Shoe having an inflatable bladder

• US 20060112593A1
• Filed: 01/11/2006
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield, Paul M. Davis, William Marvin
• Original Assignee: Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield, Paul M. Davis, William Marvin
• Inventors: Marvin, William, Davis, Paul M., Swales, Geoff, Litchfield, Paul E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,735,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/29
• 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 13/20 Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/206 provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/029 Pneumatic upper, e.g. gas filled
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/06 ventilated
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/084 characterised by the location of the holes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/085 in the upper
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/00 Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes dress fastenings in general A44B
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/202 and with flexible valve member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/789 Central mount
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87394 Carried valve is direct response valve [e.g., check valve, etc.]

Abstract

An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and a bladder which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane attached together via welding. The bladder includes a medial compartment and a lateral compartment attached to each other under the foot of the wearer. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air to the chambers. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer.

Claims

1-51. -51. (canceled)

52. Am article of footwear, comprising:

a sole;

an upper, wherein at least a portion of said upper comprises an inflatable bladder;

an inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air into said bladder, wherein said inflation mechanism is disposed in a location which allows for operation by downward pressure of a wearer'"'"'s foot, wherein said inflatable bladder and said inflation mechanism are monolithic.

53. The article of footwear of claim 52, wherein said inflatable bladder comprises a first film and a second film.

54. The article of footwear of claim 52, wherein said inflatable bladder comprises at least one laminate material.

55. The article of footwear of claim 52, wherein said inflation mechanism is positioned above an upper surface of said sole.

56. The article of footwear of claim 55, wherein said article of footwear further comprises a sockliner positioned between said inflation mechanism and said wearer'"'"'s foot.

57. The article of footwear of claim 56, wherein said sockliner is removable.

58. The article of footwear of claim 55, wherein said inflation mechanism is disposed in a cavity formed in said upper surface of said sole.

59. The article of footwear of claim 55, wherein said sole further comprises a midsole, wherein said inflation mechanism is disposed within a cavity formed in an upper surface of said midsole.

60. The article of footwear of claim 55, wherein said sole further comprises an outsole, wherein said inflation mechanism is disposed within a cavity formed in an upper surface of said outsole.

61. The article of footwear of claim 52, wherein at least 50% of said upper comprises said inflatable bladder.

62. The article of footwear of claim 52, further including a one-way valve between said inflation mechanism and said inflatable bladder.

63. An article of footwear comprising:

a sole;

an upper;

an inflatable bladder; and

an inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air to said inflatable bladder, wherein said inflation mechanism is disposed in a location which allows operation by downward pressure of a user'"'"'s foot and wherein said inflatable bladder and said inflation mechanism are monolithic.

64. The article of footwear of claim 63, further comprising a release valve, wherein said release valve provides communication between said bladder and the ambient atmosphere when actuated by a user.

65. The article of footwear of claim 63, further comprising a check valve, wherein said check valve provides communication between said bladder and the ambient atmosphere when air within said inflatable bladder has a pressure that is greater than a predetermined pressure.

66. The article of footwear of claim 63, further comprising a combination check valve and release valve.

67. The article of footwear of claim 63, wherein said inflatable bladder comprises two sheets of urethane film which are welded together.

68. The article of footwear of claim 63, wherein said inflation mechanism is located substantially under the heel of the foot.

69. The article of footwear of claim 68, wherein said inflation mechanism further comprises a foam insert.

70. The article of footwear of claim 63, further including a one-way valve between said inflation mechanism and the exterior of said inflatable bladder.

71. Footwear, comprising:

a sole;

an upper, wherein a portion of said upper comprises an inflatable bladder; and

an inflation mechanism substantially permanently attached to said sole, wherein said inflatable bladder and said inflation mechanism are monolithic.