Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100132221 | Article of Footwear or Other Foot-Receiving Device Having a Fluid-Filled Bladder with Support and Reinforcing Structures - Impact-attenuating elements, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving device products, may include: (a) a base member, such as a fluid-tight and/or other fluid-filled or fluid-containing enclosure element; (b) a support element integrally and contiguously formed in a surface of the base member; and/or (c) a spring device engaged with the support element. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) may include a non-planar surface (e.g., substantially parabolic shaped, cylindrically shaped, etc.) that extends in a direction into the base member and toward its opposite surface. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) also may include reinforcing structure(s), such as raised ribs extending along a surface of the support element and/or spring device. | 06-03-2010 |
20100170109 | Footwear With A Sole Structure Incorporating A Lobed Fluid-Filled Chamber - A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure. | 07-08-2010 |
20100192409 | Interlocking Fluid-Filled Chambers For An Article Of Footwear - An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a first chamber and a second chamber that each enclose a fluid. The first chamber and the second chamber both define a plurality of projections and depressions. At least a portion of the projections of the first chamber are located within the depressions of the second chamber, and at least a portion of the projections of the second chamber are located within the depressions of the first chamber. In some configurations, each of the first chamber and the second chamber may form portions of upper and lower surfaces of a pneumatic component. In addition, colors of the first chamber and the second chamber may be selected such that the colors combine at an interface of the first chamber and the second chamber. | 08-05-2010 |
20120102782 | Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Stacked Tensile Member - A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102783 | Strand-Wound Bladder - An article of footwear or another product may incorporate a pressure chamber that includes (a) a bladder at least partially formed from a polymer material that is sealed to enclose a pressurized fluid and (b) a strand wound around the bladder and secured to the bladder. In manufacturing the pressure chamber, a bladder with an elongate configuration may be formed. A strand is wound around the bladder, and the strand is secured to the bladder. When incorporated to a sole structure of the article of footwear, for example, a portion of the bladder that includes the strands may be exposed at an outer surface of the sole structure. | 05-03-2012 |
20120255196 | Adjustable Bladder System for an Article of Footwear - An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed internally to the outer bladder to provide enhanced support. A valve member may also be disposed internally to the outer bladder. The valve member can include a contoured edge to provide a contoured shape for the outer bladder. | 10-11-2012 |
20120255197 | Adjustable Bladder System With External Valve For An Article Of Footwear - An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member may be disposed externally to the outer bladder. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed within the outer bladder to control deformation of the outer bladder during compression. | 10-11-2012 |
20130340280 | FOAM FOR FOOTWEAR MIDSOLE AND THE LIKE - Embodiments herein provide high performance foam formulations and processing methods that address issues with traditional ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foams. In various embodiments, when used in midsoles, the high performance foam formulations may provide superior impact energy absorption per given load during compression, improved energy recovery during expansion, and reduced compression set over repeated impact cycles. In various embodiments, the high performance foam formulations may include a mixture of no more than about 75 PHR EVA foam and at least 15 PHR polyolefin foam. | 12-26-2013 |
20150026997 | Adjustable Bladder System For An Article Of Footwear - An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed internally to the outer bladder to provide enhanced support. A valve member may also be disposed internally to the outer bladder. The valve member can include a contoured edge to provide a contoured shape for the outer bladder. | 01-29-2015 |