DEVICES WITH INTERNAL FLEXIBILITY SIPES, INCLUDING SIPED CHAMBERS FOR FOOTWEAR

• US 20090199429A1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis
• Original Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, Frampton E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,205,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/29
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/142 situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1425 situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1435 situated under the joint between the fifth phalange and the fifth metatarsal bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/24 Insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side , preventing supination or pronation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

The present invention attempts to replicate in footwear, orthotics, and other products the naturally effective anatomical structures like a bare foot that provide superior flexibility, cushioning, and stable support compared to existing products. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for such products including a unitary internal sipe component, said internal sipe providing increased flexibility for said device. Even more specifically, the invention relates to footwear, orthotic or other products with an outer chamber and at least one inner chamber inside the outer chamber; the outer chamber and the inner chamber being separated at least in part by an internal sips; and the internal sipe providing increased flexibility, cushioning, and stability.

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A footwear or orthotic device, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forms said surface of said internal sipe.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein said outer chamber, compartment or bladder at least partially or mostly or entirely encloses a space within said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said inner chamber, compartment or bladder located inside said enclosed space of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of said surfaces of said sipe are separated by a media when unloaded.

12. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder is attached to an adjoining portion of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder.

13. The device according to claim 7, comprising at least two internal chambers, compartments or bladders.

14. The device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder comprises at least one internal structure.

15. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one said chamber, compartment or bladder comprises at least one media selected from a group of a gas, a liquid, a fluid, a gel, a foamed plastic and a foamed rubber.

16. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one said chamber, compartment or bladder includes a combination of at least two media selected from a group of a gas, a liquid, a fluid, a gel, a foamed plastic and a foamed rubber.

17. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of said chamber, compartment or bladder media or said sipe media comprises a magnetorheological fluid.

18. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one chamber, compartment or bladder comprises fiber.

19. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one said inner chamber, compartment or bladder comprises a structural element made of one selected from a group of a foamed plastic and a material the same as that of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder.

20. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one said inner chamber, compartment or bladder is located in an instep area of the shoe sole between the heel area and the forefoot area;

and comprises a flexible shank.

21. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer chamber, compartment or bladder is the outer surface of at least one selected from a group of the footwear sole, the footwear upper, the orthotic, the orthotic upper, and the other product.

22. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one said inner chamber, compartment or bladder comprises at least one component selected from a group of mechanical, electromechanical, electronic, and microprocessor components.

23. The device according to claim 7, wherein an outer surface of at least one said inner chamber, compartment or bladder is formed from a foamed plastic.

24. The device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder has a thickness measured about vertically or horizontally that is nearly the same but less than said outer chamber, compartment or bladder.

25. The device according to claim 7, wherein said footwear sole or orthotic has a thickness profile which is selected from a group of greater thickness in the heel area than in the forefoot area, and greater thickness in the forefoot area than in the heel area.

26. A footwear sole or footwear upper or both, or an orthotic or orthotic upper or both comprising an outer sole, a midsole and the device of claim 7.

27. A footwear sole or footwear upper or both, or an orthotic or orthotic upper or both as claimed in claim 26, wherein said device of claim 7 is attached to said midsole, said outer sole, or both said midsole and said outer sole.

28. The device according to claim 7, wherein said sipe is a slit.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein said opposing surfaces of said slit are in contact with each other when said device is in an unloaded condition.

30. The device according to claim 7, wherein the opposing surfaces of said sipe are substantially parallel to one another when said device is in an unloaded condition.

31. The device according to claim 7, wherein the opposing surfaces of said sipe are in direct contact with each other when said device is in an unloaded condition.

32. The device according to claim 17, wherein

the footwear sole or orthotic includes a lateral sidemost section located outside a straight vertical line extending through the footwear sole or orthotic at a lateral sidemost extent of the inner surface of the footwear sole or orthotic, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear sole or orthotic is upright and in an unloaded condition;

the footwear sole or orthotic having a medial sidemost section located outside a straight vertical line extending through the footwear sole or orthotic at a medial sidemost extent of the inner surface of the footwear sole or orthotic, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear sole or orthotic is upright and in an unloaded condition; and

said outer compartment or chamber or bladder extends at least from said lateral sidemost section of said footwear sole or orthotic to said medial sidemost section of said footwear sole or orthotic, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear sole or orthotic is upright and in an unloaded condition.

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein said outer compartment or chamber or bladder extends into said lateral or medial sidemost section of said footwear sole or orthotic to a height above a lowest point of said inner surface of said footwear sole or orthotic, as viewed in said frontal plane cross-section when the footwear sole or orthotic is upright and in an unloaded condition.

34. The device according to claim 7, wherein

an inner surface of one of a medial or lateral side of the footwear sole or orthotic comprises a convexly rounded portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section during an unloaded, upright condition of the footwear sole or orthotic, the convexly rounded portion of the inner surface existing with respect to a section of the footwear sole or orthotic directly adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the inner surface of the footwear sole or orthotic;

and

an outer surface of one of the medial and lateral sides of the footwear sole or orthotic comprises a concavely rounded portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section during an unloaded, upright condition of the footwear sole or orthotic, the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface existing with respect to a section of the footwear sole or orthotic directly adjacent to the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of the footwear sole or orthotic.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein a rounded portion of at least one of said lateral or medial sides located between a convexly rounded portion of the inner surface of the footwear sole or orthotic and a concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of the footwear sole or orthotic, is uniformly thick between said inner and outer surfaces, said rounded portion having a uniform thickness extending from a ground-contacting portion of said outer surface to a sidemost extent of said outer surface, as viewed in said frontal plane cross-section during an unloaded, upright condition of the footwear sole or orthotic.

36. The device according to claim 7, wherein said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder are completely separated by said internal sipe.

37. The device according to claim 7, wherein said footwear sole or orthotic has a uniform radial thickness between a lateral extent of each side, when measured in a frontal plane cross-section in an upright, unloaded condition, exclusive of insole or sockliner and upper.

38. The device according to claim 7, wherein a midsole portion of said footwear sole or orthotic is removable or insertable.

39. The device according to claim 7, wherein the footwear sole or orthotic includes a computer.

40. The device according to claim 7, wherein said footwear sole or orthotic has a thickness profile which is thickness that is about equal in both the forefoot and heel areas.

41. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder, and said outer chamber, compartment or bladder has one or more openings therein.

10. (canceled)

42. A footwear or orthotic device, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other, and

at least a portion of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder is attached to an adjoining portion of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder at a location inside a sidemost extent of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder.

43. A device as claimed in claim 42, wherein the opposing surfaces of the sipe move in a sliding motion relative to one another in a loaded condition.

44. An item of protective equipment, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of the item of protective equipment;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

45. The item of protective equipment of claim 44, wherein the protective equipment includes armor or athletic equipment.

46. The item of protective equipment of claim 44, wherein the guard includes a guard for at least one of a mouth, neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee, elbow, shin, forearm, thigh, biceps, groin, hand, or foot.

47. The item of protective equipment of claim 44, wherein the brace includes a brace for at least one of a back, ankle, or leg.

48. An internal device for a human or animal body, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of the internal device;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

49. The device of claim 48, wherein the internal device is a spinal disk.

50. The device of claim 48, wherein the internal device is a breast implant.

51. A prosthetic device for a human or animal body, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of the prosthetic device;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

52. A ball, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of the ball;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

53. A tire for a wheel, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming a portion of the tire;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

54. A structural or support element comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming a portion of the structural or support element;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

55. The structural or support element of claim 54, wherein the structural or support element forms a component of one of a mechanical, electromechanical, or architectural device.

56. The structural or support element of claim 54, wherein the structural or support element is a beam, strut, or flooring.

57. A device for an automobile, bus, or airplane, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of the device;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

58. The device of claim 57, comprising a crash protection device including at least one of an air bag, dashboard, and a seat back.

59. An electronic device, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming a portion of the electronic device;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

60. The device of claim 59, comprising at least one of a personal computer, video player, video game, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal digital music player, or hard-drive.

61. The device of claim 60, wherein the outer chamber, compartment or bladder is located in a protective padding or a casing of the device.

62. A sports racket or club, tool, or gun, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming a portion of the sports racket or club, tool or gun;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

63. The device of claim 62, wherein the outer chamber, compartment or bladder is located in a handle, grip, shaft, body or head.

64. A furniture cushioning component, comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of the furniture cushioning compartment;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

65. The furniture cushioning component of claim 64, comprising a cushioning component for a bed.

66. An optical device comprising:

an outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming a portion of the optical device;

at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;

said outer chamber compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe;

at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder forming at least a portion of a surface of said internal sipe; and

wherein said internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and can move relative to each other; and

at least a portion of said movable opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.