Converse Inc.

Other

Rui M Parracho

Bernie Allen

Alexander L Gross

Eric S Swartz

Richard P Bunch

Lloyd S Smith

Christopher J Edington

Douglas E Clark

Robert W Pagluiso

Jack A Boys, Ii

Kevin J Crowley

Mark Faulconer

Ian Burgess

Tim Bowman

Craig A Franklin

Richard Mochen

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 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 includes a removable structure, having lateral and medial sheet springs. Each spring has a Y shape and is removably attached, with a rotary-keyed fastener, to the side of the shoe below the ankle. The springs are fastened under tension to each other around the ankle so as to inhibit displacement of the ankle.

Shoe with removable ankle support

A shoe for casual or athletic footwear which provides support cushioning and walking comfort due to the presence of an internal dynamic rocker element disposed in a forefoot area of the midsole.

Shoe with internal dynamic rocker element

A shoe includes a midsole with an anti-G-force heel capsule that nests in a corresponding aperture in the heel. The heel capsule interacts with an anti-torsion member, the rearmost portion of which lies proximate to the heel plug, and with an energy-efficient forefoot midsole section, thus providing a support and cushioning system that absorbs shocks associated with walking, and also prevents excessive pronation.

Casual shoe

In an athletic shoe, an external counter and cushion assembly includes a substantially rigid external counter extending medially to approximately the front flex line, and a rearfoot cushion member is mounted within the rigid counter. This assembly mounts externally to the heel and counter region of a lasted upper. The floor of the cushion member also extends forwardly toward the front-flex region of the shoe and is preferably wedge-shaped to serve as a heel-lift layer. The cushion walls are generally coextensive with the counter walls, insulating the upper from the rigid counter in this region. The external counter construction includes a base flange which mounts atop the midsole periphery on a plane substantially below the bottom surface of the foot.

Athletic shoe with external counter and cushion assembly

An athletic shoe is provided with means for increasing lateral stability of the heel area to increase ankle stability and reduce the possibility of ankle fatigue due to misalignment of the ankle joint and the possibility of promotion or supination injury. The heel peripheral area of a midsole or heel lift portion is made of a harder material than the heel central area, and extensions of the outsole are provided at the sides of the heel portion to interconnect the outsole and a heel counter member to stabilize the heel counter, without inhibiting heel cushioning, and may be glued to a covering of the heel counter, and to the peripheral edges of the midsole and heel lift portions.

Growing community of inventors

Peabody, MA, United States of America

Rui M Parracho