Abstract: A methodology of sleeving at least one lead of a stator is provided. The methodology includes the steps of robotically selecting at least one of the stator leads, and robotically positioning an insulating sleeve over the stator lead.

Abstract: A method of magnetizing a permanent magnet motor involves inserting a spacer in between multi-layered windings (24Ua and 24Va) wound on a plurality of magnetic pole teeth when magnetizing an unmagnetized magnet (26), and removing the inserted spacer (28A) after finishing the magnetization. The spacer (28A) is also inserted in a space between two stator windings (24Ua, 24Va; 24Ub, 24Vb) wound on two magnetic pole teeth adjacent to each other, a magnet material is magnetized by electrifying the stator windings with a direct current in a state of the spacer (28A) being inserted, a permanent magnet is thus formed, and the spacer (28A) is removed after finishing the magnetization.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a recording head having a bottom pole layer and a top pole layer that include pole portions opposed to each other, a recording gap layer being placed between the pole portions. The top pole layer is made up of a pole portion layer, a magnetic layer and a yoke portion layer. The recording head further has an insulating layer for defining a throat height placed between the pole layers, and a thin-film coil placed between the pole layers, the coil being insulated from the pole layers. The pole portion layer is formed through the following procedure. A magnetic film is formed on a surface having a step caused by the insulating layer. The top surface of the magnetic film is flattened. The magnetic film thus flattened is patterned through photolithography.

Abstract: A semi-rigid heated element assembly and method of manufacturing semi-rigid heated element assemblies is provided. A heated element assembly includes a first thermoplastic sheet, a second thermoplastic sheet, and a resistance heating element laminated between the first and second thermoplastic sheets. The resistance heating element includes a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon and an electrical resistance heating material forming a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions. The circuit path continues onto at least one flap portion that is capable of rotating about a first axis of rotation. The reformable continuous element structure may be formed into a final element assembly configuration whereby at least the flap portion is rotated along its axis of rotation to provide resistance heating in at least two planes. Semi-rigid heating elements may be formed into heated containers, heated bags, and other objects with complex heat planes.

Abstract: A bolt press fit apparatus comprising; a bolt press fit press machine, a hardware mounting members which can move between a press position of the bolt press fit press machine and a retracted position separated from this press position, and which has a predetermined number of bolt-insertion holes into which bolts are press fitted, bolt transfer mechanisms, and bolt temporarily-press fit mechanisms which insert and temporarily press fit the bolts from the bolt transfer mechanism in a corresponding manner with respect to the predetermined number of bolt-insertion holes.

Abstract: An Assembly/processing apparatus includes part tray, work tray where work pieces are placed, conveyor, base machine, part-tray lane, work-tray lane, part-tray transfer apparatus and work-tray transfer apparatus. Conveyor conveys part trays and work trays together, base machine includes assembling means for assembling parts to a work piece, and part tray lane and work tray lane are provided on base machine. Conveyor conveys part trays and work trays to base machine, and respectively places them on each of part tray lane and work tray lane. Then, assembling means takes parts from part tray, and assembles them to the work piece on work tray.

Abstract: A component mounting apparatus includes a board transfer section for carrying in circuit boards to a component mounting position and carrying out the circuit board after component-mounting operation. A component feed section is provided for feeding, to a specified position, a component to be mounted onto the circuit board, and a component mounting section is provided for loading a suction nozzle matching the component to be mounted, sucking up the component from the component feed section and moving the component to the mounting position, and mounting the component on a specified site of the circuit board. A controller is provided for controlling operations of the individual sections is order to execute a productional operation of component-mounting onto the circuit boards.

Abstract: A cartridge positioning and holding mechanism has a fixed guide for positioning a single-open-ended cartridge when the single-open-ended cartridge is inserted in an axial direction thereof with a cap positioned ahead, and a movable chuck openable and closable for forming and holding the single-open-ended cartridge after a film coil is inserted into the single-open-ended cartridge in an axial direction of the spool of the film coil. The film coil can be inserted into the single-open-ended cartridge highly accurately and efficiently with a simple and small arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting semiconductor chips on a substrate with which the semiconductor chips are presented on a foil clamped in a frame at a first location A comprises a chip gripper for the transport of the semiconductor chip presented at the first location A to a second location located on the substrate, a movable table for accepting the frame, a chip ejector arranged underneath the foil at the first location A the upper surface of which facing towards the foil has holes connected to a vacuum source, as well as a measuring camera directed at the first location A for establishing the position of the presented semiconductor chip. Correction of a possible position deviation of the presented semiconductor chip from its set position takes place in accordance with the invention in that the foil is secured by the chip ejector by means of vacuum and then at least the upper surface of the chip ejector facing towards the foil is moved in the plane running parallel to the under side of the foil.

Abstract: A method of IC packing/unpacking for preserving and updating data stored in the IC and the structure thereof is disclosed. The method is able to encase the IC to prevent intentional piracy and allow data preservation and update. The structure has an upper plate (10) having a trough (12) defined therein; a lower plate (20) detachably connected with the upper plate (10); a PCB (30) sandwiched between the upper plate (10) and the lower plate (20) and forming an electrical connection with the upper plate (10); an interface (60) detachably inserted into the trough (12) and being able to receive data therein; and a controller (50) electrically connected with the interface (60) for coding the interface (60).

Abstract: Semiconductor devices can be mounted by the bump technique using compound metallic ultra-fine particles. Each particle comprises a core portion which is substantially a metallic component, with a coating layer chemically bound to the core portion, the coating layer being an organic substance. One of two bump technologies can be used to mount the semiconductor device, namely, forming under bump metals from the compound metallic ultra-fine particles, and forming ordinary solder balls on the under bump metals; or using paste balls comprising the compound metallic ultra-fine particles rather than ordinary solder balls.

Abstract: A cavity-type chip module. The module is formed with an adhesive joining layer of photoimageable material interposed between a metal stiffener and a laminate top layer with a central aperture defined in the top layer. The photoimageable material is exposed to actinic radiation, except for an area corresponding to the aperture in the top layer. The unexposed area of photoimageable material is developed away to form a window in the joining layer. The top layer, joining layer, and stiffener are laminated together with the window and aperture aligned, and with a portion of the stiffener spanning the aperture to define a cavity in the resulting substrate. The removal of the unexposed photoimageable material, and the selective exposure of the joining layer to actinic radiation, keep the cavity free of photoimageable material and inhibit bleeding of the photoimageable material into the cavity from its inner edge.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package manufacturing process is described which reduces or eliminates the formation of voids in a molding compound between a die and an underlying substrate. The process includes providing the substrate, which has an upper surface and an air space above the upper surface. Electrically conductive vias are formed through the upper surface of the substrate which extend at least partially through the substrate, and fluid communication is provided between the vias and the overlying air space. The process includes attaching the integrated circuit die to the upper surface of the substrate over at least a portion of the vias, while leaving a gap between the die and the upper surface of the substrate. The process further includes flowing the molding compound into the gap between the die and the upper surface of the substrate while maintaining fluid communication between the vias and the air space.

Abstract: Wire bonds are made to palladium coated bonded lads on organic dielectric substrates at temperatures below 200° C. A layer of palladium thicker than 14 micro-inches is covered with a thin flash of gold. Palladium coated over copper pads is protected from copper diffusion by a thin nickel layer positioned between the two. Subsequent baking for 1 hour at 185° C. drives off hydrogen molecules provided the gold is less than 200 Å thick. A bonding wire, preferably of gold is then successfully bonded to the pad using conventional bonding equipment at temperatures below 200° C.

Abstract: A chip size package is disclosed herein, as well as a method for fabricating the same. A recess is formed in a surface of semiconductor chip. Bonding pads are formed on a bottom center of the recess and insulating pads 30 are formed on both lateral sides of the recess. The respective pads are connected to each other with metal wires. An epoxy compound is filled in the recess. Herein, midway portions of the metal wires are exposed from the epoxy compound. Bumps are formed on the midway portions of the metal wires being exposed from the epoxy compound and solder balls are mounted on the bumps. Therefore, the epoxy compound is not protruded from the semiconductor chip, thickness of the package is equal to that of the semiconductor chip. The thickness of package is minimized.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing surface treated, prefinished valve seat inserts. The method entails forming the valve seat insert, precision machining the valve seat insert to precise tolerances so that the valve seat insert can be installed in one of the cylinder head and engine block without the need for additional seat machining and treating the valve seat insert with a wear resistant treatment prior to inserting the valve seat insert into on of the cylinder head and engine block.

Abstract: A method for producing a cylinder block capable of providing sufficient bonding between the cylinder liner and a block body. The cylinder block producing method includes an inner peripheral surface roughening process, outer peripheral surface roughening process, adiabatic particle adhesion process, and melt bonding process. In the inner peripheral surface roughening process, shot blasting is performed to the inner surface of the cylinder liner. In the outer peripheral surface roughening process, semi-spherical dimples are formed on the outer surface of the cylinder liner by sinking the shot balls by their semi-spherical amount into the liner by means of shot blasting. Zn balls and stainless beads each having diameter of 0.4 mm, or Zn balls having diameter of 0.8 mm are used as the shot balls. In the adiabatic particle adhesion process, BN particles are adhered to the inner surface of the cylinder liner.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a welded rotor of a fluid-flow machine are described, through which rotor a coiling medium flows through inflow and outflow passages inside the rotor and which is composed of a plurality of rotor disks, which are connected to one another by welds running radially or largely radially relative to the rotor axis and in each case enclose with one another a hollow passage, which runs around the rotor axis and interrupts the welds in such a way that a weld facing the rotor is directly adjacent to the hollow passage.

Abstract: A combustor liner has a stepped combustor liner surface defining a combustion zone and an overhang portion forming an air cooling slot. A layer of thermal barrier material is applied to the combustor liner such that at least one portion of the combustor liner receives a layer of thermal barrier material with a thickness greater than 0.01 inches. Thus, the combustor liner absorbs less heat, and the combustor may operate at higher temperatures. As a result, low cycle fatigue and thermal creep are reduced within the combustor and the life cycle for the combustor is extended.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust pipe having a branch stub, as well as an exhaust pipe produced according to such a method and a tool for forming such an exhaust pipe. Two tubes are inserted into one another to form a double tube. The double tube is placed in a first internal high-pressure shaping tool, and exposed to internal high pressure fluid such that it expands to match the contours of the engraving of the first shaping tool, and a double-walled branch stub is blown out of the double tube. The partially formed double tube is then placed in a second internal high-pressure shaping tool, with the double tube being surrounded, between the two ends including the branch stub, circumferentially and throughout by a corresponding design of the engraving, by an expansion chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wheel rim for a motor vehicle comprises the steps of a strip of aluminum alloy sheet material having a predetermined cross-section suitable for forming into a wheel rim by extrusion molding, pressing the strip step-by-step lengthwise by an upper mold and a lower mold having complimentary profiles for causing the strip to have predetermined profiles as a hoop with a formed gap between the both ends, welding the gap to form an unfinished wheel rim, and annealing, shaping, heat treating, and polishing the unfinished wheel rim to form a finished wheel rim.

Abstract: A pair of parallel rectangular windows are punched out in a thin sheet base material having the same thickness as that of a short hand part (13) including a weight part (13a) of a second hand (10) so as to form a hand forming part between the pair of windows and a part in the hand forming part forming a long hand part and a mounting part of a hand is pressed so as to form a thin wall part. Then, the second hand in a final shape is punched out from the base material so that a long hand part (11) and a mounting part (12) are formed with the thin wall part of the hand forming part and the short hand part (13) is formed with an original thickness part. Consequently, the second hand for an analog electronic timepiece in which the weight part (13a) is provided on the short hand part (13) can be easily and securely manufactured only by a press working.

Abstract: An expansible reinforcer for reinforcing a hollow structural member of an automobile, aircraft, boat, etc. is provided. The reinforcer is flexible/bendable and comprises a synthetic, resin-based expansible reinforcing material secured thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcer comprises a plurality of supports pivotally connected to one another in a train-like arrangement. The reinforcing material is formed of a thermally expansible composition which preferably has an expansion temperature similar to the temperatures achieved in specific stages of a particular manufacturing process (e.g., such as the temperature at which the paint bake or powder bake stage is carried out in the automobile manufacturing process). The inventive reinforcer is capable of being fed into the opening of a tight cavity on a structural member so as to provide uniform reinforcement of the structural member.

Abstract: A method for forming a closed channel structural member having a central portion that is enlarged relative to the end portions thereof is disclosed. Initially, first and second tubes are formed in respective hydroforming dies to have desired shapes that are preferably characterized by a relatively large diameter first end portions and relatively small diameter second end portions. Each of the two tubes is then oriented such that the relatively large diameter first end portions are disposed adjacent to one another. Lastly, the relatively large diameter first end portions are joined together in any conventional manner, such as by butt welding, to form a unitary member characterized by a relatively large diameter central portion extending between a pair of relatively small diameter end portions. The unitary member can be used as a component, such as a side rail, of a vehicle body and frame assembly.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the invention are directed to safety razor heads (120) having intrinsically fenced cutting blades (136, 138) oriented at a high slicing angle to the shaving direction. The razor comprises a plurality of short cutting edges (4) in a spaced relationship across the width of the cutting zone, bounded by leading (112) and trailing guards (104), and oriented at an angle greater than 30 degrees, resulting in enhanced cutting action, improved lubricant and debris flow, and longer life of the cutting edges. Lateral skin tensioning is achieved in one embodiment by the spreading action of left and right oriented cutting edges.

Abstract: A cutting head for rotary trimmers in which two relatively short fixed lengths of flexible cutting line are inserted into opposed channels in the head and are secured in place by a pair of spring biased toothed cams. Each of the cams is pivotally mounted on a post within the housing adjacent one of the channels and defines a curvilinear camming surface having a plurality of uniformly spaced teeth thereon that project into the channels at increasing angles of inclination from the outermost tooth to the innermost tooth for engaging the line. A pair of torsion springs bias the cams to pivot on their mounting teeth such that the backsides of the teeth are continually urged toward the openings to the channels thereby allowing line to be inserted inwardly into the head past the toothed cams but retained by the cams against any outwardly directed forces acting on the line. The cams are symmetrically balanced about their axes of rotation so as to be unaffected by centrifugal force acting thereon during use.

Abstract: An impact tool for use in removing a non-threaded fastener from a first substrate anchored to a second substrate by the fastener. The tool includes a shank having a longitudinal axis, first and second ends, and an exterior surface. A driving head is located on one end of the shank and a fastener exposure/dimpling head located on the other end. The fastener exposure/dimpling head includes a fastener receiving cavity, a cutting lip extending outwardly from the fastener receiving cavity, and a dimpling section located between the cutting lip and the outer surface of the shank. The cutting lip is placed around the nailhead and the driving head tapped to expose the nailhead. The dimpling section creates a cavity in the surface of the first substrate which can subsequently be filled.

Abstract: An archery sight comprising an elongated bracket secured to the archery bow's front sight threaded bore, and extends rearward of the bow's riser. There being at the end of the bracket a 90 degree bend that forms a laterally extending shelf. The shelf has a slot into which is mounted a vertical standing rear sight pin that is shaped like the letter Y and is attached by means of threaded bore. By aligning the distal end of the selected front sight pin or pins (by others) into the exact bottom of the junction of the Y shaped pin, the bow man is able to control the course of the arrow quite accurately.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for independently evaluating the spatial positional performance of a machine having a movable member, comprising an articulated coordinate measuring machine comprising: a first revolute joint; a probe arm, having a proximal end rigidly attached to the first joint, and having a distal end with a probe tip attached thereto, wherein the probe tip is pivotally mounted to the movable machine member; a second revolute joint; a first support arm serially connecting the first joint to the second joint; and coordinate processing means, operatively connected to the first and second revolute joints, for calculating the spatial coordinates of the probe tip; means for kinematically constraining the articulated coordinate measuring machine to a working surface; and comparator means, in operative association with the coordinate processing means and with the movable machine, for comparing the true position of the movable machine member, as measured by the true position of the probe tip, with

Abstract: A workpiece (22) having a periphery is centered using a centering apparatus (20) having a workpiece spindle (24, 28) operable to rotate the workpiece (22) about a rotational axis (26), and a centering head (29). The centering head (29) includes a mount (30) movable in a movement direction lying in a plane (40) perpendicular to the rotational axis (26), and generally along a radial line (38) extending outwardly from the rotational axis (26). A swivel head (32) is pivotably supported on the mount (30) and is pivotable about a pivot axis (46) parallel to the rotational axis (26). The swivel head (32) has a pair of bearings (66) spaced apart along a direction lying generally perpendicular to the movement direction, with the bearing axis of each bearing (46) parallel to the rotational axis (26). A distance measuring device (34) is operable to measure the distance between the periphery of the workpiece (22) and a measurement location on the mount (30).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a device for acquiring contoured human body surface vibration signals is provided. The device comprises a first component for sensing the displacements of a skin surface as a function of time at multiple points on the human body, with the first component having a plurality of sensing elements, a second component for measuring time average displacements of the skin surface at nominal locations of the sensing elements in the first component; and a third component for correcting for the effect of positional error from a set of nominal displacement sensor locations.

Abstract: A probe arm comprises a base member 10 securable to a surface of a machine tool, and a rotatable hub 12, carrying an arm member 16 with a tool-setting probe (18 FIG. 1). The hub has a portion 22 with three radial projections (26 FIG. 2) which rotates within an aperture 24 of the base which also has three inward radial projections 30. Together these projections form stops at the operative and non-operative positions of the probe. The aperture also has three axial raised areas 42 on an annular ledge 40 which support an annular should 44 on the hub. Thus there are six points of contact between the hub and base member in the operative and non-operative positions. A biasing arrangement comprises a detent plate 46 secured to the aperture and a planar spring 48 secured to the hub by its central region. Ball bearings 56 are loosely retained in two opposite lugs (54 FIG. 6) on the spring and run around the detent plate between two pairs of detent holes (58 FIG. 5).

Abstract: An article includes a cylindrical object such as a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and a support body having a keyed slot therethrough. The keyed slot has a cylindrical aperture elongated along an aperture axis and a slot extending radially from the cylindrical aperture. A sleeve is received in the keyed slot and includes an annular segment of a hollow cylinder received within the cylindrical aperture and having a first annular end and a second annular end, an inner annular diameter DI sized to slidingly receive the cylindrical object therein, and an outer annular diameter DO sized for the annular segment to fit snugly within the cylindrical aperture. The cylindrical object is received within the annular segment of the hollow cylinder. A first tab extends from the first annular end into the slot, and a second tab extends from the second annular end into the slot and contacts a side of the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a housing such as a flywheel housing with a crankshaft or other rotating member. The apparatus includes a main shaft and a mount by which the main shaft is mounted to the center axis of a member rotating in a housing. A sleeve is received upon and rotates relative to the main shaft and is provided with a mount for a dial indicator. The dial indicator is positioned so that any misalignment between the rotating member and the housing is output by the dial indicator as the sleeve is rotated relative to the housing. Depending upon the output of the dial indicator, the position of the housing is changed relative to the rotating member to align the center axis of the rotating member with the center axis of the housing.

Abstract: A device (5) and a method for determining alignment of any component in a belt drive system (1) is disclosed. The device (5) is two sets (7, 8) of lines (9, 10) placed on separate carriers (11, 12). The second set (8) is placed over the first set (7) so that some of the lines (9, 10) are coincident. The second set (8) is secured to the first set (7) at one end of the device (5). To determine any misalignment, even minute misalignment, of the belt drive system (1) the device (5) is secured to the belt surface (6) of the drive belt system (1). The belt (4) is rotated until the device (5) is fed into a pulley (2). Any misalignement of the system (1) is visually indicated by the resulting misalignment of the lines (9, 10).

Abstract: A micrometer comprising a thimble made, at least in part, of a translucent material, a vernier scale on an inner circumference of the thimble along the circumferential direction and a vernier numeral on an outer circumference of the thimble along the circumferential direction, whereby reading error during measurement can be reduced.

Abstract: A photographic mounting system correlates photographs with height by providing a vertically mountable ruler configured to adjustably receive and hold photograph frames at various adjustably selected heights on the ruler. The frames, in turn, hold the photographs, thus allowing placement of the photographs at selected heights on the ruler. Various locking mechanisms are disclosed to secure the frames to the ruler and prevent inadvertent or unauthorized removal. Also disclosed is a virtual equivalent of the physical system, the virtual equivalent having a greater variety of possible modifications and a greater amount of information linked to various growth indicia.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying semiconductor wafers by using an IPA drying apparatus. The present invention uses a vapor generator to generate an IPA vapor. The IPA vapor is generated and saved in a closed surrounding and then transferred in a porous hollow plate in the dryer tank by using a quartz pipe. The IPA vapor is diffused evenly from the porous hollow plate. Furthermore, the present invention increases the safety of the process and can easily control the input amount of the IPA vapor.

Abstract: A method for heating bulk materials, especially granular plastic material, in which the bulk material is fed to a vessel and exits the vessel based on the consumption. A heat-transfer gas flow is simultaneously fed to the vessel and conducted either cocurrently with or countercurrently to the flow of granular material. The gas inlet temperature or quantity of gas are thereby varied in such a way that the temperature of the granular material at the outlet corresponds to a target temperature value required for the granular material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an automatic cycle of a clothes dryer wherein after initiation of an automatic cycle, a CPU displays the expected time remaining during the current cycle. At various times during the cycle, the expected time remaining is updated by comparing the time required to reach certain moisture levels of the articles contained therein to reference times. The comparison also results in the expected times being updated for future uses of the clothes dryer. Finally, the invention includes a system for updating the amount of time required to reach a desired final temperature during a cooldown sequence.

Abstract: A plurality of pairs of telescoping tubes (20) and (22) interconnect a support plenum (12) and a nozzle system (14) for delivering air from the plenum (12) to the nozzle system (14) while allowing the nozzle system (14) to move in an adjustment direction toward and away from the plenum (12). The nozzle system (14) is elongated and includes a fixed shell (24) and a movable shell (26) movably supported by the fixed shell (24). The assembly (10) is characterized by actuators (42) for moving the nozzle system (14) between the various vertical-operating positions and a motor (46) for rotating the nozzle (16). The nozzle system (14) may be moved up and down to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of the vehicle (18) and the nozzle (16) may be rotated about the nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18).

Abstract: A plastic bellow system inserted into the sole of a shoe. The system having a first pair and a second pair of side-by-side plastic bellows in the forward portion and the rear portion of the shoe sole. The bellows placed in hollows formed in a midsole. The first pair of bellows having two convolutions with an opening formed in the lower convolution. The second pair of bellows having three convolutions with an opening formed in the lower convolution. A pneumatic valve associated with each bellows and the exterior of the midsole. The user can modify foot position by operating the valve of each bellows of the first and second pair of plastic bellows to inflate or deflate each bellows to thereby modify the volume of each bellows.

Abstract: A footwear assembly having a footbed and an insole, which is removably secured to the footbed. The footbed includes a substantially flexible front portion and a rear portion connected to the front portion. The rear portion has a substantially rigid unit with at least one cavity. The cavity is adapted to receive a layer of cushioning material therein.

Abstract: A driving shoe that is also comfortable for walking includes extensive cushioning in the shoe's heel regions and sides and a line of substantially constant curvature in the heel region extending to the rear of the shoe that allows for rapid pivoting between the accelerator and brake without having to lift the foot during driving and for a more natural gait during walking.

Abstract: A footwear structure including an upper and a separate midsole having interlocking shank portions. The upper has an upward extending arc in the shank area which defines a shank interlock portion therein. The midsole has a corresponding arc which defines a shank interlock portion on a bottom surface thereof which mates with the arc in the upper for resisting motion of the midsole relative to the outsole in the case where the midsole is unsecured within the structure to allow for removal of the midsole. The structure may include an outsole having a shank interlock area that mates with the shank interlock of the midsole, with or without an upper disposed between the midsole and the outsole. The shank interlock areas may include a continuous arc or an abruptly changing arc, and the midsole may be removable or non-removable from the structure. A rigid shank insert may be provided between the midsole and outsole, and the midsole may include a variety of layers.

Abstract: An embodiment of a snowboard boot with removable upper support includes a sole portion that cooperatively with an upwardly extending boot upper provides a volume for receiving a user's foot. The boot upper has a high back portion that includes an interior pocket adapted to receive a generally Y-shaped stiffening insert. The pocket is provided at the back of the upper, by attaching a back panel to the upper, the back panel having a front panel attached to the front side, thereby forming a pocket. Slots are provided at the top corners of the back panel that can slidably engage the upper tabs of the insert, thereby locking the insert in place.

Abstract: A shoe sole having a resilient outsole including a weight for applying a larger-than-normal load on the leg muscles. The outsole has a single recess formed on the upper surface thereof and extending in a lengthwise direction from a toe portion to a heel portion of the outsole. The recess has an outline that is similar to the outline of the outsole and a single weight is embedded in the recess. The single weight comprises a mixture of a resilient material and metallic grains and has an outline that is similar to the outline of the outsole. The weight is formed so as to be relatively thin at the toe portion and relatively thick at the heel portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleat for providing traction for footwear. The cleat provides traction and durability without damaging turf when in use.

Abstract: A vehicle implement adapter for attachment to conventional vehicles and for allowing the attachment to the vehicle of various implement such as shovels, jaws or the like. The vehicle implement adapter includes a frame configured so as to be attachable to the vehicle. A main arm is pivotally attached to the frame. An implement such as a shovel, a pivotal jaw or the like is pivotally mounted at the distal end of the main arm. A cable is attached to the implement. The cable is re-directed by a set of pulleys and mechanically coupled to a winch-type mechanism mounted on the frame. A releasable locking mechanism is attached to the main arm. By selectively allowing and preventing pivotal movement of the main arm through the use of the arm locking mechanism, the cable can be used to lift and/or tilt the implement.

Abstract: A stretcher frame assembly for supporting a painting canvas includes a frame having side members fixed to each other at ends thereof, a front face defined by the frame side members declining inwardly from a peripheral surface thereof, and inwardly-extending portions of the frame side members defining inwardly extending flanges having front and rear planar surfaces. A stiff front panel is fixed to the frame with outer peripheral portions of the front panel disposed on and connected to the flange front surfaces. A stiff back panel is fixed to the frame with outer peripheral portions of the back panel disposed on and connected to the flange rear surfaces.