Shoe having an inflatable bladder

Abstract

An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The bladder comprising sheets of polyurethane or polyester film attached together to form an airtight seal. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism for selectively introducing air in the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism is located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The article of footwear may also include an assembly for connecting several tubes to one under foot inflation mechanism. The article of footwear may also include inflatable laces that are inflated by an underfoot inflation mechanism.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole;   an upper coupled to the sole;   an inflatable bladder forming a portion of the upper;   a first inflation mechanism configured to inflate the inflatable bladder, the first inflation mechanism disposed in a location that allows operation of the first inflation mechanism by downward pressure of a wearer's foot; and   a second inflation mechanism configured to inflate the inflatable bladder, the second inflation mechanism comprising a manually operated inflation mechanism.   
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the first inflation mechanism is disposed in a heel compartment of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the first inflation mechanism is disposed in a forefoot compartment of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         21 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the second inflation mechanism is disposed on a tongue of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         22 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the second inflation mechanism is disposed in a heel area of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         23 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the second inflation mechanism is disposed on a lateral side of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the second inflation mechanism comprises a bulb. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the first inflation mechanism inflates a first portion of the inflatable bladder and the second inflation mechanism inflates a second portion of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         26 . The article of footwear of  claim 25 , wherein the first portion of the inflatable bladder is isolated from the second portion of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         27 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the inflatable bladder is configured to surround a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         28 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an inflatable bladder configured to surround a wearer's foot;   a first inflation mechanism configured to inflate the inflatable bladder, the first inflation mechanism disposed in a location that allows operation of the first inflation mechanism by downward pressure of the wearer's foot; and   a second inflation mechanism configured to inflate the inflatable bladder, the second inflation mechanism comprising a manually operated inflation mechanism.   
     
     
         29 . The article of footwear of  claim 28 , wherein the first inflation mechanism is disposed in a heel compartment of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         30 . The article of footwear of  claim 28 , wherein the first inflation mechanism is disposed in a forefoot compartment of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         31 . The article of footwear of  claim 28 , wherein the second inflation mechanism is disposed on a lateral side of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         32 . The article of footwear of  claim 28 , further comprising a deflation mechanism configured to deflate the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         33 . The article of footwear of  claim 32 , wherein the deflation mechanism is disposed on a lateral side of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         34 . The article of footwear of  claim 28 , further comprising at least two deflation mechanisms configured to deflate the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         35 . The article of footwear of  claim 28 , wherein the first inflation mechanism inflates a first portion of the inflatable bladder and the second inflation mechanism inflates a second portion of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         36 . The article of footwear of  claim 35 , wherein the first portion of the inflatable bladder is isolated from the second portion of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         37 . The article of footwear of  claim 28 , wherein the second inflation mechanism comprises a bulb.