# US 2016/0249706 A1 · Article of footwear having an upper with inflation system

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- Number: US 2016/0249706 A1
- Document ID: US20160249706A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/634,366
- Filed: 2015-02-27
- Published: 2016-09-01
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-27
- Assignees: Reebok International Ltd.
- Applicants: Reebok International Limited
- Inventors: Kevin LEARY; Thomas PIACENTINI; Paul DAVIS; Paul BATES; Paul LITCHFIELD
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160249706A1

## CPC

- A43B 23/029: {Pneumatic upper, e.g. gas filled}
- A43B 7/1495: {with arch-supports of the bracelet type}
- A43B 23/022: {with waterproof breathable membranes}
- A43B 23/0235: {Different layers of different material}
- A43B 23/027: {with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion}
- A43B 23/22: Supports for the shank or arch of the uppers
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

## Abstract

An article of footwear with a sole and an upper. The upper includes an inner layer configured to receive a foot and an outer layer with a first portion more stretchable than a second portion. A strobel board is disposed above the sole and attached to the inner layer. An inflatable bladder is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and attached to both a medial side and a lateral side of the strobel board. The inflatable bladder extends across a throat region of the upper and is operatively coupled with an inflation mechanism and release mechanism configured to inflate and deflate the inflatable bladder. A saddle is disposed between the inflatable bladder and the outer layer in lateral and medial quarter regions of the upper, but not extending into the throat region. The first portion of the outer layer covers the inflatable bladder at the throat region.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An article of footwear comprising:
an upper comprising an inner layer configured to receive a foot and an outer layer having a first portion more stretchable than a second portion;
a sole attached to the upper;
a strobel board disposed above the sole and attached to the inner layer;
an inflatable bladder disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, attached to both a medial side and a lateral side of the strobel board, and extending across a throat region of the upper;
an inflation mechanism and a release mechanism operatively coupled with the inflatable bladder and configured to inflate and deflate the inflatable bladder; and
a saddle disposed between the inflatable bladder and the outer layer in lateral and medial quarter regions of the upper and not extending into the throat region,
wherein the first portion of the outer layer covers the inflatable bladder at the throat region.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the saddle is integral with the strobel board.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the inner layer comprises a bootie.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the inner layer comprises Lycra®.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises a release agent cured to a first film by the application of ultraviolet light.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the release agent is silicone fortified.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the release agent is one of a paint, ink, paper, textile, particulate, photosensitive agent, TEFLON®, silicone, plastic, and acid.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises:
a first film;
a release agent applied and cured to said first film in a pattern that corresponds to the shape of an inflatable compartment of said inflatable bladder;
and a second film adhered to said first film such that said release agent is disposed between said first film and said second film, and said first film and said second film do not adhere in the vicinity of the release agent thereby forming said inflatable compartment with a peripheral edge.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the saddle comprises a plurality of loops configured to extend through slots in the outer layer and receive a shoelace.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the plurality of loops comprises a single continuous cord.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the saddle further comprises a lace piece over a portion of the continuous cord.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a screen printing on an outer surface.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the throat region is tongueless.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the saddle is configured to limit outward bulging of the inflatable bladder.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the saddle is configured to limit bulging of the inflatable bladder in one of a lateral and a medial direction.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is attached to the outer layer in the throat region.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is attached to the outer layer and the inner layer in the throat region.

### Claim 18

An upper for an athletic shoe comprising:
an inner layer configured to attach to an insole of the athletic shoe and receive a foot;
an outer layer having a first portion more stretchable than a second portion;
an inflatable bladder disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and extending from a lower lateral side of the upper across a throat region of the upper to a lower medial side of the upper;
an inflation mechanism and a release mechanism operatively coupled with the inflatable bladder and configured to inflate and deflate the inflatable bladder;
a lateral saddle disposed between the inflatable bladder and the outer layer in a lateral quarter region of the upper and not extending into the throat region; and
a medial saddle disposed between the inflatable bladder and the outer layer in a medial quarter region of the upper and not extending into the throat region,
wherein the throat region of the upper is tongueless and aligns with an edge of each of the lateral and medial saddles, and
wherein the first, portion of the outer layer is disposed in the throat region.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein the inner layer comprises a bootie.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein the inner layer comprises Lycra®.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises a release agent cured to a first film by the application of ultraviolet light.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The upper of claim 21, wherein the release agent is silicone fortified.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The upper of claim 21, wherein the release agent is one of a paint, ink, paper, textile, particulate, photosensitive agent, TEFLON®, silicone, plastic, and acid.

### Claim 24 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises:
a first film;
a release agent applied and cured to said first film in a pattern that corresponds to the shape of an inflatable compartment of said inflatable bladder;
and a second film adhered to said first film such that said release agent is disposed between said first film and said second film, and said first film and said second film do not adhere in the vicinity of the release agent thereby forming said inflatable compartment with a peripheral edge.

### Claim 25 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein each of the lateral and medial saddles comprises a plurality of loops configured to extend through slots in the outer layer and receive a shoelace.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The upper of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of loops on the lateral saddle and the plurality of loops on the medial saddle comprises a single continuous cord.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The upper of claim 26, wherein each of the lateral and medial saddles further comprises a lace piece over a portion of the continuous cord.

### Claim 28 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein the outer layer comprises a screen printing on an outer surface.

### Claim 29 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein each of the lateral and medial saddles is configured to limit outward bulging of the inflatable bladder.

### Claim 30 (depends on 18)

The upper of claim 18, wherein each of the lateral and medial saddles is configured to limit bulging of the inflatable bladder in one of a lateral and a medial direction.