SELF-REINITIALIZING PADDING DEVICE

摘要

2090415 9203070 PCTABS00010 A self-reinitializing padding device (10) having at least two fluidly connected chambers (40, 50) which contain flowable material for use in applications where it is desirable to reinitialize the padding device (10) for subsequent use in absorbing and/or distributing impact forces. One application for which the padding device (10) is particularly well suited is as a foot padding device (10) in footwear. The impact force of the user's foot deforms a primary chamber (40), thereby forcing some of the flowable material contained therein to flow into a plurality of secondary chambers (50). The rate of deformation of the primary chamber (40) exceeds the flow rate into the secondary chamber (50), thereby providing a cushioning effect. When the portion of the footwear coinciding with the primary chamber (40) loses contact with the ground, the force is removed from the primary chamber (40), thereby allowing the secondary chamber (50) to contract and force some of the flowable materials contained therein back into the primary chamber (40) to reinitialize the padding device (10).