Michael D French

US Patent:

58062084, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

Dec 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/763482

Inventors:

Michael J. French - West Jordan UT

International Classification:

A43B 1318

US Classification:

36 28

Abstract:

A shoe providing a massaging effect for a wearer of the shoe includes a sole bladder containing a fluid which can flow within the bladder as a wearer shifts weight in the shoe and at least one flow passage extending from the bladder into a shoe upper adjacent a portion of a wearer's foot and arranged in conjunction with the bladder so that fluid from the bladder will flow through the passage upon at least a particular weight transfer on the bladder. Preferably a flow passage is provided around the heel portion of the shoe and also at locations forwardly of the heel portion of the shoe. The fluid in the bladder is replaceable so that a cooling fluid or a warming fluid can be placed in the bladder. The bladder can also contain recessed portions positioned to relieve pressure on particular areas of a wearer's foot.