Sole Structure With Customizable Bladder Network
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTimothy P. Hopkins, Aaron B. Weast
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sole structure may include a bladder network. The bladder network may include multiple bladders interconnected by one or more conduits. At least a portion of the bladder network may contain a fluid. The sole structure may further include one or more stems. Each of the one or more stems may be positioned to impinge upon an external surface of, and at least partially deform, a corresponding conduit.
Claims29
A sole structure, comprising:
- a midsole;
- a bladder network, the bladder network including first and second bladders interconnected by a first conduit, wherein at least a portion of the bladder network contains a fluid, and wherein the bladder network is at least partially incorporated into the midsole;
- and
- a first stem positioned to impinge upon an external surface of, and at least partially deform, the first conduit.
The sole structure of 4, wherein a bottom side of the midsole includes a plurality of openings, wherein each of the openings is situated over a different one of the conduits, and wherein each of the stems is positioned in a different one of the openings.
A sole structure, comprising:
- a midsole;
- and
- a bladder network, the bladder network including first and second bladders interconnected by a first conduit, wherein at least a portion of the bladder network contains a fluid, wherein the bladder network is embedded in and covered on top and bottom sides by the midsole, wherein the midsole includes an opening exposing the conduit.
A method, comprising:
- receiving data for a cushioning profile of a sole structure of an article of footwear, the sole structure including a bladder network including multiple bladders interconnected by conduits, the sole structure also including a plurality of openings exposing the conduits;
- based on the received data, adjusting configurations of at least some stems in a frame;
- and
- installing the frame into the sole structure, the installing including inserting the stems through the openings so as to at least partially close at least a portion of the conduits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.