Shock-absorbing cushion

• US 6,161,240 A
• Filed: 07/15/1997
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ing-Jing Huang
• Original Assignee: Ing-Jing Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Ing-Jing
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/892,942
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 36/3 B, 36/43, 36/44, 36/153, 36/147, 5/655.3, 5/706, 5/710, 5/711, 5/712, 5/707, 5/730, 5/654
• US Class Current: 5/710
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0009 made at least partially of alveolar or honeycomb material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0045 made at least partially of deodorant means
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0072 made at least partially of transparent or translucent 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 13/40 with cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/026 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/035 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/102 Moisture absorbing socks; Moisture dissipating socks
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/26 Tongues for shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/146 provided with acupressure points or means for foot massage
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/34 with protection against heat or cold
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/049 multi-chamber units F16F9/0472, F16F9/05 take precedence

Abstract

Shock absorbing cushion structures are disclosed which are formed by upper and lower sheets peripherally sealed and formed to define a series of intercommunicating air chambers therebetween. In particular there is disclosed a shock absorbing shoe insole of this kind in which a flowable substance such as a medicinal or deodorant power is contained in the air chambers. The upper sheet is provided with an array of pinholes through which the flowable substance is released into a shoe by the application of pressure to the insole during walking. Also disclosed is a technique for making insoles in a range of sizes from a single molding.

Claims

1. A shock absorbing cushion comprising:

a cushion having two superimposed synthetic plastic sheets having surfaces being peripherally continuous at their edges and defining an interior space filled with a fluid;

a first group of recesses formed in one of said sheets, each recess being defined by walls extending from the one said sheet in an inward direction towards the other of said sheets and extending to and being sealed with the other of said sheets at the surface of said other sheet so that said other sheet surface is substantially smooth and said one sheet surface has recesses in its surface;

the walls of the recesses of said first group subdividing the interior space into separate compartments and said walls including portions which are spaced from said other sheet to provide fluid passages between the compartments; and

a second group of recesses located within the compartments defined by the first group of recesses, the second group of recesses also being defined by walls and the walls of the second group providing further support function for the shock absorbing cushion.

2. The shock absorbing cushion as claimed in claim 1 having a curvilinear continuously smooth outer surface and formed as a leg or shin guard.

3. The shock absorbing cushion as claimed in claim 1 having a curvilinear continuously smooth outer surface and formed as a knee pad.

5. The shock absorbing cushion means as claimed in claim 1 having a curvilinear continuously smooth outer surface and formed as a racket grip.

6. The shock absorbing cushion means as claimed in claim 1 having a curvilinear continuously smooth outer surface and formed as a head cushion for a protective helmet.

7. The shock absorbing cushion means as claimed in claim 1 having a curvilinear continuously smooth outer surface and formed as a handle for a tool.

8. The shock absorbing cushion means as claimed in claim 1 having a curvilinear continuously smooth outer surface and formed as a seat cushion.

9. The shock absorbing cushion means as claimed in claim 1 formed as a packing material.

10. The shock absorbing cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first group of recesses are in the form of grooves traversing the shock absorbing cushion so as to form it into separate compartments.

11. The shock absorbing cushion as claimed in claim 10 wherein said second group of recesses are cylindrical in cross-section.

12. The shock absorbing cushion as claimed in claim 11 wherein there are holes in said other sheet surface located so as to communicate with said second group of recesses.

4. The shock absorbing cushion means as claimed 1 having a curvilinear continuously smooth outer surface and formed as a shoulder pad.