Shoe or boot provided with tank chambers

[54] SHOE OR BOOT PROVIDED WITH TANK CHAMBERS

[75] Inventors: Ken Sasaki, Higashiyamato; Yoshio Ono, Ome; Etsuro Nakajima, Akishima; Masayoshi Okuyama,

Higashiyamato, all of Japan

[73] Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

[21] Appl. No.: 741,753

[22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1991

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data

Aug. 20, 1990 [JP] Japan 2-217097

Aug. 23, 1990 [JP] Japan 2-219975

Oct. 29, 1990 [JP] Japan 2-291525

[51] Int. CI.5 G01L7/00

[52] U.S. CI 73/714; 36/132;

73/172; 73/756

[58] Field of Search 73/172, 862.58, 178 R,

73/379, 714, 756, 715, 706; 128/DIG. 12, 779; 606/192; 604/141, 151; 36/132, 114, 29

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

2,558,805 7/1951 Yaglou 73/172

3,355.942 12/1967 Freeman 73/178 R

4.571,680 2/1986 Wu 364/410

4,578.769 3/1986 Frederick 364/565

4,649.552 3/1987 Yukawa 377/24

4.651.446 3/1987 Yukawa et al 36/132

5.107,854 4/1992 Knotts et al 73/172

A footwear of the present invention is provided with tank chambers which are disposed to be in contact with an instep, sole and ankle of the user for applying pressure thereto to protect his foot from shocks. The tank chambers are filled with air and air pressure within the tank chambers can be adjusted. The footwear is further provided with a pressure sensor for measuring air pressure within the tank chambers to generate a pressure signal, and a pressure data displaying device for indicating pressure data on the basis of the pressure signal generated by the pressure sensor. Therefore, the user can make sure on the pressure data display device a pressure level at which the most suitable pressure for his foot is obtained. The user is also allowed to extremely easily adjust the air pressure at the above pressure level, watching an indication on the pressure data display device.

45 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets