US5916664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-celled cushion and method of its manufacture
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-06-24
•
Granted: 1999-06-29
•
Expires: 2016-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for inflating cushioning devices which comprise at least first and second distinct chambers having an interconnecting passage providing fluid communication between the chambers. The method comprises either: (1) limiting the volume of at least one of the chambers, filling the chambers with a fluid at a single inflation pressure from a single inflation point and sealing the interconnecting passage, or (2) filling the chambers with a fluid at a single inflation pressure from a single inflation point compressing at least one of the distinct chambers, and sealing the interconnecting passage. The method is particularly suited to manufacture of a footwear cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having a plurality of sealed non-communicating cells having a single inflation point. At least two cells sharing a single sealed inflation passage are at different pressures.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion Franklin Rudy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/14; A43B13/18; A43B13/20; A43B13/206; B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; A41; A41B; A41B11/00; A41B11/006; A41D; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/28; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/10; A42B3/12; A42B3/121; A43B13/189; A43B17/00; A43B17/02; A43B17/026; A43B17/03; A43B21/00; A43B21/24; A43B21/26; A43B21/28; B29; B29D; B29D35/00; B29D35/12; B29D35/14; B29D35/142; B32B33/00; F; F16; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/02; F16F9/04; F16F9/0472; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/234; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24661; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A cushioning device comprised of a body of elastomeric material having a group of fluid filled sealed non-communicating cells, said group of cells having only one inlet port to an external atmosphere, said group of cells having been filled with a fluid at a single pressure, wherein at least two of said cells are at different pressures in an at rest state, and wherein a passage extends between said at least two cells at different pressures, said passage having been sealed at a point between said two cells to maintain the different pressures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cushioning device comprised of a body of elastomeric material having a group of fluid filled sealed non-communicating cells, said group of cells having only one inlet port to an external atmosphere, said group of cells having been filled with a fluid at a single pressure, wherein at least two of said cells are at different pressures in an at rest state, and wherein a passage extends between said at least two cells at different pressures, said passage having been sealed at a point between said two cells to maintain the different pressures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cushion of claim 1 positioned in an article of footwear under a heel of a foot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cushion of claim 2 wherein said cushion is comprised of cells under a calcaneus of said heel having a lower pressure than cells defining the periphery of the cushion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein at least three sealed non-communicating cells share a common sealed inflation passage and are at three different pressures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cushion of claim 1 positioned in an article of footwear beneath a longitudinal arch of a foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein at least one cell is sealed and at about 0 psi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cushion is comprised of cells of different sizes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cushion is comprised of cells having a variety of shapes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cushion of claim 1 comprised of at least one additional cell filled by a second inflation point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester elastomer, fluoroelastomer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, neoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, butadiene styrene rubber, ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubber, silicone rubber, polyethylene, synthetic rubber, sulfide rubber, nitrile rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cushion of claim 1 further comprised of at least two fluid communicating cells.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are spherical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are at least partially encapsulated in an elastomeric foam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cushion of claim 1 further comprised of a second group of fluid filled cells filled by a second inflation point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cushion of claim 10 wherein said elastomeric material is further comprised of a partial or fully crystalline gas barrier material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are inflated with air, oxygen, nitrogen, or a gas selected from the group consisting of hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluorides, perfluoropropanes, perfluorobutanes, perfluoropentanes, perfluorohexanes, perfluoroheptanes, octafluorocylcobutane, perfluorocyclobutanes, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane, 1,2-dichlorotetra-fluoroethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotrifluoromethane, and, monochlorotrifluoromethane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cushion of claim 1 wherein said cells are inflated with a liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cushion of claim 17 wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, semi-gel liquids, oils, grease, soft wax, liquid wax, glycerol, soft soap, silicones, rheopexic fluids, thixotropic fluids, corn syrup, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
A shock absorbing cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having (N) fluid filled, non-communicating cells, a passage extending between said cells, said passage being sealed at a point between said cells, said cells having a single inflation point, and at least two cells having different pressures, wherein fewer than (N-1) sealed passages connect said cells.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
A shock absorbing cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having (N) fluid filled, non-communicating cells, a passage extending between said cells, said passage being sealed at a point between said cells, said cells having a single inflation point, and at least two cells having different pressures, wherein fewer than (N-1) sealed passages connect said cells.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cushion of claim 19 wherein said sealed interconnecting passages number fewer than N-(1/2N+1)!.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into the handle of a tennis racquet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
9 words
The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into a helmet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
8 words
The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into gloves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into the seat of a two-wheeled vehicle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cushion of claim 19 incorporated into the sole, mid-sole, out-sole, or sock liner of an article of footwear.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cushion of claim 19 further comprised of a plurality of peripheral cells at a higher pressure than at least one internal cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cushion of claim 19 further comprised of at least one sealed cell at 0 psi.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cushion of claim 19 wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluorides, perfluoropropanes, perfluorobutanes, perfluoropentanes, perfluorohexanes, perfluoroheptanes, octafluorocylcobutane, perfluorocyclobutanes, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane, 1,2-dichlorotetra-fluoroethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotrifluoromethane, and, monochlorotrifluoromethane.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
99 words
A cushioning device constructed by a process comprising the steps of: (a) placing an elastomeric member between first and second cooperative die members; (b) forming at least two distinct cells in said elastomeric member having a fluid communication passage; (c) temporarily limiting the volume of at least one of said cells to a greater extent than said other cell; (d) filling said cells with a single fluid pressure from a single injection point; (e) sealing said passage while performing step (c) and after completion of step (d); and (f) allowing said cells to return to a natural unconstrained volume.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
99 words
A cushioning device constructed by a process comprising the steps of: (a) placing an elastomeric member between first and second cooperative die members; (b) forming at least two distinct cells in said elastomeric member having a fluid communication passage; (c) temporarily limiting the volume of at least one of said cells to a greater extent than said other cell; (d) filling said cells with a single fluid pressure from a single injection point; (e) sealing said passage while performing step (c) and after completion of step (d); and (f) allowing said cells to return to a natural unconstrained volume.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cushion of claim 29 wherein step (d) is initiated before step (c) is initiated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
75 words
A footwear cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having at least three fluid filled non-communicating cells, at least one of the cells being at a different pressure than the other two cells, a nozzle forming an inlet to a first of said three cells to allow introduction of a fluid, a single passage interconnecting each of the three cells, the passage having been sealed after an initial introduction of fluid to the cells.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
75 words
A footwear cushion comprised of a body of elastomeric material having at least three fluid filled non-communicating cells, at least one of the cells being at a different pressure than the other two cells, a nozzle forming an inlet to a first of said three cells to allow introduction of a fluid, a single passage interconnecting each of the three cells, the passage having been sealed after an initial introduction of fluid to the cells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US532429A
Cited
US989894A
Cited
US2090881A
Cited
US2575764A
Cited
US2600239A
Cited
US2677905A
Cited
US2863230A
Cited
US3294387A
Cited
US3142599A
Cited
US3285793A
Cited
US3392081A
Cited
US3415711A
Cited
US3508992A
Cited
US3514362A
Cited
US3524787A
Cited
US3294389A
Cited
US3616155A
Cited
US3586565A
Cited
US3589037A
Cited
US3795994A
Cited
US3868056A
Cited
US3785899A
Cited
US3871511A
Cited
US4049854A
Cited
DE2460034A1
Cited
US4370754A
Cited
US4730610A
Cited
US4698864A
Cited
US4905382A
Cited
US4908962A
Cited
US4999931A
Cited
US5518802A
Cited
US5042175A
Cited
US5222312A
Cited
US5353523A
Cited
US5406719A
Cited
US5222311A
Cited
US5335430A
Cited
US5425184A
Cited
US5353459A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |