Abstract: A helmet, which includes an injection molded shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the injection molded shell including a first main body portion and a second main body portion, wherein the first and second main body portions are formed of a first material; and a first molded hinge portion formed intermediate the first and second main body portions, the molded hinge portion adapted to allow the first main body portion and the second main body portion to move relative to each other.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a fluid system including an inflatable bladder, an inflation mechanism, and a valve for facilitating air movement through the fluid system. In one embodiment, the valve is an outlet valve between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable bladder that includes an umbrella valve. In another embodiment, the valve is an outlet valve between the inflation mechanism and the inflatable bladder wherein a seating of the outlet valve forms a portion of the inflatable bladder and a portion of an inflation chamber of the inflation mechanism. The seating includes a flange for preventing blocked air flow to the valve. In another embodiment, the valve includes an umbrella valve and an inlet filter for keeping particulates from compromising the umbrella valve.

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 article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism 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 inflation mechanism may be monolithic with the bladder or may be a satellite inflation mechanism coupled to the bladder. The article of footwear may also include a deflation mechanism. The deflation mechanism may include a release valve capable of remaining in a open position and/or an adjustable check valve. The deflation mechanism may also be a combination check valve and release valve accessing a single opening in the bladder.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper attached to the sole, where the upper includes an fluid system structure including an inflatable bladder and a ventilation system, and an inflation mechanism fluidly connected to at least one of the inflatable bladder and the ventilation system.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: The invention is a support and cushioning system for an article of footwear. The system includes a resilient insert disposed within the sole of the shoe including several fluidly interconnected chambers. The chambers include first chambers disposed in the forefoot area of the sole and second chambers disposed in the heel portion of the sole. In one embodiment, the resilient insert is air inflatable using an on-board inflation mechanism disposed in the sole, wherein the resilient insert remains generally rigid when not inflated.

Abstract: A hollow sole is formed within the sole of a shoe wherein a top component having a flat portion and an outer wall is adhered to a bottom component wherein the depth of the outer wall defines an enclosed space between the top and bottom components. The outer wall of the top component and the walls of the bottom component that rise to and fall from the weld lines are made with flexible ridges which provides a bellowing effect when the pressure of the foot is pushed down on the sole. In one embodiment, a fluidly connected inside compartment and outside compartment are created by welded lines adhering the bottom component to the top component. In an alternate embodiment, the hollow sole may contain foam for extra support. Fluid pockets and other flow structures are bored into the foam to allow for the dynamic fluid flow.

Abstract: An article of footwear to be used as a convertible sandal comprising a sole for supporting a foot, a forefoot cover, and a rear heel support. The sole has a top surface, a toe side, a heel portion, and a sidewall. The sidewall of the sole has an interlocking section along the heel portion of the sole. The convertible sandal further includes a forefoot cover, which is securely attached to the sole and extends over the toe side of the top surface of the sole. The forefoot cover is preferably in the form of a thong, but alternatively may be in the form of a slide, a vamp, a foot strap, a sock, or a clog. The convertible sandal also includes a rear heel support member securely attached to the sole. The rear heel support is capable of being set within the interlocking section of the sidewall of the sole to thereby hold the rear heel support to the sidewall of the sole.

Abstract: An inflatable cushioning device, and a process for making it, having a fluid-tight, enclosed area that is bordered by a first generally flat surface, a second generally flat surface and at least one bellowed surface, such that the bellowed surface will collapse when a force is applied. The cushioning device may include an inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air into the enclosed area. The cushioning device can be used in an athletic shoe.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder for use in an article of footwear including a first sheet of a flexible fluid-impervious material and a second sheet of flexible fluid-impervious material. The first sheet and the second sheet are sealed along air-tight weld lines forming at least one narrow channel. The inflatable bladder includes an air passage device for maintaining air flow within the narrow channel. In one embodiment, the first sheet has an embossed interior surface to limit the contact between the first sheet and second sheet. Another embodiment includes the use of a mechanical device to separate the first sheet and the second sheet within a narrow channel. A method of manufacturing an inflatable bladder, a method of increasing localized air flow though a narrow channel of an inflatable bladder for use in an article of footwear and an article of footwear incorporating the inflatable bladder are also described.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe to increase circulation in the wearer's foot during forefoot intensive activities. The sole includes a midsole having at least one protrusion disposed in a forefoot region thereof and a plate having at least one receptacle disposed therein wherein the plate is fixedly attached to the midsole such that the receptacle aligns with the protrusion. The diameter of the receptacle is approximately equal to the diameter of the protrusion, so that the protrusions flex within the receptacles in a trampoline-like fashion. An outsole is fixedly attached to the plate and the midsole, wherein the outsole is disposed underneath the entire length of the sole. A forefoot region of the outsole includes an exterior portion and a softer interior portion. Several projections are disposed on the softer interior portion to provide additional pressure points in the sole.

Abstract: An impact absorbing flexible support system, comprising a plurality of fluid filled chambers disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows and a plurality of lateral rows, forming a matrix of said fluid filled chambers and an article of footwear containing such a flexible support system. Each chamber is fluidly connected to at least two other fluid filled chambers and has a vertically tapered shape to provide flexibility of movement. The support system is made from air tight thermoplastic film and is inflatable. The support system may have one or more larger fluid filled chamber is disposed amongst said matrix of chambers.

Abstract: A shoe sole is described that provides both cushioning and stability. The sole has a plurality of layers, including a transition layer which allows relative motion between the layers adjacent to the transition layer. The relative motion between the layers of the sole reduces the impact of horizontal shear stresses on the wearer's feet and ankles. One such transition layer includes pliable material and deformable holes within the pliable material. Another transition layer includes at least two rigid plates held together by less rigid grommets or sidewalls. The transition layer may be disposed beneath the entire shoe or only portions of the shoe, with either a more conventional sole structure or rigid support members completing the sole.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole for cushioning a heelstrike. The sole includes a midsole, an optional outsole, and a resilient cushioning device. The resilient cushioning device includes a bottom component, a top component sealingly attached to the bottom component, wherein the top component includes a corrugated sidewall. The resilient cushioning device is a closed system that contains a fluid, such as a gas either at atmospheric pressure or pressurized. The resilient cushioning device may have only one interior compartment or a series of compartments fluidly connected to one another. The resilient cushioning device is partially embedded within the midsole in a heel region of the sole, although at least a portion of the sidewall of the resilient cushioning device remains visible from the exterior of a shoe sole.

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.

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.