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US 12,471,671 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
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable multiple bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.
Claims20
A sole structure, comprising:
- an outsole including a hole defined through a bottom surface thereof;
- a valve member located above the outsole within the sole structure, the valve member including:
- (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore and configured to receive incoming fluid, (c) a second fluid passage extending to the bore, and (d) a third fluid passage extending to the bore;
- a first bladder in fluid communication with the bore via the second fluid passage;
- a second bladder in fluid communication with the bore via the third fluid passage;
- and
- a valve received in the bore and having an outer surface thereof exposed through the hole defined in the outsole, wherein the valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable at least between:
- (i) a first rotated position in which the incoming fluid received via the first fluid passage moves through the valve, through the second fluid passage, and into the first bladder, and (ii) a second rotated position in which the incoming fluid received via the first fluid passage moves through the valve, through the third fluid passage, and into the second bladder.
5 more elements
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper;
- and
- a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure including:
- an outsole including a hole defined through a bottom surface thereof,
- a valve member located above the outsole within the sole structure, the valve member including:
- (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore and configured to receive incoming fluid, (c) a second fluid passage extending to the bore, and (d) a third fluid passage extending to the bore,
- a first bladder in fluid communication with the bore via the second fluid passage,
- a second bladder in fluid communication with the bore via the third fluid passage, and
- a valve received in the bore and having an outer surface thereof exposed through the hole defined in the outsole, and wherein the valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable at least between:
- (i) a first rotated position in which the incoming fluid received via the first fluid passage moves through the valve, through the second fluid passage, and into the first bladder, and (ii) a second rotated position in which the incoming fluid received via the first fluid passage moves through the valve, through the third fluid passage, and into the second bladder.
7 more elements
A bladder system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- an outsole including a hole defined through a bottom surface thereof;
- a pump;
- a valve member located above the outsole, the valve member including:
- (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore and in fluid communication with the pump, (c) a second fluid passage extending to the bore, and (d) a third fluid passage extending to the bore;
- a first bladder in fluid communication with the bore via the second fluid passage;
- a second bladder in fluid communication with the bore via the third fluid passage;
- and
- a valve received in the bore and having an outer surface thereof exposed through the hole defined in the outsole, wherein the valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable at least between:
- (i) a first rotated position in which incoming fluid received from the pump via the first fluid passage moves through the valve, through the second fluid passage, and into the first bladder, and (ii) a second rotated position in which incoming fluid received from the pump via the first fluid passage moves through the valve, through the third fluid passage, and into the second bladder.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.