Abstract: A footwear securement system for closed footwear implements a strap (100) having an X-configuration across the instep of the wearer's foot. The X-configuration instep strap (100) acts to secure the entire circumference of a wearer's foot to the footwear sole. Further, the X-configuration instep strap (100) allows for contraction and expansion of the ankle when the foot's main tendon that travels down the front of the leg and across the instep of the foot is cyclically tightened and loosened during walking or running. The X-strap (100) may optionally travel through a channel (130) located in the sole to allow for further strap adjustment during activity.

Abstract: A strapping system for footwear comprises a strap (1) that has a first end (3) connected to a first side of a heel portion (12) of footwear, passes over the instep of a foot, through a channel (31) extending through the midfoot of the footwear sole and back over the foot instep to thereby forming an X shape over the wearer's foot. The strap (1) has a second end (11) which may be adjustably connected to the second side of a heel portion (12) of a sole. The channel (31) is resilient and rigid so as to allow the strap freedom of movement during use: thereby achieving a dynamic and self adjusting strap fit. A footwear sole comprises relatively soft forefoot and heel portions with a more rigid shank portion therebetween to provide the sole with stiffness and torsional rigidity.

Abstract: A self adjusting frame for footwear comprises a strap slideably passing through a plurality of connectors spaced apart and adjacent to the sole, the strap passing around the heel of the footwear and having its two ends connected to the footwear. Lacing crosses over the footwear upper, with the lacing slideably engaging the strap so that when the lacing is tightened the strap is likewise drawn tight. The lacing and strap combination thereby secures footwear to a foot about substantially the periphery of the foot, and further self adjusts to develop differently oriented foot securing force vectors for differently shaped feet. Footwear comprises lacing and a strap passing through a plurality of connectors spaced apart around a shoe, with the lacing slideably engaging the strap. As the lacing is tightened the strap is thereby drawn tight. The footwear is thus secured to a foot about substantially the periphery of the foot.

Abstract: Tools and dies are made from a master pattern by making a hard chromium electroformed shell from the pattern, supporting the pattern and filling it with tool steel which applied by spray deposition of molten particles, the deposit being continuously densified by peening as it is made.

Abstract: In combining electrical discharge machining (EDM) and electrochemical machining (ECM) the use of a strong electrolyte has, in the invention, been found possible. In one embodiment a pulse generator applies an intermittent voltage between an electrode and a workpiece causing both EDM and ECM to take place when a strong electrolyte is interposed in the gap between the electrode and the workpiece. At the onset of arcing a discharge monitor removes the voltage. A wire-cutting machine and method combining EDM and ECM are also described.