Abstract: A shoe includes spring type support members, optionally for at least a heel area of a foot. The support member includes a primary biasing element in the form of a V-shaped spring assembly and a secondary biasing element provided at least partially within a volume defined by the primary biasing element (e.g., between its base member and its flexing member, beneath the flexing member, etc.). When the primary biasing element compresses beyond a predetermined extent, it will compress the secondary biasing element. This construction allows the degree of ground reaction force attenuation and energy absorption properties of a shoe to be dually controlled to meet the specific demands of the activity for which the footwear is intended to be used.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole, an upper, and a welt. The upper is operatively secured to the sole. The sole and upper define a seam. The seam has a seam toe region, a seam heel region, a seam lateral side region, a seam ball region, and a seam instep region. The welt is secured to at least one of the sole and the upper. The welt covers the seam toe region, the seam lateral side region, the seam heel region, and the seam instep region. The welt does not cover the seam ball region.

Abstract: A sole structure may include at least one plate. The at least one plate may include a first portion located in a forefoot region of the sole structure and a second portion located in a rearfoot region of the sole structure. At least one compressible midsole component may be coupled to the at least one plate. A linkage rod couples the first and second portions and is configured to bias the first and second portions away from one another during bending of the sole structure.

Abstract: Sole structures and uppers for articles of footwear are described that includes features to enhance footwear flexibility, dexterity, natural motion feel, and/or tackiness. Such articles of footwear may provide enhanced properties and feel for use in skateboarding and other activities.

Abstract: A spacer textile material has at least a portion of multiple tensile strands located between a first layer and a second layer of the spacer textile material where the first layer and second layer have been joined together to form channels in which the tensile strands move freely. In one or more locations, a first tensile strand and a second tensile overlap at an intersection region. Further, the spacer textile material may be incorporated into an article of footwear.

Abstract: A boot bra for securing an upper portion of a boot while worn by a user can include an elastic band in the form of or configurable as a ring. The elastic band can be in the form of a continuous ring or can have a first wrap engagement member (e.g., hooks) mounted at a first end and a second wrap engagement member (e.g., loops into which the hooks can be latched) mounted at a second end of the elastic band and configured to securely engage the first wrap engagement member when the elastic band is wrapped around a human leg to form the ring. A first boot-to-band engagement member (e.g., snap member) is mounted to the elastic band; and a boot mount includes a second boot-to-band engagement member (e.g., snap member) configured for secure engagement with the engagement member on the elastic band.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for tightening laces of an article of clothing. The method may include the steps of receiving an input code; determining if the input code matches a stored code; and if the input code matches the stored code, actuating a tightening device to tighten the laces. A system is disclosed for tightening laces of an article of clothing. The system may include a controller and a tightening device configured to engage the laces. The tightening device may be operatively coupled to the controller. The controller may place the tightening device in one of a plurality of configurations.

Abstract: A device for maintaining the shape of footwear, both at the tip of a shoe as in the stiffener through a tension force against the tip and stiffener of the shoe, the same caused by the device snap-fitting and its natural tensioning element curved, is provided. The device comprises two separate pieces and detachably bonded there between by means of a recess, interlocking means and recesses and cavities that are snapping correspondingly.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may include an upper barrier portion, a lower barrier portion, and a tensile member. An upper tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the upper barrier portion, and a lower tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the lower barrier portion. The upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion may have first areas and second areas. The first areas may be indentations extending into the chamber, and the second areas may be protrusions extending outward from the chamber. At least a portion of the first areas may be unbonded with the upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion. Accordingly, one or more properties of the chamber, such as a flexibility, stiffness, rigidity, tensile response, compressibility, or force attenuation property, may be altered.

Abstract: A buckle includes a base that receives therein a pressing board having a front end pivotally coupled to the base and a rear end provided with a clutch portion for clutching a tooth of a head strap, and an operating member that is received in the base and corresponds to a back of the pressing board. The operating member has two buttons. When an arcuate bar pressing against the operating member is pressed inward, the arcuate bar deforms and pushes the pressing board to swing outward, making the clutch portion disengage from the tooth of the head strap, so that length adjustment of the head strap is allowed. After the adjustment, the pressing board automatically swings back due to the tension of the head strap, so that the clutch portion clutches another tooth of the head strap to position the head strap.

Abstract: An adjustable belt buckle is convenient to assembly and makes a binding belt easy to be adjusted. It uses the axial section of the top wall of the main body to further press and limit the pressing member and enhance the engagement between the first teeth portion and the second teeth portion to prevent the second teeth portion from being damaged and increase its life time.

Abstract: A belt buckle assembly, especially for a seat belt system in a motor vehicle, includes a belt buckle (10) and a plug-in tongue (12) lockable in the belt buckle (10) by means of a locking mechanism. A component of the locking mechanism of the belt buckle (10) interacting with the plug-in tongue (12) inside the belt buckle (10) and/or the plug-in tongue (12) has/have design features at a locking portion (16) interacting with the locking mechanism of the belt buckle (10) inside the belt buckle (10). The design features enable the plug-in tongue (12) to be locked in the belt buckle (10) only at one of at least two possible orientations of the plug-in tongue (12) in the belt buckle (10).

Abstract: A buckle assembly comprising: a socket arrangement for releasably retaining a lug; and an operating handle rotatably mounted with respect to the socket arrangement and configured such that, upon rotation, the lug is released from the socket arrangement, the operating handle comprising first and second buttons diametrically opposed from one another, configured such that rotation of the operating handle with respect to the socket arrangement is prevented unless both the first and second buttons are simultaneously depressed.

Abstract: A buckle, in particular a belt buckle, having at least one hook part (2) and at least one eye part (3), wherein the hook part (2) includes a hook part base body (4) and a hook (5) fixedly connected thereto, and in a connected state of the buckle (1), the eye part (3) is hooked into the hook (5) of the hook part (2), and in a separated state of the buckle (1), the eye part (3) is unhooked from the hook (5) of the hook part (2), wherein the buckle (1) has a securing device for securing the connected state, and the securing device has at least one spring tongue (6).

Abstract: An easy access tab integrated into a hook closure forming a portion of overlapping hook and loop engaging surfaces of an adjustable garment. An edge extending tab is reverse folded over and against a forward and central most subset area of the hook surface and is subsequently sonically heat bonded to create a crushed or otherwise smoothed subset surface area maintaining a low profile and without any significant weight addition. The crushed area enables a user to insert one or more digits between the opposing hook and loop configured surfaces of the closure elements to facilitate easier opening and without damaging the closure elements. A corresponding method is also disclosed for sonically heat bonding the reverse, folded tab applied against the hook surface utilizing the above structure.

Abstract: Coins, medals or casino tokens have a first side, a second side, at least one first layer made of a first material and at least one second layer made of a second material, wherein the first layer is between 10 ?m and 90 ?m, preferably 20 ?m thick. A method produces the coin wherein the coin is produced, more particularly punched, from a clad sheet-shaped composite material. A further method produces the coin wherein the coin is formed from a ring and a core arranged inside the ring. The core and the ring are punched from a clad sheet-shaped composite material and subsequently the core is inserted rotated into the ring and is fixed therein.

Abstract: A free arm umbrella includes a fixing plate, an upper nest, a lower nest, umbrella ribs and support ribs. The free arm umbrella also includes a control mechanism, a support rod, a first strut rod and a second strut rod. The middle part of the first strut rod is hinged with the middle part of the second strut rod. A rotating lockout mechanism can also be set on the free arm umbrella so that the umbrella cover can be rotated easily. The free arm umbrella has advantages of simple structure, convenience of use, economic practicality, and being applicable to narrow space.

Abstract: A portable carrier includes a sleeve including a cavity, a dispensing port disposed along a length of the sleeve, and a loading port disposed on a first distal end of the sleeve. The loading port is configured to load a plurality of reusable bags into the cavity of the sleeve. The cavity of the sleeve is configured to store a plurality of reusable bags. The dispensing port is configured to provide access to one or more reusable bags from the cavity of the sleeve.

Abstract: A protective case for a personal electronic device can include a compartment configured to receive and store an item such as, for example, a credit card, identification card, SIM card, memory card, keys, cosmetics, or cash. The compartment can be a waterproof compartment designed to protect the contents of the compartment from damage in situations where the protective case is exposed to liquids. In some examples, the compartment can include or be configured to receive and store cosmetics, cosmetic tools, or a mirror, and can eliminate the need to carry a separate compact. In some examples, the compartment can include an ejection mechanism configured to eject a credit or identification card from the compartment.

Abstract: A protection sleeve for use in covering an electronic device includes a flexible body portion having an upper surface defining a plurality of receptacles configured to overlie respective keys of the keyboard and defining a recessed area configured to nest in the mouse track pad of the electronic device. The protection sleeve includes a sleeve portion coupled to a bottom surface of the body portion, the sleeve portion having a front wall coupled to a front edge of the body portion and having a bottom wall extending rearwardly from the front wall that is generally parallel to the upper surface of the body portion. The upper surface of the body portion, the front wall, and the bottom wall together define an open area configured to receive the electronic device and define an open inlet in communication with the open area to selectively receive the electronic device into the open area.

Abstract: A container system for an item, where the item comprises a shaft and at least one working end. The container system comprises a container, a cartridge, a slide, and a shaft projection extending from the shaft. The container defines a container chamber and a guide slot. The cartridge defines a plurality of item chambers, and an access slot is associated with each item chamber. The slide adapted extends through the guide slot. The shaft projection extends through the access opening and engages the slide such that movement of the slide causes movement of the item.

Abstract: A combination luggage and drink holder assembly includes a luggage, and a drink holder pivotally mounted at the luggage and including a base frame, a hoop pivotally coupled to the top side of the base frame, a tray pivotally coupled to the bottom side of the base frame and two links coupled between the hoop and the tray. The base frame has a structure for supporting the hoop and the tray securely in the extended or received position. The hoop defines a locating hole at the center and a peripheral wall around the border. When the drink holder is set in the received position, the peripheral wall of the hoop surrounds the base frame and the tray, and the tray blocks up the locating hole of the hoop.

Abstract: Hair was coated with polymer-containing fluid and then hot pressed to form a composite of hair and a polymer film imprinted with a nanopattern. Polychromatic light incident on the nanopattern is diffracted into dispersed colored light.

Abstract: According to the hair dryer of the present invention, which is capable of adjusting the volume of unheated air discharged at the same time as hot air; the hot air is discharged through a first discharge outlet and, simultaneously, the unheated air is discharged through a second discharge outlet, and damage to hair caused by hot drying can be prevented by alternately using the hot air and the unheated air while the hair dryer is in use.

Abstract: Articles disclosed herein include a bag that provides various improvement mechanisms over existing backpacks. The bag provides a transport mechanism for carrying various items, such as ski boots or snowboard boots, gloves, helmets, hats, goggles, and other snow equipment common to skiing, snowboarding or other outdoor snow sports. The bag can include a pair of side compartments that carry boots in an approximately triangular compartment. Each side compartment includes a boot void compartment positioned above where a boot toe would be, and in front of a boot shin portion, thereby maximizing storage space an increasing organization convenience. Other features include quick-release shoulder straps for quick access to the bag member while still being supported on a shoulder. The bag can include a front compartment and central compartment, with an interior of the front compartment easily viewable.

Abstract: A case can include a front cover and a back cover. The back cover can include a back edge, a device support assembly including a main device region and a tab, and a flap including an exposure region and a tab region. The case can include a top edge and a bottom edge. The back cover can be configured to be removably coupled to a first electronic device. The back cover can be configured to be removably coupled to a second electronic device when the first electronic device is not coupled to the back cover. The first electronic device can include a first camera lens and first dimensions. The second electronic device can include a second camera lens and second dimensions different from the first dimensions of the first electronic device. The flap can be configured to be placed in an exposed configuration and a closed configuration. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A device for attaching to an electric power line conductor includes an electrically conductive housing with an opening for accepting the power line conductor that is configured to be grounded to the power line conductor. At least one magnetic core configured to surround the power line conductor and power a power supply electronics module. An ambient air relative humidity measuring device is located within the housing.

Abstract: A flow thru telescoping handle for use with brush heads and other tools includes a telescoping handle having a tear-drop shaped cross section to increase the strength and improve its functioning capabilities. A spring loaded tension pin is mounted along the bottom of the outer section of the handle which is operated by finger pressure to engage and release it from the inner handle section. A method for adjusting the length of the telescoping handle is also described using the tension pin.

Abstract: An attachable cup includes a container and an attachable device for a toothbrush, and the attachable device includes at least one part of the container. An attachable device is for attaching a container to a toothbrush. The attachable device uses a fastening method, a gripping method, a clamping method, a locking method or the like to attach the attachable cup to a toothbrush. Once the attachable device attaches the attachable cup to a toothbrush, the operator can use the attachable cup for oral rinsing.

Abstract: A work station includes a work surface and a panel with a notch formed therein and a channel formed therethrough. A panel support base is positioned within the notch of the panel, a sliding member is positioned within the channel of the panel and extends through the work surface, a support member is positioned at an end portion of the sliding member extending through the work surface, and an arm rotatably coupled between the panel support base and the sliding member. The arm is rotatable to move the sliding member and adjust the position of the support member relative to the work surface.

Abstract: An attachable book holder is disclosed for a piano having a music rest, where the music rest has upper and lower outer surfaces. The attachable book holder comprises an elongate finger element and an attachment means which is connected to the elongate finger element at a connection point. The attachment means is attachable to at least one of the outer surfaces of the music rest at one or more contact regions. The elongate finger element is adjustable between a first orientation in which the finger element extends upwards from the connection point and a second orientation. The attachable book holder can be used on modern pianos which are supplied without book holders as part of the music rest, or alternatively the attachable book holder can be used to replace faulty or missing book holders on older pianos. In the former case there is no need to drill the casing of the book rest to attach the book holder to the music rest.

Abstract: An enclosure includes a first collapsible shelving unit, a second collapsible shelving unit that is spaced apart from the first collapsible shelving unit, at least a first cover support having a first end connected to the first collapsible shelving unit and a second end connected to the second collapsible shelving unit, and a flexible cover that at least partially encloses the first collapsible shelving unit and the second collapsible shelving unit. The flexible cover is supported with respect to the first collapsible shelving unit and the second collapsible shelving unit at least in part by engagement of the flexible cover with the first cover support. At least a portion of the flexible cover is at least translucent.

Abstract: Storage racks for coolers. Embodiments provide storage racks for coolers each of which includes a spacer and pairs of supports, standoff portions, and arms. The standoff portions couple with the supports while the arms couple with the standoff portions and are oriented along the first direction. The spacers couple with the arms; are oriented along a direction perpendicular to the first direction; and space the arms apart by the width of the coolers (or less). Some racks are continuous, curvilinear, and are made from rods or heavy gauge wire. The spacers can define straight or additional standoff portions. Further, the arms and spacers of some racks define a plane and the supports define another plane. These planes can intersect each other although they can be parallel.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving assembly includes four corner members of L-shaped cross section, either half of each corner member comprising aperture members each including an upper, larger circle and a lower, smaller, vertical hole overlapping the larger circle thereof; at least one group of four interconnecting members each comprising upper and lower aperture elements and a through hole besides each of the upper and lower aperture elements for positioning the interconnecting member, each aperture element comprising an upper, smaller, vertical hole and a lower, larger circle overlapping the vertical hole thereof; retainers each for fastening the corner member and the interconnecting member; and lock pins each comprising a head including a cut, and a shaft having ridges. The lock pin is fastened in the larger circle of the aperture member and the through hole. The cut is fastened in the larger circle of the aperture member.

Abstract: An appliance guard including a magnetic strip defining a magnetic field of at least two hundred fifty (250) Gauss units attached to a polymeric kick plate defining an outwardly angled bottom portion for preventing articles from accessing the void under an appliance is provided. The kick plate is four inches (4.0?) wide and overlaps about a half an inch (0.5?) with the magnetic strip which is three inches (3.0?) wide, and each have a length sufficient to cover the front and lateral sides of a conventional appliance. A method of preventing articles from accessing the void beneath the appliance and become lost is also provided.

Abstract: An appliance that includes a storage compartment includes either a drawer or a wire basket located in the storage compartment, a handle, and a trim portion. The drawer or basket stores at least one item and the drawer is movable relative to the storage compartment. The handle is snappingly secured to a peripheral edge of the drawer or basket. The trim portion is snappingly secured to at least one edge of the drawer or basket where the trim portion is secured independently of the handle. In another example, a humidity control device is located on the drawer and controls the humidity within the interior portion of the drawer. A knob that controls the humidity control device is received through a cutout in the trim portion.

Abstract: Furniture includes a utilizing unit, a main supporting frame, and an interchangeable arrangement which includes a plurality of reusable decorative elements interchangeably and selectively coupled at the main supporting frame to change an overall ornamental design of the furniture without disassembling the main supporting frame.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism (10) for a chair comprises a base (11), a first support (12) configured to support a chair seat and a second support (13) configured to support a chair back. The second support (13) is pivotably coupled to the base (11). A first coupling mechanism (41) couples the first support (12) with the base (11) and includes a first pin (40) slideably supported in a first linear guide slot (20). A second coupling mechanism (42) couples the second support (13) with the first support (12) and includes a second pin (44) slideably supported in a second linear guide slot (36). When the second support (13) pivots relative to the base (11), the first pin (40) is caused to be displaced along the first linear guide slot (20) and the second pin (44) is caused to be displaced along the second linear guide slot (36).

Abstract: An adjustable furniture such as a recliner chair or adjustable bed comprising a base, an intermediate support and a back support. Both the intermediate support and the back support are guided for movement relative to the base by a second guide means while the base moves along a first guide means. The first guide means include at least one guide associated with one of the base and intermediate support and at least one follower associated with the other of the base and intermediate support. The second guide means includes at least one guide associated with one of the base support and the back support and at least one follower associated with the other of the base support and the back support.

Abstract: Provided is a cushion structure, which has a cushion base, a bottom support stand, and an adjusting device. The bottom support stand is mounted under the cushion base. The adjusting device is mounted between the cushion base and the bottom support stand. The adjusting device has a back pivot module and a front adjusting module. The back pivot module is connected to the cushion base and the bottom support stand and is mounted on the cushion base and the bottom support stand. The front adjusting module is mounted on a front end of the cushion base and the bottom support stand. The front adjusting module is used to adjust an inclined angle of the cushion base. So the cushion structure can meet needs of different users of different body shapes or with different demands.

Abstract: A resilient-support adjusting device of a chair backrest includes a base and a spring-tensioning brace and a backrest-fastening seat pivotally connected to two ends of the base. The backrest is fixed to the backrest-fastening seat. A spring is tensioned between the spring-tensioning brace and the backrest-fastening seat. The base contains upper and lower abutting members that have inclined abutting surfaces abutting against each other. The upper abutting member has an upper end abutting against a swinging end of the spring-tensioning brace. The lower abutting member has an engaging member that can be driven by the operating lever to rotate. The engaging member and the lower abutting member engage with each other. When rotated, the operating lever drives the spring-tensioning brace to swing and draw the spring. The spring thus draws the backrest-fastening seat harder, making the backrest have stronger backward resilient support.

Abstract: A furniture control (100) for the installation into an electrically adjustable piece of seating furniture (200) comprises a control housing (10) that contains control components for activating motors of the piece of seating furniture and features a recess (15) into which an operating part (20) can be inserted, the operating part and a sensor for detecting whether the operating part (20) is inserted into the control housing (10). The operating part features a flat sensor module (30) with a touch-sensitive surface. The operating part (20) is designed for detecting a respective position-dependent touch actuation of the surface of the sensor module (30) and for generating a respective actuation signal for the control components based on a detected touch actuation.

Abstract: A ready to assemble or knockdown sofa having a back rest that can be reconfigured between a use configuration in which the sofa has a conventional L-shaped cross-section and a shipping or storage configuration in which the sofa is arranged in a more efficiently stacked rectangular cross-section. The rectangular cross-section allows the sofa to be more efficiently stacked with other sofas during shipping or storage. The back rest has an upper back rest portion and a lower back rest portion in which the upper back rest portion can be rotated forward toward the front of the sofa and downwardly into a nesting region against the top of the seat base to provide a more efficient shape.

Abstract: There is provided a sleeper sofa including a sofa frame, a main support frame, and a bed frame engageable with the sofa frame and main support frame. The sofa frame includes first and second arm portions, and a backrest portion extending therebetween. The main support frame is connected to at least one of the first and second arm portions to fixedly connect the main support frame to the sofa frame. The bed frame includes a first section and a second section pivotally connected to the first section via a hinge. The sleeper sofa further includes a guide plate defining an arcuate guide slot, which communicates with a guide post connected to the second section of the bed frame. The guide post travels in the guide slot to lower and raise the second section of the bed frame as the bed frame moves between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A mattress corner lifter that includes a base and a lifting mechanism supported by the base. Also, a platform is rotatably supported at the top of the lifting mechanism. The lifting has a compressed state, an extended state and an intermediate state between the compressed and extended states. In the compressed state the mattress lifter pushes up with a force of less than 25 lbs, but in its intermediate state the force with which the mattress lifter presses up increases as the mattress lifter extends, until it reaches a maximum of at least 40 lbs, and wherein at the extended state the mattress lifter resists compression with a force of at least 40 lbs.

Abstract: An under mattress support to extend the longevity of an existing mattress that may include areas that are concave resulting in sag areas or soft areas comprising a plurality of heavy duty elongated polyurethane foam slats, enclosed in top and bottom pliable fabric covers that are stitched together along each slat lateral side but spaced apart by pliable fabric strips in a parallel slat array. The fabric strip spacing of the parallel foam slats allows for lateral compression to enhance support. The under mattress support is positioned below the mattress and above a box spring with the elongated polyurethane foam slats extended longitudinally from a portion of one side of the mattress to a portion of the other side of the mattress where the concave portion of a sagging or soft mattress appears in the normal course of use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support element (11) for a bed rest, in particular with slats (12), comprising a central portion (13) with a mainly vertical extension, that is connected to the bed rest and that is provided with a free end (15), and an arc-shaped and elastically yielding portion (14), which is slidably connected to the free end (15) of the central portion (13); in particular, the free end (15) of the central portion (13) has a first seat (23) for housing a pulley or sliding guide (16) and the elastically yielding portion (14) has a second seat (25), for each side, for housing respective pulleys or sliding guides (18), motion transmitting elements (19) being also placed on the pulleys or sliding guides (16, 18). The invention further relates to a bed rest equipped with a plurality of the above mentioned support elements (11).

Abstract: A body transport apparatus may include top and bottom portions that have a perimeter seal and an interior seal offset from the perimeter seal to define a non-inflatable frame portion and an inflatable air mattress portion. The bottom portion includes a plurality of air exit holes configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress portion when the mattress portion is inflated. The frame portion includes a plurality of handle openings and a channel so that the inflatable air mattress portion extends through the frame portion for a remote receptacle disposed outside the perimeter seal. A partial body transport apparatus may include the channel extending into the frame portion so that a remote receptacle is disposed within the perimeter seal and an inflatable air mattress portion having a longitudinal extent that is approximately 75% to 125% of a lateral extent.

Abstract: An adjustable pad that can have a substantially level top regardless of the slope or configuration of the surface it is placed upon. The adjustable pad can have a sheet coupled with one or more support members. The support members can be formed or adjusted to account for the slope of the surface. The adjustable pad can be used to change a child's diaper, as a sleeping pad, or for other desired reasons, regardless of the configuration of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a baby and toddler carrier and in particular to a novel and improved baby and toddler carrier to be used by a parent or other caretakers for carrying a baby in a secure and comfortable way, both for the adult and for the baby, in various carrying positions, the carrier includes an elastic back and neck support, harness straps, and buckles, all of which enable carrying the baby in at least five different carrying positions.