An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component; and (b) an inner perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an inner perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein an open space is defined between a lateral side portion of the inner perimeter boundary rim and a medial side portion of the inner perimeter boundary rim.

A sole structure contains: a body and at least one external layer. The body is formed in a foam molding manner and corresponds to human foot, and the body includes multiple three-dimensional ribs and at least one three-dimensional pattern portion. Each of the at least one external layer includes a protective part arranged on an outer wall thereof, and each external layer includes a connection part arranged on an inner wall thereof. The connection part is heated to melt and to adhere with an inner wall of the body, and the at least one external layer is fixed on the body and is heated and vacuumed so as to matingly adhere with the multiple three-dimensional ribs and the at least one three-dimensional pattern portion.

A method for manufacturing a massaging shoe comprises: during the manufacture, preparing a shoe sole (10) firstly, wherein the shoe sole (10) includes a shoe sole body (11) having a containing cavity and a top board (12) arranged on the shoe sole body (11), and a controlling element assembly (60) is arranged in the containing cavity; preparing a shoe vamp (20), wherein an inner side of the shoe vamp (20) is provided with an interlayer; preparing a first massaging air bag (30), a second massaging air bag (40), and a third massaging air bag (50); securing the shoe vamp (20) onto the shoe sole (10) to form a sole body, arranging the second massaging air bag (40) on the top board (12) in the shoe body, arranging the first massaging air bag (30) and the third massaging air bag (50) in the interlayer of the shoe vamp (20), and communicating the three massaging air bags with the controlling element assembly (60). In the method of the present invention, when assembly the shoe vamp (20) and the shoe sole (10), since there is no massaging air bag in the shoe vamp (20), the assembly between the shoe vamp (20) and the shoe sole (10) is more convenient and easier, such that the manufacturing process of the massaging shoe is simplified, and the massaging air bag is prevented from being damaged, thereby improving the yield rate; moreover, both assembly and disassembly of the massaging air bag are convenient, and it is also convenient to clean and repair the massaging shoe.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component; (b) an inner perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an inner perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein a first open space is defined between the outer perimeter boundary rim and the inner perimeter boundary rim, and wherein a second open space is defined between a lateral side portion of the inner perimeter boundary rim and a medial side portion of the inner perimeter boundary rim; and (c) a support structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim to the inner perimeter boundary rim and across the first open space.