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US4999931A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Shock absorbing system for footwear application

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-02-21
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Granted: 1991-03-19
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Expires: 2009-02-21
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to a new shock absorber which may be used as an insole or as a midsole for an article of footwear. The shock absorber comprises a multi-cell membrane which may be embedded in a flexible envelope or which may be used itself as a one-piece multi-cell membrane insole or midsole. The shock absorber exhibits improved shock absorbing characteristics which increases the comfort of the wearer of the shoes and reduces damage to the foot during athletic exercises.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jean-Pierre Vermeulen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 08:06
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/14; A43B13/18; A43B13/20; A43B13/181; A43B13/185; A43B13/206

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 68 words
An insole for use in an article of footwear, said insole comprising a synthetic rubber material consisting of a plurality of independent and non-communicating cells, each cell containing air at ambient temperature and pressure, said cells connected by an interconnector, at least one sigmoid shaped tensor membrane extending from one side of each cell through the center of each cell and sealed to another side of said cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 68 words
An insole for use in an article of footwear, said insole comprising a synthetic rubber material consisting of a plurality of independent and non-communicating cells, each cell containing air at ambient temperature and pressure, said cells connected by an interconnector, at least one sigmoid shaped tensor membrane extending from one side of each cell through the center of each cell and sealed to another side of said cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
An insole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cells are spherical, in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
An insole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tensor membrane is planar with and sealed to said interconnector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
An insole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tensor membrane divides each cell into two discrete air tight subcells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 68 words
A midsole for use in an article of footwear, said midsole comprising a synthetic rubber material consisting of a plurality of independent and non-communicating cells, each cell containing air at ambient temperature and pressure, said cells connected by an interconnector, at least one sigmoid shaped tensor membrane extending from one side of each cell through the center of each cell and sealed to another side of said cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 68 words
A midsole for use in an article of footwear, said midsole comprising a synthetic rubber material consisting of a plurality of independent and non-communicating cells, each cell containing air at ambient temperature and pressure, said cells connected by an interconnector, at least one sigmoid shaped tensor membrane extending from one side of each cell through the center of each cell and sealed to another side of said cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
A midsole as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cells are spherical in shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
An midsole as claimed in claim 4 wherein said tensor membrane is planar with and sealed to said interconnector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
An insole as claimed in claim 5 wherein said tensor membrane divides each cell into two discrete air tight subcells.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

DE416723C Cited
CA712134A Cited
FR341490A Cited
US1145533A Cited
US1504908A Cited
US2090881A Cited
US4340626A Cited
US4451994A Cited
US4798009A Cited
US4843735A Cited
US4753021A Cited
GB2206475A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-03-18 1994-09-17 1995-03-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-03-18 1998-09-17 1999-03-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-03-18 2002-09-17 2003-03-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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