Abstract: Bladder components and gloves that include such bladder components attenuate impact forces incident on the glove and/or a wearer's hand. Such bladder components and gloves may dampen impact forces applied by a game ball or other projectile to the glove (and thus to the wearer's hand) and/or reduce the energy returned to the game ball or other projectile from the glove. These features may better enable ball control (e.g., by limiting the ball's rebound force/distance off the hand) and/or improve wearer's comfort. Further, such gloves may provide delayed re-expansion of the bladder chamber and/or foam material to keep the bladder chamber and/or foam in a compressed configuration as the wearer grasps the ball/projectile from the glove during further play. In this manner, the ball will remain positioned in the glove at an expected location so that the wearer can easily locate and grasp the ball/projectile.

Abstract: Sole structures and articles of footwear include: (a) a foot support bladder chamber; (b) a fluid reservoir chamber; (c) a fluid line extending between the foot support bladder chamber and the fluid reservoir chamber and placing the foot support bladder chamber in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir chamber, wherein the fluid line extends outward from a heel area or a midfoot area of the foot support bladder chamber and/or the fluid reservoir chamber; and (d) a closure element for changing the fluid line between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The closure element may comprise a switch that is pivotally engaged with the footwear upper or sole structure. The fluid line may extend through a flap that projects outward from the heel or midfoot area of the foot support bladder chamber and/or the fluid reservoir chamber.

Abstract: Bladder systems include a fluid line formed between layers of thermoplastic elastomer. The fluid line may include: (i) a first fluid line region extending in a direction away from a main interior bladder chamber, (ii) a second fluid line region extending from the first fluid line region and in the direction away from the main interior bladder chamber, and (iii) a third fluid line region extending from the second fluid line region. The first and third fluid line regions have a larger transverse cross sectional area than that of the second fluid line region. The fluid line may connect a foot support bladder portion and a fluid reservoir portion in a sole structure/article of footwear. Also, the fluid line may be formed within a flap that extends outward from the main interior bladder chamber (e.g., one of the foot support bladder portion or the fluid reservoir portion).

Abstract: Foot support systems for articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include a compressor or other gas source used to control gas pressure provided in one or more pressure adjustable fluid-filled bladders used to support a wearer’s foot. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods that include a plurality of valves to control an inflation configuration for supplying gas to the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders or a deflation configuration for releasing gas from the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders.

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: Bladder components and gloves that include such bladder components attenuate impact forces incident on the glove and/or a wearer's hand. Such bladder components and gloves may dampen impact forces applied by a game ball or other projectile to the glove (and thus to the wearer's hand) and/or reduce the energy returned to the game ball or other projectile from the glove. These features may better enable ball control (e.g., by limiting the ball's rebound force/distance off the hand) and/or improve wearer's comfort. Further, such gloves may provide delayed re-expansion of the bladder chamber and/or foam material to keep the bladder chamber and/or foam in a compressed configuration as the wearer grasps the ball/projectile from the glove during further play. In this manner, the ball will remain positioned in the glove at an expected location so that the wearer can easily locate and grasp the ball/projectile.

Abstract: Bladder components and protective equipment that includes such bladder components attenuate impact forces incident on the equipment and/or a wearer's body. Such bladder components and protective equipment may dampen impact forces applied by a game projectile to the wearer's body and/or reduce the energy returned to the game projectile from the protective equipment. These features may better enable projectile control (e.g., by limiting the projectile's rebound force/distance off the protective equipment) and/or improve wearer's comfort. Further, such protective equipment may provide delayed re-expansion of the bladder chamber and/or foam material to keep the bladder chamber and/or foam in a compressed configuration as the wearer takes action immediately after the contact during further play. Additionally or alternatively, the protective equipment can reduce forces incident on the wearer due to contact with another player, the ground, and/or another solid surface.

Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear includes a first barrier layer formed of a first material, and a second barrier layer formed of a second material. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer cooperate to form a fluid-filled chamber having a first fluid-filled segment extending along an arcuate path, a second fluid-filled segment extending from a first end of the first fluid-filled segment to a first distal end along a first longitudinal axis, and a third fluid-filled segment extending from a second end of the first fluid-filled segment to a second distal end along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer may be joined together define a web area connecting each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment.

Abstract: Foot support systems for articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include a compressor or other gas source used to control gas pressure provided in one or more pressure adjustable fluid-filled bladders used to support a wearer's foot. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods that include a plurality of valves to control an inflation configuration for supplying gas to the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders or a deflation configuration for releasing gas from the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders.

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 bladder for an article of footwear includes a first barrier layer formed of a first material, and a second barrier layer formed of a second material. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer cooperate to form a fluid-filled chamber having a first fluid-filled segment extending along an arcuate path, a second fluid-filled segment extending from a first end of the first fluid-filled segment to a first distal end along a first longitudinal axis, and a third fluid-filled segment extending from a second end of the first fluid-filled segment to a second distal end along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer may be joined together define a web area connecting each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid is described, along with a method of making the article. The chamber may include a tensile member extending between a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer, a second tensile member layer bonded to the second chamber barrier layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The second tensile member layer may include a first section and a second section separate from the first section. In addition, a portion of the second chamber barrier layer may extend toward the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section, the portion being joined to the first tensile member layer.

Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). The fluid flow control system includes: (a) a manifold body defining an internal chamber; (b) at least a first port in fluid communication with the internal chamber; (c) at least a first valve (including a first valve activator) controlling fluid flow through the first port; and (d) a movable cam at least partially within the internal chamber. Valve activator surface(s) on the cam interact with the valve activator(s) to selectively open and close valve(s) based on cam positioning.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

Abstract: Bladder components and footwear uppers and/or articles of footwear that include such bladder components attenuate impact forces incident on an upper and/or a wearer's foot. Such bladder components, uppers, and footwear may dampen impact forces applied by a game ball to the footwear upper (and thus to the wearer's foot) and/or reduce the energy returned to the game ball from the footwear upper. These features may better enable ball control (e.g., by limiting the ball's rebound force/distance off the foot) and/or improve wearer's comfort. Further, delayed re-expansion of the bladder chamber and/or foam material may keep the bladder chamber and/or foam in a compressed configuration as the wearer kicks the ball in further play. In this manner, the force applied to the ball during the kick will not be substantially reduced due to the presence of the bladder chamber and/or foam material in the upper.

Abstract: Sole structures and articles of footwear include: (a) a foot support bladder chamber; (b) a fluid reservoir chamber; (c) a fluid line extending between the foot support bladder chamber and the fluid reservoir chamber and placing the foot support bladder chamber in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir chamber, wherein the fluid line extends outward from a heel area or a midfoot area of the foot support bladder chamber and/or the fluid reservoir chamber; and (d) a closure element for changing the fluid line between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The closure element may comprise a switch that is pivotally engaged with the footwear upper or sole structure. The fluid line may extend through a flap that projects outward from the heel or midfoot area of the foot support bladder chamber and/or the fluid reservoir chamber.

Abstract: Bladder systems include a fluid line formed between layers of thermoplastic elastomer. The fluid line may include: (i) a first fluid line region extending in a direction away from a main interior bladder chamber, (ii) a second fluid line region extending from the first fluid line region and in the direction away from the main interior bladder chamber, and (iii) a third fluid line region extending from the second fluid line region. The first and third fluid line regions have a larger transverse cross sectional area than that of the second fluid line region. The fluid line may connect a foot support bladder portion and a fluid reservoir portion in a sole structure/article of footwear. Also, the fluid line may be formed within a flap that extends outward from the main interior bladder chamber (e.g., one of the foot support bladder portion or the fluid reservoir portion).

Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). The fluid flow control system includes: (a) a manifold body defining an internal chamber; (b) at least a first port in fluid communication with the internal chamber; (c) at least a first valve (including a first valve activator) controlling fluid flow through the first port; and (d) a movable cam at least partially within the internal chamber. Valve activator surface(s) on the cam interact with the valve activator(s) to selectively open and close valve(s) based on cam positioning.

Abstract: An adaptive music playback system is disclosed. The system includes a composition system that receives information corresponding to user activity levels. The composition system determines target musical criteria corresponding to the user activity levels and modifies the composition of a song in response to changes in user activity.

Abstract: Fluid systems, foot support systems (including sole structures), and/or articles of footwear include: (a) a foot support bladder; (b) a fluid reservoir; (c) a pump (e.g., a foot-activated pump) including an inlet and an outlet, the outlet supplying fluid to one of the fluid reservoir or the foot support bladder; (d) a fluid line placing the foot support bladder or the fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet of the pump; and (e) another fluid line placing the foot support bladder in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. Such fluid systems, foot support systems, and/or articles of footwear further may include an electronic control system (e.g., an electronically controlled switch or valve), e.g., for changing at least one of the fluid lines between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The electronic control system may receive user input for adjusting foot support pressure (e.g., from a mobile electronic device).