Abstract: An expandable support member for an article of footwear includes a plurality of expansion components that are joined together. The support member can be expandable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The plurality of expansion components are configured to expand along a non-linear path when the support member moves between the contracted position and the expanded position.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper forming a void within the footwear, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The sole structure includes a depression. The chamber is located within the void of the upper and located on the depression of the sole structure. The chamber may include a plurality of fluid-filled subchambers, a manifold, and a connection fluidically-connected at least one of the subchambers to the manifold. The subchambers may enclose the pressurized fluid at different pressures. The subchambers may be separated from one another by a bonded area in the direction extending between the heel and toe of the chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may be incorporated into footwear and other products. The chamber is formed from a polymer material that defines a first surface, a second surface located opposite the first surface, and a sidewall surface extending around a periphery of the chamber and between the first surface and the second surface. A plurality of bonds are spaced inward from the sidewall surface and join the first surface and the second surface. The bonds may be distributed to form a regularly-spaced array, such as a hexagonal array. The first surface and the second surface may define elliptically-shaped structures between the bonds. The bonds may be formed to have a slope that is an average of slopes of the first surface and the second surface in areas proximal the bonds.

Abstract: An electronic bulletin board for use in a shared always-on environment wherein a user may manipulate messages from a remote location. The electronic bulletin board may be implemented via database and programming logic on an application server accessible from any network node, including wireless devices. The always-on environment may be set up on a computer or broadband internet appliance or other communications device. Remote users may perform operations such as updating an existing message, posting a new message, download messages, and the like.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having a first side with a first surface and a second side with a second surface. The first side has recesses extending toward the second side without extending to the second surface. A thickness of the midsole between the second side and a deepest extent of each of the recesses may be substantially uniform. Spacing of the recesses may correspond to a foot pressure map. The midsole may be a foam material that has a first density in a first portion along the first surface and a second density less than the first density in a second portion adjacent the first portion. A method of forming the midsole includes providing such recesses in the midsole such as by molding the midsole, and controlling a temperature of mold tools to achieve the first density in the first portion.

Abstract: A bag with reinforcing seam tape is provided. The bag has a bottom, at least two sides, and at least two ends formed from textile panels; the textile panels are joined by seams. A reinforcing seam tape adheres to at least a portion of the seam. The reinforcing seam tape is made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a thickness between 0.3 millimeters and 0.8 millimeters. At least one face of the seam tape may have a cross-sectional shape that provides structural support to the bag.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure composed of pliable elements and having affixed seams is provided. The structure may comprise duffel bags, backpacks, shoe uppers, etc. The structure has a bottom panel with a first terminal bottom portion and a first end panel with a terminal end portion. As well, the first terminal bottom portion and the terminal end portion are affixed to each other in a flattened, two-dimensional arrangement by a variety of attachment methodologies including a thermoplastic elastomer strip. Two-dimensional construction saves time and helps to reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A method for applying a thermoreactive seam tape to a seam is provided. The thermoreactive seam tape may be positioned adjacent to the seam, which may include a first fabric surface and an adjacent second fabric surface. The thermoreactive seam tape may include an interior planar surface that engages both the first fabric surface and the second fabric surface of the seam. The thermoreactive seam tape may further include an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, where the exterior surface is substantially non-planar with respect to the interior planar surface along a length of the thermoreactive seam tape. Heat and pressure may be applied to the thermoreactive seam tape, wherein the heat and the pressure facilitate adhesion of the thermoreactive seam tape to the first fabric surface and the second fabric surface of the seam.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a midsole. A first midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the toe region of the midsole. A second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the heel region of the midsole, such that the second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system includes a molded heel region member extending from a lateral side of the article of footwear to a medial side; the heel region member having a hollow central region defined by a first radius of curvature in a direction toward the toe region and a second radius of curvature in a direction toward the heel region. The first radius of curvature is different from the second radius of curvature. The heel region member may be in an asymmetrical stiffness construction.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an outsole, and at least one groove. The groove includes a macro groove and at least one micro groove located within the macro groove. The macro groove may be formed by an indentation or area of reduced thickness in the sole structure. The micro groove may be formed by an indentation or area of reduced thickness in a surface of the macro groove.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may be incorporated into footwear and other products. The chamber is formed from a polymer material that defines a first surface, a second surface located opposite the first surface, and a sidewall surface extending around a periphery of the chamber and between the first surface and the second surface. A plurality of bonds are spaced inward from the sidewall surface and join the first surface and the second surface, and the bonds are distributed to form a regularly-spaced array, such as a hexagonal array. In some configurations, the first surface and the second surface may define elliptically-shaped structures between the bonds. In addition, the bonds may be formed to have a slope that is an average of slopes of the first surface and the second surface in areas proximal the bonds.

Abstract: An electronic bulletin board for use in a shared always-on environment wherein a user may manipulate messages from a remote location. The electronic bulletin board may be implemented via database and programming logic on an application server accessible from any network node, including wireless devices. The always-on environment may be set up on a computer or broadband internet appliance or other communications device. Remote users may perform operations such as updating an existing message, posting a new message, download messages, and the like.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may be incorporated into footwear and other products. The chamber is formed from a polymer material that defines a first surface, a second surface located opposite the first surface, and a sidewall surface extending around a periphery of the chamber and between the first surface and the second surface. A plurality of bonds are spaced inward from the sidewall surface and join the first surface and the second surface. The bonds may be distributed to form a regularly-spaced array, such as a hexagonal array. The first surface and the second surface may define elliptically-shaped structures between the bonds. The bonds may be formed to have a slope that is an average of slopes of the first surface and the second surface in areas proximal the bonds.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper forming a void within the footwear, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The sole structure includes a depression. The chamber is located within the void of the upper and located on the depression of the sole structure. The chamber may include a plurality of fluid-filled subchambers, a manifold, and a connection fluidically-connected at least one of the subchambers to the manifold. The subchambers may enclose the pressurized fluid at different pressures. The subchambers may be separated from one another by a bonded area in the direction extending between the heel and toe of the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing presence status information of a first user to a second user. The system includes a presence server for storing presence status information of the first user. The presence server is configured to detect a change in the presence status of the first user. The presence server also informs a notification server of a change in the presence status of the first user. The notification server sends a notification message to a communication device of the second user. The notification message contains current presence status information of the first user. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic bulletin board for use in a shared always-on environment wherein a user may manipulate messages from a remote location. The electronic bulletin board may be implemented via database and programming logic on an application server accessible from any network node, including wireless devices. The always-on environment may be set up on a computer or broadband internet appliance or other communications device. Remote users may perform operations such as updating an existing message, posting a new message, download messages, and the like. The bulletin board also supports shared messages designed for special purposes, for example, an electronic grocery list that is accessible from remote locations.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The chamber includes subchambers laterally extending in a medial to lateral direction of the bladder. A bottom surface of the chamber may include at least one bond that laterally extends across the bottom surface of the chamber from one side edge to another side edge of the chamber in the medial to lateral direction. The bond may cooperate with an indentation in the bottom surface that separates one subchamber from an adjacent subchamber. A diameter of the subchambers may decrease in a direction from a heel region of the bladder to a forefoot region of the chamber.

Abstract: A hand pump with a rotatable portion of the pump head. The needle or adapter for attaching the pump to an inflatable is associated with the rotatable portion of the pump head so that the needle may be positioned in a first position for use and a second position for storage. The needle is protected by a sleeve when in the second position.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure composed of pliable elements and having affixed seams is provided. The structure may comprise duffel bags, backpacks, shoe uppers, etc. The structure has a bottom panel with a first terminal bottom portion and a first end panel with a terminal end portion. As well, the first terminal bottom portion and the terminal end portion are affixed to each other in a flattened, two-dimensional arrangement by a variety of attachment methodologies including a thermoplastic elastomer strip. Two-dimensional construction saves time and helps to reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system is provided with a process and apparatus for screening an incoming call. The process is carried out by, and the apparatus comprises, a service provider and a mobile station. The mobile station answers the incoming call and places the call on hold. The mobile station connects to the service provider and places the service provider and the incoming caller on multi-party hold. The mobile station then signals the service provider to begin screening the call. In response, the service provider prompts the incoming caller for the incoming caller's identification and then communicates this information to the mobile station. Based on this information, the mobile station can elect to accept or reject the incoming call.