Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the disclosed methods comprise selectively depositing a binding material on foam particles in a target area such that the binding material coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the foam particles with the binding material. The binding material is then cured to affix foam particles in the target area to one another. In various aspects, the disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that differential levels of affixing between the foam particles, and thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An upper component for an article of footwear allows easy entry of the foot into the article of footwear. The upper component includes a heel body, which includes a first portion partially defining an ankle opening. The heel body further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion is foldable and partially defines the ankle opening. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The upper component includes at least one tension member coupled to the second portion. The tension member is movable relative to the first portion to move the second portion from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. The ankle opening is larger when the second portion is in the unfolded configuration than when the second portion is in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A fiber bound engineered material is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. A fiber layer is entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections. Variations in the fibers and/or inclusion of scrim materials prior to entanglement allows for an intended characteristic (e.g., a functional characteristic) at an intended relative location (e.g., a position determined by an article to be formed therefrom).

Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The inflatable sports ball having a bladder defining an exterior bladder surface and a bladder circumference. The inflatable sports ball may further comprise a cover disposed about the bladder, the cover comprising an outer cover layer and an intermediate structure. The intermediate structure is disposed between the outer cover layer and the bladder. The intermediate structure comprises a restriction structure. The restriction structure may comprise a plurality of overlapping strips. Each of the overlapping strips is interwoven with each of the other strips and wrapped about the bladder circumference. In this way, the restriction structure comprises a uniform number of radially-stacked layers of the overlapping strips over a substantial entirety of the exterior bladder surface between the exterior bladder surface and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.

Abstract: As described above, one or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles having structural achromatic color, and methods of making articles having structural achromatic color. The present disclosure provides for articles that exhibit structural color upon exposure to white light (e.g., sunlight, artificial light, or a combination) that shifts based on the angle of observation and/or incident light. At least one shift in the structural color is between an achromatic structural color and a chromatic structural color. The shift occurs at different angles of observation and/or angle of incident light.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for color printing onto nonwhite substrates and articles. For example, an article of apparel is provided that includes multiple layers of ink with a combination of a white ink and at least one color ink, and each layer having a ratio of white ink to color ink, wherein the ratio is the same.

Abstract: A dynamic vent-slit structure for a lower body article of apparel is provided. The article includes a pelvic portion for covering a pelvic area of a wearer when the article is in an as-worn position, and a plurality of slits in a repeating fashion, wherein a spacing between two adjacent slits in linear alignment is less than a length of a slit in non-linear alignment with the two slits and that is offset from the two slits such that the slit in non-linear alignment overlies the spacing between the slits in linear alignment, and the slit in non-linear alignment is parallel to the slits in linear alignment. The slits may be positioned in one or more groupings or aligned in different directions to open in response to different directions of stretch or movement, to provide dynamic or motion activated venting in the article.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to adaptive support garments including adaptive support structures, lacing systems, and an adaptive engine are discussed. In an example, an adaptive support garment includes a support structure, a plurality of lace guides, a lace cable, and an adaptive engine. The support structure is configured to wrap around a portion of anatomy of a wearer and apply a compression on the portion of anatomy. The plurality of lace guides are disposed on the support structure. The lace cable extends through the lace guides to form a lacing pattern over a lacing region of the support structure. The adaptive engine is coupled to the support structure and engages with the lace cable. The adaptive engine is also configured to increase or decrease tension on the lace cable to increase or decrease compression of the support structure on the portion of anatomy, respectively.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole having four stacked polymeric sheets bonded to one another to define a first cushioning layer, a second cushioning layer, and a third cushioning layer. Each cushioning layer comprises a sealed chamber retaining gas in isolation from each other sealed chamber. Bonds between adjacent ones of the sheets are arranged such that the third cushioning layer is stacked directly above the first cushioning layer with the second cushioning layer bordering both the first cushioning layer and the third cushioning layer, and the sealed chamber of the second cushioning layer includes a plurality of elongated segments each extending lengthwise across a longitudinal midline of the midsole at a respective acute angle to the longitudinal midline.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent electronic footwear with controller automated features, methods for making/using such footwear, and control systems for executing automated features of intelligent electronic footwear. An intelligent electronic shoe includes an upper that attaches to a user's foot, and a sole structure attached to the upper for supporting thereon the user's foot. A collision threat warning system, a detection tag, a wireless communications device, and a footwear controller are all mounted to the sole structure/upper. The detection tag receives a prompt signal from a transmitter-detector module and responsively transmits thereto a response signal. The footwear controller receives, through the wireless communications device, a pedestrian collision warning signal generated by the remote computing node responsive to the response signal.

Abstract: A device for easing foot entry into an article of footwear includes a control bar that has a center segment, a medial side arm extending downwardly and forwardly from the center segment, and a lateral side arm spaced from the medial side arm and extending downwardly and forwardly from the center segment. The device includes a base underlying the control bar and connected to the medial side arm at a first joint and to the lateral side arm at a second joint. The device includes a medial anchor arm extending downwardly and forwardly from the first joint and partially under the foot-receiving void. The device includes a lateral anchor arm extending downwardly and forwardly from the second joint and partially under the foot-receiving void. The medial side arm and the lateral side arm resiliently bend to a loaded position when a downward force is applied to the center segment.

Abstract: Presented are S-shaped cleats for footwear, methods for making/using S-shaped cleats, and footwear fabricated with S-shaped cleats. A cleat structure for an article of footwear includes a mounting base, such as a pair of coplanar mounting plates, that attaches to the footwear's sole structure. A center wall projects downwardly from the mounting base and has opposing lateral sides with a distal end extending therebetween. A pair of sidewalls each projects downwardly from the base and adjoins a respective lateral side of the center wall. Each sidewall has a respective angled edge that projects at an oblique angle from the distal end of the center wall. The two sidewalls are located on opposing sides of the center wall; the sidewalls may be parallel to and extend in opposite directions of each other. The center wall and sidewalls may be substantially flat panels with multiple polygonal faces or may have arcuate sides.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid is described, along with a method of making the article. The chamber may include a tensile member extending between a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer, a second tensile member layer bonded to the second chamber barrier layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The second tensile member layer may include a first section and a second section separate from the first section. In addition, a portion of the second chamber barrier layer may extend toward the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section, the portion being joined to the first tensile member layer.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to adaptive support garments including adaptive support structures, lacing systems, and an adaptive engine are discussed. In an example, an adaptive support garment can include a textile-based support structure, an adaptive support structure and an adaptive engine is described. The textile-based support structure is configured to support a portion of anatomy of a wearer. The adaptive support structure is integrated into the textile-based support structure and configured to adjust a portion of the textile-based support structure. The adaptive engine is coupled to the adaptive support structure to activate adjustment of the portion of the textile-based support structure.

Abstract: Buffing of a footwear component allows for an alteration of the component surface to achieve an intended surface for aesthetics and/or manufacturing purposes. The buffing is performed in a system having a vision module, a sidewall buffing module, an up surface buffing module, and a down surface buffing module. Each of the buffing modules are adapted for the unique shape and sizes of a footwear component to effectively and automatically buff the footwear component.