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Footwear cushioning system

a technology for shoes and padding, applied in footwear, clothing, applications, etc., can solve problems such as ineffective air bags

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-10-01
CHINOOK ASIA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a cushioning system for footwear that uses a matrix of hollow tubes made of elastomer. These tubes are either alone or enclosed in an air bag. The tubes are placed between the sole and upper of the footwear to provide cushioning and comfort. The technical effect of this system is to offer a comfortable and safe footwear experience for users.

Problems solved by technology

While air bags do provide cushioning, they can become compromised such that the air escapes the air bag, which makes the air bag ineffective.
This leaking can either be slowly due to a small amount of air leaking each time the foot bag impacts the ground, or very quickly when a nail, or other sharp object, penetrates the air bag.
This latter event is particularly a problem with work boots.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0006]Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a boot, or other type of footwear, 10 has a cushioning system 12 located between its outsole 14 and upper 16, in a location where air bags typically are located. The cushioning system is a plurality of elongate, hollow, elastomeric tubes 18 which preferably are attached to one another to create an integral assembly in the nature of a honeycomb matrix. The tubes can be made from any elastomeric material, and different materials will provide different cushioning characteristics. Materials that would work well for this purpose are thermoplastic olefins or thermoplastic elastomers. The honeycomb typically would be made by injecting molding.

[0007]The size of the tubes 18 and their wall thickness, or both, can vary depending on where they were placed in the footwear and the desired level of cushioning. For example, the tubes located in the toe section of the boot illustrated in FIG. 1 are smaller than the tubes located in the heel section, an...

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PUM

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Abstract

An footwear cushioning system comprising a matrix of elongate, hollow, elastomer tubes joined together in a honeycomb matrix which extends laterally at least partially across selected portions of the sole of the footwear. The tubes may or may not be enclosed in an air bag.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]It is well known to place an air bag in all types of footwear to provide cushioning against impact of the footwear on the ground. While air bags do provide cushioning, they can become compromised such that the air escapes the air bag, which makes the air bag ineffective. This leaking can either be slowly due to a small amount of air leaking each time the foot bag impacts the ground, or very quickly when a nail, or other sharp object, penetrates the air bag. This latter event is particularly a problem with work boots.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0002]A cushioning system for footwear comprises a matrix of hollow elastomeric tubes joined together to create a honeycomb which is placed in footwear between the sole and upper. The tube matrix may or may not be enclosed within an air bag.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[0003]FIG. 1 is fragmentary portion of a boot, partially broken away to show the subject invention.[0004]FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views taken along th...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A43B13/20A43B13/18
CPCA43B13/206A43B1/00A43B1/0009A43B13/18A43B13/181
Inventor SCOFIELD, ROBERT K.
Owner CHINOOK ASIA
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