Shoe having an inflatable bladder

• US 9,474,323 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2014
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• 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): BAYS, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US14/179,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20140223772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 36/3.R, 36/3.A, 36/3.B, 36/29
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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:

an air passageway having a first end in a sole of the article of footwear, and having a second end above and spaced apart from the sole; and

a cover disposed over and enclosing the air passageway between the sole and the second end of the air passageway,

wherein the air passageway extends between the sole and the second end along an outer surface of an upper of the article of footwear,

wherein the second end is open to ambient air, and

wherein the cover defines an opening on a vertical side portion thereof, for air intake therethrough.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the air passageway is coupled to the upper between the sole and the second end.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the air passageway is formed of a single hollow tube.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the hollow tube is rigid.

5. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the hollow tube is flexible.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein a portion of the air passageway is disposed on an outer surface of the upper at the heel end of the upper, and

wherein a portion of the air passageway is disposed in a heel area of the sole.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the air passageway is coupled to a one-way valve that inhibits air flow through the air passageway in the direction of the second end of the air passageway.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a bladder coupled to the air passageway, wherein the bladder is in fluid communication with ambient air via the air passageway.

9. The article of footwear of claim 8, further comprising a one-way valve coupled to the air passageway and the bladder, wherein the one-way valve inhibits air flow through the air passageway in the direction of the second end thereof.

10. A snorkel assembly for an article of footwear, the snorkel assembly comprising:

a valve chamber comprising a one-way valve, wherein the valve chamber defines an opening;

a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the valve chamber opening; and

a cover having a domed portion, wherein the domed portion covers the second end of the tube,

wherein the domed portion defines an opening therethrough in fluid communication with the second end of the tube,

wherein the domed portion has a half-cylinder shape, and

wherein the cover opening is through the half-cylindrical-shaped side of the domed portion.

11. The snorkel assembly of claim 10, wherein the tube defines a bend between the first end and the second end to form a J-shape.

12. The snorkel assembly of claim 10, wherein the first end of the tube is disposed within the valve chamber opening.

13. An article of footwear, comprising:

a bladder;

a sole defining a cavity;

a tube having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed within the sole of the article of footwear and extends within the sole cavity, and wherein the second portion extends outside the sole;

a valve chamber disposed between the bladder and the tube, wherein the valve chamber is disposed within the sole cavity and is in fluid communication with the bladder and the tube; and

a cover that covers the second portion of the tube, wherein the cover is coupled to an upper of the article of footwear,

wherein the bladder forms a portion of the upper of the article of footwear.

14. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the cover defines an opening therethrough, and

wherein the bladder is in fluid communication with the opening via the valve chamber and the tube.

15. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the bladder forms a portion of the sole of the article of footwear.

16. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the valve chamber comprises a one-way valve.

17. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein a portion of the bladder is disposed within the sole cavity.

18. An article of footwear, comprising:

an air passageway having a first end in a sole of the article of footwear, and having a second end above and spaced apart from the sole; and

a cover disposed over and enclosing the air passageway between the sole and the second end of the air passageway,

wherein the air passageway extends between the sole and the second end along an outer surface of an upper of the article of footwear,

wherein the second end is open to ambient air, and

wherein the cover is closed at an upper end thereof, and defines an opening on a side portion thereof, for air intake therethrough.

19. An article of footwear, comprising:

a bladder;

a sole defining a cavity;

a tube having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed within the sole of the article of footwear and extends within the sole cavity, and wherein the second portion extends outside the sole;

a valve chamber disposed between the bladder and the tube, wherein the valve chamber is disposed within the sole cavity and is in fluid communication with the bladder and the tube; and

a cover that covers the second portion of the tube, wherein the cover is coupled to an upper of the article of footwear,

wherein the bladder forms a portion of the upper of the article of footwear, and

wherein the cover is coupled to an outer surface of the bladder.

20. An article of footwear, comprising:

a bladder;

a sole defining a cavity;

a tube having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed within the sole of the article of footwear and extends within the sole cavity, and wherein the second portion extends outside the sole;

a valve chamber disposed between the bladder and the tube, wherein the valve chamber is disposed within the sole cavity and is in fluid communication with the bladder and the tube; and

a cover that covers the second portion of the tube, wherein the cover is coupled to an upper of the article of footwear,

wherein the bladder forms a portion of the upper of the article of footwear, and

wherein the second portion of the tube is disposed on an outer surface of the bladder.