US6865825B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ergonomic systems and methods providing intelligent adaptive surfaces and temperature control
Assignee: Promdx Tech Inc
•
Filing: 2001-05-10
•
Granted: 2005-03-15
•
Expires: 2021-05-10
Abstract
Abstract Ergonomic systems which provide medical therapy, comfort and enhanced function are provided. Surfaces are provided with adjustable contour, transient force damping and temperature. The technologies are applied to footwear, seating surfaces an cryotherapy devices. The cooling and cryotherapy system employ an evaporator in close proximity to skin, and therefore employ methods to reduce risk of frostbite. Advanced control and power supply options are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Bailey, Sr.
- 👤 Ronald A. Fisher
- 👤 Steven M. Hoffberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/56; B60N2/5607; B60N2/5621; A; A43; A43B; A43B1/00; A43B1/0054; A43B13/00; A43B13/14; A43B13/18; A43B13/181; A43B13/189; A43B13/20; A43B13/203; A43B13/206; A43B3/00; A43B3/0026; A43B3/34; A43B3/38; A43B7/00; A43B7/06; A43B7/14; A43B7/1405; A43B7/1415; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/02; A61F7/10; B60N2/5678; B60N2/5685; B60N2/5692; F; F28; F28F; F28F3/00; F28F3/12; A61F2007/0001; A61F2007/0002; A61F2007/0018; A61F2007/0027; A61F2007/0029; A61F2007/0039; A61F2007/0054; A61F2007/0056; A61F2007/0058; A61F7/007; A61F2007/0075; A61F2007/0076; A61F2007/0225; A61F2007/0233; A61F2007/0295; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D21/00; F28D2021/0019; F28D2021/0068; F28D2021/0071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and a control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, wherein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and a control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, wherein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article according to claim 1 , wherein said control comprises an electrically controllable valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article according to claim 1 , wherein said dynamic response chamber is embedded within the sole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The article according to claim 1 , wherein said article of footwear further comprises an upper having an inelastic portion, wherein said pressurized fluid in said bladder is internal to said inelastic portion and pressurize fluid in said dynamic response chamber is external said inelastic portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article according to claim 1 , wherein said bladder is controllably pressurized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article according to claim 5 , wherein a source of compressed fluid for said bladder comprises a gait operated compressor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure within said bladder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article according to claim 7 , wherein said control is responsive to said pressure sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article according to claim 1 , wherein said control is adaptive to conditions of operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The article according to claim 1 , wherein said bladder is formed of a polymer film having a modulus of greater than about 400 kpsi per ASTM D882.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger for altering a temperature of at least a portion of the article.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article according to claim 11 , wherein said heat exchanger selectively cools a portion of a foot within the article of footwear.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A dynamically controlled footwear system, comprising: (a) an enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer's foot; and (b) a control system for separately controlling a static and dynamic characteristic of said enclosed space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A dynamically controlled footwear system, comprising: (a) an enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer's foot; and (b) a control system for separately controlling a static and dynamic characteristic of said enclosed space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 13 , further comprising a sensor, for sensing a wearer activity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein said static characteristic corresponds to a tension of the enclosed space wall and said dynamic characteristic corresponds to an effective damping of forces in the wall of the enclosed space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein the control adjusts a pressure of a working fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein the enclosed space is filled with a working fluid which changes phase within a range of normal operating conditions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein the control comprises a hydraulic fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein the control is an active control which operates from pedal energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein a static fit of the footwear tightens with increased levels if user activity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein said wall has low mechanical compliance, said control acting to control a perceived compliance of said enclosed space.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 13 , further comprising at least one additional enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer's foot, and being controlled by said control system to separately control a static and dynamic characteristic of said additional enclosed space.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein said control comprises a selectively operable valve for adjustably controlling a dynamic flow of a working fluid within said enclosed space in response to a transient force.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 13 , further comprising means for determining an activity type, said control system being dependent on said determined activity type.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and a control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, wherein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber, wherein said bladder is formed of a polymer film having a modulus of greater than about 400 kpsi per ASTM D882.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and a control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, wherein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber, wherein said bladder is formed of a polymer film having a modulus of greater than about 400 kpsi per ASTM D882.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article according to claim 25 , wherein said control comprises an electrically controllable valve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article according to claim 25 , wherein said dynamic response chamber is embedded within the sole.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
The article according to claim 25 , wherein said article of footwear further comprises an upper having an inelastic portion, wherein said pressurized fluid in said bladder is internal to said inelastic portion and pressurized fluid in said dynamic response chamber is external said inelastic portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article according to claim 25 , wherein said bladder is controllably pressurized.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article according to claim 29 , wherein a source of compressed fluid for said bladder comprises a gait operated compressor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article according to claim 25 , further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure within said bladder.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article according to claim 31 , wherein said control is responsive to said pressure sensor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article according to claim 25 , wherein said control is adaptive to conditions of operation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article according to claim 25 , further comprising a heat exchanger for altering a temperature of at least a portion of the article.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article according to claim 34 , wherein said heat exchanger selectively cools a portion of a foot within the article of footwear.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
74 words
An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, herein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber, wherein said bladder is controllably pressurized, and a source of compressed fluid for said bladder comprises a gait operated compressor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, herein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber, wherein said bladder is controllably pressurized, and a source of compressed fluid for said bladder comprises a gait operated compressor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article according to claim 36 , wherein said control comprises an electrically controllable valve.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article according to claim 36 , wherein said dynamic response chamber is embedded within the sole.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
The article according to claim 36 , wherein said article of footwear further comprises an upper having an inelastic portion, wherein said pressurized fluid in said bladder is internal to said inelastic portion and pressurized fluid in said dynamic response chamber is external said inelastic portion.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article according to claim 36 , further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure within said bladder.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article according to claim 40 , wherein said control is responsive to said pressure sensor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article according to claim 36 , wherein said control is adaptive to conditions of operation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The article according to claim 36 , wherein said bladder is formed of a polymer film having a modulus of greater than about 400 kpsi per ASTM D882.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article according to claim 36 , further comprising a heat exchanger for altering a temperature of at least a portion of the article.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article according to claim 44 , wherein said heat exchanger selectively cools a portion of a foot within the article of footwear.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
57 words
A dynamically controlled footwear system, comprising: (a) an enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer's foot, wherein said wall has low mechanical compliance, said control acting to control a perceived compliance of said enclosed space; and (b) a control system for separately controlling a static and dynamic characteristic of said enclosed space.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
57 words
A dynamically controlled footwear system, comprising: (a) an enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer's foot, wherein said wall has low mechanical compliance, said control acting to control a perceived compliance of said enclosed space; and (b) a control system for separately controlling a static and dynamic characteristic of said enclosed space.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 46 , further comprising a sensor, for sensing a wearer activity.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 46 , wherein said static characteristic corresponds to a tension of the enclose space wall and said dynamic characteristic corresponds to an effective damping of forces in the wall of the enclosed space.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 46 , wherein the control adjusts a pressure of a working fluid.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 40 , wherein the enclosed space is filled with a working fluid which changes phase within a range of normal operating conditions.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 40 , wherein the control comprises a hydraulic fluid.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 40 , wherein the control is an active control which operates from pedal energy.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 40 , wherein a static fit of the footwear tightens with increased levels if user activity.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 40 , further comprising at least one additional enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer's foot, and being controlled by said control system to separately control a static and dynamic characteristic of said additional enclosed space.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 40 , wherein said control comprises a selectively operable valve for adjustably controlling a dynamic flow of a working fluid within said enclosed space in response to a transient force.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 40 , further comprising means for determining an activity type, said control system being dependent on said determined activity type.
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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) | 2008-03-14 | 2008-09-13 | 2009-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-14 | 2012-09-13 | 2013-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-14 | 2016-09-13 | 2017-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |