Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having an upper, a footbed, an outsole, and a bladder that is disposed between the footbed and the outsole includes providing a plurality of layers. The layers include a top, outsole, first bladder, and second bladder layer. Also, the method includes molding the layers together substantially simultaneously to form the upper, the footbed, the outsole, and the bladder.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having an anterior area, a posterior area, a medial area extending between the anterior and posterior areas, and a lateral area extending between the anterior and posterior areas and that is opposite the medial area. The article of footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes a bladder having a base operably supported by the sole assembly, an anterior portion that extends from the base toward the anterior area, a posterior portion that extends from the base toward the posterior area, a medial portion that extends from the base toward the medial area, and a lateral portion that extends from the base toward the lateral area. The anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral portions are operably supported by the upper.

Abstract: A bladder assembly for an article of footwear includes a main body. The main body defines a first chamber and a second chamber, and the second chamber includes a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The bladder assembly also includes a viscous fluid contained in the first or second chamber and a gas contained in the other of the first or second chamber. Furthermore, the bladder assembly includes a fabric member that is fixed to both the first and second inner surfaces. The fabric member limits movement of the first and second inner surfaces away from each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for joining polymeric materials together may use lasers or broadband infrared heat sources. The polymeric materials are arranged in an overlapping manner and then are exposed to the heat producing radiation for a sufficient time to join the polymeric materials together at the overlapped area. Such systems and methods may avoid the need to add an energy absorbing dopant to the materials being joined. Such systems and methods also may be used on transparent materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper for securing the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a bladder that contains a fluid. The bladder has a posterior portion, an anterior portion, and a middle portion disposed between the posterior and anterior portions. The posterior portion has a heel recess that is approximately coincidental with a center of a heel of the wearer. The middle portion includes a neck chamber that extends between the posterior and anterior portions. The neck chamber is elongate and has a width that is less than both the posterior and anterior portions, and the anterior portion has a plurality of toe recesses that extend generally away from the neck chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having an upper, a footbed, an outsole, and a bladder that is disposed between the footbed and the outsole includes providing a plurality of layers. The layers include a top, outsole, first bladder, and second bladder layer. Also, the method includes molding the layers together substantially simultaneously to form the upper, the footbed, the outsole, and the bladder.

Abstract: A bladder assembly for an article of footwear includes a main body. The main body defines a first chamber and a second chamber, and the second chamber includes a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The bladder assembly also includes a viscous fluid contained in the first or second chamber and a gas contained in the other of the first or second chamber. Furthermore, the bladder assembly includes a fabric member that is fixed to both the first and second inner surfaces. The fabric member limits movement of the first and second inner surfaces away from each other.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having an anterior area, a posterior area, a medial area extending between the anterior and posterior areas, and a lateral area extending between the anterior and posterior areas and that is opposite the medial area. The article of footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes a bladder having a base operably supported by the sole assembly, an anterior portion that extends from the base toward the anterior area, a posterior portion that extends from the base toward the posterior area, a medial portion that extends from the base toward the medial area, and a lateral portion that extends from the base toward the lateral area. The anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral portions are operably supported by the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper for securing the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a bladder that contains a fluid. The bladder has a posterior portion, an anterior portion, and a middle portion disposed between the posterior and anterior portions. The posterior portion has a heel recess that is approximately coincidental with a center of a heel of the wearer. The middle portion includes a neck chamber that extends between the posterior and anterior portions. The neck chamber is elongate and has a width that is less than both the posterior and anterior portions, and the anterior portion has a plurality of toe recesses that extend generally away from the neck chamber.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by a groove. Also, the article of footwear includes a biasing structure that is elongate and nonextendable. The biasing structure is operably coupled to the sole assembly to bias the first and second portions of the sole assembly generally toward each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for joining polymeric materials together may use lasers or broadband infrared heat sources. The polymeric materials are arranged in an overlapping manner and then are exposed to the heat producing radiation for a sufficient time to join the polymeric materials together at the overlapped area. Such systems and methods may avoid the need to add an energy absorbing dopant to the materials being joined. Such systems and methods also may be used on transparent materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by a groove. Also, the article of footwear includes a biasing structure that is elongate and nonextendable. The biasing structure is operably coupled to the sole assembly to bias the first and second portions of the sole assembly generally toward each other.

Abstract: An article of footwear that includes an outsole, including an outsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the outsole to separate the outsole into first and second outsole elements. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes a midsole, including a midsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the midsole to separate the midsole into first and second midsole elements. The first midsole element is operably secured to the first outsole element to define a first element assembly, and the second midsole element is operably secured to the second outsole element to define a second element assembly. Furthermore, the outsole groove and the midsole groove are substantially aligned with each other, and the first and second element assemblies interlock with each other.