Converse Inc.

Nike, Inc.

Eric S Swartz

Christopher J Edington

Bernie Allen

Rui M Parracho

Katie Blauer

Bruce J Kilgore

John L Baier

Douglas E Clark

Eric P Avar

James C Meschter

Alexandre Baudouin

Jeffrey C Pisciotta

Tina M Casillas

Mark Faulconer

Ian Burgess

Tim Bowman

Stephen A Francis

Richard Mochen

Shoe

Interior members for foot-receiving devices, such as bootie elements for articles of footwear, include a material element at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber. This material element may include, in some examples, a heel-surrounding portion, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, and a seamless plantar portion in a continuous, one-piece arrangement. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the material element may include a heel-surrounding portion, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, a plantar surface, and a double layer of the material element at least along an Achilles area portion. Additional aspects relate to material blanks for forming such interior members as well as to foot-receiving devices, such as athletic footwear, including such interior members.

Interior and upper members for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices

Support structures for foot-receiving devices (such as midsole and/or outsole structures for articles of footwear) include one or more of the following: (a) a base member (e.g., including an impact-attenuating material); (b) a generally U-shaped moderator element engaged with the base member; (c) an edge element extending from a surface of the base member for engaging a lateral side of a foot in use; (d) an outsole member including a herringbone or zig-zag tread structure on both surfaces; and/or (e) an outsole member including a perimeter element for engaging a lateral side of a foot and/or the edge element of the base member. Such support structures may be incorporated into various foot-receiving device products, such as athletic footwear for basketball, etc.

Foot-supporting structures for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices

A Reactive Energy Fluid Filled Toroid Apparatus includes concentric fluid filled toroids that are contained in the midsole of a shoe. The toroid apparatus provides cushioning for the foot and dynamically reacts to off-center impacts from footsteps to redistribute impact forces and to stabilize and support the foot by cradling a portion of the foot in the shoe.

Shoe sole with reactive energy fluid filled toroid apparatus

The present invention relates to a fluid filled apparatus that reacts with the stimulus of outside forces, furnished at the instep area of a shoe upper and the forefoot area of the shoe sole. The apparatus provides cushioning and a custom fit to the shoe in an area surrounding the forward portion of the shoe wearer's foot. In particular, the present invention pertains to a reactive energy apparatus comprised of anatomically shaped fluid filled bladders or pads that are furnished at the instep area of the shoe upper and the forefoot area of the shoe sole. The bladders engage and assume a complimentary custom fitting configuration around the instep and ball of the shoe wearer's foot by displacement of fluid contained in the bladders, and thereby provide cushioning and a custom fit around the shoe wearer's foot.

Reactive energy apparatus providing cushioning and a custom fit at the

A reactive energy apparatus providing a custom fit and ankle support in a shoe upper is comprised of a pair of fluid filled pads that are positioned in the upper on opposite sides of the Achilles tendon of the wearer. The fluid filled pads each contain one or more interior chambers containing fluid, and the pads are connected in fluid communication by a series of conduits extending between the pads and around the Achilles tendon of the wearer. The conduits are constructed to enable the free flow of fluid between the two pads, enabling the apparatus to provide a continuous custom fit and dynamic support for the wearer's ankle while avoiding exerting any pressure on the Achilles tendon of the wearer that could potentially injure the tendon.

Reactive energy apparatus providing a custom fit and ankle support in a

A fluid filled amusement or attention attracting article for attachment to footwear is comprised of at least one fluid filled chamber secured to the exterior of the footwear. The fluid filled chamber is constructed of a flexible transparent material and contains a fluid that is visible from the exterior of the chamber. The liquid is brightly colored and serves as an attention attracting device for attracting the attention of motorists to a pedestrian wearing the shoe employing the article. The fluid filled chamber also serves as an amusement device where the fluid contained in the chamber is caused to flow through the chamber by manipulation of the flexible chamber sidewalls and the flow of fluid is both visible and sensed by touch.

Fluid filled amusement or attention attracting article for attachment to

A reactive energy fluid filled cushioning and stabilizing apparatus in a shoe is comprised of one or more anatomically shaped fluid filled bladders that are positioned in the forefoot, arch and/or heel areas of the shoe. The bladders assume a complementary custom fitting configuration to the contours of a foot inserted in the shoe. In variant embodiments of the apparatus, the fluid filled bladders are positioned separate from each other in the forefoot, arch and heel areas of the shoe and are interconnected in fluid communication by fluid conducting channels, or the bladders are positioned independent of each other in the forefoot, arch and heel areas of the shoe.

Reactive energy fluid filled apparatus providing cushioning, support,

A shoe is provided comprising a sole, a sock attached to the sole, and a form-retaining shell attached to the sole, at least partially enclosing the sock, and not attached to the sock above the region of the sole, such that the sole may flex in use. The shell, an ankle restraint fastener and a heelband provide ankle support.

Growing community of inventors

Malden, MA, United States of America

Eric S Swartz