Nike, Inc.

Elizabeth Langvin

Lee D Peyton

David Patrick Jones

James Molyneux

James C Meschter

Tory Michael Cross

Ty A Ransom

Nicola Jane Reynolds

Zachary M Elder

Wesley K Chan

Kevin W Hoffer

Olivier Henrichot

Bryan N Farris

Timothy P Hopkins

Bruce J Kilgore

Tetsuya T Minami

Fidencio Campos, Ii

Bryant Russell Klug

Patrick B Kirschner

John F Swigart

Levi J Patton

Timothy K Liles

N Scot Hull

Amy E Gishifu

Aaron B Weast

Nathan G Schultze

Haley L Toelle

Zvi Rapaport

Philip Woodman

Adrian Meir

Austin J Orand

Cassidy R Levy

Paul Hooper

Adam Vollmer

Devin Bailly

Jeff Rasmussen

Narissa Y Chang

Nadia M Panian

Rory S Blanche

Kaigin Olafson

Remy Pieron

Tobie D Hatfield

Jeremy L Connell

Damon Clegg

Krissy Yetman

Kenneth Todd Craig

Robert Mervar

Randall S Wolfe

Helene Hutchinson

Donald R Reardon

Piero Fenato

Sooman Park

Christopher L Favela

Michael A Aveni

Thomas J Rushbrook

Matthew C Palmer

Marni L Gerber

Aaron K Seid

Hector R Quinonez

Kevin J Rucier

Lyle R Hanson

Brian Stewart

MiYoung Ma

YeonGon Kim

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a bladder including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first chamber bounding a periphery of the heel region, and a second chamber extending from the mid-foot region through the forefoot region and including a plurality of segments extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. Each of the segments of the second chamber includes a medial reservoir adjacent to the medial side and a lateral reservoir adjacent to the lateral side, the medial reservoir fluidly coupled to the lateral reservoir via a first conduit.

Sole structure for article of footwear

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder and at least one foam insert. The bladder includes an upper surface having a first portion defining a chamber and a second portion defining at least one recess adjacent to the chamber. The at least one foam insert is disposed within the at least one recess and has a top surface that is substantially flush with the first portion of the upper surface of the bladder. The first portion of the upper surface is exposed to the at least one foam insert.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure that has a front midsole component and a rear midsole component. A hinge connects the front midsole component to the rear midsole component and is disposed in a groove defined between the front and rear midsole components at a lower. The front midsole component and the rear midsole component are pivotable relative to one another at the groove between a use position and an access position, with the groove relatively open in the use position, and the groove relatively closed in the access position.

Footwear with jointed sole structure for ease of access

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.

Article of footwear with an adaptive fluid system

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending between a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, a second segment extending between the medial side of the sole structure and the lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment, the first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Sole structures, fluid transfer systems, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices include one or more pumps (e.g., foot activated pumps) that facilitate movement of fluid within the sole structure/article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure (e.g., foot support pressure) in one or more fluid filled bladders included in the overall system.

Foot support systems including fluid filled bladders with movement of fluid between bladders

Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.

Foot support systems including fluid movement controllers and adjustable foot support pressure

An adjustable multiple 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 is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.

Adjustable mutli-bladder system for an article of footwear

A fluid-filled chamber includes first subchamber having a substantially U-shape. The fluid-filled chamber also includes a second subchamber having a substantially U-shape and being spaced apart from the first subchamber in a direction extending along a longitudinal axis of the fluid-filled chamber.

Airbag for article of footwear

An article of footwear includes a sole structure that has a front midsole component and a rear midsole component. A connecting member connects the front midsole component to the rear midsole component. The connecting member defines a groove at a lower side of the sole structure between the front midsole component and the rear midsole component. The front midsole component and the rear midsole component are pivotable relative to one another at the groove between a use position and an access position. Confronting surfaces of the connecting member at the groove are closer to one another in the access position than in the use position so that the groove is relatively open in the use position, and the groove is relatively closed in the access position.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending from the medial side in the forefoot region to a lateral side in the heel region and along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system.

Adjustable foot support systems including fluid-filled bladder chambers

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Sherwood, OR, United States of America

Elizabeth Langvin