Patents by Inventor Rudolph Smith

Rudolph Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7222441
    Abstract: The sandal with interchangeable upper includes a sole portion and an instep enclosing section. The instep enclosing section is removably attached at first and second side edges adjacent the inner and outer edges of the sole portion, respectively. When the instep enclosing section is removed from the sole portion, a second section can be substituted for the first instep enclosing section. The instep enclosing section is attached to the sole portion using at least one pair of side hooks. These side hooks are sized and shaped to removably engage a pair of hook engagers located in the sole portion. The hook engagers are moved from a first, engaging position to a second disengaging position by at least one engager actuator. The side hooks and hook engagers may be vertically or horizontally oriented. An alternative instep enclosing has a toe-separating portion secured to the sides and front of the sole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Rudolph Smith, Anthony Glenn Alfino
  • Publication number: 20050016019
    Abstract: The sandal with interchangeable upper includes a sole portion and an instep enclosing section. The instep enclosing section is removably attached at first and second side edges adjacent the inner and outer edges of the sole portion, respectively. When the instep enclosing section is removed from the sole portion, a second section can be substituted for the first instep enclosing section. The instep enclosing section is attached to the sole portion using at least one pair of side hooks. These side hooks are sized and shaped to removably engage a pair of hook engagers located in the sole portion. The hook engagers are moved from a first, engaging position to a second disengaging position by at least one engager actuator. The side hooks and hook engagers may be vertically or horizontally oriented. An alternative instep enclosing has a toe-separating portion secured to the sides and front of the sole portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Rudolph Smith, Anthony Alfino
  • Patent number: 6763614
    Abstract: The present invention provides an athletic shoe offering an easily adjustable support for the wearer's ankle, a means for the wearer to quickly put on and remove the shoe, protection to the wearer's toes and forefoot from impacts to the upper surface of the shoe, and a unique and attractive appearance. The shoe may be constructed from four basic components: a resilient sole, an ankle surrounding section, an instep enclosing section, and a toe section. The ankle surrounding section begins at the after end of the sole portion and extends forward to a point between the forward end and the after end defining an opening through which a wearer's foot is passed. The toe section extends from the forward end of the sole portion backward and runs from the inner edge to the outer edge of the sole portion. The wearer's toes are inserted into the cavity defined by the toe section. The instep enclosing section extends from the toe section to the ankle surrounding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Rudolph Smith
  • Publication number: 20020035795
    Abstract: The present invention provides an athletic shoe offering an easily adjustable support for the wearer's ankle, a means for the wearer to quickly put on and remove the shoe, protection to the wearer's toes and forefoot from impacts to the upper surface of the shoe, and a unique and attractive appearance. The shoe may be constructed from four basic components: a resilient sole, an ankle surrounding section, an instep enclosing section, and a toe section. The ankle surrounding section begins at the after end of the sole portion and extends forward to a point between the forward end and the after end defining an opening through which a wearer's foot is passed. The toe section extends from the forward end of the sole portion backward and runs from the inner edge to the outer edge of the sole portion. The wearer's toes are inserted into the cavity defined by the toe section. The instep enclosing section extends from the toe section to the ankle surrounding section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: Rudolph Smith
  • Patent number: 6351897
    Abstract: The present invention provides an athletic shoe offering an easily adjustable support for the wearer's ankle, a means for the wearer to quickly put on and remove the shoe, protection to the wearer's toes and forefoot from impacts to the upper surface of the shoe, and a unique and attractive appearance. The shoe may be constructed from four basic components: a resilient sole, an ankle surrounding section, an instep enclosing section, and a toe section. The ankle surrounding section begins at the after end of the sole portion and extends forward to a point between the forward end and the after end defining an opening through which a wearer's foot is passed. The toe section extends from the forward end of the sole portion backward and runs from the inner edge to the outer edge of the sole portion. The wearer's toes are inserted into the cavity defined by the toe section. The instep enclosing section extends from the toe section to the ankle surrounding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Rudolph Smith
  • Patent number: 5926978
    Abstract: The athletic shoe of the present invention is comprised of a resilient sole portion and an upper portion having an ankle enclosing section and a toe enclosing section. The ankle enclosing section arises from and is secured to the after end of the sole portion and includes a top portion defining an opening through which the wearer's foot may be introduced. The ankle enclosing section further includes an outer side an inner side. A flexible tongue member is attached to the inner side and extends laterally to the outer side. The ankle enclosing section includes a forward area having an opening through which the wearer's forefoot and toes will extend when the shoe is worn. The toe enclosing section is hingedly attached at is inner side to the inner edge of the resilient sole and may be swung upwardly to permit introduction or removal of the wearer's foot. The toe enclosing section is detachably secured to the outer edge of the sole portion at its outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Rudolph Smith
  • Patent number: 5655455
    Abstract: An apparatus for placing tie plates between a rail and selected crossties along a railroad track. The apparatus includes a mobile frame which travels on the rails along a railroad track and carries a magnetic wheel for retrieving loose tie plates, a magazine for holding and positioning the loose tie plates over a selected rail lie, a rail jack for lifting the rail away from the tie to allow insertion of the tie plate, and an insertion arm and plate which urge the tie plate into position between the tie and the rail. The magazine holds a number of tie plates and has an elongated guide plate, dimensioned to fit the rail receiving area of the tie plates. A series of biased linkages, arranged vertically along the guide plate, urge the tie plates against the guide plate to hold them in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Kershaw Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Elbert Rudolph Smith