Shoe having an inflatable bladder

• US 8,151,489 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2010
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reebok International Limited (Authentic Brands Group, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Reebok International Limited (Authentic Brands Group, LLC)
• Inventors: Marvin, William, Davis, Paul M., Swales, Geoff, Litchfield, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patterson, Marie
• Application Number:
  US12/757,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20100192410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 36/3.R, 36/3.A, 36/45, 36/29
• US Class Current: 36/45
• 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 one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole; and

an upper attached to said sole having at least one polymer layer forming an exterior surface of the upper, the at least one polymer layer having a plurality of hollow intersecting segments forming a plurality of apertures.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the segments comprise hollow channels.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the segments comprise air-filled channels.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the segments are configured to allow air to flow within the segments.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises a flexible material.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises a non-stretchable material.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises a thin film.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer forms a portion of an exterior surface of the upper in a forefoot region of the upper.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer forms a portion of an exterior surface of the upper in a midfoot region of the upper.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer forms a portion of an exterior surface of the upper in a heel region of the upper.

11. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer forms a portion of an exterior surface of the upper in a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the upper.

12. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises a bladder.

13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the bladder surrounds each aperture.

14. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein a weld line surrounds a periphery of an aperture.

15. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures are formed in at least one of a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a forefoot portion of the exterior surface of the upper.

16. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures are substantially quadrilateral shaped.

17. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures are substantially diamond shaped.

18. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer comprises an interior layer portion and an exterior layer portion, and

wherein the exterior layer portion comprises a laminate of a polymer film and a fabric.

19. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the area of the exterior surface of the polymer layer is greater than the area defined by the plurality of apertures.

20. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole;

an upper attached to said sole, wherein said upper comprises a plurality of hollow intersecting segments,

wherein the plurality of hollow intersecting segments form a plurality of apertures.

21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the plurality of hollow segments is distinct from, and coupled to, the sole.

22. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole portion;

an upper having a top edge portion;

a first plurality of hollow segments extending from the sole portion to the top edge portion; and

a second plurality of hollow segments extending from the sole at oblique angles with respect to the first plurality of hollow segments,

wherein the second plurality of hollow segments intersects with the first plurality of hollow segments to define a plurality of apertures therebetween.

23. The article of footwear of claim 22, wherein the hollow segments of the first and second pluralities of hollow segments are substantially linear.