Adjustable Arch Support

Abstract

An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user includes footwear to be worn by the user, a flexible bladder member to expand and contract to provide variable support to the arch of the user, a pump member to communicate with the flexible bladder member to provide pressurized fluid to the flexible bladder member. The flexible bladder member is integral with the footwear, and the pump member is integral with the footwear. The pump member is external to the footwear, and the footwear system includes a release valve to release the fluid from the flexible bladder member.

1 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user, comprising:
 a footwear to be worn by the user;   a flexible bladder member to expand and contract to provide variable support to the arch of the user;   a pump member to communicate with the flexible bladder member to provide pressurized fluid to the flexible bladder member.   
   
   
       2 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user as in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bladder member is integral with the footwear. 
   
   
       3 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user as in  claim 1 , wherein the pump member is integral with the footwear. 
   
   
       4 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user as in  claim 1 , wherein the pump member is external to the footwear. 
   
   
       5 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user as in  claim 1 , wherein the arch support footwear system includes a release valve to release the fluid from the flexible bladder member. 
   
   
       6 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user as in  claim 1 , wherein the pump member is connected to the flexible bladder by a first passageway. 
   
   
       7 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user as in  claim 5 , wherein the release valve is connected to the flexible bladder by a second passageway. 
   
   
       8 ) An arch support footwear system for supporting an arch of a user as in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bladder only supports the arch of the user. 
   
   
       9 ) A method for providing arch support of a user, comprising:
 wearing a footwear by the user;   expanding and contracting a flexible bladder member to provide variable support to the arch of the user;   pumping a pump member to communicate with the flexible bladder member to provide pressurized fluid to the flexible bladder member.   
   
   
       10 ) A method for providing arch support of a user as in  claim 9 , wherein the flexible bladder member is integral with the footwear. 
   
   
       11 ) A method for providing arch support of a user as in  claim 9 , wherein the pump member is integral with the footwear. 
   
   
       12 ) A method for providing arch support of a user as in  claim 9 , wherein the pump member is external to the footwear. 
   
   
       13 ) A method for providing arch support of a user as in  claim 9 , wherein the arch support footwear system includes a release valve to release the fluid from the flexible bladder member. 
   
   
       14 ) A method for providing arch support of a user as in  claim 9 , wherein the pump member is connected to the flexible bladder by a first passageway. 
   
   
       15 ) A method for providing arch support of a user as in  claim 13 , wherein the release valve is connected to the flexible bladder by a second passageway. 
   
   
       16 ) A method for providing arch support of a user as in  claim 9 , wherein the flexible bladder only supports the arch of the user.