US 11,812,819 B2Granted

Adjustable multi-bladder system for an article of footwear

AssigneeNIKE, Inc.

InventorsElizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, Aaron B. Weast

Life of this patent

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Abstract

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

Claims20

Dependent claims

A bladder system for an article of footwear, comprising:

a first inflation chamber;
a second inflation chamber;
a valve body defining:
(a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore, (c) a second fluid passage extending between the bore and the first inflation chamber, and (d) a third fluid passage extending between the bore and the second inflation chamber;
and
a first valve provided in the bore, wherein the first valve includes (a) a first orifice, (b) a second orifice, and (c) a passage connecting the first orifice and the second orifice,
wherein the first valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable between a first rotated position and a second rotated position, wherein:
in the first rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage to allow fluid flow between the first fluid passage and the first inflation chamber, and
in the second rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage to allow fluid flow between the first fluid passage and the second inflation chamber.

6 more elements

An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper;
and
a sole structure engaged with the upper, the sole structure including a bladder system comprising:
(i) a first inflation chamber;
(ii) a second inflation chamber;
(iii) a valve body defining:
(a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore, (c) a second fluid passage extending between the bore and the first inflation chamber, and (d) a third fluid passage extending between the bore and the second inflation chamber;
and
(iv) a first valve provided in the bore, wherein the first valve includes (a) a first orifice, (b) a second orifice, and (c) a passage connecting the first orifice and the second orifice,
wherein the first valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable between a first rotated position and a second rotated position, wherein:
in the first rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage to allow fluid flow between the first fluid passage and the first inflation chamber, and
in the second rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage to allow fluid flow between the first fluid passage and the second inflation chamber.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/990,300Filed 18 Nov 2022 · continuation
Priority: 6 Apr 2011
Published: US 2023/0081283 A116 Mar 2023
Granted: 14 Nov 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

A43B 13/206
Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas: provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members
A43B 7/144
Characterised by the location under the foot: situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
A43B 7/1445
Characterised by the location under the foot: situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal
A43B 13/203
Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas: provided with a pump or valve

Family

Application13/081,091Parent of this continuation · filed 6 Apr 2011
Application14/730,319Parent of this division · filed 4 Jun 2015
US 9,060,564 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 23 Jun 2015
Application15/643,892Parent of this continuation · filed 7 Jul 2017
US 9,730,488 B2Parent of this division · filed 15 Aug 2017
Application16/375,889Parent of this continuation · filed 5 Apr 2019
US 10,278,449 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 7 May 2019
US 2023/0081283 A1Pre-grant publication · published 16 Mar 2023
US 11,523,658 B2Parent of this continuation
Application15/643,892Parent of this division
Application14/730,319Parent of this continuation
US 2012/0255198 A1Published application
US 2015/0265002 A1Published application
US 2017/0311679 A1Published application
US 2019/0297998 A1Published application
US 11,812,819 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.