PNEUMATICALLY INFLATABLE AIR BLADDER DEVICES CONTAINED ENTIRELY WITHIN SHOE SOLE OR CONFIGURED AS SHOE INSERTS
A pneumatically cushioned shoe or shoe insert device including a plastic layer forming air bladders; a cloth layer covering a top surface of the plastic layer; a rubber layer covering a toe portion of a bottom surface of the plastic layer; a C shaped indentation on the plastic layer forming an arch region air bladder; and circle or oval shaped indentations forming interconnected air bladder regions having respective air bladders and including an inner heel, outer heel, and metatarsal air bladder regions. The rubber layer including cutting lines for sizing for regular or wide foot sizes and a lower thicker line defining a do not cut below region. The cloth layer including cutting lines for sizing for the other of regular or wide foot sizes. The air bladders pre-filled with air during manufacturing or filled with air by a user.
The present invention claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/984,184 filed Apr. 25, 2014, and is a continuation in part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/237,566 filed Sep. 20, 2011, which claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/386,274 filed Sep. 24, 2010, and is related to commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 12/884,132, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,222,312; 6,305,102; and 6,725,573 of Harold S. DOYLE, the entire disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to shoes, and, more particularly, to pneumatic cushioning therein.
2. Discussion of the Background
There is a variety of prior art shoes including a variety of inflation devices disposed at different locations therein. However, many of such designs still suffer from various problems relating to air bladder placement, and inflation thereof, and complex manufacturing for integrating the inflation devices within the shoes themselves.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide for improved pneumatic cushioning in footwear so as to avoid many of the problems with prior art shoe designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore, a need addressed by the present invention includes providing an improved pneumatic cushioning system for shoes that overcomes some of the problems with the prior art systems.
Accordingly, in exemplary aspects of the present invention there is provided a pneumatically cushioned shoe or shoe insert device including a plastic layer forming air bladders; a cloth layer covering a top surface of the plastic layer; a rubber layer covering a toe portion of a bottom surface of the plastic layer; a C shaped indentation on the plastic layer forming an arch region air bladder; and circle or oval shaped indentations forming interconnected air bladder regions having respective air bladders and including an inner heel, outer heel, and metatarsal air bladder regions. The rubber layer including cutting lines for sizing for regular or wide foot sizes and a lower thicker line defining a do not cut below region. The cloth layer including cutting lines for sizing for the other of regular or wide foot sizes. The air bladders pre-filled with air during manufacturing or filled with air by a user.
A self-sealing valve can be disposed on respective of the air bladder regions and configured to allow air to enter the respective air bladder regions through the valve while maintaining air pressure with in the air bladder regions. The self-sealing valve can be configured to allow air to escape through the valve via an air pump needle or via an integrated pump and release valve device.
One or more of the respective air bladders regions can be configured in a predetermined shape so as to correct for a corresponding type of foot pronation when inflated.
The device can be integrated into a sole of a shoe.
The valve can be disposed on the shoe so as to be accessible external to the shoe for inflation and deflation via the air pump needle or via the integrated pump and release valve device.
The device can be configured as a shoe insert with the valve disposed on the shoe insert so as to be accessible for inflation and deflation via the air pump needle or via the integrated pump and release valve device.
The self-sealing valve can be configured to allow air to escape through the valve via an integrated pump and release valve device, including a housing; a pump having an integral air release valve and included in the housing; and a pump actuator included in the pump with the integral air release valve. The pump actuator can be movable from a first position in a linear direction to pump air, and the pump actuator movable from a second position further in the same linear direction to allow air to escape.
Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, by illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to
The present invention is directed to a shoe with a pneumatic inflating device disposed therein. The general schematic of the shoe inflating arrangement is shown in
To pressurize the pneumatic system, the wearer preferably engages outlet 16 of pump 12 with switching input 20. Pump 12 is mounted on a base portion 74 in which inlet 14 comprises an orifice 76 having an unidirectional inlet valve 78. As the bellows 82 is lifted, the change in volume of air chamber 80 causes a corresponding reduction in pressure, thus causing air to flow through orifice 76 and valve 78 into chamber 80. Bellows 82 is operatively connected with cover 84 pivotally connected at hinge portion 86. Cover 84 is latchable to lock 88 through means of flange 90 engaging lock 88. Cover 84 is releasable through use of a semi-rigid material in its construction which will enable flexing and thereby cause disengagement of flange 90 from latch 88. The wearer then compresses bellows 82 which allows air flow into switching input 20. This in turn allows air to fill the selected bladder set via flow switching device 18 in which the wearer can selectively control the air input to bladder sets 58, 60, and 62. The wearer may also adjust the pressure in each bladder set via the respective pressure release valve.
The invention can be adapted to utilize a number of different combinations of elements to effectuate the goals of the invention. Thus, in
Another variation is in the use, in the alternative, of different arrangements for flow switching device 18. A first embodiment could utilize a simple “lie” type flow switching device in which pressure at input 20 is applied equally at each of conduits 52, 54, and 56 applying equilibrium pressure at 20 using pump 12 and valves 34, 36, and 38 would result in equal pressurization of each bladder arrangement 58, 60, and 62. Customization of pressures could be accomplished by the simple expedient of bleeding off high pressure to reduce pressure in one or more of the selected bladder arrangements 58, 60, and 62. Well known valves of the Schrader type could be utilized with push button release or variations such as the Presta type which is effectively lockable for the tightening of a threaded collar on the valve needle.
A second alternative is to use a specially designed flow switching device having both flow directional control and valve control. Thus, switching device 118 in
Nevertheless, with the use of suitable sealing materials, and an integral pump, the user could dispense with all valves save the flow switching device 118. Use of a resilient, air impervious rotor 122 could provide self-sealing while appropriate coatings or seals, in the nature of gaskets or 0-rings, could also be utilized.
An additional variation would be to use a separable pump. This would save the user the bulk of having an attached pump, further enabling the use of a larger capacity pump obviating bulk or weight concerns and enabling the use of higher strength or more economical materials than would be desirable with an integral, attached pump. Use of a separable pump would be more likely to take advantage of the use of a valve 72 associated with inlet 20, in the manner shown in
The bladders 58, 60, and 62 can be any plastic envelope. The bladder membranes forming the envelope are resistant to the passage of gas molecules but need not be totally impermeable. The gas within the bladder should not escape so rapidly that re-inflation of the bladder will be needed more often than every thirty minutes of use. The bladder may also contain a foam core 61 where the foam may be any foam such as ethyl vinyl acetate, polyurethane, a composite using these materials, or any other resilient sponge material known or that may become known in the footwear industry. One face of the foam core is secured to one interior wall or surface of the bladder. In the preferred embodiment shown in cross section in
Alternative embodiments are the attachment of the bladder membrane to the sides of the foam core or attachment of the lower membrane in the lower surface of the foam element.
Pump 12 is received within the recess occupied by bladder 58 so that the space necessary for pump 12 is minimized. Pump 12 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the axis passing from the heel to the toes. Pump 12 is positioned between heel-pressure portion 250 and forefoot-pressure portion 260 so that pump 12 is not damaged through normal shoe use.
Pump actuator 210 is positioned within pump 12 (and is shown in phantom withdrawn from pump 12). Actuator 210 comprises a piston rod 230 with at least one radially extending side 234. Radially extending side 234 fits within slot 280 on cylinder top 242 so that piston rod 230 may be moved in and out of pump cylinder 240. Piston rod 230 includes gap 236 which is positioned between cap 200 and radially extending side 234. When pump actuator 210 is inserted completely within the shoe sole, slot 260 and gap 236 are juxtaposed, thus allowing pump actuator 210 to be rotated. When radially extending side 234 is moved to a position not in-line with slot 236, pump actuator 210 cannot be withdrawn from pump cylinder 240 and is locked in position. As shown in
As shown in
Pump 12 is connected to bladder 58 via inlet conduit 28 and unidirectional valve 34. Unidirectional valve 34 prevents air from escaping bladder 58 back into inlet conduit 28. Bladder 58 is connected to pressure-release valve 46 via exit conduit 52.
In
In
For use as shoe inserts, the air bladders 1502-1508 of the inflating device can be made thinner than when integrated within a shoe, and can include a soft sock type liner (e.g., made of deer skin leather, EVA material, etc.) provided thereover.
Advantageously, the indentations 2007 can be configured to form one interconnected air bladder or one or more separate air bladders. For example, air bladder arch region 2001 can be formed with the indentations 2007 and so as to provide an air inflating area in the arch region that can pre-inflated and/or customized with air by the end user. This can provide a true energized resting place for the arch of the feet to resist painful pulling of the foot muscles and other benefits, such as fallen arch support and with overall support to prevent foot fatigue, and the like. Similarly, other bladder regions 2002, for example, the heel, top of foot, and the like, can be formed to provide support and a resting place for the respective parts of the feet. The inserts or mid-soles 2000 thus can be injected and sealed with air when pre-inflated and/or customized by the end user when not pre-inflated, for example, to prevent pronation in the wearer's inner and outer heel, other parts of the foot, and the like.
If the resulting air bladders are configured as interconnected bladders, a single self-sealing valve or air input 2003 can be employed. Otherwise, multiple inlet valves/areas 2003-2005 can be employed to customize the air for each respective air bladder region. For example, the inlet 2004 can be used to customize the air for the heel region, the inlet 2005 can be used to customize the air for the rest of the insert or mid-sole 2000. A sizing and cutting zone 2009 layer (e.g., made of rubber or foam material) with cutting guides 2008 (e.g., based on standard shoe sizes) is provided on top of a layer 2006 (e.g., made of an inflatable plastic material) that is configured with the indentations 2007 to form the air bladders. The described mid-soles and inserts can be applied to various footwear types, and can vary in shape and sizes and with respect to inflation/deflation methods, as previously described.
For example,
The air placement and release for the mid-soles and inserts of the embodiments of
Although the configurations depicting the inflating device being positioned entirely within the sole or as a shoe insert can include one set of air bladders, inlet and exit conduits, and pressure-release valves, etc., it is understood that such an inflating device could be used with each of the above-described configurations which utilize more than one such set.
Although configurations are shown depicting the inflating device employing an integrated air pump and air release valve to maintain air pressure within the air bladders, additional one-way, two-way, and the like, air valves can be employed downstream of the integrated air pump and air release valve to help maintain air pressure within the air bladders and reduce the air pressure load on the integrated air pump and air release valve.
In the embodiments of
Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a shoe or shoe insert with an inflation device for providing pneumatic cushioning and with the noted advantages thereof.
While the present invention have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, the present invention is not so limited, but rather covers various modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A pneumatically cushioned shoe or shoe insert device, comprising:
- a plastic layer configured to form air bladders;
- a cloth layer covering a top surface of the plastic layer;
- a rubber layer covering a toe portion of a bottom surface of the plastic layer;
- a C shaped indentation provided on the plastic layer to form an arch region air bladder;
- a plurality of circle or oval shaped indentation distributed throughout the plastic layer to form a plurality of interconnected air bladder regions, each air bladder region including one or more respective air bladders, the interconnected regions including an inner heel air bladder region, an outer heel air bladder region, and a metatarsal air bladder region;
- the rubber layer including cutting lines for sizing for one of regular and wide foot sizes and a lower thicker line defining a do not cut below region;
- the cloth layer including cutting lines for sizing for the other of regular and wide foot sizes; and
- the air bladders pre-filled with air during manufacturing or filled with air by a user.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a self-sealing valve disposed on respective of the air bladder regions and configured to allow air to enter the respective air bladder regions through the valve while maintaining air pressure with in the air bladder regions; and
- the self-sealing valve configured to allow air to escape through the valve via an air pump needle or via an integrated pump and release valve device.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the respective air bladders regions are configured in a predetermined shape so as to correct for a corresponding type of foot pronation when inflated.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is integrated into a sole of a shoe.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the valve is disposed on the shoe so as to be accessible external to the shoe for inflation and deflation via the air pump needle or via the integrated pump and release valve device.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured as a shoe insert with the valve disposed on the shoe insert so as to be accessible for inflation and deflation via the air pump needle or via the integrated pump and release valve device.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the self-sealing valve is configured to allow air to escape through the valve via an integrated pump and release valve device, including:
- a housing;
- a pump having an integral air release valve and included in the housing; and
- a pump actuator included in the pump with the integral air release valve, wherein the pump actuator movable from a first position in a linear direction to pump air, and the pump actuator movable from a second position further in the same linear direction to allow air to escape.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 23, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 29, 2015
Inventor: Harold S. Doyle (Schaumburg, IL)
Application Number: 14/694,343