Adaptive, energy absorbing structure
OwnerElwyn Goodinginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adaptive, energy absorbing body includes a plurality of fluid filled cells joined together by fluid flow passageways so as to establish an intercommunicating structure which provides effective cushioning. The cells also include pressure responsive seals which restrict fluid flow between the cells when the cells are subjected to a mechanical force above a pre-selected level. Closure of the seals converts the material from open cell, to a closed cell structure, allowing it to absorb and dissipate high levels of kinetic energy. The structure is particularly useful as a shock absorbing element for footwear.
Claims20
An adaptive, energy absorbing shoe structure comprising:
- a first and a second member, each being fabricated from a resilient material, said first and second members being disposed in a superposed relationship;
- said first and second members being configured so as to define a plurality of chambers therebetween, each chamber having an upper wall defined by one of said members and a lower wall defined by the other of said members, at least one of said upper wall and said lower wall being formed of a resilient material so that said wall is biasable toward the other;
- said first and second members also being configured so as to define a plurality of fluid flow channels, each channel being in fluid communication with two of said chambers, and each chamber including at least two of said fluid flow channels in communication therewith, whereby each chamber is in direct fluid communication with at least two other chambers;
- said first and second members being further configured to define a plurality of pressure responsive seals, each seal being associated with a respective one of said chambers, and being operative to restrict the flow of a fluid from said chamber to a fluid flow channel which is in fluid communication with said chamber, when the upper wall of said chamber and the lower wall of said chamber are resiliently biased toward one another with a force which exceeds a predetermined level.
An adaptive, energy absorbing body comprising:
- a first and a second member, each being fabricated from a resilient material, said first and second members being joined together in a superposed relationship;
- said first and second member being configured so as to define a plurality of chambers therebetween, each chamber having an upper wall defined by one of said members and a lower wall defined by the other of said members, at least one of said upper wall and said lower wall being formed of a resilient material so that said wall is biasable toward the other;
- said first and second members also being configured so as to define a plurality of fluid flow channels, each channel being in fluid communication with two of said chambers, and each chamber including at least two of said fluid flow channels in communication therewith, whereby each chamber is in direct fluid communication with at least two other chambers;
- said first and second members being further configured to define a plurality of pressure responsive seals, each seal being associated with a respective one of said chambers, and being operative to restrict the flow of a fluid from said chamber to a fluid flow channel which is in fluid communication with said chamber, when the upper wall of said chamber and the lower wall of said chamber are resiliently biased toward one another with a force which exceeds a predetermined level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.