Shoe having an inflatable bladder
First Claim
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
- a sole,an upper attached to said sole;
an inflation mechanism located generally in a heel area of said sole; and
a plurality of tubes fluidly connected to said inflation mechanism, wherein said plurality of tubes, when inflated, close around said upper to tighten said upper around a foot inserted into said article of footwear.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.
354 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An article of footwear, comprising:
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a sole, an upper attached to said sole; an inflation mechanism located generally in a heel area of said sole; and a plurality of tubes fluidly connected to said inflation mechanism, wherein said plurality of tubes, when inflated, close around said upper to tighten said upper around a foot inserted into said article of footwear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An article of footwear comprising:
an inflation mechanism fluidly connected to a plurality of inflatable fluid conduits, wherein said inflation mechanism is disposed in a location which allows operation of said inflation mechanism by downward pressure of a user'"'"'s foot, wherein said inflation mechanism further comprises; an inflation chamber, a fluid channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, wherein said inflation chamber and said fluid channel are monolithic, and a one-way valve disposed between said inflation chamber and said inlet of said fluid channel, wherein said plurality of fluid conduits are fluidly connected to said plurality of outlets. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An article of footwear comprising:
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a sole; an upper connected to said sole, wherein a portion of said upper is formed by an inflatable bladder; and an inflation mechanism, wherein said inflation mechanism is disposed in a location which allows operation of said inflation mechanism by downward pressure of a user'"'"'s foot; and a plurality of fluid conduits, wherein each of said plurality of fluid conduits has a first end directly connected to said inflation mechanism and a second end directly connected to said inflatable bladder. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification