Abstract: An article of footwear is formed from multiple braided components. The braided components may be braided strands formed from different tensile elements. The tensile elements may have different cross-sections. The tensile elements may be from different materials. Different braided strands may then be over-braided over a last to form a braided upper for the article of footwear.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped or L-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear includes temporarily attaching a midsole structure to a last and inserting the midsole structure and footwear last through a braiding machine. A braided structure in the form of an upper is formed. The upper includes a midsole structure disposed within an interior cavity of the upper.

Abstract: A portable manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing device and a braiding device. The system also includes systems for capturing customized foot information from a foot. The additive manufacturing device can be used to form a footwear last having a geometry corresponding to the customized foot information. The footwear last can be placed through the braiding device to form a braided component for an article of footwear. A welding device can be used to attach overlay components to the braided component. Sole components may be separately formed and attached to the braided component.

Abstract: An article of footwear can include a braided upper. The structure of the braided upper may be manufactured using an article forming member and a braiding apparatus. The article forming member includes a body portion substantially similar to a last for shoemaking, as well as a flange portion that extends outward from the body portion. The article forming member moves through the braiding apparatus in varying orientations that can improve the efficiency of the braiding, enhance the braiding pattern, and enhance structural support of the braided upper.

Abstract: A last system and a method of making the last system are disclosed. The last system includes a last member and an exterior layer. The exterior layer becomes deformable when heated above a characteristic temperature. The method can include forming a braided footwear component on the last system. The exterior layer may be joined with the braided footwear component by heating the last system above the characteristic temperature.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped or L-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed and includes an upper and a support assembly positioned beneath the upper. The support assembly may include a top member, a chamber assembly positioned beneath the top member, having a base member and a plurality of hollow support members extending upwardly from the base member. A bottom plate may be secured to a bottom surface of the chamber assembly, sealing the hollow projections and forming at least one closed chamber. An outsole may be positioned beneath the support assembly.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped or L-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

Abstract: A method includes placing first and second mold members in contact; injecting a first material into a first recess in the first mold member to form a first portion of a midsole while the first mold member is maintained at a temperature below ambient; removing the first portion of the midsole from the first recess; placing a third mold member and an intermediate mold member in contact injecting a second material into a second recess to form a second portion of a midsole while the second mold member is maintained at a temperature below ambient; removing the intermediate mold member; positioning the first and second portions in the second recess; placing the third mold member and the fourth mold member in contact with one another; and subjecting the second material portion and the first portion in the second mold assembly to heat and pressure to form a midsole.

Abstract: A method of forming includes the steps of: placing a first mold member and a second mold member in contact with one another; injecting a first material into a first recess in the first mold member to form a first portion of a midsole while the first mold member is maintained at a temperature below an ambient temperature; removing the first portion of the midsole from the first recess; positioning the first portion of the midsole in the second recess in the third mold member of the second mold assembly; placing a second material into the second recess in contact with the first portion of the midsole; placing the third mold member and the fourth mold member in contact with one another; and subjecting the second material and the first portion in the second mold assembly to heat and pressure to form a midsole.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes an insole and an outsole. The outsole includes a ground-contacting surface and an inner surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole from the ground-contacting surface. The outsole further includes a first aperture extending through the outsole and between the ground-contacting surface and the inner surface. A midsole is disposed between the insole and the outsole and includes a second aperture at least partially aligned with the first aperture. A window is disposed between the midsole and the outsole and extends over the first aperture and the second aperture. A bladder is disposed between the insole and the midsole and is visible through the window.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper with a first size and an outsole with a second size that is different from the first size. A midsole of the article of footwear may be configured with an upper portion that fits the first size of the upper and a lower portion that fits the second size of the outsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed and includes an upper and a support assembly positioned beneath the upper. The support assembly may include a top member, a chamber assembly positioned beneath the top member, having a base member and a plurality of hollow support members extending upwardly from the base member. A bottom plate may be secured to a bottom surface of the chamber assembly, sealing the hollow projections and forming at least one closed chamber. An outsole may be positioned beneath the support assembly.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes an insole and an outsole. The outsole includes a ground-contacting surface and an inner surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole from the ground-contacting surface. The outsole further includes a first elongated aperture extending through the outsole and between the ground-contacting surface and the inner surface. A midsole is disposed between the insole and the outsole and includes a second elongated aperture at least partially aligned with the first elongated aperture. A window is disposed between the midsole and the outsole and extends over the first elongated aperture and the second elongated aperture. A bladder is disposed between the insole and the midsole and is visible through the window.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper with a first size and an outsole with a second size that is different from the first size. A midsole of the article of footwear may be configured with an upper portion that fits the first size of the upper and a lower portion that fits the second size of the outsole.

Abstract: A method of assembling the article of footwear may include assembling an upper with a first size and an outsole with a second size that is different from the first size. The method may also include assembling the article of footwear with a midsole that may be configured with an upper portion that fits the first size of the upper and a lower portion that fits the second size of the outsole.

Abstract: A sole system for an article of footwear comprising: an outsole layer and an insole layer, each of which include a vertically extending opening, a midsole layer disposed between the outsole and insole layers and including a bottom surface, a top surface, and an opening that extends vertically through the midsole layer to define a cavity therein, the cavity opening having a first dimension at the bottom surface substantially corresponding to the outsole layer opening and a second dimension at the top surface substantially corresponding to the insole layer opening; and a bladder element having a top and a base, wherein a portion of the bladder element is secured within the midsole cavity such that the top extends into at least a portion of the insole layer opening and the base extends into the outsole layer opening, wherein the bladder element and the midsole cavity include corresponding shapes and dimensions.