Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A thrust-producing bladder for a shoe sole and heel structure is provided. The bladder includes a sole portion, a heel portion, first and second metatarsal pockets disposed in the sole portion for underlying the metatarsal ball area of a foot for which the bladder is sized, and first and second heel pockets disposed in the heel portion for underlying the heel area of a foot for which the bladder is sized. The bladder also includes a first restricted passageway providing fluid communication between the first metatarsal pocket and the first heel pocket and a second restricted passageway providing fluid communication between the second metatarsal pocket and the second heel pocket. Fluid is sealed in the pockets and passageways, whereby at rest a foot on the bladder is cushioned comfortably on the fluid in the pockets and in motion the fluid alternates between the first metatarsal pocket and the first heel pocket and between the second metatarsal pocket and the second heel pocket, so as to provide shock absorption and to produce an alternating lifting effect by the pockets which provide forward thrust both in the heel portion and in the sole portion that facilitates moving. The bladder can be disposed between a midsole and an outsole of sole and heel member of a shoe.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim