FOOTWEAR SOLE COMPONENT WITH A SINGLE SEALED CHAMBER

• Main Author: SWIGART, JOHN F
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 20.11.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; FOOTWEAR; HUMAN NECESSITIES; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

A sole component for footwear combining the desirable response characteristi cs of a fluid filled chamber and an elastomeric material. The chamber (14, 14') can be formed as a single bladder chamber (14, 16) in contact with an elastomeric midsole (12), or a single chamber formed by a sealing (19) a voi d in elastomeric material. The interface between the chamber and elastomeric material is sloped and gradual so that the shape of the chamber and its placement in a midsole determine the combination of response characteristics in the sole component. The chamber (14, 14') has a relatively simple shape with one axis of symmetry with a rounded portion (27) and a narrow portion (29). Varying the placement of the chamber in the elastomeric material can simulate the impact response of more complex and expensive systems with only a single chamber shape that needs to be stocked. The chamber has a relatively large volume, is devoid of internal connections, and has an internal pressur e within 5 psi if ambient pressure, and preferably at ambient pressure. Since air is used as the fluid, no specialized gases are required. No specialized films or bladder materials are required where the chamber is formed as a bladder, since the bladder is not highly pressurized. Manufacture is simplified and design flexibility enhanced with only one type of air chamber .