A ventilation apparatus for an article of footwear has a hollow air pump chamber, one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and an air intake channel with a one-way valve coupled through an opening into the air pump chamber. Action of stepping down on the air pump chamber deforms the walls and increases pressure in the air pump chamber, and forces air out of the air pump chamber through the one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and action of lifting weight off the air pump chamber causes the deformed walls to return toward original form, decreasing pressure in the air pump chamber and drawing air in through the air intake channel.

A sole for footwear and footwear including the sole are disclosed. The sole includes a first layer having a plurality of orifices passing through and configured to be connected to an upper of a footwear article and to form an inner environment of the footwear, a second layer coupled to the first layer, having a plurality of chambers and one or more channels or passages fluidly connecting the orifices and chambers. The sole also includes a pressurization device in fluid communication with the channels or passages and is configured to increase the air pressure in the plurality of chambers and regulating valves in fluid communication with the channels or passages to regulate a pressure in the plurality of chambers.

A sole for footwear and footwear including the sole are disclosed. The sole includes a first layer having a plurality of orifices passing through and configured to be connected to an upper of a footwear article and to form an inner environment of the footwear, a second layer coupled to the first layer, having a plurality of chambers and one or more channels or passages fluidly connecting the orifices and chambers. The sole also includes a pressurization device in fluid communication with the channels or passages and is configured to increase the air pressure in the plurality of chambers and regulating valves in fluid communication with the channels or passages to regulate a pressure in the plurality of chambers.

A ventilation apparatus for an article of footwear has a hollow air pump chamber, one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and an air intake channel with a one-way valve coupled through an opening into the air pump chamber. Action of stepping down on the air pump chamber deforms the walls and increases pressure in the air pump chamber, and forces air out of the air pump chamber through the one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and action of lifting weight off the air pump chamber causes the deformed walls to return toward original form, decreasing pressure in the air pump chamber and drawing air in through the air intake channel.

An immobility system for a free-fall environment includes an immobility device including at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A remote controller is spaced apart from the valve and is configured to selectably transmit an activation signal to the valve. An immobility device includes at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A receiver at the device is configured to receive an activation signal and activate the valve.

An apparatus and method for supplying air to an interior of an athletic bag and/or to a piece of athletic equipment in the athletic bag (e.g., onto or into the piece of athletic equipment) is disclosed. The athletic bag includes a flow vent attached to a first wall of the bag and a hose attached (e.g., removably attachable) to the flow vent. The hose is configured to transfer air into an interior of the athletic bag and/or into or onto an interior of a piece of athletic equipment

An immobility system for a free-fall environment includes an immobility device including at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A remote controller is spaced apart from the valve and is configured to selectably transmit an activation signal to the valve. An immobility device includes at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A receiver at the device is configured to receive an activation signal and activate the valve.

A ventilation sole for footwear, the sole including: a communicating vent-hole through which the inside and outside of footwear communicate with each other to allow air to flow; and a valve selectively opening and closing the communicating vent-hole, wherein the valve includes: a housing module configured to have opposite ends being open such that a channel is provided therein to communicate with the communicating vent-hole; an open-close module configured with a first closing surface and a first through-hole; and a rotation module configured with a second closing surface and a second through-hole, and rotating to move a position of the second through-hole. Accordingly, a wearer can easily open and close the valve by rotating the rotation module according to the intention of the wearer, whereby air inside and outside the footwear can be circulated selectively and optimal foot conditions can be improved.

A bunion correction footwear device is provided. The bunion correction footwear device includes a primary bladder. The primary bladder is defined by at least one primary bladder member. The primary bladder member, or primary bladder members, define a primary cavity. The primary cavity is connected to a primary pump by a primary tubing. The primary pump is connected to a primary actuator. The primary actuator is designed to allow for air to be forced from the primary pump to the primary cavity when the primary actuator is pressed.

A structure (2) and a removable component (10) for an article of footwear are disclosed. A structure comprises an outsole component (3) comprising resiliently deflecting diaphragm elements (6) for generation of pumping action for forcing air towards the removable component placed in a holding recess (7). The removable component comprises cavities (11) facing the outsole component and arranged to receive air from the resiliently deflecting diaphragm elements, air circulation channels (12) extending substantially laterally from the cavities for distributing air from the cavities to the air circulation channels, and sealing areas adjacent to the cavities and air circulation channels. The sealing areas are arranged to prevent air from escaping the cavities and air circulation channels when the removable component is inserted in the holding recess. Air circulation channels (12) may be provided with expanded areas (16). The expanded areas may have varying shapes and number of perforations.