Abstract:
A footwear with a fluid which flows through integral chambers and passageways within the sole in which additional traction elements may be selectively and forcedly deployed and retracted. Valves on the footwear in combination with a control system, control the flow of the fluid allowing the user to choose between a range of traction deployment options to suit the needs of the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Specialty footwear for improving traction is currently available. For example, football and golf shoes have various studs that protrude beyond the sole in order to increase traction with soft ground. These studs dig into the soft ground surface and increase the lateral and fore/aft tractive forces. However, this type of specialty footwear has limitations. The stud protuberances are not easily retracted or removed, hence the user must exercise care and caution when walking or running on hard surfaces in which the studs have little traction. The studs also generate considerable noise when used on hard surfaces. Additionally, these studs can potentially damage vulnerable ground surfaces such as putting greens, wood or tile floors. 
         [0002]    Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,578,631 and 6,125,556. However, each of these references suffers disadvantages. One such disadvantage is the excessive hardware and tubing used, which is rigid, heavy and bulky, which necessarily increases the weight and thickness of the sole of the footwear, while simultaneously decreasing the comfort of the wearer. Also, referenced specialty mechanisms can become obstructed by things such as soil and water rendering them ineffective. They also have the additional disadvantage of being complicated and difficult to operate and offer too little in the way of traction options. 
         [0003]    For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for easily operated footwear with light, comfortable and functional deployable and retractable traction for varying walking surfaces. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one embodiment of the footwear comprising a midsole. The midsole having a first main pocket formed therein and a first plurality of slave pockets formed therein. The footwear also comprising an outsole having a second main pocket formed therein and a second plurality of slave pockets formed therein. The first and second main pockets cooperate to form a master chamber between the midsole and outsole. The first and second plurality of slave pockets cooperate to form slave chambers. The master chamber and the slave chambers are fluidly connected by way of a fluid transfer passageway having a fluid therein. The footwear also comprises a valve at least partially disposed within the fluid transfer passageway to control the flow of the fluid. Additionally, a plurality of elastomeric bodies at least partially disposed within said outsole and positioned substantially at said slave chambers such that said fluid flows into and out of said slave chambers shifting said elastomeric bodies relative to said outsole. 
         [0005]    According to another embodiment of the footwear comprising a midsole and an upper membrane having a first main pocket formed therein and a first plurality of slave pockets formed therein. The footwear also comprising a lower membrane having a second main pocket formed therein and a second plurality of slave pockets formed therein. The first and second main pockets cooperate to form a master chamber between the upper and lower membranes. The first and second plurality of slave pockets cooperate to form slave chambers. The master chamber and the slave chambers are fluidly connected by way of a fluid transfer passageway having a fluid therein. The footwear also comprising a valve at least partially disposed within the fluid transfer passageway to control the flow of the fluid. Additionally, the footwear has an outsole coupled to said midsole such that the upper and lower membranes are at least partially disposed therein. Furthermore, a plurality of elastomeric bodies at least partially disposed within said outsole and positioned substantially at said slave chambers such that said fluid flows into and out of said slave chambers shifting said elastomeric bodies relative to said outsole. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of footwear embodying features of the present disclosure for footwear with deployable and retractable tractive features. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the footwear where the chambers and passageways are formed into the outsole and midsole. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the footwear where a membrane is used in conjunction with the midsole and outsole. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    shows a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1  in the deployed and undeployed states. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the footwear having a master chamber fluidly connected to the slave chambers, in the undeployed State. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the footwear having a foreward master chamber and rearward master chamber each fluidly connected to exclusive slave chambers, in the undeployed State. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the footwear having a plurality of master chambers all fluidly connected to the slave chambers, in the undeployed State. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 9 a , 9 b  and 9 c    are partial cross sectional views of the footwear shown in  FIG. 9 , showing the elastomeric body in the undeployed, partially deployed and fully deployed states. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    show a front view of two embodiments of the control system on the footwear shown in  FIGS. 8, 9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c.    
           [0017]      FIG. 11  shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the footwear having an electrical control system to actuate the valve. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  shows an environmental view of a footwear sending and receiving signals from remote devices and to eachother. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended to be merely examples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to practice the disclosed concepts. 
         [0020]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 to 13 , a new and improved footwear embodying the principles and concepts of the present disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  20  will be described. 
         [0021]    The present disclosure may be embodied in various forms. The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose an article of footwear  20  in accordance with the present disclosure. Footwear  20  may be any style of footwear including, for example, footwear that typically includes cleats such as Baseball cleats, soccer cleats, football cleats, and golf shoes. However, footwear  20  is not to be restricted to types of footwear known to have cleats. Footwear  20  could also be any style of footwear that could accommodate a retractable body for additional traction and/or support in certain circumstances, such as a boot, a basketball shoe, a tennis shoe, a climbing shoe or a running shoe. 
         [0022]    For purposes of general reference, as shown in  FIG. 1  footwear  20  may be divided into two general regions: heel region  22  and toe region  24 . Regions  22 , and  24  are not intended to designate precise areas of the footwear  20 . Rather, regions  22 , and  24  are intended to represent general areas of footwear  20  that provide a frame of reference during the following discussion. 
         [0023]    Unless otherwise stated, or otherwise clear from the context below, directional terms used herein, such as rear, rearwardly, front, forwardly, inwardly, outwardly, lower, downwardly, upper, upwardly, etc., refer to directions relative to footwear  20  itself. Footwear  20  is shown in  FIG. 1  to be disposed substantially horizontally, as it would be positioned on a horizontal surface when worn by a wearer. However, it is to be appreciated that footwear  20  need not be limited to such an orientation. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , rearwardly is toward heel region  22 , that is, to the left as seen in  FIG. 1 . Naturally, forwardly is toward toe region  24 , that is, to the right as seen in  FIG. 1 , downwardly and lower are toward the bottom of the page as seen in  FIG. 1 , and upwardly is toward the top of the page as seen in  FIG. 1 . Inwardly is toward the center of footwear  20 , and outwardly is toward the outer periphery of footwear  20 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a footwear which includes a sole assembly  26  and an upper  28  secured to sole assembly  26 . Upper  28  forms an interior void that comfortably receives a foot and secures the position of the user&#39;s foot relative to sole assembly  26 . Sole assembly includes an outsole  30  and a midsole  32 . The outsole  30  lower than the midsole  32 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show the sole assembly  26  of the footwear  20  is constructed to create a master chamber  34  and a plurality of slave chambers  36 . The midsole having a first main pocket  38  formed therein and a first plurality of slave pockets  40  formed therein. The outsole having a second main pocket  42  formed therein and a second plurality of slave pockets  44  formed therein, wherein the first and second main pockets cooperate to form the master chamber  34  between the midsole and outsole, and wherein the first and second plurality of slave pockets cooperate to form the slave chambers  36 , wherein the master chamber  34  and the slave chambers  36  are fluidly connected by way of a fluid transfer passageway  46 . The fluid transfer passageway  46  allow a fluid to flow between the master chamber  34  and slave chambers  36 . 
         [0026]    A fluid is used as a medium for power transmission. The fluid can be a compressible or incompressible fluid. Compressible fluids include gases such as air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, helium, etc. whereas, incompressible fluids include water, mineral oil and other hydraulic fluids. 
         [0027]    Disposed at least partially within the outsole  30  is a plurality of elastomeric bodies  50 .  FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the elastomeric bodies  50 . Each of the elastomeric bodies  50  is positioned substantially at each of the slave chambers  36 . The elastomeric bodies  50  are made of soft and durable material, commonly used in the soles of footwear, and known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The elastomeric bodies  50  are shown in  FIG. 2  as elongated pads, however any number of shapes may be used including cylinders and should not interpreted as limiting. The elastomeric bodies  50  shift upwardly and downwardly relative to the outsole in which they are disposed within.  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    show a partial sectional view of the elastomeric bodies  50 . The deployment and retraction of the elastomeric bodies  50  is caused by the weight of the wearer. When the valve  48  allows the flow of fluid from the master chamber  34  to the slave chambers  36 , the weight of the wearer causes the volume of the master chamber  34  to decrease forcing the fluid to flow from the master chamber  34  to the slave chambers  36 , increasing the volume of the slave chambers  36  and shifting the elastomeric bodies  50  downwardly relative to the outsole  30  entering the deployed state. The elastomeric bodies  50 , when in the deployed state make greater contact with the walking surface  54 , adding additional tractive force to the wearer. Additional tractive force is beneficial when on smooth, slippery or sloped walking surfaces  54 . Likewise, when the valve  48  allows the flow of fluid from the slave chambers  36  in to the master chamber  34 , the weight of the wearer causes the volume of the slave chambers  36  to decrease forcing the fluid flow from the slave chambers  36  to the master chamber  34 , allowing the elastomeric bodies  50  to shift upwardly relative to the outsole  30  entering the undeployed state. The elastomeric bodies  50 , when in the undeployed state make little to no contact with the walking surface  54 , eliminating the additional tractive force to the wearer and protecting the elastomeric bodies  50  from wear and tear on harsh walking surfaces  54 . 
         [0028]    In an alternative embodiment, disposed at least partially within each elastomeric bodies  50  is a member  52 .  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    show a partial sectional view of an elastomeric body  50  with a member  52  in both the deployed and retracted and state. The member is shown as a stud which increases tractive forces with a surface  54 ; however, the member is not limited to the stud. Various forms of member  52  can be used to increase tractive force, such tractive elements may include hard metal or polymer cleats like those used in baseball, football and soccer; hard metal or polymer spikes like those used in golf and track; soft pads; or threaded or locking receptacle which allows the wearer to exchange the various tractive elements and replace worn tractive elements. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the sole assembly  26  is also molded to house a valve  48 . The valve controls the flow of the fluid passing through the fluid transfer passageway  46  and in and out of the master chambers and slave chambers. The valve  48  is fluidly situated between the master chamber  34  and the slave chambers  36 , at least partially disposed in the fluid transfer passageway  46 . The valve  48  controls the flow of fluid passing between the master chamber  34  and the slave chambers  36 . The valve  48  may be any one of a number of types of valves including spool, umbrella, pinch and standard hydraulic valves and pneumatic valves. A control system  49  is used to actuate the valve  48  between different positions. In  FIG. 2  the control system  49  is represented by the push button  49   a  with a weather seal to keep foreign substances out; however, the control system  49  should not be limited to a push button. Additionally, the control system  49  can be switches, knobs  49   b , as shown in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   , levers, and solenoids in cooperation with electrical signals by way of a plurality of sensors and remote devices  66 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a valve  48  which is composed of a push button  48   a  which acts as a rubber seal to keep foreign substances out. The push button  48   a  is in constant contact with the plunger  80 . The plunger  80  has has a flat end and an end with cam features that interface with the cam  84 , to position the valve  48  into the actuated or unactuated state. A dampening spring  82  rest inside of the bore of the plunger and presses against the cam  84  to prevent the plunger  80  from moving around and making noise. The cam  84  has a small end that fits inside of the bore of the plunger  80  and the other end maintains contact with the spool valve  86 . The spool valve  86  has internal passages, o-rings and check valves, to aid in the change of the flow of the fluid, the spool valve  86  maintains contact with a valve positioning spring  88 . The valve positioning spring maintains contact with the body of the valve  48  and keeps the parts of the valve in contact with each other. The body of the valve  48  is has nipples to interface with the fluid transfer passageways. The parts of the valve are held together inside the body of the valve  48  by a threaded Retainer  78 . The Retainer has a hole running through, so that the end of the Plunger can protrude from the retainer. When the user presses the pushbutton  48   a  the internal passageways of the spool valve align with the nipples in the body of the valve  48  allowing fluid to pass in one manner. When the user depresses the pushbutton  48   a  the internal passageways of the spool valve align with different nipples in the body of the valve  48  allowing fluid to pass in a different manner. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a valve  48  which is a two way, two position, normally undeployed, check valve. A check valve is a type of valve  48  that allows the flow of fluid in one direction while preventing the flow of fluid in the opposite direction. When in position one, the valve  48  will be in the undeployed state. The flow of fluid from the master chamber  34  to the slave chambers  36  is restricted by the check valve allowing fluid to flow only from the slave chambers  36  to the master chambers  34 . When actuated the valve will shift to position two. Position two restricts flow from the slave chambers  36  to the master chamber  34  while allowing the flow of fluid from the master chamber  34  to the slave chambers  36 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows a valve  48 , specifically, a four way, two position, normally undeployed, directional control valve. A directional control valve is a type of valve which controls the direction of the flow of fluid through the system. When in position one, the valve  48  will be in the undeployed state with the flow of fluid flowing from the slave chambers  36  to the master chambers  34 . When actuated, the valve  48  shifts to the deployed state, in position two. When in position two the flow of fluid is directed from the master chambers  34  to the slave chambers  36 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment with a plurality of master chambers  34   c , each fluidly connected to the slave chambers  36 .  FIG. 8  also shows a valve  48  specifically, a four way, four position, normally undeployed, check valve. A check valve is a type of valve that allows the flow of fluid in one direction while preventing the flow of fluid in the opposite direction. When in position one, the valve  48  will be in the undeployed state. The flow of fluid from the plurality of master chambers  34   c  to the slave chambers  36  is restricted by the check valve allowing fluid to flow only from the slave chambers  36  to the plurality of master chambers  34   c . When the valve  48  is actuated to position two, the check valve restricts flow from the slave chambers  36  to the plurality of master chambers  34   c , while allowing the flow of fluid from one of the plurality of master chambers  34   c  to the slave chambers  36 . When the valve  48  is actuated to position three, the check valve restricts flow from the slave chambers  36  to the plurality of master chambers  34   c , while allowing the flow of fluid from two of the plurality of master chambers  34   c  to the slave chambers  36 . When the valve  48  is actuated to position four, the check valve restricts flow from the slave chambers  36  to the plurality of master chambers  34   c , while allowing the flow of fluid from all of the plurality of master chambers  34   c  to the slave chambers  36 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    show an embodiment where a knob is utilized for the control system  49 . The knob  49   b  and  49   c  would be placed at an easily accessible location of the footwear  20 . Possible locations for the control system  49  would be periphery of the sole assembly  26  or on the upper  28  of the footwear  20 . By rotating the knob  49   b  and  49   c  the knob will actuate the valve  48  into different positions, allowing the user to control the flow of the fluid to and from the master chamber  34  and slave chambers  36 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  shows one embodiment of the footwear  20  having a control system  49  where a sensor  56  or a transceiver  58  is in communication with a microprocessor  60 . The microprocessor  60  is configured to evaluate communications from the sensor  56  or the transceiver  58  for predefined environmental criteria permitting the microprocessor  60  to actuate a solenoid valve  62 . The sensor  56 , transceiver  58 , microprocessor  60  and solenoid valve  62  are powered by a power source  64 . 
         [0036]    In one possible embodiment, the sensor  56  is an accelerometer which senses lateral movement of the footwear  20 , this lateral movement triggers the actuation of the solenoid valve  62 , ultimately shifting the elastomeric bodies  50  downwardly relative to the outsole  30 , increasing the amount of tractive force with the surface  54 . When further predefined criteria are met the solenoid valve is actuated, permitting the elastomeric bodies  50  to shift upwardly relative to the outsole  30 . It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that at least one additional sensor  56  may be added to further enhance features of the footwear  20 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment where the control system  49  may include a remote device  66  that communicates with the transceiver  58 , which then communicates with the microprocessor  60 , if the communications from the remote device  66  meet predefined criteria evaluated by the microprocessor  60 , the solenoid valve  62  is actuated and the elastomeric bodies  50  downwardly relative to the outsole  30 , increasing the amount of tractive force with the surface  54 . The remote device  66  may be a mobile phone, a fob, a global positioning satellite, a communications tower or a wearable device such as a watch or an article of footwear  20 . The power source  64  may be a battery but may also be a Piezoelectric generator, dynamo, wireless power transfer, etc. 
         [0038]    For example, on a rainy day a remote device  66  such as a cell phone could sense weather and GPS data and send an electrical signal  59 , signaling that it is wet and you are walking outside, to the footwear  20 . The footwear  20  receives the message from the remote device through the transceiver  58  the micro processor  60  would then make a decision whether to deploy additional traction based on predefined criteria. If the criteria for additional traction is met, then the solenoid  62  will be energized and the valve  48  will shift to the appropriate deployed position, allowing the flow of fluid from the master chamber  34  to the slave chambers  36 . the weight of the wearer causes the volume of the master chamber  34  to decrease forcing the fluid to flow from the master chamber  34  to the slave chambers  36 , increasing the volume of the slave chambers  36  and shifting the elastomeric bodies  50  downwardly relative to the outsole  30  entering the deployed state. The elastomeric bodies  50 , when in the deployed state make greater contact with the walking surface  54 , adding additional tractive force to the wearer. Additional tractive force is beneficial when on smooth, slippery or sloped walking surfaces  54 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7  show an alternative embodiment of the footwear  20  which utilizes at least one master chamber  34  in the heel region  22  and the toe region  24 . Additionally, at least one of the slave chambers  36  in the toe region  24  is fluidly connected with the master chamber  34  in the heel region  22 . Likewise, at least one of the slave chambers  36  in the heel region  22  is fluidly connected with the master chamber  34  in the toe region  24 . This configuration aids deployment of the elastomeric bodies  50 . When the user&#39;s foot exerts force on the heel region  24  of the footwear  20 , the fluid in the master chamber  34  in the heel region  24  is displaced into the slave chambers  36  in the toe region  22  where less force is being exerted. Likewise, when the user&#39;s foot exerts force on the toe region  22  of the footwear  20 , the fluid in the master chamber  34  in the toe region  24  is displaced into the slave chambers  36  in the heel region  22  where less force is being exerted. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment where a plurality of master chambers  34   c  are in fluid communication with the slave chambers  36  by way of a valve  48 . The valve  48 , controls which of the plurality of master chambers  34   c  is in fluid communication with the slave chambers  36 . When greater than one and less than all of the plurality of master chambers  34  is in fluid communication with the slave chambers  36 , the volume of fluid allowed to flow to the slave chambers  36  is limited, resulting in a partial deployment of the elastomeric bodies  50  relative to the outsole  30 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment where the sole assembly  26  of the footwear  20  incorporates an upper membrane  68  and a lower membrane  70  disposed at least partially between the midsole  32  and outsole  30 . The upper membrane  68  and a lower membrane  70  form the master chamber  34 , slave chambers  36  and fluid transfer passageway  46 . The membranes may be any plastic suitable for footwear such as polyurethane. It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the upper membrane  68  and lower membrane  70  may be partially disposed on the upper  28  of the footwear  20  allowing for additional locations for the valve  48 . 
         [0042]    In an alternative embodiment of the footwear  20 , the valve  48  controls the flow of the fluid from the master chamber  34  to the slave chambers  36  such that the slave chambers  36  are fluidly configured into groups. The groups of slave chambers  36  may be divided based on location on the outsole  30  front to back as well as inward to outward. Additionally, groups may be divided to alternate in patterns or even placed strategically to maximize the effect of the various tractive members  52 . The control system  49  allows for the selection of varying quantities of elastomeric bodies  50  to deploy. This embodiment allows the footwear  20  to selectively deploy a plurality of types of members  52 . The footwear  20  may be configured to switch between a soft traction pad and sports cleat optimizing traction for multiple surfaces.