CA2185834A1 - Fluid filled support system for footwear - Google Patents

Fluid filled support system for footwear

Info

Publication number
CA2185834A1
CA2185834A1 CA002185834A CA2185834A CA2185834A1 CA 2185834 A1 CA2185834 A1 CA 2185834A1 CA 002185834 A CA002185834 A CA 002185834A CA 2185834 A CA2185834 A CA 2185834A CA 2185834 A1 CA2185834 A1 CA 2185834A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
fluid
pods
footwear
cushioning
article
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002185834A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Todd A. Pagel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2185834A1 publication Critical patent/CA2185834A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B1/00Footwear characterised by the material
    • A43B1/0009Footwear characterised by the material made at least partially of alveolar or honeycomb material
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/38Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process
    • A43B13/40Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process with cushions
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B17/00Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
    • A43B17/02Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient
    • A43B17/026Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B17/00Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
    • A43B17/02Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient
    • A43B17/03Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient filled with a gas, e.g. air
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B19/00Shoe-shaped inserts; Inserts covering the instep
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/02Uppers; Boot legs
    • A43B23/0245Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B23/028Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/07Linings therefor

Abstract

A fluid filled support system for footwear having a closed system of interconnected pods filled with fluid for providing enhanced cushioning, support, and fit. The fluid filled support system includes a support member which completely surrounds a wearer's foot to provide cushioning and support to the wearer's entire foot. A plurality of fluid-containing pods are positionedwithin the support member spaced apart from one another and at least partially filled with a fluid for absorbing shocks encountered by the footwear. A
plurality of fluid communication channels are positioned between the fluid-containing pods for interconnecting the pods and maintaining all of the pods in fluid communication with one another. Each fluid-containing pod includes at least three fluid communication channels extending from the pod to attach the pod to at least three adjacent fluid-containing pods. The fluid communication channels may intersect with one another to provide additional fluid pathways for connecting additional fluid-containing pods to each pod.
As pressure is applied by a wearer's foot, the support member reacts by forcing the entrapped fluid to redistribute through the interconnected pods.
Once the area of high pressure is relieved, the shoe again reaches a level of equilibrium. This flow of redistributing fluid between interconnected pods provides the desired cushioning and support of the wearer's foot, wherein the multiple fluid paths connected to each pod provide a more responsive cushioning system.

Description

~ ` 21 85834 I
FI.UID FILLED SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FOOTWEAR
B~CKGROI~N~ OF T~F I~ON
S TECHNIC~L FTF.~.~
Ihe present invention relates generally to a fluid filled support system for foot~vear that provides a custom fit to the wearer's foot while also providing ,,~ ",;"~, support, and stability to the wearer's foot. More particularly, the present inventiorl is directed to a fluid filled support system 1~ for footwear having a plurality of fluid-containing bladders which are fluidically -BACKGROUND ART
Various methods and devices have been developed and used to improvcsupport and c~ ;..e in shoes to absorb the shock of footstep impact in 15 walking, runnirlg and o~er ætivides. This is ~uLi.,~ true in athletic footwear where the foot is exposed to repeated shocks from heavy footstep impact. ln rnany shoe soles designed to increase the c~lchi~.ning effects of thesole, the increased resiliency of the shoe sole provides littlc resistance to the tendency of the ~oe wearer's foot to rotate relative to the leg upon footstep -~ 2l~5834 impact. In providirlg additional ' ~ to the shoe sole, these shoes sacrifice or rcduce the support and stability provided to the foot by the shoc sole ~d increase the possibility for ir~ju~y.
- Some of the ~ devices developed ir~clude pu~np devices which 5 crlmm-~ni~ tt with outside air to fi~l C-~ ~IA I,,- f~ provided in the shoe.
Gerlerally, such prior attemph at providing pneumatic cllchiA)nin~ of the foot have involved a single fluid receiving bladder, tubular in shape, which was supposed to provide cushioned support to the entirety of the we_rer's foot.
Although providing some measure of cushioned suppor~ such tubular bl_dders 10 have a number of problems. Firstly, with shoes ~ a single fluid recciYing cavity the wearer mu t become &, -'t~I---A~ to a rock and sway motion, since with any welght shift while wearing such equipped shoes the wearer will rock side-to-side and sway front-to-back as the fluid is cv.-li.luall~
displaced. Fu~er, problems G~t~"cd were irl deflation, Ir ~ , and 15 the size and weight of the shoes necessary to co~tain such bladders.
In an effort to overcome the problems associated with a single fluid rrntAinin~? bladder, U.S. Patent No. 3,685,176 issued to Rudy developed a irlflatable ' ~ for footwear having a plurality of ",t~ ;..g aexible tubes. The inflatable tubes are to be positioned around the sides of the20 person's foot and fonned to be disposed in a boot ~or ~mhrA~ine a person's foot, whcrein the tubes are inflated to assist in resisting IllVv~ .Cllt between the person's foot and the boot while providing added comfor~ The inflatable bladder disclosed by Rudy, however, fails to provide inflatable tubes along the base or sole of the foot to provide cl~chi~nin~ from shocks ~ o ~ by the footstep impact. Therefore, mere is still a need ~or a cushioned shoe which does not alter the structural integrity of the sole or hed portions thereof nor add any sig-lirl~.l weight which would have to be lifted by the wearer.
Other attempts at providing GUchi.min~ have included shoe soles S employing fluid filled pads or bladders to provide ' " to tl~e foot. U.S~
Patent No. 4,768,2gS issued to Ito disc~oses One such sole having fluid filled pads. The sole is forrned with a plurality of charnbers which are filled with a gel to inflate them ar~d the charnbers are ~ ly individually sealed.
Such indiYidually sealed charnbers, however, tend not to provide the requisite 10 ctl~hinninfr when targc shocks are ~ (1 by the foot, because the fluid-filled cl~bers wilt Onty compress to a ccrtain point. Once the fluid-flled chambers are fully c~,.,,p~ci,~cd they no longer provide any additionat ~L~ ...i.,g effect. Therefore, otber shoe soles have been developed, such as U.S. Patent No. 5,313,71~ issued to Allen et al., which i,--,o.~ a plurality l~ of fluid-filled bladders into a shoe sole where the fluid~filled bladders are connected in fluid c~ inn by fluid . ~ , channels. Allen et al.
teach ~ojiti.~ ~g fluid-filled bladders in the forefoot, arch, andlor heel areasof the shoe sole and providing fluid c~....l., l;..~,~ channels between adJacent fluid-filled bladders contained in each area of the foot.
T_e problem with such strategically positioned bladders is that the particular fluid filled bladders employed are of~en incapable of providing cllchil~nin~ to the foot for all of the valying ...~ , of force exerted on the foot and in all of the varying areas of the foot suhjected to the forces in footstep impacts in all athletic activities. By providing cll~hi~nin~ in the 21 8583~
palticular area where the bladder is located, for example in the heel or forefoot areas of the shoe sole, these devices provide no ~ ....g for other areas of thc shoe sole. Further, in ~ soles having fluid cnnd~J~tin~ channels bet~veen adjacent fluid-filled bladders currently being used, such as the sole S disclosed by Allen et al., when the fluid has been forced from ono of the bladders to another bladder, these bladders are incapable of providing any ~, ~l,;...""~ of the force of ar~ T' ~- !y occur~ing s~lhs~quP"t force, l~ly in a difflcult area of the foot.
In all of the foregoing prior art ' ' 3 soles utilizing fluid filled 10 bladders, there is a large amount of pressure exerted on the inner surface of the tluid filled bladder as the bladder is u,..~ cd by a force applied on the sole. These forces are of ~en great enough to rupture or damagc the bladder allowing the fluid to escape from the bladder and d~h".~ Iy affecting the "-~h,.... - g ~ .ti~ ~ of the sole. Therefore, there is a need 15 for a fluid filled ~ device for footwear which reduces the amount of force exerted on the irmer surface of the fluid filled bladders.
In view of the foregoing, there is clearly a need for a fluid filled support system for a shoe which provides c .~l.. l.. ~ for the entire area of the footwithout C~,l;Cll.,;llg the above-described d;~ , of current cll~hi~ming 20 devices~ Ful~ , there is a need ltor a fluid fflled support system for a shoe having multiple fluid filled chambers having an improved fluidic .,.. ~ between the fluid filled char~bers.
S~lMMARY OF l~F, INVENTION
It is a primary obiect of the present invention to overcome the ar~ oli ~ associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provid~ a fluid filled S support systern for footwear exhibiting enhanced ~ support and fit which ~ rle,~ supports a wearer's foot.
A f~rther object of th!e present invention is to provide a fluid filled suRort system for footwear which ,u-l-pl~t~ encases the wearer's foot to provide c~h -~ and support to the wearer's entire foot.
Yet ~nother object of the present invention is to providc a fluid filled support system for footwear includirlg a plurality of individual pods having incrcased fluidic c~ tj between each fluid filled pod.
It is ~et another obJect of the present invention to p~ovide a fluid fflled support system for footwear whaein each fluid filled pod is in fluidic 15 c~ . with at least three other fluid filled pods.
A fur~er object of the present invention is to providc a fluid filied suppor~ system for footwear which cu~ encases the wearer's foot to provide ~ e and support to the wearer's entire foot.
Yet ~ further object of the present invention is to provido a fluid filled 20 support system for footwear having criss-crossing ~u~ L~ channels to enh~ance fluid c~ n between fluid containing pods.
rt is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid filled support system for footwear which continues to mairltain ade~uate suppor~ and -cushion around a pressure po~nt applied on the footwear by providing a delayed response between fluid containing pods.
It is still a filrther object of t'Qe present invention to provide a fluid filled support system for footwcar which ci~i~ tly reduces the force exerted 5 on the fluid containing pods by ~ this force over each of tne plurality of individual pods.
Another object of the present invcntion is to provide a fluid fil~ed support system for footwear whereirl the force against the ir~ner walls of the f~uid c-~ pods, particularly at thc entrance of each of the fluid 10 ~ ,..., channels, is m;nimi7Pd due to this dii~rih~l~inn of force over a large nu~nber of pods and channcls.
These as well as additional objects and &dY~ .;7 of t'ne present invention ~re achieved by providing a fluid fil~ed support systerA for footwear having a closed system of . ~ ~ .. vl~ ~ pods filled with fluid for providing 15 "--~ ",;"g from e., ~d shocks. The fluid filled support system includes a support member of a shape generally suited to cushion a foot or selected portioLIs of a foot, wherein the support member may col~ ,t~lY encase a wearer's foot to provide c l~hinning and support to the wearer's entire foot A plurality of fluid ~ ~ pods are positioned within t'nc support member 20 spaced apart from one another and at least parhally filled ~ith a fluid for absorbing shocks ~ ,d by the footwear. A plurality of fl~id c-~ ln channels are positioned between the fluid-cQnt~inin~ podsc for t~ ti..g the pods and ~int~inin~ all of the pods in constant fluid d~ with one another.
Each fluid-containing pod includes at least three fluid C~)''''l''l ;~''~iU
channels extending from the pod to attach the pod to at least three adjacent fluid c~lnt~inin~ pods. The fluid, on channels may intersect with one another to provide additional fluid pathways for directly c~
additional fluid-containing pods to each pod. The plurality of fluid-containing pods and fluid c~ charnels forrn 2 closed system of i.-~ d pods filled with a non-toxic, low freezing point fluid or, alternatiYely, a gaseous fluid such as air. Each pod is preferably only pa}tially filled with.
fluid, so that as pressure is applied by a wearer's foot. the support member reacts hy forcing the erltrapped fluid to ~di~i~,lk; through ~e ~ùlL~ d pods. Once the area of hig~ pressure is relieved, the shoe agau2 reaches a levelof ~q~ hrtt~tn This flow of 1~ E fluid between illt, l~ "lC~t- ~ pods ~rovides the desired c ~ and suppor~ of the wearer's foot, wherein the mu~tiple fluid paths connected to each pod provide a more l~ullai~
,.~ g system.
~hese as well as additional ad~ut~i, of the present inventlon will become apparent from the following ~ of the invention with reference to the âeveral fi~ures.
BI~Tl;F DESÇRIPIION OF Tl~F I~RAW~NGS
Figurc I is a cut-away p~l~yC- Liv~ view of an athletic shoe including the support memb~r of the present invention.

2 1 85~34 Figure 2 is an enlargecl, sectional side YieW of the illt~l.,u...lc~t~l pocls of the present invention including the fluid ~,...,.,.,..;--li..~ channel Pigure 3 is ~ top view of one embodiment of f~e support member of the 5 present invention including a pluralitY of pods in fluid cornmlmirP~inn with one another through criss-crossirlg ~,....,. ~ n channels to enhance fluid Figure 4(A) is a Sack view of an athletic shoe in dc~ûldallc~ with one r."l,~l:.". .It of the present invention.
Figure 4(B) is a sectional back view of the athletic shoe of Figure 4(A) including ~e support member of the present invention ~ a wearer's foot.
Figures 5~A) aDd 5(B) are a fr.,æ, ~ if ~ly sectional back vicw and a partially-sectional side view, .~ , of a preferred ~-"1~ of the 15 proeent invention showing the suppo~t member of the present invention il,col~,ul~l~ed in the sole, tongue, and side walls of a shoe Fi~,ure 6 is a ~ ..livc Yiew of another ~ ~ho~ of the support memSer of the p~esent invention including a plurality of pods in fluid cn"."." .i~ with one another through ~ o charmels which are 20 not criss-crossiDg in the sole o~ a shoe.
TAT~ Fn nF.~CRlPTlON OF TT~ PR~FERRT~n ~.~RODIME:NT
Referring now to Figure 1, a p~,l~C(,iiv~e view of an athletic shoe 2 is a s~c~ioi~ ol i:ne shoe ~ cut-away to sho~ the support member 2~ 85834 g 4 of the present invention positioned within the shoe 2. The support member 4 of the present invention mcludes a plurality of bladdcrs or pods 6 spaced apar~ from one another within the support member 4, wherein the pods are all in fluid c. - f~n with each other in all areas of the shoe 2. The 5 support member 4 itself, howeYer, is sealed to the outside so that the pods 6 are sclf-contained within the support member 4. The pods 6 may be formed of varying sizes and shapes, while, in the preferred ~ -h~~ 1 of the present invention, a majority of the pods 6 are less than 1/4" in diameter. Preferably, all of the pods 6 arc formed of ~ 'Iy the same size and shape; however, 10 it is m~tood that the pods 6 may be of ary desired size and shape.
Althou~ the support member 4 of the present invention is primarily described in ~""r~ JI~ with an athletic shoe 2, it is filrther ~ ~od by those skilled in the art that the i~cr~irtion is merely illustrâtive, and the support member 4 of the present invention is equally adaptable to various other types of shoes.
15 A~ lali~ the support member 4 may be for~ned separately from a shoe so that it is h-t. ,~ between a plurality of shoes worn by the user.
Each of the plurality of pods 6 is ~ in fluid ~
with each of the other pods 6 within the support member 4 through fluid c-).~ channels 8. Each pod 6 includes a plurality of separate 20 channcls g or tunnels which branch off from the pod 6 in different directionsto adjacent pods 6. As indicated by the arrows ~0 in ~igure 2, th~ fluid contained within the pods 6 may flow in either direction through the fluid c~ nn channels 8, wherein the ~ength and diameter of the fluid c...,...-~ ;.," channels 8 can be varied to Fhieve different flow 2~ 85~34 c bet veen the pods depending upon the desired cllchi~ning effect to be provided by the fluid filled support system. In the preferred ~ nho~imPnt of the present invention, eaeh pod 6 ineludes four separate ehannels 8 extending therefrom. These fluid c-~ n ehannels 8 each eonrlect to 5 adjaeent pods 6 which sirnilarly include three additional channels extending therefrom to other adjacent pods 6, as shown in Figure 6.
The fluid .- channels 8 may also be in fluid c~ with arlother fluid .~ channe~ 8 extending from an adjacent pod 8. Specifically, in an alternative ~ of the present 10 invention, t~vo fluid, ' ' channels 8 may cross each other at a point 14 as they extend between two pods & in a eriss-cross manner, as show in Figure 3. Preferably, the fluid <~ .. channels 8 intersect one another at a 90~ angle; however, it is llmL-~tr od that the support member 4 may be formed such that the fluid ~ -- ' 'on channels 8 intersect with each other 15 at any angle. Such a col.,h-l.lio-l permits a single pod having four fluid c~ . ehannels 8 extending therefrom to be in fluid c~ n with eight adjacent pods 6, rather than merely four (4). The arrows 12 in Figure 3 indicate the different direction from which fluid may enter into each pod 6. By providing an increased number of pathways through which fluid 20 may enter irlto and exit from a pod 6, a more efficient response ean be achieved by the fluid filled support system by delaying the l-,-l;`;j;1,.,1;`.,- of fluid to adjacent pods 6 when fluid ;s forced from one pod 6, as will be dlescribed in detail h~ ;lL~ . Such an efficient response provides improved x and support, and also provides a rapid return to .~q--ilihrillm to account for ~ occurring forces exerted on the wearer's foot. In yet arlother ~ -h.~ ' of the present inYention, the fluid c~
channels 8 may cross one arlo&er but not intersect with another fluid c~.. .i, ~l;~,~ channd 8.
S In thc preferred .. l-u~l;.. - " of the present invention, me pods 6 and: ~ channels 8 of the support member 4 surround the entirc foot of thc wearer. Thus, when the support member 4 is ;..~ I within a shoe 2 as shown in Figure 4(A), &e support member 4 will surround the portion of the foot 16 positioned within the shoe 2, as shown in ~igure 4(B). The 10 support member 4 extends around the inner periphery of the shoc 2 so that &e c-~-.f~ a~ " of ' ~O~ .,t~ pods 6 also surTound the entire foot of the wearer. The support member 4 runs the entire length of &e shoe 2 to include the sole, sides, heel and forefoot of the wearer, as welt as the tongue portion of the shoc. Figures S(A) and 5(B) illustrate partial cut-away views of &e 15 shoe 2 to show th¢ cnnfigl~atinn of pods 6 and fluid c~ tinn channels 8 extending &rough tbe sole 18, sides 20 ar~d tongue 22 of the shoe 2. While Figure 5(13) only illustrates &c pods 6 extending over a portion of the shoe 2, the pods 6 continue to extend around the entire shoe 2 in the directions of arrows 24a, 24b, and 24c so as to encase the entire poltion of the foot 16 20 pneitinning wi&in shoe 2. Ln view of the large number of individual pods 6 each in fluid ~ nl with each other s~ y encasing the entire foot, a wearer's foot can be more &I~ t~ly supported.
The support member 4 may be shaped to enclose the entire foot 16 of the wearer in a sock-like manner where all sections of the sock are in fluid 21 85~34 .
^ 12-C~ .n~ with each other. A': .l-d~ the support member 4 may be divided up into individual areas or zones. These areas may include, for example, the sole, heaf, side panels and tonf~ue. ~n this altematiYe f, ~1 o-~ tof separate i~reas, each area includes tLte plurality of the fluid c~ E
S pods 6, as described above. Figure 6 illustrates the cnnfi~lrPtinn of pods 6 and fluid ~,.. . -I;n~l ch~els 8 within a separate sole por~ion 60 of the support member. Ag~in, while the pods 6 are shown on only a portion of the sole portion 60, in actuafity the pods 6 extend the entire length of sole area 60 in the direction of arrow 62. Each of these areas rltay be fomned separate from 10 the ot~ter, ~tnd, thus, not in fluid ~ ;n . For iltstance, all of the pods 6 within sole portion 60 are ~ t~;~ r; in fluid ,. o~ and all of the pods witltin side p~nels of the support member 4 are in fluid ~
howcver, in this ..1,~ the pods 6 within side parfels would not be in fluid c~ rA~mir~tinn with the pods 6 in sole portion 60. AltematiYely, the 1~ different area-c may ~e formed in fluid ~ wit~f one or more of the other areas, depending upon the desired c~lchinning ffnd C~trpnrtin~
iAc to be provided.
The support member 4 should be c-~ ..f ~ r~i ~rom a flexible, fluid-ttght barrier material which is capable of being bonded to the irlner periphery of a 20 shoe 2. Preferably, the material is a plastic-type material, such as polyul~lllalle or other similar material. T~fe support member 4 may be coll,flu.,~d from 1 la~lg layers of a flexible, fl tid and air tight barrier material, which may be two solid layers sea~ed at the peripheral ed,ge tftereo The plurality of individual pods 6 and ~ ~ondi.lg fluid . jnn channels 8 are .

2 ~ 8583~

formed in the body of the support member 4. The layers can be bonded together by any C r~ tion bonding tr~h-~qu~ Alt~ d~;v~ly, each individual pod 6 may be ~" ~1-, - t~;~ of tbe barrier material and cormGcted to each sdjacent pod by the addition of the respective fluid comn~lm~ ~ti~n channels S g by further sealing the two solid layers together at these locations. FurLher, the support member 4 could also be formed as a single urlit using a molding process, such as injection molding.
The f~uid mate}ial provided witkin the support member 4 for travel between adjacent pods 6 may be a liquid or gel having a low freezing point, 10 or, alt~,l~L~ a gaseous fluid such as air. The r~aterial may also be a ..h ~ n of liquid materials and may include solid oyects r.1i~trrh~
tberein. By selecting a liquid material having a certain viscoslty, the type of support provided by the support member 4 of the present invention can be changed depending upon the user's needs and the type of shoe 2 in which the support member 4 is used. The size ~nd diameter of the fluid ~.. ,.;. ,tl;~"
cbannels carl also be sized to regulatc the volume arld speed of fluid flow between each individual pod 6 to fi~er control the ~..~I.;~J..:n~ and support of the support member. Referring now to ~igure 2, in this _. "ho~ L of the present invention, the entrance 30 into each pod 6 from its 20 respective fluid .~ r, chi~nnels 8 are tapered or conically shaped to facilitate fluid flow from one pod 6 to ano~er without exerting too much force against tbe walls 32 of the pod 6 near the entrance 3~. This reduces the possibility of rupturing the walls 32 of a pod 6, particu~arly dunng strenuous activity where large a~nounts o~pressure can be exerted on a pod 6 from the force applied by the foot on the support member 4. There~ore, utilizing a tapered entrance 30 assists in retairling the structural integrity of the individual pods 6 over extended periods of use.
The fluid filled support member 4 functiorls by redi~trihllfin~ the fluid 5 material between pods 6 in response to pressures applied on the support memba 4. When pressure is applied to specific areas of the support member 4 by the user's foot 16, thc force is distributed equally to areas of less pressure as the liquid material moves through the ~ ' e fluid ~
channels 8 from pod 6 to pod 6. The pods 6 in close proximity to the pressure 10 point will become co..~ ed ~nd terld to force the entrapped fluid within the pods 6 to adjacent pods 6 ~ less pressure. Each pod 6 is preferably only partially filled with fluid to allow additional fluid to travel into the pod 6 duting the .,~ of fluid. As the stress is relieved from the pressure point, the support member 4 adjusts to again reach an ~ " ;.~ point. By 15 proYiding a plurality of small individual pods 6 each including a plurality of fluid ~ .. charmels 8, the applied pressure does nM
force the liquid material from one area of the shoe 2 to another. In other words, each pod 6 I~ll.u~ d;~lg the pressure point will release the liquid mate~ial held therein at slightly different timoe depending upon its proxirnity 2~ to the pressure point. The fluid in thûse pods 6 e I ~ . if .l r-. ~ p, the most pressure will be forced out first, while the fluid irl the pods 6 aull~ulld,llg the pxssure pûint will be released more slowly depending upon tbe distance from the center of the pressure pûint. As a result, the pods 6 surrounding rhe pressure point continue to maintain adequate support and cushion. Without such a delayed rcsponse, the support membcr 4 would not provide sufficient cllcllif~n;np at the point of pressure. Moreover, by providing a large number of individual pods 6, . ~nin~ of the foot is enhanced during use since each of the c~ pods 6 reacts in a slightly different manner as a result of its 5 position with respect to the pressure point.
Further, the forces exerted by the user's foot on each of the pods 6 and the .~ fluid c.-....,- . ~ " channels g are Ci~ifi Intly rcduced by this force evenly over each of the plurality of individual pods 6.
Additionally, the force against the inner walls of the pods 6, particul~rly at the 10 entrance of each of the fluid ~ channels 8, is ...;,; --:, i due to this .1;-~ ib ~;---. of force over a large number of pods 6 and channels 8.
The fluid filled support system formed in ac~o~d~l. ~ with tbe present invention will provide ~ footwear exhibiting enhanced cuchinnin~
support, and fit. While the support member of the p}esent invention has been 15 dcscribed abovc illCiOI~ t~ into a shoe, it is l- ~ ld that the support member for ~ su~ g a user's foot does not need to be integral .,t of a shoe but m~y be formed separately.

Claims (28)

1. A fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear, comprising:
a support member of a shape generally suited to cushion a foot or selected portions of a foot;
a plurality of fluid-containing pods spaced apart from one another formed throughout said support member for absorbing shocks encountered by the footwear;
a plurality of fluid communication channels positioned between said fluid-containing pods for interconnecting said fluid-containing pods and maintaining said fluid-containing pods in fluid communication wherein each fluid-containing pod has at least three fluid communication channels attached thereto directly connecting each fluid-containing pod to at least three adjacentfluid-containing pods.
2. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said fluid containing, pods has at least four fluid communication channels extending therefrom directly connecting each of said fluid containing pods to at least four adjacent fluid-containing pods
3. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said fluid communication channels intersects another of said fluid communication channels which directly interconnects each of said fluid-containing pods to eight adjacent fluid-containing pods through said fluid communication channels.
4. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein all of said fluid-containing pods are fluidically interconnected to form a fluid-containing system of pods which maintain fluid communication between all of said fluid-containing pods.
5. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein said support member completely surrounds a wearer's foot.
6. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 5, wherein said fluid-containing pods are positioned throughout all areas of said support member.
7. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said fluid communication channels intersects with at least one other of said fluid communication channels.
8. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 7, wherein said fluid communication channels intersect in a criss-cross manner.
9. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein said support member is connected from a flexible, fluid-tight barrier material which is capable of being bonded to the material of a shoe.
10. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein support member is integrally formed within a shoe.
11. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 10, wherein said fluid-containing pods extend an entire length of said shoe, including the sole, sides, heel, forefoot, and tongue portions of the said shoe.
12. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 10, wherein all of said fluid-containing pods are in fluidic communication with one another.
13. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein said fluid contained within said fluid-containing pods is a liquid.
14. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein said fluid contained within said fluid-containing pods is a gas.
15. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein the size and diameter of said fluid communication channels may be varied to regulate the volume and speed of fluid flow between said fluid-containing pods.
16. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said fluid-containing pods are only partially filled with fluid when said fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus is in an equilibrium state.
17. A fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear, comprising:
a support member of a shape generally suited to cushion a foot, wherein said support member completely surrounds said foot;
a plurality of fluid-containing pods spaced apart from one another formed throughout said support member for absorbing shocks encountered by the footwear, wherein said fluid-containing pods extend around substantially the entire periphery of said foot;
a plurality of fluid communication channels positioned between said fluid-containing pods for interconnecting said fluid-containing pods and maintaining all of said fluid-containing pods in fluid communication.
18. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said fluid-containing pods has at least four fluid communication channels extending therefrom directly connecting each of said fluid-containing pods to at least four adjacent fluid containing pods.
19. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 18, wherein each fluid communication channel intersects another fluid communication channel which directly interconnects each fluid-containing pod to eight adjacent fluid-containing pods through said fluid communication channels.
20. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 17, wherein each of said fluid communication channels intersects with at least one other of said fluid communication channels.
21. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 20, wherein said fluid communication channels intersect in a criss-cross manner.
22. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 17, wherein said support member is constructed from a flexible, fluid-tight barrier material which is capable of being bonded to the material of a shoe.
23. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 17, wherein support member is integrally formed within a shoe.
24. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 23, wherein said fluid-containing pods extend the entire length of said shoe, including the sole, sides, heel, forefoot, and tongue portions of the said shoe.
25. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 17, wherein said fluid contained within said fluid-containing pods is a liquid.
26. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 17, wherein said fluid contained within said fluid-containing pods is a gas.
27. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 17, wherein the size and diameter of said fluid communication channels may be varied to regulate the volume and speed of fluid flow between said fluid-containing pods.
28. The fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus for an article of footwear as defined in claim 17, wherein each of said fluid-containing pods are only partially filled with fluid when said fluid cushioning and supporting apparatus is in an equilibrium state.
CA002185834A 1995-09-18 1996-09-18 Fluid filled support system for footwear Abandoned CA2185834A1 (en)

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US60/003,887 1995-09-18

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