Abstract: An athletic shoe is described, provided with an inflatable tongue or bladder for a more secure fit to the user's foot. The bladder may include a plurality of chambers with a valve disposed therebetween to selectively inflate the chambers. The inflatable tongue or bladder has a lightweight pump disposed thereon. Inflatable footwear having an inflation bag under the foot is also disclosed. The inflation bag is formed by two sheets of material that are welded together. Interior welds are provided to moderate the thickness of the inflation bag. A foam layer having apertures is positioned adjacent to the inflation bag. The apertures overlie the interior welds and are sized larger than the interior welds. Also described is a slider valve that enables selective inflation of individual bladder chambers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article of footwear including an upper, a sole and a pumping chamber for producing a continuous supply of fluid. The sole includes a midsole and an outsole. The pumping chamber is formed between the bottom surface of the midsole and the upper surface of the outsole and includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet. Movement of the wearer's foot causes fluid to be drawn into and expelled from the pumping chamber. The fluid produced by the pumping chamber may be used to inflate an expandable bladder or to provide ventilation to the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A support and cushioning system for an article of footwear. The system includes a resilient insert disposed between a midsole and an outsole of a shoe. The resilient insert includes several chambers disposed in a heel portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are fluidly interconnected to each other via periphery passages. The resilient insert also includes several chambers disposed in a forefoot portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are also fluidly interconnected to each other. A connecting passage connects the chambers in the heel portion and the chambers in the forefoot portion of the resilient insert. A bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber is also inserted above the midsole to provided added cushioning to the wearer. In one embodiment, the resilient insert contains air at ambient pressure and the bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure.

Abstract: A support is disclosed comprising a belt which encircles a wearer's waist. The belt which is inflatable has an on-board inflation pump and may be used for weight lifting. The inflatable weight lifting belt includes a bladder defined by a single chamber having inflation and deflation mechanisms which allow the wearer to selectively adjust the amount of air in the bladder. The bladder has an oblong portion which is positioned on the belt so that when the belt is worn, the oblong portion is positioned adjacent to the wearer's lower back for support. An elongated portion of the bladder extending through the aperture of the belt is integrally formed with inflation and deflation mechanisms on the other side of the belt. In the preferred embodiment, the inflation mechanism comprises a pump and a one-way valve and the deflation mechanism comprises an exhaust valve.

Abstract: A shoe upper is provided having a tongue strapping system. A tongue is provided having two or more straps which extend through apertures formed in the sides of the shoe upper. When the tongue strapping system is implemented, the straps serve to create pressure between different portions of the shoe upper, resulting in a secure and enhanced fit.

Abstract: A heel stabilizer is provided for the midsole of a shock absorbing sole in footwear. The stabilizer may be provided on a side of a shoe or may surround the entire heel area of the shoe. A stabilizer which surrounds the heel area may be formed as a single piece which wraps around the heel area or may be formed of several pieces joined to form a frame. The stabilizer includes cells when viewed in vertical cross section which provide lightweight, stable cushioning to the foot along the periphery of the midsole. The cells may take a variety of geometric configurations.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is disclosed having a midsole which is substantially devoid of cushioning material in the arch region. An arch member is located in the arch region to provide support to the foot of a wearer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described, provided with an inflatable tongue or bladder for a more secure fit to the user's foot. The bladder may include a plurality of chambers with a valve disposed therebetween to selectively inflate the chambers. The inflatable tongue or bladder has a lightweight pump disposed thereon.