Blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion

Abstract

A blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole, includes a forefoot air cushion portion having a front air chamber. A heel control portion has a rear air chamber and a receiving groove formed at a top surface. A lateral connecting portion is connected to the forefoot air cushion portion and the heel control portion, and has a lateral air chamber. The three portions are formed as an integral structure by blow molding with mutually communicating chambers. An elastic pumping assembly is installed in the receiving groove and includes an elastic bladder member, an intake conduit assembly, and an exhaust conduit assembly connected to the elastic bladder member and the front air chamber. When the elastic bladder member is compressed, air is filled into the front air chamber and fully inflated throughout all chambers. Comprehensive foot protection by effectively cushioning external forces at all foot positions is achieved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Fields of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion, and is a Continuation-in-Part application of applicant's former patent application Ser. No. 18 / 967,524, filed on Dec. 3, 2024.2. Descriptions of Related Art

[0002] The function of air cushion structures is simply to provide cushioning, and some can absorb air from inside of the shoe for discharge, or draw external air into the shoe to keep the foot dry. Different air cushions have different functions. The subject to be discussed herein is the use of air cushions. Please refer to Patent No. I735762 “Athletic Shoe Capable of Increasing Marathon Speed” and Patent No. I548359 “Air Cushion Structure with Multiple Air Pressure Modes.” In these two cases, it can be seen that the air cushion is directly embedded in a receiving groove of the shoe outsole, and the air cushion is filled by constant stepping of the foot to obtain optimal elastic cushioning.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned arrangements having air cushions are clearly provided only for the forefoot area of the foot, so when the entire foot bears external forces, only the forefoot position receives appropriate cushioning. This still has some defects and deficiencies for the emphasis on complete foot protection. In addition, please refer to Patent No. I548359 “Air Cushion Structure with Multiple Air Pressure Modes.” The technical portion of this case also concentrates the air cushion position at the forefoot position, and the air cushion has a closed design. The air filled therein can only be stored within the support air bladder layer and cannot flow. Furthermore, each air bladder of the support air bladder layer has a block-by-block design. The support provided by each air bladder for the forefoot depends only on the internal inflation pressure. Once the internal air gradually deflates, the supportiveness of each air bladder is gradually lost, and the shock absorption effect is also lost. For users, it is impossible to predict whether the air inside the air bladders is still fully inflated, leading to the foot being susceptible to injury.

[0004] The present invention intends to provide a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion to eliminate shortcomings mentioned above.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole, and comprises a forefoot air cushion portion having a front air chamber formed therein. A heel control portion has a rear air chamber formed therein, and a receiving groove formed by inward recessing at a top surface of the heel control portion. A lateral connecting portion has two ends respectively connected to the forefoot air cushion portion and the heel control portion. A lateral air chamber is formed inside the lateral connecting portion, wherein the forefoot air cushion portion, the heel control portion, and the lateral connecting portion are formed as an integral structure by blow molding. The front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber are mutually communicating. An elastic pumping assembly is installed in the receiving groove, and the elastic pumping assembly comprises an elastic bladder member, an intake conduit assembly, and an exhaust conduit assembly. The intake conduit assembly and the exhaust conduit assembly are each connected at one end to the elastic bladder member, and the other end of the exhaust conduit assembly is connected to the forefoot air cushion portion and communicates with the front air chamber. A top surface and a bottom surface of the forefoot air cushion portion are respectively recessed inward toward the front air chamber to form a plurality of mutually corresponding recesses. A reinforcement rib is respectively formed between each of the mutually corresponding recesses. Each reinforcement rib has a plurality of interconnected cushioning curved segments formed thereon. An inner groove wall surface of each recess respectively forms a step portion thereby dividing the space within each recess. The space close to each reinforcement rib is smaller than the space close to each recess opening. The receiving groove is divided into a first groove portion and a second groove portion, wherein the first groove portion and the second groove portion are arranged in communication with each other. The elastic bladder member is installed in the first groove portion, and the intake conduit assembly and the exhaust conduit assembly are installed in the second groove portion. The second groove portion is divided into a main groove segment and a side groove segment. The intake conduit assembly is located in the side groove segment, and the exhaust conduit assembly is located within the main groove segment and connected with a control member. The control member is located in the side groove segment and partially exposed at an adjustment opening provided on one side of the side groove segment.

[0006] When the elastic bladder member is compressed and deformed, air inside the elastic bladder member is filled from the exhaust conduit assembly into the front air chamber and fully inflated in the front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber, thereby supporting the forefoot, the heel, and the lateral arch of the foot. With each cushioning curved segment of each reinforcement rib, the present invention provides stable fixation to the shoe outsole under force and stepping, and further dispersing forces applied by the foot in different directions.

[0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide more comprehensive foot protection for the wearer, not only limited to the forefoot area, but also to effectively cushion the external forces borne by all positions of the foot, thereby improving the deficiencies of the prior art cases enumerated in the conventional technology, which could only provide cushioning function for the forefoot area where the foot bears more force.

[0008] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present invention combined with a shoe outsole and an elastic pumping assembly;

[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the practical application of the disclosure in FIG. 1 forming a complete shoe body;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing air flow after the elastic bladder member of FIG. 4 is compressed;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5 from another viewing angle;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing air flow during rebound of the elastic bladder member after compression in FIG. 5;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7 from another viewing angle;

[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention and the shoe outsole of FIG. 2 from another viewing angle;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing the reinforcement ribs of FIG. 4 before compression, and

[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the action of the reinforcement ribs of FIG. 10 undergoing extension.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole 100, and comprises a forefoot air cushion portion 1 having a front air chamber 11 formed therein, a heel control portion 2 having a rear air chamber 21 formed therein, and a receiving groove 22 formed by inward recessing at a top surface of the heel control portion 2. A lateral connecting portion 3 has two ends respectively connected to the forefoot air cushion portion 1 and the heel control portion 2, and a lateral air chamber 31 is formed inside the lateral connecting portion 3. The forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 are formed as an integral structure by blow molding. The front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 are mutually communicating. An elastic pumping assembly 4 is installed in the receiving groove 22, and comprises an elastic bladder member 41, an intake conduit assembly 42, and an exhaust conduit assembly 43, wherein the intake conduit assembly 42 and the exhaust conduit assembly 43 are each connected at one end to the elastic bladder member 41, and the other end of the exhaust conduit assembly 43 is connected to the forefoot air cushion portion 1 and communicates with the front air chamber 11. When the elastic bladder member 41 is compressed and deformed, air inside the elastic bladder member 41 is filled from the exhaust conduit assembly 43 into the front air chamber 11 and fully inflated in the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31, thereby supporting the forefoot, heel, and the lateral arch of the foot.

[0021] The forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 are integrally formed by blow molding, which not only provides users with more comprehensive protection for the foot during stepping actions, including the forefoot, the heel, and the lateral arch (also referred to as the arch, the region located between the forefoot and heel), allowing the foot to cushion forces through corresponding portions when bearing external forces. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the arrow directions in the figures indicate the air filling flow direction. Compared to the problem of conventional technology which only provides cushioning for the thicker forefoot but neglects that other portions also bear external forces and are subject to injury, the present invention effectively protects the foot to withstand external forces. In addition, the present invention is made into a complete insole (the forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3) by blow molding, which can save process time from a manufacturing perspective and can be directly combined with the shoe outsole 100. Moreover, the product consistency obtained by this manufacturing method is higher with a higher yield rate, compared to the deficiencies of conventional technology which additionally requires excavating corresponding grooves in the shoe outsole or manufacturing two different air cushion components.

[0022] Further referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, in addition to providing a cushioning effect through inflation, a top surface and a bottom surface of the forefoot air cushion portion 1 are further respectively recessed inward toward the front air chamber 11 to form a plurality of mutually corresponding recesses 12, and a reinforcement rib 121 is respectively formed between each of the mutually corresponding recesses 12. Each reinforcement rib 121 further has a plurality of interconnected cushioning curved segments 123 formed thereon, with each cushioning curved segment 123 connected to each other to form a wave shape or a saw-tooth shape (see FIGS. 9 to 11). With the provision of each cushioning curved segment 123 of each reinforcement rib 121, forward forces of the foot during the stepping process can be dispersed and cushioned (as shown in FIG. 11, the arrow directions indicate force dispersion and cushioning), enabling the foot to be stably fixed to the shoe outsole 100 under force and stepping, and protecting the foot from being injured by impact. In addition, an inner groove wall surface of each recess 12 is formed in circle-shaped and respectively forms a step portion 122 thereby dividing the space within each recess 12, wherein a partial space of the space that is located close to each reinforcement rib 121 is smaller than a partial space of the space that is located close to an opening of each recess 12. The use of each recess 12 mainly assists in supporting the weight of the foot, with the step portion 122 of each recess 12 forming a first support point, and then with each reinforcement rib 121 serving as a second support point capable of dispersed support, thereby dispersing the instantaneous stepping force of the foot on the forefoot air cushion portion 1, allowing the forefoot air cushion portion 1 to better protect the forefoot.

[0023] In addition, in order to enable the present invention to be effectively applied to a complete shoe body, an extension sheet 5 further surrounds and extends upward at a top edge of the forefoot air cushion portion 1, at a top edge of the heel control portion 2, and at one side top edge of the lateral connecting portion 3. The extension sheet 5 is combined and assembled with a shoe vamp 200. As shown in FIG. 3, a manufacturer only needs to wrap the shoe vamp 200 around the extension sheet 5 and surround it along the position of the extension sheet 5, and combine them by subsequent processing methods (such as adhesive bonding, hot pressing, fusion, stitching, etc., the processing methods are not limited herein), thereby completing a complete shoe body. In addition, in order to enable the present invention and the shoe outsole 100 to be more stable and to effectively bear the impact force generated by the foot, the forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 further respectively have a lower texture pattern 7 formed on a side adjacent to the shoe outsole 100, and the shoe outsole 10 has an upper texture pattern 300 formed thereon for engaging with each of the lower texture patterns 7, thereby providing secure bonding after the present invention is combined with the shoe outsole 100 and preventing the present invention from sliding within the shoe outsole 100. Subsequently, the present invention and the shoe outsole 100 may also be combined by subsequent processing methods, such as adhesive bonding, heat fusion bonding, etc. These subsequent methods are not the technology to be protected by the present invention.

[0024] Continuing with the description of the receiving groove 22 located at the heel control portion 2, the design of the receiving groove 22 of the present invention is mainly to provide placement for the elastic pumping assembly 4 and also to facilitate future replacement. Therefore, the receiving groove 22 is further divided into a first groove portion 221 and a second groove portion 222. The first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 are arranged in communication with each other. The first groove portion 221 is recessed and formed according to the configuration of the elastic bladder member 41. The elastic bladder member 41 is installed in the first groove portion 221, and the intake conduit assembly 42 and the exhaust conduit assembly 43 are installed in the second groove portion 222. The second groove portion 222 is further divided into a main groove segment 2221 and a side groove segment 2222. The intake conduit assembly 42 is located in the side groove segment 2222, and the exhaust conduit assembly 43 is located within the main groove segment 2221 and connected with a control member 6. The control member 6 is located in the side groove segment 2222 and partially exposed at an adjustment opening 23 provided on one side of the side groove segment 2222. Corresponding to the design of the main groove segment 2221 and the side groove segment 2222, the design of the control member 6 further comprises a valve portion 61 having a cylindrical shape, an adjustment portion 62, and a vent portion 63. One end of the valve portion 61 is connected to the exhaust conduit assembly 43, and the other end of the valve portion 61 is movably assembled with the adjustment portion 62. A portion of the adjustment portion 62 is exposed at the adjustment opening 23, mainly for the convenience of users to operate the adjustment portion 62. The vent portion 63 is provided on one side of the valve portion 61. The adjustment portion 62 rotates relative to the valve portion 61 to limit the air pressure borne within the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31. When the air pressure within the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 is saturated and cannot be further filled, air is discharged from the vent portion 63, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025] Finally, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 8, the intake conduit assembly 42 comprises a one-way intake valve 421 and an intake tube 422. The one-way intake valve 421 is connected at one end to the elastic bladder member 41, and the other end of the one-way intake valve 421 is connected to the intake tube 422. The intake tube 422 draws air from inside the shoe for filling. The exhaust conduit assembly 43 comprises two exhaust one-way valves 431, a multi-way valve 432, and a plurality of exhaust tubes 433. The arrangement and combination thereof is one of the exhaust one-way valves 431, one of the exhaust tubes 433, the multi-way valve 432, another of the exhaust tubes 433, and the other exhaust one-way valve 431. The last-mentioned exhaust one-way valve 431 communicates with the front air chamber 11. In addition, the multi-way valve 432 is mainly a three-way valve. Both ends thereof are respectively connected to exhaust tubes 433, and the third end is connected via an exhaust tube 433 to the valve portion 61 of the control member 6, enabling smooth air pressure control of the control member 6. Therefore, for air filling of the present invention, the control member 6 is first used for adjustment to obtain the most suitable pressure for the wearer's foot. Then, the forefoot and heel alternately step. When the heel presses down and steps on the elastic bladder member 41, air inside the elastic bladder member 41 is delivered through the exhaust conduit assembly 43 into the front air chamber 11. Then, after the downward pressing force of the heel on the elastic bladder member 41 is released, under elastic restoration of the elastic bladder member 41, the intake conduit assembly 42 draws air from inside the shoe for replenishment. Upon the next stepping by the heel, air inside the elastic bladder member 41 is again delivered into the front air chamber 11. The air in the front air chamber 11 simultaneously fills the lateral air chamber 31 and the rear air chamber 21. After the air inside the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 is all saturated, the inflation use of the present invention is completed. When the air inside the front air chamber 11, the lateral air chamber 31, and the rear air chamber 21 cannot be further filled, under continued stepping by the wearer, air can no longer enter the front air chamber 11. Therefore, the air is guided through the multi-way valve 432 and discharged to the valve portion of the control member 6, and discharged through the vent portion 63 of the valve portion 61, thereby achieving saturation and balance of air pressure inside the front air chamber 11, the lateral air chamber 31, and the rear air chamber 21, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0026] In order to provide secure installation of the control member 6 without affecting force cushioning of the lateral arch of the foot, a longest width position of the lateral connecting portion 3 (defined as T) is smaller than a distance from one side wall surface of the main groove segment 2221 to the adjustment opening 23 (defined as E), thereby not only enabling placement of the control member 6 as expected under the above-mentioned arrangement, but also effectively providing cushioning protection for the lateral arch position of the foot.

[0027] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole 100, and comprises a forefoot air cushion portion 1 having a front air chamber 11 formed therein, a heel control portion 2 having a rear air chamber 21 formed therein, and a receiving groove 22 formed by inward recessing at a top surface of the heel control portion 2. A lateral connecting portion 3 has two ends respectively connected to the forefoot air cushion portion 1 and the heel control portion 2, and a lateral air chamber 31 is formed inside the lateral connecting portion 3. The forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 are formed as an integral structure by blow molding. The front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 are mutually communicating. An elastic pumping assembly 4 is installed in the receiving groove 22, and comprises an elastic bladder...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Fields of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion, and is a Continuation-in-Part application of applicant's former patent application Ser. No. 18 / 967,524, filed on Dec. 3, 2024.2. Descriptions of Related Art

[0002] The function of air cushion structures is simply to provide cushioning, and some can absorb air from inside of the shoe for discharge, or draw external air into the shoe to keep the foot dry. Different air cushions have different functions. The subject to be discussed herein is the use of air cushions. Please refer to Patent No. I735762 “Athletic Shoe Capable of Increasing Marathon Speed” and Patent No. I548359 “Air Cushion Structure with Multiple Air Pressure Modes.” In these two cases, it can be seen that the air cushion is directly embedded in a receiving groove of the shoe outsole, and the air cushion is filled by constant stepping of the foot to obtain optimal elastic cushioning.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned arrangements having air cushions are clearly provided only for the forefoot area of the foot, so when the entire foot bears external forces, only the forefoot position receives appropriate cushioning. This still has some defects and deficiencies for the emphasis on complete foot protection. In addition, please refer to Patent No. I548359 “Air Cushion Structure with Multiple Air Pressure Modes.” The technical portion of this case also concentrates the air cushion position at the forefoot position, and the air cushion has a closed design. The air filled therein can only be stored within the support air bladder layer and cannot flow. Furthermore, each air bladder of the support air bladder layer has a block-by-block design. The support provided by each air bladder for the forefoot depends only on the internal inflation pressure. Once the internal air gradually deflates, the supportiveness of each air bladder is gradually lost, and the shock absorption effect is also lost. For users, it is impossible to predict whether the air inside the air bladders is still fully inflated, leading to the foot being susceptible to injury.

[0004] The present invention intends to provide a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion to eliminate shortcomings mentioned above.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole, and comprises a forefoot air cushion portion having a front air chamber formed therein. A heel control portion has a rear air chamber formed therein, and a receiving groove formed by inward recessing at a top surface of the heel control portion. A lateral connecting portion has two ends respectively connected to the forefoot air cushion portion and the heel control portion. A lateral air chamber is formed inside the lateral connecting portion, wherein the forefoot air cushion portion, the heel control portion, and the lateral connecting portion are formed as an integral structure by blow molding. The front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber are mutually communicating. An elastic pumping assembly is installed in the receiving groove, and the elastic pumping assembly comprises an elastic bladder member, an intake conduit assembly, and an exhaust conduit assembly. The intake conduit assembly and the exhaust conduit assembly are each connected at one end to the elastic bladder member, and the other end of the exhaust conduit assembly is connected to the forefoot air cushion portion and communicates with the front air chamber. A top surface and a bottom surface of the forefoot air cushion portion are respectively recessed inward toward the front air chamber to form a plurality of mutually corresponding recesses. A reinforcement rib is respectively formed between each of the mutually corresponding recesses. Each reinforcement rib has a plurality of interconnected cushioning curved segments formed thereon. An inner groove wall surface of each recess respectively forms a step portion thereby dividing the space within each recess. The space close to each reinforcement rib is smaller than the space close to each recess opening. The receiving groove is divided into a first groove portion and a second groove portion, wherein the first groove portion and the second groove portion are arranged in communication with each other. The elastic bladder member is installed in the first groove portion, and the intake conduit assembly and the exhaust conduit assembly are installed in the second groove portion. The second groove portion is divided into a main groove segment and a side groove segment. The intake conduit assembly is located in the side groove segment, and the exhaust conduit assembly is located within the main groove segment and connected with a control member. The control member is located in the side groove segment and partially exposed at an adjustment opening provided on one side of the side groove segment.

[0006] When the elastic bladder member is compressed and deformed, air inside the elastic bladder member is filled from the exhaust conduit assembly into the front air chamber and fully inflated in the front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber, thereby supporting the forefoot, the heel, and the lateral arch of the foot. With each cushioning curved segment of each reinforcement rib, the present invention provides stable fixation to the shoe outsole under force and stepping, and further dispersing forces applied by the foot in different directions.

[0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide more comprehensive foot protection for the wearer, not only limited to the forefoot area, but also to effectively cushion the external forces borne by all positions of the foot, thereby improving the deficiencies of the prior art cases enumerated in the conventional technology, which could only provide cushioning function for the forefoot area where the foot bears more force.

[0008] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present invention combined with a shoe outsole and an elastic pumping assembly;

[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the practical application of the disclosure in FIG. 1 forming a complete shoe body;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing air flow after the elastic bladder member of FIG. 4 is compressed;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5 from another viewing angle;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing air flow during rebound of the elastic bladder member after compression in FIG. 5;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7 from another viewing angle;

[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention and the shoe outsole of FIG. 2 from another viewing angle;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing the reinforcement ribs of FIG. 4 before compression, and

[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the action of the reinforcement ribs of FIG. 10 undergoing extension.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole 100, and comprises a forefoot air cushion portion 1 having a front air chamber 11 formed therein, a heel control portion 2 having a rear air chamber 21 formed therein, and a receiving groove 22 formed by inward recessing at a top surface of the heel control portion 2. A lateral connecting portion 3 has two ends respectively connected to the forefoot air cushion portion 1 and the heel control portion 2, and a lateral air chamber 31 is formed inside the lateral connecting portion 3. The forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 are formed as an integral structure by blow molding. The front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 are mutually communicating. An elastic pumping assembly 4 is installed in the receiving groove 22, and comprises an elastic bladder member 41, an intake conduit assembly 42, and an exhaust conduit assembly 43, wherein the intake conduit assembly 42 and the exhaust conduit assembly 43 are each connected at one end to the elastic bladder member 41, and the other end of the exhaust conduit assembly 43 is connected to the forefoot air cushion portion 1 and communicates with the front air chamber 11. When the elastic bladder member 41 is compressed and deformed, air inside the elastic bladder member 41 is filled from the exhaust conduit assembly 43 into the front air chamber 11 and fully inflated in the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31, thereby supporting the forefoot, heel, and the lateral arch of the foot.

[0021] The forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 are integrally formed by blow molding, which not only provides users with more comprehensive protection for the foot during stepping actions, including the forefoot, the heel, and the lateral arch (also referred to as the arch, the region located between the forefoot and heel), allowing the foot to cushion forces through corresponding portions when bearing external forces. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the arrow directions in the figures indicate the air filling flow direction. Compared to the problem of conventional technology which only provides cushioning for the thicker forefoot but neglects that other portions also bear external forces and are subject to injury, the present invention effectively protects the foot to withstand external forces. In addition, the present invention is made into a complete insole (the forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3) by blow molding, which can save process time from a manufacturing perspective and can be directly combined with the shoe outsole 100. Moreover, the product consistency obtained by this manufacturing method is higher with a higher yield rate, compared to the deficiencies of conventional technology which additionally requires excavating corresponding grooves in the shoe outsole or manufacturing two different air cushion components.

[0022] Further referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, in addition to providing a cushioning effect through inflation, a top surface and a bottom surface of the forefoot air cushion portion 1 are further respectively recessed inward toward the front air chamber 11 to form a plurality of mutually corresponding recesses 12, and a reinforcement rib 121 is respectively formed between each of the mutually corresponding recesses 12. Each reinforcement rib 121 further has a plurality of interconnected cushioning curved segments 123 formed thereon, with each cushioning curved segment 123 connected to each other to form a wave shape or a saw-tooth shape (see FIGS. 9 to 11). With the provision of each cushioning curved segment 123 of each reinforcement rib 121, forward forces of the foot during the stepping process can be dispersed and cushioned (as shown in FIG. 11, the arrow directions indicate force dispersion and cushioning), enabling the foot to be stably fixed to the shoe outsole 100 under force and stepping, and protecting the foot from being injured by impact. In addition, an inner groove wall surface of each recess 12 is formed in circle-shaped and respectively forms a step portion 122 thereby dividing the space within each recess 12, wherein a partial space of the space that is located close to each reinforcement rib 121 is smaller than a partial space of the space that is located close to an opening of each recess 12. The use of each recess 12 mainly assists in supporting the weight of the foot, with the step portion 122 of each recess 12 forming a first support point, and then with each reinforcement rib 121 serving as a second support point capable of dispersed support, thereby dispersing the instantaneous stepping force of the foot on the forefoot air cushion portion 1, allowing the forefoot air cushion portion 1 to better protect the forefoot.

[0023] In addition, in order to enable the present invention to be effectively applied to a complete shoe body, an extension sheet 5 further surrounds and extends upward at a top edge of the forefoot air cushion portion 1, at a top edge of the heel control portion 2, and at one side top edge of the lateral connecting portion 3. The extension sheet 5 is combined and assembled with a shoe vamp 200. As shown in FIG. 3, a manufacturer only needs to wrap the shoe vamp 200 around the extension sheet 5 and surround it along the position of the extension sheet 5, and combine them by subsequent processing methods (such as adhesive bonding, hot pressing, fusion, stitching, etc., the processing methods are not limited herein), thereby completing a complete shoe body. In addition, in order to enable the present invention and the shoe outsole 100 to be more stable and to effectively bear the impact force generated by the foot, the forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 further respectively have a lower texture pattern 7 formed on a side adjacent to the shoe outsole 100, and the shoe outsole 10 has an upper texture pattern 300 formed thereon for engaging with each of the lower texture patterns 7, thereby providing secure bonding after the present invention is combined with the shoe outsole 100 and preventing the present invention from sliding within the shoe outsole 100. Subsequently, the present invention and the shoe outsole 100 may also be combined by subsequent processing methods, such as adhesive bonding, heat fusion bonding, etc. These subsequent methods are not the technology to be protected by the present invention.

[0024] Continuing with the description of the receiving groove 22 located at the heel control portion 2, the design of the receiving groove 22 of the present invention is mainly to provide placement for the elastic pumping assembly 4 and also to facilitate future replacement. Therefore, the receiving groove 22 is further divided into a first groove portion 221 and a second groove portion 222. The first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 are arranged in communication with each other. The first groove portion 221 is recessed and formed according to the configuration of the elastic bladder member 41. The elastic bladder member 41 is installed in the first groove portion 221, and the intake conduit assembly 42 and the exhaust conduit assembly 43 are installed in the second groove portion 222. The second groove portion 222 is further divided into a main groove segment 2221 and a side groove segment 2222. The intake conduit assembly 42 is located in the side groove segment 2222, and the exhaust conduit assembly 43 is located within the main groove segment 2221 and connected with a control member 6. The control member 6 is located in the side groove segment 2222 and partially exposed at an adjustment opening 23 provided on one side of the side groove segment 2222. Corresponding to the design of the main groove segment 2221 and the side groove segment 2222, the design of the control member 6 further comprises a valve portion 61 having a cylindrical shape, an adjustment portion 62, and a vent portion 63. One end of the valve portion 61 is connected to the exhaust conduit assembly 43, and the other end of the valve portion 61 is movably assembled with the adjustment portion 62. A portion of the adjustment portion 62 is exposed at the adjustment opening 23, mainly for the convenience of users to operate the adjustment portion 62. The vent portion 63 is provided on one side of the valve portion 61. The adjustment portion 62 rotates relative to the valve portion 61 to limit the air pressure borne within the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31. When the air pressure within the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 is saturated and cannot be further filled, air is discharged from the vent portion 63, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025] Finally, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 8, the intake conduit assembly 42 comprises a one-way intake valve 421 and an intake tube 422. The one-way intake valve 421 is connected at one end to the elastic bladder member 41, and the other end of the one-way intake valve 421 is connected to the intake tube 422. The intake tube 422 draws air from inside the shoe for filling. The exhaust conduit assembly 43 comprises two exhaust one-way valves 431, a multi-way valve 432, and a plurality of exhaust tubes 433. The arrangement and combination thereof is one of the exhaust one-way valves 431, one of the exhaust tubes 433, the multi-way valve 432, another of the exhaust tubes 433, and the other exhaust one-way valve 431. The last-mentioned exhaust one-way valve 431 communicates with the front air chamber 11. In addition, the multi-way valve 432 is mainly a three-way valve. Both ends thereof are respectively connected to exhaust tubes 433, and the third end is connected via an exhaust tube 433 to the valve portion 61 of the control member 6, enabling smooth air pressure control of the control member 6. Therefore, for air filling of the present invention, the control member 6 is first used for adjustment to obtain the most suitable pressure for the wearer's foot. Then, the forefoot and heel alternately step. When the heel presses down and steps on the elastic bladder member 41, air inside the elastic bladder member 41 is delivered through the exhaust conduit assembly 43 into the front air chamber 11. Then, after the downward pressing force of the heel on the elastic bladder member 41 is released, under elastic restoration of the elastic bladder member 41, the intake conduit assembly 42 draws air from inside the shoe for replenishment. Upon the next stepping by the heel, air inside the elastic bladder member 41 is again delivered into the front air chamber 11. The air in the front air chamber 11 simultaneously fills the lateral air chamber 31 and the rear air chamber 21. After the air inside the front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 is all saturated, the inflation use of the present invention is completed. When the air inside the front air chamber 11, the lateral air chamber 31, and the rear air chamber 21 cannot be further filled, under continued stepping by the wearer, air can no longer enter the front air chamber 11. Therefore, the air is guided through the multi-way valve 432 and discharged to the valve portion of the control member 6, and discharged through the vent portion 63 of the valve portion 61, thereby achieving saturation and balance of air pressure inside the front air chamber 11, the lateral air chamber 31, and the rear air chamber 21, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0026] In order to provide secure installation of the control member 6 without affecting force cushioning of the lateral arch of the foot, a longest width position of the lateral connecting portion 3 (defined as T) is smaller than a distance from one side wall surface of the main groove segment 2221 to the adjustment opening 23 (defined as E), thereby not only enabling placement of the control member 6 as expected under the above-mentioned arrangement, but also effectively providing cushioning protection for the lateral arch position of the foot.

[0027] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the present invention relates to a blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole 100, and comprises a forefoot air cushion portion 1 having a front air chamber 11 formed therein, a heel control portion 2 having a rear air chamber 21 formed therein, and a receiving groove 22 formed by inward recessing at a top surface of the heel control portion 2. A lateral connecting portion 3 has two ends respectively connected to the forefoot air cushion portion 1 and the heel control portion 2, and a lateral air chamber 31 is formed inside the lateral connecting portion 3. The forefoot air cushion portion 1, the heel control portion 2, and the lateral connecting portion 3 are formed as an integral structure by blow molding. The front air chamber 11, the rear air chamber 21, and the lateral air chamber 31 are mutually communicating. An elastic pumping assembly 4 is installed in the receiving groove 22, and comprises an elastic bladder...

Claims

1. A blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion combined with a shoe outsole, comprising:a forefoot air cushion portion having a front air chamber formed therein;a heel control portion having a rear air chamber formed therein, a receiving groove formed by inward recessing at a top surface of the heel control portion;a lateral connecting portion having two ends respectively connected to the forefoot air cushion portion and the heel control portion, a lateral air chamber formed inside the lateral connecting portion, wherein the forefoot air cushion portion, the heel control portion, and the lateral connecting portion are formed as an integral structure by blow molding, and the front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber are mutually communicating; andan elastic pumping assembly installed in the receiving groove, the elastic pumping assembly comprising an elastic bladder member, an intake conduit assembly, and an exhaust conduit assembly, wherein the intake conduit assembly and the exhaust conduit assembly are each connected at one end to the elastic bladder member, and the other end of the exhaust conduit assembly is connected to the forefoot air cushion portion and communicates with the front air chamber;a top surface and a bottom surface of the forefoot air cushion portion respectively recessed inward toward the front air chamber to form a plurality of mutually corresponding recesses, and a reinforcement rib respectively formed between each of the mutually corresponding recesses, each reinforcement rib having a plurality of interconnected cushioning curved segments formed thereon, wherein an inner groove wall surface of each recess respectively forming a step portion thereby dividing a space within each recess, wherein a partial space of the space that is located close to each reinforcement rib is smaller than a partial space of the space that is located close to an opening of each recess;the receiving groove being divided a first groove portion and a second groove portion, the first groove portion and the second groove portion being in communication with each other, the elastic bladder member being installed in the first groove portion, and the intake conduit assembly and the exhaust conduit assembly being installed in the second groove portion;the second groove portion being divided into a main groove segment and a side groove segment, the intake conduit assembly being located in the side groove segment, the exhaust conduit assembly being located within the main groove segment and connected with a control member, the control member being located in the side groove segment and partially exposed at an adjustment opening provided on one side of the side groove segment, andwhen the elastic bladder member is compressed and deformed, air inside the elastic bladder member is filled from the exhaust conduit assembly into the front air chamber and fully inflated in the front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber, thereby supporting a forefoot, a heel, and a lateral arch of a foot, and each cushioning curved segment of each reinforcement rib, providing stable fixation to the shoe outsole under stepping force, and further dispersing forces applied by the foot in different directions.

2. The blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forefoot air cushion portion, the heel control portion, and the lateral connecting portion respectively have a lower texture pattern formed on a side adjacent to the shoe outsole, and the shoe outsole has an upper texture pattern formed thereon for engaging with each of the lower texture patterns.

3. The blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein an extension sheet surrounds and extends at a top edge of the forefoot air cushion portion, at a top edge of the heel control portion, and at one side top edge of the lateral connecting portion, the extension sheet is combined and assembled with a shoe vamp.

4. The blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control member comprises a valve portion, an adjustment portion, and a vent portion, one end of the valve portion is connected to the exhaust conduit assembly, and the other end of the valve portion is movably assembled with the adjustment portion, the vent portion is located on one side of the valve portion, the adjustment portion rotates relative to the valve portion to limit the air pressure borne within the front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber, when the air pressure within the front air chamber, the rear air chamber, and the lateral air chamber is saturated and cannot be further filled, air is discharged from the vent portion.

5. The blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intake conduit assembly comprises a one-way intake valve and an intake tube, the one-way intake valve is connected at one end to the elastic bladder member, and the other end of the one-way intake valve is connected to the intake tube, the intake tube draws air from inside the shoe for filling.

6. The blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust conduit assembly comprises two exhaust one-way valves, a multi-way valve, and a plurality of exhaust tubes, an combination of the exhaust conduit assembly is one of the exhaust one-way valves, one of the exhaust tubes, the multi-way valve, another of the exhaust tubes, and the other exhaust one-way valve which communicates with the front air chamber.

7. The blow-molded full-sheet inflatable air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein a longest width position of the lateral connecting portion is smaller than a distance from one side wall surface of the main groove segment to the adjustment opening.

Images