U.S. patent application number 13/681762 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-22 for adjustable footwear sole with bladder.
This patent application is currently assigned to WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.. Invention is credited to Kiyotaka Nakano.
Application Number | 20140137437 13/681762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50726600 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140137437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakano; Kiyotaka |
May 22, 2014 |
ADJUSTABLE FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH BLADDER
Abstract
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole secured
thereto. The sole includes a midsole with a receptacle, within
which a flexible fluid-filled bladder may be fitted. The bladder is
adjustable with respect to the midsole between at least first and
second orientations. The bladder provides the sole with a first
characteristic when in the first orientation and a second
characteristic, different from the first characteristic, when in
the second orientation. Accordingly, the sole is readily adjustable
between the first characteristic and the second characteristic by
movement of the bladder with respect to the midsole.
Inventors: |
Nakano; Kiyotaka; (Rockford,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. |
Rockford |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
Rockford
MI
|
Family ID: |
50726600 |
Appl. No.: |
13/681762 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/102 ;
36/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/189 20130101;
A43B 13/20 20130101; A43B 7/1465 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/102 ;
36/29 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/20 20060101
A43B013/20 |
Claims
1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper; and a sole secured
to the upper, the sole including a midsole having a receptacle and
a flexible fluid-filled bladder fitted within the receptacle, the
bladder being adjustable with respect to the midsole between at
least first and second orientations, the bladder providing the sole
with a first characteristic when in the first orientation, the
bladder providing the sole with a second characteristic different
from the first characteristic when in the second orientation,
whereby the sole is readily adjustable between the first
characteristic and the second characteristic by movement of the
bladder with respect to the midsole.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the bladder defines
at least two discrete fluid chambers.
3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the bladder includes
a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber.
4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the bladder further
comprises a center chamber.
5. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the bladder is
generally disc shaped and includes a substantially vertical axis,
the bladder being movable between the first orientation and the
second orientation by rotation about the axis.
6. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the receptacle
includes an interface surface and the bladder includes an interface
surface, wherein at least one of the receptacle interface surface
and the bladder interface surface has projections extending
therefrom for engaging the other of the receptacle interface
surface and the bladder interface surface, wherein variations in
the projections provide the sole with difference
characteristics.
7. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the bladder
interface surface has projections matingly engaging the projections
on the receptacle interface surface.
8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein the projections on
the bladder and on the receptacle are selected from the group
consisting of undulations, ridges, and lobes.
9. The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein the chambers are
filled with one of a gas, liquid, and a viscous gel.
10. A sole for an article of footwear comprising: a midsole
including a receptacle; and a fluid-filled bladder received within
the receptacle, wherein the bladder is adapted to be rotatably
received within the receptacle in a plurality of orientations to
provide a wearer's heel with a corresponding plurality of pressure
distributions, whereby adjustment of a pressure distribution may be
achieved by selectively fitting the bladder into the receptacle in
a desired one of the plurality of orientations.
11. The sole of claim 10 wherein at least one of the plurality of
pressure distributions is asymmetrical with respect to a midsole
longitudinal centerline to correct one of pronation and supination
in the wearer's step.
12. The sole of claim 10, wherein the fluid-filled bladder includes
a center chamber and first and second peripheral chambers.
13. The sole of claim 12, wherein the first peripheral chamber
includes a fluid at a first pressure and wherein the second
peripheral chamber includes a fluid at second pressure different
from the first pressure.
14. The sole of claim 12, wherein the center chamber is fluidly
communicable with only one of the first and second peripheral
chambers.
15. The sole of claim 10, wherein the receptacle includes an
interface surface and wherein the bladder includes an interface
surface, wherein at least one of the receptacle interface surface
and the bladder interface surface includes projections extending
therefrom for engaging the other of the receptacle interface
surface and the bladder interface surface.
16. The sole of claim 10, wherein the receptacle further includes
alignment indicator for aligning the bladder within the receptacle
in one of the plurality of orientations.
17. An article of footwear comprising: an upper; and a sole secured
to the upper, the sole including a midsole and a flexible
fluid-filled bladder fitted within the midsole, the bladder having
a substantially vertical axis and being adjustable with respect to
the midsole between at least first and second orientations, the
bladder providing the sole with first characteristics when in the
first orientation and second characteristics, different from the
first characteristics, when in the second orientation; wherein the
midsole includes a receptacle for engagement with the bladder, the
receptacle includes an interface surface with a plurality of
projections, and the bladder includes an interface surface with a
plurality of projections matingly engaged with the plurality of
projections on the receptacle interface surface; wherein the
bladder defines at least two discrete fluid chambers, and the
bladder is movable with respect to the receptacle between at least
a supination orientation to address problems associated with
supination, a pronation orientation to address problems associated
with pronation, a regular orientation, and a firm orientation.
18. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the bladder
includes a first chamber containing fluid at a first pressure and a
second chamber containing fluid at a second pressure that is higher
than the first pressure.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the bladder
further comprises a center chamber.
20. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein the center chamber
is fluidly communicable with the second chamber.
21. A fluid-filled bladder for use with a footwear component
comprising: a disc-shaped member being rotatable with respect to
the footwear component, the disc-shaped member including first and
second fluid-filled chambers, the first and second fluid-filled
chambers being isolated from each other to define a first fluid
pressure and a second fluid pressure, respectively, wherein the
first fluid pressure is different from the second fluid pressure to
provide a pressure distribution that varies with rotation of the
disc-shaped member relative to the footwear component.
22. The fluid-filled bladder of claim 21 further including a
central chamber interposed between the first and second
chambers.
23. The fluid-filled bladder of claim 22 wherein the first and
second chambers are semi-circular and are positioned radially
outward of the central chamber.
24. The fluid-filled bladder of claim 22 wherein the central
chamber is in fluid communication with the first chamber and
isolated from the second chamber.
25. The fluid-filled bladder of claim 21 wherein the first and
second chambers define a plurality of projections extending
therefrom.
26. The fluid-filled bladder of claim 21 wherein the footwear
component includes one of an insole, a midsole, and an outsole.
27. A footwear construction comprising: a footwear component; and a
fluid-filled bladder adapted to interfit with the footwear
component, the fluid-filled bladder including first and second
fluid-filled chambers, wherein the fluid-filled bladder is
rotatable with respect to the footwear component between a first
orientation and a second orientation to provide a first pressure
distribution and a second pressure distribution, respectively.
28. The footwear construction of claim 29 wherein the footwear
component includes one of an insole, a midsole, and an outsole.
29. The footwear construction of claim 27 wherein the fluid-filled
bladder is generally disc shaped and includes a plurality of
projections.
30. The footwear construction of claim 27, wherein the first and
second fluid-filled chambers are filled with one of a gas, a
liquid, and a viscous gel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to footwear and more
particularly to footwear having a fluid-filled bladder in the
sole.
[0002] The design and manufacture of footwear is complicated by the
fact that different people have different footwear needs. For
example, some individuals prefer a firmer, more unyielding sole,
while others prefer a softer, more cushioning sole. With some
people this is simply an aesthetic desire, but for others it can
result from physical factors, such as those associated with foot
shape, skeletal alignment and other anatomical issues. Anatomical
issues cause some individuals to suffer from a tendency to pronate
(roll their feet inward when striding) and others to have the
opposite tendency to supinate (roll their feet outward when
striding). One method for addressing these issues is to stiffen the
sole in select regions to provide increased resistance against the
undesired motion. For example, pronation can be addressed by
providing a dual-density midsole with a higher density region along
the medial side of the sole. Similarly, supination can be addressed
by providing a dual-density midsole with a higher density region
along the lateral side of the sole.
[0003] Additionally, some footwear products include cushioning
inserts which may be in the form of resilient pads or fluid filled
bladders. Many of the conventional fluid filled bladders have been
filled with a gas, such as air, while others have been filled with
liquids or viscous gel. These fluid filled bladders may be
manufactured in several ways, including welding two layers of
elastomeric film together. The bladder is then pressurized by
inserting a nozzle or needle, which is connected to a fluid
pressure source, into a fill inlet formed in the bladder. After the
bladder is pressurized, the nozzle is removed and the fill inlet is
sealed, for example by welding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides an article of footwear having
an upper and a sole secured to the upper. The sole includes a
midsole with a receptacle, within which a flexible fluid-filled
bladder may be fitted. The bladder is adjustable with respect to
the midsole between at least first and second orientations. The
bladder provides the sole with first characteristics when in the
first orientation and second characteristics, different from the
first characteristics, when in the second orientation. Accordingly,
the sole is readily adjustable between the first characteristics
and the second characteristics by movement of the bladder with
respect to the midsole.
[0005] In one embodiment, a sole for an article of footwear
includes a midsole with at least one receptacle and an adjustable,
fluid-filled bladder fitted within the receptacle. The bladder is
adapted to fit into the receptacle in a plurality of orientations
so as to provide the sole with different characteristics. Further,
adjustment of the characteristics of the sole may be achieved by
selectively fitting the bladder into the receptacle in a desired
one of the plurality of orientations.
[0006] In yet another embodiment, an article of footwear includes
an upper and a sole secured to the upper. The sole includes a
midsole and a flexible fluid-filled bladder fitted within the
midsole. The bladder has a substantially vertical axis and is
adjustable with respect to the midsole between at least first and
second orientations. The bladder provides the sole with first
characteristics when in the first orientation and second
characteristics, different from the first characteristics, when in
the second orientation. Further, the midsole includes a receptacle
for engagement with the bladder, the receptacle having an interface
surface with a plurality of projections. The bladder also includes
an interface surface with a plurality of projections matingly
engaged with the plurality of projections on the receptacle
interface surface. The bladder defines at least two discrete fluid
chambers, and the bladder is movable with respect to the receptacle
between at least a supination orientation to address problems
associated with supination, a pronation orientation to address
problems associated with pronation, a regular orientation, and a
firm orientation.
[0007] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference
to the detailed description of the current embodiment and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a mid-line cross sectional view of an article of
footwear according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is mid-line cross sectional view of a midsole and
bladder of the article of footwear shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the midsole;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the midsole and installed
bladder;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a detailed, top isometric view of a receptacle of
the midsole;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the
midsole and installed bladder;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top isometric view of the bladder;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom isometric view of the bladder;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder, taken along
line IX-IX of FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bladder, taken
along line X-X of FIG. 8;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the bladder;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the bladder, illustrating the
flow of fluid within chambers of the bladder during a heel
strike;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the midsole and
bladder, taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the midsole and
bladder, taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 4, illustrating the
flow of fluid within the chambers of the bladder during a heel
strike;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a mid-line cross sectional view of an article of
footwear according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0023] FIG. 16 is mid-line cross sectional view of a midsole and
bladder of the article of footwear shown in FIG. 15.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0024] An article of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-16 and generally
designated 9. The illustrated embodiment of the article of footwear
9 generally includes a footwear sole 10, an upper 11 to which the
sole 10 is secured, and an outsole 16 which may also include a heel
wedge (not shown). The sole 10 includes a midsole 12 and a flexible
fluid-filled bladder 14. The midsole 12 includes a receptacle 18
adapted to receive the bladder 14.
[0025] The sole 10 may be seated within essentially any article of
footwear. For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is
described in connection with a midsole construction. The present
invention may, however, be integrated into other midsoles, such as
an outsole, an insole or a heel wedge. In a midsole construction,
the sole is typically disposed above or seated within a void in the
outsole. Further, the present invention is described in connection
with a bladder positioned in the heel region. A bladder may
alternatively or additionally be positioned in other regions of the
sole, such as under the forefoot or other locations where the type
of adjustability provided by this construction may be
desirable.
[0026] The present invention is primarily described in connection
with a sole 10 configured to be incorporated into a left shoe 9.
The sole for the right shoe may be a mirror image of the described
left sole 10. Accordingly, the right bladder may be a mirror image
of the left bladder 14.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the midsole 12 provides the main
cushioning body of the sole 10. The midsole 12 of this embodiment
is a full-length midsole that follows the general shape of an
article of footwear and is configured to be fitted into the upper
11 above the outsole 16 or other underlying sole component. The
midsole 12 of this embodiment is a single unitary construction that
is essentially coextensive with the outsole 16, however, the
midsole may be a collection of separate components or may be a
partial midsole configured to extend through only one or more
select portions of the sole. Referring again to the illustrated
embodiment, the midsole 12 includes a forefoot region 30, an arch
region 32, and a heel region 34. The forefoot region 30 is
configured to support the wearer's forefoot. The arch region 32 may
be shaped to provide an arch support. The heel region 34 includes
the receptacle 18, which is configured to receive the bladder 14.
Although this embodiment shows a single receptacle 18 in the heel
region 34, the receptacle 18 may be located in other positions,
such as in the forefoot region 30, and the midsole 12 may define a
plurality of receptacles 18 configured to receive a plurality of
bladders 14. For example, separate bladders 14 may be located in
the heel region 34 and in the forefoot region 30 to provide
adjustability in both areas of the sole 10. In the illustrated
embodiment, the receptacle 18 is a generally disc-shaped void into
which the bladder 14 may simply be inserted.
[0028] The receptacle 18 has a top surface 20, also referred to as
an interface surface, which may include a plurality of projections
or lobes 26. The lobes 26 may be positioned on the top surface 20
in a pattern of regular waves coinciding with angular sections of
the receptacle 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 18
includes eight lobes 26 arranged in a regular repeating pattern
about the center of the top surface 20; however, more or fewer
lobes 26 are also contemplated. Although the lobes 26 of the
illustrated embodiment are formed by smooth and continuous curved
contours, the term "lobes" is used broadly to refer to essentially
any contours, whether or not such contours are curved, smooth or
run continuously together. The top surface 20 of the receptacle 18
may also include a support layer (not shown), such as a thin layer
of TPU or a harder EVA. The size, shape and configuration of the
optional support layer may be varied from application to
application to provide the desired level of cushion/support while
maintaining structural integrity. Additionally, the article of
footwear 9 may also include an optional sock liner 44 (FIG. 1). The
design and configuration of the sock liner 44 may vary from
application to application.
[0029] The midsole 12 may be manufactured from essentially any
suitable material or combination of materials capable of providing
the desired cushioning/support characteristics. The hardness of the
midsole 12 may vary from application to application as desired. The
midsole 12 may be manufactured using essentially conventional
molding techniques and apparatus. The midsole 12 may be injection
molded as a single integral unit in which the receptacle 18 is
formed during the molding process. The midsole 12 may alternatively
be pre-manufactured (e.g. pre-molded) and then die cut or otherwise
processed to form the receptacle 18. The midsole 12 may
alternatively be manufactured from a plurality of multiple
components, for example, with separate heel and forefoot portions.
The separate components may be combined during manufacture, such as
by compression molding or through the use of adhesives.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, the bladder 14 is a generally
disc-shaped member that has a substantially vertical axis 58 and
that defines at least two discrete fluid chambers. In the
illustrated embodiment, the bladder 14 includes a first chamber 50
and a second chamber 52. The bladder 14 may also include a center
chamber 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the center chamber 54 is
circular and is located at the center of the circular bladder 14.
The first and second chambers 50, 52 are substantially
semi-circular and encircle the center chamber 54. The first and
second chambers 50, 52 are shown being substantially equivalent in
size and proportion; however, it is contemplated that the split
between the first and second chambers 50, 52 may be unequal; a
60/40 split, for example. Other geometries for the chambers 50-54
are also feasible; for example, a square center chamber 54
surrounded by mirror image first and second chambers 50, 52.
[0031] According to an embodiment, the pressure of the fluid within
the discrete chambers 50, 52 may be different relative to one
another, thereby providing differing pressure distributions to the
wearer's heel depending on the orientation of the bladder 14. For
example, the fluid pressure within the first chamber 50 may be
provided at a predetermined first pressure P1, and the fluid
pressure within the second chamber 52 may be provided at a
predetermined second pressure P2 that is higher than the first
pressure P1. The different pressures P1, P2 within the chambers 50,
52 provide different support and cushioning characteristics to the
sole 10. Additionally, the center chamber 54 may be fluidly
communicable with one of the first and second chambers 50, 52. In
the illustrated embodiment, the center chamber 54 is fluidly
communicable with the second chamber 52, and the pressure in the
center chamber 54 is therefore equal to the second pressure P2 of
the second chamber 52. Schematics of the bladder 14, depicting the
chambers 50-54, are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Although not shown,
alternately, the center chamber 54 may be fluidly communicable with
the first chamber 50 and have a pressure equal to the first
pressure P1 of the first chamber 50. Further, the chambers 50-54
may be filled with air, Nitrogen gas, water, or any other suitable
liquid, gas, or viscous gel. Exemplary values for the pressures P1
and P2 are 9 psi and 12 psi; these values are for exemplary
purposes only, and are not to be considered so limiting.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, the fluid-filled bladder 14 is
configured to be removably seated within the receptacle 18. The
bladder 14 has a bottom surface 22, also referred to as an
interface surface, which includes the plurality of projections or
lobes 24 configured to be interfitted with and to matingly engage
the lobes 26 of the receptacle 18. One or more of the lobes 24, 26
may vary in size, shape, resiliency, rigidity or other
characteristic from the remainder of the lobes 24, 26. For example,
the lobes 24, 26 may vary in height. Other alternative geometries,
configurations and characteristics are disclosed in co-owned U.S.
Pat. No. 7,950,168, entitled "Adjustable Footwear Sole
Construction," U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,167, entitled "Adjustable
Footwear Sole Construction," and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/496,177, entitled "Sole Construction and Related Method of
Manufacture," the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety. Additionally, the lobes 24, 26 may be
formed of any suitable undulations, ridges, and lobes.
[0033] The bladder 14 is adapted to removably fit into the
receptacle 18 in a plurality of orientations to provide the sole 10
with different characteristics. The orientation of the bladder 14
is adjustable with respect to the midsole 12 (and receptacle 18) by
rotation about the axis 58. Rotating the bladder 14 causes
repositioning of both the lobes 24 and the first and second
chambers 50, 52, which results in variation of the
support/cushioning characteristics of the sole 10. For example, the
bladder 14 is selectively adjustable with respect to the midsole 12
between first and second orientations. The bladder 14 provides the
sole 10 with first characteristics when in a first orientation A,
and provides the sole 10 with second characteristics, different
from the first characteristics, when in the second orientation B.
Accordingly, the sole 10 is readily adjustable between the first
and second characteristics by movement of the bladder 14 with
respect to the midsole 12. Further, it should be easily understood
that the bladder 14 may be selectively fitted into the receptacle
18 in any one of the desired plurality of orientations, and is not
limited to just the first and second orientations A and B.
[0034] The bladder 14 is movable with respect to the receptacle 18
between at least a supination orientation and a pronation
orientation. Supination is described as the tendency to roll one's
feet outward when striding, while pronation is described as the
tendency roll one's feet inward when striding. To correct for these
issues, the sole 10 can be stiffened in select regions to provide
increased resistance against the undesired motion. For example,
pronation can be addressed by orienting the bladder 14 to have the
higher pressure second chamber 52 disposed on the medial side of
the sole 10. Similarly, supination can be addressed by orienting
the bladder 14 to have the higher pressure second chamber 52
disposed on the lateral side of the sole 10. During a stride, the
center of the wearer's heel first strikes the center chamber 54,
compressing the center chamber 54 and pushing at least a portion of
the fluid into the connected second chamber 52. This, of course,
increases the pressure within the second chamber 52. During a
stride, the difference between the pressures P1 and P2 within the
first and second chambers 50, 52 becomes greater, further enhancing
the corrective ability of the bladder 14. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the
sole 10 installed in a left article of footwear. In this
illustration, the bladder 14 is installed in the "supination"
orientation and the inflation of the second chamber 52 is
exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Rotating the bladder 14 such
that the second chamber 52 is disposed on the medial side of the
sole 10 positions the bladder 14 in the "pronation"
orientation.
[0035] The bladder 14 and the receptacle 18 may also include an
alignment means for aligning the bladder 14 within the receptacle
18 in one of the plurality of orientations. In one embodiment, the
bladder 14 and receptacle 18 may be shaped such that the bladder 14
fits into the receptacle 18 only in select orientations. For
example, one of the bladder 14 and the receptacle 18 may include a
key (not shown) and the other may include a plurality of slots that
receive the key only when the bladder 14 is in one of the
permissible orientations.
[0036] Referring back to FIG. 4, the midsole 12 and bladder 14 may
include graphics, printed material or other symbols that assist in
aligning the bladder 14. For example, the midsole 12 may be
provided with an alignment indicator 60 (in this case, an arrow)
and the bladder 14 may be provided with a plurality of similar
alignment indicators 62 (in this case, a plurality of arrows) that
show permissible orientations of the bladder 14. The bladder 14 may
also include text or symbols that work in conjunction with the
alignment indicators 60 and 62 to provide a visual indication of
the results of the bladder 14 orientation. For example, the words
"PRONATION," "SUPINATION," "REGULAR," and "FIRM" may be printed on
the insert adjacent to the appropriate alignment indicators 62.
[0037] Additionally, the center chamber 54 may be shallower than
the first and second chambers 50, 52 and may be adapted to be
fitted over a central post 36 located in the receptacle 18. The
recessed center chamber 54 and central post 36 may help to assist
in aligning and/or retaining the bladder 14 in the receptacle 18.
The central post 36 may, however, be eliminated in favor of other
configurations.
[0038] The sole 10 of FIGS. 1-14 is configured so that the bladder
14 is accessible from a top surface of the midsole 12, the bladder
14 being oriented atop the midsole 12. Thus, the midsole 12 and
bladder 14 assembly may be removably fitted into an article of
footwear, for example, by dropping the midsole 12 and bladder 14
assembly through the foot opening into the upper 11 and positioning
it above the outsole 16. Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16,
alternatively, the midsole 12' and bladder 14' assembly may be
oriented in the opposite position, with the bladder 14' mounted to
an underside of the midsole 12'.
[0039] The present invention may be incorporated into essentially
any type of footwear, including but not limited to shoes, boots,
sandals, slippers and athletic wear. Further, the present invention
may be incorporated into essentially any footwear construction. For
example, the sole construction may be incorporated into direct
attach, welt, cement, stroble, California, opanka, lasted, slip
lasted and other footwear constructions. The entire sole
construction may be removably fitted into a void in an outsole,
midsole or other sole component. Alternatively, select components
of the present invention, such as the midsole and heel wedge, may
be secured to the remainder of the sole. If an optional sock liner
is included in the construction, it will typically be removable if
its removal is necessary to provide access to the bladder.
[0040] The above description is that of the current embodiment of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular,
for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the" or "said," is not
to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
* * * * *