DE69738083T2 - AIR CUSHION - Google Patents

Abstract

A three-dimensional air cushion (1) having a sealed outer peripheral edge of a geometric shape. The projected area of the hollow interior (10) sealed by the outer peripheral edge is smaller than the upper surface area of the air cushion. Air chambers (10) are provided in an upper surface and a lower surface of the cushion, giving excellent buffering function. Two opposite sides of the cushion have a level higher than an intermediate portion to force an object in protect, or a shock source, to move to the center, with the shock energy converted into side support energy, thus obtaining great stability.

Description

Background of the invention

In common Sportswear, such as e.g. in sneakers, protective pads, helmets, etc. are more conventional Foam, foam or conventional polymer compositions as shock-absorbing Materials have been used. Gradually inflated with air Cushion the place of this conventional Materials taken over, where gas or liquid, which is contained in an air cushion, used for damping shocks becomes.

Usually, an air bag is made of two foils placed on top of each other and tightly sealed at outer circumferential edges to provide a hollow interior that is inflated with a gas or liquid. Another type of airbag is made by injection molding to produce a three-dimensional airbag having a hollow interior and then inflating therein air chambers with a gas or a liquid. A similar air cushion is in US 4,187,620 disclosed.

An in 1 The illustrated cushion consists of two sheets which are placed on top of each other and welded together to form a flat top surface. If a shock strikes the surface of the pad, it is picked up in one place and then gradually distributed to other surfaces. This type of cushion dampens only a weak shock, which is why the need for energy distribution is relatively large. In addition, it has a high center of gravity so that the instability generated by the impact increases accordingly.

As based on the principles of stability of physics understandable, For example, a cushion with a flat surface is unlikely to absorb high external force. Such a pillow can be for an object that is protected by him, only one shock-absorbing Feature.

A hollow three-dimensional pillow that in 2 illustrated and manufactured by means of injection molding, may have a curved top surface which contacts an object protected by it; however, the pad does not have a shape memory structure and the formation of its upper curved surface is based on an outer layer applied to its surface. Almost the entire curved surface of the pad is below the lower surface of the protected object, ie an abutment surface, so that when an impact or pressure is applied to the surface of the pad by the object, the shock or compressive force can not be distributed in two directions because the pad is not provided with sidewalls which are higher than itself. Therefore, an impact energy absorbed by the pad is only temporarily changed, with the side effect of absorbing the impact and stabilizing being restricted, and this does not provide an ideal structure a pillow

Summary of the invention

Of the The main purpose of the invention is to provide an air cushion with a better structure for shock absorption and with a better stability to offer.

• 1. Vergleichsweise höhere Seiten, von denen zwei oder drei mit Luftkammern ausgestattet sind, die sich von einem mittleren Abschnitt aus erstrecken, so dass das Luftkissen und ein von ihm geschütztes Objekt mittels einer gekrümmten Fläche in Berührung kommen können, damit sich die Verteilung bezüglich einer Fläche, die einen Stoß aufnimmt, vergrößern lässt, um die Bewegung der Stoßenergie zu minimieren, um einen komprimierbaren Bereich zu maximieren und um folglich die größte stoßdämpfende Wirkung zu erzielen.
• 2. Das Kissen kann in ausreichendem Maße eine auf eine obere Zwischenfläche auftreffende Stoßenergie zu Auffangenergie an der Außenseite umwandeln.
• 3. Sobald der Stoß oder Druck schwindet, kann die seitliche Auffangenergie vollständig zum Punkt des Stoßes zurückkehren und eine Rückstoßenergie erzeugen, die eine ausgezeichnete Rückstoßwirkung hervorbringt.

3 shows a three-dimensional air cushion according to the invention, which should have the following advantages:

• 1. Comparatively higher sides, two or three of which are equipped with air chambers extending from a central portion, so that the air cushion and an object protected by it can come into contact by means of a curved surface, so that the distribution with respect to a Increasing area that absorbs a shock to minimize the movement of the impact energy to maximize a compressible area and thus to achieve the greatest shock-absorbing effect.
• 2. The pad can adequately convert an impact energy impinging on an upper interface to collecting energy on the outside.
• 3. Once the shock or pressure fades, the side trapping energy can fully return to the point of impact and produce a recoil energy that produces an excellent recoil effect.

The Buffer function and the shock-absorbing effect inventive air cushion was tested by the SATRA FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY CENTER in England, and proven These have the best structural design for the practical Application.

Brief description of the drawings

These Invention opens up better understanding with reference to the accompanying drawings:

1 Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional air bag having a flat upper surface as in the present invention;

2 Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional air bag having a downwardly curved upper surface as in the present invention;

3 Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of an airbag of the present invention;

4 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of an air bag of the present invention;

4a Fig. 10 is an alternative embodiment of the first preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention;

5 is a representation in cross section along the line II 4a ;

6 is a representation in cross section along the line II-II 5 ;

7 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention;

8th is a representation in cross section along the line III-III 7 ;

9 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention;

10 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of an air bag of the present invention;

11 is a representation in cross section along the line IV-IV 10 ;

12 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of an air bag of the present invention;

13 is a representation in cross section along the line VV 12 ;

14 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention;

15 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention;

16 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of various airbags of the invention useful in a sneaker;

17 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an eighth preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention;

18 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a ninth preferred embodiment of an air bag of the present invention; and

19 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a tenth preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention;

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

A three-dimensional airbag of the present invention may be molded as a heel air cushion, such as 4 shows as air cushion for the foot bottom, like 10 shows, or as shoe sole air cushion, such as 12 shows; It has no restrictions on its shape and can be adapted to sneakers, protective cushions, helmets, etc.

A first preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional airbag of the present invention as shown in FIGS 4 . 4a . 5 and 6 shown, includes a plurality of independent air chambers 10 or interconnected air chambers 10 with passages 11 , Every air chamber 10 can be on two opposite sides of the pillow body 1 expand and form a three-dimensional inner upper surface and a lower flat smooth curved surface, not in the air chambers 10 projects. The sealed peripheral edge of the pillow body 1 may have a geometric shape. The hollow space surrounded by the sealed peripheral edge has a projected area smaller than the upper area of the cushion body 1 , The pillow body 1 has a curved shape that occupies a three-dimensional space, and it can be adjusted to retract inward or have swollen arched cushions.

A second preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention, as in 7 and 8th illustrates includes a pillow body 1 a plurality of air chambers as the first preferred embodiment, wherein one or more retracted elongated grooves 12 are provided in a lower surface to form a three-dimensional surface with recesses, and the upper surface has a flat and smooth shape with a curvature.

A third preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention, as in 9 shown is almost as shaped as the second preferred embodiment, but with one or more elongated grooves 12 is formed on both the upper surface and on the lower surface or be.

A fourth preferred embodiment ei An air cushion of the present invention, as in 10 and 11 shown includes a pillow body 1 which is shaped to support the bottom of a foot, and which has elongated grooves 12 has, in either an upper surface or a lower surface (see 8th ) or in both the upper and lower surfaces, as shown 9 evident. Since this air cushion for the foot bottom is to be fixed in an intermediate portion of a sneaker, the two opposite sides are curved upward at a predetermined angle, unlike the three-dimensional inwardly curved or swollen air cushion described above. The special features of this air cushion are that the inner surface area is smaller than the outer surface area and that any elongated groove 12 every air chamber 10 has two ends with a protruding line which extends almost vertical to the protruding raised surface of the groove.

A fifth preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention, as in 12 and 13 includes an air cushion for use in the toe area at the bottom of the foot.

A sixth preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention, as in 14 shown includes an outer layer 2 made of a different material than the pillow body 1 exists and on the pillow body 1 the first preferred embodiment is applied, but can also be adapted to other air cushion.

A seventh preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention, as in 15 illustrates includes an outer layer 2 made of a different material than the pillow body 1 and on the cushion body of the third preferred embodiment 9 is applied.

The air chambers 10 in a pillow body 1 The various preferred embodiments may be filled with a gas or a liquid, since the air cushion 1 itself is a hollow sealed body. In addition, a one-way valve for air and a pumping device on the airbag body 1 be attached to fill its interior with the required pressure with a gas or a liquid.

An eighth, ninth and tenth preferred embodiment of an airbag of the present invention, as in 17 - 19 shown comprise a fluid inlet 15 including a valve 13 (please refer 17 ) or two valves 13 (please refer 18 ), located on opposite sides of a pumping device 14 are located.

16 shows the three air cushions from the 4 . 10 and 12 , which are adapted for use in a sneaker. The air cushions can be used with or without an applied outer layer, with details varying widely. In addition, it is possible to install recessed grooves in an upper surface and / or a lower surface independently of each other or to connect them together.

With a view to 3 the air chambers expand 10 of the air cushion 1 to two upturned, opposite sides, wherein the air bag has a curved surface that contacts an object protected by it, and wherein the shock absorbing distribution surface is increased to produce a minimum movement of the impact energy and a relatively large compressible region, thereby providing the maximum shock absorbing Effect is produced. If the air cushion 1 receives a downward stroke, the pressure of the shock is distributed to the two higher sides, so that the two opposite higher sides receive a greater pressure to create a clamping effect against the object or the shock source. Then the object, eg a foot, is moved to the center of the air cushion. In other words, the air cushion is able to automatically clamp the object or the shock source in the direction of its center and thus achieve the greatest stability. When the impact subsides, the pressure distributed on the two sides moves back to the point of impact, generating a recoil force, thus giving the airbag an excellent shock-absorbing function.

Claims (15)

Three-dimensional air cushion ( 1 ), characterized by a plurality of interconnected sealed air chambers ( 10 ), each having a fixed peripheral edge, wherein the plurality of interconnected air chambers ( 10 ) together define a central air chamber section, two opposite side edges, a front edge and a rear edge, wherein the plurality of interconnected air chambers ( 10 ) extends upwardly from the central air chamber portion and completely along a longitudinal axis of the plurality of interconnected air chambers and completely along at least one edge and including the two opposite side edges. A three-dimensional airbag according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of air chambers ( 10 ) extends from the central portion at the front edge or at the rear edge upwards. A three-dimensional airbag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of air chambers ( 10 ) a one-way valve ( 13 ) to communicate with the outdoors. A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a top surface having at least one retracted elongate groove (Fig. 12 ) and a lower surface is flat and smooth. A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower surface having at least one retracted elongated groove (Fig. 12 ), and a top surface is flat and smooth. A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper surface and a lower surface having at least one retracted elongate groove (Fig. 12 ) are provided. A three-dimensional airbag according to claim 6, wherein the elongate recessed grooves ( 12 ) provided in the upper surface and the lower surface are connected to each other. Three-dimensional air cushion according to one of the preceding Claims, wherein the air cushion is a component in a shoe, a sneaker, a Protective padding or a helmet is to provide a buffer and a shock absorbing To offer effect. A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an inlet ( 15 ) for filling fluid. A three-dimensional airbag according to claim 9, further comprising a valve device ( 13 ). A three-dimensional airbag according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a pumping device ( 14 ). A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the air chamber ( 10 ) is filled with a liquid fluid. A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the air chamber ( 10 ) is filled with a semi-liquid fluid. A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the air chamber ( 10 ) is filled with foam material. A three-dimensional airbag according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the air chamber ( 10 ) is filled with a gas other than air.