SUPPORT AND CUSHIONING SYSTEM FOR FOOTWEAR

摘要

A support and cushioning system for an article of footwear which includes a resilient insert (102) disposed between a midsole (606) and an outsole (604) of a shoe. The resilient insert (102) includes several chambers (104, 106, 108, 110) disposed in a heel portion (103) of the resilient insert (102). These chambers (104, 106, 108, 110) are fluidly interconnected to each other via periphery passages (136). The resilient insert (102) also includes several chambers (114, 116, 118, 120) disposed in a forefoot portion (113) of the resilient insert (102). These chambers (114, 116, 118, 120) are also fluidly interconnected to each other. A connecting passage (124) connects the chambers (104, 106, 108, 110) in the heel portion (103) and the chambers (114, 116, 118, 120) in the forefoot portion (113) of the resilient insert (102). A bladder (1002) having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber (1004) and forefoot chamber (1006) is also inserted above the midsole (606) to provide added cushioning to the wearer. In one embodiment, the resilient insert (102) contains air at ambient pressure and the bladder (1002) contains air at slightly above ambient pressure.