Abstract: An upper for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a ball contact area comprising a plurality of protrusions. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions has an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis, a sole facing side portion and an instep facing side portion. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is elastically bendable such that each protrusion is configured to bend substantially in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis upon contact with a ball, and such that each of the plurality of protrusions is configured to bend such that the instep facing side portion touches an outer surface of the upper or an adjacent protrusion of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: An upper for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a ball contact area comprising a plurality of protrusions. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions has an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis, a sole facing side portion and an instep facing side portion. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is elastically bendable such that each protrusion is configured to bend substantially in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis upon contact with a ball, and such that each of the plurality of protrusions is configured to bend such that the instep facing side portion touches an outer surface of the upper or an adjacent protrusion of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder with a back plate and a cover. The cover can be secured in either the open or closed position. In the closed position, the rod holder acts as a rod holder and a toolbox. In the open position, the rod holder acts as a utility table. The rod holder can be attached to a vehicle, boat, or other base using a mounting plate.

Abstract: An upper for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a ball contact area comprising a plurality of protrusions. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions has an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis, a sole facing side portion and an instep facing side portion. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is elastically bendable such that each protrusion is configured to bend substantially in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis upon contact with a ball, and such that each of the plurality of protrusions is configured to bend such that the instep facing side portion touches an outer surface of the upper or an adjacent protrusion of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder with a back plate and a cover. The cover can be secured in either the open or closed position. In the closed position, the rod holder acts as a rod holder and a toolbox. In the open position, the rod holder acts as a utility table. The rod holder can be attached to a vehicle, boat, or other base using a mounting plate.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a motor adapted to axially rotate a rotor shaft in alternating directions, the motor having a stator positioned co-axially around the rotor shaft with the rotor shaft being co-axially coupled to a drive mechanism to convert axial rotation of the rotor shaft into reciprocal displacement of the drive mechanism, the drive mechanism having opposed ends, one end coupled to a piston arranged within a cylinder to define a pumping chamber between the piston and the cylinder, wherein alternating rotation of the rotor shaft causes reciprocal linear displacement of the piston within the pumping chamber, and the linear displacement of the drive mechanism operates a lubrication system within the linear actuator.

Abstract: An electronic memorial system plays audio and visual information related to a deceased person in order to honor and remember the deceased person. The system includes a grave marker. A display assembly is coupled to the grave marker. The display assembly includes a screen for displaying visual information about a deceased person when the display assembly is activated. A processor is electrically coupled to the display assembly. A speaker is electrically coupled to the processor wherein the speaker emits audio information about the deceased person when the speaker is activated.

Abstract: A base for supporting the weight of a user, tools and a ladder is described. The base can be formed of a plurality of rigid plates, each plate having a top and a bottom side. The plates can be hingedly connected to fold together along a longitudinal axis with the bottom sides of the respective plates being positioned adjacent to each other. The base can include a plurality of wheels positioned around the bottom side and the periphery of each plate. The wheels can be positioned to oppose one another and the opposed wheels being positioned off center from each other when the plates are folded such that the wheels do not interfere with each other, the base when folded is adapted to be stored with the longitudinal axis in a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: A portable enclosure, easily erectable and collapsible, to provide environment control and prevent contaminants from being released from the enclosure. The enclosure provides a flexible envelope attached to the interior of the space defined by vertical and horizontal supports which can be erected and collapsed. When erected the enclosure functions as an anteroom and has removable panels in the sides and top. In use, the enclosure is sealed against a vertical or horizontal surface to be worked on and a panel from the side of the enclosure is opened and closed to provide access to the surface by the user. When collapsed the enclosure is a package approximately the size of an average golf club bag which is easily portable to another location. Ducting is provided to which negative pressure pumps are connected to maintain negative pressure within the enclosure and draw contaminants into the pump and then into a closed container.

Abstract: A pump that includes a cylinder housing having a through bore. A cylinder liner is disposed substantially within the through bore and includes a substantially uniform aperture having a first diameter. A plunger includes an engagement portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The first diameter and the second diameter are sized to define a first diametrical clearance that is less than about 0.1 percent of the second diameter.

Abstract: A tool pouch with an opening in a wall member is attached to a belt loop by extending a portion of a belt through both the opening and the belt loop in a manner to prevent lateral movement of the tool pouch.

Abstract: A knee pad adapted to cover the knee of a user is made from a single sheet of durable, pliable sheet material, or from a plurality of separate segments made of such sheet material. It comprises a body having an open side, an elbow section and a leg section, said elbow section and a leg section joined to form a corner. A strap member is attached to extends between opposed sides of the leg section that enables the user to secure the knee pad to the user's knee with the knee placed into the open side and seated against the corner. Outer edges of the leg and elbow section are each inwardly contoured forming a concave indentation respectively in each of these outer edges.

Abstract: A knee pad adapted to cover the knee of a user is made from a single sheet of durable, pliable sheet material, or from a plurality of separate segments made of such sheet material. It comprises a body having an open side, an elbow section and a leg section, said elbow section and a leg section joined to form a corner. A strap member is attached to extends between opposed sides of the leg section that enables the user to secure the knee pad to the user's knee with the knee placed into the to open side and seated against the corner. Outer edges of the leg and elbow section are each inwardly contoured forming a concave indentation respectively in each of these outer edges.

Abstract: Direct drive variable displacement pumps that provide variable displacement wherein a swashplate pivots and changes the angle position in the direct drive variable displacement pumps. The swashplate is also capable of changing the stroke length of pistons in such direct drive variable displacement pumps and rotation of a rotating shaft is converted into axial or radial movement. In direct drive variable displacement pumps in accordance with the present invention, plungers and their respective plunger housings do not rotate relative to the rotating shaft while the swashplate rotates with rotating shaft. In addition, hydraulic control pistons are preferably used to change the angle of the swashplate and these hydraulic control pistons rotate with the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A motor controller unit includes an operating program that controllably responds to manual motor start and stop commands for protection of the semiconductor switches connected with each phase of a multi-phase electric motor. Upon receipt of a start command, a determination is made as to whether the measured time lapse between a previous stop command is less than a predetermnined time delay period.

Abstract: A latch for an appliance door has a support member adapted to be mounted within the appliance, and a latch assembly movable on the support member between latching and unlatching positions. The latch assembly includes a bracket member, a pivotal mounting between the bracket member and the support, an elongated operating handle affixed to the bracket member, a latch arm for locking a door having a slot about the pivotal mounting whereby the latch arm may have rotational and translational motion with respect to the pivotal mounting. A toggle arm is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the bracket member and at the other end thereof to the latch arm, and a spring is connected between one end of the toggle arm and the support member whereby, upon operation of the handle from an unlatched to a latched position, the latch arm is moved to a position to latch the door and the spring holds the assembly in a stable condition.