Fluid-filled bladder with a reinforcing structure

• US 7,556,846 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Foxen, Thomas, Dojan, Frederick J., Swigart, John F., Schindler, Eric Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Miggins; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US10/767,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20050132609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,987 Days
• Field of Search: 428/35.2, 428/35.4, 428/35.5, 428/35.7, 428/36.6, 36/3, 36/3.B, 361/41, 36/29, 36/28
• US Class Current: 428/35.4
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/20 Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/28 Pneumatic heels filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 35/122 Soles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1043 Subsequent to assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1341 Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1379 Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit

Abstract

A fluid-filled bladder with a reinforcing structure and a method of manufacturing the bladder and reinforcing structure are disclosed. In general, the reinforcing structure extends around the bladder, and the reinforcing structure is bonded to an exterior of the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure is recessed into the bladder and extends along side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.

Claims

1. A component comprising:

a bladder formed of a barrier material, the bladder enclosing a fluid that exerts an outward force upon the barrier material, the bladder including a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface, and the bladder having a plurality of interior bonds that join the first surface with the second surface, the interior bonds being spaced inward from the sidewall; and

a reinforcing structure at least partially recessed into the barrier material and bonded to the barrier material, at least a portion of the reinforcing structure being placed in tension by the outward force upon the barrier material.

2. The component recited in claim 1, wherein a material forming the reinforcing structure has a greater modulus of elasticity than a material forming the bladder.

3. The component recited in claim 1, wherein the bladder includes a first chamber and a separate second chamber with different pressures.

4. The component recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure is formed of at least two different materials.

5. The component recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure has a first portion, a second portion, and a plurality of connecting portions extending between the first portion and the second portion.

6. The component recited in claim 5, wherein the first portion is secured to the bladder at an interface between the first surface and the sidewall, and the second portion is secured to the bladder at an interface between the second surface and the sidewall.

7. The component recited in claim 5, wherein the connecting portions are at least partially recessed into the sidewall and bonded to the sidewall.