Shoe having an inflatable bladder

• US 8,677,652 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• 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:
  US13/416,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20120167413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 36/115, 36/45, 36/501, 36/3.A
• 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

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;

an upper having a vamp portion, wherein the vamp portion and the sole define a gap therebetween extending along at least one of the medial side and the lateral side of the upper; and

a plurality of elongate segments extending from the sole to the vamp portion, thereby traversing the gap and defining a plurality of apertures,

wherein the elongate segments are coupled to the vamp portion by an attachment feature at least partially disposed over an outer surface of the vamp portion, and

wherein the elongate segments extend into and terminate within the sole.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the apertures are substantially quadrilateral-shaped, each defining two acute angles and two obtuse angles.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each elongate segment is free from direct attachment to other elongate segments along its length.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each elongate segment has a circular cross-section.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each elongate segment is distinct from, and coupled to, the vamp portion.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the gap extends from an interior of the article of footwear to an exterior of the article of footwear.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the gap is a discontinuity in the substance of the upper.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1, the elongate segments each have separate ends independently fixed to the sole.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the elongate segments are formed of plastic.

10. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole;

a cylindrical elongate segment;

a vamp portion coupled to the sole via the cylindrical elongate segment,

wherein the cylindrical elongate segment traverses a gap between the sole and the vamp portion

wherein the cylindrical elongate segment defines a portion of an aperture in the gap, and

wherein the aperture is substantially quadrilateral-Shaped, defining two acute angles and two obtuse angles.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10, further comprising a second cylindrical elongate segment, wherein the first cylindrical elongate segment is free from direct attachment to the second cylindrical elongate segment.

12. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the cylindrical elongate segment extends above a lower edge of the vamp portion.

13. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the cylindrical elongate segment is distinct from, and coupled to, the vamp portion.

14. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the gap extends from an interior of the article of footwear to an exterior of the article of footwear.

15. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the gap is a discontinuity in the upper, extending along a portion of at least one of the medial and lateral sides of the upper.

16. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole portion;

an upper having a top edge portion;

a first plurality of elongate segments extending from the sole portion to the top edge portion, each having a cross-sectional shape with a curved boundary, the cross section being;

taken perpendicularly to a direction of elongation; and

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

wherein the second plurality of elongate segments intersects with the first plurality of elongate segments to define a plurality of apertures therebetween, and

wherein the first plurality of elongate segments and the second plurality of elongate segments are disposed in a forefoot portion of the upper.

17. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the apertures are substantially quadrilateral-shaped, each defining two acute angles and two obtuse angles.

18. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the cross-sectional shape is circular.