Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper element, a lower element positioned below the upper element and a flexure element. The flexure element may be joined to one of the upper element and the lower element. The flexure element may be configured for slidingly contacting the other of the upper element and the lower element when a vertical compressive load is applied to the upper element. A second flexure element may be provided that extends from the upper element toward the lower element (or vice versa). An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a support assembly positioned beneath the upper, and having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of connecting members. The connecting members are spaced from one another and extend partway inwardly from a periphery of the support assembly such that connecting members on a medial side of the support assembly are spaced from connecting members on a lateral side of the support assembly, with each connecting member including a primary aperture extending therethrough. Each of a plurality of tubular members has a central aperture passing therethrough and is received in the primary aperture of one of the connecting members.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, a support assembly beneath the midsole, and an outsole. The support assembly includes a primary member and a secondary member engaged with the primary member. A portion of the secondary member extends through an aperture in the primary member. An opening in the primary member exposes the aperture to an exterior of the primary member.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a support structure for an article of footwear, which may include upper and lower support elements, upper and lower members, a compression element disposed between the upper and lower members, and a torsion element. A vertical force applied to the upper support element compresses the compression element, rotationally displaces in a first direction the upper member relative to the lower member, rotationally displaces in the first direction a second portion of the torsion element relative to a first portion of the torsion element, deflects a torsion loading portion of the torsion element, and moves the upper member vertically toward the lower member. Upon release of the force, the torsion loading portion rotationally displaces in a second direction opposite to the first direction the second portion of the torsion element relative to the first portion. Embodiments of methods of manufacturing a support structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole and a stability element. The sole may have a receiving channel extending from a sole bottom surface toward a sole top surface. The receiving channel may have a first groove at an outer perimeter of the receiving channel and a second groove at an inner perimeter of the receiving channel. The stability element may have a first tongue protruding from an outer perimeter of a body of the stability element and a second tongue protruding from an inner perimeter of the body of the stability element. In an exemplary aspect, the first groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the first tongue of the stability element, and the second groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the second tongue of the stability element as the stability element is maintained, at least in part, within the receiving channel.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper element, a lower element positioned below the upper element and a flexure element. The flexure element may be joined to one of the upper element and the lower element. The flexure element may be configured for slidingly contacting the other of the upper element and the lower element when a vertical compressive load is applied to the upper element. A second flexure element may be provided that extends from the upper element toward the lower element (or vice versa). An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable cleat members is disclosed. The heights of each cleat member can be adjusted independently. Each cleat member engages a cleat rotating member associated with the sole of the article. The cleat rotating member may be engaged through a hole in a top portion of a sole structure of the article of footwear. The cleat rotating member can be turned to adjust the height of the cleat member.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, and a support assembly positioned beneath the midsole. The support assembly includes a plurality of primary support members having a substantially Z-shaped cross-section extending transversely across the support assembly. The support assembly may include a plurality of secondary support members having an inverted V-shaped cross-section, extending longitudinally along the support assembly, and intersecting with the primary support members. An outsole is positioned beneath the support assembly.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a support assembly positioned beneath the upper, and having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of connecting members. The connecting members are spaced from one another and extend partway inwardly from a periphery of the support assembly such that connecting members on a medial side of the support assembly are spaced from connecting members on a lateral side of the support assembly, with each connecting member including a primary aperture extending therethrough. Each of a plurality of tubular members has a central aperture passing therethrough and is received in the primary aperture of one of the connecting members.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, a support assembly beneath the midsole, and an outsole. The support assembly includes a primary member and a secondary member engaged with the primary member. A portion of the secondary member extends through an aperture in the primary member. An opening in the primary member exposes the aperture to an exterior of the primary member.

Abstract: In general terms, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing a foreign currency solution. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) establishing a foreign currency account for a domestic account holder; (b) receiving a domestic currency payment for funding the foreign currency account; (c) exchanging the domestic currency payment to produce an exchanged foreign currency payment; (d) crediting the foreign currency account by the amount of the exchanged foreign currency payment; and (e) authorizing a foreign currency transaction involving the foreign currency account and the domestic account holder. Other embodiments relate to configuring a mobile device to operate as a mobile wallet, such that the mobile device includes a foreign currency account module and/or a domestic currency account module that can be used to engage in both domestic currency and foreign currency transactions.

Abstract: In general terms, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing a foreign currency solution. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) establishing a foreign currency account for a domestic account holder; (b) receiving a domestic currency payment for funding the foreign currency account; (c) exchanging the domestic currency payment to produce an exchanged foreign currency payment; (d) crediting the foreign currency account by the amount of the exchanged foreign currency payment; and (e) authorizing a foreign currency transaction involving the foreign currency account and the domestic account holder. Other embodiments relate to configuring a mobile device to operate as a mobile wallet, such that the mobile device includes a foreign currency account module and/or a domestic currency account module that can be used to engage in both domestic currency and foreign currency transactions.

Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable cleat members is disclosed. The heights of each cleat member can be adjusted independently. Each cleat member engages a cleat rotating member associated with the sole of the article. The cleat rotating member may be engaged through a hole in a top portion of a sole structure of the article of footwear. The cleat rotating member can be turned to adjust the height of the cleat member.

Abstract: A method for managing payment of digital certificates includes receiving a request to issue a digital certificate to a subscriber, capturing and saving payment information of the subscriber, performing a first authentication and verification of the subscriber at a first time, and performing at least one additional authentication and verification of the subscriber at least once every authentication period. A long-lived certificate is issued to the subscriber provided the subscriber is authenticated and verified. The long-lived certificate is valid for an expiration period. However, the long-lived certificate is revoked if (1) the additional authentications and verification produce invalid results, or (2) if payment is not received during a payment period. The authentication period is shorter than the expiration period and there are at least a first and a second authentication period within the expiration period. The expiration period is longer than the authentication period.

Abstract: A process for altering the properties of extruded tubing by applying a solid particulate material to a tacky outer surface of the tubing as the tubing exists the extrusion head or die and prior to the tubing entering a cooling system of the extrusion line. The particulate material may act as a tie layer to improve the adherence of a second material to the outer surface of the extruded tubing, thus altering the tensile strength, elongation, and/or stiffness properties of the extruded tubing. In addition, the application of particulate material may be chosen to provide radiopacity to the extruded tubing. The solid particulate material may be deposited on the extruded tubing by vacuum deposition, magnetism, or pressurized means.