Athletic shoe having inflatable bladder
US5987779A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B13/203
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An athletic shoe is described, provided with an inflatable tongue or bladder for a more secure fit to the user's foot. The bladder may include a plurality of chambers with a valve disposed therebetween to selectively inflate the chambers. The inflatable tongue or bladder has a lightweight pump disposed thereon. Inflatable footwear having an inflation bag under the foot is also disclosed. The inflation bag is formed by two sheets of material that are welded together. Interior welds are provided to moderate the thickness of the inflation bag. A foam layer having apertures is positioned adjacent to the inflation bag. The apertures overlie the interior welds and are sized larger than the interior welds. Also described is a slider valve that enables selective inflation of individual bladder chambers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.