Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Rork

Thomas F. Rork 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).

  • Boot with strapping to restrain movement of foot
    Patent number: 6442873
    Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp. In a modified form, the boot further comprises another elastic strap, which is adapted to draw the ball of the foot downwardly toward the insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Norcross Safety Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Rork, Henry Groothaert, Narong Hongpananonde, Roger T. Neiley
  • Boot with strapping to restrain movement of foot
    Patent number: 6427362
    Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Norcross Safety Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Rork, Henry Groothaert, Narong Hongpananonde
  • Boot with strapping to restrain movement of foot
    Publication number: 20010025437
    Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp. In a modified form, the boot further comprises another elastic strap, which is adapted to draw the ball of the foot downwardly toward the insole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas F. Rork, Henry Groothaert, Narong Hongpananonde, Roger T. Neiley
  • Boot with strapping to restrain movement of foot
    Publication number: 20010020341
    Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas F. Rork, Henry Groothaert, Narong Hongpananonde
  • Boot with strapping to restrain movement of foot
    Patent number: 6237254
    Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Norcross Safety Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Rork, Henry Groothaert, Narong Hongpananonde
  • Toe protector
    Patent number: D449153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Norcross Safety Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Rork, Ronald D. McKechnie