Cushioning device for a footwear sole and method for making the same
US5979078A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B21/285
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A cushioned shoe sole includes an outer sole layer for contacting the ground surface, a midsole layer disposed above the outer sole layer and being formed of a resilient elastomeric material, and a bladder composite which includes a first bladder inflated with a first fluid medium and having a perimeter area and a second bladder element formed around the first bladder element perimeter area and encasing the first bladder element. The first and second bladder elements are positioned within the midsole layer. In a method for forming a cushioning device in accordance with the present invention a first bladder is formed from an elastomeric material to include an interior cavity defined within a perimeter of the bladder. The first bladder is inflated under pressure, sealed, and a second bladder is then formed from an elastomeric material around the first inflated bladder.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.