US4864738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sole construction for footwear
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-07-19
•
Granted: 1989-09-12
•
Expires: 2008-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A composite sole structure for footwear and the like is disclosed. The sole structure includes a plurality of adjacent tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value. The tubular members are provided with a composite structure including an inner layer of resilient elastomeric material impermeable to diffusion of the gaseous medium therethrough; an outer layer of a flexible mesh material resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with the inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about the tubular members. In an alternate embodiment aa second or outer layer of a resilient elastomeric material is provided over the flexible mesh layer to provide additional strength and resistance to diffusion of gases. The tubular members can be varied in length, size, and configuration and can be constructed and arranged to run lengthwise (toe to heel), transversely, and diagonally thereof and in a serpentine-like configuration within the sole matrix.
Inventors
- 👤 Zvi Horovitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:10
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/14; A43B13/18; A43B13/20; A43B13/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like comprising: a plurality of adjacent tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient material substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; and an outer layer of a flexible mesh material completely surrounding said inner layer; said outer layer being resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like comprising: a plurality of adjacent tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient material substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; and an outer layer of a flexible mesh material completely surrounding said inner layer; said outer layer being resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
145 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like having a heel section, a forefoot section and a toe section; said sole structure comprising: a plurality of adjacent tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient material substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; and an outer layer of a flexible mesh material completely surrounding the inner layer of each tubular member; said outer layer being resistant to expansion whereby the volume of the tubular members when subjected to increased gaseous pressure values is limited to the volume of the outer layer but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
145 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like having a heel section, a forefoot section and a toe section; said sole structure comprising: a plurality of adjacent tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient material substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; and an outer layer of a flexible mesh material completely surrounding the inner layer of each tubular member; said outer layer being resistant to expansion whereby the volume of the tubular members when subjected to increased gaseous pressure values is limited to the volume of the outer layer but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein said inner layer of resilient flexible material is formed of an elastomeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein said outer layer of flexible mesh material comprises at least one layer of interlaced filament fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein said sealed tubular members are positioned in a transverse spaced relationship throughout said sole structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein said sealed tubular members are positioned in a lengthwise spaced relationship throughout said sole structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein said sealed tubular members are positioned in a diagonal spaced relationship throughout said sole structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sole structure of claim 2 further comprising at least one tapered tubular member positioned in said arch section and decreasing in taper from the inside to the outside of said arch section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein the selected gas pressure values of the sealed tubular members provide for a varied cushioning effect throughout the sole structure in response to the level of shock forces received by said sole structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein the length and diameter of said sealed tubular members correspond to the configuration of the heel, arch, forefoot and toe sections of said sole structure and the shock forces received thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein the tubular members are formed of adjacent sections of a continuous elongated sealed tubular member positioned in a serpentine-like configuration conforming to the configuration of said sole structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 11 wherein said adjacent sections of the tubular member are held in position by interlaced fiber members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein said sealed tubular members contain a gaseous medium at a pressure of between about 2 psi to 120 psi.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein the said sole matrix is formed of an elastomeric material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like comprising: a plurality of spaced tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a desired initial selected value and having peripheral edges which conform generally to the contour of a selected sole configuration; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient elastomeric material substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of gaseous fluids therethrough; and an intermediate layer of a flexible fiber mesh material substantially completely resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces; an outer layer of resilient elastomeric material covering said flexible fiber mesh and having portions thereof permeating through said fiber mesh and contacting said inner elastomeric layer; said outer layer being substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of gaseous fluids therethrough; and a resilient material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
154 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like comprising: a plurality of spaced tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a desired initial selected value and having peripheral edges which conform generally to the contour of a selected sole configuration; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient elastomeric material substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of gaseous fluids therethrough; and an intermediate layer of a flexible fiber mesh material substantially completely resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces; an outer layer of resilient elastomeric material covering said flexible fiber mesh and having portions thereof permeating through said fiber mesh and contacting said inner elastomeric layer; said outer layer being substantially completely impermeable to diffusion of gaseous fluids therethrough; and a resilient material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein said outer layer of flexible mesh material comprises at least one layer of interlaced filament fibers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein said sealed tubular members are positioned in a transverse spaced relationship throughout said sole structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein said sealed tubular members are positioned in a lengthwise spaced relationship throughout said sole structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein said sealed tubular members are positioned in a diagonal spaced relationship throughout said sole structure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sole structure of claim 15 further comprising at least one tapered tubular member positioned in said arch section and decreasing in taper from the inside to the outside of said arch section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sole structure of claim 2 wherein the selected gas pressure values of the sealed tubular members provide for a varied cushioning effect throughout the sole structure in response to the level of shock forces received by said sole structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein the length and diameter of said sealed tubular members correspond to the configuration of the heel, arch, forefoot and toe sections of said sole structure and the shock forces received thereon.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein the tubular members are formed of adjacent sections of a continuous elongated sealed tubular member positioned in a serpentine-like configuration conforming to the configuration of said sole structure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sole structure of claim 23 wherein said adjacent sections of the tubular member are held in position by interlaced fiber members.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein said sealed tubular members contain a gaseous medium at a pressure of between about 2 psi to 120 psi.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sole structure of claim 15 wherein the said sole matrix is formed of an elastomeric material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
142 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like having a heel section, an arch section, a forefoot section and a toe section; said sole structure comprising: a plurality of sealed tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient flexible material impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; an outer layer of a flexible mesh material substantially completely resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces applied to said sole structure; at least one tapered tubular member positioned in the arch section and decreasing in taper from the inside to the outside of said arch section; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
142 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like having a heel section, an arch section, a forefoot section and a toe section; said sole structure comprising: a plurality of sealed tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value; said tubular members having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient flexible material impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; an outer layer of a flexible mesh material substantially completely resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces applied to said sole structure; at least one tapered tubular member positioned in the arch section and decreasing in taper from the inside to the outside of said arch section; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
159 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like having a heel section, an arch section, a forefoot section and a toe section; said sole structure comprising: a plurality of sealed tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value formed of adjacent sections of a continuous elongated sealed tubular member positioned in a serpentine-like configuration conforming over all to the configuration of said sole structure; said elongated tubular member having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient flexible material impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; an outer layer of a flexible mesh material substantially completely resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces applied to said sole structure; said adjacent sections of the tubular member being held in position by interlaced fiber members; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
159 words
A sole structure for footwear and the like having a heel section, an arch section, a forefoot section and a toe section; said sole structure comprising: a plurality of sealed tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value formed of adjacent sections of a continuous elongated sealed tubular member positioned in a serpentine-like configuration conforming over all to the configuration of said sole structure; said elongated tubular member having a composite structure comprising: an inner layer of resilient flexible material impermeable to diffusion of said gaseous medium therethrough; an outer layer of a flexible mesh material substantially completely resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with said inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces applied to said sole structure; said adjacent sections of the tubular member being held in position by interlaced fiber members; and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about said tubular members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-11 | 1993-03-13 | 1993-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-13 | 1997-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-11 | 2001-03-13 | 2001-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |