Reversed kinetic system for shoe sole

Abstract

A reversed kinetic system for a shoe sole includes a fluid chamber containing fluid and a fluid expansion chamber in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid chamber and fluid expansion chamber are separated by an elastic spring including at least one valve providing fluid communication. Each valve preferably comprises an inlet bore through the elastic spring and a yieldable diaphragm having a valve bore, whereby foot pressure on the fluid chamber causes fluid to dissipate through the valve bore into the fluid expansion chamber, wherein the dissipation of fluid through the valve bore causes friction and absorbs energy. Removing the foot pressure creates a negative pressure gradient in the fluid expansion chamber causing the yieldable diaphragm to release and allowing fluid to flow back into the fluid chamber through the inlet bore.

1 . A reversed kinetic system for a shoe sole, comprising: 
 a fluid chamber containing fluid; and    a fluid expansion chamber in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid chamber and fluid expansion chamber are separated by an elastic spring including a valve providing the fluid communication.  
   
   
       3 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 2 , wherein the valve comprises an inlet bore through the elastic spring.  
   
   
       4 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 3 , wherein the valve further comprises a yieldable diaphragm having a valve bore therethrough.  
   
   
       5 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 4 , wherein foot pressure on the fluid chamber causes fluid to dissipate through the valve bore into the fluid expansion chamber and removing the foot pressure creates a negative pressure gradient in the fluid expansion chamber causing the yieldable diaphragm to release and allowing fluid to flow back into the fluid chamber through the inlet bore.  
   
   
       6 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 5 , wherein the dissipation of fluid through the valve bore causes friction and absorbs energy.  
   
   
       7 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is chosen from a group consisting of water, glycerin, glycol and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastically deformable expansion chamber peripherally surrounding the fluid expansion chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 8 , wherein the elastically deformable expansion chamber comprises an airtight plastic casing.  
   
   
       10 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 8 , wherein the elastically deformable expansion chamber is filled with compressed gas.  
   
   
       11 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid chamber is substantially cylindrical and the fluid expansion chamber and elastically deformable expansion chamber are concentrically arranged.  
   
   
       12 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 8 , wherein the elastically deformable expansion chamber includes a plurality of subchambers.  
   
   
       13 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 8 , wherein the elastically deformable expansion chamber is pyramidal in shape.  
   
   
       14 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a silicone oil or a further oil.  
   
   
       15 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a gel.  
   
   
       16 . A reversed kinetic system for a shoe sole, comprising: 
 a cylindrical fluid chamber containing fluid;    a fluid expansion chamber in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and    an elastically deformable expansion chamber surrounding the fluid expansion chamber.    
   
   
       17 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid chamber and fluid expansion chamber are separated by an elastic spring that surrounds the fluid chamber, the elastic spring including a valve providing the fluid communication.  
   
   
       18 . A reversed kinetic system for a shoe sole, comprising: 
 at least one energy absorber including a plurality of kinetic damping elements for absorbing shock energy; and    at least one elastically deformable expansion chamber surrounding the at least one energy absorber.    
   
   
       19 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one elastically deformable expansion chamber comprises an airtight plastic casing filled with compressible matter.  
   
   
       20 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one energy absorber and the at least one elastically deformable expansion chamber are substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       21 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein the kinetic damping elements are in the form of particles, granulates or globules and are adapted to rub against each other causing friction and absorbing shock energy.  
   
   
       22 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein the kinetic damping elements comprise solid masses, which act in an inelastic manner under pressure.  
   
   
       23 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein one of the at least one energy absorbers is located in the heel of the shoe sole and another of the at least one energy absorbers is located in a different area of the shoe sole.  
   
   
       24 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein the expansion chamber provides both elastic and damping characteristics.  
   
   
       25 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein the expansion chamber includes a plurality of subchambers.  
   
   
       26 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the subchambers contains a plurality of kinetic damping elements.  
   
   
       27 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the subchambers contains a gas, gel or foam.  
   
   
       28 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one energy absorber includes a top wall and a bottom wall that are each tapered for improved force distribution under pressure.  
   
   
       29 . A reversed kinetic system for a shoe sole, comprising: 
 an energy absorber for absorbing shock energy; and    a spring surrounding the energy absorber and including at least one bi-directional valve;    wherein the energy absorber includes a gas adapted to move through the at least one bi-directional valve during use of the shoe.    
   
   
       30 . The reversed kinetic system of  claim 29 , wherein the spring is adapted to deform elastically when a user takes a step in the shoe, and further adapted to then return to its approximate original configuration.