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Microprocessor control of magnetorheological liquid in footwear with bladders and internal flexibility sipes

  • US 9,271,538 B2
  • Filed: 04/03/2014
  • Issued: 03/01/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sole, sole insert, or sole component for footwear, comprising:

  • at least one outer bladder;

    at least one inner bladder located inside the outer bladder; and

    said outer bladder and said at least one said inner bladder being separated at least in part by at least one internal sipe; and

    wherein the at least one internal sipe is formed by at least a portion of an inner surface of said outer bladder and at least a portion of an outer surface of said inner bladder; and

    the inner and outer surface portions forming the at least one sipe, oppose each other, and are configured to move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and

    the at least one internal sipe includes a lubricating media with at least a magnetorheological liquid for use to increase or decrease the sliding resistance between the opposing sipe surfaces by changing an alignment of metal particles of the magnetorheological fluid to alter a flow resistant structure in order to control the sliding motion between the opposing surfaces of the at least one internal sipe; and

    at least one electronic control system including a microprocessor controls a flow resistance of at least a part of the magnetorheological liquid by controlling the alignment of the metal particles in the magnetorheological fluid to alter a flow resistant structure in the at least one internal sipe.

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