Nike, Inc.

Nike Innovate C.v.

Matthew W Thornton

Erick Ikeda

Timothy P Hopkins

Jessica Small

Fidencio Campos, Ii

Thomas J Rushbrook

David Nickless

Roger Paul Murphy

Shoe

An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.

Article of footwear including a sole structure

A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.

Method of manufacturing fluid-filled chambers

Shoe upper

Growing community of inventors

Beaverton, OR, United States of America

Matthew W Thornton