Multi-celled cushion and method of its manufacture

• US 5,916,664 A
• Filed: 06/24/1996
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Bogart
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Bogart
• Inventors: Rudy, Marion Franklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Glass, Margaret W.
• Application Number:
  US08/669,585
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 428/178, 428/304.4, 36/29, 36/35 B, 36/153, D02/980, 5/652, 5/654, 5/655.5, 2/425, 2/161.1, 473/523, 473/549, 297/199
• US Class Current: 428/178
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 11/006 Hosiery with pockets
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/28 Shock absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/121 with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/206 provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/026 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/03 filled with a gas, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/28 Pneumatic heels filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 35/142 Soles
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/0472 characterised by comprising a damping device with plastic deformation of members F16F7/12; delay devices or arrangements F15B21/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/234 including elements cooperating to form cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24661 Forming, or cooperating to form cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]

Abstract

A method for inflating cushioning devices which comprise at least first and second distinct chambers having an interconnecting passage providing fluid communication between the chambers. The method comprises either: (1) limiting the volume of at least one of the chambers, filling the chambers with a fluid at a single inflation pressure from a single inflation point and sealing the interconnecting passage, or (2) filling the chambers with a fluid at a single inflation pressure from a single inflation point compressing at least one of the distinct chambers, and sealing the interconnecting passage. The method is particularly suited to manufacture of a footwear cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having a plurality of sealed non-communicating cells having a single inflation point. At least two cells sharing a single sealed inflation passage are at different pressures.

Claims

1. A cushioning device comprised of a body of elastomeric material having a group of fluid filled sealed non-communicating cells, said group of cells having only one inlet port to an external atmosphere, said group of cells having been filled with a fluid at a single pressure, wherein at least two of said cells are at different pressures in an at rest state, and wherein a passage extends between said at least two cells at different pressures, said passage having been sealed at a point between said two cells to maintain the different pressures.

2. The cushion of claim 1 positioned in an article of footwear under a heel of a foot.

3. The cushion of claim 2 wherein said cushion is comprised of cells under a calcaneus of said heel having a lower pressure than cells defining the periphery of the cushion.

4. The cushion of claim 1 wherein at least three sealed non-communicating cells share a common sealed inflation passage and are at three different pressures.

5. The cushion of claim 1 positioned in an article of footwear beneath a longitudinal arch of a foot.

6. The cushion of claim 1 wherein at least one cell is sealed and at about 0 psi.

7. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cushion is comprised of cells of different sizes.

8. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cushion is comprised of cells having a variety of shapes.

9. The cushion of claim 1 comprised of at least one additional cell filled by a second inflation point.

10. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester elastomer, fluoroelastomer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, neoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, butadiene styrene rubber, ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubber, silicone rubber, polyethylene, synthetic rubber, sulfide rubber, nitrile rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

11. The cushion of claim 1 further comprised of at least two fluid communicating cells.

12. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are spherical.

13. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are at least partially encapsulated in an elastomeric foam.

14. The cushion of claim 1 further comprised of a second group of fluid filled cells filled by a second inflation point.

15. The cushion of claim 10 wherein said elastomeric material is further comprised of a partial or fully crystalline gas barrier material.

16. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are inflated with air, oxygen, nitrogen, or a gas selected from the group consisting of hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluorides, perfluoropropanes, perfluorobutanes, perfluoropentanes, perfluorohexanes, perfluoroheptanes, octafluorocylcobutane, perfluorocyclobutanes, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane, 1,2-dichlorotetra-fluoroethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotrifluoromethane, and, monochlorotrifluoromethane.

17. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are inflated with a liquid.

18. The cushion of claim 17 wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, semi-gel liquids, oils, grease, soft wax, liquid wax, glycerol, soft soap, silicones, rheopexic fluids, thixotropic fluids, corn syrup, and mixtures thereof.

19. A shock absorbing cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having (N) fluid filled, non-communicating cells, a passage extending between said cells, said passage being sealed at a point between said cells, said cells having a single inflation point, and at least two cells having different pressures, wherein fewer than (N-1) sealed passages connect said cells.

20. The cushion of claim 19 wherein said sealed interconnecting passages number fewer than N-(1/2N+1)!.

21. The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into the handle of a tennis racquet.

22. The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into a helmet.

23. The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into gloves.

24. The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into the seat of a two-wheeled vehicle.

25. The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into the sole, mid-sole, out-sole, or sock liner of an article of footwear.

26. The cushion of claim 19 further comprised of a plurality of peripheral cells at a higher pressure than at least one internal cell.

27. The cushion of claim 19 further comprised of at least one sealed cell at 0 psi.

28. The cushion of claim 19 wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluorides, perfluoropropanes, perfluorobutanes, perfluoropentanes, perfluorohexanes, perfluoroheptanes, octafluorocylcobutane, perfluorocyclobutanes, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane, 1,2-dichlorotetra-fluoroethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotrifluoromethane, and, monochlorotrifluoromethane.

29. A cushioning device constructed by a process comprising the steps of:

(a) placing an elastomeric member between first and second cooperative die members;

(b) forming at least two distinct cells in said elastomeric member having a fluid communication passage;

(c) temporarily limiting the volume of at least one of said cells to a greater extent than said other cell;

(d) filling said cells with a single fluid pressure from a single injection point;

(e) sealing said passage while performing step (c) and after completion of step (d); and

(f) allowing said cells to return to a natural unconstrained volume.

30. The cushion of claim 29 wherein step (d) is initiated before step (c) is initiated.

31. A footwear cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having at least three fluid filled non-communicating cells,

at least one of the cells being at a different pressure than the other two cells,

a nozzle forming an inlet to a first of said three cells to allow introduction of a fluid,

a single passage interconnecting each of the three cells, the passage having been sealed after an initial introduction of fluid to the cells.