Abstract: Support devices for joints of the human body are disclosed. A support device for an ankle includes a main body having a medial portion and a lateral portion disposed about the ankle, and an interior surface; at least one of a medial support member disposed in a cavity in the medial portion of said main body and a lateral support member disposed in a cavity in the lateral portion of said main body; a strap disposed on a proximal portion of said main body, said strap having fastening means adapted to create a first level of pressure in the front of the lower leg immediately proximal to the ankle and a second level of pressure in the rear of the lower leg immediately proximal to the ankle; and one or more proprioceptive members disposed on the interior surface of said main body.

Abstract: Support devices for joints of the human body are disclosed. A support device for an ankle includes a main body having a medial portion and a lateral portion disposed about the ankle, and an interior surface; at least one of a medial support member disposed in a cavity in the medial portion of said main body and a lateral support member disposed in a cavity in the lateral portion of said main body; a strap disposed on a proximal portion of said main body, said strap having fastening means adapted to create a first level of pressure in the front of the lower leg immediately proximal to the ankle and a second level of pressure in the rear of the lower leg immediately proximal to the ankle; and one or more proprioceptive members disposed on the interior surface of said main body.

Abstract: The invention is directed to cushioning systems for athletic shoes that can be adjusted by a wearer. The systems include one or more cushioning inserts having anisotropic properties and are lockable in place in the shoe sole. The systems may also include structural support elements that provide additional stability and support to the wearer's foot. The wearer can adjust the degree of cushioning by rotating the insert within the shoe. The wearer can also remove the insert and replace the insert with a new and/or different insert.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole with a chassis constructed to provide, in a pre-selected manner, comfort, flexibility, support, and power transfer by varying the configuration, thickness, and/or material of the chassis in various areas of the chassis, thereby providing for varying degrees of stiffness in the footwear.

Abstract: The invention is directed to cushioning systems for athletic shoes that can be adjusted by a wearer. The systems include one or more cushioning inserts having anisotropic properties and are lockable in place in the shoe sole. The systems may also include structural support elements that provide additional stability and support to the wearer's foot. The wearer can adjust the degree of cushioning by rotating the insert within the shoe. The wearer can also remove the insert and replace the insert with a new and/or different insert.

Abstract: The invention is directed to cushioning systems for athletic shoes that can be adjusted by a wearer. The systems include one or more cushioning inserts having anisotropic properties and are lockable in place in the shoe sole. The systems may also include structural support elements that provide additional stability and support to the wearer's foot. The wearer can adjust the degree of cushioning by rotating the insert within the shoe. The wearer can also remove the insert and replace the insert with a new and/or different insert.

Abstract: The invention is directed to cushioning systems for athletic shoes that can be adjusted by a wearer. The systems include one or more cushioning inserts having anisotropic properties and are lockable in place in the shoe sole. The systems may also include structural support elements that provide additional stability and support to the wearer's foot. The wearer can adjust the degree of cushioning by rotating the insert within the shoe. The wearer can also remove the insert and replace the insert with a new and/or different insert.

Abstract: An article of footwear is described with a sole that has a forefoot plate, a heel plate, at least one alloy cleat, and at least one molded cleat. The alloy cleat may be made of a non-ferrous metal alloy or alternatively an alloy based on ceramics, titanium, and/or magnesium. According to the invention, the alloy cleat protrudes from the forefoot plate and the molded cleat protrudes from the heel plate. The sole can additionally have a stability element that controls the movement of the forefoot plate with respect to the heel plate. An alternative aspect of the invention is an alloy cleat having a body with a generally arcuate cross-section and an integrally formed stiffening rib.

Abstract: An article of footwear is described with a sole that has a forefoot plate, a heel plate, at least one alloy cleat, and at least one molded cleat. The alloy cleat may be made of a non-ferrous metal alloy or alternatively an alloy based on ceramics, titanium, and/or magnesium. According to the invention, the alloy cleat protrudes from the forefoot plate and the molded cleat protrudes from the heel plate. The sole can additionally have a stability element that controls the movement of the forefoot plate with respect to the heel plate. An alternative aspect of the invention is an alloy cleat having a body with a generally arcuate cross-section and an integrally formed stiffening rib.

Abstract: A device for moving large and heavy apparatuses combining modular rail sections positioned one after the other to form two parallel rails onto which slides a load-carrying plate extending transversely between the rails. The upper surface of the rail section has a central row of upwardly projecting supporting elements positioned at regular intervals along its length. The undersurface of the carrying plate has two opposite edge portions each having two parallel rows of guiding elements projecting down and positioned at regular intervals along its length. When the plate is positioned on top of the rails, the two rows of guiding elements define a guiding channel which may releasably engage the central row of supporting elements projecting up from the corresponding rail. The upper layer of each supporting element and the bottom layer of each guiding element are made of a friction material, either low friction material to facilitate movement therealong or high friction material to enhance friction.

Abstract: The collar comprises a wire of elastically yieldable material forming a coil. Two opposite end portions of the coil each comprise hooking means and, between the coil and the hooking means, an intermediate bent portion. The curvature of each bent portion is opposed to the curvature of the corresponding end portion of the coil.