US3685176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable article of footwear
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-02
•
Granted: 1972-08-22
•
Expires: 1990-07-02
Abstract
Abstract Footwear comprising an inflatable bladder to be disposed in a boot for embracing a person''s foot, ankle and lower leg portion, and having a plurality of intercommunicating flexible tubes adapted to be inflated to a desired pressure, the material and hardness of the bladder and the cross-sections of the inflated tubes being selected to prevent relative lateral movement between the foot, ankle and lower leg portion, while permitting restrained fore and aft movement between such parts. A lower set of tubes bearing against the upper portion of the foot at the ankle joint and a rear set of tubes bearing against the Achilles'' tendon region have an inflated cross-section that permits fore and aft movement of the leg with respect to the foot about the ankle joint to effect a decrease in volume of one set, thereby increasing the pressure in the tubes, and producing a corresponding increase in volume and inflation of the other set, to exert a greater downward force holding the bottom of the foot firmly against the heel and sole of the boot.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion F Rudy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:53
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B23/00; A43B23/07; A43B5/00; A43B5/04; A43B5/0405; A43B5/0407
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions, including a plurality of chamber portions at each side of the foot, said multiplicity of chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions, including a plurality of chamber portions at each side of the foot, said multiplicity of chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 1; wherein said chamber portions extend lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; said bladder being shaped for disposition of said chamber portions upon the back, sides and top of the foot, whereby said inflated chamber portions substantially restrain the foot against movement relative to the boot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; said bladder being shaped for disposition of said chamber portions upon the back, sides and top of the foot, whereby said inflated chamber portions substantially restrain the foot against movement relative to the boot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 3; a major number of said chamber portions extending lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 1; a number of said chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; a number of said chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, other of said chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; a number of said chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, other of said chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 3; said chamber portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said chamber portions at the sides of the foot and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
An article of footwear as defined in claIm 3; a major number of said chamber portions extending lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon, said chamber portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said chamber portions at the sides of the foot and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 3; a major number of said chamber portions extending lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon, said chamber portions at the malleoli of the foot being of toroidal shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 3; a major number of said chamber portions extending lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon, said chamber portions at the malleoli of the foot being of toroidal shape, a chamber portion at the navicular bone of the foot being of toroidal shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder to be disposed within a boot and shaped to receive a wearer''s foot, said bladder having an upper circumferential manifold tubular portion for embracing the leg above the ankle joint and other tubular portions communicating with and extending downwardly from said manifold portion along the lower end of the leg and along the back, sides and top of the foot, whereby inflation of said tubular portions by a fluid causes said bladder to restrain movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder to be disposed within a boot and shaped to receive a wearer''s foot, said bladder having an upper circumferential manifold tubular portion for embracing the leg above the ankle joint and other tubular portions communicating with and extending downwardly from said manifold portion along the lower end of the leg and along the back, sides and top of the foot, whereby inflation of said tubular portions by a fluid causes said bladder to restrain movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint and at the sides of the foot being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating pressure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
102 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint and at the sides of the foot being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating pressure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot, said portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint, at the side of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating pressure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
156 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint, at the side of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating pressure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot, said tubular portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said tubular portions at the lower end of the leg, at the sides of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
168 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint, at the side of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating prEssure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot, said tubular portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said tubular portions at the lower end of the leg, at the sides of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure, tubular portions at the malleoli of the foot being of toroidal shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
182 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint, at the side of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating pressure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot, said tubular portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said tubular portions at the lower end of the leg, at the sides of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure, tubular portions at the malleoli of the foot being of toroidal shape, a tubular portion at the navicular bone of the foot being of toroidal shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
78 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; said bladder comprising a plurality of elastomeric sheets adhered together at spaced regions to provide said chamber portions between said regions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; said bladder comprising a plurality of elastomeric sheets adhered together at spaced regions to provide said chamber portions between said regions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
90 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; wherein said chamber portions extend lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon, said bladder comprising elastomeric sheets overlying one another and adhered together along spaced longitudinal lines to provide said chamber portions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
90 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; wherein said chamber portions extend lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon, said bladder comprising elastomeric sheets overlying one another and adhered together along spaced longitudinal lines to provide said chamber portions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said bladder comprising opposed elastomeric sheets adhered together along spaced lines to provide all of said tubular portions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
174 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint, at the side of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating pressure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot, said tubular portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said tubular portions at the lower end of the leg, at the sides of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said bladder comprising opposed elastomeric sheets adhered together along spaced lines to provide all of said tubular portions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
200 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 11; said tubular portions above the ankle joint, at the side of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the aNkle joint being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating pressure to prevent lateral movement of the leg and foot relative to the boot, said tubular portions disposed at the back of the foot along the Achilles'' tendon and at the top of the foot at the ankle joint being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, said tubular portions at the lower end of the leg, at the sides of the foot, and at the top of the foot forwardly of the ankle joint being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to normal operating unit pressure, tubular portions at the malleoli of the foot being of toroidal shape, a tubular portion at the navicular bone of the foot being of toroidal shape, said bladder comprising opposed elastomeric sheets adhered together along spaced lines to provide all of said tubular portions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
104 words
An article comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to bear simultaneously against areas of a wearer''s body and against a restraining member, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force against such areas, one or more of said chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, one or more other chamber portions being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to said normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
104 words
An article comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to bear simultaneously against areas of a wearer''s body and against a restraining member, said bladder including a plurality of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force against such areas, one or more of said chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, one or more other chamber portions being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to said normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
93 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other and comprising a plurality of adjacent chamber portions disposed at the back of the foot, a plurality of said adjacent chamber portions being located on each side of the Achilles'' tendon rearwardly of the ankle joint to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
93 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other and comprising a plurality of adjacent chamber portions disposed at the back of the foot, a plurality of said adjacent chamber portions being located on each side of the Achilles'' tendon rearwardly of the ankle joint to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 24; wherein said adjacent chamber portions on each side of the Achilles'' tendon extend lengthwise of the wearer''s foot when disposed thereon.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other and comprising a plurality of chamber portions disposed at the back of the foot on each side of the Achilles'' tendon to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; said bladder comprising a plurality of elastomeric sheets adhered together at spaced regions to provide said chamber portions between said regions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within a boot to bear against areas of a wearer''s foot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other and comprising a plurality of chamber portions disposed at the back of the foot on each side of the Achilles'' tendon to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force on the foot; said bladder comprising a plurality of elastomeric sheets adhered together at spaced regions to provide said chamber portions between said regions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
81 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within the lower leg portion of a boot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions adapted to be disposed within the lower leg portion of the boot and communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated, said multiplicity of chamber portions including a plurality of chamber portions on each side of said lower leg portion of the boot.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
81 words
An article of footwear comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be disposed within the lower leg portion of a boot, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions adapted to be disposed within the lower leg portion of the boot and communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated, said multiplicity of chamber portions including a plurality of chamber portions on each side of said lower leg portion of the boot.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 27; wherein said multiplicity of chamber portions extend lengthwise of the wearer''s lower leg portion when disposed thereon.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 27; said bladder comprising a plurality of elastomeric sheets adhered together at spaced regions to provide said chamber portions between said regions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article of footwear as defined in claim 27; said multiplicity of chamber portions being constructed and arranged to encompass a major portion of the lower leg portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
107 words
An article comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to bear simultaneously against areas of a wearer''s body and against a restraining member, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force against such areas, a first plurality of said adjacent chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, a second plurality of said adjacent chamber portions being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to said normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
107 words
An article comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to bear simultaneously against areas of a wearer''s body and against a restraining member, said bladder including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an inward force against such areas, a first plurality of said adjacent chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure, a second plurality of said adjacent chamber portions being substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to said normal operating unit pressure.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
103 words
In combination: a restraining member adapted to encompass an area of the wearer''s body; an inflatable bladder within said restraining member and including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an outward force against the restraining member and an inward force upon the area of the wearer''s body, said multiplicity of chamber portions including a first plurality of said adjacent chamber portions at one side of said restraining member, and a second plurality of said adjacent chamber portions at another side of said restraining member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
103 words
In combination: a restraining member adapted to encompass an area of the wearer''s body; an inflatable bladder within said restraining member and including a multiplicity of adjacent chamber portions communicating with each other to provide uniform unit pressure in said portions when the bladder is inflated to exert an outward force against the restraining member and an inward force upon the area of the wearer''s body, said multiplicity of chamber portions including a first plurality of said adjacent chamber portions at one side of said restraining member, and a second plurality of said adjacent chamber portions at another side of said restraining member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a combination as defined in claim 32; said first plurality of chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be deformable after being inflated by a fluid to normal operating unit pressure; said second plurality of chamber portions being of such size and shape as to be substantially rigid after being inflated by the fluid to said normal operating unit pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |