A43B21/265

Fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element
11596202 · 2023-03-07 · ·

A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile element. The outer barrier may have a first portion, an opposite second portion, and an interior surface defining an interior void. The tensile element may be secured to the first portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of first bond areas and may be secured to the second portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of second bond areas. Each of the bond areas may be connected to portions of the tensile element spaced from the interior surface.

Post production laser modification of an article of footwear
11633012 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A sole assembly for an article of footwear includes a midsole that is formed from at least a bladder and foam midsole component. The midsole has a ground facing surface and a sidewall, and the bladder meets the foam midsole at a component boundary on the sidewall. An etching extends into both the foam midsole and the bladder. The etched channel has a depth into the sidewall of between about 2 μm and about 1000 μm and continuously extends across the component boundary.

FLUID-FILLED CHAMBER WITH A TENSILE ELEMENT
20230200492 · 2023-06-29 · ·

A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile element. The outer barrier may have a first portion, an opposite second portion, and an interior surface defining an interior void. The tensile element may be secured to the first portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of first bond areas and may be secured to the second portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of second bond areas. Each of the bond areas may be connected to portions of the tensile element spaced from the interior surface.

POST PRODUCTION LASER MODIFICATION OF AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
20210368924 · 2021-12-02 · ·

A sole assembly for an article of footwear includes a midsole that is formed from at least a bladder and foam midsole component. The midsole has a ground facing surface and a sidewall, and the bladder meets the foam midsole at a component boundary on the sidewall. An etching extends into both the foam midsole and the bladder. The etched channel has a depth into the sidewall of between about 2 μm and about 1000 μm and continuously extends across the component boundary.

CUSHIONING ELEMENT FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
20220132983 · 2022-05-05 · ·

A cushioning element for an article of footwear includes a bladder having a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer joined together along a seam to define a chamber and a support element disposed within the chamber and having a support member and a plurality of flexible support legs each extending from a first end attached to the support member to a second end disposed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer within the seam.

Footwear cushion with internal conformal electronics

An article of footwear can comprise: an upper, and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate, inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.

SOLE STRUCTURE OF AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
20200305549 · 2020-10-01 · ·

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole and a fluid-filled chamber. The midsole includes a plurality of projections. At least one of the plurality of projections forms a first portion of a peripheral side wall of the sole structure. The fluid-filled chamber includes a central portion, a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central portion, and a plurality of channels formed between the plurality of lobes. A first lobe of the plurality of lobes is disposed between at least two of the plurality of projections such that the first lobe forms a second portion of the peripheral side wall of the sole structure.

FOOTWEAR CUSHION WITH INTERNAL CONFORMAL ELECTRONICS
20200268093 · 2020-08-27 ·

An article of footwear can comprise: an upper, and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate, inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.

Footwear cushion with internal conformal electronics

An article of footwear can comprise: an upper; and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate; inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.

ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR INCLUDING A SOLE STRUCTURE

A sole structure for an article of footwear having a first support element, the first support element including a first set of recesses; a second support element, the second support element including a second set of recesses, and wherein the second support element includes an opening extending therethrough; a coupling portion, the coupling portion including a third set of recesses, and wherein the coupling portion is disposed within the opening of the second support element; a cushioning element disposed between the first support element and the second support element, the cushioning element including a plurality of tubes, wherein the first set of recesses, the second set of recesses, and the third set of recesses form a continuous receiving area, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the continuous receiving area.