초록 ▼

Shoes are provided with soles and/or upper portions which conform to the configuration of the user\s feet by the use of vacuum formable bladders in the sole of the shoes and/or in the sides of the upper portions of the shoes. The bladders are filled with material, such as small resilient or interloc

Shoes are provided with soles and/or upper portions which conform to the configuration of the user\s feet by the use of vacuum formable bladders in the sole of the shoes and/or in the sides of the upper portions of the shoes. The bladders are filled with material, such as small resilient or interlocking particles, which retains a configuration conforming to the shape of the feet under reduced pressure conditions. A vacuum pump is provided, and it may be located in the heel area of the shoe to be actuated by walking or running to evacuate air from the bladders. The shoe may be removed, and the vacuum formable bladders will retain their shape as long as the vacuum is maintained.

대표청구항 ▼

A conformable shoe assembly including a vacuum forming configuration, comprising: a shoe body; said shoe body including a sole including a sealed bladder containing particulate material of substantially interlocking properties under vacuum conditions said bladder constituting means for inherently re

A conformable shoe assembly including a vacuum forming configuration, comprising: a shoe body; said shoe body including a sole including a sealed bladder containing particulate material of substantially interlocking properties under vacuum conditions said bladder constituting means for inherently retaining its shape and remaining conformed to its initial state under partial vacuum conditions; said bladder being resilient under partial vacuum conditions and providing shaped support for the foot; a vacuum pump for withdrawing air from said sealed bladder; and said pump being mounted onto said shoe assembly; means for actuating said pump to withdraw air from said bladder; said shoe assembly including means for permitting removal of the shoe and remounting on a foot while the bladder is partially evacuated with the bladder retaining its conformed configuration; and said bladder having a reduced thickness and configuration when it is partially evacuated as compared with its configuration at atmospheric pressure; whereby said sole inherently conforms to the shape of the user\s foot and retains this configuration until the partial vacuum in said bladder is released.