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US 8,291,618 B2Granted
Devices with internal flexibility sipes, including siped chambers for footwear
AssigneeFrampton E. Ellis
InventorFrampton E. Ellis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.
Claims52
A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
- an outer sole;
- and
- a footwear or orthotic device, the device including
- an outer chamber, compartment or bladder having an uppermost surface curved concavely relative to an intended wearer's foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;
- at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;
- said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by at least a first internal sipe;
- and
- wherein said first internal sipe is formed by an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and an outer surface of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder;
- and the inner and outer surfaces forming the first internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion;
- and
- at least two layers of flexible, resilient midsole material are located within the at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder, at least one layer of the midsole material including at least a plastic or rubber, and
- at least a second internal sipe is formed by opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole material within the at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder so that the opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole that form the second internal sipe can move relative to each other in a sliding motion.
9 more elements
A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
- an outer sole;
- and
- a footwear or orthotic device, said device including
- at least one chamber, compartment or bladder having an uppermost surface curved concavely relative to an intended wearer's foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;
- at least two layers of flexible, resilient midsole material are located within the at least one chamber, compartment or bladder, at least one layer of the midsole material including at least a plastic or rubber;
- said at least one chamber, compartment or bladder and said at least two layers of midsole material are separated at least in part by at least a first
- internal sipe formed by an inner surface of said chamber, compartment or bladder and an opposing surface of said at least two of said layers of midsole material, and the surfaces forming the first internal sipe can move relative to each other in a sliding motion;
- and
- at least a second internal sipe is formed by opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole material within the at least one chamber, compartment or bladder so that the opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole that form the second internal sipe can move relative to each other in a sliding motion.
6 more elements
A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
- an outer sole;
- and
- a footwear or orthotic device, the device including
- an outer chamber, compartment or bladder having an uppermost surface, curved concavely relative to an intended wearer's foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;
- at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment or bladder;
- said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and said inner chamber, compartment or bladder being separated at least in part by at least a first internal sipe;
- and
- wherein said internal sipe is formed by an inner surface of said outer chamber, compartment or bladder and an outer surface of said inner chamber, compartment or bladder;
- and the inner and outer surfaces forming the sipe oppose each other and therefore can move relative to each other in a sliding motion;
- and
- at least two layers of flexible, resilient midsole material are located within the at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder, at least one layer of the midsole material including at least a plastic or rubber;
- at least a second internal sipe formed by opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole material within the at least one inner chamber, compartment or bladder so that the opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole that form the second internal sipe can move relative to each other in a sliding motion;
- and
- the device including fiber.
11 more elements
A footwear or orthotic sole, comprising:
- an outer sole;
- and
- a footwear or orthotic device, said device including
- at least one chamber, compartment or bladder having an uppermost surface curved concavely relative to an intended wearer's foot location, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the footwear or orthotic sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;
- at least two layers of elastomeric midsole material are located within the at least one chamber, compartment or bladder, at least one layer of the midsole material including at least a plastic or rubber;
- said at least one chamber, compartment or bladder and said at least two layers of elastomeric midsole material are separated at least in part by at least a first internal sipe formed by an inner surface of said chamber, compartment or bladder and an opposing surface of said at least two of said layers of midsole material, and the surfaces forming the first internal sipe can move relative to each other in a sliding motion;
- at least a second internal sipe is formed by opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole material within the at least one chamber, compartment or bladder so that the opposing surfaces of said two layers of midsole that form the second internal sipe can move relative to each other in a sliding motion;
- and
- the device including fiber.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.