Devices with internal flexibility sipes, including siped chambers for footwear
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
- an outer sole; and
a footwear or orthotic device, the device includingat least one outer chamber, compartment or bladder having an uppermost surface curved concavely relative to an intended wearer'"'"'s foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;
at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;
said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe; and
wherein said internal sipe is formed by an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and an outer surface of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder; and
the inner and outer surfaces forming the sipe oppose each other and therefore can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and
said at least one outer chamber, compartment or bladder including at least one media selected from a gas, a liquid and a gel located inside said at least one outer chamber, compartment or bladder, andsaid at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder being formed by at least two internal structures, wherein at least two of said internal structures are interconnected and each said internal structure includes a flexible, resilient midsole material selected from a foamed plastic and a blown rubber, andat least a part of each of two or more of said internal structures is proximate to both an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface of the outer chamber, compartment or bladder when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.
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Abstract
Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.
317 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
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an outer sole; and a footwear or orthotic device, the device including at least one outer chamber, compartment or bladder having an uppermost surface curved concavely relative to an intended wearer'"'"'s foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder; said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe; and wherein said internal sipe is formed by an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and an outer surface of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder; and
the inner and outer surfaces forming the sipe oppose each other and therefore can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; andsaid at least one outer chamber, compartment or bladder including at least one media selected from a gas, a liquid and a gel located inside said at least one outer chamber, compartment or bladder, and said at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder being formed by at least two internal structures, wherein at least two of said internal structures are interconnected and each said internal structure includes a flexible, resilient midsole material selected from a foamed plastic and a blown rubber, and at least a part of each of two or more of said internal structures is proximate to both an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface of the outer chamber, compartment or bladder when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 43)
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39. A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
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an outer sole; and a footwear or orthotic device, said device including an outer chamber, compartment or bladder having an uppermost surface curved concavely relative to an intended wearer'"'"'s foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder; said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe; and wherein said internal sipe is formed by an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and an outer surface of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder; and
the inner and outer surfaces forming the sipe oppose each other and therefore can move relative to each other in a sliding motion;at least a portion of said opposing surfaces forming the sipe being proximate in an unloaded condition; and ball bearings located inside said inner chamber, compartment or bladder and at least a part of at least one said ball bearing contacts both an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface of the inner chamber, compartment or bladder when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 44)
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45. A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
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an outer sole; and a footwear or orthotic device, including an outer chamber, compartment or bladder having an upper portion curved concavely relative to an intended wearer'"'"'s foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder; said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by an internal sipe; and wherein said internal sipe is formed by an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and an outer surface of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder; and
the inner and outer surfaces forming the sipe oppose each other and therefore can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; andat least one part of an inner surface of said concavely curved upper portion of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder being attached to an opposing portion of the outer surface of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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Specification