Abstract: An internally pressurizable lightweight high tensile strength multi-layered structure with an outer barrier layer envelope of elastomeric semi-permeable material for use as a cushioning device is provided. The barrier layer is bonded, at a multiplicity of sites, to substantially the entire distal surfaces of a double-walled drop-thread linked fabric wherein the filaments are a highly distorted, long chain, axially orientated crystalline molecular structure which has a low gas permeability. The bond between the barrier layer and the facing fabric is substantially increased by the presence of fibrils and texturizing. The drop threads which are likewise texturized, function to maintain the composite structure in either a substantially flat or planar or contoured configuration without weldments within the select load-bearing areas. This product is capable of withstanding substantial internal inflation pressures, under long-term steady state and cyclical compression and flexural fatigue conditions.

Abstract: An internally pressurizable lightweight high tensile strength multi-layered structure with an outer barrier layer envelope of elastomeric semi-permeable material for use as a cushioning device is provided. The outer barrier layer is bonded, at a multiplicity of sites, to substantially the entire distal surfaces of a double-walled drop-thread linked fabric wherein the filaments are comprised of a highly distorted, long chain, axially orientated crystalline molecular structure which has a low gas permeability. The bond between the barrier layer and the facing fabric is substantially increased by the presence of fibrils and texturizing. The drop threads which are likewise texturized, function as stress averaging members to maintain the composite structure in either a substantially flat or planar or contoured configuration without weldments within the select load-bearing areas.

Abstract: A product in the form of a cushioning device made from thermoplastic film containing crystalline material inflated to a relatively high pressure and sealed at the time of manufacture. The product maintains the internal inflatant pressure for long periods of time by employing a form of the diffusion pumping phenomenom of self-inflation in which the mobile gas is the gas components of air other than nitrogen. Improved and novel cushioning devices use new material, for the film of the enclosure nevelope which can selectively control the rate of diffusion pumping, thereby permitting a wider latitude flexibility and greater accuracy in the design of such new cushioning device, thus improving the performance and reducing cost of such devices while elminating some of the disadvantages of the earlier products. It is possible to permanently inflate certain types of new devices using readily available gases such as nitrogen, or air in which case nitrogen forms the captive gas.

Abstract: A product in the form of a cushioning device made from thermoplastic film containing crystalline material inflated to a relatively high pressure and sealed at the time of manufacture. The product maintains the internal inflatant pressure for long periods of time by employing a form of the diffusion pumping phenomenon of self-inflation in which the mobile gas is the gas components of air other than nitrogen. Improved and novel cushioning devices use new materials, for the film of the enclosure envelope which can selectively control the rate of diffusion pumping, thereby permitting a wider latitude flexibility and greater accuracy in the design of such new cushioning device, thus improving the performance and reducing cost of such devices while eliminating some of the disadvantages of the earlier products. It is possible to permanently inflate certain types of new devices using readily available gases such as nitrogen, or air in which case nitrogen forms the captive gas.

Abstract: An internally pressurizable lightweight high tensile strength multi-layered envelope is provided. An outer barrier layer of elastomeric semi-permeable material is mechanically bonded at a multiplicity of cites where substantially the entire distal surfaces of a double-walled drop thread linked fabric. The composite structure defines a substantially flat thin lightweight product which is capable of withstanding very substantial pressures.

Abstract: Footwear includes a high modulus moderator located between the wearer's foot and cushioning material above the foot in which the moderator is a relatively thin, lightweight material having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 250,000 psi. The heel moderator includes medial and lateral legs positioned to be located under the calcaneus of the foot with the cushioning located beneath the moderator such that a cushioning medium is located below the calcaneus. The moderator, which deflects without permanent deformation and includes portions extending upwardly, operates to absorb, redistribute and sore the energy of localized loads. A moderator may also be located under the forefoot, as described.

Abstract: An improved spring moderator for articles of footwear which absorbs, redistributes, and stores energy of localized loads and forces, through elastic deformation, and then returns the energy to the user in useful forms as the load is then removed, while providing comfort and support.

Abstract: An elastomeric enclosure is initially inflated to a desired pressure by a gas having large molecules incapable of diffusing outwardly from the enclosure, except at a relatively slow rate. When the enclosure is surrounded by ambient air at atmospheric pressure, such air passes into the enclosures by reverse diffusion, thus extracting energy from the ambient sea of air to progressively increase the total pressure in the enclosure to a substantial extent over a period of several months, the pressure then decreasing very slowly over an extended period to its initial inflation pressure, such extended period being as much as about two years or more. This added energy may be used to perform useful work or used in various pneumatic devices to achieve essentially permanent inflation.

Abstract: Devices for packaging and/or cushioning products and objects, the devices including permeable elastomeric sheets sealed together at predetermined locations to form separate and discrete chambers, or intercommunicating chambers, inflated initially with a gaseous medium comprising a gas other than air, oxygen or nitrogen which has a very low diffusion rate from each chamber through the elastomeric sheets, ambient air diffusing more readily through the sheets into each inflated chamber to provide a total pressure therein which is the sum of the partial pressure of the air in the chamber and the partial pressure of the gas in the chamber. Not only does the air diffusing into a chamber increase the total pressure therein above the initial inflation pressure of the gas, but the air in the chamber inhibits outward diffusion of the gas from the chamber or compensates for any loss of pressure caused by such outward diffusion of the gas.

Abstract: Shoes incorporating a multiple chambered sole member inflated to a pressure above atmospheric, and disposed above and adjacent to an outsole having a deflectable web and projecting elements, such as ground-engaging studs, depending from the web and disposed in spaced geometric relation to each other to distribute loads imposed on the studs through a greater area of the inflated sole member to a wearer's foot, thereby enhancing its support and comfort.

Abstract: A shoe embodying a multiple chambered pneumatically inflated insert encapsulated in a yieldable foam which acts as a bridging moderator filling in irregularities of the insert and providing a substantially smooth and contoured surface for supporting the foot in a comfortable manner. The encapsulated insert can be used as an inner sole slipped into an existing shoe, or it can be used as an integral, composite midsole or outsole portion of a shoe.

Abstract: An improved construction for articles of footwear, such as boots and shoes of all types, includes an inflated insert, preferably in the shape of an insole, having a multiplicity of intercommunicating, gas containing chambers, and a ventilated moderator member which overlies the inflated insole for evenly distributing the forces exerted by the gas containing chambers across the plantar surface of the foot of the wearer. The material from which the insole is constructed and the gas contained in the intercommunicating chambers of the insole member are selected so that the rate of diffusion of the gas through the barrier material of the insole will be extremely slow, the insole remaining inflated to a substantial pressure for several years.

Abstract: Apparatus for repressuring a tennis ball or similar play ball, which has lost a portion of its initial inflation pressure, in which a container or enclosure for the ball contains a chemical and a suitable fluid that reacts with the chemical to generate a gas at atmospheric pressure capable of diffusing through the permeable elastomeric material of the ball to elevate the total pressure within the ball toward its initial pressure value.