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 fluid-filled segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second fluid-filled segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first fluid-filled segment and the second fluid-filled 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 comprises a midsole system with a plurality of cushioning units, each having multiple cushioning layers configured to work together as a system to absorb a compressive load, such as a dynamic compressive load due to impact with the ground, in stages of progressive cushioning according to the relative stiffness values of the layers. Various midsole systems disclosed include isolated cushioning units, linked cushioning units, sole layers having stanchions interfacing with the midsole system, midsole systems with sole layers having keyed and unkeyed portions overlying a bladder, and midsole systems with vertically-stacked cushioning units disposed in inverted relationship to one another.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole having four stacked polymeric sheets bonded to one another to define a first cushioning layer, a second cushioning layer, and a third cushioning layer. Each cushioning layer comprises a sealed chamber retaining gas in isolation from each other sealed chamber. Bonds between adjacent ones of the sheets are arranged such that the third cushioning layer is stacked directly above the first cushioning layer with the second cushioning layer bordering both the first cushioning layer and the third cushioning layer, and the sealed chamber of the second cushioning layer includes a plurality of elongated segments each extending lengthwise across a longitudinal midline of the midsole at a respective acute angle to the longitudinal midline.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a first cushioning layer, a second cushioning layer, and a third cushioning layer. The first cushioning layer has a central portion, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The first cushioning layer, the second cushioning layer, and the third cushioning layer are stacked with the second cushioning layer directly overlying the peripheral portion of the first cushioning layer, and the third cushioning layer overlying the second cushioning layer and directly overlying the central portion of the first cushioning layer. The first cushioning layer has a domed lower surface extending away from the second cushioning layer and the third cushioning layer and substantially centered under the central portion.

Abstract: A sole structure for a footwear article includes round shell components. Each round shell component includes a network of ligaments that mechanically shift under load to attenuate a force or impact and that return to a resting state when the load is removed.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.

Abstract: Foot support members, e.g., sole structures for articles of footwear, include dynamically transformable portions, e.g., to change a dimension and/or apply a tensile or compressive force to some portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot support members may include a flexible support member having a wave shaped portion that flexes under an applied force. Flexing of this wave shaped portion under weight of a wearer produces: (a) a change in at least one of a longitudinal or transverse dimension of the foot support member, (b) application of a compressive or tensile force to the plantar support component and/or another part of the foot support member, article of footwear, or other foot-receiving device, (c) flattening of the wave shaped portion, and/or (d) compressing the wave shaped portion together (e.g., to fold up, decrease in overall height, etc.).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bladder element comprises forming at least one of a first, a second, and a third polymeric sheet to have a contoured surface profile. The first, the second, and the third polymeric sheets are stacked so that the second polymeric sheet is between the first polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet. The method comprises applying fluid pressure between the first polymeric sheet and second polymeric sheet, between the second polymeric sheet and the third polymeric sheet, or between both, forcing a first surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the first polymeric sheet, or a second surface of the second polymeric sheet into contact with an inner surface of the third polymeric sheet, or both. A bladder element is also disclosed.

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 includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

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 includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

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 fluid-filled segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second fluid-filled segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first fluid-filled segment and the second fluid-filled segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear has a support assembly structure including a flexure element and an upper support element. The flexure element may have a central portion located between first and second ground-contacting or lower regions, wherein the central portion may have a downwardly concavely-curved shell-like region. The flexure element also may have first and second flanges extending upward from the first and second lower regions, respectively. The upper support element is positioned above the central portion and between the first and second flanges of the flexure element. When a vertical compressive load is first applied to the upper support element, the upper support element moves vertically relative to the first and second flanges. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

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 sole structure of an article of footwear has a support assembly structure including a flexure element and an upper support element. The flexure element may have a central portion located between first and second ground-contacting or lower regions, wherein the central portion may have a downwardly concavely-curved shell-like region. The flexure element also may have first and second flanges extending upward from the first and second lower regions, respectively. The upper support element is positioned above the central portion and between the first and second flanges of the flexure element. When a vertical compressive load is first applied to the upper support element, the upper support element moves vertically relative to the first and second flanges. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes disposing a first polymer sheet and a second polymer sheet in a mold assembly, and disposing a preformed unitary outsole in the mold assembly adjacent the second polymer sheet. The method includes closing the mold assembly to compress the first and second polymer sheets and the outsole, and thermally bonding the first and second polymer sheets to one another in the mold assembly to form a cushioning component with a chamber, a top wall, a bottom wall, a medial side wall, and a lateral side wall. A bottom portion of the outsole is thermally bonded to the bottom wall, a medial side portion of the outsole is thermally bonded to the medial side wall, and a lateral side portion of the outsole is thermally bonded to the lateral side wall.