Adjustable Bladder System For An Article Of Footwear
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsAmy E. Gishifu, Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, John F. Swigart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed internally to the outer bladder to provide enhanced support. A valve member may also be disposed internally to the outer bladder. The valve member can include a contoured edge to provide a contoured shape for the outer bladder.
Claims27
A bladder system for an article of footwear, the article of footwear having a forward forefoot portion, a rearward heel portion, and a midfoot portion in between the forward forefoot portion and the rearward heel portion, the bladder system comprising:
- an outer bladder bounding an interior cavity;
- wherein the outer bladder has a forward end and a rearward end;
- at least one support structure disposed inside the interior cavity;
- a valve member disposed inside the interior cavity, the valve member providing fluid communication between the interior cavity and an exterior of the outer bladder;
- wherein the valve member includes:
- a first surface that is forwardly oriented toward the forward end of the outer bladder and that is at a decline toward the forward end of the outer bladder,
- a second surface that is rearwardly oriented toward the rearward end of the outer bladder and that faces a sidewall of the at least one support structure,
- a third surface that is generally perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface and is on a medial side of the valve member,
- a fourth surface that is opposite to the third surface, is generally perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface, and is on a lateral side of the valve member, and
- a fifth surface that is a lower surface that faces in a ground surface direction;
- and
- wherein the internal pressure of the outer bladder can be adjusted.
A bladder system for an article of footwear, the article of footwear having a forward forefoot portion, a rearward heel portion, and a midfoot portion in between the forward forefoot portion and the rearward heel portion, the bladder system comprising:
- an outer bladder bounding an interior cavity;
- wherein the outer bladder has a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the forward end is part of a forward portion of the outer bladder, and wherein the rearward end is part of a rearward portion of the outer bladder;
- wherein the outer bladder is substantially deformable;
- wherein the outer bladder has an upper layer and a lower layer;
- a valve member disposed inside the interior cavity, the valve member including a valve and a fluid passage that provides fluid communication between the valve and the interior cavity;
- wherein the valve member includes:
- a contoured surface facing the forward end of the outer bladder, and
- a lower surface facing the lower layer of the outer bladder;
- wherein the contoured surface has a height that tapers from an upper rearward edge down to a lower forward edge;
- wherein, at the forward portion of the outer bladder, the contoured surface is disposed against the upper layer of the outer bladder and the lower surface is disposed against the lower layer of the outer bladder, such that the upper layer tapers down in a direction toward the forward end to join the lower layer;
- and
- wherein the contoured surface of the valve member provides a contoured shape for the forward portion of outer bladder.
A bladder system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- an outer bladder bounding an interior cavity;
- wherein the outer bladder includes a first portion and a second portion;
- at least one inner bladder disposed inside the interior cavity;
- a valve member disposed inside the interior cavity, the valve member providing fluid communication between the interior cavity and an exterior of the outer bladder;
- wherein the valve member provides a substantially constant shape for the first portion of the outer bladder;
- and
- wherein the at least one inner bladder provides a substantially constant shape for the second portion of the outer bladder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.