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Pneumatic Shoe Soles

Shoes that aid walking and correct walking defects
 
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I haven't done extensive research to see if this is already available in the market. My idea is to create a shoe sole that has an air pocket under the heel and extends along the outer edge of the shoe all the way under the front portion. This air pocket will have the shape of bare footprint (does not include the arch in the middle foot). Underneath the arch there will be a one-way air duct connecting the forefoot and heel portion of the air packet. When you walk, the heel makes the contact first, and then the air under the heel moves through the portion underneath the non-arch portion of the packet and then returns via the one-way duct to the heel as you complete your step. You get a push to lift the heel as you complete the step. You can control this activity by controlling the flow through the one-way duct.
concept, Jun 11 2003

Inflatable sole lining for shoes and boots http://164.195.100....&Query=PN%2F6014823
Just one of several... [ldischler, Oct 04 2004]

Dr. Marten's http://www.drmartens.com/
I had a pair of their boots for 10 years. [saker, Oct 04 2004]

Aircast http://www.buyairca...ker-diabetic-system
Inflata-boot [oneoffdave, Oct 04 2004]

[link]






       Surely this is baked. I bought something like this years ago. It went poof poof poof. Between poofs you would sink down. I didn't like the effect, and threw them away.
pluterday, Jun 11 2003
  

       Sounds wobbly, walking on a surface that's always moving beneath your feet.
phoenix, Jun 11 2003
  

       Shoe manufacturers have made pneumatic soles with air pockets since I was a kid (as a Stanley knife (box-cutter) and an old pair of shoes revealed at the time). I don't recall it helping any with walking defects. Then again, I'm not exactly sure which walking defects you have in mind.
DrCurry, Jun 11 2003
  

       Dr. Marten's are air cushioned. [link]
saker, Jun 12 2003
  

       There are boots designed for people with necrotic ulcers that use inflatable bladders to spread the weight of the user ove the whole lower leg and foot rather than concentrating it on areas like the heel and ball of the foot [link]
oneoffdave, Jun 13 2003
  

       Very baked, and has been for decades in many brands of running shoes. I have a pair that work exactly as you describe. Comfortable, though there is no 'push to lift the heel' as you describe. To my knowledge, they do not 'correct walking defects' either. What's a walking defect?
waugsqueke, Jun 13 2003
  

       You can get orthotic insoles that correct 'defects' such as Calcaneovalgus and Metatarsus adductus and 'fallen' arches, but I suspect that an inflatable shoe/insole will not be able to be rigid enough to provide the correction.
oneoffdave, Jun 13 2003
  

       <Alexei Sayle>
"It's not class or ideology
Colour, creed, or roots
The only thing that unites us
Is Dr Marten's boots

Dr Marten's boots of the world
So that everybody can be free
They're classless, matchless, ageless and waterproof
And retail for only 19 pounds and 99p

What should everyone be wearing?
Those boots with the air-flow soles
And your boots will have a meeting
And your boots will take control

Thanks to Dr Marten everyone will have warm feet
Thanks to Dr Marten they'll be dancing in the street
No... don't you want me?
Okay, boots - do your stuff!

Dr Marten's, Dr Marten's, Dr Marten's boots!
Dr Marten's, Dr Marten's, Dr Marten's boots!
Dr Marten's, Dr Marten's, Dr Marten's boots!"
</Alexie Sayle>

Sorry! Just been to the pub.
DrBob, Jun 13 2003
  
      
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