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US 2023/0081283 A1Published application
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 bladder system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a first inflation chamber;
- a second inflation chamber;
- a valve body defining:
- (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore, (c) a second fluid passage extending between the bore and the first inflation chamber, and (d) a third fluid passage extending between the bore and the second inflation chamber;
- and
- a first valve provided in the bore, wherein the first valve includes (a) a first orifice, (b) a second orifice, and (c) a passage connecting the first orifice and the second orifice,
- wherein the first valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable between a first rotated position and a second rotated position, wherein:
- in the first rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage to allow fluid to flow between the first fluid passage and the first inflation chamber, and
- in the second rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage to allow fluid flow between the first fluid passage and the second inflation chamber.
6 more elements
A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a bladder system that includes:
- (i) a first inflation chamber;
- (ii) a second inflation chamber;
- (iii) a valve body defining:
- (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore, (c) a second fluid passage extending between the bore and the first inflation chamber, and (d) a third fluid passage extending between the bore and the second inflation chamber;
- and
- (iv) a first valve provided in the bore, wherein the first valve includes (a) a first orifice, (b) a second orifice, and (c) a passage connecting the first orifice and the second orifice,
- wherein the first valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable between a first rotated position and a second rotated position, wherein:
- in the first rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage to allow fluid to flow between the first fluid passage and the first inflation chamber, and
- in the second rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage to allow fluid flow between the first fluid passage and the second inflation chamber.
7 more elements
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper;
- and
- a sole structure engaged with the upper, the sole structure including a bladder system comprising:
- (i) a first inflation chamber;
- (ii) a second inflation chamber;
- (iii) a valve body defining:
- (a) a bore, (b) a first fluid passage extending to the bore, (c) a second fluid passage extending between the bore and the first inflation chamber, and (d) a third fluid passage extending between the bore and the second inflation chamber;
- and
- (iv) a first valve provided in the bore, wherein the first valve includes (a) a first orifice, (b) a second orifice, and (c) a passage connecting the first orifice and the second orifice,
- wherein the first valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the bore and is movable between a first rotated position and a second rotated position, wherein:
- in the first rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage to allow fluid to flow between the first fluid passage and the first inflation chamber, and
- in the second rotated position, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage and the second orifice is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage to allow fluid flow between the first fluid passage and the second inflation chamber.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.