# US 2014/0150170 A1 · Variably-tensed composite cushioning material and method for making the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150170 A1 - Document ID: US20140150170A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/922,133 - Filed: 2013-06-19 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-24 - Assignees: Applied FT Composite Solutions Inc. - Applicants: Applied FT Composite Solutions Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150170A1 ## CPC - B32B 3/18: characterised by an internal layer formed of separate pieces of material {which are juxtaposed side-by-side (B32B5/02 takes precedence)} - A41D 13/015: with shock-absorbing means (A41D13/05 takes precedence) - A43B 13/187: {Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials} - A43B 23/0225: {Composite materials, e.g. material with a matrix} - A43B 23/0265: {having different properties in different directions} - A43B 23/028: {Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing} - A63B 71/12: for the body or the legs {, e.g. for the shoulders (A63B71/081 takes precedence)} - B32B 38/0004: {Cutting, tearing or severing, e.g. bursting; Cutter details (cutting in general B26D; laminating combined with punching or perforating B32B38/04; removing all or part of the layers B32B38/10; cutting in combination with laying up and registration B32B38/185 takes precedence)} - B32B 38/0012: {Mechanical treatment, e.g. roughening, deforming, stretching} - A63B 2071/125: {for the knee} - Y10T 428/16: Two dimensionally sectional layer - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present application discloses a composite cushioning material comprising two or more resilient elements bonded to one or more flexible or stretchable substrates, further comprising at least one framing element placed around one or more resilient elements, wherein a section of the composite cushioning material corresponding to the area of the framing element is less flexible than the rest of the composite cushioning material, so as to provide a variably tensed composite cushioning material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composite cushioning material comprising two or more resilient elements bonded to one or more flexible or stretchable substrates, further comprising at least one framing element placed around one or more resilient elements, wherein a section of the composite cushioning material corresponding to the area of the framing element is less flexible than the rest of the composite cushioning material, so as to provide a variably tensed composite cushioning material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composite cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element is composed of ethylene vinyl acetate foam, olefin or polyolefin foam, polyurethane foam, urethane based foam, thermoplastic foam, or other polymer foam, rubber, elastomer, or other resilient material, including a combination of any such materials. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composite cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the framing element is composed of ethylene vinyl acetate foam, olefin or polyolefin foam, polyurethane foam, urethane based foam, thermoplastic or thermoplastic foam, polymer foam, neoprene, natural leather, synthetic leather, elastomer, rubber, plastic, latex, silicone, or other similar material, including a combination of any such materials. ### Claim at position 4 4-6. (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The composite cushioning material according to claim 1, wherein the framing element is composed of resilient material, comprised of: (a) entirely of strips or bars of resilient material; (b) a lattice of resilient material with apertures; or (c) a combination of (a) or (b) in the same structure or on separate structures. ### Claim at position 6 8-14. (canceled) ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An athletic gear comprising the composite cushioning material of claim 1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An industrial protective gear comprising the composite cushioning material of claim 1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A shoe upper comprising the composite cushioning material of claim 1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A shoe sidewall, shoe heel counter, or shoe toebox comprising the composite cushioning material of claim 1. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) An elbow pad, knee pad, or shoulder pad comprising the composite cushioning material of claim 1. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A method of making the composite cushioning material of claim 1, comprising: (i) applying a suitable adhesive to one or two opposing surfaces of a sheet of resilient material; (ii) cutting the sheet of resilient material, to define and make a plurality of resilient elements; (iii) bonding the plurality of resilient elements to at least one substrate layer; (iv) stretching the substrate layer to which the resilient elements are bound, and increasing the relative distance between the resilient elements, thereby creating spacing between them; (v) positioning one or more framing elements shaped and sized to engage one or more resilient elements, or placed between the resilient elements; and (vi) inserting one or more framing elements between at least two resilient elements, or engaging one or more resilient elements to one or more apertures in the framing element. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, wherein in step (iv) the stretching occurs in an area or zone of the substrate layer to which the resilient elements are bound, and increasing the relative distance between the resilient elements positioned within the said area or zone of the substrate layer, thereby creating spacing between them. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, wherein in step (v) the framing element comprises: (a) entirely of strips or bars of resilient material; (b) a lattice of resilient material with apertures; or (c) a combination of (a) or (b) in the same structure or on separate structures. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, comprising: (vii) bonding a second substrate to the resilient elements so that the resilient elements and the framing element are sandwiched between the two sheets of substrates to form a dual laminate composite in which the framing element is not bound to either substrate. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, comprising: (vii) bonding the framing element to a substrate layer, thereby making a single laminate composite with the framing element bound to one substrate. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method according to claim 24, comprising: (viii) bonding a second substrate to the resilient elements so that the resilient elements and the framing element are sandwiched between the two sheets of substrates to form a dual laminate composite in which the framing element is bound to one substrate. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method according to claim 25, comprising: (viii) bonding a second substrate to the resilient elements and the framing element so that the resilient elements and the framing element are sandwiched between the two sheets of substrates to form a dual laminate composite in which the framing element is bound to both substrates. ### Claim at position 19 27-31. (canceled) ### Claim 32 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, comprising: (vii) releasing the stretched out substrate so as to retract the substrate; and (viii) bonding a second substrate to the resilient elements so that the resilient elements and the framing element are sandwiched between the two sheets of substrates to form a dual laminate composite. ### Claim 33 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, comprising: (vii) releasing the stretched out substrate so as to retract the substrate; (viii) bonding the framing element to the substrate layer, thereby making a single laminate composite; and (ix) bonding a second substrate to the resilient elements so that the resilient elements and the framing element are sandwiched between the two sheets of substrates to form a dual laminate composite. ### Claim 34 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, wherein the resilient element is composed of ethylene vinyl acetate foam, olefin or polyolefin foam, polyurethane foam, urethane based foam, thermoplastic foam, or other polymer foam, rubber, elastomer, or other resilient material, including a combination of any such materials. ### Claim 35 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, wherein the framing element is composed of ethylene vinyl acetate foam, olefin or polyolefin foam, polyurethane foam, urethane based foam, thermoplastic or thermoplastic foam, polymer foam, neoprene, natural leather, synthetic leather, elastomer, rubber, plastic, latex, silicone, or other similar material, including a combination of any such materials. ### Claim at position 24 36-40. (canceled)