US20070294832A1 - Air cushion with multistage shock-absorbing assembly and fabricating method - Google Patents

Air cushion with multistage shock-absorbing assembly and fabricating method Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070294832A1
US20070294832A1 US11/823,291 US82329107A US2007294832A1 US 20070294832 A1 US20070294832 A1 US 20070294832A1 US 82329107 A US82329107 A US 82329107A US 2007294832 A1 US2007294832 A1 US 2007294832A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
bladder
air
cushioning element
air cushion
absorbing assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/823,291
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English (en)
Inventor
Jui Fen Shiao
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dah Lih Puh Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Dah Lih Puh Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dah Lih Puh Co Ltd filed Critical Dah Lih Puh Co Ltd
Assigned to DAH LIH PUH CO., LTD reassignment DAH LIH PUH CO., LTD ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SHIAO, JUI FEN
Publication of US20070294832A1 publication Critical patent/US20070294832A1/en
Priority to US13/047,545 priority Critical patent/US20110162233A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/20—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/20—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
    • A43B13/206—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air cushion assembly adapted for absorbing heel impacts in a shoe mid-sole and in particular, to an air cushion assembly having an air bladder associated with a cushioning element in a vertical stack configuration that capable of absorbing more than one range of heel impacts against the ground.
  • the heel strike cushioning material which is contained principally in the mid-sole of a running shoe, must have a firmness which provides for proper impact cushioning for a person of about average weight.
  • U.S. Design Pat. No. 297,980 to Sugiyama describes a cushioning for a shoe mid-sole comprised essentially of one cell having partition walls therein.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,342,157 and 4,472,890 to Gilbert describes the use of liquid-filled shock absorbing cushions in the heel portion and forefoot portion of a shoe.
  • Typical liquids include water, glycerin, and mineral oil.
  • the heel cushioning material When the runner is heavy, the heel cushioning material may “bottom out” before heel impact is completely absorbed, and shock-related injuries can result. On the other hand, if the cushioning material is too soft poor lateral foot stability may result in injuries.
  • FIG. 1 For providing an air cushion with wider range of impact absorption, an easier conventional fabrication method of air cushion is shown in FIG. 1 , including the steps of preparing a larger bladder 1 , putting the larger bladder 1 in a hot pressing mold 13 for forming a plurality of ribs 11 which divides the larger bladder into smaller bladders 14 , 15 , and 16 in a substantially horizontal configuration for providing a plurality of cushioning areas.
  • the total cushioning area of the smaller bladders 14 , 15 , and 16 is less than the original of the larger bladder 1 , and the ribs 11 form a plurality of vertical walls 110 around each of the small bladders 14 , 15 , and 16 that may cause the wearer feel pain when some smaller bladders 14 in the central portion become bottom out under some heavy heel impact.
  • the smaller bladder 14 in central area can be made softer to comfort the heel of the wearer during taking a normal walking exercise; however this would cause the smaller bladder 14 tends to bottom out in normal running activity. If the smaller bladder 14 contains a higher inner pressure to provide adequate shock absorption for running, it would cause the wearer feels it is too hard and suffers a pain from the bladder 14 in a normal walking.
  • the present invention provides an air cushion assembly and a fabrication method for producing such a cushion assembly.
  • the air cushion assembly according to the present invention contains an air bladder associated with a cushioning element in a vertical stack configuration, so as to absorb a lighter heel impact and heavier heel impact sequentially.
  • the air bladder of the air cushion assembly may contain a lower inner pressure for providing a softer shock absorption during a wearer taking walking exercise, and the cushioning element may be an air bladder with higher inner pressure or a cushion which made from a resilient element for absorbing some other heavier heel impacts, such as running or playing ball, or the likes.
  • the fabrication method of the present invention may include the steps of blowing a melting inflatable bladder or tube together with a cushioning element in a blowing mold, inflating the melting inflatable bladder with air in high pressure, so as to form a bladder with a passage way that confirming the inner shape of the blowing mold, and blowing air into the bladder in a preset inner pressure; and thereafter sealing the passage way for forming an air cushion with multistage shock-absorbing assembly.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the steps of an easier method for producing an air cushion in a prior art.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the steps of a fabrication method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the steps of a fabrication method according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the variety of deformation in different impact loading, explaining the reason to associate an air bladder to a cushioning element in a vertical stack configuration.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a further alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a further alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a further alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a further alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a further alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a further alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • a fabrication method includes the steps of inserting a melting inflatable bladder 40 or tube (not shown) together with a cushioning element 22 in a blowing mold 3 , inflating the melting inflatable bladder 40 with an air in high pressure, so as to form a bladder 41 with a passage way 42 that confirming the inner shape of the blowing mold 3 , and blowing air into the bladder 41 in a first inner pressure; and thereafter sealing the passage way 42 for forming a first air cushion 4 which connects the cushioning element 22 on one side.
  • the melting inflatable bladder 40 has an upper side and a lower side.
  • the cushioning element 22 may have glue or adhesive layer for bonding itself onto the lower side of the melting inflatable bladder 40 .
  • the cushioning element 22 is connected inside the melting inflatable tube 50 or bladder (not shown) and disposed into the blowing mold 30 together.
  • the melting inflatable tube 50 comprises a first inner wall 501 and a second inner side 502 .
  • the inner surface of the blowing mold 30 may comprise a plurality of inward protruding portions 31 for forming a bladder 51 with a plurality of indents or holes 52 and a passage way 53 . While blowing air into the bladder 51 in a preset pressure; and thereafter sealing the passage way 53 , it is forming an air cushion 5 with multistage shock-absorbing assembly.
  • the walls of the indents or holes 52 have one end connected with the cushioning element 22 , so as to inhibit bulging effect and keep the air cushion 5 in a predetermined shape.
  • an air cushion 6 of an embodiment of the present invention for absorbing heel impacts in different athletic activities.
  • the air cushion 6 has a cushioning element 22 connected within an air bladder 60 at the bottom side 222 thereof, to form a vertical stack configuration for providing cushioning force against the heel impacts sequentially.
  • the cushioning element 22 can be a resilient pad which contains a second cushioning material 221 , such as liquid, gel cushioning material, air in high pressure, granules cushioning material, polyester elastomer or the like.
  • the air bladder 60 has a upper surface 61 for absorbing some lighter impacts 66 and 67 in walking exercise.
  • the heel strike yielding a plurality of impacts ranging from 0 to 1.5 times the body weight, therefore the heel imposes the impacts 66 or 67 onto the upper surface 61 .
  • the upper surface 61 provides cushioning effect on the heel with no rib, therefore the wearer would feel comfortable without paining by the ribs and the vertical walls of the conventional air cushion as being depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • the impact 68 may increase up to 2-3 times the body weight, this causes the air bladder 60 to be bottom out and deforms the upper portion of the cushioning element 22 .
  • the cushioning element 22 provides a cushioning force to protect the heel from injury.
  • an air cushion 4 ′ comprises a first air bladder 41 ′ and a resilient pad 43 .
  • the air bladder 41 ′ provides a softer cushioning force for cushioning lighter impacts from a wearer's walking exercise until being bottom out, and provides cushioning force together with the resilient pad 43 to absorb some stronger impacts from running or some other strenuous athletic activities.
  • an alternative embodiment of air cushion 4 ′′ comprises a first air bladder 41 ′′ and a cushioning element 22 in a vertical stack configuration.
  • the cushioning element 22 comprises a resilient pad 225 combined or attached with a second air bladder 226 which contains a second inner pressure.
  • the first air bladder 41 ′′ contains a first inner pressure relatively lower than the second inner pressure thereby to absorb the impact on wear's heel from walking until being bottom out; and thereafter to absorb even more stronger impact together with the second air bladder 226 .
  • the resilient pad 225 provides a resilient force to buffer the impact, thereby to protect the wearer from possible lower extremity injuries.
  • an alternative embodiment of air cushion 71 with multistage shock-absorbing assembly comprises an air bladder 710 with a cushioning element 711 disposed therein, and a resilient pad 712 attached thereon.
  • the cushioning element 711 may be a bladder filled with gel, foam, a particulate material, a liquid, or the like.
  • the resilient pad 712 may be an air bladder, a polyester elastomer, fabric, a bladder filled with gel, foam, a particulate material, a liquid, or the like.
  • a further alternative embodiment of air cushion 72 with multistage shock-absorbing assembly comprises a first air bladder 721 , a second air bladder 722 , and a plurality of tying elements 723 , that connected therebetween in a vertical stack configuration.
  • the second air bladder 722 has one side attached to the inner wall of the first air bladder 721 , and other side connected to the inner wall of the first air bladder 721 via the plurality of tying elements 723 , so as to keep the outer surface in flatten or in a predetermined shape without bulging out accidentally.
  • the plurality of tying elements 723 can be a pile of yarns or fabric which is glued between the inner wall of the and the first air bladder 721 and the outside of the second air bladder 722 for eliminating possible bulging effect on outside of the air cushion 72 .
  • a simplified alternative embodiment of air cushion 73 with multistage shock-absorbing assembly comprises a first air bladder 731 encapsulated in a second air bladder 732 in a vertical stack configuration.
  • a refined alternative embodiment of air cushion 74 with multistage shock-absorbing assembly comprises a first air bladder 741 , a cushioning element 742 , a upper frame 743 , and a base frame 744 in a vertical stack configuration.
  • the cushioning element 742 may be resilient pad attached on the lower inner side of the first air bladder 741 .
  • the first air bladder 741 is contained the cushioning element 742 and can be fixed between the upper frame 743 and the base frame 744 .
  • the first air bladder 741 is formed with a plurality inward protruded walls 7410 connected with the outer surface of the cushioning element 742 for acting as tying element to eliminate bulging of the upper surface of the air cushion 74 .
  • the cushioning element 80 with multistage shock-absorbing assembly comprises a first air bladder 81 , a tying element 811 , and a second air bladder 82 .
  • the tying element 811 is connected between the inner side of the first air bladder 81 which has a first passage way for fill into a first inner pressure P 1 , and the outside of the second air bladder 82 .
  • the second air bladder 82 has a plurality of tying elements 821 formed therein, and a second passage way for fill compressible fluid into a second inner pressure P 2 .
  • the second inner pressure P 2 of the second air bladder 82 is relative higher than the first inner pressure P 1 , thereby to absorb lighter impacts in normal walking exercise by the first air bladder 81 , and absorb even more heaver impacts in running or strenuous athletic activity together with the second air bladder 82 .
  • the tying elements 821 may be a plurality of inward protruding walls which connect the upper and lower inner walls of the second air bladder 82 and keep the outer surface of the second air bladder 82 in a predetermined shape.
  • the inward protruding walls functioning as tying elements 821 may be formed by a blowing mold with small pins that forming a plurality of indent or small holes on the second air bladder 82 .
US11/823,291 2006-06-27 2007-06-27 Air cushion with multistage shock-absorbing assembly and fabricating method Abandoned US20070294832A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/047,545 US20110162233A1 (en) 2006-06-27 2011-03-14 Air cushion with multistage shock-absorbing assembly and fabricating method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TW095123163 2006-06-27
TW095123163A TW200800058A (en) 2006-06-27 2006-06-27 Air cushion with multistage impact-absorbing assembly and fabricating method thereof

Related Child Applications (1)

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US13/047,545 Continuation-In-Part US20110162233A1 (en) 2006-06-27 2011-03-14 Air cushion with multistage shock-absorbing assembly and fabricating method

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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110005101A1 (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-13 Sills Craig K Air Bladder Footbed
US20160295964A1 (en) * 2015-04-08 2016-10-13 Nike, Inc. Article with overlay secured to bladder element over image and method of manufacturing the article
US9854870B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2018-01-02 Nike, Inc. Method of manufacturing a bladder element with an impression of etched area of mold assembly and article having bladder element with impression
US9974360B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2018-05-22 Nike, Inc. Method of manufacturing a bladder element with an etched feature and article having a bladder element with an etched feature
CN108312414A (zh) * 2018-02-22 2018-07-24 方柏明 一种减震机构、其制备方法及制备减震机构的模具
US10238175B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2019-03-26 Nike, Inc. Article with a cushioning assembly having inner and outer bladder elements with interfitting features and method of manufacturing an article
US10362833B2 (en) 2015-04-21 2019-07-30 Nike, Inc. Bladder element formed from three sheets and method of manufacturing a bladder element
US10537153B2 (en) 2017-05-23 2020-01-21 Nike, Inc. Midsole with graded response
US10645996B2 (en) 2017-05-23 2020-05-12 Nike, Inc. Midsole system with graded response
EP3653071A1 (en) * 2015-09-24 2020-05-20 Nike Innovate C.V. Fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear
US10758004B2 (en) 2017-05-23 2020-09-01 Nike, Inc. Domed midsole with staged compressive stiffness
US10791795B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2020-10-06 Nike, Inc. Article with a cushioning assembly having inner and outer bladder elements and a reinforcement element and method of manufacturing an article
US10842225B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2020-11-24 Nike, Inc. Article including a bladder element with an image and method of manufacturing the article

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6119371A (en) * 1998-01-09 2000-09-19 Nike, Inc. Resilient bladder for use in footwear
US6402879B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2002-06-11 Nike, Inc. Method of making bladder with inverted edge seam

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6119371A (en) * 1998-01-09 2000-09-19 Nike, Inc. Resilient bladder for use in footwear
US6402879B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2002-06-11 Nike, Inc. Method of making bladder with inverted edge seam

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110005101A1 (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-13 Sills Craig K Air Bladder Footbed
US8166673B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2012-05-01 Nike, Inc. Air bladder footbed
US20160295964A1 (en) * 2015-04-08 2016-10-13 Nike, Inc. Article with overlay secured to bladder element over image and method of manufacturing the article
US9854870B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2018-01-02 Nike, Inc. Method of manufacturing a bladder element with an impression of etched area of mold assembly and article having bladder element with impression
US9974360B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2018-05-22 Nike, Inc. Method of manufacturing a bladder element with an etched feature and article having a bladder element with an etched feature
US10791795B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2020-10-06 Nike, Inc. Article with a cushioning assembly having inner and outer bladder elements and a reinforcement element and method of manufacturing an article
US10238175B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2019-03-26 Nike, Inc. Article with a cushioning assembly having inner and outer bladder elements with interfitting features and method of manufacturing an article
US10327506B2 (en) * 2015-04-08 2019-06-25 Nike, Inc. Article with overlay secured to bladder element over image and method of manufacturing the article
US10842225B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2020-11-24 Nike, Inc. Article including a bladder element with an image and method of manufacturing the article
US10362833B2 (en) 2015-04-21 2019-07-30 Nike, Inc. Bladder element formed from three sheets and method of manufacturing a bladder element
CN110638139A (zh) * 2015-04-21 2020-01-03 耐克创新有限合伙公司 由三个片材形成的囊状元件和制造囊状元件的方法
US11412814B2 (en) 2015-09-24 2022-08-16 Nike, Inc. Fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear
EP3653071A1 (en) * 2015-09-24 2020-05-20 Nike Innovate C.V. Fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear
US10702016B2 (en) 2015-09-24 2020-07-07 Nike, Inc. Fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear
CN113317587A (zh) * 2015-09-24 2021-08-31 耐克创新有限合伙公司 用于鞋类制品的流体填充室
US11700914B2 (en) 2015-09-24 2023-07-18 Nike, Inc. Fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear
US10537153B2 (en) 2017-05-23 2020-01-21 Nike, Inc. Midsole with graded response
US10758004B2 (en) 2017-05-23 2020-09-01 Nike, Inc. Domed midsole with staged compressive stiffness
US10645996B2 (en) 2017-05-23 2020-05-12 Nike, Inc. Midsole system with graded response
CN108312414A (zh) * 2018-02-22 2018-07-24 方柏明 一种减震机构、其制备方法及制备减震机构的模具

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Publication number Publication date
TWI306021B (zh) 2009-02-11
TW200800058A (en) 2008-01-01

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: DAH LIH PUH CO., LTD, TAIWAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHIAO, JUI FEN;REEL/FRAME:019534/0744

Effective date: 20070606

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION