Abstract: A bladder usable in the sole of a shoe for supporting the plantar area includes a plurality of chambers designed to provide a resilient resistance force. In the fabrication of the bladder, each of the chambers is formed in fluid communication with each other, and fluid is supplied into the chambers at a selected location. After the chambers have been pressurized to the desired internal pressure, the fluid communication port(s) is sealed. Although certain of the chambers are pressurized to the same internal pressure, different resistance forces are provided by forming the chambers with different volumes.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: A footwear fitting system employs a set of sample footwear items, e.g., shoes, provided in small increments of length and width. The sample shoes are tried on by the wearer and the one providing the best fit is chosen. Then, a fit component of a stock shoe is re-formed with a molding apparatus to provide a size and width identical to the selected sample shoe. A shoe store need only stock a relatively small number of standard size shoes in order to provide the wearer with a close "custom" fit. The footwear interior is re-formed by mounting the footwear on a last having a length and width corresponding to that of the selected sample shoe. The last is heated to the softening temperature of a moldable strip of material, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), incorporated into the shoe upper, then allowed to cool, whereby the footwear interior shape and size is reformed to correspond to the last. In an alternative embodiment, the footwear item is a shoe insert, e.g., a shoe insole.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: A bladder usable in the sole of a shoe for supporting the plantar area includes a plurality of chambers designed to provide a resilient resistance force. In the fabrication of the bladder, each of the chambers is formed in fluid communication with each other, and fluid is supplied into the chambers at a selected location. After the chambers have been pressurized to the desired internal pressure, the fluid communication port(s) is sealed. Although certain of the chambers are pressurized to the same internal pressure, different resistance forces are provided by forming the chambers with different volumes.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a shoe which permits independent adjustment of the width, footform and cushioning either between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, or at different points along the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The present invention provides for the adjustment of the dimensions of a shoe in a plurality of discrete locations as between a nominal central point in the forefoot area of the sole and the medial and/or lateral aspects thereof. Adjustment would entail adjusting the width or girth in an associated area and the overall shape of the outline of the sole of a shoe. This is accomplished by providing a material variance in the midsole and various hardware configurations for adjusting the width of the midsole.

Abstract: A complex-contoured tensile bladder and method of making same in which a bladder comprises an envelope formed from two outer barrier layers surrounding a tensile element formed of two inner sheets. The inner sheets are attached to one another along selected first attachment portions and include die cuts at certain locations. Each of the outer barrier layers are attached to the inner sheet nearest it at selected second attachment portions which are incoincident with the selected first attachment portions. The outer layers are sealed around the periphery to form the envelope and the bladder is inflated with a gas so that the inner sheets form a tensile member which extends between the selected second portions, and the selected first portions form hinges disposed between the outer layers. When loaded the tensile member compresses at the hinges which readily allow for compression while not interfering with the cushioning properties of the gas.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An athletic shoe formed of a sole, an upper attached to the sole and including an ankle portion extending around the medial and lateral malleoli, and an inflatable bladder attached within the ankle portion. The inflatable bladder has a medial section and a lateral section, with an inlet mechanism for supplying pressurized gas to the interior of the bladder. Weld lines divide the medial and lateral sections into upper and lower portions and prevent the formation of restrictive vertical columns of pressurized gas in the medial and lateral sections.

Abstract: A complex-contoured tensile bladder and method of making same in which a bladder comprises an envelope formed from two outer barrier layers surrounding a tensile element formed of two inner sheets. The inner sheets are attached to one another along selected first attachment portions and include die cuts at certain locations. Each of the outer barrier layers are attached to the inner sheet nearest it at selected second attachment portions which are incoincident with the selected first attachment portions. The outer layers are sealed around the periphery to form the envelope and the bladder is inflated with a gas so that the inner sheets form a tensile member which extends between the selected second portions, and the selected first portions form hinges disposed between the outer layers. When loaded the tensile member compresses at the hinges which readily allow for compression while not interfering with the cushioning properties of the gas.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a shoe which permits independent adjustment of the width, footform and cushioning either between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, or at different points along the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The present invention provides for the adjustment of the dimensions of a shoe in a plurality of discrete locations as between a nominal central point in the forefoot area of the sole and the medial and/or lateral aspects thereof. Adjustment would entail adjusting the width or girth in an associated area and the overall shape of the outline of the sole of a shoe. This is accomplished by providing a material variance in the midsole and various hardware configurations for adjusting the width of the midsole.

Abstract: A footwear fitting system employs a set of sample footwear items, e.g., shoes, provided in small increments of length and width. The sample shoes are tried on by the wearer and the one providing the best fit is chosen. Then, a fit component of a stock shoe is re-formed with a molding apparatus to provide a size and width identical to the selected sample shoe. A shoe store need only stock a relatively small number of standard size shoes in order to provide the wearer with a close "custom" fit. The footwear interior is re-formed by mounting the footwear on a last having a length and width corresponding to that of the selected sample shoe. The last is heated to the softening temperature of a moldable strip of material, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), incorporated into the shoe upper, then allowed to cool, whereby the footwear interior shape and size is reformed to correspond to the last. In an alternative embodiment, the footwear item is a shoe insert, e.g., a shoe insole.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: A shoe having a closure system is disclosed. The shoe has an upper and a sole attached to the upper. A first strap member is attached to the medial side of the shoe at two longitudinal locations. A second strap member is attached to the lateral side of the shoe at two longitudinal locations. A first adjusting member is slidably coupled to both the first and second strap members. The first adjusting member is slidable along the first and second strap members towards the front of the foot to tighten the upper about the forefoot of the foot. A second strap member is slidably coupled to both the first and second strap members. The second adjusting member is slidable along the first and second strap members toward the rear of the foot to tighten the upper about the ankle and heel of the foot.

Abstract: A customized fit shoe, and particularly a high-top ice hockey skate, having a plurality of interior inflatable chambers. The chambers are configured and inflatable to different amounts to conform to the contours of the arch and the area below the malleoli of the foot in the shoe. The inflation of the chambers is accurately and easily adjusted through an upper push-to-deflate valve. When thereby adjusted, the concavities of the arch and ankle are filled without restricting the plantar or dorsi flexion of the foot.

Abstract: A cushioning element for use in a shoe is disclosed. The cushioning element includes four fluid-filled support chambers which are compressible but not collapsible, and which are disposed at different locations throughout the midsole of the shoe. The element also includes four variable volume fluid reservoir chambers which are collapsible to reduce the volume thereof. The reservoir chambers are controllably linked in fluid communication with the support chambers so as to be selectively in full communication with or isolated from the support chambers. By selectively isolating one or more of the reservoir chambers from one or more of the support chambers, and collapsing the isolated chamber, fluid may be moved from one support chamber to another at a different location, thereby increasing the stiffness of the midsole at a selected location.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for inflating a bladder including a first and a second distinct chamber linked in fluid communication by an interconnecting port, and a fluid fill inlet linked in fluid communication with the first chamber. A first nozzle set at a first predetermined pressure level and connected to a first fluid pressure source is inserted in the fill inlet to thereby inflate the first and second chambers to the first predetermined pressure. The interconnecting port is sealed to isolate the first chamber from the second chamber out of fluid communication with each other such that the second chamber is isolated at the first predetermined pressure. The first nozzle is removed from the fluid fill inlet. A second nozzle set at a second predetermined pressure level and connected to a second pressure source is inserted into the fluid fill inlet to thereby inflate the first chamber to the second predetermined pressure.

Abstract: For athletic shoes, a custom fit bladder system including first and second separately pressure adjustable chambers for different foot portions. First and second bladder stems communicate with the first and second chambers, respectively. A tension wire bail secures the stems to a tee manifold between them. A bulb pump held on the shoe includes an articulated connector at one end and a flush mounted inlet valve retained at the other end. External barbs on the manifold lock into holes in the connector providing a secure air-tight attachment of the bulb pump to the manifold. A button dial allows the user to select which of the chambers he can inflate by pumping the pump and deflate by pushing a deflation valve disposed in the manifold.

Abstract: A bladder assembly for an athletic shoe and having at least first and second chambers. The chambers are independently and separately pressure adjustable by the user to conform to different concavity areas of his foot, such as the arch, ankle and metatarsal areas, to thereby enhance fit, comfort and athletic performance. Both chambers are inflatable by the same articulated on-board pump and deflatable by the same on-board depressible plunger. A dial on the lateral side of the upper allows the user to select which of the chambers is to be pressure adjusted, that is, which of the chambers is in pressure communication with the pump and the plunger. When the dial is in a neutral position, accidental inflation or deflation of either chamber is prevented.

Abstract: Footwear having an improved cushioning sole structure is disclosed. The footwear includes an upper and a sole member attached to the upper. The sole member includes a sealed inner member of a flexible material which is inflated with a gaseous medium to form a compliant and resilient insert. An elastomeric yieldable outer member encapsulates the insert about preselected portions of the insert. The inner and outer members function together to form a viscoelastic unit for attenuating the shock and returning the energy of foot impact. A mechanism adjusts the impact response of the unit so that the effect of the insert dominates the impact response function in a predetermined area adjacent at least one side of the insert. The adjusting mechanism includes a gap in the outer member along the side of the insert adjacent the predetermined area so that the flexible material of the sealed inner member can flex in the gap during foot impact.