초록 ▼

A device which supports and cushions the human foot by means of fluid pressure is disclosed. The device is non-elastic and self-supporting. Two superimposed plies of a fluid impervious woven fabric material are sealed to each other around the periphery and, according to predetermined design, at sele

A device which supports and cushions the human foot by means of fluid pressure is disclosed. The device is non-elastic and self-supporting. Two superimposed plies of a fluid impervious woven fabric material are sealed to each other around the periphery and, according to predetermined design, at selected areas within the periphery. The result is a series of foot supporting pneumatic cushions interspersed and separated with void regions which do not touch the underside of the foot. The fluid containing chambers which form the pneumatic cushions are in communication with each other through fluid passageways located around the periphery of the device. The device permits fluid to flow from one internal chamber to another when compressed, but with a back pressure build up sufficient to prevent sudden surges of fluid from one chamber to another. This provides additional pressure which resists and cushions the impact of the forces applied to the device.

대표청구항 ▼

A self-contained foot cushioning device comprising: two superimposed plies of a lightweight, flexible, non-elastic, fluid-impervious woven fabric material, of a shape generally suited to cushion a foot, or selected portions of a foot; P1 the adjacent surfaces of which are sealed around the periphery

A self-contained foot cushioning device comprising: two superimposed plies of a lightweight, flexible, non-elastic, fluid-impervious woven fabric material, of a shape generally suited to cushion a foot, or selected portions of a foot; P1 the adjacent surfaces of which are sealed around the periphery thereof to form a pressure-tight bladder which, when pressurized with a pressurizable fluid under sufficient pressure to adequately support and cushion the forces applied by the human foot, does not weaken or lose its shape; the adjacent surfaces of which are also sealed within the periphery at preselected regions disposed generally perpendicular to the transverse axis of said bladder to define a plurality of internal chambers within said bladder at least some of which are fluidly communicable with each other; restricted fluid passageways communicating between adjacent chambers, defined at the periphery of the bladder during the sealing process by leaving unsealed a portion of the surfaces between the peripheral seal and the inner sealed regions of the bladder, and sized appropriately to permit a restricted fluid flow from one chamber to another whereby pressure equalization between chambers may take place when the bladder is pressurized but with a back-pressure build-up effect sufficient to prevent sudden surges of fluid from one chamber to another and to provide additional pressure to resist and cushion the impact of sudden heavy forces on the outside of the chamber.