U.S. patent application number 10/307031 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-03 for air cylinders for a dynamic shoe fit.
Invention is credited to Hollars, Anthony Scott.
Application Number | 20040103560 10/307031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32392510 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040103560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hollars, Anthony Scott |
June 3, 2004 |
Air cylinders for a dynamic shoe fit
Abstract
This invention solves the problem of an adjustable and dynamic
fit for a shoe. An air cylinder or cylinders act to pull the shoe
snug around the foot yet give with walking or running to maintain a
snug fit. This improves comfort as well as fit over existing types
of closures.
Inventors: |
Hollars, Anthony Scott;
(Tucson, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anthony S. Hollars
6445 W. Lost Canyon Drive
Tucson
AZ
85745
US
|
Family ID: |
32392510 |
Appl. No.: |
10/307031 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20130101;
A43B 5/00 20130101; A43C 11/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/050.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 011/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A shoe utilizing at least one air cylinder to secure a shoe on a
wearer's foot.
2. Said air cylinder from claim 1 utilizing a positive air pressure
on a reverse-acting cylinder causing cylinder to shorten.
3. Said air cylinder from claim 1 utilizing a negative air pressure
on a reverse-acting cylinder causing cylinder to shorten.
4. Said shoe from claim 1 comprising said cylinders connected in
series.
5. Said shoe from claim 1 comprising said cylinders connected in
parallel.
6. Said cylinders from claim 1 comprising a quick-release
attachment at least one end.
7. Said quick-release attachment from claim 6 being a commercially
available fastener.
8. Said shoe of claim 1 utilizing at least one air cylinder
comprising a visible cylinder placement.
9. Said shoe from claim 1 utilizing at least one air cylinder
comprising a hidden cylinder placement.
10. A shoe utilizing at least one air cylinder to secure a shoe on
a wearer's foot in conjunction with traditional closure(s).
11. Said air cylinder from claim 10 utilizing a positive air
pressure on a reverse-acting cylinder causing cylinder to
shorten.
12. Said air cylinder from claim 10 utilizing a negative air
pressure on a reverse-acting cylinder causing cylinder to
shorten.
13. Said shoe from claim 10 comprising said cylinders connected in
series.
14. Said shoe from claim 10 comprising said cylinders connected in
parallel.
15. Said cylinders from claim 10 comprising a quick-release
attachment at least one end.
16. Said quick-release attachment from claim 15 being a
commercially available fastener.
17. Said shoe of claim 10 utilizing at least one air cylinder
comprising a visible cylinder placement.
18. Said shoe from claim 10 utilizing at least one air cylinder
comprising a hidden cylinder placement.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to a system for creating a dynamic
shoe fit through the use of pneumatic cylinders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Conventional technology for fitting shoes consists of laces,
velcro closures, stretch fabric or inflatable bladders. All of
these have their disadvantages. Shoe laces and velcro closures
maintain a constant closure force on a shoe, thus not allowing a
dynamic fit as one desires for comfort. Stretch fabric tends to
wear out as well as not being adjustable for fit. Inflatable
bladders are costly and prone to leaking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has solved the problems cited above.
Broadly, this invention solves the problem of adjustable and
dynamic fit. A series of small air cylinder(s) pulls the shoe snug
around the foot yet gives with walking or running and can be
adjusted for tightness. A good way to describe this technology is
"dynamic fit."
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an air
cylinder.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of a shoe with air cylinder closures
installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application No. 60/340,029 titled "Air Cylinders for a Dynamic Shoe
Fit" filed Nov. 29, 2001 by Anthony Scott Hollars.
[0010] Reference will be made in detail below to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0011] Conventional technology for fitting shoes consists of laces,
velcro closures, stretch fabric and inflatable bladders. All of
these have their disadvantages. This invention solves the problem
of adjustable and dynamic fit. A series of small air cylinder(s)
pulls the shoe snug around the foot yet gives with walking or
running and can be adjusted for tightness. A good way to describe
this technology is "dynamic fit." A conceptual marketing name is: X
O Skeleton, (read exoskeleton). The diameter of the cylinders can
be varied to create different tension for different parts of the
shoe. Additional uses are to create spring back in the shoe or
compression damping. The cylinders can be curved, straight, long or
short. Additionally, the cylinders can have an oval cross-section
or round or other shape. Many variations are possible. Many
attachments are possible at the ends such as sewn in or loops. The
cylinders can be exposed to look cool or covered internally in the
shoe.
[0012] Preferably, the cylinders are manufactured from an
inexpensive molded type plastic or reinforced plastic-type
material. The piston can also be made of similar or identical
plastic material and the seal an o-ring or common cup-type seal.
The high-pressure side of the piston can cause the cylinder to pull
together or by making the other side of the piston the
high-pressure side, cause the cylinder to pull apart. One shoe may
utilize cylinders of each type to accomplish the desired fit. The
plumbing on the cylinders can be linked in parallel or series or
independent of other cylinders. The methods of filling the air
cylinders can be from a hand type pump, compressed gas source or
built-in style of pump. Likewise, vacuum could be pulled on one
side of the piston to effectively perform the same function as a
compressed gas cylinder.
[0013] The air cylinders can be combined with traditional lacing
systems or completely replace these systems. The application is
light and simple enough to be utilized on lightweight running shoes
yet durable enough to be used on hiking boots. Additionally, ski
boots, rock climbing shies, cycling shoes, even swimming fins,
concrete worker shoe attachments, etc. could benefit from this
dynamic system.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an air cylinder labeled 1. At
one end of the cylinder is shown an attachment point for the shoe
2. Cylinder housing 3 houses a piston 4 attached to rod 9 which at
its terminal end has attachment point 10 for attachment to the
shoe. Piston seal 5 allows high-pressure to act on piston 4 to
withdraw rod 9 into the cylinder. Seals 6,7 seal rod 9 from the
atmosphere. Cylinder end 8 prevents piston 4 from leaving cylinder
bore.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows shoe 20 with air cylinder(s) 1 providing
closure between side of shoe 21 and opposite side of shoe 22. The
action of air cylinder 1 pulls the sides of the shoe 21 and 22
towards each other to provide a snug fit to the wearer. In a
dynamic situation such as running or walking, air cylinder 1 allows
shoe sides 21 and 22 to move in relationship to each other while
remaining snug allowing a dynamic fit.
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