Footwear with deployable and retractable tractive features

Abstract

A footwear with a fluid which flows through integral chambers and passageways within the sole in which additional traction elements may be selectively and forcedly deployed and retracted. Valves on the footwear in combination with a control system, control the flow of the fluid allowing the user to choose between a range of traction deployment options to suit the needs of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A footwear with deployable and retractable tractive features, comprising:
 a midsole having a first main pocket formed therein and a first plurality of slave pockets formed therein;   an outsole having a second main pocket formed therein and a second plurality of slave pockets formed therein, wherein the first and second main pockets cooperate to form a master chamber between the midsole and outsole, and wherein the first and second plurality of slave pockets cooperate to form slave chambers, wherein the master chamber and the slave chambers are fluidly connected by way of a fluid transfer passageway having a fluid therein;   a valve at least partially disposed within the fluid transfer passageway to control the flow of the fluid; and   a plurality of elastomeric bodies at least partially disposed within said outsole and positioned substantially at said slave chambers such that said fluid flows into and out of said slave chambers shifting said elastomeric bodies relative to said outsole.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear of  claim 1  further comprising a member at least partially disposed in each of said plurality of elastomeric bodies. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein said fluid is an incompressible fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear of  claim 1  further comprising a control system disposed onto said valve, actuating said valve. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear of  claim 4  wherein said control system is configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote device. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear of  claim 4  wherein said control system is configured with a sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of said master chambers. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear of  claim 7  wherein each of said plurality of master chambers is fluidly connected to exclusive said slave chambers. 
     
     
         9 . A footwear with deployable and retractable tractive features, comprising:
 a midsole;   an upper membrane having a first main pocket formed therein and a first plurality of slave pockets formed therein;   a lower membrane having a second main pocket formed therein and a second plurality of slave pockets formed therein, wherein the first and second main pockets cooperate to form a master chamber between the upper and lower membranes, and wherein the first and second plurality of slave pockets cooperate to form slave chambers, wherein the master chamber and the slave chambers are fluidly connected by way of a fluid transfer passageway having a fluid therein;   a valve at least partially disposed within the fluid transfer passageway to control the flow of the fluid;   an outsole coupled to said midsole such that the upper and lower membranes are at least partially disposed therein;   a plurality of elastomeric bodies at least partially disposed within said outsole and positioned substantially at said slave chambers such that said fluid flows into and out of said slave chambers shifting said elastomeric bodies relative to said outsole.   
     
     
         10 . The footwear of  claim 9  further comprising a member at least partially disposed in each of said plurality of elastomeric bodies. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear of  claim 9  wherein said fluid is an incompressible fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear of  claim 9  further comprising a control system disposed onto said valve, actuating said valve. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear of  claim 12  wherein said control system is configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote device. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear of  claim 12  wherein said control system is configured with a sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear of  claim 9  wherein there is a plurality of said master chambers. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear of  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of master chambers is fluidly connected to exclusive said slave chambers.