Abstract: A lint remover assembly consisting of an elongate handle support member having an adhesive tape roll sleeve-engaging roller cylinder in rotatable snap-lock engagement therewith so that the roller cylinder is fixed against axial displacement with respect to the handle support member but is selectively rotatable thereon. An adhesive tape roll sleeve assembly provided for selective slidable frictional covering engagement with the roller cylinder so as to be rotatable therewith and selectively slidably removable therefrom for replacement upon exhaustion of the adhesive tape provided thereon. A cylindrical cover member provided for selective rotative lock engagement with the end of the handle support member so as to selectively cover the roller cylinder and the adhesive tape roll sleeve assembly positioned thereon without engaging the roller cylinder or otherwise interfering with the operation thereof.

Abstract: An improved plumbers' tool of the type employing a helically wound coiled spring which is controllably inserted into waste lines to remove blockages. In operating the tool of the invention a storage drum from which the clean-out spring is payed out is rotated, usually by a small electric motor, and the spring is clamped in a chucking mechanism so as to rotate with the housing. The improvement of the present tool resides in the provision of a unique double fulcrum actuating mechanism which enables the operator, using only one hand, to smoothly and almost effortlessly cause the chucking mechanism to securely engage the coiled spring and prevent slippage thereof even during highly troublesome clean-out operations.

Abstract: Mat-base assembly comprises a base including a sheet integrally formed of an elastomeric polymer, a picture frame-like projection formed on the periphery of the sheet and a mat-containing portion formed on the inner side of the peripheral projection, a dust-controlling mat contained in the mat-containing portion and a temporary anchoring mechanism for anchoring detachably the base and mat at a plurality of points on the peripheral edge of the sheet, wherein an anchoring element comprising engaging pieces implanted on a base fabric is fixed to the base, a fiber loop element engageable with the engaging pieces is sewn to the mat and the peripheral portion of the anchoring element is fusion-bonded to the base sheet while in the remaining portion of the anchoring element, the engaging pieces are left as they are.

Abstract: A cautery cleaning device including a thumb and fingertip manipulated support member with rubber-like properties through which a cautery blade is guided and in which scraping edges are supported and held in contact with the blade. The support member is conformed to fit onto the cautery pencil end adjacent the blade and is removably tethered thereto.

Abstract: A device for preventing the vibration of a windshield wiper including a weight having two ends each secured to one of opposite ends of a pin extending through the end of a holder and separated from each other a suitable distance for the holder and the weight to move relative to each other between the two ends of the pin. The device is mounted on an auxiliary support member of a wiper blade for avoiding the wiper blade being separated from the surface of the windshield by the pressure of air when the vehicle travels at high speed.

Abstract: A unitary tubular exhaust duct directs exhaust air from a scroll type outlet for a vacuum pump mounted within a hot water vacuum extraction machine into a baffled exhaust expansion chamber. Noise reduction is accomplished by mixing the exhaust air with the motor cooling air aspirated into the expansion chamber by an exhaust duct branch terminating at its end remote from the exhaust expansion chamber in a cylindrical shroud which surrounds the vacuum pump electrical drive motor casing and the area of the cooling air exhaust holes within that motor casing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tool is provided which comprises a housing and a motor positioned in the housing, the motor having a driving pulley connected to the output thereof. A rotary agitator brush is mounted in the housing and has a portion thereof extending from the housing for contacting a surface to be vacuumed. The brush has an axle which extends therefrom along the axis thereof. A drive belt couples the pulley to the brush and an end cap is mounted on the axle of the brush for mounting the brush in the housing in two positions. The brush extends a smaller distance from the housing in the first of the two positions. The center of the end cap is positioned with respect to the axis of the brush such that when the cap is rotated 180.degree., the brush is shifted between the two positions while the distance from the center of the pulley to the axis of the brush is maintained constant.

Abstract: A caster socket assembly for attachment of a caster to a furniture leg having an opening. The assembly includes a plastic housing having a cylindrical socket provided with an annular groove, the housing being insertable in the opening of the furniture leg. A caster includes a cylindrical pintle having an annular groove which is insertable in the socket. A split C-ring is attached to the caster at the pintle groove and is selectively engageable with the housing at the socket groove to retain the pintle in the housing. The C-ring has an expanded outside diameter greater than the pintle, and is resiliently compressible for sliding the pintle into and out of the housing socket and is resiliently expandable within the housing socket groove to retain the pintle within the housing socket in a mounted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture fitting in the form of a cup-shaped hinge housing which can be anchored into a bore of a furniture door and used as a door side pivot carrier for a furniture hinge. The hinge housing has a locking element which can be rotated about an axis at right angles to a circumferential wall and which has a section for holding the locking element when it is in a locked position. In a preferred embodiment of the hinge housing, two swivelling locking elements are provided which are connected to each other by a bracket shaped element so that when the bracket shaped element is swivelled to a given position by hand the locking element is moved into a locking position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for electrically stunning slaughter cattle in particular horned cattle such as horned sheep. Said apparatus having a set of electrodes 4, 5, 22, 29 mounted at the outer ends of levers 6, 7, 24, 25, 31, 32 which can extend into the passage between the endless conveyor belts 1, 2 in a forward, inward and rearward direction said electrodes preferably being pivotably mounted at the outer ends of said levers by means of transverse pivot shafts 19 or selfcentering resilient universal joints, means being provided to swing the electrodes 4, 5 out of said passage which means can be formed by the cylinder 18 or by mounting the levers 24, 25 upon a shaft 26 which can be rotated and carry the plurality of levers with electrodes, or by using endless chains 33 carrying a plurality of levers 31, 32 with electrodes 29, 30 which chains can be driven in the direction of movement of the conveyor belts 1, 2.

Abstract: Scallops are shucked by being placed on scallop cradles moving along an endless flexible member and a hinged portion of the scallop shell and an opposed portion thereto are sawn from the remainder, to expose the interior, while the scallops are held in the cradles by an endless flexible member. The sawn scallops are then held in the cradles by clamping fingers engaging the bottom shells so that when the shells are inverted a high pressure water jet severs the muscle allowing what was the top shell to fall away, then a series of low pressure water jets detach the viscera and roe, followed by a high pressure fan jet which detaches the muscle.

Abstract: A golf score card and pencil holder is disclosed including a main body portion in the form of a tag provided with a loop, an elongated cord laced through holes provided in the main body portion, a split ring linked with the loop, an alligator clip attached to one end of the cord, and a flexible grommet attached to the other end of the cord. In use, a pencil is press-fit through a hole of the grommet, a golf score card is clipped to the alligator clip, and the split ring is attached to a golf bag.

Abstract: Several unique bag closure features are presented, with one embodiment having a bag-neck confining opening provided with inwardly depending appendages peripherally spaced from one another and with blunted ends to protect the bag, but with sharp corners to hold the bag. Another feature of the invention is a perforated plastic bag closure, with the perforations being arranged in a unique pattern to maximize the strength of the closure while reducing its weight. A third feature is a plurality of interconnected, flat, generally rigid closures which are joined in an elongated strip by sets of transversely spaced but outwardly, generally convex webs which space the adjoined, adjacent closures from one another yet leave a smooth web when the closures are separated by breaking the webs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cufflink disassemblably coupled of its two pieces, one being a decorative member and another being a keeper element, with the aid of a spring clip.The above assembling and disassembling are made quite easily and quickly by manual one touch fingering at a desired time, and once attached through button holes of the shirt's cuff which may be either one of double type or convertible type it is designed not to slip-off from the cuff, even when the cufflink brushes against a person and/or an object.

Abstract: When a submerged pump is supported on its discharge pipe in a deep well, such as an oil well, the electric power supply cable to the pump is strapped to the side of the discharge pipe. The cable banding lock ring engages around the strap between the cable and discharge pipe to increase the wrap of the strap around both the power supply cable and the discharge pipe.

Abstract: A jamming cleat has a groove to receive and grip a rope. At least a part of the depth of the groove has facing side walls each of which is formed with a plurality of ridges. The edges are inclined upwardly from the base of the groove towards one end of the groove, and the crests of the ridges on each side of the groove lie generally in one common ridge crest plane. The ridge crest planes converge downwardly towards the bottom of the groove and diverge lengthwise of the groove away from the said one end of the groove. In use a rope or cord is laid in the groove and pulled through the groove in a direction away from the said one end of the groove. The ridges draw the rope down towards the bottom of the groove so as to jam the rope in the groove. The extent to which the rope is drawn down into the groove increases progressively away from the said one end but the rope is gripped generally uniformly along the length of the groove because of the divergence of the ridge crest planes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a unique self-aligning, quick-release coupling system capable of releasably joining any two or more of a great variety of cooperative male/female mating items to be temporarily or permanently joined, at the option of the user. Spring-biased positive ejecting forces within the female sub-assembly otherwise tending to separate these items are used to reliably capture the male component until positive separation is desired. Relatively small adjustable threshold triggering forces are required to initiate separation.In preferred embodiments, the mating members include round or polygonal cross-sections, tailored to the user's needs to facilitate keyed alignment; integrally moulded spring members, choices of dielectric materials for safe use in corrosive environments; and remote control of disengagement.

Abstract: An improved slip-type elevator locking mechanism has a lock rod which has one end connected to the slip setting yoke and a free end extending generally parallel with the direction of movement of the slips in the elevator bowl. A cam arm mounted on the elevator at a central pivot point has a cam throat on one end which is adapted to receive the lock rod free end and an opposite end and is pivotable about the central pivot point between upper and lower lock rod engaging positions and a neutral, unlocked position. A fluid cylinder is pivotally mounted by a base end to the elevator and is pivotally attached at its output shaft to the cam arm opposite end for urging the cam arm to the neutral position. The fluid cylinder output shaft is spring-biased outwardly away from the base end in the absence of fluid pressure on the cylinder.

Abstract: The wire cutting, skinning and wrapping tool includes a hollow sleeve, a knife carried by the sleeve, a bit provided with a longitudinal groove which is able to slide in a forward and backward direction in the sleeve, the bit and the knife skinning an insulated wire over a predetermined length and a means to move the bit from a backward to a forward position during the skinning operation. The sleeve is provided by normally closed sleeve halves with the insulated wire opening the sleeve halves during the skinning operation and with the sleeve halves closing again when the bit is in the forward position after each skinning operation. The length of skinned wire is captured between the bit groove and the closed sleeve halves.

Abstract: A novel automatic wire terminal applying machine for attaching closed barrel terminals to the ends of lengths of wire is disclosed. In addition to the conventional operating mechanisms, including wire clamps, wire cutter and strippers, and terminal applicators, the wire end position control for longitudinally moving the wire clamps for retracting the stripped wire end to position it in overlapping relationship with the terminal for application of the terminal further includes wire insertion means for advancing the stripped wire end prior to operation of the terminal applicator for longitudinal, rather than transverse, insertion into the open end of a closed barrel terminal.

Abstract: A device for installing a threaded bush into a work piece has a housing containing a rotatable threaded rod. A pressure responsive piston in the housing axially moves the threaded rod with respect to the housing. A rotatable abutment sleeve is provided between the housing and the threaded rod. The bush is initially threaded on the rod and then screwed in the workpiece by rotation of the rod until a collar of the bush contacts the surface of the workpiece. Thereafter the rod is axially retracted to cause the abutment sleeve to deform a smooth walled portion of the bush to complete the installation.

Abstract: An extractor for the flanged tubular ferrule which surrounds the head of the barrel lock of a kilowatt-hour meter comprises an actuating screw and a two-piece clamp. The clamp has a threaded hole and two recesses of different diameters, the larger of which is adapted to fit around the flange of the ferrule and the smaller of which is adapted to fit around the body of the ferrule. To remove the ferrule, the two pieces of the clamp are fitted over the ferrule and then fastened together by bolts. Then the actuating screw is screwed into the clamp until the inner end of the screw abuts against the head of the barrel lock which is inside the tubular ferrule. Continued rotation of the actuating screw in a tightening direction causes the clamp to move outwardly on the threads of the screw and in so doing the captive ferrule is pulled out of the cover housing. Following removal of the ferrule, the barrel lock itself may be removed by a barrel lock extractor, preferably of the type described in my U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for tightening threaded fasteners in which values of offset torque, initial tension rate relative to angle, final tension rate relative to angle and other joint related factors are empirically determined by instrumenting a plurality of fasteners of the type ultimately to be tightened. In one embodiment, torque and angle are monitored during tightening. Calculations are conducted, while tightening, to determine the tension prevailing in the bolt at a particular angle of advance. By using the calculated tension value and the particular angle of advance, an instantaneous position of threading advance on the tension-angle curve of the fastener is established. From this instantaneous position, it is determined how much greater angle of advance or how much torque is required to tighten the fasteners to a final desired tension value. The same technique may also be used merely to monitor tightening which is terminated by a different tightening strategy.

Abstract: A method of attaching sliders and top end stops to a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers, each stringer having successive spaced groups of coupling elements mounted on continuous stringer tape and interengaged with opposed complementary groups of coupling elements on the other stringer tape, there being successive pairs of opposed blank tape portions between the successive spaced pairs of coupling element groups. One of the successive pairs of opposed blank tape portions is spread apart. A slider is set and retained at a first fixed point between the spread pair of opposed blank tape portions. The opposed blank tape portions are then released so as to engage shoulders of a guide channel of the slider. Then the stringers are fed backwardly so as to thread the opposed blank tape portions through the guide channel of the slider. After that, the stringers are fed forwardly until end portions of an adjacent pair of coupling element groups are introduced into the guide channel of the slider.

Abstract: A container includes two elongate tubular members, one telescoped within the other. The inner tube has an access opening in one section of an upper wall portion through which articles can be placed into and removed from the interior of the tube when the inner tube is withdrawn from the outer tube, the access opening being effectively closed when the inner tube is again telescoped into the outer tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cytodiagnostic brush assembly comprises forming a sleeve, which is used to cover and fix the end of a strand or strands which form a brush, by a drawing operation, whereby the sleeve is secured to the strands.

Abstract: A first semiconductor circuit element including a first electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer for insulating the first electrode is formed on the first electrode, and a first opening is provided in a part of this insulating layer.Subsequently, a second semiconductor circuit element is formed by forming a second electrode overlaying in part the insulating layer at an area other than the first opening and, a subsidiary conductive layer is formed in the first opening. Another insulating layer is formed on the structure thus formed, whereupon second and third openings are respectively provided in this latter insulating layer.First and second conductors are respectively deposited in the second and third openings, whereby electrical contact to the first and second electrodes are provided, with contact to the first electrode being via the subsidiary conductive layer.

Abstract: A solar cell is provided which has a front electrode which wraps around the edge of the cell and onto a portion of the back of the cell. A second electrode is also provided on the back of the cell thereby permitting all electrical connections to be made on one side of the cell. A method for making such a cell also is disclosed.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of fabricating a titanium rectifier circuit element. A titanium dioxide main body is formed with a pair of spaced faces each of which having thereon a platinum electrode. A dc voltage is applied across this structure, heating the structure to a temperature of about 750.degree.-850.degree. C. In this temperature range, the titanium dioxide body is subjected to a cyclic sequence of exposures to oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The final step includes cooling down the titanium dioxide body in the presence of a reducing atmosphere with an applied dc electric field.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an electric diaphragm horn and the method of air gap adjustment wherein the horn utilizes an electric coil mounted with a housing which includes a pole piece; a diaphragm being mounted upon the housing including a plunger to be spaced from the pole piece at a predetermined dimension to produce the desired sound output level. The housing bottom wall is deformed to an extent determined by measurements relative to the housing diaphragm mounting surface whereby assembly of the diaphragm to the housing produces a uniform gap between the pole piece and plunger resulting in a consistency of assembled dimensions. Further, the invention includes an electric horn construction utilizing a diaphragm wherein the motor chamber is vented to the atmosphere through a projector mounted upon the horn housing.

Abstract: A system and method of securing the end shields of a dynamoelectric machine (e.g., a fractional horsepower electric motor) to its stator assembly with the rotor assembly of the motor held centered within the bore of the stator assembly and journalled in the motor's end shields. The system involves the use of threaded fasteners (preferably self-tapping screws or the like) which are inserted through enlarged holes provided in the end shield into mating holes provided in the end face of the core of the stator assembly. With the rotor accurately centered in the stator bore, the fasteners are tightened thereby to firmly and securely draw the end shield into firm gripping engagement with the end face of the stator core while the desired uniform air gap between the rotor and the bore of the stator assembly is maintained.

Abstract: In a method for the production of toaster heating elements firstly connecting strips made of electrically conductive material are arranged in the region of edge recesses at opposite edges at the rear side of a support plate, opposite to the heating side. Then a plurality of heating conductor wires are provided substantially parallel to one another and in such a way that they cross the connecting strips in the region of the edge recesses at the heating side and thereby are electrically connected to said strips. Furtheron the wires are cut off. In an apparatus for performing the method there is provided a processing station comprising a supporting surface for the support plate of the heating elements. The processing station further comprises housing grooves one for each connecting strips. Said grooves are situated at opposite side edge regions of the supporting surface. Further a delivery station associated with the processing station is provided.

Abstract: An electrical jack and method of making the electrical jack wherein a housing is formed with at least one socket for receiving a circuit board edge connector, wherein a circuit card is fixed to the housing and has an end portion extending into the socket for reception in the connector upon insertion of the connector into the socket, and wherein a set of contact spring members are insertable through an aperture in the housing in the process of making the electrical jack. The contact spring members are removably trapped in place against cooperating surfaces on the housing and the circuit card at positions where they cooperate with conductors on the circuit card to normally interconnect two sets of terminals and where they are deflectable by insertion of the connector into the socket to electrically disconnect the two sets of terminals from each other.

Abstract: An oscillating saw accessory for a tool having a reciprocating member such as a saber saw is provided. A circular saw blade is mounted in a housing which permits rotary movement of the saw blade. The housing is attached to the tool with the saw blade adjacent to the reciprocating member. The reciprocating member is attached to the saw blade so that the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating member produces an oscillating movement of the saw blade.

Abstract: To remove, by suction, chips and debris arising in operation of a hand-cutting tool, for example a sheet-metal nibbling tool, a saber saw, or the like, an ejection nozzle is surrounded by a preferably plastic body defining, internally a Venturi, and externally of the ejection nozzle a vacuum, underpressure or suction chamber which is connected through a preferably flexible hose to a suction pick-up nozzle, removably attached adjacent a reciprocating tool at the working or cutting head of the tool. The suction pick-up nozzle preferably includes a chamber in direct air communication with the tool so that chips which arise in tool operation are directly drawn into the pick-up nozzle for removal, by air flow suction, through the suction duct and to a collecting and disposal hose.

Abstract: The plastics handle 21 of a retractable blade knife 20, which also comprises a blade 22 and a blade-slider 23, is molded in one piece in a two-part molding tool 50 which can mold several such handles simultaneously. The handle has a series of wall portions, 39, 40, 27 and 43, 44, 28, 48 alternating with apertures 45, 46, 29, 49 and 41, 42, 30 along each side 25, 26 respectively, each wall portion on each side being directly opposite a respective aperture on the opposite side, so that molding tool portions 54, 55 of the molding tool can form the inside surfaces of the wall portions for guiding the blade. Wall portions 27 are formed by molding tool portions 56 with gaps 31 for passage of a manually operable part 32 of slider 23, and also act as detents for the slider.

Abstract: A brush cutter including a first normally horizontal blade having a transverse slot, support structure including an elongated handle generally orthogonal to the blade to enable positioning of the slot about the base of a stalk to be cut, a second blade guided to slide on the first blade to move across the slot, a pedal pivoted to the support structure, and a linkage pivotally connecting the pedal to the second blade to cause the second blade to slide. In a first embodiment the sliding is linear, and in a second embodiment the sliding is rotary.

Abstract: A chain saw guide bar assembly (30) having improved automatic chain tensioning, vibration damping and lubrication properties, and related lubrication methods are provided. A nose guide member (34) rotatably carrying an idler sprocket (34.1) is mounted to an elongate primary guide bar member (32) for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative thereto. Biasing spring members (50, 51) acting on force-imparting surfaces (60.4, 60.5), are protectively enclosed within an internal cavity (33) of the primary guide member and bias the nose guide member with predetermined tensioning force in the longitudinal direction against an endless cutting chain (40). An interchangeable force block member (60) enables preselection of the desired chain tension force. Damping finger members (32.35, 32.36, 50, 51) cooperatively absorb vibratory forces transmitted through the guide bar. Oil passageways (32.33, 32.

Abstract: Two tubular elements are connected by a ball-and-socket joint and arrangements are provided for measuring angular displacement which occurs between the longitudinal center axes of the two elements.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring the distance of two oppositely arranged roller ways of a continuous casting plant comprises a measuring body capable of being pulled or pushed through the section between the roller ways. The measuring body has oppositely arranged contact surfaces touching the surface areas of the rollers, the distance-measuring device being fastened within the measuring body. In order to be able to determine the distance of the rollers with the greatest accuracy possible also with rollers that are not arranged opposite each other, the contact surfaces of the measuring body are comprised of elastically deformable spring steel strips whose longitudinal extension is larger than the axial distance of three neighbouring rollers of one of the roller ways. The spring steel strips are pressable towards the surface areas of the rollers by pressure units arranged between them and the distance-measuring device contacts the inner side of one of the spring steel strips.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the thickness of a nonmetallic article employs differential air core transformer principles. A transmitting coil is axially aligned between two identical receiving coils. The test article is positioned between the transmitting coil and a first one of the receiving coils. The distance between the second receiving coil and the transmitting coil is adjusted until the signals received by the two receiving coils are balanced. The distance between the second receiving coil and the transmitting coil then corresponds identically to the distance between the transmitting coil and the first receiving coil. Direct reading measurement devices may be provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lay out square which can be folded from a flat position for storage to a position wherein the legs are substantially perpendicular to each other. A body comprising first and second legs spaced apart equal distances form a U-shaped member which is joined to a face marking portion formed by third and fourth legs aligned where first and second legs and having hinge means to pivotally secure the body portion to the body at substantially right angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for atomizing a reaction mixture, said device enabling the reaction mixture to be atomized in a reactor with the aid of at least a first gas and an atomizing nozzle. This device further comprises a supply of a second hot gas at the top of the atomizing device, serving to dry the atomized mixture, a supply of a third gas and means for distributing this third gas comprising an annular space of adjustable width and adapted to distribute in the reactor said third gas in the form of a ring along the inner wall of the reactor, so as to avoid any contact between the reaction mixture and said wall. The invention is applicable to the atomization of a reaction mixture.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact hair dryer is provided having a rigid case to contain a blower-heater arrangement for the provision of hot air, a collapsible hood structure having a structural support connected to the case in supported relation thereby, the case having an extensible stand portion for attachment of the hood in supported relation therewith, the hood support comprising a flexible band which can be rolled into a roll for storage within the box, and in the open condition when attached to the stand portion providing a free standing support portion of the hood structure. The hood further includes air inflatable bag means extending from the hood band to partially enclose the head of a user when in use, the walls of the bag having apertures located to direct hot air in drying relation with the user's head, provided from a hose connection to the blower heater.

Abstract: Electrical circuit boards are cooled immediately after passing through a soldering work station wherein heat-sensitive electrical components are mechanical soldered into such circuit boards so as to minimize dangerous temperature peaks without disrupting the soldering process. The cooling device is positioned closely adjacent to the soldering work station and comprises a housing having a C-shaped passageway along the center thereof for receiving an elongated transport means carrying freshly-soldered circuit boards in a given direction from the solder soldering work station. Air flow means are provided at opposite wall portions of the passageway for directing a stream of cooling air against opposite sides of the circuit boards carried by the transport means and approximately at right angles to the travel directions of such boards.

Abstract: An apparatus for polymerization of adhesive resin applied to the junctions of tennis racket netting, comprising a container having a plurality of superimposed compartments communicating with one another and each arranged to receive a racket, a source of heat arranged below the compartments and a fan arranged above said compartments for circulation of heated air from said source of heat through said compartment and a vertical passage adjacent said compartments back to the bottom of said container.

Abstract: A shoe, particularly a sport shoe, has a sole with a shallow recess therein that is closed by a lining impervious to air. The upper of the shoe also has air chambers therein, in surrounding relationship to the heel, these latter chambers also communicating with the air chamber of the sole. A crescent-shaped piece at the rear of the upper protects the Achilles' tendon of the wearer and is hollow and flexible and communicates with the air chamber in the shoe sole. As a result, the air chambers can deform substantially so as to absorb shock and protect the rear of the foot of the wearer, at the same time that the pressure in the various chambers does not greatly change.

Abstract: This foot protector includes a front portion providing protection for the toes and instep of the wearer and a rear portion protecting the ankles and heel, the protector being open at the bottom. The rear portion of the protector includes heel side margins extending downwardly from the top of the protector and terminating upwardly of the bottom to define separable side flap portions and a connecting lower portion for the rear side portions. The heel side margins include arcuate interconnected lower portions and an integrally formed reinforcing pad extends transversely of said side margins. A connector element releasably connects the separable side flap portions.

Abstract: A track shoe is described having a cushion member of resilient elastomer material secured to the bottom surface of its spike plate beneath the metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot. The cushion member is positioned behind and separate from the rearmost spikes on such spike plate. Such cushion member has an average width longitudinally of the shoe greater than its thickness. The cushion member absorbs shock, helps runners stay on their toes by preventing "rock-back" onto the heel of the shoe, and aids in foot stability during landing.

Abstract: A pedal shoe particularly useful for use with bicycles lacking shoe pedal clips, comprising a relatively thick, high strength lower sole provided with a transverse cylindrical bore having such interior dimension as to accommodate the rotatable pedal shaft which is connected to the crank gear of the bicycle.