# US 2013/0152282 A1 · Devices with internal flexibility sipes, including in a helmet and/or a helmet liner > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152282 A1 - Document ID: US20130152282A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/765,413 - Filed: 2013-02-12 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2004-11-22 - Inventors: FRAMPTON E. ELLIS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152282A1 ## CPC - A43B 13/141: {with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion} - A42B 3/12: Cushioning devices - A42B 3/121: {with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid} - A42B 3/125: {with a padded structure, e.g. foam} - A43B 3/34: with electrical or electronic arrangements - A43B 7/1425: situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange - A43B 7/1435: situated under the joint between the fifth phalange and the fifth metatarsal bone - A43B 7/144: situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone - A43B 7/1445: situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal - A43B 7/32: with shock-absorbing means (resilient soles A43B13/18) - A43B 13/04: Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre - A43B 13/14: characterised by the constructive form - A43B 13/181: {Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole} - A43B 13/186: {Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot (resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32)} - A43B 13/187: {Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials} - A43B 13/189: {filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water} - A43B 13/20: Pneumatic soles {filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas (inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407)} - A43B 23/027: {with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion} - A43B 23/0285: {filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel or water} - A43B 23/029: {Pneumatic upper, e.g. gas filled} - B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12} - B32B 3/30: characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. {hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs (apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26)} - F16F 7/00: Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers (using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 {; belt tensioners F16H7/12}) - Y10T 428/24331: including nonapertured component - Y10T 428/24562: Interlaminar spaces - Y10T 428/2933: Coated or with bond, impregnation or core - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Devices with one or more internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, to provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability. An internal sipe is formed by at least a portion of two opposing internal surfaces that can move relative to each other in a sliding sideways motion. Siped devices can be used in most existing products, including helmets and/or helmet liners. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-46. (canceled) ### Claim 47 A device having one or more internal flexibility sipes and being located in a helmet and/or helmet liner, said device comprising: at least a first surface; at least a second surface; and at least one internal sipe; wherein said internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface; said first and second internal surface portions forming said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and wherein said device is located within a helmet and/or a helmet liner. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein said internal sipe separates all of said first and said second surfaces that are internal. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The device according to claim 48, wherein said internal sipe includes a media. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The device according to claim 49, wherein said media is a lubricant. ### Claim 51 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein at least a portion of said opposing surfaces forming said internal sipe are in contact with each other. ### Claim 52 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein said opposing surfaces forming said internal sipe are in contact with each other. ### Claim 53 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein said internal sipe is a slit. ### Claim 54 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein at least one of said surfaces has an arcuate cross-section. ### Claim 55 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein said first and second internal surface portions are substantially concentric. ### Claim 56 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein said first and second internal surface portions are substantially parallel. ### Claim 57 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, further comprising a third surface and a fourth surface and at least a second internal sipe; wherein said second internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said third surface and at least an internal portion of said fourth surface; and the third and fourth internal surface portions forming said second internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion. ### Claim 58 (depends on 47) The device according to claim 47, wherein said first internal surface portion forms at least a portion of an inner surface of a first bladder, chamber, or compartment and said second internal surface portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of a second bladder, chamber, or compartment located within said first bladder, chamber, or compartment. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The device according to claim 58, wherein said second bladder, chamber, or compartment has at least one opening. ### Claim 60 (depends on 58) The device according to claim 58, wherein said first bladder, chamber, or compartment has at least one opening. ### Claim 61 (depends on 58) The device according to claim 58, wherein said second bladder, chamber, or compartment includes a structural element. ### Claim 62 (depends on 58) The device according to claim 58 wherein said internal sipe further comprises an attachment between said first and second internal surface portions. ### Claim 63 A helmet or helmet liner with one or more internal flexibility sipes, said helmet or helmet liner comprising: at least a first surface; at least a second surface; and at least one internal sipe; wherein said internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface; and said first and second internal surface portions forming said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) A helmet as claimed in claim 63. ### Claim 65 (depends on 63) A helmet liner as claimed in claim 63. ### Claim 66 A helmet and helmet liner with one or more internal flexibility sipes, said helmet and helmet liner comprising: at least a first surface; at least a second surface; and at least one internal sipe; wherein said internal sipe is formed by at least an internal portion of said first surface and at least an internal portion of said second surface; and said first and second internal surface portions forming said internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion.