Abstract: An improved method of making expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled.

Abstract: The encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having a front end (22) and a back end (24). The encapsulation (20) ensconces a sensing element (40) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of a cable (60) which extends from the back end (24). The sensing element or coil (40) is electrically and mechanically connected to the cable (60) by a pair of suitably sized front and rear ferrules (80), (90) secured to a center and coaxial conductor (66), (70) of the associated cable (60) thereby forming a coil and cable assembly (110). At least the rear ferrule (90) includes a shoulder (100) for firmly anchoring the coil and cable assembly (110) within the encapsulation (20). In addition an injection molding process provides the durable encapsulation (20) which bonds with a dielectric (68) of the cable (60) and symmetrically locks the coil and cable assembly (110) therein.

Abstract: A laminated stack having a lamina layer comprised of a plurality of discrete lamina segments and which may also have laminas which define a plurality of outer perimeter configurations. The invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing such stacks. Lamina layers comprising a plurality of discrete lamina segments are automatically stacked by positioning the uppermost lamina in a choke barrel near the lower die bed surface and engaging the interlock tabs of the discrete lamina segments with the interlock slots of an uppermost lamina layer in the choke barrel prior to the complete separation of the discrete lamina segments from the remaining portion of the strip stock material. Each of the outer perimeter configurations has at least one common choke surface.

Abstract: A circuit module construction and method for its fabrication, in which radio-frequency (RF) or millimeter-wave circuit components (10) are electromagnetically isolated in a circuit module (12), to allow for location of multiple circuit components in close proximity without concern for signal loss or interference between components. Multiple RF or millimeter-wave circuit components (10) are installed on a dielectric substrate (14) and are separated by at least one metal isolation wall (20), which extends in depth all the way through the dielectric substrate (14) to a metal layer (16) formed under the substrate. Each isolation wall (20) is formed by first cutting a channel through the dielectric substrate (14), preferably using a laser that selectively removes the dielectric material but not the metal layer (16). Then the channel is filled with metal by electroplating, to provide continuous electromagnetic isolation in a lateral direction, parallel to the plane of the substrate (14).

Abstract: An encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having front end (22) and back end (24). The encapsulation (20) is a monolith of cured moldable material ensconcing a sensing element or coil (90) proximate front end (22) and a portion of an information transmitting medium (120) emanating from back end (24). A component alignment preform (40) operatively couples sensing element (90) with information transmitting medium (120). A protective sleeve (150) is transfer molded over coil (90) and interlocked with preform (40) thereby forming a sleeved coil and cable assembly (170). This sleeved coil and cable assembly (170) is encapsulated by an injection molding process which provides the durable encapsulation (20).

Abstract: A method planarizes a first pole piece layer of a write head by lapping without delaminating the first pole piece layer from an underlying second read gap layer on a wafer substrate. This is accomplished by separating or dicing the first pole piece material layer in a field region about rows and columns of first pole piece layers of magnetic head assemblies so as to reduce the stress of the first pole piece material layer in the field. Accordingly, when the wafer substrate is lapped, such as by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), a reduced stress prevents the first pole piece material layer from delaminating from the second read gap layer during the lapping operation.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, aligned ties, a loader for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning a tie at each station during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.

Abstract: An alignment tool for analyzing head suspension structures to minimize misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The tool includes a pain of pins that are inserted in apertures of the head suspension structures. That is, alignment tool engages a proximal perimeter edge of a distal alignment aperture on one of the load beam and the flexure and a proximal perimeter edge of a elongated alignment aperture or the other of the load beam and the flexure to provide longitudinal tension between the structures during the attachment of the structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a circuit board into an electronic chassis includes a circuit board guide having an end portion. An insertion guide member is positioned adjacent to the end portion of the circuit board guide to guide the circuit board into the electronic chassis and to prevent the circuit board from contacting the end portion of the circuit board guide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the parallel production of circuitry and software for a customised integrated circuit, primarily an ASIC-type circuit, mounted on a printed board assembly or circuit board (300). The method comprises connecting a programmable logic circuit (345) which replaces the customised integrated circuit during the development phase. The programmable logic circuit (345) is mounted on the secondary side of the circuit board (300) and its connections are passed through (330) the circuit board (300) to the circuits (305, 310) and components (320, 325) to which the customised integrated circuit will be connected.The invention also relates to a method and to a device respectively for developing and verifying customised integrated circuits per se. In this case, a programmable logic circuit designed as a logic analyser is mounted on the secondary side of the circuit board and connected to the customised integrated circuit through the board.

Abstract: The invention presents an electronic part mounting method capable of appropriately shortening the mounting cycle depending on the situation of the rotary head.

Abstract: An electrical circuit includes a substrate having at least two alignment pads on the substrate that are accurately aligned with a first set of electrical interconnect pads, and also includes a corresponding number of alignment posts that are cylindrical and have flat bases that are geometrically similar to and smaller than a corresponding shape of each of the at least two alignment pads by a predetermined solder fillet radius. Each of the at least two alignment posts is reflow soldered to one of the at least two alignment pads. An electrical part can be accurately aligned to the substrate using the alignment posts, during attachment of the electrical part.

Abstract: A package for mounting an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board or the like is provided. The package includes a chip carrier which has a metal substrate including first and second opposed faces. A dielectric coating is provided on at least one of the faces, which preferably is less than about 20 microns in thickness, and preferably has a dielectric constant from about 3.5 to about 4.0. Electrical circuitry is disposed on the dielectric coating, said circuitry including chip mounting pads, connection pads and circuit traces connecting the chip mounting pads to the connection pads. An IC chip is mounted by flip chip or wire bonding or adhesive connection on the face of the metal substrate which has the dielectric coating thereon. In any case, the IC chip is electrically connected to the chip mounting pads either by the solder ball or wire bond connections.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a circuitized substrate is provided which comprising the steps of: providing an organic substrate having circuitry thereon; applying a dielectric film on the organic substrate; forming microvias in said dielectric film; sputtering a metal seed layer on the dielectric film and in said microvias; plating a metallic layer on the metal seed layer; and forming a circuit pattern thereon.

Abstract: A method of making a rocket thrust chamber from an anomalistic tube bundle includes providing an anomalistic tube bundle including a plurality of tubes and a plurality of bonds, at least one of the bonds is discontinuous, defining a gap between one of the tubes and another of the tubes immediately adjacent thereto, filling the gap with a bridging material, the bridging material in the gap defining a patch, heating the tube bundle and the patch to a conditioning temperature, maintaining the conditioning temperature until the particles have become sintered and the binder material has vaporized, spraying molten metal onto the patch and the tube bundle outer shell until a predetermined thickness of the metal covers the tube bundle outer shell, and machining the predetermined thickness of metal to the predetermined dimensions of the structural jacket.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an end assembly of an engine oil cooler with an apparatus that includes (i) a compression member having a roller surface defined thereon, (ii) a motor operatively coupled to the compression member such that the motor can rotate the compression member around a central axis of rotation, and (iii) a drive cam for urging the compression member outwardly from the central axis of rotation, wherein the end assembly includes (i) an outer component which defines a first lumen and (ii) an inner component which defines a second lumen is described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a valve element with a spherical surface on a tip end thereof by first molding a tip end portion 3 of a material 14 into a truncated cone-like shape and then cold-forging the end portion 3 with a die having a semi-spherical recessed surface thereby to mold a tip end of the end portion 3 into a spherical surface. At this time, the previously truncated cone-like shaped end portion 3, starting with the tapered tip end portion, is pressure-welded to the semi-spherical recessed surface, so that the tip of the material 14 is all plastically deformed along the semi-spherical recessed surface, thereby completing the molding of the spherical surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a part, such as a spool valve, into a bore of a body, such as a transmission valve body. The apparatus includes a gripper tool that holds the part by use of a light vacuum pressure. The gripper tool is attached to a robotic arm that aligns the part with the bore. Once the part is aligned with the bore, a vacuum pressure is created within the bore that is effective to pull the part from the gripper tool and into the bore.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is produced by joining two semifinished, preassembled bodies, a front structure and a rear structure. Each of these structures are preassembled with associated automobile components. That is, the front structure is assembled with engine, transmission (for a front engine mounted car), and related components, instrument panel, steering wheel, etc. The front structure is also semifinished in a standard color. The rear structure has preassembled decorative components, such as seats, carpeting, covering, etc. The rear structure has the final finish (in the desired final color). The windshield frame can be part of either the front or the rear structure. The roof is part of the rear structure. The front and the rear structure are joined together near the middle of the vehicle body. Existing assembly tools can be used to join the front and rear structures. After the front and rear structures are joined, the front structure is finished with the final color, matching that of the rear structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite structural component for a vehicle. A plurality of fibers are pre-treated with a wetting agent. The pre-treated fibers are pulled through a supply of molten metal to coat the fibers. The wetting agent facilitates the adhesion of the molten metal to the fibers. The metal-coated fibers are pulled through a shaping die to form an elongated structure having a desired shape, and cooled to solidify the elongated structure. The elongated structure is cut to a desired length to form a composite structural component for a vehicle.

Abstract: The fabrication assembly includes a first fabrication element having a slot defined therein and a second fabrication element having a locking mechanism secured thereto. The locking mechanism has (1) an alignment member, and (2) a twist tab connected to the alignment member. The locking mechanism cooperates with the slot to lock the first fabrication element to the second fabrication element. A method of attaching a first fabrication element to a second fabrication element is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to improve adhesion between the skin and a razor guard provided at the leading edge of a razor cartridge, the guard is provided with a large number of small concavities. These are preferably, but not to limited to hemispherically shaped concavities and are discrete and thus isolated from one another. These concavities can act as suction cups that increase the adhesion between the skin and the guard and thus tension the skin as the razor is drawn thereover. These concavities or dimples can also contain a reserve of shaving preparation for release on multiple passes over the same area.

Abstract: The system comprises, for example, an electric shaver (1) and a cartridge (2) mounted in a chamber (12) of the shaver (1). The shaver (1) comprises a shaving head (3) having drivable cutters (31) and an electric motor (11) for driving the cutters (31) via a coupling pin (14). The cartridge (2) comprises a reservoir (25) for holding an auxiliary fluid. This auxiliary fluid may, for example, serve to reduce the friction between the shaving head (3) and the skin of a user. The cartridge (2) has an outlet channel (22) and a diaphragm pump (23) for feeding the auxiliary fluid from the reservoir (21) to the outlet channel (22). For the actuation of the diaphragm pump (23) the shaver (1) comprises a button (15) and a lever (17) which is pivotable about a pivot (18). When the button (15) is pressed the diaphragm pump (23) is actuated and a small amount of the auxiliary fluid is applied to the skin of a user via an outlet opening (32).

Abstract: A cable slitter for separating side-by-side cables connected by a web of insulating material, particularly coaxial cables, includes a slitting blade for separating the cables and a shaving blade for removing excess web material. The shaving blade is mounted on a hinge member between a pair of guide projections. The hinge member is mounted on the tool body and swings to an open position to receive the cable to be separated, allowing the cable to be positioned on a second pair of guide projections on the tool body. The hinge member swings to a closed position to pierce the web material and trap the cable between the guide projections on the hinge member and the guide projections on the body. The guide projections act relative to the "valleys" defined by the web material and the outer circumferences of the cables to guide the tool as the tool is moved lengthwise along the cables.

Abstract: A mason's hand tool includes a blade, a handle, and a head cap. The blade is fastened with one end of the handle. The handle has a head end opposite to the one end of the handle. The head cap is fastened with the head end. The handle and the head cap are made integrally of a plastic material by injection molding. The head cap has a plurality of protrusions which are anchored in the head end of the handle.

Abstract: An adjustable and releasable fastener for a pivoting hand tool includes a first bushing and a second bushing which are press fit in respective tool elements, the second bushing extending into a hole in the first bushing to form a pivot bearing. The first bushing includes a cap with a recess having a slotted opening connecting to the hole in the first bushing. A bolt is extends through the first and second bushings, with a bolt head disposed in the recess. A nut is fastened to a threaded end on the second bushing side. The nut can be tightened or loosened to adjust the tension on the bolt. The bolt head is shaped to allow it to pass through the slotted opening in the first bushing when the tool elements are pivoted beyond an operating range, permitting quick release of the tool elements.

Abstract: A utility knife has two shells that are pivoted or hinged to each other at one end to permit opening the knife handle formed by the shells for insertion or replacement of a knife blade. The two shells are interlocked with each other by a latching mechanism, including a stationary section in one shell and a rotatable section in the other shell. The rotatable section has a spring elastic bail that engages the stationary section and an operating member for disengaging or engaging the rotatable member from the stationary stop bar. In the interlocking position the operating member is recessed in a recess in the surface of one of the shells. When the knife is used, the operator's hand provides additional safety by keeping the operating member in its recess and thus the two shells interlocked.

Abstract: A universal self-centering device for heads or sensors for checking the trim of the wheel assemblies of motor vehicles in general, comprising a contoured plate, which is provided with a central hub for supporting a head which is adapted to acquire the trim data of a wheel assembly of a motor vehicle; with a circumferential plurality of radial slots, with which respective double-acting grip claws are slidingly associated, the claws being adapted to engage, from the inside and from the outside, the bead retaining rim of a wheel; and a grip unit, which is adapted to fasten onto the tire mounted on the wheel and comprises a common actuation element, which is placed at the center of the plate and is kinematically coupled to the claws so as to make them slide along the slots with a simultaneous mutual approach or spacing motion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic sight which is characterized by the fact that in a telescopic sight for day and night use, [a] a night time imaging device can be connected without removing the ocular tube body connected to the ocular side of the objective tube body when there is a changeover from day time use to night time use, so that the telescopic sight can be used at night, [b] the sight can be used "as is" as a day time sight by removing the night time imaging device, and [c] attachment or detachment for day time or night time use can be accomplished quickly, easily and reliably by means of one hand while the gun is held in the other hand.

Abstract: A rear sight is adapted to be mounted on the bowstring of an archery bow having a front sight mounted on the bow. The rear sight includes a body adapted to be mounted on the string in a region which will generally be aligned with the user's eye when the string is drawn. A pair of vertically spaced apart illuminated sighting elements on the body with a non-illuminated region therebetween denote a region to be aligned with the front sight for aiming the bow.

Abstract: As equipment has a transducer (G) that receives signals from a number of objects with unknown positions and senses the directions from the transducer to the objects. The directions of the sight lines to the objects are sensed in at least two separate transducer locations. The transducer signals are supplied to calculator (CU) which calculates the positions of the objects.

Abstract: To provide a gyro compass for the use of a high speed ship, in a gyro compass of the type having north-seeking means which is applied to support a gyro sphere or gyro case immersed in a liquid in a tank, a substantially first-order lag filter is provided in an azimuth follow-up loop or a damping loop, the substantially first-order lag filter having a time constant T.sub.F which is approximately equal to a ratio C/k.sub.T of the viscosity torque coefficient C to the twisting torque coefficient k.sub.T of the torque produced between the tank and the gyro case. A speed error correcting means has a substantially first-order lag filter having a time constant which is approximately equal to that of the north-seeking means, and is applied to correct the output of azimuth indicator by a speed error correcting angle through the substantially first-order lag filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an otherwise conventional level measurement device adapted so as to include a means by which a spring biased clamping device can be used to attach the level to a workpiece, thus freeing the user's hands and allowing the performance of other tasks.

Abstract: A novel display device for use with a three dimensional coordinate measurement system provides a Display positioned on a multijointed measuring arm allowing an operator to have convenient display of positional data and system menu prompts. The display device further includes LED's indicating system power, transducer position status and error status. An embodiment of the present invention receives signals from a host computer via telemetry allowing the display to be positioned remote from the system.

Abstract: A scanning head for completely measuring gears and gearlike workpieces on numerically controlled measuring instruments must also posses 3-D properties for scanning unknown contours. To that end, the scanning pin or probe must deflect of its own accord in the currently prevailing direction normal to the contour being scanned. Only those scanning heads, whose behavior is statically and dynamically the same in all arbitrary deflection directions, can do this. The new scanning head achieves this by providing, for the three spatial coordinates X, Y, Z, two leaf spring parallelograms (1, 2) attached one behind the other to the stationary scanning head base (4). The first parallelogram (1), which is pivotable about the horizontal axis, permits deflections of the scanning pin carrier (3) in the XZ plane and the second parallelogram (2) permits deflections in the Y direction.

Abstract: Velocity dependent measurement errors made by coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are corrected by deriving a polynomial expression which relates components of the errors to the relative velocity between the probe and the workpiece. A calibration is performed to establish the constant of the polynomial for different stylus configurations of the probe and these constants are stored. During a measuring process the probe produce analogue output signals from which a trigger signal is generated to latch the output signals of the machine measuring devices. The probe and machine output signals are monitored and recorded at clocked intervals over a range of positions within which lies the position at which the machine readings were latched. Actual relative velocity values are calculated at each position and, using these values and the stored constants, the errors in the machine readings at each position can be calculated from the polynomial.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the extension of a threaded bolt or a screw tightened by a nut has an extension measuring scale provided at a circumference of either the nut, of a screw head of the screw, or of a tightening element rotatable relative to the nut or the screw head of the screw. Reference marks for the measuring scale are arranged stationary relative to the extension measuring scale.

Abstract: A body dryer for drying the body with blown warm air. The body dryer includes a blower housing with inlet and outlet openings. The blower housing has a heater and a fan therein for drawing air into the blower via the inlet opening and out of the blower housing via the outlet opening. An elongate outer tube has an elongate inner tube disposed therein. An upper end of the inner tube is in communication with the outlet opening of the blower housing. The outer tube has a plurality of spaced apart vent holes arranged in a row extending between the upper and lower ends of the outer tube. The inner tube has an elongate full vent slot extending between the upper and lower ends of the inner tube and a plurality of spaced apart partial vent slots arranged in a pair of rows extending between the upper and lower ends of the inner tube adjacent the full vent slot.

Abstract: Dryer section of a machine for producing a material web. The dryer section may include at least one dryer group including a plurality of heatable dryer cylinders so that the material web to be guided around at least a portion of the plurality of heatable dryer cylinders may be guided in a meandering path in a web travel direction. At least one pressing device may be located within the dryer section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the sub-critical drying of a lyogel to form an aerogel, in which the lyogel is treated with a heat-conveying fluid at a temperature above the boiling point of the pore liquid of the lyogel under system pressure and the dried aerogel is then separated from the heat-conveying fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and smoothing a fibre web between two tight bands that move in parallel and run around turning rolls, the first band being heated with hot steam and the second band being cooled with water, and the fibre web being conducted through the drying zone that the bands define together with at least one felt or wire such that the fibre web is in contact with the surface of the first, heated band and that the felt or wire is between the fibre web and the second, cooled band. The apparatus and method further comprise spreading the fibre web in its transverse direction before it is led into the drying apparatus.

Abstract: A pressure and flow rate of a gas flowing into or out of a processing chamber are controlled, so as to decrease or increase an atmosphere in the processing chamber higher or lower than a target pressure to obtain a target pressure. During a first period, an opening speed of an opening degree adjusting device provided in an inlet pipe communicating to the processing chamber is controlled to a first target value toward a first predetermined functional approximation line (for example a function of second degree) as ideal value. During the rest of periods other than the first period, the opening speed is controlled stepwise to two or more predetermined target values so that the processing chamber reaches the target pressure. During a period before the first period, the opening speed may be controlled to a second target value among the two or more target values, based on a control amount for the opening degree adjusting device.

Abstract: An apparatus for levitational guidance of a continuous web of material for the purpose of its heat-treatment is configured of individual zones. The form ducting of the zones has the shape of an U in the vertical longitudinal center section above and below the web in each case, the legs of the U being located parallel to the transport direction of the web. The legs adjacent to the web are equipped on the side facing the web with levitation nozzle ribs or nozzle areas. In the legs facing away from the web, a radial fan is incorporated in each U, the delivery direction of which is directed towards the turn joining the two U legs. Heating means are arranged to advantage in the heating zones in the region between the two legs of the U. Coolers may be incorporated to advantage in the region of the turn joining the two U legs.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing running shoe has a sole attached to an upper, with a carriage in the upper adapted to receive the rear portion of a runner's foot. The sole has a collapsible area below the carriage. A first strut is attached to the instep side of the sole and extends above the carriage, and a second strut is attached to the outstep side of the sole and extends above the carriage. Elastic bands are coupled to the struts and to the carriage so that the carriage is suspended by the bands over the collapsible area of the sole.

Abstract: An outsole for footwear includes a base member having a first flange extending from a periphery of the base member, and a second flange extending from a top surface of the base member. A peripheral groove is defined between the first flange and the second flange. A plurality of separating posts extend from the top surface of the base member and a midsole is mounted to the base member. The midsole has a skirt extending from a periphery thereof and the skirt is engaged with the peripheral groove of the base. The midsole is supported on the second flange so that a cushion chamber is defined between the midsole, the top surface of the base and the second flange.

Abstract: An insole insert comprises a body having a bottom portion, a heel edge, a lateral side edge, a medial side edge, a depression portion spaced generally centrally beneath the user's first metatarsal phalangeal joint, a heel portion formed along the heel lateral side edges and extending forwardly to just rearwardly of the user's fifth metatarsal phalangeal joint, and an arch portion formed along the medial side edge and extending forwardly to just rearwardly of the depression portion. The heel portion and the arch portion, which form a channel that is laterally angularly offset relative to the insole insert, are configured to cooperatively redistribute the normally greater weight-generated forces applied to the inner and more bony regions of the user's heel outwardly toward the outer and more fleshy regions of the user's heel.

Abstract: A safety shoe with detachable steel toe box, particularly a toe box made of steel plate, is fixed to invest surface of an original toe box in a shoe with a drawstring for protecting the latter and a worker's toes against impairment in working.

Abstract: A ski boot comprising a rigid foot portion having a rigid base and a rigid upper for surrounding essentially a foot of a wearer, a rigid leg element for surrounding essentially a lower portion of a leg of the wearer including a pivot, the foot portion and the leg element being connected through the pivot to constitute a forward leaning retention position for the wearer, and a release and retention mechanism for changing the rigid leg element into a substantially vertical release stop position. The said release stop position is the result of a predetermined rearward force on the wearer's leg. The release mechanism comprises an upper arm linkage engaged to a lower arm linkage through a slot.

Abstract: A plant shoe and a method of use thereof to be worn on the plant foot of a placekicker wearing a kicking shoe having a total sole thickness s on his kicking foot, wherein the plant shoe includes a main sole, a filler sole adjacent said main sole, wherein the main sole and the filler sole together have a thickness greater than s, and a plurality of cleats positioned on an underside of either the main sole or the filler sole for engaging the playing surface. In one embodiment the cleats are positioned on the underside of the main sole and in an alternate embodiment, the main sole is positioned between a shoe upper and the filler sole and the cleats are positioned on the underside of the filler sole.

Abstract: A footwear exercising device for use by a wearer in improving various aspects of the wearer's physical condition, health and overall appearance. The footwear exercising device of the present invention includes a combination reverse wedge and sole for wear below the sole of a wearer's foot, and may be worn with a wide variety of fashion. Prolonged use of the device of the present invention has been shown to improve the tone of the muscle groups of a wearer's body which have to do with the wearer's posture. Prolonged use of the instant invention has also been shown to improve the blood circulation in a wearer's legs and to strengthen significantly the muscles supporting a wearer's knees. The design of the device is such that prolonged wear of the invention is neither strenuous nor taxing.