Article of footwear with a sole structure having fluid-filled support elements
First Claim
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1. An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper;
a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure defining a void in a heel region thereof, the void extending through medial and lateral sides of the sole structure; and
a plurality of support elements located within the void, wherein each of the support elementscomprises a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall, the sidewall extending between the top wall and bottom wall around an entire periphery of the top wall and around an entire periphery of the bottom wall,is formed from one or more flexible polymer materials, andis sealed and contains a fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, and whereina sidewall of a support element of the plurality on the lateral side has a first thickness,a sidewall of a support element of the plurality on the medial side has a second thickness, andthe second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
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Abstract
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert.
300 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper; a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure defining a void in a heel region thereof, the void extending through medial and lateral sides of the sole structure; and a plurality of support elements located within the void, wherein each of the support elements comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall, the sidewall extending between the top wall and bottom wall around an entire periphery of the top wall and around an entire periphery of the bottom wall, is formed from one or more flexible polymer materials, and is sealed and contains a fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, and wherein a sidewall of a support element of the plurality on the lateral side has a first thickness, a sidewall of a support element of the plurality on the medial side has a second thickness, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper; a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure defining a void in a heel region thereof, the void extending through medial and lateral sides of the sole structure; and a plurality of support elements located within the void, wherein each of the support elements comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall, the sidewall extending between the top wall and bottom wall around an entire periphery of the top wall and around an entire periphery of the bottom wall, is formed from one or more flexible polymer materials, is sealed and contains a fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, and comprises a first insert bonded to one of the top and bottom walls. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper; a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure defining a void in a heel region thereof, the void extending through medial and lateral sides of the sole structure; and a plurality of support elements located within the void, wherein each of the support elements comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall, the sidewall extending between the top wall and bottom wall around an entire periphery of the top wall and around an entire periphery of the bottom wall, is formed from one or more flexible polymer materials, is sealed and contains a fluid, and comprises a first insert bonded to one of the top and bottom walls, a diameter of the first insert being in a range of 90% to 110% of a diameter of the one of the top and bottom walls. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification