Foot support systems include a first foot support bladder, a fluid tank, and a fluid distributor. The fluid distributor's body may have: (a) first and second solenoid mounts, (b) a main fluid distribution channel in fluid communication with the first and second solenoid mounts, (c) a tank channel in fluid communication with the first solenoid mount, (d) a first foot support bladder channel in fluid communication with the second solenoid mount, (e) a first foot support connector connecting the first foot support bladder with the first foot support bladder channel, and (f) a tank connector connecting the fluid tank with the tank channel. First and second solenoids are engaged with the fluid distributor at the first and second solenoid mounts, respectively. In some examples, the fluid distributor may include a third solenoid mount and a second foot support connector for use with a second foot support bladder.

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.

An electronically controlled bladder assembly includes an adjustable pressure bladder and a reservoir connected by an electronically controlled valve. The electronically controlled valve is operated in a manner that inflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is below a target pressure and in a manner that deflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is above the target pressure. The inflation and deflation of the adjustable bladder are achieved in an iterative manner by controlling the flow of fluid between the constant pressure reservoir and the adjustable bladder over several cycles of heel strikes.

A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.

Bladder systems for footwear include: two inflation chambers; a valve body defining: (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore, (c) a second fluid passage extending between the bore and one inflation chamber, and (d) a third fluid passage extending between the bore and another inflation chamber; and a valve in the bore. The valve includes two orifices connected by a passage and rotates in the bore between two positions. In one position, a first orifice (of the “orifices”) is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and a second orifice is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage to allow fluid flow to one inflation chamber. In another position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage to allow fluid flow to the other inflation chamber.

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.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder system with a first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber retaining fluid, and a second bladder overlying and bonded to the first bladder and enclosing a second sealed chamber isolated from the first sealed chamber and retaining fluid. The first bladder establishes a ground-facing surface and the second bladder establishes a foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first bladder includes first domed pods extending at the ground-facing surface and at an upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pods. The second bladder includes second domed pods and annular ring pods, the second domed pods and the annular ring pods extending at the lower surface of the second bladder and at the foot-facing surface, the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pods and the annular ring pods.

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.

A sole for footwear or a removable sole insert for footwear including a heel area, a forefoot area, and a midfoot area located between the heel and forefoot areas of the sole or the removable sole insert. The sole or removable sole insert include a concavely rounded upper and lower surfaces of the sole or removable sole inserts, a first flexibility groove located in a lateral side of the midfoot area of the sole or removable sole insert, and a second flexibility groove located in a medial side of the midfoot area of the sole or the removable sole insert. The concavely founded lower surface of the sole or the removable sole insert may extend to the sidemost extend of the lateral and medial sides of the sole or the removable sole insert except at a location of the second flexibility groove.

An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The chamber includes subchambers laterally extending in a medial to lateral direction of the bladder. A bottom surface of the chamber may include at least one bond that laterally extends across the bottom surface of the chamber from one side edge to another side edge of the chamber in the medial to lateral direction. The bond may cooperate with an indentation in the bottom surface that separates one subchamber from an adjacent subchamber. A diameter of the subchambers may decrease in a direction from a heel region of the bladder to a forefoot region of the chamber.