INTEGRATED MANUAL PUMP FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR

An article of footwear includes an upper having a chamber, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity, in fluid communication with the chamber, and operable to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by selectively evacuating fluid from the chamber.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear, and more particularly to a sole structure for an article of footwear

BACKGROUND

Articles of apparel, such as garments and headwear, and articles of footwear, such as shoes and boots, typically include a receptacle for receiving a body part of a wearer. For example, an article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure that operate to form a receptacle for receiving a foot of a wearer. Likewise, garments and headwear may include one or more pieces of material formed into a receptacle for receiving a torso or head of a wearer.

Articles of apparel or footwear are typically adjustable and/or include a relatively flexible material to allow the article of apparel or footwear to accommodate various sizes of wearers, or to provide different fits on a single wearer. While conventional articles of apparel and articles of footwear are adjustable, such articles typically require a wearer to secure the article by lacing or other means. For example, while laces adequately secure an article of footwear to a wearer by contracting or constricting a portion of an upper around the wearer's foot, the laces do not cause the upper to lock in a size or shape conforming to the user's foot. Accordingly, an optimum fit of the upper around the foot is difficult to achieve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one configuration, an article of footwear is provided and includes an upper having a chamber, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity, in fluid communication with the chamber, and operable to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by selectively evacuating fluid from the chamber.

The article of footwear may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the article of footwear may include an actuator connected to the pump device and moveable in a tightening direction to move the upper from the relaxed state to the constricted state. The actuator may include an actuator cable including a first portion connected to the pump device and a second portion extending across the upper. The actuator cable may include a tightening grip extending across the upper and/or the pump device may include a piston coupled to the actuator.

In one configuration, the pump device may include at least one biasing member coupled to the piston. The at least one biasing member may bias the piston in a first direction and the actuator may be operable to move the piston in a second direction. A bearing may be coupled to the piston and the actuator may be connected to the bearing.

A release may be in fluid communication with the pump device and may be operable to move the upper from the constricted state to the relaxed state. Additionally or alternatively, the pump device may include a valve in fluid communication with the chamber of the upper.

In another configuration, an article of footwear is provided and includes an upper having a chamber, a pump attached to the article of footwear and in fluid communication with the chamber, the pump operable in a first state to evacuate fluid from the chamber, and an actuator having a first portion connected to the pump and a second portion disposed along the upper, the actuator operable to move the pump into the first state to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by evacuating a fluid from the chamber.

The article of footwear may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the pump may include a housing and a piston disposed within the housing, the piston moveable in a first direction in the first state to draw fluid into the housing and in a second direction to exhaust fluid from the housing. In this configuration, the pump may include a biasing member operable to bias the piston in the second direction, the actuator may be operable to move the piston in the first direction, and/or a first portion of the actuator may be connected to the piston.

In one configuration, the housing may include a first bearing attached to the housing and the piston may include a second bearing attached to the piston, a first portion of the actuator may be routed along the first bearing and a second portion of the actuator may be routed along the second bearing. In this configuration, the first bearing may include an arcuate first bearing surface and the second bearing may include an arcuate second bearing surface facing an opposite direction than the arcuate first bearing surface.

The actuator may include a tightening grip extending around the upper. Additionally or alternatively, a release may be operable to selectively permit a flow of fluid into the chamber to move the upper from the constricted state to the relaxed state and/or the chamber may include a compressible component disposed within the chamber.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

Referring toFIGS.1A-2, an article of footwear10includes a sole structure100and an upper200attached to the sole structure100. The article of footwear10may further include an anterior end12associated with a forward-most point of the footwear, and a posterior end14corresponding to a rearward-most point of the footwear10. A longitudinal axis A10of the footwear10extends along a length of the footwear10from the anterior end12to the posterior end14parallel to a ground surface, and generally divides the footwear10into a medial side16and a lateral side18. Accordingly, the medial side16and the lateral side18respectively correspond with opposite sides of the footwear10and extend from the anterior end12to the posterior end14. As used herein, a longitudinal direction refers to the direction extending from the anterior end12to the posterior end14, while a lateral direction refers to the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and extending from the medial side16to the lateral side18.

The article of footwear10may be divided into one or more regions. The regions may include a forefoot region20, a mid-foot region22, and a heel region24. The forefoot region20may correspond with the phalanges and the metatarsal bones of a foot. The mid-foot region22may correspond with an arch area of the foot, and the heel region24may correspond with rear portions of the foot, including a calcaneus bone.

As shown, the sole structure100includes a midsole102configured to provide cushioning and support and an outsole104defining a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure100. In other examples, the midsole102may be configured as a composite structure including a plurality of components joined together.

The article of footwear10may be further described as including a pump device106, an actuator cable108, and a release feature109. The pump device106is disposed in the sole structure100and may be in fluid communication with the upper200through one or more valves to adjust the pressure in the upper200from a first pressure (e.g., at or above ambient) to a second pressure (e.g., below ambient) by removing fluid (e.g., a gas or liquid) from the upper200. In the illustrated example, the actuator cable108is embodied as an actuator cable108including a continuous loop that is routed through the pump device106and includes a tightening grip122extending across the upper200. The release feature109may be connected to an outside surface of the sole structure100and is in fluid communication with the pump device106through one or more valves. As discussed in greater detail below, the pump device106, the actuator cable108, and the release feature109cooperate to transition the upper200between a relaxed state (FIG.1A) and a constricted state (FIG.1B).

With continued reference toFIG.2, the midsole102is further defined by a top surface110facing the upper200, and a bottom surface112formed on an opposite side of the midsole102than the top surface110and facing away from the upper200. Stitching or adhesives may secure the midsole102to the upper200. The top surface110of the midsole102includes a foot cavity that defines a footbed of the sole structure100extending continuously from the anterior end12to the posterior end14of the footwear10. The outsole104is defined by a top surface114facing the bottom surface112of the midsole102, and a bottom surface116that defines a ground-engaging surface and is formed on an opposite side of the outsole104than the top surface114.

As shown, a recessed surface118is offset from the top surface110of the midsole102to form a cavity120in the top surface110midsole102. The cavity120may be sized to receive the pump device106. WhileFIG.2shows the cavity120disposed in the mid-foot region22of the midsole102, the cavity120may alternatively be disposed in the forefoot region20or the heel region24of the midsole102. In some implementations, the midsole102and the outsole104are integrally formed and receive the pump device106. Alternatively, the pump device106may be located on an outer surface of the article of footwear (not shown) to allow access to the pump device106.

Referring toFIGS.3-4D, the pump device106includes a housing123having an outer shell124, a check valve endcap126, and a piston endcap128. Securing means130releasably fasten the outer shell124, the check valve endcap126, and the piston endcap128together to enclose a chamber132defined by the housing123. The outer shell124, the check valve endcap126, and the piston endcap128may be include any suitable lightweight material, such as polyamide, polypropylene, carbon, or an aluminum alloy. Accordingly, the chamber132desirably has a low gas transmission rate to preserve its retained gas pressure. While the securing means130shown inFIG.3includes socket head bolts, any method for securing the check valve endcap126and the piston endcap128to the outer shell124may be used. Optionally, the housing123may be formed as a unitary structure, whereby the outer shell124is integrally formed with one or both of the check valve endcap126and the piston endcap128.

The check valve endcap126includes an inlet check valve134configured to selectively allow fluid to flow into the chamber132, an exhaust check valve136configured to selectively permit fluid to flow out of the chamber132, and a release valve138fluidly coupled to an upstream end of the inlet check valve134. As shown, the check valve endcap126further includes an intake port135connecting the inlet check valve134and the release valve138of the pump device106to the upper200, and an exhaust port137connecting the exhaust check valve136of the pump device106to the upper200. The inlet check valve134and the exhaust check valve136are further in fluid communication with the chamber132of the pump device106. In some implementations, the release valve138is a Schrader valve that is selectively activated by the release feature109to allow outside air (e.g., ambient) to enter the upper200via the intake port135to return the upper200to a relaxed state from a constricted state.

As shown, the piston endcap128is disposed on an opposite end of the housing123than the check valve endcap126. Accordingly, the check valve endcap126encloses a first end of the chamber132and the piston endcap128encloses an opposite second end of the chamber132. The piston endcap128may include a plurality of cap bearings142aspaced apart from each other to define a series of apertures152. As shown, each of the cap bearings142adefines a series of arcuate first bearing surfaces154aformed on the piston endcap128. The apertures152may be configured to receive and route the actuator cable108that extends into the chamber132of the pump device106, while the first bearing surfaces154afurther route the actuator cable108within the chamber132. Specifically, the first bearing surfaces154ahave a convex curvature (e.g., semi-cylindrical) facing in an opposite direction from the chamber132. Thus, as shown inFIGS.4A and4B, first portions of the actuator cable108may be routed around the first bearing surfaces154aand into the chamber132through the spaces disposed on either side of each cap bearing142a.

As shown, the pump device106further includes a piston140including a plurality of piston bearings142bconfigured to cooperate with the first bearing surfaces154aof the piston endcap128to route the actuator cable108through the pump device106. As discussed in greater detail below, the piston140is configured to reciprocate within the chamber132between a first position adjacent to the check valve endcap126(FIG.4A) and a second position spaced apart from the check valve endcap126(FIG.4B) when the actuator force is applied to the actuator cable108(e.g., pulling the tightening grip122) in the tightening direction150.

The piston bearings142beach include an arcuate second bearing surface154bfacing away from the plurality of first bearing surfaces154afor routing the actuator cable108within the pump device106. In some implementations, the piston bearings142bare integrally formed with the piston140. In other implementations, the piston bearings142bare mechanically attached to the piston140(e.g., welded, bonded, etc.). As shown, each of the piston bearings142bis offset with respect to the cap bearings142a.In other words, the piston bearings142bare aligned with the apertures152disposed between adjacent ones of the cap bearings142aacross the length of the chamber132. Each of the second bearing surfaces154bhas a convex curvature similar to the first bearing surfaces154a.Thus, as shown inFIGS.4A and4B, a second portion of the actuator cable108may be routed into the chamber132through the apertures152and extend around the second bearing surfaces154b.

With continued reference toFIGS.4A and4B, the pump device106includes one or more biasing members144configured to bias the piston140towards the second position (FIG.4B). In the illustrated example, the biasing members144include coil springs144each extending from a first end146coupled to the piston endcap128to a second end coupled to the piston140. Here, the piston endcap128may include one or more first spring seats160each engaging the first end146of one of the springs144to secure the first end146to the piston endcap128. Similarly, the piston140may include one or more second spring seats162each engaging the second end148of one of the springs144to secure the second end148to the piston endcap128. As shown inFIG.4A, each of the first spring seats160may be integrally formed with one of the cap bearings142aand each of the second spring seats162may be integrally formed with one of the piston bearings142b.

While the illustrated example of the pump device106includes four springs144, in some implementations the plurality of springs144may include any number of springs144(e.g., two springs). The material of the springs144may be selected based on a compression value associated with the springs144. The springs144are configured to compress when a force is applied to the piston bearings142b(i.e., the actuator cable108is pulled in a tightening direction150), and exert an opposing force to return to a resting length when the force is released (i.e., the actuator cable108is released). In some examples, the springs144are formed from steel (e.g., stainless steel, a steel alloy, etc.). In other examples, the springs144are formed from carbon or other lightweight non-metals.

When the pump device106is assembled, the actuator cable108is routed through the apertures152on either side of the pump device106, and through the plurality of springs144via the bearing surfaces154a,154b.Thus, as the actuator cable108is pulled in the tightening direction150(i.e., a tensile force is applied), the actuator cable108engages with the bearing surfaces154a,154bto draw the piston140toward the piston endcap128, thereby compressing the springs144. When the actuator cable108is released, the springs144exert an opposing force on the piston140to separate the piston140from the piston endcap128, thereby returning the piston140to its original position and drawing a length of the actuator cable108back into the chamber132. Accordingly, the actuator cable108is operable to actuate the piston140between the first position associated with a first length L1where the springs144are in a resting state (FIG.4A), and a second position associated with a second length L2where the springs144are in a compressed state (FIG.4B).

The actuator cable108may be highly lubricous and/or may be formed from one or more fibers having a low modulus of elasticity and a high tensile strength. For instance, the fibers may include high modulus polyethylene fibers having a high strength-to-weight ratio and a low elasticity. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator cable108may be formed from a molded monofilament polymer and/or a woven steel with or without other lubrication coating. In some examples, the actuator cable108includes multiple strands of material woven together.

Referring still toFIGS.4A-4D, the routing of the actuator cable108within the chamber132of the pump device106is shown. The actuator cable108can be described as extending into the chamber132via the apertures152. The actuator cable108is further routed within the springs144and alternatingly between the first bearing surfaces154aof the piston endcap128and the second bearing surfaces154bof the piston140. As best shown inFIG.4A, while the piston140is in the first position associated with the first length L1of the springs144, the actuator cable108extends fully throughout the chamber132. InFIG.4B, a tightening force has been applied in the tightening direction150, thereby pulling the actuator cable108out of the chamber132through the apertures to pull the piston140into the second position associated with the second length L2of the springs. As discussed below, the piston140is cycled between the first position and the second position to draw fluid in through the intake port135and to exhaust fluid out through the exhaust port137.

Referring briefly toFIGS.1A and1B, the upper200may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to define the interior void202. Suitable materials of the upper200may include, but are not limited to, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The example upper200may be formed from a combination of one or more substantially inelastic or non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper200to facilitate movement of the article of footwear10between the constricted state and the relaxed state. The one or more elastic materials may include any combination of one or more elastic fabrics such as, without limitation, spandex, elastane, rubber or neoprene. The one or more inelastic materials may include any combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylon, leather, vinyl, or another material/fabric that does not impart properties of elasticity.

In the illustrated example, the upper200includes one or more fluid chambers204in fluid communication with the pump device106. Each of the chambers204includes a compressible component206disposed therein which compresses as the upper200transitions from the relaxed state (FIG.1A) to the constricted state (FIG.1B). The compressible component206may include a lattice structure208defining a plurality of reliefs210(e.g., openings). As discussed above with reference toFIGS.1A and1B, the pump device106is in fluid communication with the chambers204of the upper200. In these implementations, an intake conduit156connects the intake port135including the inlet check valve134to the chambers204of the upper200allowing fluid communication between the pump device106and the upper200.

In use, the pressure within the chambers204of the upper200is reduced by drawing a vacuum within the chambers204of the upper200via the pump device106. As the pressure is reduced, the upper200moves from a relaxed state to a constricted state that forms the upper200around the wearer's foot. Thus, as the vacuum is drawn by cycling the pump device106, as described below with respect toFIGS.4A-4C, fluid is drawn from within the chambers204of the upper200and into the chamber132of the pump device106to compress the lattice structure208of the compressible component206, thereby constricting the upper200around the foot of the wearer. When the release valve138is actuated, the lattice structure208of the compressible component206expands within each chamber204, thereby causing an internal volume of the chamber204to increase. The increase in volume draws fluid from the release valve138through the intake port135and allows the upper200to move to the relaxed state around the wearer of the foot. Optionally, the upper200may include a locking system which, when activated, locks the geometry of the upper200in place once it is in the constricted state.

With continued reference toFIGS.4A-4D, the upper200may be transitioned between the relaxed state and the constricted state via the pump device106. Here, a vacuum may be drawn by pulling the actuator cable108in the tightening direction150and releasing the actuator cable108for a number of cycles. As the actuator cable108is pulled in the tightening direction150, the piston140is moved from the first position (FIG.4A) to the second position (FIG.4B), creating a vacuum and drawing fluid30from the upper200into the chamber132via the intake port135and the inlet check valve134. Once the piston140is at the second position, the inlet check valve134closes to prevent the fluid30from escaping from the chamber132back into the chambers204of the upper.

When the actuator cable108is released, the springs144bias the piston140from the second position (FIG.4B) to the first position (FIG.4C), drawing the actuator cable108back into the pump device106and exhausting the fluid30within the chamber132through the exhaust check valve136and the exhaust port137. Thus, the fluid30drawn from the chambers204when the piston140moves from the first position to the second position is exhausted from the pump device106when the piston returns from the second position to the first position. Accordingly, the steps of pulling the actuator cable108in the tightening direction150followed by releasing the actuator cable108constitutes a cycle. For each cycle that the actuator cable108is pulled in the tightening direction150and then released, the pressure within the upper200is incrementally reduced. In some examples, the pressure within the upper200reaches an ideal pressure to constrict the upper200(e.g. −5 psi) after 20 pulls on the actuator cable108in the tightening direction150. In other examples, fewer pulls on the actuator cable108are required.

Referring toFIG.4D, when the wearer wishes to move the upper200to the relaxed state, the wearer increases the pressure within the chambers204of the upper200by pressing the release feature109of the release valve138. Specifically, the wearer may press the release feature109located on the outer surface of the sole structure100, which biases the release valve138to an open position to allow ambient air to flow into the chambers204of the upper200via the intake port135. Consequently, the pressure within the chambers204of the upper200increased, and the upper200transitions from the constricted state (FIG.1B) to the relaxed state (FIG.1A) around the wearer's foot.

With particular reference toFIGS.5A and5B, another example of a configuration of an article of footwear10ahaving a pump device106is shown. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the article of footwear10with respect to the article of footwear10a,like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

The article of footwear10aincludes the sole structure100having a pump device106discussed above with respect toFIGS.1-4D, but includes an upper200having an alternative routing of an actuator cable108aincluding a tightening grip122arouted around the posterior end14of the heel region24of the upper200. Here, a vacuum may be drawn by pulling the actuator cable108ain a tightening direction150aand releasing the actuator cable108afor a number of cycles. As the actuator cable108ais pulled in the tightening direction150a,the piston140of the pump device106is moved from the first position to the second position, drawing a vacuum from the upper200into the chamber132thereby increasing the pressure within the chamber132of the pump device106from a first pressure to a second pressure higher than the first pressure. When the actuator cable108ais released, the springs144return the piston140to the first position, drawing the actuator cable108aback into the pump device106and exhausting the second pressure within the chamber132through the exhaust check valve136. Accordingly, the steps of pulling the actuator cable108ain the tightening direction150afollowed by releasing the actuator cable108aconstitutes a cycle. For each cycle that the actuator cable108ais pulled in the tightening direction150aand then released, the pressure within the upper200is incrementally reduced. In some examples, the pressure within the upper200reaches an ideal pressure to constrict the upper200(e.g. −5 psi) after 20 pulls on the actuator cable108in the tightening direction150. In other examples, fewer pulls on the actuator cable108are required.

The midsole102and the outsole104include a resilient polymeric material, such as foam or rubber, to impart properties of cushioning, responsiveness, and energy distribution to the foot of the wearer. In the illustrated example, the midsole102is formed of a first foam material, and the outsole104is formed of a second foam material. For example, the midsole102may include foam materials providing greater cushioning and impact distribution, while the outsole104includes a foam material having a greater stiffness and/or rigidity in order to provide increased lateral stiffness to the sole structure100.

Example resilient polymeric materials for the midsole102and the outsole104may include those based on foaming or molding one or more polymers, such as one or more elastomers (e.g., thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)). The one or more polymers may include aliphatic polymers, aromatic polymers, or mixtures of both; and may include homopolymers, copolymers (including terpolymers), or mixtures of both.

In some aspects, the one or more polymers may include olefinic homopolymers, olefinic copolymers, or blends thereof. Examples of olefinic polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and combinations thereof. In other aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more ethylene copolymers, such as, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, EVOH copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-unsaturated mono-fatty acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.

In further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more polyacrylates, such as polyacrylic acid, esters of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylic acetate, polymethyl acrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyvinyl acetate; including derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, and any combinations thereof.

In yet further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more ionomeric polymers. In these aspects, the ionomeric polymers may include polymers with carboxylic acid functional groups, sulfonic acid functional groups, salts thereof (e.g., sodium, magnesium, potassium, etc.), and/or anhydrides thereof. For instance, the ionomeric polymer(s) may include one or more fatty acid-modified ionomeric polymers, polystyrene sulfonate, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.

In further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more styrenic block copolymers, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene acrylonitrile block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers, and combinations thereof.

In further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more polyamide copolymers (e.g., polyamide-polyether copolymers) and/or one or more polyurethanes (e.g., cross-linked polyurethanes and/or thermoplastic polyurethanes). Alternatively, the one or more polymers may include one or more natural and/or synthetic rubbers, such as butadiene and isoprene.

When the resilient polymeric material is a foamed polymeric material, the foamed material may be foamed using a physical blowing agent which phase transitions to a gas based on a change in temperature and/or pressure, or a chemical blowing agent which forms a gas when heated above its activation temperature. For example, the chemical blowing agent may be an azo compound such as azodicarbonamide, sodium bicarbonate, and/or an isocyanate.

In some embodiments, the foamed polymeric material may be a crosslinked foamed material. In these embodiments, a peroxide-based crosslinking agent such as dicumyl peroxide may be used. Furthermore, the foamed polymeric material may include one or more fillers such as pigments, modified or natural clays, modified or unmodified synthetic clays, talc glass fiber, powdered glass, modified or natural silica, calcium carbonate, mica, paper, wood chips, and the like.

The resilient polymeric material may be formed using a molding process. In one example, when the resilient polymeric material is a molded elastomer, the uncured elastomer (e.g., rubber) may be mixed in a Banbury mixer with an optional filler and a curing package such as a sulfur-based or peroxide-based curing package, calendared, formed into shape, placed in a mold, and vulcanized.

In another example, when the resilient polymeric material is a foamed material, the material may be foamed during a molding process, such as an injection molding process. A thermoplastic polymeric material may be melted in the barrel of an injection molding system and combined with a physical or chemical blowing agent and optionally a crosslinking agent, and then injected into a mold under conditions which activate the blowing agent, forming a molded foam.

Optionally, when the resilient polymeric material is a foamed material, the foamed material may be a compression molded foam. Compression molding may be used to alter the physical properties (e.g., density, stiffness and/or durometer) of a foam, or to alter the physical appearance of the foam (e.g., to fuse two or more pieces of foam, to shape the foam, etc.), or both.

The compression molding process desirably starts by forming one or more foam preforms, such as by injection molding and foaming a polymeric material, by forming foamed particles or beads, by cutting foamed sheet stock, and the like. The compression molded foam may then be made by placing the one or more preforms formed of foamed polymeric material(s) in a compression mold, and applying sufficient pressure to the one or more preforms to compress the one or more preforms in a closed mold. Once the mold is closed, sufficient heat and/or pressure is applied to the one or more preforms in the closed mold for a sufficient duration of time to alter the preform(s) by forming a skin on the outer surface of the compression molded foam, fuse individual foam particles to each other, permanently increase the density of the foam(s), or any combination thereof. Following the heating and/or application of pressure, the mold is opened and the molded foam article is removed from the mold.

The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a pump for use with a sole structure for an article of footwear, a sole structure for an article of footwear, and an article of footwear described above.

Clause 1. An article of footwear comprising an upper including a chamber, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity and a pump device disposed within the cavity, in fluid communication with the chamber, and operable to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by selectively evacuating fluid from the chamber.

Clause 2. The article of footwear of Clause 1, further comprising an actuator connected to the pump device and moveable in a tightening direction to move the upper from the relaxed state to the constricted state.

Clause 3. The article of footwear of Clause 2, wherein the actuator includes an actuator cable including a first portion connected to the pump device and a second portion extending across the upper.

Clause 4. The article of footwear of Clause 3, wherein the actuator cable includes a tightening grip extending across the upper.

Clause 5. The article of footwear of Clauses 2-4, wherein the pump device includes a piston coupled to the actuator.

Clause 6. The article of footwear of Clause 5, wherein the pump device includes at least one biasing member coupled to the piston.

Clause 7. The article of footwear of Clause 6, wherein the at least one biasing member biases the piston in a first direction and the actuator is operable to move the piston in a second direction.

Clause 8. The article of footwear of Clause 5, further comprising a bearing coupled to the piston, the actuator being connected to the bearing.

Clause 9. The article of footwear of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a release in fluid communication with the pump device and operable to move the upper from the constricted state to the relaxed state.

Clause 10. The article of footwear of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the pump device includes a valve in fluid communication with the chamber of the upper.

Clause 11. An article of footwear comprising an upper including a chamber, a pump attached to the article of footwear and in fluid communication with the chamber, the pump operable in a first state to evacuate fluid from the chamber and an actuator having a first portion connected to the pump and a second portion disposed along the upper, the actuator operable to move the pump into the first state to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by evacuating a fluid from the chamber.

Clause 12. The article of footwear of Clause 11, wherein the pump includes a housing and a piston disposed within the housing, the piston moveable in a first direction in the first state to draw fluid into the housing and in a second direction to exhaust fluid from the housing.

Clause 13. The article of footwear of Clause 12, wherein the pump includes a biasing member operable to bias the piston in the second direction.

Clause 14. The article of footwear of Clause 12 or 13, wherein the actuator is operable to move the piston in the first direction.

Clause 15. The article of footwear of Clauses 12-14, wherein a first portion of the actuator is connected to the piston.

Clause 16. The article of footwear of Clauses 12-15, wherein the housing includes a first bearing attached to the housing and the piston includes a second bearing attached to the piston, a first portion of the actuator being routed along the first bearing and a second portion of the actuator being routed along the second bearing.

Clause 17. The article of footwear of Clause 16, wherein the first bearing includes an arcuate first bearing surface and the second bearing includes an arcuate second bearing surface facing an opposite direction than the arcuate first bearing surface.

Clause 18. The article of footwear of any of Clauses 11-17, wherein the actuator includes a tightening grip extending around the upper.

Clause 19. The article of footwear of any of Clauses 11-18, further comprising a release operable to selectively permit a flow of fluid into the chamber to move the upper from the constricted state to the relaxed state.

Clause 20. The article of footwear of an of Clauses 11-19, wherein the chamber includes a compressible component disposed within the chamber.