Robert M Zide

US Patent:

46513566, Mar 24, 1987

Filed:

Mar 12, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/839025

Inventors:

Robert M. Zide - Williamstown WV

Assignee:

Pro-Line, Inc. - Marietta OH

International Classification:

A42B 300

US Classification:

2421

Abstract:

A unitized chin strap for football helmets and the like is molded from an elastomer possessing elastic memory. The device includes a protective chin cup which is curved on two axes and is adapted to receive an apertured chin cushioning pad which allows the tip of the chin to be safely suspended in a space defined by the chin strap cup. The cup gradually diminishes in thickness and rigidity from the center of the cup toward its marginal edge. Divergent axis relatively flexible and somewhat stretchable straps are joined to the sides of the chin cup by relatively wide twist-resistant strap-to-cup joint portions. Conventional buckles having snap fastener components are slidably engaged on the straps of the device to provide a secure four point attachment of the chin strap to a helmet. The device substantially eliminates movement of the helmet on the head during use, thereby greatly reducing the likelihood of severe injury.

US Patent:

56946422, Dec 9, 1997

Filed:

Dec 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/774794

Inventors:

James L. Rector - Vienna WV
Rodney M. Zide - Williamstown WV
Robert M. Zide - Williamstown WV

International Classification:

A41D 1310

US Classification:

2 19

Abstract:

A baseball glove having a laminate foam rubber padding with low rebound and energy damping properties, is constructed and arranged to provide stiffness in the longitudinal axial direction of the thumb and forefinger portion of the glove and the little finger portion of the glove but a flexibility in a transverse axial direction across the palm of the hand in a direction toward the little finger portion of the glove, to thereby preclude the "breaking-in" period customarily required for a new glove. The glove laces are made of hollow plastic tubing having elastic memory. The tubular end portions of the lacings are secured to the leather covering by fasteners having planar surfaces carrying advertising indicia.

US Patent:

54871875, Jan 30, 1996

Filed:

Mar 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/210756

Inventors:

Rodney M. Zide - Williamstown WV
Robert M. Zide - Williamstown WV
James L. Rector - Vienna WV

International Classification:

A41D 1300
A44B 1125

US Classification:

2 2

Abstract:

Underarm straps for shoulder pads wherein a pair of non-elastic strap segments are connected between the breast plates and back plates of the shoulder pads and extend underneath the arms of the user on each side of the shoulder pads. The strap segments are adjustably connected by clamping rings which permit a quick infinite adjustment of the effective length of the underarm straps by the user pushing the strap segments forwardly to tighten the shoulder pads. One of the clamping rings is provided with a handle to facilitate the manual release of the gripping action of the clamping rings, and a releasable fastener is provided on the strap segments to hold one strap segment in a folded position over the other strap segment to cover the clamping rings after the shoulder pads have been tightened on the user.

US Patent:

61700916, Jan 9, 2001

Filed:

Aug 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/140746

Inventors:

Robert M. Zide - Williamstown WV
James L. Rector - Vienna WV

Assignee:

Proline, Inc. - Marietta OH

International Classification:

A41D 1300

US Classification:

2462

Abstract:

A method of securing a strap and a strap fastening apparatus integral with an article of apparel includes an article of apparel and a planar surface. The apparatus further includes a wedge having a handle and a surface with a predetermined angle. The wedge also includes projections which engage with a strap. The apparatus also provides a housing where the wedge is contained within the housing. The apparatus also includes an attachment device where the attachment device fastens the housing to the planar surface. The housing and planar surface form a first opening and a second opening. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for reducing contact area between the strap and the planar surface, whereby translational displacement required for locking the wedge and smoothing wear of the wedge are substantially reduced while friction is substantially increased between the wedge and the strap and between the planar surface and the strap.

US Patent:

43707599, Feb 1, 1983

Filed:

Mar 17, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/244710

Inventors:

Robert Zide - Williamstown WV

Assignee:

Pro-Line, Inc. - Marietta OH

International Classification:

A42B 108

US Classification:

2424

Abstract:

Shock absorbing mounts for the face guard of a helmet having a substantially rigid shell and being connected to the shell allow substantial movements of the face guard relative to the helmet shell in response to forceful blows on the face guard. The mount protects the head of the wearer of the helmet from severe shocks and also prevents severe deformation of the helmet shell likely to crack it. The mount can be installed at all points of attachment of the face guard to the helmet to provide a resilient anchorage for the face guard without loss of security.

US Patent:

48378666, Jun 13, 1989

Filed:

Jul 18, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/219777

Inventors:

James L. Rector - Vienna WV
Robert M. Zide - Williamstown WV

Assignee:

Pro-Line, Inc. - Marietta OH

International Classification:

A41D 1300

US Classification:

2424

Abstract:

A shock attenuation tension mounting for connecting a face guard to a helmet wherein a pair of looped straps are provided on each side of the helmet. Each pair of looped straps includes an inner relatively stretchable looped strap enclosing a wire segment of the face guard, and an outer, relatively stiff looped strap enclosing the inner loop. The inner looped strap allows controlled movement of the face guard toward the helmet with increasing resistance force for shock attenuation, and the outer strap limits the movement of the face guard toward the helmet, the amount of movement being controlled by the selection of relative loop lengths of the outer and inner straps.

US Patent:

56782454, Oct 21, 1997

Filed:

Jan 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/591095

Inventors:

James L. Rector - Vienna WV
Rodney M. Zide - Williamstown WV
Robert M. Zide - Williamstown WV

International Classification:

A41D 1310

US Classification:

2 19

Abstract:

A baseball glove having a laminate foam rubber padding with low rebound and energy damping properties, is constructed and arranged to provide stiffness in the longitudinal axial direction of the thumb and forefinger portion of the glove and the little finger portion of the glove but a flexibility in a transverse axial direction across the palm of the hand in a direction toward the little finger portion of the glove, to thereby preclude the "breaking-in" period customarily required for a new glove. The glove laces are made of hollow plastic tubing having elastic memory. The tubular end portions of the lacings are secured to the leather covering by fasteners having planar surfaces carrying advertising indicia.

US Patent:

51075423, Apr 28, 1992

Filed:

Mar 21, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/672882

Inventors:

Robert M. Zide - Williamstown WV
James L. Rector - Vienna, WV VA

International Classification:

A41D 1300

US Classification:

2 2

Abstract:

A front-lock stabilizer for protective shoulder pads having breastplates and backplates wherein the breastplates are closed by laced interdigitated plates fixedly secured to the vertical edges of the breastplates, and the backplates are closed by a plurality of rigid plates extending between the backplates and fixedly secured thereto. The breastplates are prevented from being deflected inwardly relative to each other to thereby prevent injury to the wearer's sternum, and the right and left shoulder pads are prevented from movement relative to each other in a vertical plane to prevent one shoulder from receiving the full impact of a hit to the shoulder.