Abstract: A side release buckle has a female member and a male member which includes a central post that is received in a channel of the female member and a pair of spaced somewhat parallel flexible engagement or latching arms having protuberances or heads that have crescent shaped latching shoulders. The arms flex inwardly as they enter an opening into a cavity of the female member and then outwardly when the heads are aligned with the side aperture at which the crescent shaped shoulders engage surfaces of the side walls of the female member adjacent these apertures. The crescent shaped shoulders supply increased bearing area capable of resisting more efficiently the linear and torsional loads normally encountered by side released buckles.

Abstract: An article for the fastening of shoes having successive horizontal pairs of eyelets. includes an elongate, preferably elastic, cord having first and second ends, and substantially T-shaped elements or barbs secure each end of the cord. Each T-shaped element is proportioned for snap-fit passage through the eyelets of such shoes. One stop element is secured inwardly of each T-shaped element, and proximally to it, at each of end of the elongate cord. Each eyelet of the shoe is secured inwardly of one T-shaped element and outwardly of one stop element, and is in pressure contact with both. The elastic tension of the elongate cord, in combination with the above-described action of the T-shaped and stop elements relative to each eyelets, operates to fasten successive horizontal pairs of eyelets of a shoelace type shoe to effect the closure of the shoe.

Abstract: An improved transport device for a moving material web, in particular a stretching system for plastic film webs, comprises tenter elements (1) which can be moved along a guide rail system (3) on both sides of the material web (11). In this case, on both sides of the moving material web (11), a linear motor (5', 5") and a guide rail (3', 3") are provided, preferably in each case at least above and below the moving material web (11). The sequence of the guide rails located above, in relation to the linear motor, is opposite with respect to the moving material web, to the linear motors located below and the guide rail located below. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a maximum vertical and a maximum horizontal distance (a, b) are provided between a point of intersection (S) at the clamping point of the material web (11), which distance is selected such that the tenter mounting is stressed as little as possible.

Abstract: Striped patterning of dyed fabric, particularly dyed denim, is obtained by impacting the fabric with a row of columnar jet streams of fluid generated from a manifold under pressure while conveying it on a support member in a machine direction through a patterning station. The orifice gauge and diameter, manifold pressure, and line speed are selected to obtain optimal striping without blurring, loss of fabric strength or durability, or excessive warp shrinkage. Preferably, the jet strip is removably interchangeable in a common hydrojet manifold for forming different kinds of striped patterns. The back side of denim fabric may be subjected to pre-treatment to cause the surface of the dyed warp side to fill in and darken with color. A strie striping effect can also be obtained using a combination of jet strips. The striped patterning station can be incorporated at any suitable point in a conventional denim finishing range.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for passing a warp wound around a warp beam through a warp-passing hole of a dropper, a mail of a heald, and a reed eye includes the steps of disposing the warp-passing hole and the mail in a warp conveying passage provided between a warp beam and the reed. A tip portion of the warp is subjected to a vacuum suction and drawn through the warp conveying passage toward the reed. As the warp is drawn through the warp conveying passage, the warp passes through the mail and the warp-passing hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a yarn take-up point stationary. A first sensor, such as an optical sensor, is positioned proximate a first location of a yarn travel path to output a first signal representative of the position of a yarn at the first location. A second sensor, such as another optical sensor, is positioned proximate a second location of the yarn travel path to output a second signal representative of the yarn at the second location. A controller controls a temperature of a fluid employed to heat the yarn. The controller receives the first signal and the second signal, which are analyzed to produce a heat control signal that is used to control the temperature of the fluid. The heated fluid is used to texturize the yarn, such that the yarn is tensioned and maintained so that a yarn take-up point is substantially stationary.

Abstract: A device for the mounting of moving blades having essentially axial roots into corresponding axial grooves of a rotor of a turbomachine includes a radially outer head having at least one axial groove corresponding essentially to an axial root of one of the rotating blades and a radially inner foot part for mounting in a groove encircling the rotor.

Abstract: This is a system and method of forming an electrical contact to the optical coating of an infrared detector. The method may comprise: forming thermal isolation trenches 22 and contact vias 23 in a substrate 20; depositing a bias contact metal 32 into the vias 23 forming biasing contact areas around a periphery of the substrate 20; depositing a first trench filler 24 in the trenches 22 and vias 23; replanarizing; depositing a common electrode layer 25 over the thermal isolation trenches and the biasing contact areas; mechanically thinning the substrate 20 to expose the biasing contact area 32 and the trench filler 24; depositing a contact metal 34 on the backside of the substrate 20, the exposed trench filler 24 and the exposed bias contact area; and etching the contact metal 34 and the trench filler 24 to form pixel mesas of the contact metal 34 and the substrate 20. The thermal isolation trenches 22 and the bias contact vias 23 may be formed by ion milling or laser vaporization.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a spring operable to inwardly bias a pair of die blades toward an anvil. In one aspect of the present invention, the anvil and die blades act in conjunction with a punch to form either an interlocking lanced joint or a contiguous, leakproof, inverted mushroom-shaped joint. In another aspect of the present invention, the anvil has a flat external face. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the spring includes a pair of spring arms joined by a bridge. In still another aspect of the present invention, the spring extends around an external surface of a die body. In a further aspect of the present invention, a discontinuous contact surface of the anvil is provided.

Abstract: A clamping tool designed for clamping sheet metal runners onto the side panels of drawers comprises an elongated grippable casing, at one end of which is a clamp (27, 127) composed of a pair of jaws (20, 21, 121) designed to grip a clamping area of a runner clasping the edge of a side panel of the drawer. Inside the casing is a actuator (18, 118) for moving a wedge-shaped element (19, 119). At least one jaw (21, 121) of the pair is made on the extremity of a lever (22, 122) having its other extremity (24, 124) slidingly resting on the wedge-shaped element (19, 119). Upon actuation of the actuator, the wedge (19, 119) slides over the extremity (24, 124) of the lever (22, 122) to rotate it around a pivot (23, 123) lying between the extremities and shift the jaws towards each other.

Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers while at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibers.

Abstract: A corporation stop for use with standard tapping equipment includes a threaded stem with an enlarged, conical head for forming a blind side seal. A resilient sleeve member coaxially surrounds a narrow portion of the stem, and a flat compression ring rests coaxially above the sleeve member and has a notch formed radially in its outer edge. A standard saddle having a radially-inward tab is placed on the external sidewall of the conduit about the opening and receives the compression ring, the tab engaging the notch in the compression ring. A clamp nut is engaged with the threaded stem, forcing the compression ring against the resilient sleeve member to forcibly move the upper end of the sleeve member towards the compression ring to form an external seal between the compression ring and the external sidewall of the conduit and force the sleeve member over the enlarged, conical head of the threaded stem to form an internal seal within the lined conduit.

Abstract: A tool includes a frame and a cutting bar mounted on the frame. The cutting bar includes a plurality of aligned cutting heads. The tool mounts on a punch block, and the cutting bar is selectively aligned with a row of connectors on the punch block and is pressed downwardly to press and cut a row of wires.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electroacoustic transducer which is not changed in its characteristic by heat caused by reflow soldering even if a coil is made of a general-purpose wire. The method of manufacturing the electroacoustic transducer including a magnetic driving portion composed of a core provided upright on a base and a coil wound around the core, comprises setting a height of the coil lower by a height, which corresponds to thermal expansion of the coil in reflow soldering, then subjecting the coil to heat processing to thermally expand the coil so that the height of the coil is set to an optimum height.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided in which a magnetic yoke assembly is built up, layer by layer, atop a substrate using semiconductor thin film techniques. A lower yoke assembly is first fabricated including a lower magnetic layer situated on the substrate and first and second side poles built up vertically from the ends of the lower magnetic layer. An insulative pedestal surrounded by a frame is formed at the top of the lower yoke assembly and extends above the uppermost lateral plane of the yoke assembly. A diamond-like carbon (DLC) wear layer is deposited atop the pedestal. First and second pole wells are excavated in the DLC layer so as to expose the first and second side poles therebelow and to form a DLC gap region between the first and second side poles. First and second magnetic poles are then formed in the first and second pole wells, respectively.

Abstract: A thin-film head electromagnetic transducer has two pole pieces which define a gap. The surface of at least one of the pole pieces has a linear edge defining one side of the gap and has two linear edges which are at an acute angle to the linear edge defining the gap and are symmetric about and abut at an axis perpendicular to the linear edge defining the gap.

Abstract: An automatic assembling system for assembling a product constituted by a plurality of parts, includes a group cell having a plurality of assembling cells and inspecting cells, pallets loaded with the same type of parts or products, at least one buffer for holding a plurality of pallets, and at least one pallet hand-over mechanism for transferring pallets between the buffer and each cell. At least one of the buffers is provided in common for a plurality of cells, and at least one of the pallet hand-over mechanisms is provided to the common buffer.

Abstract: A device for continuously forming a heat exchanger that has a helically wound fin tube coil formed by a plurality of wraps includes a rotationally driven mandrel with a central axis and a plurality of forming corners equiangularly disposed about and displaced from the central axis. The rotation of the mandrel is about the central axis in order to wind the fin tube coils onto the mandrel. A forming block is operably rotationally coupled to the mandrel and rotates with the mandrel. The forming block is also slideably engaged with the mandrel for axial translation a selected distance with respect to the mandrel. The forming block guides the winding of the fin tub coils onto the mandrel. An actuator is operably coupled to the forming block and causes the axial translation of the forming block.

Abstract: A terminal insertion machine (10) is disclosed that automatically actuates the insertion head (14) when the lower tooling (24) senses that the circuit board (26) is in proper alignment for receiving the tabs (166, 168) of the terminal (20). The lower tooling (24) includes a locating member (82) that senses the presents of two spaced holes (156, 158) in the circuit board (26) that are to receive tabs of the terminal and a rod (138) that senses the presence of the portion (162) of the circuit board (126) between the two holes (156, 158). A controller responds to a signal that the portion (162) of the circuit board is present and concurrently, that both holes (156, 158) are properly positioned. Upon receiving this signal the controller automatically actuates the insertion head (14) to insert the terminal 20 into the circuit board (26).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed for holding and actuating a terminal applicator (20) in the attachment of terminals (28) to the ends of electrical wires. The apparatus includes a frame (12) that supports a conventional terminal applicator (20) and a crankshaft (58) journaled in the frame. A crank arm (44, 44') has its lower end (96, 96') eccentrically coupled to the crankshaft and its upper end (104, 104') coupled to the ram (34) of the terminal applicator. A motor (78) rotates the crankshaft, eccentrically moving the lower end (96, 69') of the crank arm, which causes the upper end (104, 104') of the crank arm to move the applicator ram vertically, thereby actuating the terminal applicator (20).

Abstract: Piston-ringing apparatus comprises a tubular piston nest member for receiving each piston to locate the piston groove in a predetermined ring-receiving position, a plurality of ring cartridges positionable one at a time in alignment with the piston nest member. The aligned ring cartridge is engaged to the piston nest member to permit transfer of rings from the ring cartridge to the piston nest member and disengage the aligned ring cartridge when empty of rings. The stack of rings on the cartridge is moved by opposing fingers toward the piston groove to position an endmost ring residing on the nest member in the groove of each successive piston received in the nest member while the aligned ring cartridge is engaged thereto. A fiber optic switch is provided for directing a light beam tangentially through the piston groove to determine whether a ring is positioned therein. The switch provides a finger motor drive signal to stop feeding of a ring to the piston groove when a ring is present in the piston groove.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a machine for forming helical lock-seam tubing. The machine includes rollers for forming flanges on edges of laterally staggered overlapped strips, a forming head for forming the strips into a helical configuration, rollers for clinching the flanges into locking engagement, reels for supplying the strips, and structure for guiding the strips from the reels to the forming rollers.

Abstract: A method of producing a high-density wiring board for mounting comprises the steps of providing an electroconductive metallic film on the main surface thereof with a photosensitive resist layer, subjecting the photosensitive resist layer to selective exposure to light and development thereby forming holes for selectively exposing the surface of the electroconductive metallic foil in the photosensitive resist layer, depositing an electroconductive metal by plating on the exposed surface of the electroconductive metallic foil thereby forming electroconductive bumps thereon, peeling off the remainder of the photosensitive resist layer, superposing an insulating polymer sheet on the electroconductive bump forming surface, pressing the resultant superposed layers so that the electroconductive bumps to pierce the polymer sheet in the direction of thickness thereof and allowing the leading end parts of the electroconductive bumps to emerge from the polymer sheet and give rise to connecting terminal parts, and select

Abstract: A process and a means for automatic assembly of the top and bottom sides of circuitboards with SMDs is described. The SMD assembly machine in this means has two parallel pickup stations for conveyor belts for the circuitboards for this purpose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a receptacle connector having contacts or terminals to which the wires are crimped includes a contact holder. The contact holder supports the contacts and wires gripped by the contacts. The advance movement of the contacts as retained in the contact holder makes it possible to insert the contacts into holes of a housing simultaneously and after that the wires are extracted from the contact holder. The wire crimped connector can be produced in a cycle time much shorter than a conventional process.

Abstract: A method of making a splined hub for use in a hydrodynamic torque converter includes the steps of preparing a cylindrical workpiece for forging, forging a plurality of splines on at least a portion of the cylindrical workpiece by applying a deformation force progressively across the circumference of the workpiece such that the splines extend in an axial direction relative to the workpiece and about at least a portion of the cylindrical surface thereof and hardening the forged workpiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head junction board wherein a laminated plate having a springy metal layer and a conductive layer is prepared. A circuit wiring pattern is formed on the conductive layer by photoetching and the springy metal layer is formed into a predetermined shape by etching. The circuit wiring pattern is provided with a surface protecting layer which leaves holes exposed at the ends of the circuit wiring pattern. Then, the holes are filled with conductive metal to form bump-shaped terminals such that the ends on one side jut out of the surface protecting layer. Lastly, the springy metal layer is bent into a predetermined shape so that the bump-shaped terminals face against each other. Alternative process are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of making a piston unit for an internal combustion engine incorporates the steps of pinching a melting core in a mold cavity of a piston mold wherein the melting core includes an inner ring that forms a ring shaped passage within a piston body, an outer ring and a plurality of coupling portions connected with between the inner ring and the outer ring. The method further includes pouring molten metallic alloy into the cavity and solidifying therein, removing the outer ring of the melting core, filling the space left by removal of the outer ring with reinforced material, and then melting the inner ring and the coupling portions of the melting core.

Abstract: A catalytic converter body having a jacket tube, a plurality of non-nestable foil leaves having inner and outer ends defining a leaf length, the outer ends being connected to the jacket tube and radiating inward to provide flow passages generally transverse to the leaf length, and a pliant central core joined to the inner ends of the radiating foil leaves. The catalytic converter body has a natural frequency of between 10 and 100 hertz. The catalytic converter is formed by assembling a plurality of non-nestable foil leaves by interconnecting proximal ends of the foil leaves to provide a continuous flexible strip of overlapping foil leaves in which opposite the distal ends of the leaves extend freely.

Abstract: A tunnel-plate type heat pipe is manufactured out of a tube having capillary parallel tunnels defined by partitions through shaping both ends of the tube, forming recesses in the partitions in the vicinity of each end of the tube, closing both ends of the tube to form a capillary tunnel container, cleaning the capillary tunnel container, and charging the capillary tunnel container with a predetermined amount of working fluid.

Abstract: A pocket knife includes a handle having a body portion and a blade pivotally attached to the body portion of the handle. The blade is movable between a closed position in which the blade is received within a groove of the handle and an open position in which the blade extends away from the handle and is exposed. The blade has a blade portion and a tang portion which is received within the groove of the handle when the blade is in its open position. A pin extends in a direction generally transverse with respect to the direction of the handle and blade, and is movable between a first position in which the pin engages the tang portion of blade for locking the blade in its open position, and a second position in which the pin is spaced away from the tang portion of the blade for allowing the blade to move to its closed position. A spring is provided for biasing the pin to its first position.

Abstract: A cutting tool for material, such as a web, sheet, slab, packaging or other material includes a dynamic guide slot in which the material is moved while it is bent by cooperative surfaces to stiffen the material and to direct the stiffened material into engagement with a blade for cutting the material. A pointed beak can pierce the material to initiate a cutting operation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an outer debris shield which attaches to the outer arch of the upper guard. This outer debris shield has a forward edge and a rearward edge having a mid point there in between. There is also an attachment edge that generally follows the alignment of the outer arc. Additionally, outer debris shield has a projecting edge which extends away from the upper guard as it approaches mid point. Additionally, the present invention provides an inner debris shield which attaches to the inner base of upper guard.

Abstract: A trim gauge for aiding in the installation and trimming of building windows and doors includes an elongated first member and an elongated second member. Both the first member and the second member each have first and second ends, and are equal in length to each other. The first member and second member are parallel and are fixed to each other in a longitudinally offset position to define a longitudinal gauge length and are laterally offset to define a lateral gauge width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the characteristic dimensions of a vehicle seat for use in an automotive vehicle including the seat H-point location and determining variable data deviations of the dimensions and the H-point location from standard specifications wherein a seat to be tested is placed in a seat buck including a focused light beam generator capable of directing a light beam toward the vehicle seat after it is mounted on the seat buck, the seat buck further including a fixed target member for prepositioning the location of the light beam for zeroing the digital position coordinate read-outs prior to installation of the seat being tested on the seat buck.

Abstract: A lead frame dryer comprises a pair of water absorbing rollers positioned downstream of a lead frame water jet deflasher. The water absorbing rollers remove water from surfaces of the lead frame. A solid roller is positioned adjacent each of the water absorbing rolls to squeegee to compress the water absorbing roller and remove water stored in the water absorbing rollers for collection. A venturi device is provided which creates a vacuum for absorbing water removed from the water absorbing rolls. The collected water can be recycled back to the water jet deflasher.

Abstract: A telescoping stand with pivotable holder for a hand-held hair dryer including a stand having a base and a manually and telescopically adjustable pole extending therefrom and terminated at a free end; and a coupling mechanism secured to the free end of the pole for removably holding a hand-held hair dryer and allowing it to be positioned at different angles for use.

Abstract: A drying section for drying a traveling web of paper, which has successive drying groups each having drying cylinders, a felt or wire belt supporting the traveling web and resting against the drying cylinders, and guide rolls serving for the guiding of the web to be dried and of the felt or wire belt. The guide rolls are so arranged that the traveling web is guided in meandering form in the transfer region between two successive drying cylinders associated with different felt or wire belts. The transfer region is between the felts of two successive drying groups or the transfer region is between two felts in the two rows of a two tier drying group.

Abstract: A recycled asphalt product (RAP) drying apparatus comprising a three-zone counterflow RAP dryer and a duct system to recycle essentially all of the hot gases back through the system. The three-zone RAP dryer has a combustion zone at one end, a drying zone at the other end, and a buffer zone between the combustion and drying zones. A RAP inlet to introduce RAP into the dryer is included at one end of the drying zone, and a RAP outlet to remove RAP from the dryer is included at the other end of the drying zone. A duct pathway routes hot air from the drying zone back to the buffer zone so that hot air may be recycled through the apparatus.

Abstract: A chicken manure drying system is placed in a hen house. A platform of the system is disposed underneath a plurality of chicken cages. As chicken manure drops from the chicken cages, it collects on the platform. Drying fans of the system are disposed adjacent to the platform. The drying fans provide a constant flow of air over the chicken manure so as to dry the chicken manure. The plowing apparatus of the system includes a plowing device disposed over the platform. The plowing device is periodically moved across the platform in order to plow the chicken manure. The plowing of the chicken manure exposes more of the chicken manure to air. This exposure facilitates the comprehensive and expeditious drying of the chicken manure. After the chicken manure has been sufficiently dried to serve as fertilizer, the chicken manure is conveyed to a collection site.

Abstract: A thermal processing unit for the processing of plastisol-based floor coverings comprising a radiant heat transfer section which raises the temperature of a plastisol-based floor covering to an approach temperature followed by a convection heating section which raises the temperature of the plastisol-based floor covering to a predetermined target.

Abstract: A dryness control circuit for a household clothes dryer including a power supply circuit and a moisture sensing circuit. The power supply circuit converts high voltage AC power into low voltage, DC power. The low voltage, DC power is supplied to the moisture sensing circuit. The moisture sensing circuit includes a moisture sensor having a pair of spaced-apart electrodes, a time delay circuit, an electrostatic discharge attenuation circuit, and a motor controller circuit. The motor controller circuit includes a control hysteresis or dead-band in which operation of a timer motor is unaffected. The time delay circuit includes an RC network which slowly charges and discharges to prevent erroneous dryness or moisture readings, which are sensed by the moisture sensor, from causing the motor controller circuit to improperly actuate or deactuate the timer motor. The electrostatic discharge attenuation circuit negates the deleterious effects of static build up.

Abstract: A shoe sole which is convertible into a shoe. More particularly, a shoe sole is constituted of a flexible material wherein predetermined notch-like cut-outs and incisions may be provided in the shoe sole, with the latter being in a generally planar condition while not in use or when adapted to be stored and/or carried, and whereby the shoe sole may then be bent along the predetermined incision lines so as to cause deformed or bent portions thereof to engage into respective of the cut-outs or notches so as to form a foot-receiving shoe structure; for example, in the nature of a beach shoe, thong, sandal or the like.

Abstract: A shoe with a central closure attached to an instep cover, to which a wire-like tightening element is coupled and from which the tightening element runs back and forth between guide elements on side parts of the shoe upper and guide elements on the instep cover along the throat area of the shoe, where the guide elements on both sides of the shoe are connected, via a tensioning strip, with at least a pair of instep supporting straps which run over the side parts of the shoe upper from at least an edge area of the sole is improved by combining the instep supporting straps and the tensioning strips into a structural unit for each side of the shoe.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper, and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom wall with a plurality of spike-receiving openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are located within the outsole housing, and reside respectively in a rear heel portion of the shoe and a front portion of the shoe generally in an area of the ball and toes of the foot. The rear and front spike plates include a plurality of spikes attached thereto for movement between a spike-extended position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly from the bottom wall of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position whereby the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. A slide plate located within the outsole housing operatively engages the rear and front spike plates, and is actuated by a manually actuated lever to move the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: A cleat apparatus includes a longitudinally elastic base assembly, a plurality of cleat units connected to the base assembly, a first strap connected to a first side of the base assembly, and a second strap connected to a second side of the base assembly. The first strap and the second strap are longitudinally elastic. The base assembly, the first strap, and the second strap are comprised of a single, unified, combination, longitudinally elastic base/strap assembly. Each of the cleat units includes a cleat support. A plurality of individual cleats project upward from the cleat support and through the base assembly. Cleat locks are connected to the cleats distal to the cleat support, whereby the cleat locks secure the cleats to the base assembly. The first strap includes a quantity of first hook-or-loop material, and the second strap includes a quantity of complementary second loop-or-hook material.

Abstract: The invention is to footwear with a rigid protective cap in the toe area between the leg (S) and the porous connection material (V) on the one hand and the lining (L) on the other hand and whose underside goes under the insole (B) over a predetermined width. The porous connection material (V) is connected to the circumference of the insole (B) by an adhesive connection (KN) at its end facing away from the actual leg material (S), at least in the toe area. The footwear can be produced in a simple and inexpensive way.

Abstract: Soccer training shoes are provided having ball contact elements that cause a soccer ball to more readily bounce away from the foot of the user. In one aspect of the invention, a training device is provided for temporary attachment to the shoe of a soccer player for providing hard inside and outside ball contact elements that cause a soccer ball to more readily bounce away from the foot of the user and thus promote the development of the "soft feel" that is desirable for catching, trapping and dribbling activities. The training device is essentially in the form of a web of straps that encompass the toe and instep portion of a soccer shoe and with forward, intermediate and rear transverse straps each being provided with a relatively hard ball contact element for location along the vamp of a soccer shoe in the immediate region of the inside and outside edges of the sole of the shoe.

Abstract: An earth leveling apparatus includes a vehicle having runners for movement in an operative direction, an elongated screw mounted to the vehicle and rotatable on its axis, and extending transversely of the operative direction of movement of the vehicle, and an apparatus for rotating the screw, the screw having a spiral blade with an edge adapted to engage earth to move it along the length of the screw as the vehicle advances in the operative direction so as to level the earth.

Abstract: A device for forming a changeable sign from either gas bubbles rising within a body of liquid or from drops of liquid moving through the air. When using gas bubbles rising within a body of liquid, the gas bubbles are released sequentially such that a message of the sign is represented as a matrix of bubbles. When using drops of liquid moving through the air, the drops are released sequentially and controllably such that the message of the sign is represented as a matrix of drops of liquid. In one version, air bubbles are released near the bottom of a tank from controllable valves. The valves can be arranged in a single line or in a vertical matrix. As an alternative, a template having a message formed as a dot matrix is applied against a matrix of orifices from which gas escapes, to form the message. In another version, water drops are released from a row of controllable valves on a ballistic trajectory, e.g., a free-fall.