Todd John Ellis

US Patent:

6745499, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

May 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/153880

Inventors:

Brian Christensen - Centerville MA
Todd Ellis - Boston MA
Paul E. Litchfield - Westboro MA

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Canton MA

International Classification:

A43B 1320

US Classification:

36 29

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a shoe sole having a resilient insert which provides fluidic cushioning and support to the foot of the wearer. The resilient insert has a heel chamber, a forefoot chamber and a passageway, which fluidly connects the heel chamber to the forefoot chamber. As the wearer walks or run and applies impact forces to the shoe sole, fluid within the resilient insert flows back and forth between the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber to provide continuous cushioning and support to the heel and fore portion of the wearers foot. The resilient insert and components of the sole are specifically constructed and assembled to avoid friction and turbulence therein, which can result in the production of audible and undesirable noises within the interior of the shoe sole.

US Patent:

7694438, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Dec 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/610382

Inventors:

Brian Christensen - Centerville MA, US
Paul M. Davis - Blackstone MA, US
Todd Ellis - Boston MA, US
Paul Litchfield - Westboro MA, US
William Marvin - Brighton MA, US

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Canton MA

International Classification:

A43B 13/20

US Classification:

36 29

Abstract:

An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning, such as a training shoe and a racing flat.