboard at localized positions such as where the tuckboard has been or is to be deformed. One of the retention members is in compression and the other is in tension. Each of the retention members may be thermosetting or a thermoplastic composite material formed from fibers (preferably non-woven) impregnated and covered with a thermoplastic material. The fibers may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass and aramid. The thermoplastic material may be an acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate or ABS. The retention members help to maintain the tuckboard in a particular shape. The retention members may be initially attached to the tuckboard, and the retention members and the tuckwear may subsequently be deformed to the desired shape.

Abstract: A roller shoe includes a shoe upper having a first sole mounting a second sole, with the second sole including a plurality of spaced parallel roller cylinders mounted to the second sole projecting therefrom to provide for a rolling surface relative to an underlying surface, with forward and rear ends of the second sole having brake resilient lugs projecting therefrom.

Abstract: An improved article of footwear which incorporates a lighting circuit is disclosed. The article of footwear includes: a visible lighting element (4), a power source (2) connected to the lighting element (4), and at least a pair of pressure responsive switches (S1, S2) for controlling the supply of power (2) to the lighting element (4) through a condition responsive logic circuit (6). The article of footwear is preferably a shoe, and the lighting elements (4) are preferably LEDs. The logic circuit (6) is preferably an Exclusive-OR gate. Various switch, lighting and circuit configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A footgear, particularly usable for skiing, includes a shell which has a recess at the upper metatarsal region and with which at least one quarter is associated. One or more flaps are removably associable with the quarter and/or with the shell through connection members. The footgear thus obtained allows, by virtue of the interchangeability of the flaps, to replace them in case of breakage or wear, to vary the shape and color of the flaps and to recycle them once they have been changed.

Abstract: A shoe of the type having a sole and an upper formed of nonrigid materials attached to the sole, and with a central closure mechanism that is coupled with at least one elongated flexible tightening element by which a vamp of the upper can be tightened and loosened via increasing and decreasing an effective length of the at least one tightening element as measured from the central closure mechanism as it runs between guide elements on the upper and on an instep shield. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the shoe upper has a closed vamp, at least the instep area of which is formed of a volume-elastic compressible material and the instep cover is formed of an elastically bendable material at least approximately matched to the surface contour at least a portion of the instep.

Abstract: A thin, heel-sized plate formed of a composite sandwich of thermoplastic resin and carbon-glass fiber cloth has a pair of upwardly-flanged lateral edges, front and rear ends, and an integral, rearwardly-extending, upwardly-inclined, vertically-acting spring member appending from it. The device is encapsulated within the resilient material of the heel portion of the midsole of an athletic shoe such that the spring member is disposed below the calcaneus of the wearer's foot. The midsole is relieved in an area below the spring member to permit it to bend downward freely in response to heel-imparted forces. A "snubber" or stopper bushing can be molded into the outsole of the shoe to limit the maximum deflection of the spring member.

Abstract: A ski boot includes a pull element coupled to a tensioning device. The tensioning device has two levers located on a bearing shaft that interact with tensioning bodies that guide the pull element. Control elements that interact with the levers are connected to the leg support shaft of the ski boot and are displaceable in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the pivoting position of the shaft. A control path is designed on the levers in a first pivoting range, and the control elements interact with a first section of the control path. Upon pivoting the shaft toward the front in the first pivoting range, the levers pivot toward one another in a scissor-like manner and thus move the two tensioning bodies away from one another to tension the pull element. In a second pivoting range of the shaft, the control elements interact with a second section of the control path that extends to the movement path of the control element.

Abstract: A latch arm for engaging with a corner portion of an IC is pivotably supported on a corner portion of a base member of an IC carrier or IC socket. A spring element extends from a rear end of the latch arm, and is bent to accumulate resilient force when the latch arm is pivoted upwardly to remove engagement. Thus, the latch arm is pivoted in the engaging direction by the accumulated resilient force, in order to maintain engagement with the IC.

Abstract: A combined cosmetic case and picture stand includes first and second cosmetic casing halves, a transparent pane member and a stand member. The first and second cosmetic casing halves are hinged to one another and are retained releasably in a closed position. The first cosmetic casing half has an outer side which is formed with a central recess for receiving a picture therein. The second cosmetic casing half has an inner side which confines a space for receiving cosmetic therein and an outer side which is formed with a groove unit. The pane member has a shape which corresponds to that of the central recess. The pane member is received in the central recess and is formed with a peripheral frame unit that is mounted detachably to the outer side of the first cosmetic casing half. The stand member is received in the groove unit and is mounted pivotally to the outer side of the second cosmetic casing half.

Abstract: A last for use in making cycling shoes includes a sole supporting surface opposed to a shoe sole. The shoe sole defines a mounting bore for attaching a cleat or a shoe plate. The sole supporting surface includes position setting projections for engaging the mounting bore or the shoe sole to position the sole relative to the sole supporting surface.

Abstract: The invention is a footwear protector comprised of a single piece of material of uniform thickness and width which, when in place, forms an open-toed design protector. The protector utilizes an opening at one end to allow the insertion of any front tassel or decoration of the protected footwear and to secure the protector to the front portion of the footwear. Velcro.RTM. fasteners are located at each end of the protector's length to further secure the protector. This fastening system allows the protector to be fitted to different size footwear, and facilitates quick and easy attachment and removal of the device. Additionally, the protector is constructed of a soft, nonabrasive fabric, allowing the protector also to be used as a footwear buffing and cleaning cloth when not secured to footwear.

Abstract: A shoe and method of forming the same having an upper portion which includes an individualized indicia display area in any one of the side quarter panel, tongue, or heel portion of the upper portion of the shoe. The shoe includes an outer covering material in which a window or opening is formed to make visible and accessible an indicia attachment panel underlying the outer covering material. An indicia display panel is adhered to the indicia attachment panel. The display panel is formed from a plurality of individual indicia or is a unitary panel to which indicia, such as letters, numbers, or emblems, are applied. The purchaser has the ability to individualize the shoe in virtually unlimited manner to include a personalized message or slogan that no other purchaser may have.

Abstract: The novel portable ice walking assistance device comprises a plurality of main horizontal plates. Each of the plates have foldable vertical end pieces at one end of the main horizontal plates. The main plates are attached together to form a three sided device that can be positioned on the sole of the user's shoe. A pair of the devices is used by an individual. Each of the horizontal plates have a plurality of small vertical prongs to assist in the gripping capability in ice conditions. A quick release mechanism is connected to one of the vertical end pieces to permit attaching to the shoe and ease of release of the device.

Abstract: Ski boot made of plastic material comprising a rigid shell (1), on which a collar (2) is articulated and which is provided with clamping members. The collar (2) has at the rear a slit (11), the opening of which is adjustable by means of a rigid rider (30) inserted into notches (20, 21) provided on each side of the lips. This adjustment is intended for adapting the boot to the morphology of the calf of the skier while ensuring a firm backward lean.

Abstract: A compression cooling system of a shoe midsole comprises mainly a main body, an air sac and an air duct. The air sac is disposed in the main body such that the air sac is corresponding in location to the heel of a shoe. Two one-way valves are disposed on predetermined portions of the air sac. The air duct has one end that is connected with one of the two one-way valves and has another end that extends to reach the upper surface of the shoe midsole. The treading and the jogging actions of the foot wearing the shoe bring about the pumping effect of the air sac, thereby generating a stream of suction to cause the air inside and outside the shoe to circulate.