초록 ▼

A shoe is provided with a cushioning element, preferably a heel strike cushioning element for a sole portion of the shoe. The cushioning element includes a first chamber having substantially transparent flexible walls filled for example, with a liquid or gel cushioning material. A second chamber is

A shoe is provided with a cushioning element, preferably a heel strike cushioning element for a sole portion of the shoe. The cushioning element includes a first chamber having substantially transparent flexible walls filled for example, with a liquid or gel cushioning material. A second chamber is provided having gas impervious, preferably substantially transparent walls which receive therebetween and enclose a portion of the first chamber. The first chamber is seated over the second chamber to form a gas filled cell between the walls of the enclosed portion of the first chamber and the walls of the second chamber. Preferably, a plurality of ribs project from the walls of the second chamber into the gas filled cell to form a plurality of gas filled pockets between the ribs, and the walls of the enclosed portion of the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber of the cushioning element is disposed over the sole portion. Preferably, the sole portion is constructed with openings which permit the gel composition to be viewed from the exterior of the shoe.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [11.] A substantially elliptically shaped cushioning element having a longitudinal axis comprising:a first chamber having flexible gas impervious walls comprising a flat cap having a surrounding peripheral lip and a mating capsule filled with a liquid cushioning material;a sec

[ What is claimed is:] [11.] A substantially elliptically shaped cushioning element having a longitudinal axis comprising:a first chamber having flexible gas impervious walls comprising a flat cap having a surrounding peripheral lip and a mating capsule filled with a liquid cushioning material;a second substantially elliptically shaped chamber having gas impervious walls which enclose the mating capsule and support a portion of the first chamber at the surrounding peripheral lip, the first chamber overlying the second chamber, to form a gas filled cell between the walls of the enclosed portion of the first chamber and the walls of the second chamber;a plurality of ribs projecting between the walls of the enclosed portion of the first chamber and the walls of the second chamber and transverse to the longitudinal axis;wherein an impact force to the cap is absorbed by the cushioning material encapsulated in the first chamber and forces the first chamber downward onto ribs, the ribs providing a resilient support for the downwardly forced first chamber and creating a sealing affect to form a plurality of gas filled cells between the ribs and the walls of the enclosed portion of the first chamber and the second chamber to assist in cushioning the impact force.