Pressure-adjustable shoe bladder assembly

Patent 5253435 Issued on October 19, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 19, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Nike, Inc.

Application

No. 747414 filed on 08/19/1991

US Classes:

36/88, Foot-supporting or foot-conforming feature36/29, Pneumatic36/71, PADS36/114Athletic shoe or attachment therefor

Examiners

Primary: Meyers, Steven N.
Assistant: Kavanaugh, Ted

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Banner, Birch, McKie & Beckett

Foreign Patent References

200963 AT. 12/13/2012
515639 BE. 12/13/2012
951117 CA. 07/13/1974
951118 CA. 07/13/1974
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2456612 DE. 06/13/1975
3200139 DE. 05/13/1982
3326085 DE. 07/13/1983
3427644A DE. 01/13/1986
3600437 DE 07/13/1987
1406610 FR. 11/13/1965
2252820 FR. 06/13/1976
2356384 FR. 01/13/1978
2496423 FR 06/13/1982
87/03789 WO. 07/13/1987
90/04323 WO. 03/13/1990
90/09115 WO. 09/13/1990
0011170 GB. 02/13/1887
26637 GB. 02/13/1887
866934 GB. 05/13/1961
939529 GB. 10/13/1963
2111821A GB. 07/13/1983
8910074 WO 11/13/1989

International Classes

A43B 007/06
A43B 007/14

Abstract

A bladder assembly for an athletic shoe and having at least first and second chambers. The chambers are independently and separately pressure adjustable by the user to conform to different concavity areas of his foot, such as the arch, ankle and metatarsal areas, to thereby enhance fit, comfort and athletic performance. Both chambers are inflatable by the same articulated on-board pump and deflatable by the same on-board depressible plunger. A dial on the lateral side of the upper allows the user to select which of the chambers is to be pressure adjusted, that is, which of the chambers is in pressure communication with the pump and the plunger. When the dial is in a neutral position, accidental inflation or deflation of either chamber is prevented.

Other References

Derwent Abstract G2328w/24
"Pumping Up", Photo and discussion, Footwear News, Apr. 3, 1989, p. 1
"New Generation", Photo and discussion, Footwear News, Sep. 11, 1989, p. 26
"Primed To Deliver The Pump", Footwear News, Oct. 2, 1989
"Nike Takes To The Scale To Win The Weight Test", Footwear News, Jan. 22, 1990
"Reebok Readies High-Tech Double Pump", Footwear News, Nov. 4, 1991, p. 26
"Reebok Get Suspension Placed On Spalding Gloves", Footwear News, Jul. 22, 1991, p. 68
"Reebok Actively Seeking To License Technology", Footwear News, Jul. 22, 1991, p. 66
L. A. Gear Regulator Ad, Footwear News, Sep. 24, 1990
L. A. Gear Regulator Ad, Footwear News, Oct. 1, 1990
"Has Sneaker Madness Gone Too Far?", Newsweek, Dec. 18, 1989
"Now, Running On Empty", Newsweek, Dec. 3, 1990
Robinson et al., "Systematic Ankle Stabilization and the Effect on Performance", Medicine and Science In Sports and Exercise, vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 625-628, 1986
"It's Back To The Future", Sportstyle, Mar. 6, 1989
"Air Pressure From Nike" Ad, USA Today, Oct. 24, 1989
"Pumped-Up Reebok Runs Fast Break With New Shoe", Wall Street Journal, Dec. 20, 1989
"From Air To Pump To Puma's Disc System, Sneaker Gimmicks Bound To New Heights", The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 31, 1991, p. B