Abstract
Foot support systems include sole structures, portions of sole structures, drop-in midsole components, insertable sole components (e.g., midsoles or insoles), or the like. The foot support systems may include a foam base member (e.g., made from a relatively thick foam material) and at least one fluid-filled bladder. The fluid-filled bladder(s) may include one or more interior fluid chambers. When multiple interior fluid chambers are present, they may be at substantially the same or different pressures. Additional aspects of this technology relate to articles of footwear that include such foot support systems, such as slides, sandals, and/or other types of footwear. Foot support systems and/or footwear in accordance with some examples of this technology may include systems for applying heating, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to a foot. Additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of applying heating, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to a foot (e.g., for recovery, injury treatment, etc.).
Claims
1. A foot support system, comprising: a foam base member including an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface located opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the upper-facing surface includes a recess; a fluid-filled bladder having a bottom surface at least partially received in the recess and a top surface located opposite the bottom surface, wherein at least one of the foam base member and/or the fluid-filled bladder provides a foot support surface of the foot support system; and a thermal and/or vibration system configured to apply at least one of heat, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface.
2. The foot support system according to claim 1, further comprising a fabric element at least partially covering the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder.
3. The foot support system according to claim 1, further comprising a foot-retaining element engaged with at least one of the foam base member or the fluid-filled bladder.
4. The foot support system according to claim 3, wherein the foot-retaining element comprises a footwear upper.
5. The foot support system according to claim 3, wherein the foot-retaining element extends across the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder at an instep region of the foot support system from a lateral side edge of the foot support system to a medial side edge of the foot support system.
6. The foot support system according to claim 5, wherein the foot-retaining element comprises a strap, wherein a foot-receiving region is defined between the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder and the strap at the instep region of the foot support system.
7. The foot support system according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and/or vibration system is engaged with the foot-retaining element.
8. The foot support system according to claim 7, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system is a heating system configured to apply heat to an instep region of a wearers foot.
9. The foot support system according to claim 7, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system is a cooling system configured to apply cooling to an instep region of a wearers foot.
10. The foot support system according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and/or vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element.
11. The foot support system according to claim 3, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system comprises a vibration system engaged with the foot-retaining element.
12. The foot support system according to claim 11, wherein the vibration system is configured to apply vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
13. The foot support system according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element.
14. The foot support system according to claim 3, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system is a thermal and vibration system engaged with the foot-retaining element.
15. The foot support system according to claim 14, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply heat and vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
16. The foot support system according to claim 14, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply cooling and vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
17. The foot support system according to claim 14, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply heating, cooling, and vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
18. The foot support system according to claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element.
19. The foot support system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid-filled bladder includes a first interior fluid chamber and a second interior fluid chamber that is in fluid isolation from the first interior fluid chamber, and wherein the first interior fluid chamber is at a different pressure from the second interior fluid chamber.
20. An article of footwear, comprising: a footwear upper; and a foot support system engaged with the footwear upper, wherein the foot support system includes: (A) foam base member including an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface located opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the upper-facing surface includes a recess; (B) a fluid-filled bladder having a bottom surface at least partially received in the recess and a top surface located opposite the bottom surface, wherein at least one of the foam base member and/or the fluid-filled bladder provides a foot support surface of the foot support system; and (C) a thermal and/or vibration system configured to apply at least one of heat, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface, and wherein the article of footwear is formed as a slide or a sandal.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.
[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a foot support system and article of footwear according to at least some aspects of this technology in an assembled and disassembled condition, respectively;
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate various views of an example foam base member that may be included in foot support systems and articles of footwear according to at least some aspects of this technology;
[0012] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate various views of an example bladder that may be included in foot support systems and articles of footwear according to at least some aspects of this technology;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates features of another example bladder system that may be included in foot support systems and articles of footwear according to at least some aspects of this technology;
[0014] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate various views of another example bladder that may be included in foot support systems and articles of footwear according to at least some aspects of this technology;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates features of a foot support system formed as a removable midsole or insole component in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology;
[0016] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate features of a foot support system and/or article of footwear in accordance with some examples of this technology that include a thermal and/or vibration system;
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates features of a foot support system and/or article of footwear in accordance with some examples of this technology that include a thermal and/or vibration system within a pocket member;
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates features of a foot support system and/or article of footwear in accordance with some examples of this technology that include at least some portions of a thermal and/or vibration system incorporated into and/or engaged with the footwear upper; and
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates features of a foot support system and/or article of footwear in accordance with some examples of this technology that include at least some portions of a thermal and/or vibration system incorporated into and/or engaged with the footwear sole structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following description of various examples of footwear structures and components according to the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the present technology may be practiced. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0021] Footwear, as that term is used herein, means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, slides, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross training shoes, dance shoes, etc.), and the like.
[0022] Various structures and parameters of footwear uppers, sole structures, and/or articles of footwear are described herein based on a longitudinal length parameter L. Note FIG. 2A. The longitudinal length L can be found with the article of footwear (or sole structure or other component) oriented on a horizontal support surface on its ground-facing surface in an unloaded condition (e.g., with no weight applied to it other than weight of other components of the article of footwear, sole structure, or other component). Once so oriented, parallel vertical planes VP that are perpendicular to the horizontal support surface are oriented to contact the rearmost heel (RH) location(s) and the forwardmost toe (FT) location(s) of the article of footwear, upper, sole structure, or another component of interest. The parallel vertical planes VP should be oriented facing one another, e.g., extending into and out of the page of FIG. 2A, and as far away from one another as possible while still in contact with the rearmost heel RH and forwardmost toe FT locations. The direct distance between these vertical planes VPs corresponds to the longitudinal length L of the article of footwear, upper, sole structure, or other component of interest. The locations of various footwear features and/or components are described in this specification based on their respective locations along the longitudinal length L as measured forward from the rear heel RH vertical plane VP. The rearmost heel RH location(s) is (are) located at position P = 0L and the forwardmost toe FT location(s) is (are) located at position P = 1L along the longitudinal length L. Intermediate locations along the longitudinal length L are referred to by fractional locations (e.g., 0.25L) along the longitudinal length L measured forward from the rear heel RH vertical plane VP. The term parallel planes as used herein are planes oriented parallel to the vertical planes VP. These parallel planes may intersect the longitudinal length L or longitudinal direction somewhere between P = 0L and P = 1.0L. Note FIG. 2A, including example parallel plane location designators at P = 0.33L and P = 0.67L.
[0023] The term rearward as used herein means at or toward the heel region of the article of footwear (or component thereof), and the term forward as used herein means at or toward a forefoot or forward toe region of the article of footwear (or component thereof). Unless otherwise defined, the terms heel area or heel region refer to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0L and 0.33L; the terms midfoot area, midfoot region, or arch region refer to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0.33L and 0.67L; and the terms forefoot area or forefoot region refer to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0.67L and 1.0L. See FIG. 2A. Also, the term lateral means the little toe side or outside area of an article of footwear or component thereof (e.g., an upper, a sole structure, etc.), and the term medial means the big toe side or inside area of an article of footwear or component thereof (e.g., an upper, a sole structure, etc.).
[0024] The term substantially as used herein in the context of two parameters being substantially the same (e.g., substantially the same pressure) means that the two parameters being compared are the same value (e.g., at the same pressure) or within 5% of one another (i.e., Pressure 1 = Pressure 2 5% and/or Pressure 2 = Pressure 1 5%).
[0025] The term thermal system as used herein includes systems that generate heat and/or cooling and are configured (e.g., positioned and/or include structures) such that the heat and/or cooling may be applied to at least a portion of a users foot (e.g., directly or indirectly). Unless otherwise specified, a thermal system includes any of: (i) a system capable of only generating heat to be applied to a users foot (e.g., a heating system), (ii) a system capable of only generating cooling to be applied to a users foot (e.g., a cooling system), or (iii) a system capable of generating both heating and cooling to be applied to a users foot (e.g., a heating and cooling system). The term thermal and/or vibration system as used herein includes systems that generate one or more of heat, cooling, or vibrational forces and are configured (e.g., positioned and/or include structures) such that the heat, cooling or vibrational forces may be applied to at least a portion of a users foot (e.g., directly or indirectly). Unless otherwise specified, a thermal and/or vibration system includes any of: (i) a system capable of only generating heat to be applied to a users foot (e.g., a heating system), (ii) a system capable of only generating cooling to be applied to a users foot (e.g., a cooling system), (iii) a system capable of only generating vibrational forces to be applied to a users foot (e.g., a vibration system), (iv) a system capable of generating both heating and cooling to be applied to a users foot (e.g., a heating and cooling system), (v) a system capable of generating both heating and vibrational forces to be applied to a users foot, (vi) a system capable of generating both cooling and vibrational forces to be applied to a users foot, or (vii) a system capable of generating all of heating, cooling, and vibrational forces to be applied to a users foot.
[0026] This application and/or its claims may use the terms, e.g., first, second, third, and the like, to identify certain components and/or features relating to this technology. These terms are used merely for convenience, e.g., to assist in maintaining a distinction between components and/or features of a specific structure. Use of these terms should not be construed as requiring a specific order or arrangement of the components and/or features being discussed. Also, use of these specific terms in the specification for a specific structure does not require that the same term be used in the claims to refer to the same structure (e.g., a component or feature referred to as the third in the specification may correspond to any numerical adjective used for that component or feature in the claims).
[0027] Given the general description of features, aspects, structures, processes, and arrangements according to certain examples of this technology provided above, a more detailed description of specific example foot support systems, sole structures, articles of footwear, and methods in accordance with this technology follows. Where the same reference number appears in multiple figures, the same or similar part is being referenced, and at least some of the overlapping description of that part may be omitted.
[0028] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate features of a foot support system in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology in the form of an article of footwear 100 and/or in the form of a sole structure 104. This example article of footwear 100 is formed as a slide or a sandal structure, including a footwear upper 102 (e.g., in the form of a strap) and a sole structure 104. The footwear upper 102 may be considered a foot-retaining element used to help maintain a wearers foot in proper position with respect to the sole structure 104. This example foot-retaining element (e.g., the footwear upper 102 formed as a strap) extends across a top surface 104T of the sole structure 104 (e.g., across the top surface 300T of a fluid-filled bladder 300 provided as part of the sole structure 104) at an instep region of the foot support system and article of footwear 100, from a lateral side edge 100L of the foot support system and article of footwear 100 to a medial side edge 100M of the foot support system and article of footwear 100. The foot-retaining element (e.g., the footwear upper 102 formed as a strap) may be engaged with at least some portion of the sole structure 104 (e.g., to a foam base member 200 of the sole structure 104, to the fluid-filled bladder 300, between the foam base member 200 and the fluid-filled bladder 300, to another sole component, etc.). This engagement may take place in any desired manner, including any one or more of: via adhesive bonding, via sewn seams, via adhesive-free bonding (e.g., ultrasonic or RF welding, melt bonding, etc.), via one or more mechanical connectors, etc. A foot-receiving region 106 is defined between the top surface 104T of the sole structure 104 (and a top surface 300T of the fluid-filled bladder 300) and a bottom surface of the footwear upper 102 (e.g., the strap) at the instep region of the foot support system, sole structure 104, and article of footwear 100. The fluid-filled bladder 300 of FIGS. 1A and 1B may have constructions of any of the types described below in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-5D.
[0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B show this example foot-retaining element/footwear upper 102 as a single strap that extends across the instep region of the article of footwear 100. The strap may be made, at least in part, from a stretchable and/or elastic material, e.g., to help securely hold the foot in place on the top surface 104T of the sole structure 104. Other types of foot-retaining elements and/or footwear uppers 102 may be provided in other specific examples of this technology. For example, foot-retaining elements and/or footwear uppers 102 in accordance with some examples of this technology may include tightening systems and/or securing systems for tightening and/or holding a strap or other footwear upper 102 component in place around a wearers foot, such as a hook-and-loop fastener system, a buckle system, a button fastener system, a magnetic securing system, a tie system, a zipper, other mechanical fasteners, etc. Additionally or alternatively, multiple straps may be provided, optionally straps that engage one another (e.g., at an instep region of the article of footwear 100).
[0030] The example foot support system, sole structure 104, and article of footwear 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B further include a fabric element 110 at least partially covering a top surface 300T of the fluid-filled bladder 300. In some examples, the fabric element 110 will completely cover the top surface 300T of the fluid-filled bladder 300. But in other specific examples, at least a portion of the fluid-filled bladder 300 will be exposed in the foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100. The fabric element 110 may include any desired types of materials, such as one or more of cotton, polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, etc. The fabric element 110 provides a comfortable surface for contacting the plantar surface of the wearers foot, and it may provide breathability, wick away moisture, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fabric element 110 may include recesses 110R (e.g., bonded dots or dimples), e.g., to help improve breathability. In this illustrated example, the fabric element 110 includes a foam material and/or one or more fluid-filled bladders (e.g., sandwiched between an upper fabric layer and a lower fabric layer of fabric element 110) to provide a soft, comfortable surface for contacting the wearers foot.
[0031] As mentioned above, the sole structure 104 of this example foot support system and article of footwear 100 includes a foam base member 200. FIG. 2A provides a top view of an example foam base member 200; FIG. 2B provides a bottom view; FIG. 2C provides a medial, top perspective view; and FIG. 2D provides a lateral, top perspective view. As shown, the foam base member 200 includes an upper-facing surface 200T and a ground-facing surface 200G located opposite the upper-facing surface 200T. The foam base member 200 has a thickness that may be determined for a specific location as the direct vertical distance between the upper-facing surface 200T and the ground-facing surface 200G when the foam base member 200 is supported on a horizontal support surface on its ground-facing surface 200G. The foam base member 200 of this example is sized, shaped, and configured to support an entire plantar surface of a wearers foot (e.g., the foam base member 200 includes a heel support region, a midfoot support region, and a forefoot support region, and it extends to support and/or underlie a lateral side edge and a medial side edge of a wearers foot).
[0032] Any desired type of foam material may be used for the foam base member 200 in accordance with this technology. As some more specific examples, the foam material may be a lightweight foam, e.g., having a density of less than 0.3 g/cm.sup.3, and in some examples, less than 0.25 g/cm.sup.3, or even less than 0.2 g/cm.sup.3. Additionally or alternatively, the foam material may have a hardness, e.g., within a range of 30 Shore C to 90 Shore C, and in some examples, from 40 Shore C to 75 Shore C. Suitable foam materials are conventionally known and commercially available, e.g., in footwear products commercially available, such as from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon.
[0033] The upper-facing surface 200T of this example foam base member 200 includes a recess 200R defined therein. The recess 200R may be sized, shaped, and/or otherwise configured to receive the ground-facing surface of at least a portion of at least one fluid-filled bladder 300 (e.g., like portions of any of the bladders 300A-300D described below in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-5D). In this illustrated example, the recess 200R includes: (i) a relatively deep heel recess portion 200RH in the heel region; (ii) a relatively deep midfoot recess portion 200RM in the midfoot region; and (iii) a relatively shallow forefoot recess portion 200RF in the forefoot region. In this illustrated example, a distinct boundary is provided between the relatively deep midfoot recess portion 200RM and the relatively shallow forefoot recess portion 200RF. In at least some examples of this technology, the forwardmost extent of the relatively deep midfoot recess portion 200RM (e.g., point 210 in FIGS. 2A, 2C, and FIG. 2D) will be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.8L, and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.75L or rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.7L. FIG. 2A shows the forwardmost extent location (point 210) of the relatively deep midfoot recess portion 200RM of recess 200R located at about P = 0.67L (with L corresponding to a longitudinal length dimension of the foam base member 200 or an overall foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 containing the foam base member 200). Also, in this illustrated example, a distinct boundary is provided between the relatively deep heel recess portion 200RH and a foam material around it (which may form a relatively shallow recess portion in the heel region around the relatively deep heel recess portion 200RH). In at least some examples of this technology, the rearwardmost extent of the relatively deep heel recess portion 200RH (e.g., point 212 in FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2D) will be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.02L, and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.04L or forward of a parallel plane located at 0.06L. FIG. 2A shows the rearwardmost extent location (point 212) of the relatively deep heel recess portion 200RH of recess 200R located at about P = 0.07L (with L corresponding to a longitudinal length dimension of the foam base member 200 or an overall foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 containing the foam base member 200).
[0034] In at least some examples of this technology, a definite step will be created or defined between the bottom surface 230B of the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R and the upper-facing surface 200T of the foam base member 200 adjacent the recess 200R. See FIGS. 2C and 2D. As some more specific examples, a height differential of the step between: (i) the bottom surface 230B of the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R and (ii) the upper-facing surface 200T of the foam base member 200 adjacent the recess 200R around at least some portion of the recess 200Rs outer perimeter sidewall may be at least 5mm, and in some examples, at least 8mm, at least 10mm, at least 12mm, at least 15mm, at least 20mm, or at least 25mm. This height differential is measured as the shortest direct distance between the bottom surface 230B of the recess 200R and the upper-facing surface 200T at a corresponding location. In at least some examples, this height differential (step height) may be present around at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, or at least 90% of the outer perimeter of the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R.
[0035] Additionally or alternatively, at least at some locations around the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R, an angle between: (i) the bottom surface 230B of the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R and (ii) the upper-facing surface 200T of the foam base member 200 adjacent the recess 200R and located the shortest direct distance from the corresponding location on the bottom surface 230B may be between 60 degrees and 120 degrees, and in some examples, between 70 degrees and 110 degrees, between 80 degrees and 100 degrees, or between 85 degrees and 95 degrees. Angular features within any of the above ranges may be present around at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, or at least 90% of the outer perimeter of the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R. These angular measurements may be made with respect to a horizontal plane with the foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 oriented on a horizontal support surface in an unloaded condition (e.g., with no weight applied to it other than the weight of the components of the foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100.
[0036] Additionally or alternatively, the sidewall of the recess 200R stepping down into the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R may have at least a portion of its exposed surface oriented within any of these angular ranges and around any of the above perimeter extents. Additionally or alternatively, at least some portions of the exposed surface of the sidewall of the recess 200R (e.g., at least some portions stepping down into the relatively deep portion of the recess 200R) may be curved, planar, irregularly shaped, or otherwise shaped. Thus, a wide variety of sidewall configurations are possible in different specific examples of this technology.
[0037] The heel region of this example recess 200R further includes a central raised element 202 (e.g., a post or peg extending upward from a bottom surface 230B of the recess 200R) within the relatively deep heel recess portion 200RH. This raised element 202, when present, may be sized, shaped, and configured to extend into an opening (e.g., opening 302) provided in the heel support region of a fluid-filled bladder, as will be described in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-5D.
[0038] The recess 200R shown in the illustrated example of FIGS. 2A-2Dor at least the relatively deep portion of the recess 200Ris spaced inward from the lateral side edge 200L of the foam base member 200 at least at the midfoot region. The lateral side edge 200L of the foam base member 200 may correspond to (may form) at least portions of the lateral side edge 100L of the foot support system and article of footwear 100, in at least some examples of this technology. Additionally or alternatively, the recess 200R shown in the illustrated example of FIGS. 2A-2Dor at least the relatively deep portion of the recess 200Rforms a medial notched area 220 adjacent the medial side edge 200M at the midfoot region and/or the heel region. The notched area 220 may be spaced inward somewhat from the medial side edge 200M of the foam base member 200. The medial side edge 200M of the foam base member 200 may correspond to (may form) at least portions of the medial side edge 100M of the foot support system and article of footwear 100, in at least some examples of this technology. These features may allow the medial midfoot region of a wearers foot to be supported by portions of the fluid-filled bladder 300 (and optionally relatively thick portions of those fluid-filled bladders 300).
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2D, the medial notched area 220 of the recess 200R includes: (i) a forward edge 230F raised upward from the bottom surface 230B of the recess 200R and extending inward from the outermost perimeter medial side edge 230M of the recess 200R and (ii) a rearward edge 230R raised upward from the bottom surface 230B of the recess 200R and extending inward from the outermost perimeter medial side edge 230M of the recess 200R. A portion of the recess 200R extends between the forward edge 230F and the rearward edge 230R and outward toward the medial side edge 200M of the foam base member 200. The notched area 220 of this illustrated example structure has a longer length dimension in the longitudinal direction at the location where the recess 200R begins at the outermost perimeter medial side edge 230M of the recess 200R as compared to the length dimension in the longitudinal direction at a location spaced inward from the medial side edge 230M of the recess 200R and between the forward edge 230F and the rearward edge 230R. In other words, in at least a portion of the medial notched area 220, the recess 200R narrows in the longitudinal length direction (e.g., and/or may have a shape corresponding to one side edge of a dovetail type joint). In at least some examples, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2C, and FIG. 2D, the notched area 220 will have a longer length dimension in the longitudinal direction at the recess 200Rs outermost medial side edge 230M than the longitudinal length dimension of the recess 200R in the longitudinal direction at a location where the forward edge 230F and the rearward edge 230R are closest together.
[0040] As further shown in FIG. 2A, the forward edge 230F of the medial notched area 220 of the recess 200A may be located in the midfoot region of the foam base member 200 and/or sole structure 104 and/or article of footwear 100 containing the foam base member 200 (although the forward edge 230F could be at least partially located in the forefoot region, in some specific examples). In at least some examples, the forward edge 230F will be located rearward of a parallel plane located at P = 0.75L and/or forward of a parallel plane located at P = 0.5L (with L corresponding to a longitudinal length dimension of the foam base member 200 or an overall foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 containing the foam base member 200). Additionally or alternatively, as also shown in FIG. 2A, the rearward edge 230R of the medial notched area 220 of the recess 200R may be located in the midfoot region of the foam base member 200 and/or sole structure 104 and/or article of footwear 100 containing the foam base member 200 (although the rearward edge 230R could be at least partially located in the heel region, in some specific examples). In at least some examples, the rearward edge 230R may be located forward of a parallel plane located at P = 0.25L and/or rearward of a parallel plane located at P = 0.45L (with L corresponding to a longitudinal length dimension of the foam base member 200 or an overall foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 containing the foam base member 200).
[0041] As further shown in FIGS. 2A, 2C, and FIG. 2D, the lateral side edge 230L of the recess 200R of this example curves inward with respect to the outermost perimeter of the lateral side edge 200L of the foam base member 200. The curvature of the lateral side edge 230L of the recess 200R has one end located in the heel region and the other end located in the midfoot region. In this illustrated example, the lateral side edge 230L of the recess 200R curves inward with respect to the lateral side edge, with the inwardmost extent of the curve (the peak 230P of the curve) located in the midfoot region, e.g., forward of a parallel plane located at P = 0.4L and/or rearward of a parallel plane located at P = 0.6L (with L corresponding to a longitudinal length dimension of the foam base member 200 or an overall foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 containing the foam base member 200).
[0042] The ground-facing surface 200G of the foam base member 200 may be configured to directly contact the ground (or other contact surface) in use. Thus, the ground-facing surface 200G may include traction components (e.g., nubs, ridges, grooves, etc.). Alternatively, if desired, one or more outsole components may be attached to the ground-facing surface 200G of the foam base member 200, e.g., depending on the intended final use of the article of footwear 100 incorporating the foam base member 200. Additionally or alternatively, the forward end 202F and/or the rearward end 202H of the ground-facing surface 200G may be curved upward, e.g., to facilitate ambulatory activity in an article of footwear 100 including the foam base member 200. The example of FIGS. 2A-2D shows both the forward end 202F and the rearward end 202H having a smooth upward curvature.
[0043] As described above, the sole structure 104 and article of footwear 100 of this example include one or more fluid-filled bladders 300. FIGS. 3A-3C show features of an example bladder 300A having a single fluid-filled bladder chamber that is in open fluid communication. FIG. 4 shows another example bladder system with two separate bladders 300B and 300C, each with a single chamber, arranged with bladder 300B located rearward with respect to bladder 300C. FIGS. 5A-5D show features of another example bladder 300D having two (or more) separate interior fluid chamber portions that may be in fluid isolation from one another. The bottom surfaces 300G of these bladders 300A-300D are sized, shaped, and configured to be at least partially received in the recess 200R defined in the top surface 200T of the foam base member 200. The bladders 300A-300D of FIGS. 3A-5D may be configured to fit into recesses 200R of the types described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2D, including foam base members 200 having any of the features, options, and/or alternatives for the foam base members 200 and/or recesses 200R described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2D.
[0044] The bladders 300A-300D further include top surfaces 300T opposite their bottom surfaces 300G. The bladders 300A-300D of these examples may be sized, shaped, and configured such that one or more bladders or bladder portions within a sole member 104 support an entire plantar surface of a wearers foot (e.g., the bladder or bladders 300A-300D within a given sole member 104 extend to form a heel support region, a midfoot support region, and a forefoot support region and/or the bladder(s) 300A-330D extend side to side to underlie and/or support the lateral side edge and medial side edge of a wearers foot). The bladders 300A-300D may be formed from conventional bladder materials as are known and used in the footwear arts, using conventional bladder forming techniques as are known and used in the footwear arts. Features of these different bladder systems are described in more detail below.
[0045] The bladder 300A shown in FIGS. 3A-3C is formed from two facing sheets of thermoplastic elastomer material (e.g., top sheet 302A and bottom sheet 302B) that are bonded together at their outer perimeter edges to form an outer perimeter seam 308 (e.g., by welding techniques (such as RF welding or ultrasonic welding), by melt bonds, by adhesive bonds, by thermoforming techniques, etc. An interior fluid chamber 304 is defined between the top sheet 302A and the bottom sheet 302B and inside the seam 308. In this illustrated example, the entire interior fluid chamber 304 defined between the top sheet 302A and the bottom sheet 302B and inside the seam 308 is in open fluid communication (i.e., a single interior fluid chamber 304 is present in the example of FIGS. 3A-3C). The fluid-filled bladder 300A including this single interior fluid chamber 304 extends to support an entire plantar surface of a wearers foot (e.g., the bladder 300A includes a heel support bladder chamber portion, a midfoot support bladder chamber portion, and a forefoot support bladder chamber portion, and it extends to support and/or underlie a lateral side edge and a medial side edge of a wearers foot).
[0046] FIG. 3A shows this example bladder 300A in a deflated condition, and FIG. 3B shows this example bladder 300A in an inflated condition. The bladder 300A is formed to include the interior fluid chamber 304 and an inflation port 310 through which fluid (e.g., gas, such as air or other gases as conventionally known and used in the footwear bladder art) may be injected into the interior fluid chamber 304. Once inflated, the inflation port 310 may be sealed (e.g., heat sealed), and any excess material may be trimmed off.
[0047] The bladder 300A of this example includes various interior seams where the interior surface of the top sheet 302A is bonded to the interior surface of the bottom sheet 302B. These interior seams may be provided at locations to control the shape of the bladder 300A when inflated and/or to provide desired flexion properties. These interior seams may be formed in any desired manner, e.g., via welding techniques (such as RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), via adhesive bonds, via melt bonds, via thermoforming techniques, etc. In this illustrated example, a lateral side midfoot seam 320L is located between parallel planes at P = 0.35L and P = 0.65L (with L corresponding to a longitudinal length dimension of the foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100). Lateral side midfoot seam 320L may have different sizes and/or shapes from the example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, but in this example, the lateral side midfoot seam 320L is elliptically shaped and positioned to be elongated in the longitudinal direction L. Lateral side midfoot seam 320L of this example may help control the shape of the inflated bladder 300A and/or may help prevent the lateral midfoot region of the bladder 300 from becoming too thick when inflated.
[0048] The bladder 300A of this illustrated example further includes the following interior seams: (i) a forward forefoot transverse seam 322 (e.g., located forward of a parallel plane at 0.8L); (ii) a middle forefoot transverse seam 324 located rearward of the forward forefoot transverse seam 322; and (iii) a rearward forefoot transverse seam 326. While these seams 322, 324, and 326 may have different sizes, shapes, and configurations from those specifically illustrated, one or more such seams may be provided in the forefoot region, e.g., to control the shape and/or to promote desired flexion of the bladder 300A during a step cycle. Additionally or alternatively, more or fewer transverse forefoot seams may be provided, e.g., to promote the desired flexion functions and/or to provide bladder shape control, and/or individual seams 322, 324, and/or 326 may be reformed as plural seam segments (e.g., plural seam segments arranged along a desired line of flexion). These seams 322, 324, and/or 326 may be formed in any of the manners described above for lateral side midfoot seam 320L.
[0049] In the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the bladder 300A further includes one or more longitudinally oriented seams in the forefoot and/or midfoot region. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, this example bladder 300A includes: (a) a lateral side longitudinal seam 328 (which in this illustrated example extends through portions of the midfoot and forefoot regions of the bladder 300A and has its rearwardmost extent located in the midfoot region of the bladder 300A), (b) a medial side longitudinal seam 330 (which may have its rearwardmost extent located in the forefoot or midfoot region of the bladder 300A), and (c) an intermediate longitudinal seam 332 (which may have its rearwardmost extent located in the forefoot or midfoot region of the bladder 300A). While these seams 328, 330, and 332 may have different sizes, shapes, and configurations from those specifically illustrated, one or more such seams may be provided in the forefoot and/or midfoot regions, e.g., to provide shape control and/or to promote desired flexion of the bladder 300A during a step cycle (e.g., as the wearers weight shifts from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole member 104 during a step). Additionally or alternatively, more or fewer longitudinal seams may be provided, e.g., to promote the desired flexion functions and/or to provide bladder shape control, and/or individual seams 328, 330, and/or 332 may be reformed as plural seam segments (e.g., plural seam segments arranged along a desired line of flexion). These seams 328, 330, and/or 332 may be formed in any of the manners described above for lateral side midfoot seam 320L.
[0050] FIGS. 3A and 3B further show that longitudinal seams 328, 330, and 332 extend rearward from and connect with rearward forefoot transverse seam 326. In other examples of this technology, however, one or more of longitudinal seams 328, 330, and 332 may be provided as separate components spaced from rearward forefoot transverse seam 326 and/or as separate components present without rearward forefoot transverse seam 326. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in this illustrated example, lateral side longitudinal seam 328 substantially aligns with lateral side midfoot seam 320L (with lateral side midfoot seam 320L spaced from and rearward with respect to the lateral side longitudinal seam 328).
[0051] FIG. 3A further shows that this example bladder 300A includes a central heel seam 334 (where the interior surface of top sheet 302A is bonded to the interior surface of bottom sheet 302B). Further, in this example, opening 302 is cut through this central heel seam 334. The opening 302 is sized and shaped to accommodate central raised element 202 of the foam base member 200 (see FIG. 3C). In this manner, at least a portion of the interior fluid chamber 304 of the fluid-filled bladder 300A will have a toroidal shape (e.g., a donut-like shape). In this illustrated example, at least 50% of the interior fluid chamber 304 forming the toroidal shape is located in the heel region of the foot support system, bladder 300A, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100. In some examples, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or even at least 90% of the interior fluid chamber 304 forming the toroidal shape may be located in a heel region of the foot support system, bladder 300A, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100.
[0052] Alternatively, rather than a through hole opening, opening 302 may be formed as a blind hole or recess extending into bladder 300A (e.g., a recess extending upward from a bottom surface of the bladder 300A). At the blind hole or recess, the interior surface of top sheet 302A is bonded to the interior surface of bottom sheet 302B. The blind hole or recess may be sized and shaped to receive the central raised element 202 of the foam base member 200 such that the top of the central raised element 202 is covered by the region of the bladder 300A where the interior surface of top sheet 302A is bonded to the interior surface of bottom sheet 302B.
[0053] When present, the toroidal or annular shape of the bladder 300A in the heel region may provide shaping functions and/or provide room for the bladder 300A to deform under impact forces (e.g., when the heel region of the article of footwear 100 contacts the ground in use). Additionally or alternatively, the combination of the central raised element 202 extending into the opening 302A (whether a through hole opening 302 or a blind hole opening/recess) can assist in maintaining relative positioning of the bladder 300A and foam base member 200 with respect to one another.
[0054] FIGS. 3A and 3B further show that the outer perimeter seam 308 of the bladder 300A of this example forms a notched area 340 along the medial side edge (an inflated notched area 340). This notched area 340 fits into the corresponding notched area 220 in recess 200R of the foam base member 200 described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2D. Thus, the notched area 340 of the bladder 300A may be sized and shaped to fit into (and to generally correspond to) the sizes and shapes of the forward edge 230F and rearward edge 230R of the notched area 220 of the foam base member 200 as described above (e.g., so the medial side edge of bladder 300A forms the other side edge of a dovetail type joint, as mentioned above with respect to notched area 220). These engaging medial notched areas 220, 340 can help secure the bladder 300A in place with respect to the foam base member 200.
[0055] As evident from FIGS. 3A and 3B, in this example bladder 300A, the medial midfoot region of the bladder 300A (e.g., generally shown as region 342 within the broken line in FIG. 3A) is free of interior seams. Thus, when the bladder 300A is inflated, this medial midfoot region will expand to a somewhat thicker dimension than other areas of the bladder 300A (e.g., other areas where interior seams are located). These features help assure contact and interaction with (and/or support of) the medial midfoot area of a wearers foot when supported by the sole structure 104.
[0056] The bladder 300A of FIGS. 3A-3C includes a single bladder having a single interior fluid chamber 304 in open fluid communication. Other types of bladder systems may be used in other specific examples of this technology. For example, FIG. 4 shows an example bladder system with two separate bladders 300B and 300C, each with its own single interior fluid chamber (304B and 304C). Where the same reference number is used in FIG. 4 as is used in any of the other figures, the same or similar parts are being referenced (having any of the options or alternatives for that part discussed above), and much of the overlapping or repetitive description may be omitted.
[0057] The example of FIG. 4 shows a bladder system with two separate bladders 300B and 300C wherein the interior fluid chamber 304B of bladder 300B is not in fluid communication with the interior fluid chamber 304C of bladder 300C. Thus, FIG. 4 illustrates that each bladder 300B, 300C includes its own inflation port 310B, 310C, respectively (each of which may be heat sealed and trimmed off after the respective bladder 300B, 300C is inflated). The two interior fluid chambers 304B and 304C may be at different pressure or they may be at substantially the same pressure.
[0058] FIG. 4 shows the junction 300J between the two bladders 300B and 300C extending across and located within the midfoot region of the bladder system (and/or located within the midfoot region of a foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 including such a bladder system). Thus, bladder 300B is located rearward with respect to bladder 300C. In other specific examples of this technology, however, the junction 300J could be located at other places and/or have a different shape from the specific example shown in FIG. 4. For example, the junction 300J could be curved into any desired shape, could be oriented at a different angle, and/or could be located at different longitudinal positions. Additionally or alternatively, the bladders 300B and 300C could be positioned such that at least a portion of one of the bladders (e.g., bladder 300B) may overlay at least a portion of the other bladder (e.g., bladder 300C). In other words, at least some portions of the bladders 300B and 300C may be in a stacked vertical arrangement.
[0059] While other arrangements are possible, in this bladder system of FIG. 4, the rear bladder 300B includes a lateral side midfoot seam 320L, central heel seam 334, and opening 302. These features may function in the same general manner described for these features above in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3C. Also, much of the medial midfoot region of the bladder 300B (and the illustrated bladder system including it) is free of interior seams (e.g., generally shown by the region 342 inside the broken line in FIG. 4). Thus, when the bladder 300B is inflated, this medial midfoot region may expand to a somewhat thicker dimension than other areas of the bladder 300B and/or bladder 300C (e.g., other areas where interior seams are located). These features help assure contact and interaction with (and/or support of) the medial midfoot area of a wearers foot when supported by the sole structure 104 including this bladder system. In other examples of this technology, however, bladder 300B may have other interior seams, other interior seam shapes, and/or other configurations.
[0060] Also, in the bladder system of FIG. 4, the forward bladder 300C includes: (i) a forward forefoot transverse seam 322 (e.g., located forward of a parallel plane at 0.8L of this bladder system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 including it); (ii) a middle forefoot transverse seam 324 located rearward of the forward forefoot transverse seam 322; (iii) a rearward forefoot transverse seam 326; (iv) a lateral side longitudinal seam 328 (which in this illustrated example extends through portions of the midfoot and forefoot regions of the bladder system and has its rearwardmost extent located in the midfoot region of the bladder system); (v) a medial side longitudinal seam 330 (which may have its rearwardmost extent located in the forefoot or midfoot region of the bladder 300A); and (vi) an intermediate longitudinal seam 332 (which may have its rearwardmost extent located in the forefoot or midfoot region of this bladder system). These seams 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, and 332 may have any of the features, functions, options, and/or alternatives for these same structures described above in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3C. In other examples of this technology, however, bladder 300C may have other interior seams, other interior seam shapes, and/or other configurations.
[0061] One advantage of the bladder system of FIG. 4, with two separate and isolated interior fluid chambers 304B and 304C relates to controlling the movement of fluid within the bladder system during a step. Because the rearward bladder 300B terminates at junction 300J, when the wearer lands a step or jump on their heel, fluid can only move forward to the forward seam at the junction 300J. This helps keep the fluid beneath the midfoot arch area of the bladder system providing support for the midfoot/arch region of a wearers foot. This also prevents excessive fluid from flowing into the forefoot region. Thus, by controlling the locations and/or shapes of the junction 300J and/or the locations and/or shapes of perimeter seams 308 and any interior seams, fluid movement within the bladder system can be controlled (at least to some extent).
[0062] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate another example bladder 300D in accordance with some examples of this technology. Where the same reference numbers are used in FIGS. 5A-5D as used in other figures, the same or similar parts are being referenced (having any of the options or alternatives for that part), and much of the overlapping and duplicative description may be omitted.
[0063] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a bladder 300D formed from three layers of thermoplastic elastomer material: interior layer 500A, intermediate layer 500B, and exterior layer 500C. See FIGS. 5C and 5D. The bladder 300D may be formed to include: (a) a first interior bladder chamber portion 504A between interior layer 500A and intermediate layer 500B and (b) a second interior bladder chamber portion 504B between intermediate layer 500B and exterior layer 500C. As shown in FIG. 5D, the interior bladder chamber portions 504A and 504B may be arranged in a vertically stacked manner, e.g., such that at least a portion of the second interior bladder chamber portion 504B may overlay at least a portion of the first interior bladder chamber portion 504A. Bladders of the type shown in FIGS. 5A-5D may be formed, for example, with the structures and/or in the manners described in U.S. Patent No. 11,622,603B2 and U.S. Patent Appln. Publn. No. 2023/0189927A1, which documents are entirely incorporated herein by reference. Bladder 300D also could be formed with more than two vertically stacked interior fluid chamber portions and/or more than three thermoplastic elastomer layers, e.g., like some of the structures shown in U.S. Patent No. 11,622,603 B2 and U.S. Patent Appln. Publn. No. 2023/0189927 A1.
[0064] The stacked bladder chamber portions 504A and 504B may be in fluid isolation from one another or may be in fluid communication with one another. When in fluid isolation from one another, fluid chamber portion 504A may be at a different pressure from fluid chamber portion 504B, or these fluid chamber portions 504A and 504B may be at substantially the same pressure.
[0065] FIG. 5A shows a top view of this example bladder 300D prior to inflation. Each bladder 300D layer 500A, 500B, 500C of this example is coextensive, e.g., forming structures for underlying and/or supporting an entire plantar surface of a wearers foot (with a heel supporting bladder portion, a midfoot supporting bladder portion, and a forefoot supporting bladder portion and extending side to side to underlie and/or support the lateral side edge and medial side edge of a wearers foot). The three layers 500A, 500B, and 500C are joined together at an outer perimeter seam 508. Inflation port 510A allows inflation of the first fluid chamber portion 504A between the interior layer 500A and the intermediate layer 500B. Inflation port 510B allows inflation of the second fluid chamber portion 504B between the intermediate layer 500B and the exterior layer 500A.
[0066] In general, thermoplastic elastomer materials (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethanes) will bond together under heat and/or pressure and/or under other appropriate processing conditions. The shading in FIG. 5A identifies locations where anti-weld material 520 (e.g., adhesion blockers, such as blocker ink) is applied between the intermediate layer 500B and exterior layer 500C (note also FIG. 5C). The anti-weld material 520 will prevent intermediate layer 500B from bonding to the exterior layer 500C when the layers 500A-500C are exposed to heat and/or pressure and/or other appropriate bonding conditions and thereby permit formation of the second interior fluid chamber portion 504B between the intermediate layer 500B and the exterior layer 500C. Additionally, anti-weld material 522 (e.g., adhesion blockers, such as blocker ink) may be applied between the interior layer 500A and the intermediate layer 500B (note FIG. 5C), and this anti-weld material 522 will prevent intermediate layer 500B from bonding to the interior layer 500A when the layers 500A-500C are exposed to heat and/or pressure and/or other appropriate bonding conditions and thereby permit formation of the first interior fluid chamber portion 504A between the intermediate layer 500B and the interior layer 500A. Bonds (e.g., welds) between layers 500A, 500B, and 500C will form at locations where no anti-weld material 520, 522 is present if sufficient heat and/or pressure and/or other appropriate bonding conditions are applied. By applying the anti-weld material(s) 520 and/or 522 at desired locations for bladder chamber formation, the bladder 300D may be formed in a single heat and/or pressing step and/or other processing step, optionally using uniform pressing force and/or other formation conditions over the entire surface area of the bladder 300D, to form the two (or more) layered bladder chamber portions 504A and 504B in a single bladder 300D structure.
[0067] FIG. 5B shows the bladder 300D in an inflated condition. The shaded area of FIG. 5B (which corresponds to the shaded area of FIG. 5A) denotes locations where the anti-weld material 520 was applied between the intermediate layer 500B and exterior layer 500C and thus denotes the locations where the second interior bladder chamber portion 504B is located. As shown in FIG. 5B, a forwardmost extent of the second interior fluid chamber portion 504B of this example (shown by point 530 in FIGS. 5A and 5B) is located rearward of a vertical plane located at 0.75L measured forward from the rearmost heel location (and in some examples, rearward of a vertical plane located at 0.7L). Forward of point 530 in this example bladder 300D, intermediate layer 500B is bonded to the surface of exterior layer 500C. One advantage of the two layered bladder system of FIGS. 5A-5D, with two separate and isolated interior fluid chamber portions 504A and 504B, relates to controlling the movement of fluid within the bladder 300D during a step. Because the second interior bladder chamber portion 504B terminates at forwardmost point 530, when the wearer lands a step or jump on their heel, fluid can only move forward to the forwardmost point 530. This helps keep the fluid beneath the midfoot arch area of the bladder 300D providing support for the midfoot/arch region of a wearers foot. This also prevents excessive fluid from flowing into the forefoot region. Thus, by controlling the locations and/or shapes of the bladder chamber portions 504A and/or 504B and/or the locations and/or shapes of seams 308, fluid movement within the bladder 300D can be controlled (at least to some extent).
[0068] Additionally or alternatively, in a midfoot region of this example bladder 300D (and any foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 including it), the first interior fluid chamber 504A extends to an outermost lateral perimeter seam 508L of the fluid-filled bladder 300D at a lateral perimeter edge 540L of the fluid-filled bladder 300D. As also shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an outermost lateral edge 504BL of the second interior fluid chamber 504B in the midfoot region is spaced from the lateral perimeter edge 540L of the fluid-filled bladder 300D in the midfoot region such that a portion of the first interior fluid chamber 504A is located between the outermost lateral edge 504BL of the second interior fluid chamber 504B and the lateral perimeter edge 540L of the fluid-filled bladder 300D in the midfoot region.
[0069] FIGS. 5A and 5B further show that at least a portion of the second interior fluid chamber 504B forms a toroidal shape, e.g., in a heel region of the bladder 300D. More specifically, as shown, at least 50% (or even at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90%) of the second interior fluid chamber 504B forming the toroidal shape may be located in a heel region of the bladder 300D (and thus, in the heel region of the foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 including that bladder 300D). The interior seam 334 forming central bonded region of the toroidal structure includes the interior layer 500A, intermediate layer 500B and exterior layer 500C of the bladder 300D bonded together (e.g., akin to area A shown in FIG. 5D). If desired, the interior seam 334 forming the toroidal structure may include a through hole defined through it (from layer 500A to layer 500C), and a raised element 202 (like the post 202 described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2D) may extend into and/or through that through hole (akin to through hole 302 of FIGS. 3A and 3C).
[0070] In the example bladder 300D of FIGS. 5A-5D, the second interior fluid chamber 504B (between intermediate layer 500B and exterior layer 500C) includes a heel support chamber portion (e.g., having the toroidal shape) and a medial arch support chamber portion located in the midfoot region. These two chamber portions are connected by a fluid passageway 542, As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, seams 544 provided on opposite sides of the fluid passageway 542 separate a forward edge of the heel support chamber portion from a rearward edge of the medial arch support chamber portion. The second interior fluid chamber portion 504B may be in fluid isolation from the first interior fluid chamber portion 504A. These two interior fluid chamber portions 504A and 504B may be at substantially the same pressure or at different pressures.
[0071] While not a requirement, FIGS. 5A and 5B show that the bladder 300D includes: (i) a forward forefoot transverse seam 322 (e.g., located forward of a parallel plane at 0.8L of this bladder system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100 including it); (ii) a middle forefoot transverse seam 324 located rearward of the forward forefoot transverse seam 322; (iii) a rearward forefoot transverse seam 326; (iv) a lateral side longitudinal seam 328 (which in this illustrated example extends through portions of the midfoot and forefoot regions of the bladder system and has its rearwardmost extent located in the midfoot region of the bladder system); (v) a medial side longitudinal seam 330 (which may have its rearwardmost extent located in the forefoot or midfoot region of the bladder 300A); (vi) an intermediate longitudinal seam 332 (which may have its rearwardmost extent located in the forefoot or midfoot region of this bladder system), and (vii) a lateral side interior seam 320L. These seams 320L, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, and 332 may have any of the features, functions, options, arrangements, and/or alternatives for these same structures described above in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3C. The bladder 300D further may include a medial notched region 340 (e.g., configured to fit into notched region 240 of foam base member 200). In other examples of this technology, however, bladder 300D may have other interior seams, other interior seam shapes, and/or other configurations.
[0072] In some examples of this technology, a greatest thickness T1 of the foam base member 200 (the direct vertical dimension from the upper-facing surface 200T to the ground-facing surface 200G when the ground-facing surface 200G is supported on a horizontal support surface) is greater than a greatest thickness T2 of the fluid-filled bladder (e.g., any of bladders 300A-300D) from the top surface (e.g., exterior layer 500C) to the bottom surface (e.g., interior layer 500A). See FIG. 5D. In some examples, the greatest thickness T1 of the foam base member 200 may be at least 1.1 times, at least 1.2 times, at least 1.25 times, or even at least 1.5 times greater than the greatest thickness T2 of the fluid-filled bladder (e.g., any of bladders 300A-300D) when inflated. Additionally or alternatively, an average thickness of the foam base member 200 from the upper-facing surface 200T to the ground-facing surface 200G may be greater than an average thickness of the fluid-filled bladder (e.g., any of bladders 300A-300D) from the top surface (e.g., exterior layer 500C) to the bottom surface (e.g., interior layer 500A). Still additionally or alternatively, a thickest portion of the fluid-filled bladder (e.g., any one or more of bladders 300A-300D) may be located in a midfoot region (e.g., a medial midfoot region) of the foot support system, sole structure 104, and/or article of footwear 100.
[0073] The examples of FIGS. 1A-5D illustrate example sole structures 104 for engaging the ground formed to include the foot support system features according to examples of this technology. Other types of foot support systems are possible. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an example foot support system 610 (e.g., including a foam base member 200, one or more fluid-filled bladders 300A-300D, and a fabric element 110 of any of the types described above) without a separate foot-retaining element (e.g., without a footwear upper 102 (e.g., a strap)). This example foot support system 610 is formed as a removable (drop in) midsole or insole element that may be inserted (and removed) from an interior chamber 600A of an article of footwear 600. See arrow 602 in FIG. 6. The article of footwear 600 may include a footwear upper of any desired construction and a footwear sole 604 of any desired construction that define interior chamber 600A for receiving a wearers foot. If necessary, the interior chamber 600A may be made somewhat larger than typical, e.g., to accommodate the additional thickness of the foam base member (e.g., 200) and bladder (e.g., 300A-300D).
[0074] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate another foot support system (e.g., article of footwear 700, such as a slide or sandal) in accordance with some examples of this technology. Where the same reference numbers are used in FIGS. 7A-7C as used in the figures described above, the same or similar parts are being referenced (having any of the options or alternatives for those parts described above), and much of the overlapping and duplicative description may be omitted. The description below will focus more on features of how the example of FIGS. 7A-7C differs from those described above. The bladder 300 shown in FIGS. 7A-7C may have any of the features of any of the bladders 300A-300D and/or bladder systems described above, or it may have other features and/or structures.
[0075] One difference between the article of footwear 700 of FIGS. 7A-7C and the articles of footwear 100 of FIGS. 1A-5D relates to the inclusion of a thermal and/or vibration system 750 as part of the footwear 700 structure. The thermal and/or vibration system 750 of this example is configured to apply at least one of heating, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface (e.g., top surface 104T) of the sole structure 104. The foot support surface is formed, at least in part, by one or more of the foam base member 200 and/or the fluid-filled bladder 300 (e.g., of any of the types described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-5D).
[0076] At least some portions of the thermal and/or vibration system 750 are included with (e.g., engaged with or engageable with) a foot-retaining element (e.g., with the upper 102 (e.g., one or more straps) in this illustrated example). This example thermal and/or vibration system 750 includes a temperature dispersing element 752, e.g., a layer of material (e.g., a silicone layer or pad) that spreads heat and/or cooling along its surface and applies the heat and/or cooling to a wearers body. The temperature dispersing element 752 of this example is shown in broken lines in FIG. 7A because it may be applied to the underside of the upper 102 and/or between layers of the upper 102, closer to (and optionally in direct contact with) a wearers foot (e.g., with the instep area of the wearers foot). The thermal and/or vibration system 750 further includes a base 754, e.g., exposed at the outer surface of the footwear upper 102 in this example. This base 754 includes one or more electrical contacts 756 (e.g., for powering one or more heating, cooling, and/or vibration elements) and/or one or more portions 758A of a securing system.
[0077] The base 754 releasably engages a thermal and/or vibration module 760. A bottom side 760B of the thermal and/vibration module 760 (see FIG. 7B) includes: (a) a recess 760R that receives at least a portion of base 754, (b) contacts 766 configured to interact with contacts 756, and (c) one or more portions 758B of the securing system. When the base 754 and thermal and/or vibration module 760 are engaged (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7C): (i) recess 760R receives at least the top surface of the base 754, (ii) contacts 766 interact with contacts 756, and (iii) the securing system portions 758A and 758B engage to releasably secure the module 760 to the base 754. Any desired type of securing system may be used, such as a magnetic securing system, a clasp or clip type securing system, one or more securing straps, one or more detents or other types of retaining element structures, a threaded fastener system, etc.
[0078] The thermal and/or vibration system 750 may apply any one or more of heating, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to a wearers foot (e.g., to an instep region of a wearers foot in the illustrated example). Any desired type of thermal and/or vibration system may be used in different specific examples of this technology. As some more specific examples, the thermal and/or vibration systems may comprise systems of the types used in products commercially available from Hyperice, Inc., such as VENOM GO and HYPERICE X.
[0079] FIG. 7C further shows that this example thermal and/or vibration system 750 may be equipped with one or more inputs, e.g., to allow the user to power on the desired features and/or select a level of heating, cooling, and/or vibrational forces. While other arrangements are possible, in this illustrated example, the thermal and/or vibration module 760 includes a heat activator button 770H, a vibration activator button 770V, and a cooling activator button 770C. Further, the thermal and/or vibration module 760 of this illustrated example includes a series of indicator lights 770I, e.g., to indicate a heating level, a vibrational force level, and/or a cooling level activated. While other options are possible, the respective button 770H, 770V, or 770C may be interacted with one or more times to toggle through two or more of: (a) power on and activate at the lowest level, (b) activate to the next highest level, (c) activate to the next highest level, (d) activate to the highest level, and (e) power off. A wide variety of other types of interfaces and/or user input interactions may be used in other specific examples of this technology. The thermal and/or vibration system 750 may include any one or more of (and may include inputs relating to any one or more of) a heating system, a cooling system, and/or a vibration system In use, one or more of heating, cooling, and/or vibrational forces may be applied to the wearers foot at the instep region by the thermal and/or vibration system 750.
[0080] FIG. 7D shows another example input system that may be used with a thermal and/or vibration system 750 in accordance with at least some examples of this technology. In this illustrated example, the thermal and/or vibration system 750 includes an electronic input device 780 for receiving input from an electronic device 790 (e.g., electronic input device 780 may receive wireless communications from a remote device, such as a smartphone, laptop, tablet, personal digital assistant, other computing device, etc.). The electronic device 790 (e.g., a smartphone operating an application program) may provide operating instructions and/or other input data to the thermal and/or vibration system 750 (e.g., through communication with processing system 780M, as shown by wireless transmission icon 782). As a more specific example, in at least some examples of this technology, an electronic device 790 may include a remote control device, such as a smartphone running a phone application program and communicating with the processing system 780M via a BLUETOOTH low energy (BLE) communication system and/or protocol.
[0081] Electronic device 790 may include various features and/or functionality for interacting with thermal and/or vibration system 750. For example, an electronic device 790 may provide (e.g., the application program may generate) one or more Preset buttons (hard buttons or soft buttons). Any number of such Presets may be available through an input device 790 in different specific examples of this technology (two soft Preset buttons 796A, 796B are shown in the example of FIG. 7D). The Preset button(s) 796A, 796B may be used to trigger the processing system 780M to initiate a pre-selected heating, cooling, and/or vibrational program for the wearer. The input device 790 may come pre-programmed with (or programmable to include) one or more different heating, cooling, and/or vibrational programs (e.g., one for pre-game or pre-workout warm up and one for post-game or post-workout cool down or treatment). Additionally or alternatively, a user may be allowed to select from a list of potential pre-programmed treatment programs (e.g., available through the settings system, e.g., available through soft button 796C) and/or a user may be able to design a customized heating and/or cooling treatment program (e.g., with selectable temperature levels and/or vibrational intensity levels for different time periods and/or durations).
[0082] The example of FIG. 7D further shows that this input device 790 includes buttons 796D and 796E through which a user can increase or decrease the temperature setting, e.g., by a set amount per button interaction. The example of FIG. 7D further shows that this input device 790 includes buttons 796F and 796G through which a user can increase or decrease the vibrational intensity setting, e.g., by a set amount per button interaction. Other features, functionality, and/or programmable items may be included with the input device 790 of FIG. 7D, if desired, in different specific examples of this technology. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, features for providing any of this functionality may be included as part of the thermal and/or vibration system 750 (e.g., included as hard buttons and/or soft buttons on the module 760). Also, FIG. 7D shows the remote input device 790 used with a thermal and/or vibration system 750 that does not include its own separate inputs on module 760. Alternatively, if desired, remote and electronic control systems of the types described above in conjunction with FIG. 7D also may be used with thermal and/or vibration systems 750 of the types described above in conjunction with FIG. 7C (where the module 760 of the thermal and/or vibration system 750 itself may include hard buttons, soft buttons, and/or any desired types of inputs).
[0083] If desired, the input device 790 (and/or the control system or application program running thereon) may be used to control thermal and/or vibration systems located on other components, such as a thermal and/or vibration system included with an article of apparel. As a more specific example, electronic input device 790 of this illustrated example (and/or the control system or application program running thereon) also may be used to control articles of apparel of the types illustrated and described in U.S. Patent Appln. No. 63/661,828, filed June 19, 2024, which application is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
[0084] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of an article of footwear 800 having a foot support system of the types described above in conjunction with any of FIGS. 7A-7D. In the example of FIG. 8, however, the base 754 of the thermal and/or vibration system 750 is provided within the interior of a pocket 802, and the thermal and/or vibration module 760 is inserted into the pocket 802 to engage the base 754. The pocket 802 may include a securing system 804 (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener system, one or more buttons, one or more snaps, one or more other fasteners, one or more elastic bands or panels, etc.) to help securely hold the thermal and/vibration module 760 in place. A pocket 802 of this type may be used with any of the types of thermal and/or vibration systems described above, including any of those described above in conjunction with FIGS. 7A-7D.
[0085] FIGS. 7A-8 show articles of footwear 700 and 800 in which the thermal and/or vibration system 750 apply one or more of heating, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot (e.g., by engagement of the thermal and/or vibration system 750 with a strap of a slide or sandal type structures). These aspects of this technology may be used in conjunction with other types of footwear in at least some specific examples of this technology. FIG. 9 illustrates an article of footwear 900 having a more complete upper 902 engaged with a sole structure 104, which may have any of the features of sole structure 104 described above (including the foam base member 200, one or more fluid-filled bladders 300 (e.g., any of bladders 300A-300D described above). The sole structure 104 may be permanently mounted to the upper 902, e.g., in any desired manner, including in conventional manners that are known and used in the art.
[0086] At least some portion(s) of the interior foot-receiving chamber 906 may include a temperature dispersing element 752, e.g., a layer of material (e.g., a silicone layer or pad) that spreads heat and/or cooling along its surface and applies the heating and/or cooling to a wearers foot. The base member 754 of this example thermal and/or vibration system 750 may be mounted to and/or exposed at an exterior of the upper 902. The thermal and/or vibration module 760 may be releasably engaged with the base member 754, e.g., in any of the manners described above in conjunction with FIGS. 7A-8. Optionally, if desired, the footwear upper 902 and/or sole member 104 may include or support electrical conductors, e.g., if the thermal and/or vibration module 760 needs to be in electronic communication with another portion of the thermal and/or vibration system 750 located at another area of the article of footwear 900 (e.g., to activate and/or control a heating element, a cooling element, and/or a vibration system located at a position in the article of footwear 900 away from the base member 754, such as at another location in the upper 902 and/or the sole structure 104).
[0087] FIG. 10 shows another example article of footwear 1000 in accordance with at least some examples of this technology. FIG. 10 illustrates an article of footwear 1000 having a complete upper 902 engaged with a sole structure 104, which may have any of the features of upper 102, 902 and/or sole structure 104 described above (including the foam base member 200, one or more fluid-filled bladders 300 (e.g., any of bladders 300A-300D described above). The sole structure 104 may be permanently mounted to the upper 902, e.g., in any desired manner, including conventional manners that are known and used in the art.
[0088] In this illustrated article of footwear 1000, the thermal and/or vibration system 750 is mounted with the sole structure 104. The thermal and/or vibration system 750 of this example has the base portion 754 mounted on or with the foam base member 200, e.g., within a recess defined in one or more of the top surface 200U, the ground-facing surface 200G, a lateral side edge 200L, the medial side edge 200M, the rear heel area, etc. If needed or desired: (i) one or more temperature dispersing elements 752, heating elements, and/or cooling elements may be provided at some location(s) within the upper 902 and/or on top of the sole structure 104, e.g., to apply heating and/or cooling to a wearers foot, and/or (ii) one or more vibrating units may be provided at some location(s) within the upper 902 and/or on top of the sole structure 104, e.g., to apply vibrational forces to a wearers foot. Optionally, if desired, the footwear upper 902 and/or sole member 104 may include or support electrical conductors, e.g., if the thermal and/or vibration module 760 needs to be in electronic communication with another portion of the thermal and/or vibration system 750 located at another area of the article of footwear 1000 (e.g., to activate and/or control a heating element, a cooling element, and/or a vibration unit located at a position in the article of footwear 1000 away from the base member 754, such as at another location in the upper 902 and/or the sole structure 104).
[0089] The examples of FIGS. 7A-10 show removably mounted and/or two part thermal and/or vibration systems 750 with a base 754 removably engageable with a thermal and/or vibration module 760 used to provide and control heating, cooling, and/or vibration components located at some part of the articles of footwear. Other structures and/or configurations are possible. For example, the thermal and/or vibration system 750 may include one or more parts that are all permanently mounted to some portion of the footwear structure (optionally controllable, at least in part, by a remote device of the type shown in FIG. 7D). In other words, at least some examples of this technology need not include a separable base 754 and module 760 for the thermal and/or vibration unit 750. Rather, the thermal and/or vibration unit could be formed as a unitary structure and/or as a structure permanently fixed with the footwear structure.
Conclusion
[0090] The present technology is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to this technology, not to limit the scope of the claimed invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention, as defined by the appended claims.
[0091] For the avoidance of doubt, the present application includes at least the subject matter described in the following numbered Clauses.
[0092] Clause 1. A foot support system, comprising: (A) a foam base member including an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface located opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the upper-facing surface includes a recess; (B) a fluid-filled bladder having a bottom surface at least partially received in the recess and a top surface located opposite the bottom surface, wherein at least one of the foam base member and/or the fluid-filled bladder provides a foot support surface of the foot support system; and (C) a thermal and/or vibration system configured to apply at least one of heat, cooling, and/or vibrational forces to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface.
[0093] Clause 2. The foot support system according to Clause 1, further comprising a fabric element at least partially covering the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder.
[0094] Clause 3. The foot support system according to Clause 1 or 2, further comprising a foot-retaining element engaged with at least one of the foam base member or the fluid-filled bladder.
[0095] Clause 4. The foot support system according to Clause 3, wherein the foot-retaining element comprises a footwear upper.
[0096] Clause 5. The foot support system according to Clause 3, wherein the foot-retaining element extends across the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder at an instep region of the foot support system from a lateral side edge of the foot support system to a medial side edge of the foot support system.
[0097] Clause 6. The foot support system according to Clause 5, wherein the foot-retaining element comprises a strap, wherein a foot-receiving region is defined between the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder and the strap at the instep region of the foot support system.
[0098] Clause 7. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 3 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and/or vibration system is engaged with the foot-retaining element.
[0099] Clause 8. The foot support system according to Clause 7, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system is a heating system configured to apply heat to an instep region of a wearers foot.
[0100] Clause 9. The foot support system according to Clause 7, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system is a cooling system configured to apply cooling to an instep region of a wearers foot.
[0101] Clause 10. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 7 to 9, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and/or vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element.
[0102] Clause 11. The foot support system according to Clause 10, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and/or vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element by one or more magnets.
[0103] Clause 12. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 3 to 6, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system comprises a vibration system engaged with the foot-retaining element.
[0104] Clause 13. The foot support system according to Clause 12, wherein the vibration system is configured to apply vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
[0105] Clause 14. The foot support system according to Clause 12 or 13, wherein at least a portion of the vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element.
[0106] Clause 15. The foot support system according to Clause 14, wherein at least a portion of the vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element by one or more magnets.
[0107] Clause 16. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 3 to 6, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system is a thermal and vibration system engaged with the foot-retaining element.
[0108] Clause 17. The foot support system according to Clause 16, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply heat and vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
[0109] Clause 18. The foot support system according to Clause 16, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply cooling and vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
[0110] Clause 19. The foot support system according to Clause 16, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply heating, cooling, and vibrational forces to an instep region of a wearers foot.
[0111] Clause 20. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 16 to 19, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element.
[0112] Clause 21. The foot support system according to Clause 20, wherein at least a portion of the thermal and vibration system is removably mounted to the foot-retaining element by one or more magnets.
[0113] Clause 22. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system includes a heating system configured to apply heat to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface.
[0114] Clause 23. The foot support system according to Clause 22, further comprising a releasable connector system configured to removably mount at least a portion of the heating system to at least one of the foam base member, the fluid-filled bladder, and/or another component of the foot support system.
[0115] Clause 24. The foot support system according to Clause 23, wherein the releasable connector system includes one or more magnets.
[0116] Clause 25. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system includes a vibration system configured to apply vibrational forces to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface.
[0117] Clause 26. The foot support system according to Clause 25, further comprising a releasable connector system configured to removably mount at least a portion of the vibration system to at least one of the foam base member, the fluid-filled bladder, and/or another component of the foot support system.
[0118] Clause 27. The foot support system according to Clause 26, wherein the releasable connector system includes one or more magnets.
[0119] Clause 28. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system comprises a thermal and vibration system configured to apply vibrational forces and at least one of heat or cooling to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface.
[0120] Clause 29. The foot support system according to Clause 28, further comprising a releasable connector system configured to removably mount at least a portion of the thermal and vibration system to at least one of the foam base member, the fluid-filled bladder, and/or another component of the foot support system.
[0121] Clause 30. The foot support system according to Clause 29, wherein the releasable connector system includes one or more magnets.
[0122] Clause 31. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 28 to 30, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply heat and vibrational forces to the wearers foot.
[0123] Clause 32. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 28 to 30, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply cooling and vibrational forces to the wearers foot.
[0124] Clause 33. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 28 to 30, wherein the thermal and vibration system is configured to apply heat, cooling, and vibrational forces to the wearers foot.
[0125] Clause 34. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the thermal and/or vibration system comprises a cooling system configured to apply cooling to a wearers foot when the wearers foot is supported by the foot support surface.
[0126] Clause 35. The foot support system according to Clause 34, further comprising a releasable connector system configured to removably mount at least a portion of the cooling system to at least one of the foam base member, the fluid-filled bladder, and/or another component of the foot support system.
[0127] Clause 36. The foot support system according to Clause 35, wherein the releasable connector system includes one or more magnets.
[0128] Clause 37. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 36, wherein the fluid-filled bladder includes a single interior chamber that is in open fluid communication.
[0129] Clause 38. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 36, wherein the fluid-filled bladder includes a first interior fluid chamber and a second interior fluid chamber that is in fluid isolation from the first interior fluid chamber.
[0130] Clause 39. The foot support system according to Clause 38, wherein the first interior fluid chamber is at a different pressure from the second interior fluid chamber.
[0131] Clause 40. The foot support system according to Clause 38, wherein the first interior fluid chamber and the second interior fluid chamber are at substantially the same pressure.
[0132] Clause 41. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 40, wherein a greatest thickness of the foam base member from the upper-facing surface to the ground-facing surface is greater than a greatest thickness of the fluid-filled bladder from the top surface to the bottom surface.
[0133] Clause 42. The foot support system according to Clause 41, wherein the greatest thickness of the foam base member is at least 1.25 times greater than the greatest thickness of the fluid-filled bladder.
[0134] Clause 43. The foot support system according to Clause 41, wherein the greatest thickness of the foam base member is at least 1.5 times greater than the greatest thickness of the fluid-filled bladder.
[0135] Clause 44. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 40, wherein an average thickness of the foam base member from the upper-facing surface to the ground-facing surface is greater than an average thickness of the fluid-filled bladder from the top surface to the bottom surface.
[0136] Clause 45. The foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1, 2, or 23 to 44, formed as a midsole component configured to be removably inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear.
[0137] Clause 46. An article of footwear, comprising a foot support system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 45.
[0138] Clause 47. The article of footwear according to Clause 46, formed as a slide or a sandal.
