FOOTWEAR BLADDER WITH CONTROLLED FLEX TENSILE MEMBER

摘要

A bladder (50) for a sole assembly of a shoe with three dimensional controlled flex connecting/tensile members extending between the top (53) and bottom (55) outer layers of bladder (50). The connecting/tensile members are formed during molding of the bladder and comprise top and bottom portions that come together at a juncture. Since the outer perimeter and the internal connecting/tensile members (52,54,56) are formed at the same time and of the same material, bonding problems between layers are eliminated and manufacturing is simplified. The connecting/tensile members (52,54,56) are formed with a predetermined flex point (58) in at least a portion of each member to reduce random fatigue stress concentrations. Broadly, there are two configurations: one in which the tensile member is constructed to collapse upon compressive loading, and one in which the tensile member is constructed to bend or fold upon compressive loading in a predetermined location. The shape, relative size, length and barrier material thickness are manipulated to assist in finely tuning the cushioning properties of the final bladder (50).