US4999932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable support shoe
Assignee: Ossur hf
•
Filing: 1989-02-14
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Granted: 1991-03-19
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Expires: 2009-02-14
Abstract
Abstract An athletic shoe includes a substantially flat pump chamber in the sole of the shoe under the heel of the user, with a one-way valve permitting the drawing in of air when pressure is taken off the heel, and second one-way valve at the outlet from the flat pump which comes into play as air is being exhausted from the chamber. One or more pressure bladders for receiving air from the pump mentioned above, are mounted in the sidewalls of the shoe, toward the rear thereof adjacent the ankle. When the user is active, and is walking or running, the pump is actuated to inflate the air bladders and to provide additional support for the foot and the ankle. The air bladders may be provided with a relief valve to prevent overpressure, and with arrangements for slowly leading air out of the bladder so that when the user is resting, pressure on the foot and ankle is minimized. This last function may be accomplished, either by a bleed valve, or by a series of fine perforations in the walls of the bladder.
Inventors
- 👤 Tracy E. Grim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:56
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/14; A43B13/18; A43B13/20; A43B13/206; A43B13/203; A43B7/00; A43B7/06; A43B7/08; A43B7/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In a variable air support shoe having a sole, sidewalls secured to said sole, and laces for securing the sidewalls of said shoe together; the improvement comprising: inflatable bladders mounted on said sidewalls for applying supporting pressure to the foot and ankle area toward the sides and the rear thereof; pump means mounted in the sole of the shoe and actuated by walking or running activity for supplying air to said bladders; relief means for releasing air from said bladders over a predetermined period of time which is relatively long compared to the periodicity of normal walking or running steps; and said bladders having a non-inflatable central zone at the area in the shoe where the user's ankle bone normally extends laterally; whereby walking or running activity increases the air pressure in said shoe and provides additional support against possible injury to the foot or ankle, and the increased pressure is released within a few minutes after the activity stops to minimize pressure on the foot while resting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a variable air support shoe having a sole, sidewalls secured to said sole, and laces for securing the sidewalls of said shoe together; the improvement comprising: inflatable bladders mounted on said sidewalls for applying supporting pressure to the foot and ankle area toward the sides and the rear thereof; pump means mounted in the sole of the shoe and actuated by walking or running activity for supplying air to said bladders; relief means for releasing air from said bladders over a predetermined period of time which is relatively long compared to the periodicity of normal walking or running steps; and said bladders having a non-inflatable central zone at the area in the shoe where the user's ankle bone normally extends laterally; whereby walking or running activity increases the air pressure in said shoe and provides additional support against possible injury to the foot or ankle, and the increased pressure is released within a few minutes after the activity stops to minimize pressure on the foot while resting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A shoe as defined in claim 1 wherein said pump means includes a one-way valve means interconnecting said pump and said bladders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A shoe as defined in claim 1 wherein said shoe includes one-way inlet valve means for air supplied to said pump means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A shoe as defined in claim 3 wherein means are provided for supplying air to said inlet valve means from within the shoe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A shoe as defined in claim 1 wherein said pump means includes a variable volume air chamber and resilient means for biasing said chamber to its expanded configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A shoe as defined in claim 1 wherein said pump means is relatively flat and is mounted in the heel area of the shoe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A shoe as defined in claim 1 wherein said shoe extends up over the ankle of the user, and wherein said bladders extend around the ankle area of the shoe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A shoe as defined in claim 1 wherein said relief means includes a plurality of tiny holes in said bladders.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A variable air support shoe as defined in claim 1 wherein said relief means limits the maximum pressure in said inflatable bladders.
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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) | 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 |