Clothing and apparel with internal flexibility sipes and at least one attachment between surfaces defining a sipe

• US 8,925,117 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2013
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis
• Original Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, Frampton E.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLLINS, ANDREW WARREN
• Application Number:
  US13/771,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20130157003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 241/1, 241/3, 2 9/4, 2 9/7, 226/7, 226/8
• US Class Current: 2/267
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/12 Cushioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/121 with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/125 with a padded structure, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/04 Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/186 Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• 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 23/027 with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0285 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel or water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/029 Pneumatic upper, e.g. gas filled
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1425 situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1435 situated under the joint between the fifth phalange and the fifth metatarsal bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1445 situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/32 with shock-absorbing means resilient soles A43B13/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 : characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 : characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/00 : Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 ; belt tensioners F16H7/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24331 : including nonapertured component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24562 : Interlaminar spaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2933 : Coated or with bond, impregnation or core

Abstract

Devices with one or more internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, to provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability. The device includes at least a first bladder, chamber or compartment. An internal sipe is defined by at least a portion of two opposing internal surfaces that can move relative to each other in a sliding sideways motion, one of which surfaces is a surface of the first bladder, chamber or compartment. The device includes at least one attachment between the portions of said first and second surfaces defining at least one internal sipe, and at least one attachment is located at a central portion of the first bladder, chamber, or compartment. Siped devices can be used in apparel or clothing.

Claims

1. A device with one or more internal flexibility sipes and located within apparel or clothing, said device comprising:

at least a first bladder, chamber or compartment;

at least a second bladder, chamber, or compartment located within said first bladder, chamber or compartment;

at least a first surface;

at least a second surface; and

at least one internal sipe;

wherein said internal sipe is defined by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface;

said internal surface portions of said first and second surfaces defining said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and

at least one attachment between said portions of said first and second surfaces defining said at least one internal sipe, at least one said attachment being located at a central portion of said first bladder, chamber, or compartment;

wherein said internal surface portion of said first surface forms at least a portion of an inner surface of at least said first bladder, chamber, or compartment and said internal surface portion of said second surface forms an outer surface of said second bladder, chamber, or compartment; and

wherein said device is located within apparel or clothing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said internal sipe separates all of said first and said second surfaces that are internal.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said internal sipe includes a media.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said media is a lubricant.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said opposing surfaces defining said internal sipe are in contact with each other.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said internal sipe is a slit.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second internal surface portions are substantially parallel.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a third surface and a fourth surface and at least a second internal sipe;

wherein said second internal sipe is defined by at least an internal portion of said third surface and at least an internal portion of said fourth surface; and

the internal surface portions of said third and fourth surfaces defining said second internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second bladder, chamber, or compartment has at least one opening.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first bladder, chamber, or compartment has at least one opening.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second bladder, chamber, or compartment includes a structural element.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second bladder, chamber, or compartment is formed by one or more structural elements of a foamed material.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises at least a part of an electronic and/or electromechanical device.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first bladder, chamber, or compartment is a bladder.

12. A device configured for apparel or clothing with one or more internal flexibility sipes, said device comprising:

at least a first bladder, chamber or compartment;

at least a second bladder, chamber, or compartment located within said first bladder, chamber or compartment;

at least a first surface;

at least a second surface;

at least one internal sipe;

wherein said internal sipe is defined by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface;

said internal surface portions of said first and second surfaces defining said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and

wherein said internal surface portion of said first surface forms at least a portion of an inner surface of at least said first bladder, chamber, or compartment and said internal surface portion of said second surface forms an outer surface of said second bladder, chamber, or compartment; and

at least one attachment between said portions of said first and second surfaces defining said at least one internal sipe, at least one said attachment being located at a central portion of said first bladder, chamber, or compartment.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said device is located within athletic, occupational or medical apparel.

15. The device according to claim 12 wherein said at least one second bladder, chamber, or compartment is formed by one or more structural elements of a foamed material.

19. The device according to claim 12, wherein said device comprises at least a part of an electronic and/or electromechanical device.

21. The device according to claim 12, wherein said first bladder, chamber, or compartment is a bladder.

14. Apparel or clothing with one or more internal flexibility sipes comprising:

at least a first bladder, chamber or compartment;

at least a second bladder, chamber, or compartment located within said first bladder, chamber or compartment;

at least a first surface;

at least a second surface;

at least one internal sipe;

wherein said internal sipe is defined by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface;

said internal surface portions of said first and second surfaces defining said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and

wherein said internal surface portion of said first surface forms at least a portion of an inner surface of at least said first bladder, chamber, or compartment and said internal surface portion of said second surface forms an outer surface of said second bladder, chamber, or compartment; and

at least one attachment between said portions of said first and second surfaces defining said at least one internal sipe, at least one said attachment being located at a central portion of said first bladder, chamber, or compartment.

18. The device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one second bladder, chamber, or compartment is formed by one or more structural elements of a foamed material.

22. The device according to claim 14, wherein said first bladder, chamber, or compartment is a bladder.