Patent · US Expired

Shoe comprising liquid cushioning element

US5493792A · kind A · utility

131Cited by
72References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 17, 1994
Grant dateFeb 27, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 17, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA43B13/189
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A shoe comprising a sole portion having peripheral edges and at least one cushioning element comprising a chamber having flexible walls filled with a liquid composition, wherein the chamber includes a plurality of partitions for directing flow of liquid from one portion of the chamber to another portion of the chamber. Preferably, at least one partition is a gating means responsive to a differential in liquid-pressure for enabling the flow of liquid to the chamber portion of lower liquid pressure. The cushioning element overlays the sole portion. A portion of the cushioning element extends to a peripheral edge to provide cushioning support to a foot of a wearer at the peripheral edge. Preferably the extending portion of the element has substantially transparent walls, whereby the liquid composition can be viewed. Preferably, the liquid composition comprises an amount of a gel having a gel density and an amount of particulate having a particulate density, wherein the particulate density is less than the gel density. Preferably the cushioning element has a flexure joint along a portion of the element, which is a partition for directing flow of liquid from one portion of the chamber t…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.