Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system.

Abstract: A tensioning system, method, and article of footwear includes a motor, a reel, and a transmission configured to transmit torque from the motor shaft to the reel shaft along a torque path to drive and rotate the reel shaft. The transmission has a compound gear. The compound gear includes a shaft gear, comprising an elongate shaft substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and offset with respect to the motor shaft along the lateral axis, the shaft gear configured to rotate independent of a fixed reference, and operatively coupled the reel and a ring gear, fixedly coupled to a first end of the shaft gear and operatively coupled to the motor.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a tensioning mechanism operable to move the upper between a tightened state and a loosened state and including a tensioning cable having a first end disposed on one of a lateral side and a medial side of the upper. The tensioning cable is movable in a tightening direction to move the tightening mechanism into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the tightening mechanism into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a locking device disposed on the one of the lateral side and the medial side of the upper. The locking device is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the tensioning cable in the loosening direction and an unlocked state permitting movement of the tensioning cable in both the loosening direction and the tightening direction.

Abstract: Sole structures, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices include: (a) a first footwear component having a ground-facing surface, wherein a forefoot portion of the ground-facing surface includes arched medial and lateral surfaces and (b) a second footwear component having an upper-facing surface, wherein a forefoot portion of the upper-facing surface includes arched medial and lateral surfaces that face (and optionally contact) the respective arched medial and lateral surfaces of the first footwear component. The first and second footwear components are movably engaged together such that: (a) the arched medial surface of the first footwear component moves with respect to and along the arched medial surface of the second footwear component and (b) the arched lateral surface of the first footwear component moves with respect to and along the arched lateral surface of the second footwear component.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a spool system that can be engaged or disengaged from a driveshaft through the use of a cam device. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensile element.

Abstract: A pulley for a wearable article includes a frame defining an aperture and a slot spaced apart from the aperture. A pulley wheel is disposed exterior to the frame, and a hub extends from the pulley wheel through the aperture. The hub engages the frame in a locked position, and is disengaged from the frame in an unlocked position. The hub is further from the slot in the locked than in the unlocked position. The hub and the pulley wheel are rotatable relative to the frame in the locked position. In another pulley, a frame defines an internal void and a slot extending through the frame and spaced apart from the internal void. A pulley wheel disposed exterior to the frame is spaced apart from the slot. A plurality of legs extends from the pulley wheel and is locked to the frame. The frame may include an anchor bar.

Abstract: A sole structure may include a damping pad. The damping pad may include a chamber, a foam element located within the chamber, an electrorheological fluid located within the chamber and at least partially permeating the foam element, and a set of electrodes positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate that has a forefoot portion with a foot-facing surface. The sole plate has at least one groove extending at least partially transversely in the foot-facing surface. The at least one groove is open when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and closed when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate including a foot support portion with a foot-facing surface and a ground-facing surface. An opening extends through the foot support portion from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface. The sole plate includes a bridge portion underlying the opening and secured to the foot support portion fore and aft of the opening. The sole structure includes a piston that has a body and a support arm extending transversely from the body. The body extends through the opening. The support arm is supported on the bridge portion, trapped below the ground-facing surface by the foot support portion, and extends under the ground-facing surface at medial and lateral sides of the opening.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

Abstract: A pouch or pocket may act as a container and may be used to securely hold objects (e.g., cell phone, keys, wallet, etc.) during athletic activity (e.g., running). The pouch may be a standalone item or integrally formed as part of other items. The pouch may hold the object to be stored in place within the pouch or pocket. The pouch may provide some cushioning or impact force attenuation to protect the object being held within the pouch or pocket. Additionally, the pouch may be attached to a garment, such as running clothes. The pouch includes an outer envelope sealable by a closure and a one-way valve with foam layers located inside the pouch. After the object is placed in the pouch, the closure is closed, and the air within the pouch is expelled via the one-way valve by compressing the foam layers from the outside.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate that has a forefoot portion with a foot-facing surface. The sole plate has at least one groove extending at least partially transversely in the foot-facing surface. The at least one groove is open when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and closed when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.

Abstract: A pouch or pocket may act as a container and may be used to securely hold objects (e.g., cell phone, keys, wallet, etc.) during athletic activity (e.g., running). The pouch may be a standalone item or integrally formed as part of other items. The pouch may hold the object to be stored in place within the pouch or pocket. The pouch may provide some cushioning or impact force attenuation to protect the object being held within the pouch or pocket. Additionally, the pouch may be attached to a garment, such as running clothes. The pouch includes an outer envelope sealable by a closure and a one-way valve with foam layers located inside the pouch. After the object is placed in the pouch, the closure is closed, and the air within the pouch is expelled via the one-way valve by compressing the foam layers from the outside.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a unitary midsole having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion. A bottom surface of the unitary midsole defines a groove extending from a medial side to a lateral side of the unitary midsole, and a top surface of the unitary midsole defines a slit disposed over the groove and extending from the medial side to the lateral side. The unitary midsole forms a living hinge at the groove and the slit, with the living hinge connecting the first portion to the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion are selectively pivotable relative to one another at the living hinge between a first orientation and a second orientation. The groove is wider in the first orientation than in the second orientation, and the slit is wider in the second orientation.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate both extending longitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structure. The second plate is disposed above the first plate in the flexion region. The second plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has a free portion. A coupler is operatively connected to one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate. The coupler is selectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and the second plate between a first position and a second position. The coupler is spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the first position, and operatively engages the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the second position.