Fluid-filled chamber with a stacked tensile member
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsJohn F. Swigart, Amy E. Gishifu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile.
Claims20
Footwear comprising an upper, an outsole, and a fluid-filled chamber secured to the outsole, wherein the fluid-filled chamber comprises:
- a barrier formed from a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer, the first polymer layer being joined to the second polymer layer to define an interior void;
- a tensile member located within the interior void, the tensile member including a first tensile element and a second tensile element, the first tensile element having a pair of spaced textile layers joined by a plurality of connecting members, and the second tensile element being joined to one of the textile layers of the first tensile element, an outward facing surface of the first tensile element being joined to the first polymer layer, and an outward facing surface of the second tensile element being joined to the second polymer layer;
- and
- a fluid located within the interior void, the fluid being pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the tensile member;
- wherein sidewalls of the chamber are at least partially exposed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.