ea Tire comprising a tread with asymmetric groove profiles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic tire comprises an annular tread portion including a plurality of circumferentially extending main grooves comprising an innermost groove, an outermost groove, and at least one middle groove arranged between the innermost groove and the outermost groove. The outermost groove comprises an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, a groove bottom, and a groove opening opposite to the groove bottom, wherein the outermost groove has an asymmetric cross section with respect to any straight line perpendicular to the groove opening, and wherein the outer sidewall of the outermost groove is tilted by more than 20° with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the groove opening. Full Article
ea Heavy load pneumatic tire for construction vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Side lug rows are provided at both side regions of a tread surface and are formed by a plurality of lugs defined by lug grooves opening to edges in the tread width direction, and a central block row aligned on the tire equator and formed by a plurality of blocks is disposed between positions at ¼ of the tread surface width from the tire equator. The tire has a directional tread pattern, with a designated rotation direction, formed by circumferential grooves and width direction grooves that define the blocks of the central block row and are narrow grooves with a narrower groove width than the lug grooves. The distance from the tire equator to the groove wall in each of the circumferential grooves defining the blocks is set to be larger at a leading edge of each block than at a trailing edge of each block. Full Article
ea SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AN INTEGRATED DIGITAL PLATFORM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The embodiments herein disclose a method and a system for creating a singular platform to harness a plurality of technical capabilities in order to deliver multiple digital services such as end user device management, analytics, enterprise mobility, digital identity management, smart device management and so on by orchestrating certain service related support capabilities. The embodiments function as an interface between the user equipment and the applications that are running on several operating systems. Further, an enablement platform is created and modified for a digital ecosystem that sits on the network and user equipment to act as an interface. Essentially, a flexible and extensible API driven platform capable of seamlessly integrating multiple platforms spanning across network services and functions, analytics, device management and orchestration platforms in enabled. Full Article
ea USER TERMINAL DEVICE, AND MODE CONVERSION METHOD AND SOUND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING VOLUME OF SPEAKER THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A user terminal apparatus is disclosed. The user terminal apparatus includes a touch screen which senses a multi gesture that is performed by using at least two fingers or other input tools, and a controller which provides an individual volume control mode by which a volume of one speaker apparatus is independently controllable with respect to a volume of the remainder of a plurality of speaker apparatuses, and which is convertible into a group volume control mode in order to combine a plurality of speaker apparatuses into a group such that volumes of the plurality of speaker apparatuses can be jointly controlled in response to the multi gesture sensed via the touch screen while the individual volume control mode is provided. Full Article
ea XML STREAMING TRANSFORMER (XST) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention includes devices and methods to specify a document transformation. A template specifies a transformation that is applied to a document in a streaming mode, without building a full object tree in memory representing the document. Full Article
ea REAL-TIME DOCUMENT ANNOTATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for receiving, managing, and displaying annotations on documents in real-time. A user (e.g., an author of a document) uploads a document into a real-time annotation system, which may then generate a composite presentation based on the uploaded document. The composite presentation includes all the content of the document presented in a specially configured graphical user interface to receive and manage annotations from a plurality of user devices. Full Article
ea WEB-BASED TOOL FOR COLLABORATIVE, SOCIAL LEARNING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A computerized-social network provides a community of users with features and tools facilitating an immersive, collaborative environment where users can learn a language or help others learn a language. One user (user A) can view another user's (user B) Web page or document and make suggestions or comments for selected content on that Web page. These suggestions are linked specifically to the selected content. User B can review the suggestions, and accept or reject the suggestions by user A and others. Full Article
ea SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING REAL-TIME AND HISTORICAL DATA AND GENERATING PREDICTIVE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Computer implemented systems and methods are provided for generating a predictive graphical user interface. In some embodiments, a system for generating a predictive graphical user interface may comprise at least one processor configured to receive real-time and historical data associated with utilization of a facility. The at least one processor may be configured to generate, based on the real-time and historical data, instructions to display a user interface depicting a first representation of utilization of the facility at a first time. The at least one processor may be configured to receive a request to display a second representation of utilization of the facility, the request including a selection of a second time, and generate, based on the real-time and historical data, instructions to display, within the interface, a second representation of utilization of the facility, the second representation reflecting utilization at the second time, wherein the second time is a future time relative to the first time. Full Article
ea METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR NAVIGATING THROUGH A STREAM OF CONTENT ITEMS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and media for navigating through content are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving a first plurality of interactive stream items; causing the first plurality of interactive stream items to be presented in a first presentation mode; receiving a first user selection of an interactive stream item from at least a portion of the first plurality of interactive stream items; continuing to receive the stream of content including a second plurality of interactive stream items; determining a second presentation mode based at least in part on a content type associated with the second plurality of interactive stream items; causing the second plurality of interactive stream items to be presented in a second presentation mode; receiving a second user selection indicating that the interactive stream item is no longer selected; and causing the second plurality of interactive stream items to be presented in the first presentation mode. Full Article
ea Combination locks with improved code-changing features By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combination locking arrangement includes a locking member, at least first and second tumbler discs, a dial, and a code change mechanism. When each of the tumbler discs is rotated to an unlocking orientation, the locking member is movable from a locking position to a releasing position. The dial is rotatable about a tumbler disc axis for selective rotation of the at least first and second tumbler discs. The dial includes a clutch rotationally securable in interlocking engagement with the first tumbler disc. The code change mechanism is rotatable to a code change position to separate the clutch from the first tumbler disc, such that the dial is subsequently rotatable to rotate the clutch with respect to the first tumbler disc. Full Article
ea Portable low cost firearm safe By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rapid-access gun safe includes a portable enclosing structure and a communication module. The portable enclosing structure encloses a firearm. The portable enclosing structure includes a fixed portion and a collapsing wall. The collapsing wall provides rapid access to the firearm. The communication module is coupled to the fixed portion of the enclosing structure. The communication module facilitates incoming and outgoing electronic communication of at least one access signal from a device external to the rapid-access gun safe. Full Article
ea Protective device, particularly for a lock of a door or leaf By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A protective device, particularly for a lock of a door or leaf, comprising a covering element which is associated slidingly with a plate that can be fixed to the door or leaf and can be positioned selectively so as to close an opening for access to the lock which is provided in the plate. Two pins are associated transversely with the plate and are adapted to block temporarily the sliding of the covering element with respect to the plate. The device has at least one cam, freely mounted rotatably within a cavity provided in the plate. At least one first recess and at least one second recess are provided in the lateral surface of the at least one cam, which have, in plan view, a mutually different shape and are adapted respectively to allow and prevent the sliding of the covering element. Full Article
ea Locking insert mechanism and receiver to secure personal weapons, valuables and other items By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A personal security apparatus to house weapons, valuables, and/or items requiring concealment includes a lockable insert mechanism to securely house items and at least one receiving apparatus adapted to mount the insert mechanism into or onto various structures and a lockable access door that provides convenient, rapid access to the items contained in the personal security apparatus and further prevents access by unauthorized persons. Full Article
ea Hasp seal lock assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hasp seal lock assembly includes a base member that is attached via a hinge to a cover member. The cover member, when rotated such that the cover member engages the base member, is functionally adapted to overlay a latch and seal. The base member and the cover member each have a plurality of apertures defined in adjacent side walls that allow the horizontal latch arm to extend through the assembly. The base member and the cover member also include a second plurality of cooperating apertures whereby the base member and the cover member may be locked together by use of a padlock. In a first preferred embodiment, each cover side wall includes a tab and tab-receiving apertures are defined within the base member. The tabs require that the cover be lifted vertically prior to rotation of the cover member about the base member. Full Article
ea Quick release blade lock assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a quick release lock for blades mountable to a motor driven rotary tool consisting of a tool mount for mounting to the mandrel of a motorized tool. A blade retainer and lock ring positioned on each side of a user provided blade with the blade retainer providing a bore having a plurality of channels and rails and the tool mount having a collar with corresponding exterior helical channels and rails whereby the blade retainer can quickly mounted onto the tool mount. Full Article
ea Safety scalpel with replaceable blade cartridge and safety brake By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A safety scalpel that incorporates a reusable metal scalpel handle (500) similar in shape and feel to the conventional metal handle preferred by most surgeons, and a disposable blade cartridge (300) that covers the blade (100) before, during and after use, and is easily mounted and released from the scalpel handle. The blade cartridge includes a blade (100) with similar cutting profiles as standard surgical blades, a blade holder that is permanently fixed to the blade, and a blade guard (300) that covers the blade and within which the blade holder (200) is able to slide. The scalpel handle is reusable, while the blade cartridge is disposable. The blade cartridge is attachable and detachable from the scalpel handle and may include a mechanical brake (1301) to prevent movement of the blade except when the reusable handle is in place. A safety latch feature (2230) is provided. Full Article
ea Gear unit at least partially filled with oil By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A gear unit at least partially filled with oil, wherein a device is provided in the gear unit for lowering the oil level, especially of the oil pan of the gear unit, during operation, the device including at least one temporary storage. Full Article
ea Gear unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gear unit having at least one shaft supported by a bearing in the gear unit housing, the spatial region of a bearing of a shaft situated in a cutout of the gear unit housing being limited at least partially towards the interior of the gear unit by a limiting device, in particular one that has a cutout for a shaft supported in the bearing,the lowest point of the cutout effecting a minimum oil level in the spatial region of the bearing. Full Article
ea High-pressure homogenizer with an epicyclic reduction gear unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A high-pressure homogenizer including: a fixed body (7) housing a rotating crankshaft (10);a motor (3) for driving the crankshaft (10);a reduction gear unit (4) interconnected between the crankshaft and transmission elements (5, 6), characterized in that the reduction gear unit (4) is an epicyclic reduction gear unit. Preferably there is provided a lubricant feed line (15) which passes through the fixed body and reaches the epicyclic reduction gear unit (4). Preferably the epicyclic reduction gear unit (4) is constructed integrally with the fixed body (4). Full Article
ea Lubrication system having segmented anti-backflow feature By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tank includes a tank discharge passageway at least partially within a tank body. A segmented anti-back flow structure is mounted adjacent to the tank body and the tank discharge passageway. Full Article
ea Method for feeding grease composition for grease-feeding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a method for feeding a grease composition for grease-feeding to bearing units comprising 35 to 85 wt. % of fluorine-based grease and 65 to 15 wt. % of fluorine-based organic solvent; the method comprising jetting the grease composition into an inner portion of a bearing unit, such as a bearing for a conveyor chain having a grease-feeding hole, so as to feed the fluorine-based grease in an amount accounting for 10 to 45 volume % of the space volume in the bearing. According to the grease-feeding method, the grease composition for grease-feeding can be effectively applied to a bearing unit having a grease-feeding hole (nipple), thereby can be sufficiently supplied to a lubrication part, and allows grease-feeding without leakage from the bearing unit. Full Article
ea Gear train lubricating device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gear train lubricating device configured to supply lubricating oil OL to a gear included in a gear train is provided. The gear train lubricating device includes: a shroud covering, among components constituting the gear, at least teeth of the gear; and a lubricating oil supply port through which the lubricating oil OL is supplied to a meshing position of the gear. The shroud has an outlet port formed therein, through which the supplied lubricating oil OL is discharged. The outlet port is formed in a portion of the shroud that is positioned radially outward from the gear, such that the outlet port is disposed at an angular position that is 90°±15° forward from the meshing position in a rotation direction R1 of the gear. Full Article
ea Input shaft lubrication for gear pump By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shaft assembly includes a gear with a gear bore having a splined bore section adjacent to an oil dam. A shaft includes a first splined end section and a second splined end section, the first splined end section engageable with the splined inner diameter, the shaft having a bore with a bore diameter greater than a diameter of the oil dam, a first set of radial apertures axially inboard of the first splined end section in communication with the shaft inner bore and a second set of radial apertures axially inboard of the second splined end section in communication with the shaft inner bore that altogether provide lubrication of the splined end sections. Full Article
ea Lubrication system for a gear system providing emergency lubrication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system comprises a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant, first pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, and vacuum generating means arranged in fluid connection with the reservoir, thereby maintaining a total air pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure during normal operation. The lowered total air pressure in the reservoir draws lubricant from the gear system into the reservoir, thereby increasing the lubricant level in the reservoir and decreasing the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘dry sump mode’. In the case of an emergency or during start-up the vacuum generating means is stopped, thereby increasing the total air pressure in the reservoir. This causes a decrease in the lubricant level in the reservoir and an increase in the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘wet sump mode’. Full Article
ea Bearing lubrication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubrication apparatus for lubricating a surface of at least one component of a piece of equipment, which includes a lubrication mist generating unit in which air and a lubricant are combined to form a lubricant mist. A device is included for directly connecting the lubrication mist generating unit to the equipment at a position adjacent the surface to be lubricated. Full Article
ea Device for wetting or lubricating a rail head By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a device for wetting or lubricating a rail head (7). The device has at least one outlet (30) for a wetting agent and/or lubricant. To ensure that the noise generated by a track-bound vehicle is reduced safely and regardless of the weather, a rail head-side end portion (33) of the at least one outlet (30) is movably mounted between a position at a remote distance from the rail head (7) and a position in closer proximity to the rail head. Full Article
ea Grease guide By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A trough for use on wiping bar assembly of a rail lubrication system, wherein the wiping bar assembly includes a Manifold body and a flow passageway having an exit end at least partially defined in the manifold body. The trough includes a body having a first section and a second section extending away from the first section, wherein the first section of the body is positioned adjacent the exit end, and wherein a mat is provided within the trough. Full Article
ea System and method for lubricating gears in a wind turbine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for lubricating gears in a wind turbine blade pitch drive are provided, wherein the pitch drive comprises a drive pinion gear with gear teeth that engage a pitch bearing gear coupled to a respective wind turbine blade. A grease distributor is configured to mount onto and rotate with the pinion gear, and is configured to deliver grease from an external grease supply to at least one valley defined between adjacent teeth of the pinion gear in a contact area of the pinion gear with the bearing gear without the distributor contacting inter-engaging teeth of the bearing gear. Full Article
ea Geared architecture gas turbine engine with oil scavenge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas turbine engine includes a geared architecture with a multiple of intermediate gears, and a baffle with an oil scavenge scoop adjacent to each of the multiple of intermediate gears. A geared architecture and method are also disclosed. Full Article
ea Three toed footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear having an upper secured to an outsole in combination having three toe pockets, the first toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a big toe of a wearer, and the second toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a second toe of the wearer, and the third toe pocket having a configuration to receive within the remaining third toe, fourth toe and fifth toe of the wearer. Full Article
ea Internally illuminated light diffusing footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An illumination system is housed in a footwear, the footwear including a sole and an upper. A structure and a liner form inner layers connected to the upper. A plurality of illumination sources are electrically connected to a power source and positioned adjacent to the liner. The illumination sources are positioned between the liner and upper. A batting is designed to be light diffusing, while the upper has a light diffusing section. The light emitted from the plurality of illumination sources is diffused as it passes through the batting and light diffusing section. Aesthetic designs can be creating, either through the arrangement of the plurality of illumination sources or the provision of a light impermeable section on the upper. The light impermeable section, in combination with the light diffusion section, can be used to form or outline an aesthetic design. The result is an internally illuminated footwear with diffused light. Full Article
ea Breathable waterproof sole for shoes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A waterproof breathable sole for shoes, which comprises, for at least part of its extension, at least two structural layers, a lower one provided with a supporting structure so as to form the tread, and an upper one that is permeable to water vapor. The lower layer has portions that are open onto the upper layer. A coating obtained by means of a plasma deposition treatment for waterproofing is provided on the upper layer. A layer is thus obtained that has structural functions and characteristics of resistance to damage and is at the same time waterproof and breathable. Full Article
ea Multi-piece upper for athletic footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, an article of footwear includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole. The upper and sole and configured to envelop at least a portion of human foot. The upper further includes a forefoot member attached to a forefoot portion of the sole and a heel member attached to a heel portion of the sole. The forefoot member and heel member are detached from each other at a location above the sole to enable individual adjustment of the forefoot member and the heel member. Full Article
ea Interchangeable cleat system for footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interchangeable cleat system for an article of footwear includes an outer sole member with a plurality of fixed cleat members and a plurality of removable cleat members. The spacing between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant in at least one portion of the article of footwear. The differences in height between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant within a portion of the outer sole member. The cleat system can include at least three sets of cleat members that can be interchanged over different portions of the outer sole member. Full Article
ea System and method for toning footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for toning footwear include a combination of a support ring, an insole with a cushioning material configured to contact a user's foot, and an outsole with one or more convex regions to create instability in the footwear. The support ring or stiffener band can be coupled to the outsole between the insole on one side and the forefoot and heel toning convexities on the other side. In some embodiments, the stiffener band can be formed of a material different from and stiffer than the material of the outsole. In accordance with various embodiments, when a user wears the toning footwear while walking, an increase in both the toning and strengthening of the calves, hamstrings and/or glutes results. Full Article
ea Article of footwear with support members and connecting members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole positioned beneath the upper. The midsole includes an upper portion formed of a first material and a lower portion formed of a second material and positioned beneath the upper portion. The lower portion includes a plurality of support members spaced from adjacent support members. A plurality of connecting members extend between and are connected to adjacent support members, with the connecting members having a height that is less than a height of the support members to which the connecting members are connected, and an upper surface that is substantially flush with an upper surface of the support members to which the connecting members are connected. Full Article
ea Footwear with hydroplaning-resistant outsole and camouflaged toe cap By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear with a hydroplaning-resistant outsole and camouflaged toe cap is disclosed. In one example, an article of footwear includes an outsole with a ground contacting surface including a first and second plurality of angled channels angled relative to longitudinal and lateral axes of the footwear. Each angled channel in the first plurality of angled channels extends from the toe to an outer edge of a mid-foot region of the outsole, and each angled channel in the second plurality of angled channels extends from a back portion of the heel to a front portion of the heel. The ground contacting surface also includes a plurality of lateral waved grooves intersecting the first and second plurality of angled channels, and a plurality of lateral waved sipes intersecting the plurality of lateral waved grooves and the first and second plurality of angled channels. Full Article
ea Shoe having removable and interchangeable heel assemblies with kit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A removable heel assembly, a shoe having a removable shoe assembly and kit containing a shoe body having a heel base and a plurality a assorted removable and interchangeable heels. The heel assembly includes the heel base and a removable and interchangeable heel. The removability relies upon at least one tapered groove ending in a dimple. The heel utilizes a locking connector which contains components which fit within a cavity within the heel base and which locks in place upon engagement thereof when the components engage the at least one tapered, groove and dimple. Full Article
ea Article of footwear with a cavity viewing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity. Full Article
ea Article of footwear with a ball contacting member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear with a ball contacting member is disclosed. The ball contacting member enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory. The ball contacting member can be attached to the article of footwear in various different ways. Full Article
ea Article of footwear with support element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series alternating peaks and troughs, and may include one or more support elements disposed on the midsole to provide desired stiffness or cushioning properties to the midsole. Full Article
ea Internally illuminated footwear component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The sole section of a shoe includes a midsole and an outsole, with the midsole being made from a translucent material. An illumination system is located inside the translucent midsole, causing the translucent midsole to be internally illuminated when the illumination system is active. Due to the translucent nature of the midsole light from the illumination system reflects internally throughout the midsole, increasing illumination. The light will also illuminate adjacent translucent components, such as the outsole if it is also made from a translucent material. Light from the illumination system can be blocked, such as by an opaque outsole or colored mold injection, and used to form an illuminated design or logo. By blacking out or covering sections of the translucent midsole, shapes and letters of visible light can be created in the negative space of the obstruction sections. This allows illuminated designs to easily be incorporated into footwear. Full Article
ea Footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Footwear according to the present disclosure includes an upper and a sole assembly coupled to the upper, with the sole assembly including an outsole with a ground-contacting surface and a midsole positioned above the outsole. The midsole includes a peripheral lasting member that defines a central aperture, and a cushioning member positioned at least above the peripheral lasting member. In some embodiments, the footwear further includes a heel and the midsole includes a heel strike projection that engages the heel. In some embodiments, the midsole further includes a shank. In some embodiments, the cushioning member defines the optional heel strike projection, and in other embodiments, the optional shank defines the optional heel strike projection. In some embodiments, the footwear includes a spur support. Full Article
ea Waterproof breathable boot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A waterproof breathable boot is disclosed. The boot includes an outsole, a three-piece bootie, a toe cap, a heel cap, a center front panel, an instep panel and a rear panel. Full Article
ea Article of footwear having an upper incorporating a knitted component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component. Full Article
ea Smartphones app-controlled configuration of footwear soles using sensors in the smartphone and the soles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A smartphone app that causes a smartphone device to actively control a configuration of footwear structural elements located in a footwear sole or removable inner sole insert of a user of the smartphone device, and one or more sensors located in either one or both of the sole or the removable inner sole insert the user's footwear and a sensor including a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer in the smartphone device; and the footwear structural elements being configured for computer control by the smartphone device when the smartphone app is operating on the smartphone device; and wherein instructions of the smartphone app, when executed, cause the smartphone device to, first, process measurement data received from the footwear and smartphone sensors and, second, use the processed measurement data to alter a configuration of the footwear structural elements based on the output from processing measurement data. Full Article
ea Insert for vapor-permeable and waterproof soles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An insert for vapor-permeable and waterproof soles, which has a monolithic sheet-like structure, made of a polymeric material that is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor. At least one functional portion of the insert for soles has such a thickness as to give it a penetration resistance of more than approximately 10 N, assessed according to the method presented in chapter 5.8.2 of the ISO 20344-2004 standard. Full Article
ea Support features for footwear ground engaging members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a sole component including a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, the first ground engaging member having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. In addition, the sole structure may also include a tapered support structure having a substantially pyramidal shape and extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and partially surrounding the first ground engaging member such that a portion of the first ground engaging member is exposed between edges of the tapered support structure. Also, the tapered support structure may extend downward from the baseplate less than the first ground engaging member. Full Article
ea Footwear sole with midsole protrusions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention relate to a footwear sole including a midsole and an outsole. The midsole includes of a plurality of protrusions extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the midsole toward the outsole. The outsole may include a plurality of recesses positioned to mate with a corresponding protrusion from the midsole. The outsole may also include one or more protrusion extending downwardly from the bottom of the outsole. The outsole protrusions may correspond with an associated recess of the outsole top surface. The protrusions may be hemispherical in shape at their distal ends so that a portion of the distal end may be received by the corresponding recess of the outsole top surface. Full Article
ea Footwear accessory By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A footwear accessory comprising a reversible footwear cover, the cover adapted to cover an article of footwear's uppers, sole and heel counter; a two sided sole attached to the cover, the sole adapted to provide both a frictional surface between the footwear and the cover and between a walking surface and the footwear; and, a cover retainer for securing the footwear cover to the footwear, the retainer being integral to the cover and adapted to be inserted into the footwear and positioned between a user's foot and the footwear. Full Article