Abstract: A glove having a pinky finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger and thumb receiving portion in communication with a hand receiving portion is provided. The pinky finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger receiving portions of the glove each have a top panel and a bottom panel which are connected to form each of the finger receiving portions. An intermediate region and a distal region of the ring finger and middle finger receiving portions of the glove includes a first and second insert affixed to both the inner and outer sides of each. The intermediate region and a distal region of the pinky and index finger receiving portions of the glove include a first and second insert affixed to only the inner sides of each. The outer side of both the pinky and index finger receiving portions have no inserts provided. The thumb receiving portion have no inserts.

Abstract: Articles and methods of using and making adaptive garment portions are provided. An adaptive garment portion is one that has shifting surfaces with apertures that shift from an aligned to an offset orientation depending on environmental conditions/stimuli. For example, a first surface material and a second surface material may be coupled by a responsive material portion. The responsive material portion may physically change in response to a change in environmental conditions internal or external to the garment (e.g., thermal energy, moisture) and/or stimuli (e.g., light energy, electrical energy, magnetic fields). The physical change in the responsive material portion facilitates the planar shift of the first surface material relative to the second surface material.

Abstract: Headgear is described herein having a camera device mounted to a brim thereof and accessories therefor. The camera device can include a viewfinder, such as a pivoting viewfinder or a viewfinder having a ball-and-socket mounting joint. The frame of reference of the camera device can be indicated to a wearer of the headgear with sighting members mounted to the brim.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device used to change the visual appearance of the straps of a shoe. The interchangeable shoe device comprises an insole and a shoe base, wherein the insole is removably secured to the shoe base by one or more fasteners, such as a snap. The shoe base and insole each comprise a toe end opposing a heel end, wherein the heel ends are removably secured to one another so as to allow one or more front straps to be disposed there between.

Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.

Abstract: A supplemental sole is adapted to be secured to a sole of a shoe for releasable coupling to a cylindrical pedal of a bicycle. An operational assembly formed in the supplemental sole includes a housing with a forwardly facing chamber. A sleeve is within the forwardly facing chamber. A primary lever pivotally coupled to the housing has a forward region movable between a lowered release orientation beneath the chamber and a raised locked orientation securing the sleeve within the forwardly facing chamber. A trigger is axially reciprocable within the housing. The trigger has a forward end located in the chamber when in the release orientation. The forward end is located rearwardly of the chamber when slid rearwardly by the pedal for raising the primary lever to the locked orientation.

Abstract: A skate shield for use with ice skates. The skate shield includes a rigid shell made at least of outer and inner layers of fiber reinforced plastic or polymer (FRP), and a fastener assembly for releasably securing the shell to a boot portion of the ice skate. The shell includes a medial side portion interconnected to a lateral side section via a top portion. A reinforced section formed by reinforcing layers laminated between the outer and inner layers is provided in at least one of the medial side portion and the lateral side portion of the shell.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole, an actuator and a transducer. The actuator is mounted on one side of the sole. The transducer is mounted within the sole and includes a micro-motor, a link structure and a heater. The link structure is positioned between the micro-motor and the actuator and configured to move the micro-motor to generate electric energy. The heater is electrically coupled to the micro-motor and configured to convert the electric energy provided by the micro-motor to heat. When the actuator deforms or restores its deformation, the link structure moves thereby enabling the micro-motor to generate electric energy for the heater.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a decoupled foot stabilizer system. The foot stabilizer system is decoupled from a midfoot region of the article of footwear. The foot stabilizer system includes a plurality of strap members. The foot stabilizer system may optionally include a bootie. The plurality of strap members extends underneath a portion of a foot of a wearer. The plurality of strap members is configured to receive a lace at one end. A lace running through the ends of the strap members pulls on the strap members when the lace is tightened and causes the foot stabilizer system to conform to the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A bio foot pad, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elastic fibers surrounded by a viscoelastic material; wherein said fibers impart a biphasic characteristic to said viscoelastic material; and wherein said fibers under compression develop a plurality of hoop stresses to facilitate load conversion and distribution of axial forces exerted against a heel area of a user.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a footwear portion including a core including a plurality of plates. A first one of the plurality of plates is hingedly attached, at one or more edges of the first plate, to one or more substantially adjacent other plates in the plurality of plates. Each hinge hingedly attaching an edge of the first plate to another plate joins less than the entire respective hingedly attached edge to a corresponding one of the one or more substantially adjacent other plates and is integrally connected to the first plate.

Abstract: An active footwear suspension system is disclosed. The footwear system provides dynamic suspension using at least one or more variable resistance beams. At least one or more VRB extends from a heel section and/or a front section to a force plate or platform section of the footwear, thus providing selectable suspension to the wearer. The selected rotation of the VRBs from a first position to a second position provides customized suspension between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance per zone.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The chamber includes subchambers laterally extending in a medial to lateral direction of the bladder. A bottom surface of the chamber may include at least one bond that laterally extends across the bottom surface of the chamber from one side edge to another side edge of the chamber in the medial to lateral direction. The bond may cooperate with an indentation in the bottom surface that separates one subchamber from an adjacent subchamber. A diameter of the subchambers may decrease in a direction from a heel region of the bladder to a forefoot region of the chamber.

Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes: a foam base; a lateral pod assembly having a plurality of pods fluidly connected in series disposed below the foam base, wherein the lateral pod assembly extends from a heel portion of the sole to a forefoot portion of the sole along a lateral side of the sole; and a medial pod assembly having a plurality of pods fluidly connected in series disposed below the foam base, wherein the medial pod assembly extends from a heel portion of the sole to a forefoot portion of the sole along a medial side of the sole, wherein a portion of the foam base extends between the lateral pod assembly and the medial pod assembly.

Abstract: A chamber may have an outer barrier and a tensile member. The barrier is formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity. The tensile member is located within the interior cavity and includes (a) a first layer element secured to the barrier, (b) a second layer element secured to an opposite portion of the barrier, and (c) a plurality of I-shaped tether elements that extend through the first layer element and the second layer element. In some configurations, the tether elements may include (a) a first end member located between the barrier and the first layer element, (b) a second end member located between the barrier and the second layer element, and (c) a central member extending through the first layer element and the second layer element and secured to the first end member and the second end member.

Abstract: A sole structure can include an outsole with flexure zones that allow relative movement between regions of the outsole bottom surface that are separated or defined by the flexure zones. Such relative movement, together with selected traction elements or combinations of traction elements within the regions, act to provide the needed traction and stability for a number of motions that normally accompany a given activity such as golf.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a loom for weaving a fabric with two types of tissue, a shoe upper woven using the loom, and a shoe including such a shoe upper. The loom includes a first heddle stack formed by arranging a plurality of first heddles in one or more rows, and a second heddle stack formed by arranging a plurality of second heddles in one or more rows, the second heddles being different in kind from the first heddles. The first heddle stack and the second heddle stack are sequentially arranged in a warp feeding direction.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a base layer and a plurality of strands. The base layer forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the upper. The strands are located adjacent to the base layer and form another portion of the exterior surface of the upper, the strands being unsecured to the base layer for a distance of at least five centimeters, and the strands having an elongate cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an intermediate covering portion with an adjustable volume. The intermediate covering portion is closed around the instep of the foot. The article also includes a tensioning system that can be used to change the volume of the intermediate covering portion.

Abstract: A traction cleat applicable for use in field sports is provided with dynamic traction elements having larger radial thickness, cross-sectional area and mass than dynamic elements in golf shoe cleats. The strength of a locking arrangement for the cleat in a shoe-mounted receptacle is enhanced by providing an annular array of spaced locking stubs on the receptacle to engage a similar array of spaced locking posts on the cleat.

Abstract: A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system includes feeding a web having a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface. The male fastening material has a plurality of male fasteners with a first, unmodified profile. The profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material are modified by engagement of the plurality of male fastener with the outer surface of the modifying member and by causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface of the modifying member. A modified male fastening material includes a plurality of male fasteners modified from a first profile to a second, different profile by passing the male fastening material over the outer surface of the modifying member.

Abstract: Provided is an automatically adjustable clasp having two separable magnet pieces which may magnetically adhere to each other to form a closed clasp. The clasp also includes a motor, an anchor mechanism for attaching the clasp to a band, sensors, and a control unit. The sensors acquire and send information related to the clasp or the band to the control unit, which may activate the motor. The activation of the motor changes the position of the anchor mechanism with respect to the rest of the clasp, thereby loosening or tightening of the band attached to the anchor mechanism. Also provided is a wearable band with the automatically adjustable clasp. The wearable band may include a shape memory material such that the band may self-assemble around a body part when a stimulus is applied to the shape memory material. The self-assembly process may enable the automatic clasp of the magnet pieces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a band for encircling another object with latch attachment. The band includes a plurality of layers, combined together in a stacked arrangement, where the front side facing of the first layer will form a front side facing of the band, and the back side facing of the last layer will form a back side facing of the band. A latch attachment including a latch connection point, where the latch attachment is located between two adjacent layers of the plurality of layers at an internal position along a length of the band proximate to one end of the band, but still a distance away from an edge of said one end of the band. Each layer between the location of the latch attachment within the stack of the plurality of layers and the back side facing of the band has a corresponding aligned opening in the layer for exposing the latch connection point through the back side facing of the band.

Abstract: A multiple stone setting (20) includes a first, second and third stone (21, 22, 23) each set on respective plane surfaces (31, 32, 33) of a base (35) such that the second (22) stone is positioned perpendicular to the first stone (21) and such that the third stone (23) is positioned perpendicular to the first stone (21) and to the second stone (22), each stone (21, 22, 23) displaying a different color. As the viewing angle of an observer changes, each of the colors changes to a different color. A two-color changing multiple stone setting (70) is also disclosed. By providing multiple stone settings (20) and (70) three- and two-color changing surfaces may be created, respectively, that acquire an autonomous entity with changing viewing angles. Stone settings (20) and (70) may be useful to create articles of jewelry as well as to enhance objects and designs of various natures.

Abstract: A bendable jewelry device in the form of an elongated structure has a first end and one or more elongated bodies. At least one of the one or more elongated bodies has a length extending from the first end to a second end of the body. The body is bendable along the length to wrap about a portion of an article of clothing. The first end portion has a means for attaching the first end to a portion of the article of clothing. The means for attachment is secured to the first end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding pole (1), normally comprising four pipe sections (7-9), wherein the pipe sections (7-9) are connected to each other by means of plug-in connections while aligned along the pole axis (32) in the assembled state of the folding pole (1), and normally only three pipe sections (8, 8?, 9) are still connected to each other by means of a movable connecting element (16) in the folded state, and wherein a pole handle (2) is arranged on a top pipe section (7) and a pole tip (23) is arranged on a bottom pipe section (9).

Abstract: An umbrella is formed of an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposite second end and a runner slidably disposed about the elongated shaft. The umbrella includes a rib assembly including a plurality of ribs that are attached to the runner by a plurality of struts that move between open and closed positions. In accordance with the present invention, the elongated shaft has a cross-sectional shape defined by a plurality of curved sections and a plurality of planar sections interspersed between the plurality of curved sections for providing increased torsional strength to the elongated shaft. At least one of the ribs can have a cross-sectional shape defined by a plurality of curved sections and a plurality of planar sections interspersed between the plurality of curved sections for providing increased torsional strength to the at least one rib.

Abstract: An abbreviated wallet device may comprise a foldable element with a first half comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a second half comprising a proximal end and a distal end. A lock tab may be coupled to the second half of the foldable element, and the lock tab may be disposed generally parallel to the second half of the foldable element. A hinge may couple the proximal end of the first half to the proximal end of the second half, and the hinge may be configured to allow the distal end of the first half to pivot relative to the distal end of the second half. A band may be slidably coupled to the first half of the foldable element, and the band may be movable between a first position proximate to the hinge and a second position proximate to the distal end of the first half.

Abstract: A purse, bag or case having one or more compartments for personal items. A gun storage compartment is defined by wall panels of the purse and has ambidextrous openings with closures for secure access by right or left handed users. A polymer foam panel within the compartment is deformed by a gun to provide a holster-like pocket within which the gun is contained and oriented for ready access and use. A wall panel of the purse is formed by or lined with a ballistic fabric material to resist penetration of the purse by bullets, knives or other objects and provide personal protection for the user.

Abstract: A luggage case (100, 600, 700, 800, 900) may include opposing sidewalls forming minor faces (105, 106), opposing sidewalls forming major faces (101, 102), and opposing end walls (103, 104) together forming an article defining an enclosed space (109). A line of separation (150) may be formed in said minor faces (105, 160) and end walls (103, 104). A first portion of the line of separation (150) may extend along a first portion of opposing minor faces (105, 106) at a location proximate one of said opposing major faces (101, 102) and corresponding one of said opposing end walls (103, 104) positioned therebetween. A second portion of the line of separation (150) may extend along a second portion of said opposing minor faces (105, 106) in a direction away from said one of said opposing major faces (101, 102) and towards other of said opposing major faces (101, 102).

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a hard shell cover that fits over the electronic device. The protective enclosure includes a membrane that is attached to the hard shell cover, the membrane configured to cover a portion of the installed electronic device. The membrane is located proximate a sound feature of the electronic device and the membrane can include an acoustic screen attached to an opening of the membrane, the acoustic screen configured to allow the transmission of acoustical waves to or from the electronic device through the membrane while the electronic device is installed in the protective enclosure.

Abstract: A carrying case for a wig. The case is made of two panels that are joined together by hinges. One panel has a floor surface that extends in a lateral direction past a roof section. The floor surface has a post for receiving a wig head. Contact members are deployable to protrude from the post and burrow into or otherwise press against the inside walls of a channel provided in a wig head.

Abstract: A luggage tracking and surveillance system uses a zipper pull attached to a conventional suitcase closure zipper and a retaining fastener attached to conventional fastening straps securing contents inside the suitcase. An observer is not aware of the specially designed zipper pull and retaining fastener because they mimic the appearance of their conventional counterparts. The external zipper pull communicates wirelessly with the retaining fastener inside the suitcase when a zipper pull touch sensor senses that the suitcase has been opened. This awakens a retainer fastener power supply and activates a recording system in the fastener to create a record of the person who opened the suitcase. The retaining fastener can also sense the presence of a human and independently activate the recording system. Recorded still pictures, video, and audio, along with location information supplied by GPS circuitry in the zipper pull and/or retaining fastener, are transmitted a remote database.

Abstract: A powder dispensing device for dispensing powder may include a powder application device for dispensing the powder and a handle connected to the powder application device to allow the user to manipulate the power dispensing device. The power application device may include a cavity having access by a detachable lid to store the powder and may include a flexible powder dispensing housing being permeable to dispense the powder from the cavity. The powder application device may include a bottom wall having apertures to connect the cavity with the powder dispensing housing. A handle may include a hook. The powder application device may include a curved front wall. The powder application device may include a curved back wall. The power application device may include a curved sidewall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying makeup to keratinous substances, in particular the skin, the lips, the nails, or hair, the method comprising the following steps: depositing at least one cosmetic composition on the surface to be made up, the cosmetic composition comprising: bodies that present non-zero magnetic susceptibility and that are movable under the effect of a magnetic field; and at least one interferential pigment; and exposing at least part of the composition to a magnetic field, so as to modify the orientation and/or displace at least some of the magnetic bodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spuit-type cosmetic container, and more particularly to a spuit-type cosmetic container capable of extracting an exact amount of cosmetic contents and improving convenience in use as a retractable button and a piston are moved down and fixed when a cap part is coupled to a container body by rotating the cap part, and then the retractable button and the piston are moved up so that the cosmetic contents are sucked into a spuit tube and used when the cap part is separated from the container body by rotating the cap part.

Abstract: Provided is a cream-type cosmetic container, which can easily discharge a highly viscous content without a separate pumping member by allowing a button part to downwardly move and then return to an original location and thus changing the internal pressure of the container body when a user pressurizes the button part, and thus can save the assembling time and the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: The invention provides a tool and method of use thereof for preventing the inadvertent transfer of mascara or other eyelash substance to the eye lid during application of the mascara or substance to the eyelashes.

Abstract: A pack, which may or may not be a backpack, includes a pack portion made of a flexible material and includes a main interior storage compartment. The pack includes a foldable flap including a front region having an upper portion that, when the foldable flap is unfolded, faces outward and is visible. An aperture, which is included in upper portion of the front region of the foldable flap, is selectively openable when the foldable flap is unfolded to provide access to the main interior storage compartment. The foldable flap can be folded back over itself twice to provide a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment of the pack through the aperture. Unlike a typical roll-top backpack, a height of the pack when the foldable flap is unfolded is substantially the same as when the foldable flap is folded back over itself twice.

Abstract: The double action push broom of the present invention includes a dynamic double action dual brush head and a broom handle. The dynamic double action dual brush head includes two brush heads rotatably attached to a brush head base, allowing the brush heads to independently rotate about the axis in which it is rotatably attached to the brush head base. A mechanical device capable of storing and releasing energy is connected between the two brush heads, which is rigidly attached to the brush head base. The double action push broom stores kinetic energy in the form of potential energy in the mechanical energy storage device of the dynamic double action dual brush head during the sweeping stroke of the double action push broom. At the end of the sweeping stroke, the stored potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and rotates the dual brush, thereby providing an additional sweeping motion.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a head extending along a longitudinal axis. The toothbrush has a handle extending along the longitudinal axis. The toothbrush has a first set of bristle tufts arranged along a first row, all bristle tufts of the first set of bristle tufts attached to the head and oriented at a first angle leftward of a vertical position. The toothbrush has a second set of bristle tufts arranged along a second row, all bristle tufts of the second set of bristle tufts attached to the head and oriented in the vertical position. The toothbrush has a third set of bristle tufts arranged along a third row, all bristle tufts of the third set of bristle tufts attached to the head and oriented at a second angle rightward of the vertical position, and the second row is located between the first row and the third row.

Abstract: A hair styling tool having a plurality of bristles and one or more movable members extending radially outward from the core and movable between opposing positions is provided. The movable members move between a retracted position where the divider is fitted between and even with or slightly above or slightly below the bristles to engage the hair and an extended position where the divider is moved out beyond the bristles to disengage the hair from the bristles. The hair styling tool having the movable member which engages and disengages the hair with the bristles minimizes tangling of the hair while brushing. The hair styling tool may be a rotating brush optionally equipped with a motor.

Abstract: A method for making a toothbrush including a handle, a head including at least one cleaning element extending therefrom, and a hinge arranged between the head and the handle, said hinge including a joint between the handle and the head of a harder thermoplastic component covered by a softer thermoplastic component is provided, the method including: forming a base body by injection molding of a first thermoplastic material forming one of the handle or the head, and injection molding of a second thermoplastic material for forming the other of the handle or the head to thereby fuse the second thermoplastic material against the first thermoplastic material; placing the base body into a further mold; and injection molding the softer thermoplastic component for covering the joint.

Abstract: A collapsible table includes a tabletop, a first pair of collapsible legs, and a second pair of collapsible legs. The first pair of legs includes a first support bar for connecting a first leg to a second leg adjacent their top end portions, and the first support bar is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop. The second pair of legs includes a second support bar for connecting a third leg to a fourth leg and a third support bar spaced apart from the second support bar for connecting the third leg to the fourth leg. One or more brackets are disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the tabletop and are positioned and configured to removably secure the second support bar to the bottom surface of the tabletop in a use position and removably secure the third support bar to the bottom surface in a storage position.

Abstract: There is a modular furniture system having at least one wall, at least two support units, and at least one counter unit. The wall unit typically has a front surface, a back surface, and at least a first support tab and a second support tab. Each of the support units is capable of being coupled or joined to the wall unit. The counter unit can then be rested upon the wall unit and support units. Any number of wall units, support units, and counter units may be used in constructing the furniture system. The wall units and counter units may be curved or straight or bear other shapes to create unique overall pieces of furniture. In some embodiments, the furniture system may manifest itself as a portable bar.

Abstract: An article of furniture can include a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism can include an actuation mechanism having a housing that is moveable relative to a guide member from a first position to a second position, at least one detent mechanism comprising a first detent mechanism having a first detent member that is moveable from a first position to a second position, and an articulation mechanism positioned between the actuation mechanism and the first detent mechanism. The articulation mechanism can connect the first detent mechanism to the housing such that motion of the housing from the first position of the housing to the second position of the housing causes the first detent member to move from the first position of the first detent member to the second position of the first detent member.

Abstract: A table arrangement including a support member rotatably mounted to a base structure, a table element translatably mounted to the support member, and a locking mechanism is described. The locking mechanism may include a first locking member connected to the support member to rotate with the support member between non-aligned and aligned configurations with respect to the second locking member, and a second locking member. The first or second locking member may be translatably mounted with respect to the other locking member between a first engagement position and a second engagement position, wherein, when the first locking member is in the aligned configuration, the first or second locking member can translate into the second engagement position. The table arrangement may be deployed and stowed.

Abstract: A hinge mounted cabinet (1) that can be assembled from one or more sections (22) using a plurality of internal support channels (15) that are locked together using splines (23) and caps (31, 32) to form a main body (2) of the cabinet. An exterior support channel (39) allows hinge hanging brackets (40) to be easily positioned to accommodate various sized door and hinge configurations.

Abstract: A rotating armrest apparatus includes a handle, a rotating device disposed at one end of the handle, an elevation adjustment device disposed at another end of the handle, and a rotatable armrest disposed on top of the elevation adjustment device.

Abstract: Disclosed in this application is a chair capable of permitting a user to quickly and easily change his or her posture by tilting a back support in a state in which the user takes a seat. The chair includes a seat support; a back support which has a back frame, with a lower end being connected to a rear end of the seat support by a pivot shaft, so that the back support is tilted in a rearward direction; and a footrest which is engaged to the seat support, so that the back support is interlocked with the footrest.