Patent ID: 6430843
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
An article of footwear having a controlled cushioning system, the system comprising:a fluid-filled bladder received within a sole of the article of footwear, said bladder being closed to ambient air and having a plurality of separate cushioning chambers in fluid communication with each other; a plurality of pressure detectors, at least one of said plurality of pressure detectors being connected to each of said plurality of chambers; a plurality of regulators, one of said plurality of regulators being connected to each of said plurality of chambers for regulating the level of fluid communication of the connected chamber with at least one other of said plurality of chambers; a control system connected to the article of footwear, said control system communicating with said plurality of pressure detectors for detecting real time pressure in each of said plurality of chambers, communicating with each of said plurality of regulators to control actuation of each of said plurality of regulators for regulating the level of fluid communication of one of said plurality of chambers in relation to another of said plurality of chambers, and modulating the level of fluid communication between said plurality of chambers by actuating said plurality of regulators in a sequence to maintain a select pressure in each of said plurality of chambers.