Patent ID: 6457262
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
An article of footwear for controlling side-to-side rotational motion of a foot of a wearer, said article of footwear comprising:an upper for receiving the foot; a sole attached to said upper, said sole having a lateral side and a medial side; at least a first bladder chamber and a second bladder chamber located side-by-side in said sole; and a valve system for placing said first bladder chamber and said second bladder chamber in two-directional fluid communication, said valve system including a first valve structured to transfer a fluid from said first bladder chamber to said second bladder chamber only when a difference in pressure between said first bladder chamber and said second bladder chamber exceeds a first predetermined pressure differential, said valve system thereby operating to transfer said fluid to one of said sides in response to a compression of said sole, and said valve system thereby providing increased medial or lateral support, to respectively limit pronation or supination of the foot.