Abstract:
The claimed invention relates to a sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure comprises a heel region, a forefoot region including a toe portion, a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region, and a bladder including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first chamber. The first chamber includes a first medial reservoir, a first lateral reservoir, and a central reservoir, the central reservoir being disposed between the first medial reservoir and the first lateral reservoir.
Abstract:
A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having four stacked polymeric sheets bonded to one another at a peripheral flange and defining a first cushioning layer having a first sealed chamber, a second cushioning layer having a second sealed chamber, and a third cushioning layer having a third sealed chamber, each sealed chamber retaining gas in isolation from each other sealed chamber. Bonds between adjacent ones of the four stacked polymeric sheets are arranged such that the third cushioning layer is stacked above the first cushioning layer with the second cushioning layer bordering both the first cushioning layer and the third cushioning layer, and the second sealed chamber of the second cushioning layer bordering the peripheral flange. The peripheral flange extends along and establishes a periphery of the midsole at both a medial side of the midsole and a lateral side of the midsole from a forefoot region of the midsole to a heel region of the midsole. The second sealed chamber borders the peripheral flange along the medial side and along the lateral side. The first cushioning layer has a first stiffness, the second cushioning layer has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness, and the third cushioning layer has a third stiffness less than the second stiffness.
Abstract:
The present application relates to a bladder element comprising a first polymeric sheet, a second polymeric sheet and a third polymeric sheet; wherein at least one of the first polymeric sheet, the second polymeric sheet, and the third polymeric sheet is formed with a contoured surface profile; the first polymeric sheet, the second polymeric sheet, and the third polymeric sheet are stacked so that the second polymeric sheet is between the first polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet; a first surface of the second polymeric sheet is in contact with an inner surface of the first polymeric sheet, or a second surface of the second polymeric sheet is in contact with an inner surface of the third polymeric sheet, or the first surface of the second polymeric sheet is in contact with an inner surface of the first polymeric sheet, and the second surface of the second polymeric sheet is in contact with the inner surface of the third polymeric sheet, wherein pressurized fluid is between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet; or between the second polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet; or between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet and between the second polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet.
Abstract:
Foot support members, e.g., sole structures for articles of footwear, include dynamically transformable portions, e.g., to change a dimension and/or apply a tensile or compressive force to some portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot support members may include a flexible support member having a wave shaped portion that flexes under an applied force. Flexing of this wave shaped portion under weight of a wearer produces: (a) a change in at least one of a longitudinal or transverse dimension of the foot support member, (b) application of a compressive or tensile force to the plantar support component and/or another part of the foot support member, article of footwear, or other foot-receiving device, (c) flattening of the wave shaped portion, and/or (d) compressing the wave shaped portion together (e.g., to fold up, decrease in overall height, etc.).
Abstract:
An article comprises a cushioning assembly that comprises a first bladder element forming a first fluid chamber. The cushioning assembly further comprises a second bladder element within the first bladder element. The second bladder element forms a second fluid chamber sealed from and within the first fluid chamber. At least one reinforcement element is operatively connected to and in contact with at least one of the first bladder element and the second bladder element. The at least one reinforcement element is configured to reinforce the cushioning assembly under a load applied to the first bladder element. A method of manufacturing an article with the cushioning assembly is provided.
Abstract:
A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom and a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. The first base has a first portion with integral tread elements. The second base is secured to a second portion of the first base free of tread elements. A method of manufacturing includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.
Abstract:
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 fluid-filled segment extending continuously from a medial edge of the sole structure to a lateral edge of the sole structure within the forefoot region, a second fluid-filled segment extending continuously from the medial edge of the sole structure to the lateral edge of the sole structure within the forefoot region, and a third fluid-filled segment extending along the other of the medial edge and the lateral edge of the sole structure and extending between and fluidly coupling the first fluid-filled segment and the second fluid-filled segment. The first fluid-filled segment is spaced apart and separated from the second fluid-filled segment to define an opening at one of the medial edge and the lateral edge of the sole structure.