Reebok International Limited

The Rockport Company, LLC

Spencer White

Peter M Foley

Paul E Litchfield

Steven Francis Smith

Juan A Diaz

David E Miller

Judith C Ringel

Charles P Legassie

Rebecca E Snow

Christopher J Pawlus

Wayne Russell

Mark R Goldston

Gordon K Ricci

The present invention is directed to an article of footwear including an upper, a sole and a pumping chamber for producing a continuous supply of fluid. The sole includes a midsole and an outsole. The pumping chamber is formed between the bottom surface of the midsole and the upper surface of the outsole and includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet. Movement of the wearer's foot causes fluid to be drawn into and expelled from the pumping chamber. The fluid produced by the pumping chamber may be used to inflate an expandable bladder or to provide ventilation to the wearer's foot.

Article of footwear

An insert for a shoe sole includes a heel lever which absorbs energy from the foot during heel strike and returns the energy to the foot during heel lift-off.

Insert for a shoe sole

The present invention utilizes an upper and a midsole which is disposed in a conventional manner below the upper. The midsole includes an elastomeric material and has a number of spaced-apart horizontal tubes extending the width of the midsole which are encapsulated in the elastomeric material. The tubes are hollow and lay side by side in a direction either perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, parallel to the axis, or in any other direction functional for foot and shoe mechanics. The elastomeric material has a hardness less than the tubes and fills the space between the tubes. To visualize the midsole, a transparent window may be utilized.

Tubular cushioning system for shoes

Growing community of inventors

Easton, MA, United States of America

Spencer White