d Turbomachine fluid delivery system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exemplary system for delivering a turbomachine fluid to a supplied area is a pump configured to draw fluid from both a first container and a second container when operating in both a positive g-force environment and a negative g-force environment. The fluid from the first container in a positive g-force environment is a mixture of air and oil, and the fluid from the first container in a negative g-force environment is primarily oil. Full Article
d 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
d Crankshaft having optimized crankpin lubrication, and related engine and method for producing the lubrication system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a crankshaft comprising at least: a journal; a first crankpin; a second crankpin; a first arm connecting the first crankpin to the journal; a second arm connecting the second crankpin to the journal; a first pipe extending away from the first crank pin toward the journal and leading onto the surface of the first crankpin on the transverse median plane thereof, and substantially passing to the center of the median plane of the second arm; and a second conduit extending away from the second crankpin toward the journal and leading onto the surface of the second crankpin on the transverse median plane thereof, and substantially passing to the center of the median plane of the second arm, characterized in that the shape of the crankshaft is such that it cannot also comprise a diametric pipe within the transverse median plane of the journal fluidly adjoining the first pipe and the second pipe, and the crankshaft comprises a third non-diametric pipe within the transverse median plan of the journal fluidly connecting the first pipe and the second pipe. Full Article
d 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
d 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
d Control of balance drift in turbocharger rotating assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a thrust wall. The bearing housing includes a journal bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft supported by the journal bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to be rotated about the axis by the engine's post-combustion gasses. The turbocharger additionally includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to pressurize an ambient airflow. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a thrust bearing assembly pressed onto the shaft and configured to transmit thrust forces developed by the turbine wheel to the thrust wall. Pressing the thrust bearing assembly onto the shaft minimizes radial motion between the thrust bearing assembly and the shaft. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed. Full Article
d Fluid drive mechanism for turbocharger By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a shaft, a first turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, and a second turbine wheel. The shaft includes a first end and a second end and is supported for rotation about an axis. The first turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. The compressor wheel is mounted on the shaft between the first and second ends and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. The second turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to be rotated about the axis by a pressurized fluid. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed. Full Article
d 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
d 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
d Continuous supply fluid reservoir By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for holding a fluid includes an auxiliary reservoir inside a main reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir includes an auxiliary reservoir shell with a fill passage at or near its bottom. The auxiliary reservoir shell also has a vent passage at or near its top. The fill passage and the vent passage fluidically connect the auxiliary reservoir to the main reservoir. A fluid inlet is located inside the main reservoir and outside of the auxiliary reservoir. A fluid outlet located inside the auxiliary reservoir between the fill passage and the vent passage. Full Article
d Direct drive rotation device for passively moving fluid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The device is configured for moving a fluid within a gearbox. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a base portion coupled to a rotatable member within the gearbox. An inlet portion of the device is configured to draw the fluid from a reservoir portion of the gearbox. The device is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid from the inlet portion toward the base portion along an interior surface of a conical portion. In another illustrative embodiment, the device includes a conical portion having an external threaded portion configured to capture a fluid during a rotation of the device. In such an embodiment, the threaded portion is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid captured by the threaded portion along an exterior surface of the conical portion. Full Article
d Gas cooler and method for cooling gas By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is disclosed a gas cooler 20 for providing high-pressure sealing gas to a bearing chamber. The cooler comprises a turbine 22; a turbine inlet 24 arranged to receive gas to drive the turbine and a turbine outlet 26 arranged to deliver gas output from the turbine; a compressor 28 arranged to be driven by the turbine 22; a compressor inlet 30 arranged to receive gas to be compressed by the compressor and a compressor outlet 32 arranged to deliver gas output from the compressor 28; and a cooler outlet 36 in fluid communication with the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32 so as to deliver high-pressure sealing gas comprising gas merged from the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32. Full Article
d Sliding sleeve By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a telescopable steering spindle having an inner spindle and an outer spindle, which are arranged coaxially in relation to one another and have an out-of-round cross section for torque transmission, wherein an intermediate space is provided between the outer spindle and the inner spindle, a sliding sleeve being arranged in the said intermediate space, wherein the sliding sleeve is provided with a surface structuring on at least one surface facing the inner spindle or the outer spindle. Full Article
d 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
d 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
d Lubrication device of power transmission device for hybrid vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubrication device for a hybrid vehicle power transmission device including a gear member, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor within a transaxle case, the lubrication device includes: a first pipe supplying oil forcibly transferred from an oil pump to the second electric motor; an oil passage branched from the first pipe; a first catch tank supplied with oil from the oil passage; a second pipe connected to the first catch tank to supply oil accumulated in the first catch tank to the first electric motor; an oil flow outlet disposed in the first catch tank and located above the second pipe; and a second catch tank disposed vertically beneath the first catch tank to receive oil outflowing from the oil flow outlet. Full Article
d Pump having stepper motor and overdrive control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. Embodiments include a pump with venting and non-venting piston return, a pump with stirrer and direct feed mechanism, a pump with CAN system and self-diagnostics, a pump with heated housing and reservoir and a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control. Full Article
d 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
d 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
d 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
d Method to display a foot ornamentation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method to display a foot ornamentation system includes obtaining a foot ornamentation system that has a bottom band constructed from an elastomeric material for compressing the system snugly against a foot. The system has a first side panel and a second side panel that are flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. The system has a decorative member with an interior surface that has a smooth profile and a non-slip surface for interfacing with the foot top surface. The method includes donning the system by expanding an interior open area of the system via the stretchable bottom band then sliding over an end of a foot into a first position where the decorative member is located on a foot top surface. The method includes donning footwear with an open top that allows the system to be displayed. Full Article
d 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
d Golf club shoe device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A golf ball kicking device having hands-free interchangeability of golf club heads comprising a mounting plate secured to the shoe and a retaining member affixed to the mounting plate and having a pivoting lever with a release member in communication with a rear face of a club head. The mounting plate has a magnet and the rear face of the club head is constructed of a magnetic material so as to releasably mount the club head onto the mounting plate. When the club head is secured against the magnet, the club head impacts upon the release member so as to pivot the pivoting lever to a first position. When sufficient force is applied to the pivoting lever, the pivoting lever pivots to a second position thereby directing the release member to impact upon the club head and dislodge the club head from the mounting plate. Full Article
d Foams, foaming compositions and applications thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT [Objects] It is an object to provide a foam having a low specific gravity and a small compression set, more preferably a foam having a low specific gravity, a small compression set and uniform quality, a foaming composition, and applications of the foam. [Means for Solution] The foam is obtained by foaming an olefin polymer, wherein the foam has a specific gravity (d) in the range of 0.03 to 0.30, and a compression set (CS, %) and the specific gravity (d) satisfy the formula of CS≦−279×(d)+95. The foam is preferably obtained from a foaming composition that includes an ethylene polymer (A) including a specific ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (A1) and an ethylene/polar monomer copolymer (A2) in a specific mass ratio, and a specific ethylene/C3-20 α-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer (B). Full Article
d 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
d 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
d Customization of inner sole board By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual. Full Article
d 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
d 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
d Foot manifolds, apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a foot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a foot are provided. An apparatus may include an insole and a tissue contacting surface covering at least a portion of the insole. At least one portion of the tissue contacting surface is removable to form a void. The apparatus may also include a reduced-pressure interface for receiving reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure source, and at least one flow channel fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure interface and the void. Full Article
d Shoe ornament structure and method for making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoe ornament structure, comprises: a base layer, a sub-base layer, a ground color layer, a ornamental layer, a blocking wall and a transparent layer. The ground color layer has a predetermined thickness and is formed on the sub-base layer. The ornamental layer is formed with different grains or color or materials and located on the ground color layer. The blocking wall of a height 0.5-0.7 mm is formed on ornamental layer, and the transparent layer is formed in the area defined by the blocking wall. Full Article
d Shoe with ventilation system obtained by direct injection method on upper and mould therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoe (1) is disclosed comprising: an insole (1) fixed to the upper (T) and comprising a slot (10) in the heel area and a plurality of holes (11) in the plantar surface area. A ventilation system (2) comprises: a pump (4) disposed in the slot (10) of the insole, a membrane (3) fixed in the lower surface of the insole (1) under the holes (11), a connection pipe (20) connecting the chamber (40) of the pump with the spaces (32) of the membrane and an outlet conduit (21) connecting the chamber of the pump (40) with the outside to exhaust air. An outsole (9) obtained by directly injecting expandable material in a mold covers the ventilation system, insole and lower part of the upper (T). A mold (S) for performing said direct injection is also disclosed. Full Article
d Removable shoe wedge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoe wedge includes a support structure. The support structure includes two longitudinally extending wall portions that are biased towards one another such that the wall portions define a channel extending between the wall portions and an opening that extends from an upper surface of the support structure to a lower surface of the support structure. The opening has a larger cross sectional area at the upper surface than at the lower surface. The shoe wedge further includes a body portion that extends from the support structure. The body portion is configured with a surface that substantially conforms to a portion of a sole of a shoe. Full Article
d Shoe heel support device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoe heel support device including a ground contacting base portion and a resilient shoe heel engagement portion attached to the ground contacting base portion, the resilient shoe heel engagement portion including at least three lobe portions each having an inner surface together defining a bore for receiving a shoe heel therein, the dimension of the bore smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the shoe heel. Full Article
d 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
d Orthopods and equipment to generate orthopedic supports from computerized data inputs By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods of measuring feet and designing and creating orthopedic inserts are described. The method can include measuring a pressure the foot exerts during a stride at a plurality of points over a period of time, and analyzing a pressure at the plurality of points over the period of time and designing the orthopedic inserter based on the analysis. The system can include a device that measures a pressure exerted by foot at a plurality of times at each of a plurality of points and a computer connected to the device, the computer having a memory that stores the measured pressures and a program operable to analyze the measured pressures to create a design of an orthopedic insert. Full Article
d Shoe spring and shock absorbing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Footwear with a powerful arch spring made with spring boards that can be utilized by the heel and ball of the foot areas during impact for efficient energy storage and return during walking, running and other forms of self-propelled locomotion. The spring boards can extend into the toe area of the footwear to create a toe spring with efficient energy storage and return. Embodiments of the present invention combine the spring boards which are excellent for storing and returning energy with a shock absorbing material which can also function as a secondary spring in order to achieve high efficiency energy returns while maintaining comfort and stability with the footwear. Full Article
d Fluid-filled chamber with a tensile member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile member. The outer barrier may have an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a peripheral edge. The upper portion and lower portion may be bonded together in a bonded region spaced inward from the peripheral edge. The bonded region may have a convex shape. The tensile member may be located within the outer barrier, and may be formed to have at least one gap. The bonded region may extend at least partially into the gap. Full Article
d 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
d Ventilated motorcycle boot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A motorcycle boot comprises a sole or tread (22), a rigid shell (20) and an upper (52) associated with the rigid shell; the upper has furthermore a base insole (54) formed by a plurality of tubular channels (56) which extend over most of the bottom surface of the sole (54) and allow the air to pass at right angles to their axis; the shell has at the front an air intake communicating with the front end of the tubular channels. Full Article
d 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
d 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
d Elastic strap sandal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sandal comprising an EVA midsole, an outsole and an elastic strap, wherein the elastic strap is stitched at the strap ends and blued to the bottom of the EVA midsole. The EVA midsole having a carved out section to accommodate the thickness of the elastic strap and stitching of the strap ends such that the elastic strap and stitching will lay flush against the bottom of the EVA midsole. Full Article
d Shoe and shoe-making process using an insert piece By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoe includes a sole having an insert piece and a layer of material disposed on a top surface of the insert piece; and an upper extending above the sole. The insert piece extends from at least one of a front or middle portion of the shoe to a rear of the shoe, with the top surface of the insert piece inclined upwardly toward the rear of the shoe and then leveling off at a rear portion of the shoe. A top surface of the layer of material is inclined upwardly from the at least one of the front or middle portion of the shoe to the rear of the shoe, such that at the rear portion of the shoe an angle of inclination is significantly greater for the top surface of the layer of material than for the top surface of the insert piece. Full Article
d 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
d 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
d Article of footwear with integral upper and sole By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed. Full Article
d Compositions comprising refrigerant and lubricant and methods for replacing CFC and HCFC refrigerants without flushing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition comprising a refrigerant and a lubricant is disclosed, wherein the refrigerant comprises (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R32, R152a, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; the lubricant comprises (iii) a hydrocarbon-based lubricant component; and (iv) a synthetic lubricant component; and the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total lubricant. Also disclosed are methods of replacing refrigerants in refrigeration or air conditioning systems containing a refrigerant comprising a CFC or HCFC and a lubricant. The methods involve adding to the system (a) a replacement refrigerant comprising (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R152a, R32, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a synthetic lubricant component; wherein after refrigerant replacement the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total amount of lubricant in the system. Full Article
d High rate, long cycle life electrochemical energy storage devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrochemical energy storage device includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode includes a capacitive material as a majority component, and further includes an electrochemically active material as a minority component, such that an operating potential of the anode is configured according to a reaction potential of the electrochemically active material. Full Article
d Electronic personal thermal control apparatus and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic personal thermal control apparatus and method may provide heating and cooling for a user. A power source may provide power to a thermal module that is capable of heating or cooling a heat transfer component to a desired temperature. The heating or cooling may be managed by a controller. The components may be placed in a housing. The apparatus may be placed at any suitable position on a user's body, such as the wrist or ankle(s). The housing of the apparatus may be incorporated or combined with clothing, such as wristband(s), apparel, jackets, footwear, or the like. Full Article