Abstract: A hand-held ice scraper having a wide thin scraper blade at one end thereof and means within said scraper to electrically heat the peripheral edges of the ice-engaging surface of said scraper blade to assist in loosening ice to be removed thereby. A brush element is removably secured to the other end to also assist in cleaning the surface being worked upon.

Abstract: The brush comprises bristles (2a, 2b) disposed substantially parallel to one another and fixed in a tuft to a support. The bristles are formed by a mixture of bristles (2a) of small section, or small bristles, and bristles (2b) having a larger section, or large bristles, the proportion of large bristles being between 2% and 95% by volume in relation to the total volume of the tuft of the brush.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for washing and then drying industrial parts. The apparatus includes a housing having an inlet for receiving the parts to be washed and an outlet for discharging the parts after drying. A first conveyor has one end positioned adjacent the housing inlet for receiving the incoming parts to be washed, and a second conveyor having one end adjacent the housing outlet. The conveyors are preferably positioned in a side by side relationship and are constructed from an endless chain. A motor drives the first and second conveyors. A liquid sprayer has a plurality of outlet nozzles positioned above the first conveyor so that liquid washing fluid is directed against parts on the first conveyor. A transfer rail transfers the parts from the first conveyor to the second conveyor after washing and an air blower having a plurality of air outlet nozzles are directed towards the parts on the second conveyor to thereby dry the parts prior to their discharge from the housing outlet.

Abstract: A nozzle for a carpet washer operated to travel on a carpet while supplying foam of a cleansing liquid onto a surface of a carpet under pressure of a pump and brushing the surface of the carpet by a washing brush, dirty water produced as a result of the brushing being drawn into a sewage tank through the nozzle, the improvement comprising an edge portion mounted on an inner surface of the nozzle in such a manner as to extend in a horizontal direction across the nozzle and to incline upwardly in a drawing direction of the dirty water.

Abstract: A deflooding tool for vacuum removal of liquid such as water or the like from carpets, rugs or other floor coverings. Preferably the tool comprises a rigid, hollow generally cubicle vacuum chamber disposed substantially vertically with respect to the flooded carpet. The vacuum chamber includes a lower, open suction inlet for intaking liquids to be removed, and vacuum is supplied to the chamber by an elongated, rigid, tubular handle angularly coupled at one end to the top rear of the vacuum chamber. The remote end of the handle terminates in a connection to a conventional vacuum source. Wheels are rigidly mounted at the bottom rear of the vacuum chamber for facilitating the tool. A generally cylindrical, rigid heavy roller is mounted at the bottom front of the vacuum chamber for compressing the carpet, rug or other floor covering to liberate liquids to be captured through the vacuum inlet. Preferably the ratio of the wheel diameter to the roller diameter is 10:7.

Abstract: A programming system is provided for passing or blocking the movement of operable room divider panels along overhead tracks supporting the panels. The programming system employs separate characterized gates which pass or deny passage to separate panels which are moved along the track. By providing gates at intersections panels from one track leg can be passed or blocked to one or more intersecting legs as desired. The gates may be in the form of keyed or characterized inserts at the intersections of tracks or channels supporting the panels. The inserts may have different keyed or characterized openings which receive mating guide pins on selected panels which permit passage past the gate and block panels having male guide pins with a different key or characterized configuration.

Abstract: A lid operating mechanism for opening and closing a lid body from left and right sides of a box body includes left and right side hinge pins provided along left and right side edges of the lid body for movement between a projecting position and a retract position; left and right side operation buttons provided within the lid body for sliding; and left and right side cable means for directly connecting the left and right side hinge pins and the left and right side operating buttons, respectively, and having a first section extending in the widthwise direction and a second section extending in a lengthwise direction of the lid body so that when the left or right side operating button is depressed into the opening position, the left or right side cable means pulls the left or right side hinge pins into the retracted position to thereby allow opening of the lid body about the right or left side hinge pins.

Abstract: Clip for holding and/or keeping together sheets of paper or other materials, comprising two holding elements lying essentially in parallel planes and springing relative to each other, and of which the two end edges run parallel at a distance from each other or at an angle relative to each other, and form push-on edges when in use. According to the invention, the two holding elements are in the form of holding legs (1, 2) of sheet-type material, and one (2) of said holding legs is bent in such a way that a part (4, 6) adjacent to the connecting line (3) with the other leg (1) lies at a distance from said other leg, and a second part (8), essentially ending at the push-on edge (13), lies with at least a part of its inside essentially flat and resiliently against the inside of a part (9) of the other holding leg (1). The clip can also be placed on other objects of different types.

Abstract: The present invention is to offer a ratchet diving mask strap which can be adjusted to a desirable tightness even under water through a process of two-piece opposite direction displacement tightening by turning the adjusting knob to tighten the two sides of strap, and consists of one each elastic strap on the left and right, a guard cover an upper rack, a lower rack, a gear, an adjusting knob and a check device, wherein each elastic strap is combined with the left and right sides of the upper and lower racks to form a strip, the upper and lower racks are mutually overlapped and disposed in the guard cover, a gear disposed in the tooth grooves of upper and lower racks to engage with the upper and lower racks, and the gear is combined with the adjusting knob, turning the adjusting knob can displace the upper and lower racks left and right and further pull the left and right elastic strap so as to adjust the tightness of said strap, and the check device can check the adjusting knob to keep the tightness of mask

Abstract: A fixing tie (10) for use in securing the ends of a protective gaiter around a constant velocity joint comprises a flexible plastics strap (11) and an adjustment clip (12). The flexible strap (11) is passed round the end of the gaiter and the free ends pass through an aperture (23) into the clip. One end (27) of the strap (11) is secured in the clip by crimping of integral tabs (17) into contact with the strap. The other end (28) of the strap is received in a split pin (22) which is rotated in a mounting (21) to tighten the strap around the gaiter end. The other end (28) is then secured in position once again by crimping of further integral tabs (18) into contact with the strap and the split pin (22) is removed.

Abstract: A repair device to refasten the ends of a broken strand of wire in a fence structure, especially such as a strand of barbed wire. The repair device provides at least two similar releasably interconnectable portions, each having a first medial interconnecting hook defined at a first end of an elongate wire body and a second wire fastening hook defined at the second end of the wire body. A conic wire nut is movably carried on the wire body to receive the second wire fastening hook therein and fasten upon that second hook and a loop of fence wire carried by the hook to interconnect one end of the fence wire with the second end portion of the repair device. The wire nut defines peripherally extending wings to aid manual manipulation and may be formed with a slot or releasably interconnectable portion to allow placement on the wire body after formation. More than two of the repair devices may be joined to each other to span a greater distance between wire ends to be connected.

Abstract: A karabiner comprises a C-shaped body having a male part composed of a central tab and of a terminal protuberance in the form of a cap, and a pivoting finger equipped with a female part having a first orifice for access to an internal recess for accommodation of the male part when the finger is closed. A second outlet orifice is arranged in the finger opposite the first orifice, to ensure removal of the mud to the outside, and self-cleaning of the locking zone inside the recess. The protuberance is arranged as a fixed piston bounding a compressible volume open on the side where the second orifice is situated.

Abstract: A buckle apparatus includes a buckle body, a tongue plate, a lock plate supported by the buckle body, and being swingable between a first position for engaging the tongue plate and a second position for releasing the engagement, a lock pin moving in the tongue plate removal direction so as to prevent the lock plate from swinging toward the second position and moving in the tongue plate insertion direction so as to allow the lock plate to swing toward the second position, a release button pressing the holder so as to move the lock pin, teeth provided on the cover of the buckle body, and an engaging member being separated from the teeth in a state where the holder is in contact with the release button and engaging tile teeth so as to prevent the holder from moving in a state where the holder is separated from the release button.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a molded-plastic fitment such as one of the halves of a snap fastener molded in situ to a porous substrate such as a garment fabric. Various embodiments are described for the article, as well as dies for forming the same, and methods and a machine for making the same.

Abstract: A new and improved sock pairing apparatus includes a pair of similar sock clamp assemblies which include similar indicia. Each respective sock clamp assembly is used with one sock of a pair of socks. Each respective sock clamp assembly includes a pair of first and second clamping elements for clamping the respective sock clamp assembly onto a respective sock of the pair of socks. Each respective first clamping element is placed on a respective sock against a first side of a sock wall. Each respective second clamping element is placed against a second side of the respective sock wall in registration with the respective first clamping element and clamped thereto. In this way, a portion of the sock wall is permanently clamped between the respective first clamping element and the respective second clamping element. The first clamping element may be a rigid member that includes a locking assembly for locking the second clamping element thereto.

Abstract: A stretching machine for treating removable belts supported on rollers, such as felts and wires in papermaking machines, comprises two rollers, over which the belt is trained in a loop. A heated belt contact structure has a contact surface adapted to contact the belt on the outside of the loop and between the rollers. A press roller is adapted to make press contact with the belt on the inside of the loop opposite the belt contact structure. The belt contact structure comprises a glide contact surface and a roller, the press roller acting against this latter roller.

Abstract: In order to improve reliability in electrical connection between internal terminal electrodes and external electrodes in a chip-type piezoelectric-resonator which, protected with resin so as to be capable of surface mounting, a mother substrate is prepared comprising a piezoelectric substrate and a plurality of piezoelectric resonance elements formed thereon. Thick-film electrodes are formed so as to cover the terminal electrodes of the respective piezoelectric resonance elements. Thermosetting protective resin members are applied to cover both major surfaces of the mother substrate, which in turn is divided into individual piezoelectric resonance elements so that the thick-film electrodes are exposed on divided surfaces formed by dividing step. External electrodes are formed on the divided surfaces.

Abstract: In a slide fastener coupling element forming apparatus, a blank wire of a generally Y-shape cross section intermittently supplied at a predetermined pitch is cut off into pieces of a predetermined thickness by a fixed cutting punch and a reciprocating cutting die, and then a bulge for the head portion of a coupling element is formed by a forming die and a forming punch movable upwardly and downwardly to coact with the forming die. The forming die is located to be connected with the forward end in the stroke direction of the cutting die, and the forming punch is located upwardly of the bulge forming station. Then the opposite leg portions of a coupling element are pushed out of the mold of the forming die by a vertically movable ejector pin located under the leg portions on the forming die to discharge the formed coupling element from the forming die.

Abstract: A curtain apparatus having a hood with a top plate in which a plurality of slots are positioned approximately parallel to each other. A fixed woven mesh metal curtain is mounted within one slot so that the fixed woven mesh metal curtain remains in a fixed position with respect to the top plate, during operation of a descaler. A moveable woven mesh metal curtain is mounted within another slot so that during operation of the descaler, the moveable woven mesh metal curtain can translate along a longitudinal axis of the slot. The moveable woven mesh metal curtain is detachably engaged with a curtain bracket that is secured to a moveable guide arm.

Abstract: The apparatus according to the invention separates a cam structure which activates operation of a pre-hemming structure used for supporting a blade available for preliminarily folding a hem flange into two units including a lower cam structure used for pressuring a movable member of the pre-hemming structure in the downwardly slant direction corresponding to the preliminary folding direction and an upper cam structure for activating operation of the lower cam structure. After completing the preliminary folding process against the hem flange, the upper cam structure is retracted to permit the lower cam structure to be free from pressuring force transmitted in the preliminary folding direction by the movable member. In consequence, the preliminary folding blade is securely prevented from repeatedly and uselessly being operated on the way of lifting an upper mold after completion of the hemming process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly and easily disengaging and re-engaging a fastener installation tool head from a fastener installation tool body. A novel fastener installation tool head quick disconnect assembly is provided, consisting in a preferred arrangement of a sleeve assembly and an adapter housing assembly. The adapter housing assembly is rigidly attached to the fastener installation tool body and the sleeve assembly is attached to the adapter housing assembly via a quick-disconnect latching mechanism on the adapter housing assembly. To remove the sleeve assembly from the adapter housing assembly the operator simply translates the latching mechanism rearwardly, rotates the sleeve assembly 60.degree. to align an internal and an external set of lugs and grooves on the assemblies, and pulls the sleeve assembly forward disengage the sleeve assembly from the adapter housing assembly.

Abstract: A process for producing sheet-metal jackets, especially for pallet containers with an inner container of a synthetic resin, wherein a rectangular cut-to-size sheet-metal blank, the narrow sides of which are folded over into rims, is bent into a tubular member (15), and the rims (11a, 12a) of the tubular member (15) are hooked together. From the interlocked rims (11a, 12a), a series of spaced-apart connecting straps (16) is shaped by cutting and embossing toward the outside in a series parallel to the rims (11a, 12a) while leaving undeformed the rims between the spaced-apart portions. The rims (11a, 12a) are locked with respect to each other by a wire (17) pulled through the connecting straps (16), and the thusproduced tubular member (15) is shaped on a stretching press into a sheet-metal jacket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning the top surface of a workpiece in proper relationship with respect to tooling including a fully extended upper clamp bushing, or for positioning the fully extended upper clamp bushing in proper relationship with respect to the top surface of a workpiece, which establishes a desired workplane wherein the top surface of the workpiece is always disposed in a normal position with respect to the lowermost surface of the upper clamp bushing and just in contact with the lowermost surface even though the top surface was disposed either below or above the desired workplane at the commencement of the clamping operation. The method and apparatus is capable of moving the top surface of the workpiece or the tooling into a desired workplane and also of determining whether or not the top surface of the workpiece adjacent the area which is to be fastened lies within the desired workplane.

Abstract: An apparatus which automatically trims an exposed end of a conductor to a proper length, inserts the exposed end in a terminal and crimps the terminal thereto, all in a single operation, is disclosed. The apparatus includes anvil tooling for supporting the terminal during a crimping operation. A ram movable toward and away from the anvil tooling has a first cutting edge which defines a boundary between a conductor permitted zone and a conductor excluded zone during movement of the ram toward the anvil tooling. The ram has a first crimping die disposed in the conductor permitted zone. The first crimping die captures the conductor and crimps the terminal to the conductor. A conductor shearing element is disposed in the conductor excluded zone. The conductor shearing element has a second cutting edge which cooperates with the first cutting edge during movement of the ram toward the anvil tooling for trimming any portion of the conductor which extends across the boundary.

Abstract: A stator wedge having a cross section of a dove-tail is disposed at a radially inner side of each of a plurality of slots formed in a ring-shaped core and having a coil inserted therein. Also a guide jig for guiding the wedge having the dove-tail cross section into the slots. The guide jig has formed in both side surfaces an edge portion engageable with the wedge.

Abstract: A method and a device for loading an adapter for a printed circuit board testing device with adapter pins having head ends and contact ends. The adapter pins to be loaded into the adapter are transferred by gravity from at least one main magazine, with their head ends first, into an intermediate magazine. Also, the adapter pins that have been transferred into the intermediate magazine are then transferred by gravity with the contact ends first into the adapter. For simpler and more rapid loading of the adapter with minimal constructional outlay, the adapter pins are transferred from the main magazine head first into the intermediate magazine.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a plurality of integrated circuit packages having heat spreaders attached thereto. A planar metal sheet having predefined openings allows the addition of discrete bypass capacitors to the integrated circuit package. The planar metal sheet laminates to a plurality of laminated printed wiring boards. The metal sheet is then cut into sections resulting in individual packages. Each package has a cavity in which an integrated circuit die is placed therein. The integrated circuit die is in close thermal communication with the heat spreader of the package and connects to the conductive paths of the printed wiring boards. The invention is especially advantageous in manufacturing in quantity plastic pin grid array (PPGA) and plastic ball grid array (PBGA) integrated circuit packages.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device encapsulation assembly (50; 60), a semiconductor device (21), preferably a pressure transducer, is mounted on a base (11) in a cavity (20) formed by the base and surrounding walls (15). Electrical connections, preferably wire bonds (27), connect the semiconductor device to conductor paths (28) on the base within the cavity. An encapsulation material comprising a thixotropic fluorosiloxane material (51; 61) is applied in the cavity and completely covers the semiconductor device and the electrical connections. This structure enables the semiconductor device to withstand typical automotive contaminants, such as mild acids and gasoline, while also preventing erratic semiconductor device operation due to bubbles which may be drawn into the encapsulation material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB) for interconnecting integrated circuit devices includes a lead frame sandwiched between two multilayer substrates. Integrated circuit devices are mounted on the top of the upper substrate and on the bottom of the lower substrate to provide increased packaging density. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a simply constructed electronic component mounting PCB which facilitates the design of circuits, and affords excellent connection reliability, which can readily form a heat radiating structure, and in which the thermal matching with the electronic component is excellent.

Abstract: In order to provide an automatic assembling method and apparatus for automatically assembling an assembly consisting of a compression spring, a retainer for holding the compression spring in a compressed state, and cotters for setting the retainer in a holding state so as to cause a shaft member slidably or pivotally arranged in a main body to perform a predetermined operation, the cotters are held in a supply posture state to the shaft member, the retainer is held at a position escaped from a cotter fitting or assembling position of the shaft member against the biasing force of the compression spring, the cotters in the supply posture state are supplied to the cotter assembling position of the shaft member, and the retainer is moved to the cotter assembling position by releasing the biasing force of the compression spring.

Abstract: A fingernail clipper for cutting long natural or artificial nails in a single stroke, comprising an upper tine, a lower tine, an actuator handle, and a sliding joint guide member, wherein the upper and lower tines are connected at one end, having apertures at the opposite end to accommodate the sliding joint guide member, and a closeable nail receiving chamber. The actuator handle is attached to the upper tine to induce a cantilevered load when actuated, vertically shearing an entrapped fingernail.

Abstract: A toe nail clipper apparatus has a nail clipper connected on one end of an elongated member and a pistol-type grip mounted on the other end. A cord attached to the nail clipper and a trigger adjacent to the handle actuates the clipper. The elongated member may have a pivotal joint near the clipper end of the elongated member to permit moving the clipper in an arc.

Abstract: A scissor includes a pair of handles and a pair of cutting blades. Each of the handles is formed with a recess that extends longitudinally at the inner portion from the front end of the handle to a point adjacent the rear end of the same. The handles are connected pivotally at the front end. The cutting blades are in superposed contact with each other when the scissor is closed. The cutting blades are connected pivotally adjacent to rear ends thereof and can be retracted into the recesses of the handles. A slide unit is connected to the cutting blades and is operated so as to extend or retract the cutting blades into the recesses. The slide unit engages one of first and second rounded protrusions on the handles to retain releasably and selectively the cutting blades in the fully extended and fully retracted positions. A spring unit is provided in the recess of each handle to bias the cutting blades toward each other in order to close automatically the scissor after a cutting operation has been accomplished.

Abstract: A bag-opening device having a first plate with a first perimeter extending therearound, a second plate connected to the first plate and having a second perimeter extending therearound, and a blade affixed to one of the first and second plates and positioned generally centrally therein. The first and second plates are movable between a first bag-receiving position and a second bag-opening position. The first and second plates have a V-shaped configuration in the first position and are in parallel relationship in the second position. The blade is positioned perpendicular to the plates in the second position. The first and second plates are integrally formed together of a memory-retentive polymeric material. The first plate has a first neck extending rearwardly therefrom. The second plate has a second neck extending rearwardly therefrom. These necks have a width less than a width of the first and second plates.

Abstract: A finger razor comprising a tapered sleeve, base plate, top plate, and retainer is set forth. The tapered sleeve fits snugly onto the middle or index finger. The tapered sleeve is attached to a base plate, on which a razor blade rests. The base plate has plural teeth. The top plate fits over the razor blade and creates a cradle for the blade. The retainer cover holds the base plate, the razor blade, and the top plate securely.

Abstract: A gear socket structure for a designing rule, of which the gear socket is a round cylinder, having a given height; the wall of the gear socket is provided with two leaf springs; the top of each leaf spring has an inward catch hook; the gear socket can accommodate a plurality of gears, which are held in place by means of the catch hooks without falling out unintentionally.

Abstract: An apparatus for the alignment of an edge of a cornerbead including a first clip for attachment to an upper edge of a section of cornerbead, a second clip for attachment to a lower portion of the edge of the cornerbead, and a line connected to the first and second clips and extending between the first and second clips. Both the first and second clips include a body, a first hook formed at one end of the body for engaging the metal lath of the cornerbead, and a second hook formed at an opposite end of the body for engaging the edge of the cornerbead. Both the first and second hooks extend outwardly from the same side of the body. The second hook is a semi-cylindrical member that has an interior area generally matching an exterior of the edge of the cornerbead. The first hook is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the semi-cylindrical member. An arm is formed so as to extend outwardly from the body.

Abstract: A marking tool that can be used for locating structural fixtures having a body portion, first and second perpendicular legs slidably contained entirely within the body portion. Each of the first and second legs are extensible from the body portion to position the body portion in a preselected location. At least one template is associated with the body portion such that adjusting the first and second legs positions the body portion and its associated template over a selected one of the fixtures for locating the same.

Abstract: The centering device for a mechanical probe comprising a driver and two restoring member acting thereon in opposite directions, wherein only one, possibly multipart, stop is provided for a first restoring member. In the position of rest, the first restoring member lies against the stop exerts, at least near the position of rest, a restoring force twice as great as that exerted by the second restoring member. Springs or fluid pistons are provided as restoring members. They can briefly exert a shaking force on the driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a moist particulate material having a nonuniform particle size with superheated steam, which apparatus comprises a cylindrical vessel (2) comprising a number of parallel, substantially vertical elongated chambers (6) located in ring form, one or more of the chambers (7) having a closed bottom and the remaining chambers having a steam-permeable bottom (8), wherein means for emitting flows of superheated steam substantially parallel to the chamber bottom (8) are located at the lowermost portion of at least some of the chambers (6) having steam-permeable bottoms (8).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying or curing rigid cylindrical and flexible belt substrates includes: a curing chamber defining a central axis; a support structure selectively receivable within the curing chamber and including a support for at least one substrate along the central axis which rotates the at least one substrate about the central axis; a curing mechanism surrounding the at least one substrate within the curing chamber for expelling temperature controlled low velocity air toward the at least one substrate as the at least one substrate rotates about the central axis without axial movement relative to the curing chamber; and inductive coils surrounding at least a portion of the at least one substrate within the curing chamber for indirectly heating the at least one substrate. Preferably, the at least one substrate is dried/cured by combination of indirect RF induction heating at the same time or prior to low velocity air impingement.

Abstract: A fluid bed dryer comprises a bed plate (12) defining openings or perforations (22) therein, means (16) for feeding a pulverulent or particulate product (P) to the bed plate (13), means (12, 14) for directing fluidizing gas flows upwardly through said openings or perforations (22) so as to fluidize the product fed thereto, and means (17, 19) for discharging product (p) from the bed plate (13). The bed plate (13) comprises at least one bed plate section, each of which is divided into elongated zones (32, 34-36) extending substantially between first and second positions of the plate section. First and/or second pluralities (22b22a) of the openings or perforations (22) are substantially uniformly distributed over the area of each of at least some (34-36) of said zones and are directed and shaped so as to impart to the fluidizing gas flows a flow component which is directed generally towards said first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A footwear ventilation system including the use of ventilation openings and integrally connected flap members. The invention includes the use of vent openings cut out of the side of a shoe. The vent openings may be of any shape to allow sufficient air flow therethrough. Around the periphery of each vent opening and the shoe, extends a perpendicularly oriented male track. A flap is integrally hinged to one side of the vent opening and has a integrally connected female track extending around the periphery of it. To close the vents, the female track of the flap is pushed onto the male track of the opening thereby facilitating a tight seal. When it is desired that the shoe be ventilated, the flap, being hinged to one edge of the opening, is pulled away from the opening, thereby disengaging the male and female tracks. In one embodiment of the invention, the flap or flaps, while integrally hinged to the shoe adjacent an opening, can be attached directly to the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe buckle, especially for use on a roller skate boot, includes: a buckle body suspended and positioned on a central tongue of a shoe; two straps respectively secured to two upper side portions of a shoe upper and protruding inwardly to the buckle body of the shoe; a reel pivotally secured in the buckle body engageable with the two straps for fastening the two straps; a fastening device provided on a front or first end portion for driving the reel for fastening the straps for wearing the shoe on a wearer's foot; and a releasing device provided on a rear or second end portion for releasing the two straps for removing the shoe, thereby enabling a stable and convenient fastening of a shoe.

Abstract: A shoe has a tongue and a fastener assembly which are moveable out of the way of the wearer's foot to leave a large opening in the shoe upper, and to stay out of the way until moved back.

Abstract: The novel portable ice walking assistance device comprises a plurality of main horizontal plates. Each of the plates have foldable vertical end pieces at one end of the main horizontal plates. The main plates are attached together to form a three sided device that can be positioned on the sole of the user's shoe. A pair of the devices is used by an individual. Each of the horizontal plates have a plurality of small vertical prongs to assist in the gripping capability in ice conditions. A quick release mechanism is connected to one of the vertical end pieces to permit attaching to the shoe and ease of release of the device.

Abstract: A therapeutic pad is used in footwear which has a liquid absorbent to prevent liquid leakage in the event the sealed envelope of the pad is ruptured. The footwear includes a pair of compartments which substantially surround the foot cavity for receiving the therapeutic pad.

Abstract: A protector for the heel and back portions of a shoe, to be worn while driving or for decorative purposes, which is formed by material having a high coefficient of friction and the capability of producing an elastic force is disclosed herein. The lower portion of the material is formed into a funnel-shaped tube which grips to the shoe heel, while the middle portion of the material protects the shoe heel and back. The upper portion consists of a relatively wide flap which is used to stretch the protector before the flap is folded down over the back edge of the shoe and pressed against the rear inner wall of the shoe. The protector is thereby secured to the shoe by surface traction. A nylon layer bonded to the non-gripping surface of the protector increases its durability. A method for installing such a protector is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interchangeably assembled shoe includes: a sole mounted on a foot sporting article such as a roller skate, a rear shield detachably secured to an ankle portion of the sole by plural ventilation couplings each ventilation coupling serving for coupling and ventilation uses, a toe box member detachably secured to a toe portion of the sole and replaceable for different decorative features on the toe box member, plural instep members selected from a full tongue member, a shoelace member and a fastener member for selectively securing anyone desired instep member on a middle section of the shoe by plural ventilation couplings, a plurality of ventilation couplings further secured on the toe box member or on the toe portion of the shoe fluidically communicating with a shoe interior for a well ventilation in the shoe for comforting a wearer's foot, a lining inserted in the shoe, and a plurality of buckle devices fastened on the shoe for firmly fastening the instep member with the rear shield and fastening the instep

Abstract: A device for monitoring force being applied by a wearer thereof to the wearer's foot, as during walking. The device is contained within a shoe-like structure which can be worn by a recuperating injured person or a person recovering from surgery, etc. The device includes a pressure sensitive element that produces an electrical signal that is related to the force, with this signal being used to alert the wearer when a force in excess of a preselected value occurs. Further, this signal can be used as input to data recording and analysis equipment. The signal transmission can be by direct wire connections, or via radio transmission. A vibratory motion is of particular value to alert the wearer of the point where the excess force occurs. The alerting device can be contained within the shoe, or in other apparatus utilized by a patient. Through the use of this device, a recovering patient will know how much weight to place on the leg in order to achieve maximum healing value.