A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

A bladder for an article of footwear includes a chamber having (i) an arcuate segment extending from a first transition to a second transition, (ii) a first plurality of elongate segments extending in a first direction from the first transition to a first terminal end, and (iii) a second plurality of elongate segments spaced apart from the first plurality of elongate segments and extending in the first direction from the second transition to a second terminal end. The bladder also includes a web area connecting the arcuate segment, the first plurality of elongate segments, and the second plurality of elongate segments and extending to a terminal edge spaced apart from each of the first terminal end and the second terminal end.

A footwear with a fluid which flows through integral chambers and passageways within the sole in which additional traction elements may be selectively and forcedly deployed and retracted. Valves on the footwear in combination with a control system, control the flow of the fluid allowing the user to choose between a range of traction deployment options to suit the needs of the user.

A chamber may include a first barrier portion, a second barrier portion, a peripheral bond, an interior bond, and a fold. The first barrier portion defines a first surface of the chamber. The second barrier portion defines a second surface of the chamber, the first surface being opposite the second surface. The peripheral bond joins the first barrier portion and the second barrier portion to form an interior void within the chamber and seal a fluid within the interior void. The interior bond is spaced inward from the peripheral bond and joins the first barrier portion and the second barrier portion. Additionally, the fold is in the second barrier portion and extends away from the interior bond and through a majority of a thickness of the chamber.

The present disclosure is directed to articles that include one or more coated fiber(s) (i.e., fiber(s) with a cured coating disposed thereon), where the coating includes a matrix of crosslinked polymers and optionally a colorant (e.g., pigment particles or dye or both). The cured coating is a product of crosslinking a coating composition including uncrosslinked polymers (e.g., a dispersion of uncrosslinked polymers in a carrier, wherein the uncrosslinked polymers are crosslinked to form the matrix of crosslinked polymers). The present disclosure is also directed to articles including the coated fibers, methods of forming the coated fibers and articles, and methods of making articles including the coated fibers.

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.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an outsole defining a ground-contacting surface, a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a plate attached to the midsole and defining a recess extending in a direction away from the outsole and toward the upper, the recess including a first retainer. The sole structure further includes a first cushion having a first portion received within the recess, the first portion engaging the first retainer to maintain a desired position of the first cushion relative to the plate.

A fluid-filled chamber is provided and includes a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer, a foam structure, and a tensile member. The second barrier layer is secured to the first barrier layer to define an interior void between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer. The interior void contains a predetermined volume of fluid. The foam structure and the tensile member are disposed within the interior void, whereby the tensile member includes a plurality of fibers extending in a first direction between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer.