Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a fluid filled bladder that is formed from a plurality of coextensive, stacked polymeric sheets. An anti-weld material is disposed between two of the polymeric sheets within a central region of the sheets, the anti-weld material operative to inhibit a first polymeric sheet from being able to thermally fuse with a second polymeric sheet wherever the anti-weld material is present. The first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet are fused together in a peripheral region that surrounds the central region, the peripheral region forming a peripheral flange. At least one of the first polymeric sheet and second polymeric sheet includes a plurality of integrated reinforcing fibers that are operative to increase a modulus of elasticity of the sheet in a direction parallel to the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear includes a plate, a first tensile layer disposed adjacent to a first side of the plate, and a second tensile layer disposed on an opposite side of the plate from the first tensile layer, the second tensile layer joined to the first tensile layer through the plate by a plurality of inner bonds. The bladder additionally includes a first barrier layer disposed adjacent to the first tensile layer and joined to the first tensile layer by a plurality of first outer bonds to form a first chamber, one or more of the first outer bonds interposed between adjacent ones of the inner bonds.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending from the medial side in the forefoot region to a lateral side in the heel region and along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a cushioning component that has an outer surface and at least partially defines a chamber that is at least partially surrounded by the outer surface. At least a portion of the outer surface has a protruding shape in the absence of a compressive load of at least a predetermined magnitude on the cushioning component. The sole structure includes a sole component that includes a projection that either extends through the outer surface of the cushioning component and within the chamber, or interfaces with a recess in the outer surface of the cushioning component, or protrudes from an inner surface of the cushioning component into the chamber.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending between a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, a second segment extending between the medial side of the sole structure and the lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment, the first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a bladder including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first chamber bounding a periphery of the heel region, and a second chamber extending from the mid-foot region through the forefoot region and including a plurality of segments extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. Each of the segments of the second chamber includes a medial reservoir adjacent to the medial side and a lateral reservoir adjacent to the lateral side, the medial reservoir fluidly coupled to the lateral reservoir via a first conduit.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending from the medial side in the forefoot region to a lateral side in the heel region and along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a cushioning component that has an outer surface and at least partially defines a chamber that is at least partially surrounded by the outer surface. At least a portion of the outer surface has a protruding shape in the absence of a compressive load of at least a predetermined magnitude on the cushioning component. The sole structure includes a sole component that includes a projection that either extends through the outer surface of the cushioning component and within the chamber, or interfaces with a recess in the outer surface of the cushioning component, or protrudes from an inner surface of the cushioning component into the chamber.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.

Abstract: An adjustable multiple bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a bladder including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first chamber bounding a periphery of the heel region, and a second chamber extending from the mid-foot region through the forefoot region and including a plurality of segments extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. Each of the segments of the second chamber includes a medial reservoir adjacent to the medial side and a lateral reservoir adjacent to the lateral side, the medial reservoir fluidly coupled to the lateral reservoir via a first conduit.

Abstract: A cushioning structure includes an externally-reinforced bladder, the bladder having a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet, where each polymeric sheet includes an internal surface and an opposite external surface. A first reinforcing layer is in contact with the external surface of the first polymeric sheet, where the first reinforcing layer has a greater modulus than the first polymeric sheet. A second reinforcing layer is in contact with the external surface of the second polymeric sheet, where the second reinforcing layer has a greater modulus than the second polymeric sheet. The bladder includes an internal volume and a peripheral flange surrounding the internal volume, and the reinforcing layers are only secured to the polymeric sheets at the peripheral flange.

Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder and at least one foam insert. The bladder includes an upper surface having a first portion defining a chamber and a second portion defining at least one recess adjacent to the chamber. The at least one foam insert is disposed within the at least one recess and has a top surface that is substantially flush with the first portion of the upper surface of the bladder. The first portion of the upper surface is exposed to the at least one foam insert.

Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear includes a plate, a first tensile layer disposed adjacent to a first side of the plate, and a second tensile layer disposed on an opposite side of the plate from the first tensile layer, the second tensile layer joined to the first tensile layer through the plate by a plurality of inner bonds. The bladder additionally includes a first barrier layer disposed adjacent to the first tensile layer and joined to the first tensile layer by a plurality of first outer bonds to form a first chamber, one or more of the first outer bonds interposed between adjacent ones of the inner bonds.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Abstract: A cushioning element for an article of footwear includes a bladder having a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer joined together along a seam to define a chamber and a support element disposed within the chamber and having a support member and a plurality of flexible support legs each extending from a first end attached to the support member to a second end disposed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer within the seam.

Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear includes a plate, a first tensile layer disposed adjacent to a first side of the plate, and a second tensile layer disposed on an opposite side of the plate from the first tensile layer, the second tensile layer joined to the first tensile layer through the plate by a plurality of inner bonds. The bladder additionally includes a first barrier layer disposed adjacent to the first tensile layer and joined to the first tensile layer by a plurality of first outer bonds to form a first chamber, one or more of the first outer bonds interposed between adjacent ones of the inner bonds.