Abstract:
Embodiments herein provide adhering "upperless" footwear. Such footwear is provided with adhesive or another surface element to secure the footwear to a wearer's foot during use. The adhesive may be formulated to allow the footwear to be secured to the wearer's foot in a removable and repeatable fashion.
Abstract:
The present embodiments relate generally to an article of footwear, and in particular to an article of footwear with a bladder system. Articles with bladders have been previously proposed. Some designs include a cushioning member that surrounds a reservoir. Other designs include a buffer air cushion that has an outer air cushion and an inner air cushion.
Abstract:
An adjustable bladder system (200) for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder (202) that may be inflated using an external pump. In addition, one or more tensile members (204, 206) may be disposed internally to the outer bladder to provide enhanced support. A valve member (250) may also be disposed internally to the outer bladder. The valve member can include a contoured edge (261) to provide a contoured shape for the outer bladder.
Abstract:
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes a fluid-filled chamber with one or more flexion zones. The flexion zones may be areas of the chamber where a tensile element, for example, is absent, or the flexion zones may be areas of the chamber where opposite surfaces of the chamber are bonded together. The footwear may also include a sole structure with a flexion zone, and the flexion zone of the chamber may be aligned with the flexion zone of the sole structure.
Abstract:
A fluid-filled bladder (30) with a reinforcing structure (40) and a method of manufacturing the bladder and reinforcing structure are disclosed. In general, the reinforcing structure extends around the bladder, and the reinforcing structure is bonded to an exterior of the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure is recessed into the bladder and extends along side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
Abstract:
A cushioning component (40) for an article of footwear (10) is disclosed that includes a fluid-filled chamber (50) and a covering element (60) extending over a portion of the chamber. The chamber is devoid of internal connections, and the fluid within the chamber may be at a pressure that is substantially equal to an ambient pressure. The chamber defines a plurality of lobes (56a-56f), and the cushioning element includes a plurality of inserts (63) that extend between the lobes. The inserts are elongate structures that decrease the compressibility of peripheral portions of the cushioning component.
Abstract:
Embodiments herein relate generally to the field of footwear, and more particularly to components of performance footwear, such as midsoles, and in particular related to high-stability, multi-density midsoles. In some embodiments, the midsoles disclosed herein may protect a user from over-pronation and/or over- supination of the foot. Embodiments of the high stability midsoles disclosed herein may include a cushioning element and a mid-foot element. In various embodiments, the mid-foot element may be configured to mate with the cushioning element in the mid-foot portion, and may include at least one posterior tail configured to align with a medial or lateral edge of the heel portion of the cushioning element. Alternatively, the midsole may have integrated cushioning regions with different response property regions.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A sole component for footwear combining the desirable response characteristics of a fluid filled chamber and an elastomeric material is disclosed. The chamber can be formed as a single bladder chamber in contact with an elastomeric midsole or as a single chamber by a sealing a void in elastomeric material. Alternately, an insert having the shape of the bladder, and potentially formed from foam, may be positioned within the chamber. The interface between the chamber and elastomeric material is sloped and gradual so that the shape of the chamber and its placement in a midsole determine the combination of response characteristics in the sole component. The chamber has a relatively simple shape with one axis of symmetry with a rounded portion and a narrow portion.