Abstract: A shoe insole formed by a resilient base piece adapted to be disposed primarily at the heel area and having a cupped peripheral wall. A heel piece is disposed within the base piece and constructed for improved shock absorption at the heel. A top cushioning layer is provided and overlies the resilient base piece and heel piece. The top cushioning layer extends over the base piece from the heel area thereof and forwardly of the base piece so as to principally underlie the toe area. The resilient base piece front edge includes at least a segment thereof that terminates at the large toe joint.

Abstract: A shoe insole formed by a resilient base piece adapted to be disposed primarily at the heel area and having a cupped peripheral wall. A heel piece is disposed within the base piece and constructed for improved shock absorption at the heel. A top cushioning layer is provided overlying the resilient base piece and heel piece. The top cushioning layer extends over the base piece from the heel area thereof and forwardly of the base piece so as to principally underlie the foot ball and toe area.

Abstract: A flow molding process and associated molding apparatus for making plastic parts employing a radio-frequency heating field. In a two-piece mold, a diaphragm is supported thereacross and over a foam plastic compound that is disposed in the bottom half of the mold. A fluid is adapted to be introduced into the mold against the diaphragm. The introduction of this fluid is controlled to initially inject the fluid into the mold to cause deflection of the diaphragm to thus expel substantially all air from the mold and to thereafter extract the fluid from the mold during the heating cycle as the material expands, the extraction causing a vacuum that assists in the plastic foam compound expansion.

Abstract: A process and associated apparatus for forming a foam plastic article using a mold with a mold cavity and a pair of electrodes across which an RF field may be impressed. The foam material that is to be processed is inserted into the mold and is then compressed. The compression may be at least on the ratio of 2 to 1 and perhaps as high or higher than 8:1. An RF heating field is applied while maintaining the foam material compressed and after the heat is terminated, the foam material is permitted to expand to conform to a mold shape as the material cools. This pre-compression step enables substantial reduction in processing time.

Abstract: A flow molding process and associated molding apparatus for making plastic parts or pieces utilizing a radio frequency heating fluid. The molding apparatus includes a pair of spaced electrodes, at least one of which supports a molding material which may be in the form of an imprinted diaphragm (mold) for forming an imprint on at least one side of the plastic piece being fabricated. The apparatus is, in particular, employed for forming pieces having different thicknesses throughout, the purpose being to provide uniform heating throughout the piece being fabricated regardless of the varying thicknesses thereof. This is accomplished by maintaining the capacitance constant throughout all different thickness sections of the piece. This may be accomplished by equalizing the dielectric constants between the thermoplastic or the like material and the diaphragm (mold) material.

Abstract: A shoe insole having a substantially flat base layer and constructed in particular as a running shoe having an improved arch and heel support including, in addition to, the base layer, a resilient intermediate layer affixed to and overlying the rear portion of the base layer and adapted to conform to the foot having a cupped back for accommodating the heel and a side crown for accommodating the arch. The resilient layer is formed thicker at the cupped back to absorb maximum impact usually concentrated thereat and thinner at the side crown so as to provide improved flexibility.

Abstract: A three-dimensional flow molding process and associated molding apparatus for making plastic parts or pieces utilizing a radio frequency heating field and means for applying constant pressure, along with an even temperature gradient, to the plastic part. In the process two metallic mold halves are joined clamping therebetween an imprinted diaphragm having the plastic on one side thereof between the diaphragm and one of the mold halves. In one version which may be preferred in constructing planar (two-dimensional) pieces or parts, pressure is applied directly by closing the mold halves and the diaphragm has a constant thickness therealong to provide even heating of the plastic that is being molded. In another version of the invention preferably for molding three-dimensional parts, a liquid conductor, such as mercury, or a sodium or graphite solution extends about the other side of the diaphragm in a space provided in one of the mold halves.

Abstract: An improved-efficiency, pedal-operated drive mechanism for a bicycle employing an elliptical sprocket used in association with a planetary-type gear drive for providing an elliptical path of travel of the bicycle pedals. The gear arrangement is disposed in a circular frame mounted from the conventional bicycle frame having secured therein, in a stationary position, an internally-toothed ring gear. The planetary-type drive also includes a pair of rotatable pinion gears diametrically meshed with the ring gear and supported in a bearing housing within the frame on respective pedal axles which are each secured to a pedal arm. The motion of the pedals is along an elliptical locus as the pinion gears individually but synchronously rotate in the fixed ring gear. The sprocket which is preferably of elliptical shape is secured to the housing and rotates therewith driving the bicycle with an improved efficiency on the order of 25 percent or more in comparison to the conventional circular drive system.

Abstract: A three dimensional puzzle game, having a plurality of components which, when assembled, form a polyhedron of a specific volume. Polyhedrons of different volumes are formed by assembly of a specific quantity and type of puzzle components. There is only one solution of the puzzle for each quantity of puzzle components used to form a particular polyhedron.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the measurement of the movement of colloidal particles in suspensions or solutions. The apparatus used in this method comprises an electrophoresis tank equipped with two electrodes between which an electrical field can be applied.A beam of radiation produced at the outside of the tank having a thickness of not more than 1000.mu. as viewed in the direction of the lines of force of the electrical field set up between the electrodes is directed so as to skim the electrode away from which the particles move under the effect of the electrical field.In order to determine the mobility of the particles the optical density of the liquid is measured a first time without applying the electrical field, and a second time after having applied the field during not more than 10 seconds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the measurement of the movement of colloidal particles in suspensions or solutions, wherein an electrophoresis tank is equipped with two electrodes and a filtering membrane positioned substantially parallel and equidistant to the electrodes.A flat beam of radiation produced at the outside of the tank having a thickness of not more than 1000 .mu. as viewed in the direction of the lines of force of the electrical field set up between the electrodes is directed so as to skim the side of the membrane from which the particles move under the effect of the electric field.With this improved arrangement the influence of secondary interfering phenomena appearing essentially when measuring the movement of colloidal particles in highly mineralized waste waters, can be eliminated.