Method for custom fitting an inflatable bladder to a wearer{3 s foot

Abstract

Abstract An improved method for custom fitting an inflatable bladder (e.g., for ski boots or the like) to a portion of a person''s anatomy (e.g., a wearer''s foot). The inflatable bladder is made of a suitable elastomer (e.g., ether base polyurethane) which may be heated, distended and then cooled to room temperature to set the bladder in the distended shape. A preferred embodiment of the improved method comprises placing the inflatable bladder on a wearer''s foot, placing the boot to be worn on the wearer''s foot over the bladder, heating the bladder, inflating the bladder to a desired pressure to force the bladder into intimate contact with the wearer''s foot and cooling the bladder to room temperature to set it in its distended shape. The bladder, which now conforms to the contour of the wearer''s foot, is deflated and the boot and bladder are removed. When the bladder is later re-inflated, it will custom fit the wearer''s foot. Preferably, the elastomer from which the bladder is made will return to its original shape when reheated. Thus, the bladder may be reheated to restore it to its original shape, and the process of the present invention may be re-employed to custom fit the bladder to a different foot.

Inventors

• 👤 M Rudy

Bibliographic Details