All The Claims

1. An apparatus for charging a battery to a nominal battery voltage comprising:
a first input terminal coupled to a reference voltage;
a second input terminal coupled to a DC power source referenced to said reference voltage;
a first output terminal coupled to said reference voltage, and configured to be coupled to a first terminal of said battery;
a second output terminal configured to be coupled to a second terminal of said battery;
a controlled current flow path coupled between said second input terminal and said second output terminal; and
a control circuit which is operative, in response to said DC power source being coupled to said second input terminal, to cause said controlled current flow path to provide a first substantially constant current therethrough from said DC power source to said battery and thereby charge said battery until said battery is charged to said nominal battery voltage and, in response to a constant voltage output of said DC power source transitioning to a value that limits said available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current, and thereby causing a reduction in current flow through said controlled current flow path, to increase the current flow drive to said controlled current flow path for a limited time interval, and thereafter to allow said controlled current flow path to gradually reduce current flow therethrough as said battery voltage remains at said nominal battery voltage.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operative, in response to said battery reaching said nominal battery voltage, to effect a thermal foldback reduction in current flow through said controlled current flow path to said second substantially constant current to a current value that produces a thermal dissipation in said current path that does not exceed a prescribed limit.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operative, in response to said DC power source being coupled to said second input terminal, to limit the value of current supplied from said DC power source through said current flow path to a value that constrains the initial voltage of said battery to its lowest voltage.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said DC power source comprises an AC-DC converter having an AC input port that is configured to be connected to an AC power outlet (or an external DC-DC power adapter), and a DC output port that is configured to be coupled to said first and second input terminals.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control circuit is operative, in response to constant voltage output of said AC-DC converter (or DC-DC converter) transitioning to a value that limits said AC-DC converter’s (or DC-DC converter’s) available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current, to increase the turn on drive to said controlled current flow path.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said controlled current flow path comprises a controlled electronic circuit device having an input-output current flow path coupled between said second input terminal and said second output terminal, and wherein said control circuit is operative to enhance current throughput of said input-output current flow path of said controlled electronic circuit device.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said controlled electronic circuit device comprises a MOSFET, and said control circuit is operative to increase gate drive to said MOSFET so as to place said MOSFET in a fully turned on condition, in response to the constant voltage output of said AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter transitioning to a value that limits said AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter’s available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current.
8. An apparatus for charging a battery to a nominal battery voltage comprising a battery charger controller circuit having first and second input terminals configured to be coupled to DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter adapter, and first and second output terminals configured to be coupled with first and second terminals of a battery to be charged, said battery charger controller circuit including a controlled current flow path coupled between said first input and output terminals of said battery charger controller circuit, and wherein said battery charger circuit includes a control circuit which is operative to cause said controlled current flow path to provide a first substantially constant current through from said external adapter to said battery and thereby charge said battery to said nominal battery voltage and, in response to a constant voltage output of said external adapter transitioning to a value that limits said available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current, to increase the current flow drive to said controlled current flow path for a limited time interval, and thereafter allow said controlled current flow path to gradually reduce current flow therethrough as said battery voltage remains at said nominal battery voltage.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control circuit is operative, in response to said battery reaching said nominal battery voltage, to effect a thermal foldback reduction in current flow through said controlled current flow path to a current value that produces a thermal dissipation in said current path that does not exceed a prescribed limit.
10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control circuit is operative to limit the value of current supplied from said external adapter through said current flow path to a value that constrains the initial voltage of said battery to its lowest voltage.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control circuit is operative, in response to constant voltage output of said AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter transitioning to a value that limits said converter’s available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current, to increase the current flow drive to said controlled current flow path.
12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said controlled current flow path comprises a controlled electronic circuit device having an input-output current flow path coupled between said second input terminal and said second output terminal, and wherein said control circuit is operative to enhance current throughput of said input-output current flow path of said controlled electronic circuit device.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said controlled electronic circuit device comprises a MOSFET, and said control circuit is operative to increase gate drive to said MOSFET so as to place said MOSFET in a fully turned on condition, in response to the constant voltage output of said external adapter transitioning to a value that limits said AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter’s available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said battery comprises Li-ionLi-polymer battery.
15. A method for charging a battery to a nominal battery voltage comprising the steps of:
(a) coupling an external adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter to a source of power, said adapter having first and second output terminals from which a DC voltage is supplied;
(b) coupling first and second input terminals of a battery charger controller circuit to said first and second output terminals of said adapter, said battery charger controller circuit including a controlled current flow path coupled between said first input terminal and a first output terminal of said battery charger controller circuit;
(c) coupling a battery to be charged to first and second output terminals of said battery charger controller circuit; and
(d) operating said controlled current flow path of said battery charger controller circuit so as to provide a first substantially constant current through from said adapter to said battery and thereby charge said battery to said nominal battery voltage and, in response to a constant voltage output of said adapter transitioning to a value that limits said available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current, increasing current flow drive to said controlled current flow path for a limited time interval, and thereafter allowing said controlled current flow path to gradually reduce current flow therethrough as said battery voltage remains at said nominal battery voltage.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein step (d) comprises, in response to said battery reaching said nominal battery voltage, effecting a thermal foldback reduction in current flow through said controlled current flow path to a current value that produces a thermal dissipation in said current path that does not exceed a prescribed limit.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein step (d) comprises limiting the value of current supplied from said adapter through said current flow path to a value that constrains the initial voltage of said battery to its lowest voltage.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein step (d) comprises increasing the turn on drive to said controlled current flow path, in response to constant voltage output of said AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter transitioning to a value that limits said converter’s available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein said controlled current flow path comprises a controlled electronic circuit device having an input-output current flow path coupled between said second input terminal and said second output terminal, and wherein step (d) comprises enhancing current throughput of said input-output current flow path of said controlled electronic circuit device.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said controlled electronic circuit device comprises a MOSFET, and step (d) comprises increasing gate drive to said MOSFET so as to place said MOSFET in a fully turned on condition, in response to the constant voltage output of said adapter transitioning to a value that limits said AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter’s available charging current to a value less than a programmed constant charging current.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A wax composition comprising a water in oil emulsion in an effective amount to form a protective wax film on a substrate, comprising:
an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent;
a wax microemulsion;
a silicone oil comprising at least one liquid dimethylpolysiloxane;
a thickening agent;
an isoparaffinic solvent;
an emulsifying agent;
a polishing agent comprising an anhydrous aluminum silicate;
a polishing agent comprising an aluminum oxide comprising a mean particle size of 0.2 micrometers (200 nm) or less; and
the remainder water.
2. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said silicone oil comprises a blend present in amount of from 8 to 15 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
3. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said thickening agent is present in an amount of from between 0.1 to 4 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
4. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said isoparaffinic solvent in an amount of up to 25 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
5. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying agent is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 2 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
6. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent is present in an amount of from 25 to 45 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
7. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said polishing agent comprises an aluminum silicate in an amount of from between 1 to 5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
8. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said aluminum oxide is present in an amount of from between 1 to 3 percent by weight.
9. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying agent comprises a polyglycerol ester of oleic acid.
10. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying agent is selected from the group committing of a polyglycerol ester of oleic acid, a sorbitan polyoxyethylene, a sorbitan sesquioleate, a sorbitan trioleate, and a polyoxyethylene trioleate.
11. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying agent comprises a long chain fatty alcohol selected from the group consisting of a cetyl alcohol, a stearyl alcohol, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol, a cetyl palmitate, a cetyl myristate, a polyethylene glycol stearate, a glyceryl monostearate, a monolactate, a tallow triglyceride, and a ethoxylated ester.
12. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying agent comprises an ethoxylated ester selected from the group committing of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, an alkyl glucosinate, an ethoxylated cetyl alcohol, an ethoxylated stearyl alcohol, and a polyoxyethylene nonylphenol.
13. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent contains at least 90 percent aliphatic hydrocarbons.
14. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent contains 0 to 10% hydrocarbons.
15. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent contains less than 1 percent aromatic hydrocarbons.
16. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said isoparaffinic solvent in an amount of from 0.01 to 15.0 percent weight based on the total weight of the composition.
17. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said isoparaffinic solvent comprises a isoparaffin, a paraffinic solvent, a paraffin, and a synthetic isoparaffinic solvent.
18. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said wax is a natural wax in an amount of from between 0.001 to 6.0 percent by weight solids present in a 12-15 percent emulsion based on the total weight of the composition.
19. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said wax comprises a 12-15 percent emulsion of a synthetic wax present in an amount of from between 0.001 to 6.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
20. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said wax comprises a 12-15 percent emulsion of a natural wax and synthetic blend present in an amount of from between 0.001 to 6.0 percent based on the total weight of the composition.
21. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said wax comprises an amount of from between 0.01 to 1.0 percent based on the total weight of the composition.
22. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said wax has a cationic charge whereby the wax provides a surface-active substance in which the active constituent is the positive ion.
23. The wax composition of claim 19, wherein said synthetic wax is selected from the group consisting essentially of a polyethylene wax, a polypropylene wax, a polyamide wax, and combinations thereof.
24. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said silicone oil comprises a blend of dimethyl polysiloxanes.
25. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said silicone oil is emulsified.
26. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said silicone oil contains a blend of dimethyl polysiloxanes containing amine groups increasing the bonding properties to a substrate surface either through ionic attraction or chemical reaction.
27. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said thickening agent comprises an alkyl quaternary ammonium montmorillonite.
28. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said thickening agent is present in an amount of from 1 to 3 percent by weight of the total composition.
29. The wax composition of claim 1, wherein said anhydrous aluminum silicate comprises a kaopolite treated anhydrous aluminum silicate.
30. The wax composition of claim 1, further comprising a biocide.
31. The wax composition of claim 30 wherein said biocide is present in an amount from 0.01 to 2.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
32. The wax composition of claim 1, further comprising a preservative.
33. The wax composition of claim 30 wherein said biocide is present in an amount up to 1 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
34. The wax composition of claim 1, further comprising a fragrance.
35. The wax composition of claim 34 wherein said fragrance is selected from the group consisting of vanilla, bubble gum, orange, and fruit.
36. The wax composition of claim 34 wherein said fragrance is present in an amount up to 2 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
37. A wax composition comprising:
a cationic microemulsion of carnauba wax containing 12-15 percent solids of said carnauba wax an amount 0.001 to 6.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a thickening agent comprising an alkyl quaternary ammonium montmorillonite in an amount from 0.1 to 4 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
an isoparaffinic solvent in an amount of from 1.0 to 5.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
an emulsifying agent in an amount of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a silicone oil;
an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent containing at least 90 percent by weight aliphatic hydrocarbons in an amount of from 25 to 45 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
an anhydrous aluminum silicate in an amount of from 1.0 to 5.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a polishing agent comprising an aluminum oxide having a mean particle diameter of less than 200 nm or less in an amount 1.0 to 3.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition; and
the remainder water.
38. A wax composition consisting essentially of:
a natural wax comprising a cationic microemulsion of carnauba wax containing 12-15 percent solids in an amount up to 1-40 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a thickening agent comprising an alkyl quaternary ammonium montmorillonite in an amount from 0.1 to 4 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a isoparaffinic solvent in an amount of from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
an emulsifying agent in an amount of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a synthetic wax comprising at least one silicone oil in an amount up from 5 to 20 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent containing at least 90 percent by weight aliphatic hydrocarbons in an amount of from 25 to 45 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a silicate comprising an anhydrous aluminum silicate in an amount of from 1 to 5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition;
a polishing agent comprising an aluminum oxide having a mean particle diameter of less than 200 nm in an amount 0.001 to 8.0 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition; and
the remainder water.

1. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper configured to surround and retain a wearing foot of a wearer when the article is worn;
a lateral counter located, when the article is worn, in a position corresponding to a lateral side of a heel of the wearing foot, the lateral counter being stiffer than at least some portions of the upper but yieldable in response to medial and lateral tilting of the wearing foot;
a medial counter located, when the article is worn, in a position corresponding to a medial side of the heel of the wearing foot, the medial counter being stiffer than at least some portions of the upper but yieldable in response to medial tilting of the wearing foot, the medial counter having a height less than a height of the lateral counter when the article is worn and the wearer is standing straight; and
a rear strap extending across a substantial portion of the lateral counter and securable, when the article is worn, in a wrapped position extending upward and around an Achilles tendon of the wearing foot and over a medial side region at least as high as an ankle of the wearing foot.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein at least portions of the rear strap are movable relative to the upper.
3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein at least portions of the rear strap are movable relative to the lateral counter.
4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein at least portions of the rear strap are movable relative to the upper.
5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein a free end of the rear strap is securable at a location at least as high as the ankle of the wearing foot when the article is worn.
6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the rear strap is generally non-stretchable under loads imposable as a result of wearer activity when the article is worn.
7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the medial and lateral counters are respectively located on medial and lateral edges of a heel cup and separated by a rear edge of the heel cup, wherein the rear edge has a height less than the heights of the lateral and medial counters when the article is worn and the wearer is standing straight.
8. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a forward strap securable, when the article is worn, in a position covering a portion of a forefoot of the wearing foot.
9. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a support plate located in a position under the wearing foot when the article is worn.
10. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the support plate includes at least one upward extension located on a lateral side of the article.
11. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a compressible midsole located at least partially inside the upper and having a raised lateral edge.
12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the midsole includes a pocket formed in an underside of the midsole, and further comprising at least one fluid-filled cushioning pad located in the pocket.
13. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising an outsole having straight tread patterns in heel regions, in a region located near a lateral outside edge and approximately under a distal end of a fifth metatarsal of the wearing foot when the article is worn, and in a region located near a medial outside edge and approximately under a distal end of a first metatarsal of the wearing foot when the article is worn.
14. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the upper includes a plurality of lacing eyelet pairs, each of the pairs including an eyelet on opposing sides of a tongue opening and forming a line approximately parallel to a line extending from a position that would be occupied by a proximal end of a first metatarsal of the wearing foot when the article is worn and a position that would be occupied by a fifth proximal phalange of the wearing foot when the article is worn.
15. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein at least portions of the rear strap are movable relative to the lateral counter and at least portions of the rear strap are movable relative to the upper,
a free end of the rear strap is securable at a location at least as high as the ankle of the wearing foot when the article is worn,
the rear strap is generally non-stretchable under loads imposable as a result of wearer activity when the article is worn,
the medial and lateral counters are respectively located on medial and lateral edges of a heel cup and separated by a rear edge of the heel cup, and
the heel cup rear edge has a height less than the heights of the lateral and medial counters when the article is worn and the wearer is standing straight.
16. The article of footwear of claim 15, further comprising:
a forward strap securable, when the article is worn, in a position covering a portion of a forefoot of the wearing foot;
a support plate located in a position under the wearing foot when the article is worn;
a compressible midsole located at least partially inside the upper and having a raised lateral edge; and
at least one fluid-filled cushioning pad, and wherein
the midsole includes a pocket formed in an underside of the midsole,
the at least one fluid-filled cushioning pad is located in the pocket, and
the support plate includes at least one upward extension located on a lateral side of the article.
17. An article of footwear configured for wear on a wearing foot of a wearer, comprising:
a counter located in a position corresponding, when the article is worn, to one of a lateral side of a heel of the wearing foot and a medial side of the heel of the wearing foot; and
a rear strap have a terminal end and a free end, wherein
the terminal end is fixed in a location of the article located under the heel of the wearing foot when the article is worn,
the rear strap extends across the counter and is movable relative to the counter,
the rear strap is securable in a wrapped position when the article is worn, the wrapped position extending upward and around an Achilles tendon of the wearing foot with the free end secured,
tilting of the ankle of the wearing foot toward the other of the lateral and medial sides, when the article is worn and the rear strap is in the wrapped position, pulls on the rear strap.
18. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the counter is a lateral counter located in a position corresponding to the lateral side of the heel of the wearing foot when the article is worn, and further comprising an upper configured to surround and retain a wearing foot when the article is worn, wherein at least portions of the rear strap are movable relative to the upper.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, further comprising a medial counter located in a position corresponding to the medial side of the heel of the wearing foot when the article is worn, the medial counter having a height less than a height of the lateral counter when the article is worn and the wearer is standing straight.
20. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein the rear strap is generally non-stretchable under loads imposable as a result of wearer activity when the article is worn.
21. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein the medial and lateral counters are respectively located on medial and lateral edges of a heel cup and separated by a rear edge of the heel cup, wherein the rear edge has a height less than the heights of the lateral and medial counters when the article is worn and the wearer is standing straight.
22. The article of footwear of claim 19, further comprising a forward strap securable, when the article is worn, in a position covering a portion of a forefoot of the wearing foot.
23. The article of footwear of claim 19, further comprising a support plate located in a position under the wearing foot when the article is worn, the support plate including at least one upward extension located on a lateral side of the article.
24. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein the upper includes a plurality of lacing eyelet pairs, each of the pairs including an eyelet on opposing sides of a tongue opening in the upper and forming a line approximately parallel to a directional line extending from a position that would be occupied by a proximal end of a first metatarsal of the wearing foot when the article is worn and a position that would be occupied by a fifth proximal phalange of the wearing foot when the article is worn.
25. The article of footwear of claim 24, further comprising a forward strap securable, when the article is worn, in an orientation approximately parallel to the directional line and in a position covering a portion of a forefoot of the wearing foot.
26. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the wrapped position extends upward and around a rear of the wearing foot, across the Achilles tendon of the wearing foot, and over a region at least as high as the ankle of the wearing foot on a side of the wearing foot opposite from the counter.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch, including:
a step of damping generation, which is employed to eliminate the vibration of the optical switch when the optical switch is performing a phase conversion.
2. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical switch comprises a cantilever, a flexible coupler, and a joint, in which the joint is used to connect the cantilever and the flexible coupler, and to achieve the phase conversion by means of the cantilever.
3. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cantilever is composed of a cantilever sheet and an arm.
4. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible coupler is a metal sheet.
5. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible coupler is a plastic sheet.
6. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of damping generation is to apply a damping material on the flexible coupler.
7. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 6, wherein the damping material comprises either one of the following: silica gel, gel or grease.
8. A method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch, wherein the optical switch comprises a cantilever, a flexible coupler, and a joint, in which the joint is used to connect the cantilever and the flexible coupler, and to achieve the phase conversion by means of the cantilever; besides, the method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch comprises a step of damping generation that is used to eliminate the vibration of the cantilever when the optical switch is performing a phase conversion.
9. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cantilever is composed of a cantilever sheet and an arm.
10. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible coupler is a metal sheet.
11. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible coupler is a plastic sheet.
12. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of damping generation is to apply a damping material on the flexible coupler.
13. The method for eliminating the noise of an optical switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein the damping material comprises either one of the following: silica gel, gel or grease.