Abstract:
A pneumatically cushioned shoe or shoe insert including a plurality of regions, each region including a respective plurality of air bladders; each respective air bladder having a self-sealing valve disposed thereon and configured to allow air to enter the bladder through the valve while maintaining air pressure within the air bladder; and each 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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS 
       [0001]    The present invention 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 Ser. 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 INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to shoes, and, more particularly, to pneumatic cushioning therein. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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 INVENTION 
       [0007]    Therefore, 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. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, in exemplary aspects of the present invention there is provided a pneumatically cushioned shoe or shoe insert including a plurality of regions, each region including a respective plurality of air bladders; each respective air bladder having a self-sealing valve disposed thereon and configured to allow air to enter the bladder through the valve while maintaining air pressure within the air bladder; and each 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. 
         [0009]    One or more of the respective air bladders can be configured in a predetermined shape so as to correct for a corresponding type of foot pronation when inflated. 
         [0010]    The device can be integrated into a sole of a shoe. 
         [0011]    The valves 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. 
         [0012]    The device can be configured as a shoe insert with the valves 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. 
         [0013]    The plurality of air bladders can be selectively connected to the air pump needle or the integrated pump and release valve device via an air flow switching device accessible external to the shoe to selectively inflate or deflate each of the respective air bladders. 
         [0014]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    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: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a general schematic of the inflating arrangement utilized in the shoe; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a horizontal cross section of the shoe sole, revealing the inflation bladders and conduits; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the shoe showing transparent conduits and the flow switching device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a side bellows air pressurization unit coupled with an air release valve and a flow switching device; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows the air pressurization unit in the closed position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows the air pressurization unit in the open position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a switching input device; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the switching input device in a second position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the switching device in a closed position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a bladder with a foam core; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a horizontal cross section of the shoe sole, revealing the inflation bladder and conduits; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12A  is prospective view of a side of the inventive shoe; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12B  is a prospective view of the back of the inventive shoe; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13A  is a side view of the piston rod and cap disconnected; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13B  is a prospective view of the pump actuator and pump cylinder; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13C  is a side view of the pump cylinder and pump-cylinder top disconnected; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 14A-14D  are side views of an integrated air pump and air release valve that can be used with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-13 ; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 15-16  are used to illustrate one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-14  configured as a shoe insert and that can employ one or more of the various features thereof; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 17A-17C  are used to illustrate one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-16  configured for pronation correction and that can employ one or more of the various features thereof; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 18A-18B  are used to illustrate the use of an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) material for securing air bladders in one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-16 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is used to illustrate one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-18  configured for individual air bladder selection via a flow switching device and employing an external pumping mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is illustrated 
         [0038]    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  FIG. 1  and includes three bladder sets. However, it will be apparent that the arrangement is adaptable to any plurality of bladder sets. The arrangement includes a pump  12  with an inlet  14  and an outlet  16 . Outlet  16  is connected to a flow switching device  18  at a flow switching input  20 . Flow switching device  18  operates as a selective valve which allows air flow into at least two outlets, the preferred embodiment having a first outlet  22 , a second outlet  24 , and a third outlet  26 . Each outlet  22 ,  24 , and  26  is connected to a corresponding conduit  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Each conduit  28 ,  30 , and  32  is associated with corresponding unidirectional flow valves  34 ,  36 , and  38 . Each unidirectional flow valve  34 ,  36 , and  38  is connected to corresponding conduit  40 ,  42 , and  44 . Each conduit  40 ,  42 , and  44  is further associated with corresponding pressure release valves  46 ,  48 , and  50 . Conduits  52 ,  54 , and  56  are connected to release valves  46 ,  48 , and  50  and each conduit is connected to corresponding bladder sets  58 ,  60 , and  62 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows one arrangement of separate bladder sets  58 ,  60  and  62  in the sole of shoe  100  in which forefoot bladder  62  is comprised of mid-forefoot bladder  64  and toe forefoot bladder  66 . Bladders  64  and  66  are interconnected by conduits  68  and  70 . This multiple bladder configuration may also be implemented on the other bladder sets. 
         [0040]    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. 
         [0041]    The invention can be adapted to utilize a number of different combinations of elements to effectuate the goals of the invention. Thus, in  FIG. 3 , pump  12  could utilize an integral heel mounted plunger-type pump, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,312, which is incorporated by reference herein. The plunger type pump could also be disposed in the sole of the shoe, or for that matter, located at any convenient place on the shoe. As an alternative to the plunger-type pump  12 , the bellows-type pump of  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  could also be used. 
         [0042]    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. 
         [0043]    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  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9  uses rotor  122  contained within circumferential wall  124  of body  126  of device  118 . Body  126  also has a floor  128  and a top (not shown) to completely define an enclosed plenum  130 . Rotor  122  is sealed against wall  126  in such manner that rotor  122  may be turned in a plurality of positions. In  FIG. 7 , inlet chamber  132  is aligned with inlet  20  and in communication with passageway  134  that, in  FIG. 7 , further communicates to outlet  24 . By comparison, in  FIG. 8 , rotor  122  has been turned so that conduit  134  is now in communication with outlet  22  while chamber  132  owing to its elongated configuration. In  FIG. 9 , rotor  122  has been further turned so that both chamber  132  and conduit  134  abut wall  126 , thereby restricting passage of air between inlet  20  and any of outlets  22 ,  24 , or  26 . In like manner, of course, the rotor could be aligned with outlet  26  and inlet  20 . It is also possible to adapt flow switching device  118  to a greater or lesser number of outlets, as desired. In the preferred embodiment, outlets  22 ,  24 , and  26  would be associated with valves  34 ,  36 , and  38 , respectively. As described above, these could be of the Schrader or other improved Schrader types. Use of this approach in addition to the positional adjustment of rotor  122  to the closed position as shown in  FIG. 9  would minimize pressure loss from bladders  58 ,  60 , and  62 . 
         [0044]    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 O-rings, could also be utilized. 
         [0045]    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  FIG. 5 . 
         [0046]    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  FIG. 10 , the top surface of the foam core  61  is secured by an adhesive  63  to the interior surface of the top membrane  55  of the inflatable bladder  57 . The adhesive  63  may be contact cement, heat activated cement, or solvent based cement. Alternatively, the bladder membrane may be attached to the foam core  61  by heat or radio welding. 
         [0047]    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. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 11 ,  12 A and  12 B, and  13 A,  13 B and  13 C depict the preferred inflation device disposed completely within the shoe sole. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  is a horizontal cross section of the shoe sole, revealing the inflation bladder and conduits. The embodiment shown includes only one inflatable bladder  58 . 
         [0050]    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. 
         [0051]    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  FIG. 12A , cap  200  can be moved in the direction of the arrows to either lock or unlock pump actuator  210 . Cap  200  is flush with the outer wall  220  of the sole when pump actuator  210  is locked in position. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 13C , cylinder top  242  is removable from pump cylinder  240  to allow for the insertion of pump actuator  210  therein. Cylinder  242  is thereafter sufficiently secured to cylinder  240  to prevent non-intentional removal thereof. 
         [0053]      FIG. 13A  depicts cap  200  disengaged from distal end  232  of piston rod  230 . In use cap  200  is sufficiently secured to rod  230  so that separation does not occur. Piston  238  is sized such that movement into cylinder  240  causes air to be force out of the pump chamber into the bladder. 
         [0054]    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 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 14A-14D  are side views of an integrated air pump and air release valve  1400  that can be used with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-13 . In  FIG. 14A , the integrated air pump and air release valve  1400 , include a piston heel  302 , stopper(s)  304 , a piston  306 , a holder  308 , a first spring  310 , a first rubber gasket  312 , a second spring  314 , a second rubber gasket  316 , an integrated check valve  318 , and a cylindrical housing  320 . 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 14A , the integrated air pump and air release valve  1400  is shown in the opened position, configured for starting the pumping of air into the system. In  FIG. 14B , the integrated air pump and air release valve  1400  is shown in the pumping down stroke position, configured for pumping air into the system via the integrated check valve  318 , as shown by arrow  322 . In  FIG. 14C , the integrated air pump and air release valve  1400  is shown in the locked position configured for maintaining air pumped into the system in the system via the integrated check valve  318 . In  FIG. 14D , the integrated air pump and air release valve  1400  is shown in the air release position, configured for releasing air from the system via the integrated check valve  318 , as shown by arrow  324 . Advantageously, by integrating the air pump and the air release valve, as described with respect to  FIGS. 14A-14D , the overall size of the system can be reduced. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 15-16  are used to illustrate one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-14  configured as a shoe insert and that can employ one or more of the various features thereof. In  FIG. 15A , a shoe insert  1500  (e.g., made from a molded plastic material, etc.) can be configured with a plurality of interconnected or individual air bladder sections  1502 - 1508  (e.g., for the inner heel, outer heel, arch, and metatarsal areas of the foot, etc.). Advantageously, with this embodiment, an external pumping mechanism can be employed, such that the area taken up by the air bladder sections  1502 - 1508  can be increased. In  FIG. 15B , the shoe insert  1500  is shown with respective self sealing valves  1510  (e.g., as used in basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, etc.). Advantageously, the integrated air pump and air release valve  1400  can be employed in this embodiment, such that the use of air release valves to release air from the air bladders  1502 - 1508  need not be employed. In  FIG. 16 , a shoe insert  1600  (e.g., made from a molded plastic material, etc.) also includes the respective self sealing valves  1610  (e.g., as used in basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, etc.). Advantageously, a conventional air pump  1612  with needle  1614  (e.g., based on the type used to inflate basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, etc.) can be employed in this embodiment, and such that the use of air release valves to release air from the air bladders  1502 - 1508  need not be employed. With this embodiment, air can be individually released from the air bladder  1502 - 1508  by inserting the needle  1614  in the respective valve  1610  without the pump  1612  attached. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 17A-17C  are used to illustrate one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-16  configured for pronation correction and that can employ one or more of the various features thereof. In  FIGS. 17A-17C , the air bladder  1502  is configured in a wedge shape, such that inflation thereof can be used to correct for pronation.  FIG. 17B  shows the air bladder  1502  in a deflated configuration, and  FIG. 17C  shows the air bladder  1502  in an inflated configuration so as to correct for pronation. The bladder  1502  can be provided between an outsole  1702  and an insole  1704  with a layer  1706  (e.g., made from an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) material, etc.) surrounding the bladder  1502  to firmly hold the bladder  1502  in place. A raised ridge  1708  (e.g., raised by about 1.5 to 2.5 mm, etc.) is provided on the outsole  1702  to contain the air bladder  1502  therewithin. Advantageously, the air bladder  1502  can be configured in any suitable shape and location to correct for any suitable type of pronation. Similarly, one or more of the air bladders  1504 - 1508  can be configured as described with respect to the air bladder  1502 , advantageously, to correct for pronation within their respective areas. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 18A-18B  are used to illustrate the use of an EVA material for securing air bladders in one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-16 . In  FIG. 18A-18B , raised and rounded EVA ridges  1706  (e.g., raised by about 1.5-2.5 mm, etc.) are provided to secure the air bladder  1502  firmly in place.  FIG. 18A  shows the air bladder  1502  in a deflated configuration, and  FIG. 18B  shows the air bladder  1502  in an inflated configuration. The ridges  1706  are configured (e.g., about 3 to 4 mm below the bladder  1502 ) such that when the air bladder  1502  is deflated the ridges  1706  are level with the air bladder  1502 , so the ridges  1702  cannot be felt when the air bladder  1502  is deflated, as shown in  FIG. 18A . The EVA material  1706  can be glued down to the outsole  1702  (e.g., using any suitable adhesive, etc.) so that a rigid area is provided underneath the air bladder  1502  for support therefor. Advantageously, one or more of the air bladders  1504 - 1508  can be configured as described with respect to the air bladder  1502 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 19  is used to illustrate one or more of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-18  configured for individual air bladder selection via a flow switching device and employing an external pumping mechanism. In  FIG. 19 , an air flow switching device  18  (e.g., as previously described and configured as a dial, etc.) with individual connections  1902  to the respective air bladders  1502 - 1508  can be employed to individually fill one or more of the air bladders  1502 - 1508  and can be used with a suitable pumping mechanism (e.g., the pumping mechanisms  1400 ,  1612 , etc.). 
         [0061]    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. 
         [0062]    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. 
         [0063]    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. 
         [0064]    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. 
         [0065]    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.