Devices With Internal Flexibility Sipes

• US 20130160322A1
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Published: 06/27/2013
• 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 9,107,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/28
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/12 Cushioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/121 with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/125 with a padded structure, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/04 Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/186 Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32
• 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 13/20 Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/027 with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0285 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel or water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/029 Pneumatic upper, e.g. gas filled
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• 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 7/1445 situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/32 with shock-absorbing means resilient soles A43B13/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 : characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 : characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/00 : Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 ; belt tensioners F16H7/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24331 : including nonapertured component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24562 : Interlaminar spaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2933 : Coated or with bond, impregnation or core

Abstract

Devices with one or more internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, to provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability. An internal sipe is formed by at least a portion of two opposing internal surfaces that can move relative to each other in a sliding sideways motion. Siped devices can be used in most existing products, including footwear; orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding and cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and other structural or support elements in mechanical, architectural, or other products.

Claims

1-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A device with one or more internal flexibility sipes and located within one of a helmet, a ball, a tire, a wheel, a breast implant, a structural or mechanical element, a golf club, an artificial spinal disk, apparel, a glove, a bandage, tape, a computer, a computer component, a semiconductor microchip, furniture, a cushion, a wire cable, a building, a house, an architectural or mechanical component including a beam or strut, a knee brace, a torso brace, a body brace other than a knee or torso brace, a transportation vehicle, a sports racquet, a wireless electronic controller, a wireless device other than an electronic controller, an unpowered tool, a powered tool, a bicycle, a cell phone, footwear and an orthotic, said device comprising:

at least a first surface;

at least a second surface; and

at least one internal sipe;

wherein said internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface; and

said first and second internal surface portions forming said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and

wherein said device is located within one of a helmet, a ball, a tire, a wheel, a breast implant, a structural or mechanical element, a golf club, an artificial spinal disk, apparel, a glove, a bandage, tape, a computer, a computer component, a semiconductor microchip, furniture, a cushion, a wire cable, a building, a house, an architectural or mechanical component including a beam or strut, a knee brace, a torso brace, a body brace other than a knee or torso brace, a transportation vehicle, a sports racquet, a wireless electronic controller, a wireless device other than an electronic controller, an unpowered tool, a powered tool, a bicycle, a cell phone, footwear and an orthotic.

48. The device according to claim 47, wherein said internal sipe separates all of said first and said second surfaces that are internal.

49. The device according to claim 48, wherein said internal sipe includes a media.

50. The device according to claim 49, wherein said media is a lubricant.

51. The device according to claim 47, wherein at least a portion of said opposing surfaces forming said internal sipe are in contact with each other.

52. The device according to claim 47, wherein said opposing surfaces forming said internal sipe are in contact with each other.

53. The device according to claim 47, wherein said internal sipe is a slit.

54. The device according to claim 47, wherein said first and second internal surface portions are substantially concentric.

55. The device according to claim 47, wherein said first and second internal surface portions are substantially parallel.

56. The device according to claim 47, wherein said first and second internal surface portions are substantially parallel, as viewed in a radial cross-section.

57. The device according to claim 47, further comprising a third surface and a fourth surface and at least a second internal sipe;

wherein said second internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said third surface and at least an internal portion of said fourth surface; and

the third and fourth internal surface portions forming said second internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion.

58. The device according to claim 47, wherein said first internal surface portion forms at least a portion of an inner surface of a first bladder, chamber, or compartment and said second internal surface portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of a second bladder, chamber, or compartment located within said first bladder, chamber, or compartment.

59. The device according to claim 47, wherein said first internal surface portion forms an inner surface of a first bladder, chamber, or compartment and said second internal surface portion forms an outer surface of a second bladder, chamber, or compartment located within said first bladder, chamber, or compartment.

60. The device according to claim 59, wherein said second bladder, chamber, or compartment has at least one opening.

61. The device according to claim 59, wherein said first bladder, chamber, or compartment has at least one opening.

62. The device according to claim 59, wherein said second bladder, chamber, or compartment includes a structural element.

63. The device according to claim 59, wherein said internal sipe further comprises an attachment between said first and second internal surface portions.

64. A device with one or more internal flexibility sipes, said device comprising:

at least a first surface;

at least a second surface; and

at least one internal sipe;

wherein said internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface; and

said first and second internal surface portions forming said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion.

65. The device according to claim 64, wherein said device is located within one of:

athletic, occupational or medical equipment;

athletic, occupational or medical apparel;

padding or cushioning;

flooring;

a tool or racquet handle or grip, shaft, or body;

an artificial intervertebral disk;

an electronic game controller;

a mattress;

a wheel;

a computer laptop;

a harddrive;

a microelectromechanical system (MEMS);

a field-programmable gate array (FPGA'"'"'s);

a faraday cage;

a photovoltaic cell;

a fuel cell;

a battery;

a human torso brace;

a building component including a foundation, wall, door, ceiling, window, floor or roof;

an automobile;

a bus;

a truck;

a motorcycle;

a boat;

a barge;

an airplane;

a helicopter;

a blimp;

a work vehicle;

an electric iron;

a face mask;

a neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee, elbow, shin, forearm, thigh, biceps, groin, hand or foot guard;

a pad or a protector;

an orthopedic back, leg or ankle brace;

a plastic surgery replacement and/or enhancement implant;

a prosthetic device;

a dental device like a mouth guard, an athletic teeth protector, a night guard, and braces;

a crutch, a cane, a walker;

a hammer;

a handlebar;

a gun or a rifle;

safety padding for automotive dashboards or seat backs, including for airplanes and buses;

crash safety inflatable air bags;

shipping packaging;

playground flooring;

luggage, protective cases for equipment including PC laptops, video players, games, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA'"'"'s), personal digital music players; and

automotive structural and body components and connections.

66. A helmet, a ball, a tire, a wheel, a breast implant, a structural or mechanical element, a golf club, an artificial spinal disk, apparel, a glove, a bandage, tape, a computer, a computer component, a semiconductor microchip, furniture, a cushion, a wire cable, a building, a house, an architectural or mechanical component including a beam or strut, a knee brace, a torso brace, a body brace other than a knee or torso brace, a transportation vehicle, a sports racquet, a wireless electronic controller, a wireless device other than an electronic controller, an unpowered tool, a powered tool, a bicycle, a cell phone, footwear and an orthotic, with one or more internal flexibility sipes comprising:

at least a first surface;

at least a second surface; and

at least one internal sipe;

wherein said internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface; and

said first and second internal surface portions forming said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion.