Shoe bladder system

Patent 5257470 Issued on November 2, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 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. 656728 filed on 02/19/1991

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

515639 BE. 12/13/2012
951117 CA. 07/13/1974
951118 CA. 07/13/1974
40189 EP. 11/13/1981
152401 EP. 08/13/1985
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2456612 DE. 06/13/1975
3200139 DE. 05/13/1982
3326085 DE. 07/13/1983
3427664A 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
89/10074 WO. 11/13/1989
90/04323 WO. 03/13/1990
90/09115 WO. 08/13/1990
11170 GB. 02/13/1887
23547 GB. 02/13/1889
26637 GB. 02/13/1897
866934 GB. 05/13/1961
939529 GB. 10/13/1963
2111821A GB. 07/13/1983

International Classes

A43B 007/06
A43B 007/14

Abstract

For athletic shoes, a custom fit bladder system including first and second separately pressure adjustable chambers for different foot portions. First and second bladder stems communicate with the first and second chambers, respectively. A tension wire bail secures the stems to a tee manifold between them. A bulb pump held on the shoe includes an articulated connector at one end and a flush mounted inlet valve retained at the other end. External barbs on the manifold lock into holes in the connector providing a secure air-tight attachment of the bulb pump to the manifold. A button dial allows the user to select which of the chambers he can inflate by pumping the pump and deflate by pushing a deflation valve disposed in the manifold.

Other References

"Pumping Up", Footwear News, Apr. 3, 1989, p. 1
"New Generation", 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 Activity 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, 198