Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US4744157?dq=6,243,373
Timestamp: 2013-12-05 01:41:31
Document Index: 518031898

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20']

Patent US4744157 - Custom molding of footgear - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsAn apparatus for molding the soles and uppers of various types of footgear to the contours of individual feet, said apparatus comprising multiple, individual, complete elements, each of said elements comprising impervious structure for receiving, maintaining, retaining and withdrawal of molding material;...http://www.google.com/patents/US4744157?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4744157 - Custom molding of footgearPublication numberUS4744157 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 06/915,669Publication dateMay 17, 1988Filing dateOct 3, 1986Priority dateOct 3, 1986Fee statusLapsedPublication number06915669, 915669, US 4744157 A, US 4744157A, US-A-4744157, US4744157 A, US4744157AInventorsBenjamin B. DubnerOriginal AssigneeDubner Benjamin BPatent Citations (8), Referenced by (93), Classifications (9), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCustom molding of footgearUS 4744157 AAbstract An apparatus for molding the soles and uppers of various types of footgear to the contours of individual feet, said apparatus comprising multiple, individual, complete elements, each of said elements comprising impervious structure for receiving, maintaining, retaining and withdrawal of molding material; said structure defining an end port piece with valve-like action to maintain closure while permitting selective insertion and withdrawal of molding material; a flexible bag to receive and contain said molding material; a connecting part between said end port piece and said flexible bag, where said connecting part is a flat tube-like structure of unique construction, said unique construction permitting passage and retention of molding material without any readily apparant increase in cross section; where the number of said elements employed varies with the type of footgear; and where the shape and size of each element varies with its location in said footgear, and where said shape and size of each of said connecting parts varies to permit the location of end port pieces in any desirable part of the footgear; and where said molding material is of a non-setting matter such as water or air.
I claim: 1. Apparatus for providing footgear with comfortable individualized molded support, said apparatus comprising a plurality of independent flexible impervious liquid proof bag structures for retaining a non-setting free flowing fluid; each bag structure having a conduit extending therefrom terminating in a port constructed to maintain closure of said element while permitting selective insertion or withdrawal of said non-setting fluids said bag structure being located in the footgear with respect to the foot of the wearer to provide individual areas of the foot with external pressure and support said bags and connecting parts being secured to an overriding innersole, said overriding innersole having means for adherence to the sole and upper of said footgear.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to the field of custom fitted footgear: dress shoes, athletic boots, sneakers, running shoes, orthopedic shoes, and the like, and more particularly to an improved means for accomplishing same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention pertinent areas of footgear are molded by multiple individual water and air tight elements, each of said elements comprising a flexible bag, a connecting part or tube, and an end port piece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1. A perspective view of one ccmplete element of the invention, illustrating the bag, the end port piece, and the connecting part between said bag and said port piece.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention comprises several individual complete impervious elements. FIG. 1 illustrates, schematically, an element with its component parts, said parts comprising a flexible bag 15, said bag 15 narrowing down to a flat connecting tube part 20, and said connecting part 20 joining a shaped rigid port piece 30. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of a connecting tube part 20. The shape and size of the flexible bag 15 varies in the various elements depending on its location in the footgear as illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6; 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F, 15G. The connecting flat tubular part 20 also varies in shape as illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6; 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G. Said connecting part 20 is a flat flexible tube of unique construction and can be an extension of bag 15. Said unique construction of said connecting part 20 is such as to permit only enough expansion to allow for the free flow of molding material, where said expansion is relatively minimal so that when the said connecting tube part 20 is full of molding material it will not expand to the extent that such expansion would be felt by any part of the foot resting on it or against it. One way such minimal characteristics can be achieved is by having said connecting part 20 constructed of two flat pieces of flexible material, where said two pieces are joined on opposing sides FIG. 2, 70, 71, each joined side having a width of at least 3/32 of an inch along its entire length, and where the distance or open area between said opposing sides 70, 71 is about 1/8 of an inch 73.
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