(19)

(11)

EP 1 109 467 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 20.07.2000 (43) Date of publication: 27.06.2001 Bulletin 2001/26 (21) Application number: 99945494.5 (22) Date of filing: 03.09.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A43B 3/12, A43B 13/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US9920/297 (87) International publication number: WO 0013/537 (16.03.2000 Gazette 2000/11)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 04.09.1998 US 148306 20.11.1998 US 196977 (71) Applicant: Thatcher, Mark Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (US)	(72) Inventors: RITTER, Brett, D. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (US) BUTLER, Damon, R. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (US) MCGEOUGH, Barry, Joseph Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (US) NORTON, Edward, J. Boxford, MA 01921 (US) SMOTRYCZ, Zenon, O. Reading, MA 01867 (US) (74) Representative: Hanna, Peter William Derek  Peter Hanna Associates11 Mespil Road Dublin 4 Dublin 4 (IE)