Helium footwear sole

• US 6,009,637 A
• Filed: 03/02/1998
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luigi Alessio Pavone
• Original Assignee: Luigi Alessio Pavone
• Inventors: Pavone, Luigi Alessio
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US09/033,277
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 36/29, 36/28, 36/3 R, 36/3 B
• US Class Current: 36/29
• 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 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve

Abstract

The Helium filled modules as described are simple and reliable. It includes an exterior surface, the body of the module itself, which will hold the helium. Within each module are partitions, with gaps in the walls. The purpose of the gaps is to equalize the pressure within the module, so that helium will be equally distributed within. The partitions will also provide structural support. The size of the modules which will occupy the sole of the shoe will vary according to shoe size. The modules will be placed throughout the sole, at the places where the instep, ball of the foot and heel will rest. The modules are designed to fit in the sole of the shoe. The sole of the shoe will be made of rubber. The rubber sole is inserted in a mold. The helium modules are placed on the rubber sole with adhesive to hold them in the desired place. Then, either polyurethane, phylan or EVA foam will be poured into the mold. Upon the foam hardening, the Helium modules will be held in place permanently.

Claims

1. A footwear sole comprising of:

a mid-sole of a helium modules core which is made of silicone material;

is transparent;

is comprised of several interconnected modules;

is covered on top by a terry cloth and neoprene inner sole or liner which are stitched together;

is supported and shaped on the bottom by a rubber bottom sole; and

permanently attached to the rubber bottom sole by a layer of rubber foam;

a plurality of hard support members with spaces between them are located between modules, said support members are held in shape and braced from the bottom by the rubber bottom sole, and said support members do not connect to a top of the helium module core.

2. Said footwear sole of claim 1, where:

said helium modules core mid-sole is comprised of several interconnected modules comprised of modules of varying sizes to accommodate the toes and the ball of the foot and instep modules where the modules at the instep are straight along a lateral side of the mid-sole to follow and accommodate the contour of the outside of the foot and curved along a medial side of the mid-sole to follow and accommodate the inside curve of the foot and instep; and

a heel module where the module at the heel is rounded in shape and all said modules are filled with helium.

3. Said footwear sole of claim 2 where, said mid-sole is comprised of a top cover and the helium modules core.

4. Said footwear sole of claim 3 further comprising,

a self-sealing valve in said helium modules core mid-sole to inflate said mid-sole with the helium.