Back to results
US 12,727,645 B2Granted
Article of footwear with an adaptive fluid system
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsElizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.
Claims20
A fluid system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a foot-activated pump located in a forefoot portion of the article of footwear;
- a first fluid line for supplying incoming fluid to the foot-activated pump;
- a first one way valve configured to allow fluid to flow through the first fluid line into the foot-activated pump but inhibit fluid from flowing out of the foot-activated pump through the first fluid line;
- a fluid chamber located in a heel portion of the article of footwear;
- a second fluid line for moving fluid from the foot-activated pump to the fluid chamber;
- a second one way valve located downstream of the foot-activated pump and upstream of the fluid chamber, wherein the second one way valve is configured to allow fluid to flow into the second fluid line from the foot-activated pump but inhibit fluid from flowing through the second fluid line into the foot-activated pump;
- a third fluid line located downstream from the fluid chamber;
- and
- a manual pressure release valve configured to release fluid from the fluid chamber via the third fluid line when activated.
6 more elements
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper;
- a sole structure engaged with the upper;
- a fluid chamber disposed in a heel portion of the sole structure and configured to support a heel region of a user's foot;
- a foot-activated pump located in a forefoot portion of the sole structure and configured to deliver fluid to the fluid chamber;
- a first fluid line for supplying incoming fluid to the foot-activated pump;
- a first one way valve configured to allow fluid to flow through the first fluid line into the foot-activated pump but inhibit fluid from flowing out of the foot-activated pump through the first fluid line;
- a second fluid line for moving fluid from the foot-activated pump to the fluid chamber;
- and
- a second one way valve located downstream of the foot-activated pump and upstream of the fluid chamber, wherein the second one way valve is configured to allow fluid to flow into the second fluid line from the foot-activated pump but inhibit fluid from flowing through the second fluid line into the foot-activated pump;
- a third fluid line located downstream from the fluid chamber;
- and
- a manual pressure release valve configured to release fluid from the fluid chamber via the third fluid line when activated.
9 more elements
A method of moving fluid in a fluid system for an article of footwear, the method comprising:
- introducing fluid into a first fluid line;
- moving the fluid through a first one way valve and into a foot-activated pump, wherein the first one way valve allows fluid to flow from the first fluid line into the foot-activated pump but inhibits fluid from flowing out of the foot-activated pump via the first fluid line;
- activating the foot-activated pump in response to forces received from a user's forefoot when walking or running, wherein the activating moves the fluid from the foot-activated pump through a second one way valve and into a second fluid line, wherein the second one way valve allows fluid to flow from the foot-activated pump into the second fluid line but inhibits fluid from flowing out of the second fluid line into the foot-activated pump;
- and
- moving the fluid through the second fluid line and into a fluid chamber disposed in a heel portion of the article of footwear;
- and
- selectively activating a manual pressure release valve provided in a third fluid line located downstream from the fluid chamber to selectively release fluid from and reduce fluid pressure in the fluid chamber.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.