GB2347610A

GB2347610A - Footwear with inflated bladder

Info

Publication number: GB2347610A
Application number: GB9905491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mcauley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-11
Filing date: 1999-03-11
Publication date: 2000-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-11
Also published as: GB2347610B; GB9905491D0

Abstract

An article of footwear comprises an inflated bladder 14 positioned between a ground-engaging outsole 10 and a foot-engaging upper sole 12, wherein the outsole, the upper sole, and the bladder each have substantially the same shape as a foot in plan view. The outsole, the upper sole and the bladder may also be of substantially the same shape and size as each other in plan view. Typically, the bladder is a pneumatic chamber which may be subdivided by one or more internal partitions. The upper sole may comprise a pair of adjustable toe straps 16, 18 and a curved heel support 20 having ankle straps 22, 24 extending therefrom so as to retain a user's foot on the upper sole. The footwear may be used to allow the user to experience a bouncing effect.

Description

Footwear The present invention relates to an article of footwear the sole of which incorporates a resilient structure to enable a bouncing effect to be obtained by the wearer.

Articles of footwear have been proposed which have resilient structure incorporated in the sole, so that a bouncing effect can be obtained when the wear walks, runs or jumps. However, such articles of footwear are generally of complicated or cumbersome construction or otherwise of limited effectiveness.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an article of footwear which comprises an outer sole for engaging the ground, an upper sole on which the wearer's foot rests, means for retaining the wearer's foot to the upper sole, and an inflated bladder positioned between the outer sole and the upper sole, the outer sole, upper sole and bladder each being, in plan view, generally in the shape of a foot.

Preferably the outer sole, upper sole and bladder are substantially of the same size and shape in plan view.

Preferably the bladder defines a pneumatic chamber which extends over substantially the full length, width and depth of the of the bladder: this chamber may however be sub-divided by one or more internal partitions.

The means for retaining the wearer's foot to the upper sole of the article of footwear preferably comprises a loop for receiving the toes of the wearer and straps for fastening around the wearer's ankle. Preferably the toe loop comprises a pair of straps extending from the upper sole at or adjacent its opposite side edges, the straps being fastened together at selected length, to provide for adjustability. Preferably a curved heel support projects from the upper surface of the upper sole and the ankle straps extend from the heel support.

The article of footwear provides a high degree of resilience and a bouncing effect is obtainable to the user when he or she walks, runs or jumps.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of an article of footwear in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the article of footwear shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 1, showing the article of footwear when under load; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the article of footwear shown in Figure 1; and FIGURE 5 is a side view of the article of footwear when under load.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an article of footwear which comprises an outer sole 10 for engaging the ground, an upper sole 12 for the wearer's foot to rest on, and an inflated bladder 14 between the outer sole 10 and upper sole 12. The outer sole 10 and upper sole 12 are each generally in the shape of a foot in plan view and are of substantially the same shape and size as each other. The inflated bladder 14 has generally parallel bottom and top surfaces, to which the outer sole 10 and upper sole 12 are secured: the bladder 14 corresponds in shape, in plan view, to the soles 10,12 and is slightly smaller in size.

A pair of straps 16,18 project from the upper surface of the upper sole 12 adjacent its opposite side edges, towards the front or toe end of the article of footwear. The straps 16, 18 are arranged to pass over the toes of the wearer and be secured together at selected, adjustable lengths. A heel support 20 projects upwardly from the upper surface of the upper sole 12 adjacent the rear or toe end of the article of footwear: the heel support 20 comprises a piece of sheet material projecting upwardly from the supper sole 12 and forming a curved wall extending around the heel-end of the article of footwear, adjacent the edges of the upper sole 12.

A pair of straps 22,24 extend from the heel support 20 adjacent its opposite, forward-facing edges and adjacent its upper edge: the straps 22,24 are arranged to be passed around the front of the wearer's ankle and fastened together at selected positions, for adjustability.

It will be appreciated that, because of the inflated bladder 14, the article of footwear provides a high degree of resilience and a bouncing effect is obtainable to the user when he or she walks, runs or jumps. The article is particularly useful for aerobic exercising but may also be used by children as a recreational toy.

Claims

Claims 1) An article of footwear which comprises an outer sole for engaging the ground, an upper sole on which the wearer's foot rests, means for retaining the wearer's foot to the upper sole, and an inflated bladder positioned between the outer sole and the upper sole, the outer sole, upper sole and bladder each being, in plan view, generally in the shape of a foot.
2) An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, in which said outer sole, upper sole and bladder are substantially of the same size and shape as each other, in plan view.
3) An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said bladder defines a pneumatic chamber which extends over substantially the full length, width and depth of the bladder.
4) An article of footwear as claimed in claim 3, in which said pneumatic chamber is sub-divided by one or more internal partitions.
5) An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said means for retaining the wearer's foot to said upper sole comprises a loop for receiving the viewer's toes and straps for fastening around the wearer's ankle.
6) An article of footwear as claimed in claim 5, in which said tope loop comprises a pair of straps extending from said upper sole at or adjacent opposite side edges thereof, which straps are arranged for fastening together in length-selectable manner.
7) An article of footwear as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which a curved heel support project from the upper surface of said upper sole and said ankle straps extend from said heel support.
8) An article of footwear substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.