Patent ID: 8800167
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
1. A pneumatically cushioned shoe having a sole including an integral outer wall for contact with external surfaces, the shoe comprising: a housing; a pump having an integral air release valve and included in the housing, wherein the housing is positioned within the sole; an inflatable bladder which is positioned within the sole and is operatively connected to the pump with the integral air release valve; and a pump actuator included in the pump with the integral air release valve and which is positioned within the sole when not in use, the pump actuator movable from a first position in a linear direction to pump fluid into the inflatable bladder and the pump actuator movable from a second position further in the same linear direction to release fluid from the inflatable bladder, wherein the sole includes a forefoot-pressure portion and a heel-pressure portion which strikes ground first during walking by a typical shoe-wearer and the pump is located at a location between the forefoot-pressure portion and heel-pressure portion, and the sole defines a longitudinal axis and the pump is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.