Frederick B George

US Patent:

57273383, Mar 17, 1998

Filed:

Dec 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/711113

Inventors:

Virginia C. George - Fair Oaks CA
Frederick W. George - Fair Oaks CA

International Classification:

A43B 504
A43B 516

US Classification:

36 93

Abstract:

A vacuum fitted ski boot which includes an air pump for automatically pumping air from an interior cavity within the boot for holding the requisite vacuum to maintain a close-fitting contact between the user's foot and the boot. An ankle cuff is mounted for relative angular movement with respect to a boot shell. A vacuum pump is mounted on the boot and is operated responsive to angular movement of the ankle cuff when there is flexing motion between the user's lower leg and foot during skiing. In different embodiments the pump can be mounted on the anterior, posterior, medial or lateral sides of the boot. In another embodiment the pump is comprised of an envelope which is fitted between the boot sole and the instep of the user's foot. The envelope has wall portions which define an interior cavity, and the wall portions are caused to undergo movement toward and away from each other responsive to pronation and supination movement of the foot during skiing to pump air out from the interior cavity of the boot.

US Patent:

46549862, Apr 7, 1987

Filed:

Feb 7, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/827092

Inventors:

Frederick W. George - Citrus Heights CA

International Classification:

A43B 504
A43B 714

US Classification:

36119

Abstract:

A ski boot which creates a vacuum between the boot and user's foot, ankle and lower calf. The boot includes a rigid shell formed in sections which permit articulation, and padded liners are mounted within the shell. A flexible sheath secured to the shell forms an hermetical seal about the calf of the user. Means is provided for maintaining a partial vacuum within the boot. The partial vacuum causes both contraction of the boot shell and expansion of the foot to establish a close fit of the foot within the boot. The boot provides lateral stiffness while permitting forward flexing, and the close fit permits the user to achieve precise control during skiing.

US Patent:

47685018, Sep 6, 1988

Filed:

May 11, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/048214

Inventors:

Frederick W. George - Citrus Heights CA

International Classification:

A61F 1300

US Classification:

128 82

Abstract:

The disclosure is of a method of forming a waterproof seal about the cast or dressing on a patient. An air- and water-impervious flexible membrane is placed over the cast or dressing to a position where the membrane's edge margins overlie the patient's skin along the perimeter of the cast or dressing. A vacuum is created between the membrane and skin by evacuating air through a suction tube or valve. The vacuum creates a close, snug fit of the membrane over the entirety of the cast or dressing and over a relatively large surface area of skin to provide a waterproof seal.