Abstract: The inner boot or removable liner, particularly for ski boots provided for being slipped on from their rear ends, comprises a body enclosing the skier's foot region and a leg portion extending therefrom. In the body a cutout is formed which extends longitudinally and is delimited by a pair of flaps arranged to overlap each other. Along the flaps a closure pull-out band is located effective to hold the inner boot in the closure position thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement in a fleshing machine comprising dual linking means mechanically and hydraulically linking the handle to the tissue-removing head for hydraulically moving the head longitudinally of the mandrel in response to longitudinal components of movement of the handle with respect to the mandrel and for mechanically moving the head generally transversely of the mandrel in response to components of handle movement generally transverse of the longitudinal direction of the mandrel.

Abstract: A sport shoe (1, 101, 201, 400, 500, 600, 650, 700, 750, 780, 800, 850, 900, 950) is disclosed comprising a dynamic fitting system responsive to wearer movement. In various embodiments of the shoe there is provided movable strap members (17, 19), a movable instep tongue member (163, 263), a movable footbed (412, 516, 605, 705, 784), a movable tongue and heel receiving member (860, 861), adjustable cuff members (701) and interior and exterior tongue assemblies (915, 920). In use the above members in response to wearer movement tighten momentarily the fit of the sport shoe from a close fit.

Abstract: Drum apparatus for the treatment of hides, leathers and the like include a substantially cylindrical member having an inner interior defining surface and a plurality of substantially radially extending paddles situated within the interior. The paddles have respective lengths less than the length of the cylindrical member and together extend over substantially the entire length of the cylindrical member. The paddles form at least two groups, the paddles of each group being substantially situated in a common diametric plane, each diametric plane being both angularly and longitudinally offset relative to the diametric planes of the remaining groups of paddles.

Abstract: The heat setting machine comprises a channel along which a lasted shoe upper is conveyed to be subjected to heat. The apparatus comprises a resiliently deformable member extending along and secured to one side of the channel. The resiliently deformable member, which may be in the form of an inflated bag, is arranged to extend across the channel to engage a cooperating member secured to the other side of the channel and thereby close the top of the channel. By deformation of the resiliently deformable member, the leg portion of the lasted upper of high-legged boot can be inserted between the members to be supported thereby as it is conveyed along the channel.

Abstract: A device for tensioning leather and leather-like materials prior to stitching includes a pallet and a pair of base strips mounted on the pallet in spaced-apart relationship. Each of the base strips has an inner edge for receiving an outer opposing edge of the material to be stitched. Pivoting bars mounted on each of the base strips by toggle mechanisms have pins on the underside thereof which pierce the material edges and are received in corresponding holes located in the base strips. One edge of the material is placed along the inner edge of one of the base strips and clamped in place by one of the pivoting bars. The opposing edge of the material to be stitched is then placed along the inner edge of the other base strip and the other pivoting bar is brought into longitudinal alignment with the base strip, thereby clamping and tensioning the material prior to stitching.

Abstract: A system for keeping the foot and the leg in position wherein there are two stirrups passing under a sole and respectively co-operating with an assembly of fore support and an assembly of back support co-operating with one another at each side of the ankle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a kicking shoe which incorporates a defined impact surface formed by a substantially rigid pad overlying the instep to serve as a device to consistently contact a football in a controlled pattern so that the range and accuracy of the kicker are improved.

Abstract: A machine for making very long counters shaped in a single pass, comprising a first double shaper/punch station for performing hot reactivation of the counter and a second shaper/punch station for effecting bending and stabilization of the back elements of the footwear. The machine includes very long punches, bent to the exact shape of the counter and at the second station, comprises shapers the last edge of which exhibits a hardness notably greater than that of the upper part of the shaper. The machine is particularly adapted for making women's high heel shoes.

Abstract: A torsional balancer device for a rotary shaft such as for a piston engine comprises a rotationally symmetrical member which is adapted to be connected to the rotary shaft to be balanced. A rotationally symmetrical seismic mass is rotatably mounted so as to be closely spaced from the rotational member and a viscous damping agent is within the small gaps between the seismic mass and the symmetrical member.A plurality, preferably an odd number, of curved, substantially closed spring elements have closely spaced ends which are connected respectively to the rotational member and the seismic mass. The spring elements define closed curves which may be circular or elliptical in shape. The rotationally symmetrical member may comprise a hermetically sealed annular housing and the seismic mass and damping agent may be enclosed within the housing.

Abstract: A mechanism for so transporting an insole (118) rearwardly between a pair of molds (122,124) that regardless of the length of the insole the ball portion of the insole is in registry with the ball portions of the molds. This is accomplished by a mechanism that moves gauges (36,54) at different speeds against opposite ends of the insole to locate the insole on a support (52,58) and then transports the insole on the support a prescribed distance rearwardly between the molds. This invention provides the improvement of an adjusting arrangement for adjusting the ratios of the speeds at which the gauges are moved against the opposite ends of the insole.

Abstract: A ski boot comprising a boot part to receiver a wearer's foot and a leg engaging part which extends upwards from and is hinged to the boot part at a hinge point, said leg engaging part being shaped and positioned so as to at least partially grip around the knee joint of the wearer.

Abstract: A sandal useful especially in wet areas and also where there is soft ground such as at the beach. The sandal has opposite side edges that slope in a downward-outward direction, to provide a wider foot print that minimizes sideward twisting on soft ground, to avoid splashing of water onto the wearer, and to avoid disintegration of the side portions of soft rubber sandal material. The bottom surface of the sandal slopes upward at the rear and front to further avoid splashing of water onto the wearer. The lower surface of the sandal has a herringbone pattern, with each ridge interrupted by narrow cross projections that help avoid splipping due to hydroplaning.

Abstract: Apparatus for the storage of boots and shoes includes two or more hollow boot-shaped form members removably supported in an inverted upright position by a base. The forms each have a foot-shaped end with a sole-shaped surface. Holes in the sole-shaped surface communicate with the hollow interior. Each of the forms has a compartment integrally formed in the foot-shaped end, with holes in the walls of the compartment communicating with the hollow interior, so that when a deodorizing and/or disinfecting substance is placed in the compartment, and the form is placed inside a boot, vapors emanating from the substance can circulate to the interior of the boot. Each of the forms also has integral means for (a) allowing the escape of air as the form is inserted into a boot, and (b) facilitating the removal of condensed moisture from the boot's interior.

Abstract: A shoe support for supporting a shoe, bottom uppermost, with the bottom thereof exposed for an operation to be performed thereon, has a heel end support arrangement and toe end support means moveable relative thereto to accommodate shoes of different sizes. Associated with the toe end support means is a "shoe present" sensing device which, when actuated, initiates movement of the toe and support means. The shoe support also has a shoe length sensing device and an arrangement, associated with the heel and support arrangement and including an inductance sensor, for sensing whether the shoe is a left or right.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heel and sole assembly for an adjustable arch shoe. The assembly comprises a fixed nondeformable support element forming a heel portion and a sole portion, a pivoting element which covers a rear portion of the sole and heel portions and which is articulated upon the sole through an axis which is perpendicular to the length of the shoe so as to pivot between a lowered position and one or more elevated positions, a locking element to lock the pivoting element in any one of its positions and a prestressed spring arranged between the fixed support element and the pivoting element to force the latter upwardly to a desired elevated position. Such an assembly makes it possible to instantly change the heel height of the shoe without removal of the shoe from the wearer's foot.

Abstract: Equipment for letting out hides, in which the hides are cut several times obliquely to their lateral edges, the hide parts are then laterally offset and then sewn together again. A gripping tool is provided and is movable crosswise and lengthwise to the cutting line. After the sewing operation, the gripping tool seizes the cut edge and pulls the hide crosswise to the cutting line by the desired distance between cuts. Thereafter it moves the hide parallel to the cutting line, to obtain a constant distance between the sewing machine and the respective seam start on the hide.

Abstract: A slipper for a ski boot produced by injection of a foam mixture of plastic material between the walls of two socks placed upon a form set in a mold, the outer of the two socks comprising a very thin, extensible sheet having the same dimensions as the inner sock when the two are in unstressed condition.

Abstract: An orthopedic shoe (88,116) and postoperative shoe (10) are disclosed. The postoperative shoe (10) maintains the foot of the wearer supported on a planar inner sole (12) without flexure of the foot while permitting the shoe (10) to roll, imitating the natural motion of the foot during walking. This permits the wearer to walk in a normal manner while controlling the flexure of the foot to permit the foot to recover from surgery or prevent aggravation of a medical condition. Straps (66, 68 and 72-78) are provided to adjustably position the foot on the inner sole (12) so that the metatarsal point (20) of the foot is positioned forward of the fulcrum (16). When the wearer is standing, the weight is distributed between the heel (18) and metatarsal point (20) so that the planar portion (46) of the shoe (10) contacts the walking surface. When weight shifts toward the metatarsal point (20) as in walking, the shoe (10) rolls on the curved portion (48).

Abstract: A process for the normalized manufacture of shoes includes defining the measurements of the sole of a last, to determine the transverse contour thereof, by defining an axis transverse to the length of the sole at a position spaced one third of the length from the sole front. Four zones determined by three transverse lines equally spaced at a distance of 1/12 the length are defined forwardly of the transverse axis. The contour of the sole is determined along such lines to be flat at the line nearest to the front, to have an arch height of 1/120 the length at the following line and to have an arch height of 1/96 the length of the last line. Seven transverse lines, equally spaced at a distance 1/12 the length are defined rearwardly of the transverse axis. The contour of the sole is determined by the most forward such line to have an arch height of 1/96 the length, and to have at the remaining such lines arch heights of 1/60 the length.