Thrust producing sole and heel structure with interior and exterior fluid filled pockets

A shoe sole and heel structure comprising:

• an outsole having interior and exterior surfaces and a bulge projecting from the exterior surface, the bulge defining a cavity opening at the interior surface;
• a midsole overlying the outsole, the midsole having an outsole-facing surface and a foot-facing surface;
• means for hermetically attaching the interior surface of the outsole to the outsole-facing surface of the midsole to form a member having a sole portion and a heel portion, wherein the cavity cooperates with a portion of the midsole to define a pocket;
• an expandable bladder disposed above said exterior surface of said outsole;
• a tube defining a passageway in the member providing fluid communication between the pocket and the bladder;
• and
• fluid permanently disposed in the space jointly defined by the pocket, the bladder and the passageway;
• whereby at rest a foot in a shoe incorporating the structure is cushioned comfortably on the fluid in the pocket and the bladder.

A shoe comprising:

• a foot-receiving upper and a sole and heel structure secured to the upper;
• the structure including
• an outsole having interior and exterior surfaces and a bulge projecting from the exterior surface, the bulge defining a cavity opening at the interior surface;
• a midsole overlying the outsole, the midsole having an outsole-facing surface and a foot-facing surface;
• an expandable bladder disposed above said exterior surface of said outsole ;
• means for hermetically attaching the interior surface of the outsole to the outsole-facing surface of the midsole to form a member having a sole portion and a heel portion, wherein the cavity cooperates with a portion of the midsole to define a pocket;
• a tube defining a passageway in the member providing fluid communication between the pocket and bladder;
• and
• fluid permanently disposed in the space jointly defined by the pocket, the bladder and the passageway;
• whereby at rest a foot in the shoe is cushioned comfortably on the fluid in the pocket and the bladder.