Protective cage for footwear bladder
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An article of footwear comprising:
- a sole structure, an upper attached to the sole structure, a cushioning device located within the sole structure, the cushioning device defining a first surface and a second surface, and a cage containing the cushioning device, the cage defining a base and at least one fin extending outwardly from the base, wherein the base defines a periphery, and includes a reinforcing rim extending around the periphery of the base, the at least one fin located adjacent to the cushioning device and extending from the first surface to the second surface of the cushioning device, wherein the fin defines a gusset connected to the reinforcing rim, a living hinge and a bonding tab, the living hinge connects the bonding tab to the gusset, whereby the at least one fin provides support to the cushioning device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protective cage for footwear bladders is disclosed. The protective cage includes a cage base and a plurality of support members that extend outwardly from the cage base. The support members extend across the side wall of the bladder to protect the device from abrasion and to prevent fatigue. The use of the support members, which selectively bend and buckle under loaded conditions, control the amount of perimeter deflection of the bladder, while allowing for complete deflection at the center of the bladder.
268 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An article of footwear comprising:
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a sole structure, an upper attached to the sole structure, a cushioning device located within the sole structure, the cushioning device defining a first surface and a second surface, and a cage containing the cushioning device, the cage defining a base and at least one fin extending outwardly from the base, wherein the base defines a periphery, and includes a reinforcing rim extending around the periphery of the base, the at least one fin located adjacent to the cushioning device and extending from the first surface to the second surface of the cushioning device, wherein the fin defines a gusset connected to the reinforcing rim, a living hinge and a bonding tab, the living hinge connects the bonding tab to the gusset, whereby the at least one fin provides support to the cushioning device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An article of footwear comprising:
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an outsole, a midsole attached to the outsole, an upper attached to the midsole, a cushioning device defining a first surface, a second surface and a side wall, the cushioning device being located in the midsole, and a cage containing the cushioning device, the cage defining a plurality of fins attached to a fin-support member positioned on either of the first or second surfaces of the cushioning device, wherein the fin-support member defines a periphery and includes a reinforcing rim extending around the periphery of the fin-support member, the plurality of fins extending between the first and second surfaces of the cushioning device and along the side wall of the cushioning device, the plurality of fins being unattached to the side wall of the cushioning device, wherein each of the plurality of fins defines a gusset connected to the reinforcing rim, a living hinge and a bonding tab, the living hinge connects the bonding tab to the gusset, whereby the cage provides structural support for the cushioning device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. The article of footwear of wherein the cushioning device is a bladder.
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16. An article of footwear comprising:
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an outsole, a midsole attached to the outsole, an upper attached to the midsole, a bladder located between the outsole and the upper, the bladder having a first surface, a second surface, and a side wall, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs attached to a base, the plurality of ribs containing the cushioning device, each of the plurality of ribs extending from the first surface to the second surface of the bladder and along the side wall, the plurality of ribs are attached to only the first or second surface of the bladder, wherein each of the plurality of ribs define a gusset connected to the base, a living hinge and a bonding tab, the living hinge connects the bonding tab to the gusset, whereby the plurality of ribs provide support to the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification