Abstract: A sweeping machine with a hopper forming a compactor flap or plate is provided. The hopper has an opening which receives dirt and debris swept from a surface being cleaned by a rotatable brush of the sweeping machine. The compactor flap is pivotally mounted in the hopper and has an outer edge positioned close to an edge of the hopper opening when in a first position. The outer edge of the flap is spaced farther from the hopper opening and toward an end wall of the hopper when in a second position. The compactor flap is pivoted from the first position to the second position periodically to move dirt and debris away from the hopper opening and to compact it against the hopper end wall. The hopper also has a movable lip adjacent the lower edge of the opening. A flexible strip extends across the hopper and has an upper edge connected to the edge of the bottom wall of the hopper defining the lower edge of the opening.

Abstract: An attachment for a manually operable drain, pipe and trap cleaning tool permits connection of the tool to an electric drill for motorized operation of the tool. The drain cleaning tool has a stationary housing portion having a pistol-grip handle from which an enlarged end of a flexible plumber's rod extends, and a rotatable portion containing the coiled remainder of the rod. The rotatable portion has a central circular opening therein which receives a correspondingly shaped disc portion of the drive attachment. The disc is rigidly affixed to the rotatable housing portion by screws. An arbor receivable in a drill chuck is rigidly affixed perpendicularly to the disc at its center. The chuck is tightened about the arbor so that operation of the drill rotates the rotatable housing portion as well as the plumber's rod contained therein, with the rotational movement being transmitted along the length of the rod to the end thereof which is inserted into a drain to be cleaned.

Abstract: A hand tool according to the present invention comprises in combination, a workpiece assembly and a handle assembly adapted for quick release coupling to one another to provide a manually supported tool having rapidly interchangeable workpieces. The workpiece assembly includes a work head adapted to function as a painting or decorating tool or the like and a support member on the head. The support member has a section of its length disposed rearwardly from the head which extends in a tortuous path to form a first coupler element. The handle assembly comprises an elongated manually engageable handle and a quick release clamp. The quick release clamp comprises first and second jaws which have a clamping face formed with a channel-shaped clamping recess which extends along a tortuous path corresponding to that followed by the coupler element whereby the coupler element may be seated in the clamping recess in a close fitting relationship.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible device for cleaning the internal surfaces of containers, such as glass coffee containers of the type used with coffee makers, is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of resilient strip elements shaped and arranged with respect to each other such that the upper sections define a generally cylindrical pattern while the lower sections define a bubble-like pattern. The strip elements are capable of being collapsed or compressed sufficiently to permit entry into a container. Also, the strip elements are expandable when a downwardly directed force is applied, such that the lower portions of the elements engage the bottom, lower section, and neck portion of the container. Means are provided for applying an upwardly directed force to the strip elements such that the lower sections of the elements will expand radially outwardly and upwardly to engage the upper section of the containers.

Abstract: A snow removing device is disclosed which is particularly intended for use in the manual removal of snow from the exteriors of motor vehicles. The device includes a head having an internal core surrounding by a sheath. The sheath is constructed of an expanded, cellular, polyethylene foam material, and the core is of a different material. An elongated handle extends from the head, and the handle is affixed to the core. The overall head provides a large snow removal area in a lightweight device which will not scratch or mar an automotive finish. The cellular, polyethylene sheath constitutes a relatively large portion of the overall head.

Abstract: A windshield wiper having two strips of rubber-like material mounted in a separate holder, one on each side of the actual wiper blade, to store and distribute a cleaning fluid over the windshield surface. Each strip is formed with a series of ribs inclined at a shallow angle to the length of the strip, these ribs forming channels which in operation sweep away dirt particles from the windshield before these reach the blade itself. In this way, abrasion of the wiper blade by dirt particles is considerably reduced.

Abstract: A sweeper-scrubber is provided which has a towable scrubbing unit. The scrubbing unit is substantially self-contained, including scrubbing brushes, a pick-up squeegee, a liquid supply tank, and a recovery tank. The sweeper has an arcuate tow bar with a steerable rear wheel located behind the center of curvature of the tow bar. The scrubbing unit has a hitch which engages the arcuate tow bar and can move longitudinally therealong to achieve a high degree of maneuverability. The scrubbing unit also has a multiple reel assembly for flexible lines which supply hydraulic fluid and electrical power from the sweeper. This assembly takes up slack in the flexible lines.

Abstract: An override clutch device is disclosed for use in a vacuum cleaner having a powered rotary brush. The override clutch device is arranged such that should the torque require to rotate the brush exceeds a predetermined level, the drive mechanism is disengaged from the brush thereby allowing the drive belt to continue to operate without damage. An audible signal is emitted to alert the operator of the malfunction.

Abstract: A door closer includes a tension member comprising spaced shafts acted by springs and connected to articulated chains which are coupled to an anchor plate secured to the door frame. Movement of the shafts is under the control of a uni-directionally operative fluid-filled damper having a piston carried by a piston rod which is connected to a cross head slidably mounted on the shafts and held against abutment washers by the springs. The damper serves to regulate the rate of movement of a door in the direction of closure without restricting significantly the rate of movement in the direction of opening. A fluid by-pass is provided in the damper by a rebate formed in the cylinder so that as the piston approaches the end of the cylinder over the final part of the closure movement the restraint imposed by the damper is relieved.

Abstract: A replacement wheel assembly for railroad freight car doors of the type which utilize a lever and cam arrangement in connectIon with wheels or rollers mounted on the ends of a bar that can be raised and lowered by manipulation of the lever.The replacement assembly comprises a wheel mounted on a plate. To install the same, an opening is cut in the side of the freight car door aligned with one of the wheels carried on the ends of the bar, the bar is cut and the original wheel removed from the opening. The replacement wheel of the wheel assembly is slipped into the interior of the door and its mounting plate welded to the outside of the door.

Abstract: A tubular mandrel device for longitudinally shirring flexible tube materials such as used in making sausage casings and the like. A tubular mandrel is formed by a plurality of parallel spring elements secured at one end and distributed in a cylindrical path around the axis of the mandrel. A control member moves axially within the tubular mandrel. Cam members fixed to the inside of the spring elements of the tubular mandrel cooperatively engage raised and lowered surfaces on the control member such that by moving the control member axially, the spring elements of the tubular mandrel are expanded outwardly.

Abstract: A device for attachment to the skin of a meat animal to be pulled by a power device and strip the skin from the animal carcass. In addition the device can be used for carrying or dragging the animal and for hanging the carcass after skinning.

Abstract: Poultry carriers connected to a common overhead conveyor, travel along a pair of load supporting tracks through a weighing station. The tracks are laterally spaced from each other below the conveyor to reduce spacing between adjacent carriers in the direction of conveyor travel. Each carrier is supported on a track by a roller assembly having a single roller shaft from which the carrier is pivotally suspended by a side suspension arm rigidly connected to one axial end of the roller shaft.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method for molding patties of ground raw meat and the like that has a hopper for holding a supply of the meat, a mold having a patty shaped mold cavity, a ram equipped pressure chamber into which the meat is moved from the hopper and from which it is forced into a patty shaped mold cavity in the mold, means for moving the mold between a filling position for the cavity and an ejecting position for removal of the patty from the cavity, and the ram being reciprocable in the pressure chamber toward and away from the fill and exit openings thereby tending to create a vacuum in the pressure chamber on the movement away from the opening and venting the chamber to relieve this vacuum.

Abstract: In opening and cleaning fibers an improved method to increase the proportion of usable fibers in processable textile fiber stock using a plurality of bale opening machines feeding fiber to a line of fiber cleaning and mixing machines, following which the fibers are fed to a plurality of carding machines. At least some of the machines settings are adjusted to remove a higher level of waste, including trash and good fiber, than would conventionally be acceptable. The waste from the machines is centrally collected and passed to a fiber retriever which removes good fibers to return them into the line of cleaning and mixing machines.

Abstract: An improved clearer for the drawing rolls, namely the top rolls, of spinning machines and like equipment. The clearer comprises a main frame or supporting structure for a clearing belt. The frame is pivoted adjacent the rear end of the apparatus. Carried by a portion of the frame are spring members which respectively press the belt into frictional driving engagement with a serrated roller forming part of the roll system and into clearing contact with one of the forward rollers which is to be cleared. The relationship of the parts is such that the belt also engages the upper surface of at least one other roller which is forwardly mounted relative to the roller just mentioned, to clear the same. Also, the clearer is provided with idler rolls for the belt which are located lower than the top of the cross member of the frame thus to reduce the overall vertical dimensions of the device and to get more "wrap" on the forward top roll, resulting in better clearing.

Abstract: A releasable cable clamp having a base which can be affixed to a work surface. The base comprises a planar member and an upright pedestal. Connected to the pedestal is a strap which extends therefrom in a generally arcuate manner forming a cable-securing loop. The strap has a catch formed near one end. The catch operates in conjunction with a closure device to close and lock the clamp. A releasing latch is connected to the closure device. The latch and strap have an interlock feature which becomes engaged when the clamp is closed. Actuating the releasing latch causes the strap to be moved such that the catch is disengaged from the closure device, allowing the clamp to open.

Abstract: Belt lock for a safety belt with a spring-operated locking catch with hooked part engaging a plug-in tongue. A hand-operated member has a locking part in fixed connection. The locking part is disposed in the path of motion of the hooked part preventing release of the tongue unless the member is pressed by hand to move the locking part out of the path of motion. The locking part is movable along the plug-in axis; and the locking part in the closed position couples with the locking catch.

Abstract: A means and method for making jewelry, particularly finger rings, the outer curvate surface of which is provided with a decorative band which, prior to installation is flexible along an axis perpendicular to its major axis to enable it to be fitted to the outer surface of a base member and maintained thereon by soldering or by the expansion of the base member to greater diameter.

Abstract: Electrically conductive elastomers are prepared by adding polyfunctional tertiary amine compounds to halogenated polymers. The resulting elastomers have resistivities in the range that makes them suitable as conductors for many electrical and electrostatic applications. These ranges are generally in the area of 1.times.10.sup.3 to 1.times.10.sup.7 ohm cm as measured by the methods of ASTM 257. A preferred elastomer is prepared by adding a polyfunctional tertiary amine such as N,N,N',N' tetramethyl-1,3-butanediamine to polychloroprene prior to vulcanizing under conventional vulcanization conditions. The resulting elastomers possess useful electrical conductivity, as well as the desirable physical and chemical properties of conventional elastomers. A roller for current-assisted printing or electrostatic-assisted printing having an external surface layer comprised of the novel electrically conductive elastomer is described.

Abstract: A method for final assembly of a thrust bearing of the type including an annular roller cage retained within an annular thrust race by means of preformed rigid projections on an outer flange of the thrust race which extend over an outer rim of the roller cage, whereby the roller cage is assembled within the rigid projections by controlled elastic deformation of the parts without any deformation of the rigid projections themselves being necessary.

Abstract: This invention is made with a view to increasing the fusing strength of an end piece in a valve moving push rod for internal combustion engines. The fusing part of the push rod according to the present invention consists of an .alpha.-martensite structure and a primary truestite structure in a cotransition boundary range of a segmental section formed into the hardened layer of the end piece from the fused boundary surface of the end piece with a tube end part and is provided with a tough mixed layer arcuated from the inside end part of the above mentioned fused boundary surface to the outside end part thereof. This mixed layer is obtained by reducing by a heat feeding means a quick temperature drop caused by the fusing part simultaneously with cutting off the fusing current in welding by electric resistance the end piece on the fixed side surface to the peripheral edge of the end port of a tube material.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having an outer shell which is long as compared with its diameter and having a helical double-walled finned volute member which is wound to a small diameter around a core member, the proportions being such that the fins on the double-walled member touch the core on the inside of the wound convolutions and touch the shell on the outside of the wound convolutions. The tube which comprises the outer wall of the double-walled member extends through the shell so that any leakage into the space between the inner and outer tubes of the double-walled tube member will be discharged outside of the shell. The process by which the exchanger is made includes the steps of inserting an inner tube in a length of finned outer tube, winding them into a volute member, inserting a central core member therein, installing these members in a shell member and spinning the shell member closed to seal with the ends of the outer tubing of the volute member.

Abstract: An assembly for revaporizing liquefied gases. The arrangement is of the running water type and includes a nest of tubes (1) preferably grouped to form panels and connected to inlet and outlet manifolds and over which water is caused to flow. To withstand the corrosion of salt water, an A-G4MC alloy is used and the cross-section of each tube 1 includes two diametrally opposite outer fins 2,3 and inner fins 5. Said tube is produced preferably by extrusion.Application to vaporization of natural gas.

Abstract: An elastic roller composed of an axial core member and an elastic, liquid retentive layer of foam structure with uniform layer thickness surrounding the circumference of said core member, said elastic roller further comprising a flexible, liquid permeable member in the form of a cylinder or sleeve having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said roller, said flexible member being disposed to cover the circumference of said roller and having extensions extending beyond both side ends of said roller and being shrunk along the ends of said elastic foam structure layer at both sides, respectively, so as to cover also said side ends of the layer with said flexible member. A method of making the elastic roller is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making metal tubes (12) by centrifugally casting muffs (12) in a rotating mold (10), the inner diameter of which is tapered, having a smaller diameter at the pouring end (14) and a larger diameter at the non-pouring end. The outer diameter of the resulting muff is then machined (30) to form a cylindrical member of uniform diameter along its entire length. The inner diameter is also machined (28) smooth, and the finished muff is then reduced (32,34) in diameter and wall thickness to make a long tube (12).

Abstract: An electrically erasable, programmable memory cell array of the floating gate type is made by a process which allows an erase window for the first level polysilicon floating gate to be positioned beneath a third level poly erase line, while maintaining a small cell size. The erase window is not beneath the second level poly control gate, so degrading of the stored charge by the read mechanism is minimized.

Abstract: An electrically programmable memory array of the floating gate type with a high coupling ratio is made by a DMOS process which allows the edges of the floating gates to be self-aligned with the edges of the control gates and produces improved characteristics in the form of higher gain and lower body effect. The source and drain regions are formed prior to applying the first level polysilicon by a process which leaves these regions covered with thick oxide, rather than using the polysilicon as a mask to define the gate areas. Double-diffused regions are formed on one or both sides of the channel, also beneath thick oxide, instead of using a P+ tank. The ratio of the capacitance between the floating gate and control gate to the total capacitance at the floating gate is increased and the degradation in the cell performance usually caused by the P+ tank is avoided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a method of leading out an electrode for a semiconductor substrate. A conductor layer of polycrystalline silicon or the like is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate on which the substrate electrode is to be formed, a desired semiconductor region having a conductivity type opposite to that of the substrate is selectively formed under this state, and the semiconductor substrate electrode is formed on the substrate surface after removing the conductor layer.

Abstract: A switch for selecting internal circuit options in MOS/LSI circuits without altering the circuit layout on a semiconductor chip by selectively implanting channels of field-effect transistors such that selected circuit-option lines are coupled to a designated line. Switches may be constructed with multiple inputs and a single output, or with multiple outputs and a single input, or with multiple inputs and multiple outputs. A bidirectional switch may also be constructed by controlling the gate potential of each transistor connecting one of the option lines to the designated line with a two-input switch for selecting either a high or a low gate potential.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device in a wafer with a P-type semiconductor, includes forming on a surface of the semiconductor body a layer of silicon dioxide doped with an N-type dopant. The portion of the doped silicon dioxide covering the interconnect work site area is removed and a masking layer of an oxidation impervious medium is formed over the wafer and thereafter removed from the field areas, as is the doped silicon dioxide layer. A thin layer of gate oxide is formed over the field areas. A layer of conductive polysilicon is formed over the entire wafer followed by a layer of oxygen impervious masking medium. The conductive polysilicon and masking medium layers are removed from all areas of the wafer except those whereat transistors are to be formed. The wafer is exposed to an oxidizing environment under an elevated temperature producing a field oxide over the exposed gate oxide.

Abstract: A sound, low resistance joint is provided between two electrically conductive members, at least one having a bonded insulation coating thereon. In one form of the method of the present invention, a continuous metallic penetrator having sharp edges or burrs, such as a brass screen, is interwoven about at least two bonded insulation coated conductive members. The coated conductive members and interwoven penetrator are placed in a conductive connector member having chamfered holes therein. Welding electrodes subject the connector member to heat and pressure with welding current flowing between the welding electrodes. At least some of the welding current flows through the continuous metallic penetrator before the penetrator makes electrical contact to the insulation coated conductive members. The penetrator becomes heated by thermal heat from the welding electroides and resistance heat as the welding current passes therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable electrode comprising an annulus of foam, a substantially uniform electrode gel in a central region of the annulus, a conductive layer in the electrode gel and making electrical contact with it, and a cap over the conductive layer, electrode gel and annulus of foam. The electrode is made in a plastic tray by placing said annulus in a recess in the tray, placing the conductive layer on the annulus, pouring hot electrode gel into the center region of the annulus, covering the gel with the cap and covering the tray with a sheet which is heat sealed to the tray with the electrode inside.

Abstract: A portable coaxial cable trimmer (10) for trimming coaxial cable (12) with shielding (36), insulation (38), and a conductor (40) comprises a hollow, elongated housing (18) with a laterally disposed port (44). A first bushing (22) is attached to the end of the housing (18) for centering the cable (12). A first cutter (30) is secured in the housing (18) for trimming the insulation (38) and shielding (36) to produce a shaving (42) which is discharged from the housing (18) through a port (44). A second bushing (46), secured in the housing (18), centers the exposed conductor (40) of the trimmed cable (12). A second cutter (48) disposed in the housing (18) rounds and cuts the end of the exposed conductor (40). A device for rotating the housing, such as an air drill or an electric drill (14) can be attached to the cable trimmer (10) for rotating the housing (18) with respect to the cable (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting pipe and other objects in which a power saw is pressure fed to and through the pipe or object. The saw is mounted on a shaft and the entire saw and shaft assembly rotated by a power mechanism, such as a clock or coil spring, to feed the saw to and through the pipe.

Abstract: A pocket-sized nut opener serves for separating the shell of a pistachio or similar nut that has an obloid shape and is composed of a mating pair of half shells which enclose a nutmeat and define therebetween a narrow slit. The opener is in the form of a generally spoon-shaped implement with a contour that approximates that of a substantial portion of one of those half shells, the implement defining a tip portion and a base portion opposite the tip portion. A generally flat tab is joined to and projects integrally away from the base portion outwardly from the implement. The tab is of a size to be comfortably grasped merely between a thumb and forefinger of a user when inserting the tip portion into the slit and prying the half shells apart.

Abstract: An attachment for a conventional portable electric drill, so as to serve for sanding wood, cutting grass or cutting wood; the attachment supporting either a frame having a pair of rollers around which an endless sanding belt is driven, the attachment otherwise supporting a base holding a rotatable circular saw blade, and the attachment still otherwise holding a frame having a rotatable shaft on which a grass cutting blade is mounted and enclosed under a protective shield.

Abstract: A tool that will accept an insulated conductor and spring bias same against an edge of a scribing tool such that the conductor will not be damaged so that known characteristics thereof remain unchanged in scribing insulation for its removal from the conductor.

Abstract: A knife, fork and spoon are held together magnetically. The outside edges of the fork tines correspond to the curvature of the spoon bowl, and the tines are curved to correspond to the interior of the spoon bowl. The major faces of the knife blade are perpendicular to the major faces of the knife handle, and the knife blade extends between the fork tines toward the longitudinal centerline of the spoon bowl. The tip of the knife blade lies near the forwardmost edge of the spoon bowl, and the cutting edge of the knife blade has a curvature corresponding to that of the centerline of the spoon bowl.

Abstract: An attachment for a direct drive gasoline or electric powered chain saw for delimbing, thinning, pruning and brushing. The attachment comprises a rigid bar of round cross-section which is secured to the blade of a chain saw at a point spaced a short distance towards the handle from the tip of the blade. When so secured, the bar has a straight portion traversing the flat of the blade at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the blade, extending forwardly and downwardly with respect thereto and upwardly and rearwardly beyond the upper edge of the blade. The bar lies substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the blade. A second portion of the bar projects beyond the lower edge of the blade and is bent in a gradual curve through an arc radiaus so that its end is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade. The bar is secured to the flat of the blade by an appropriate securing device and is preferably spaced from the surface of the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in photogrammetry is disclosed having two spaced-apart parallel scanning zones to which the photographs of a stereoscopic pair of photographs are mounted.A carriage mounted optical scanning system is provided for scanning the two scanning zones and for projecting images of the respective zones to a binocular viewing system, and a secondary optical system is provided, preferably on the carriage, for superimposing reference marks on the projected images.The scanning system is arranged in such a manner that simultaneous scanning of the two scanning zones can be effected in a first direction parallel to the scanning zones, and independent scanning of the two scanning zones can be effected in a second direction which is parallel to the scanning zones and orthogonal to the first direction. Also, the apparatus is adapted to permit relative scanning of the two scanning zones in the first direction or for optically moving the reference marks relative to one another in the first direction.

Abstract: An inexpensive manual microidentification system includes a carrier card having the workpiece to be engraved mounted thereon and providing a surface for recording the information engraved on the workpiece; and a simple, inexpensive microengraver formed from a scriber mounted on a ball and socket arrangement, and including a stylus for tracing a pattern to be engraved on a workpiece as well as an elongated spindle interconnecting the two and providing a large mechanical advantage to the motion of the stylus relative to that of the scriber. The carrier card is cantilever mounted adjacent to the scriber; this mounting technique, together with the resilient composition of the card, insures a controlled scribing pressure. The workpiece is held out of contact with the scriber by means of a finger pressing against the card and biased by a spring.

Abstract: A mounting device and sight support adapted to be mounted to the side of the handle of an archery bow including a mounting bracket fixed to the bow having a plurality of mounting positions vertically spaced one from the other and in vertical alignment. Attached to the mounting bracket is an elongated attachment member which extends horizontally or normal to the vertical plane of the mounting bracket and the elongated attachment member is horizontally shiftable on the bracket and includes a sight support for receiving a sight elevation adjustment mechanism which support is mounted normally vertical to the axis of the elongated attachment member. The elongated attachment member may be releasably mounted on any one of the vertical mounting positions of the mounting bracket dependent upon the distance the archer is from the target. The mounting device and sight support is reversible and may be mounted on the opposite sides of the bow depending upon whether the archer is right or left handed.

Abstract: A carpenter's level is formed in two sections, connected together by a pivot near the top of the sections whereby the level may be adjusted to various positions including at least a straight, linearly aligned position and a right angle position. When in the linear configuration, the surfaces of two cooperating sections are flush, without protrusions. A pair of extending flanges on the main section overlap the other, adjustable section by extending into complementarily shaped recesses in the sides of the adjustable section, and the adjustable section includes a projecting insert which extends into a recess formed in the main section, so that the flanges, recesses and insert cooperate to provide stability and alignment of the two sections. Position-holding projections on the inside surfaces of the extending flanges are engageable with sets of depressions formed in the recesses of the adjustable section, positioned to hold the two level sections at selected angles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of a material passing through a plurality of treatment zones using a heated gaseous treatment medium conducted in a substantially closed circuit through these zones. A heat exchanger is associated with each treatment zone. The heat exchanger defines, in an operative relation with the respective treatment zone a medium discharge path and a medium replacement path which paths are arranged in a heat exchange relationship. The fractional portion of a treatment medium discharged from each treatment zone transfers its heat and energy to the fresh replacement medium. A throttle or flow control in the medium replacement path for each treatment zone permits individualized control of draft and medium turnover according to the different conditions prevailing in each zone. A filter is also provided to prevent impurities in the medium discharge flow path from entering the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A device for treating solid and/or liquid materials comprises a drum driven for rotation about a horizontal axis by means of an endless chain.An expensive toothed rim surrounding the drum is avoided, as it is possible that the chain engages a toothless portion of the drum periphery.

Abstract: An improved slipper sock which conforms to the foot of the wearer is formed as follows: the bottom of the foot portion of a stretchable knitted sock, which is in a stretched condition on a foot form, has temporarily attached to the exposed side thereof a thin and flexible bottom sole by use of dots of adhesive located at the extremities of the heel and toe portions thereof, the knitted sock is then removed from the foot form, and the periphery of the bottom sole is then stitched to the stretched bottom of the foot portion of the knitted sock, this stitching concurrently creating a taper in the thickness of the periphery of the bottom sole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foot-supporting insole of which the front bounding line (24) extends in front of the ball (28) of the little toe at the outside of the foot and behind the ball (27) of the big toe at the inside of the foot. To enable such an insole to be used in all conventionally marketed shoes and to ensure that correct adaptation to the foot of the wearer will not be necessary, it is suggested to make the insole (2) of resiliently elastic material of substantially constant thickness and to construct it so that it is curved upwardly at the inside (3) of the foot, the stiffness of the insole (2) at least at the outside zone of the foot being so high that the foot rotatingly rolls towards the big toe during walking. Preferably, the length of the insole (2) at the inside of the foot corresponds to a size which is several sizes smaller than the measurement corresponding to the length at the outside of the foot.

Abstract: A replaceable shoe sole is comprised of a mid-sole, which is securely attached to the upper portion of the shoe, and an out-sole removeably attached to the mid-sole. The upper surface of the out-sole is provided with a continuous ridge which is snapped into a matching, deformably resilient groove recessed into the bottom surface of the mid-sole. The configuration of the ridge and the resiliency of the out-sole and the mid-sole material, which is preferably a polyurethane resin or foam, permits the out-sole to be easily and selectively removed and replaced by an out-sole having a new or distinctive tread pattern, the replaced out-sole being reusable if desired. The ridge on the out-sole is provided with an undercut portion to provide secure retention of the out-sole in the mid-sole, although the specific cross sectional shape of the ridge may vary depending upon the retentiveness required by a particular activity.

Abstract: A wear resisting member or pad is mounted in the undersurface of the heel of an article of footwear, such as a ski boot, to improve the wearability of the heel. When employed in a ski boot, the heel thereof is formed with a cavity for weight reduction, and an opening is provided in the bottom wall of the heel for receiving the pad. When mounted in the opening in the heel, an upstanding boss on the pad engages a depending boss on the underside of an inclined wall in the heel so that the pad strengthens the heel and supports the heel of the wearer's foot. The pad is releasably retained in the opening in the heel by a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs on the margin of the opening and a groove in the outer periphery of the pad into which the lugs extend. The pad is shiftable to different rotated positions in the opening to compensate for wear and can be replaced when worn out.