Patent Description:
Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper may provide a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure may be secured to a lower surface of the upper and generally is positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation.

The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to allow users to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to permit the user to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to modulate pressure applied to the foot by the laces), and the upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.

"Footwear," as that term is used herein, means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as running shoes, golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross training shoes, etc.), and the like. "Foot-receiving device," as that term is used herein, means any device into which a user places at least some portion of his or her foot. In addition to all types of "footwear," foot-receiving devices include, but are not limited to: bindings and other devices for securing feet in snow skis, cross country skis, water skis, snowboards, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for securing feet in pedals for use with bicycles, exercise equipment, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for receiving feet during play of video games or other games; and the like. "Foot-receiving devices" may include one or more "foot-covering members" (e.g., akin to footwear upper components), which help position the foot with respect to other components or structures, and one or more "foot-supporting members" (e.g., akin to footwear sole structure components), which support at least some portion(s) of a plantar surface of a user's foot. "Foot-supporting members" may include components for and/or functioning as midsoles and/or outsoles for articles of footwear (or components providing corresponding functions in non-footwear type foot-receiving devices).

<CIT> describes pneumatically inflatable air bladder devices contained entirely within a shoe sole or configured as shoe inserts.

The following description is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to the technology disclosed herein in a simplified form that are further described below in detail. The following description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed invention, the scope of which is only limited by the appended claims.

Aspects of the technology disclosed herein relate to sole structures, fluid transfer systems, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, e.g., of the types described below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. Such sole structures, fluid transfer systems, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.

More specific aspects of the technology disclosed herein relate to sole structures, fluid transfer systems, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices that include one or more pumps (e.g., foot activated pumps) that facilitate movement of fluid within the sole structure/article of footwear/foot-supporting member/foot-receiving device, e.g., to change and/or control pressure (e.g., foot support pressure) in one or more fluid filled bladders included in the overall system.

While aspects of the technology disclosed herein are described in terms of foot support systems and articles of footwear including them, additional aspects of the technology disclosed herein relate to methods of making such foot support systems and/or articles of footwear and/or methods of using such foot support systems and/or articles of footwear to support a wearer's foot.

The foregoing and the following description will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the technology disclosed herein may be practiced.

As noted above, aspects of the technology disclosed herein relate to fluid transfer systems, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, e.g., of the types described below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. Such fluid transfer systems, foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.

In one aspect, the claimed invention provides a foot support system, comprising:.

In another aspect, the claimed invention provides a foot support system, comprising:.

Additional embodiments of the above foot support system, a sole structure comprising the foot support system, and an article of footwear comprising the foot support system are set out in the appended claims.

Referring to the figures and following discussion, the technology disclosed herein is described. Aspects of the technology disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with foot support systems, articles of footwear (or other foot-receiving devices), and/or methods, for example, those described below and/or those described in <CIT> and/or <CIT>.

<FIG> provides a side view of an example article of footwear <NUM> in accordance with at least some aspects of the technology disclosed herein. The article of footwear <NUM> includes an upper <NUM> and a sole structure <NUM> engaged with the upper <NUM>. The upper <NUM> may be made of any desired materials, including conventional materials as are known and used in the footwear arts. Examples of suitable materials for the upper <NUM> include one or more of: woven fabric, knitted fabric, leather (natural or synthetic), canvas, polyester, cotton, other fabrics or textiles, thermoplastic polyurethanes, etc. The upper <NUM> defines a foot insertion opening <NUM> that allows access to a foot-receiving chamber defined at least in part by the upper <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM>. A closure system <NUM> (e.g., a lace and lacing system, one or more straps, a zipper, etc.) is provided to releasably secure the article of footwear <NUM> to a wearer's foot (e.g., in a conventional manner).

Each of the upper <NUM> and the sole structure <NUM> may be formed from one or more component parts. When formed of multiple component parts, these component parts may be engaged together in any desired manner, including via one or more of: adhesives or cements; sewn seams; mechanical connectors; fusing techniques; and/or other manners, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear arts. Likewise, the upper <NUM> and sole structure <NUM> may be engaged together in any desired manner, including via one or more of: adhesives or cements; sewn seams; mechanical connectors; fusing techniques; and/or other manners, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear arts.

The article of footwear <NUM> of <FIG> includes features of a foot support system (e.g., at least partially included with the sole structure <NUM>) and a fluid transfer system (a portion of which is shown at element <NUM> in <FIG>) in accordance with examples and aspects of the technology disclosed herein. A more detailed description of example foot support systems and fluid transfer systems in accordance with aspects of the technology disclosed herein will be described in more detail below in conjunction with <FIG>.

<FIG> provides a transverse (medial side-to-lateral side), vertical cross-sectional view of an example article of footwear <NUM> through a pump structure <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> includes a general example arrangement of example component parts of an article of footwear <NUM> and sole structure <NUM> in accordance with some examples of the technology disclosed herein. This example article of footwear <NUM> includes upper <NUM> having its bottom edges 102E connected to a strobel member <NUM> (e.g., by stitching, adhesives, mechanical connectors, fusing techniques, etc.). The strobel member <NUM> closes off the bottom of the upper <NUM> (and partially defines the foot-receiving chamber 100C of the footwear <NUM>). The bottom of the strobel member <NUM> is engaged with a sole structure <NUM> (optionally fixed in any desired manner, including by stitching, adhesives, mechanical connectors, fusing techniques, etc.). A sock liner <NUM> or insole element may be provided in the interior foot-receiving chamber 100C.

This example sole structure <NUM> includes: (a) a first sole component <NUM> (e.g., an outsole or other foot support plate); (b) a first fluid-filled bladder <NUM> (e.g., a reservoir bladder, a foot support bladder, etc.); (c) a first pump <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., located in a heel area, a forefoot area, a midfoot area, etc.); (d) a second sole component <NUM> (e.g., a midsole or a foot support plate); and (e) a second fluid-filled bladder <NUM> (e.g., a reservoir bladder, a foot support bladder, etc.).

<FIG>, <FIG> provide bottom, top, and side views, respectively, of an outsole <NUM> of this example article of footwear <NUM> and sole structure <NUM>. This outsole <NUM> may be formed of any desired materials, including rubber, thermoplastic polyurethanes, other thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, and/or other suitable materials and/or structures, including materials and/or structures that are known and used in the footwear arts. <FIG> provides a bottom view of a midsole <NUM>. The midsole <NUM> may be formed of any desired materials, including polymeric foam materials such as ethylvinylacetate (EVA) foams, polyurethane foams, or the like; rubber materials; thermoplastic polyurethane materials; and/or other suitable impact force attenuating materials and/or structures, including materials and/or structures that are known and used in the footwear arts. Additionally or alternatively, element <NUM> may constitute or include a relatively rigid foot support plate, e.g., used to separate bladder <NUM> and foot support bladder <NUM>. <FIG> provides a plan view of a fluid-filled bladder, e.g., bladder <NUM> (e.g., a reservoir bladder), which in this illustrated example is integrally formed with first pump <NUM> and second pump <NUM>. <FIG> provides a schematic view of the overall fluid transfer system and foot support system of this specific example structure.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> (but also shown at least in part in other figures), this example sole structure <NUM> for article of footwear <NUM> includes a first pump <NUM> having a first inlet 502I and a first outlet 502O in fluid communication with a first internal pump chamber 502C defined by the first pump <NUM>. This first pump <NUM> and first internal pump chamber 502C define an open space, at least in part, between a first wall 504A and a second wall 504B located opposite the first wall 504A. At least one (and optionally both) of the first wall 504A and/or the second wall 504B is collapsible to decrease volume of the first internal pump chamber 502C and force fluid to exit the first internal pump chamber 502C via the first outlet 502O.

As further shown in <FIG>, the bottom of the first pump <NUM> (e.g., first wall 504A) is at least partially covered by (and optionally completely covered by) first sole component <NUM>, which in this illustrated example is an outsole component. First sole component <NUM> has a first major surface <NUM> (e.g., a ground contacting or ground facing surface, optionally with traction elements integrally formed or attached thereto) and a second major surface 302I opposite the first major surface <NUM>. The second major surface 302I further defines a first pump containing region 302P, and this first pump containing region 302P defines a first pump engaging surface <NUM> configured to lie immediately adjacent (and optionally into contact with) an exterior side of the first wall 504A of the first internal pump chamber 502C. If desired, as shown in the various figures, if the first major surface <NUM> of the first sole component <NUM> (e.g., an outsole component) is a ground facing surface of the sole structure <NUM>, this first major surface <NUM> further may include a first protrusion <NUM> located opposite the first pump engaging surface <NUM>. This first protrusion <NUM> may extend outward from a bottom base surface of the ground facing surface <NUM> and may help activate (e.g., compress) the first pump <NUM> when the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., the first major surface <NUM> of the first sole component <NUM>) contacts the ground in use (e.g., when a wearer's foot contacts the ground during a step). Note also <FIG> and <FIG>.

In a similar manner, the top of the first pump <NUM> (e.g., the second wall 504B) is at least partially covered by (and optionally completely covered by) second sole component <NUM>, which in this illustrated example is a midsole component. This second sole component <NUM> has a third major surface 602I and a fourth major surface <NUM> opposite the third major surface 602I. The fourth major surface <NUM> of this illustrated example includes a second pump containing region 602P, and this second pump containing region 602P defines a second pump engaging surface <NUM> configured to lie immediately adjacent (and optionally in contact with) an exterior side of the second wall 504B of the first internal pump chamber 502C.

As shown by <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first internal pump chamber 502C has an ellipsoidal and/or spheroidal shape. Also, each of the first pump engaging surface <NUM> (of the first sole component <NUM>) and the second pump engaging surface <NUM> (of the second sole component <NUM>) has a semi-ellipsoidal and/or semi-spheroidal shape (e.g., approximately half-ellipsoidal and/or half-spheroidal shaped). One or both of the pump engaging surfaces <NUM> and/or <NUM> may directly contact the exterior sides of pump walls 504A and/or 504B, respectively, of the first pump chamber 502C. Optionally, if desired, one or both of the pump engaging surfaces <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be fixed to the exterior sides of pump walls 504A and/or 504B, respectively, of the first pump chamber 502C (e.g., by adhesives or cements) so that the pump walls 504A and/or 504B will move (inward and outward) as the first sole component <NUM> and second sole component <NUM> move (compress and expand) with respect to one another (e.g., to compress and expand the pump chamber 502C). This "fixed" feature may be particularly useful to pull the opposite pump walls 504A/504B apart (and consequently pull new fluid (e.g., air) into the pump chamber 502C through the inlet 502I) as the first sole component <NUM> and the second sole component <NUM> return and/or re-expand to their original positions after the user's weight is lifted off pump <NUM> during a step cycle.

The above description of the structural relationship between the first sole component <NUM> (e.g., an outsole), the second sole component <NUM> (e.g., a midsole), and the first pump <NUM> relates to structures provided at a heel based area of the sole structure <NUM> (and activated by a heel strike of a wearer's foot) in this example. The second pump <NUM>, provided in the forefoot area of this example sole structure <NUM> (and activated by a toe-off action of a wearer's foot during a step cycle), may have a similar arrangement and/or structure as first pump <NUM> and/or a similar relationship with respect to the first sole component <NUM> and/or the second sole component <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> (but also shown at least in part in other figures), this second pump <NUM> has a first inlet 802I and a first outlet 802O in fluid communication with a second internal pump chamber 802C defined by the second pump <NUM>. This second pump <NUM> and second internal pump chamber 802C define an open space, at least in part, between a third wall 804A and a fourth wall 804B located opposite the third wall 804A. At least one (and optionally both) of the third wall 804A and/or the fourth wall 804B is collapsible to decrease volume of the second internal pump chamber 802C and force fluid to exit the second internal pump chamber 802C via the second outlet 802O. In at least some examples of this disclosure, the second inlet 802I of the second pump <NUM> will be in fluid communication with the first outlet 502O of the first pump <NUM> to admit fluid pumped from the first pump <NUM> into the second internal pump chamber 802C. The first outlet 502O and second inlet 802I may be joined by a first fluid transfer line <NUM> having its first end engaged with the first outlet 502O and its second end engaged with the second inlet 802I.

As further shown in <FIG>, the bottom of the second pump <NUM> (e.g., third wall 804A) is at least partially covered by (and optionally completely covered by) first sole component <NUM> (e.g., an outsole component). The second major surface 302I of the first sole component <NUM> in this example further defines a third pump containing region 312P, and this third pump containing region 312P defines a third pump engaging surface <NUM> configured to lie immediately adjacent (and optionally into contact with) an exterior side of the third wall 804A of the second internal pump chamber 802C. If desired, as shown in the various figures, if the first major surface <NUM> of the first sole component <NUM> (e.g., an outsole component) is a ground facing surface of the sole structure <NUM>, this first major surface <NUM> further may include a second protrusion <NUM> located opposite the third pump engaging surface <NUM>. This second protrusion <NUM> may extend outward from a bottom base surface of the ground facing surface and may help activate (e.g., compress) the second pump <NUM> when the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., the first major surface <NUM> of the first sole component <NUM>) contacts the ground in use (e.g., when a wearer's foot pushes off to leave the ground during a step). Note also <FIG> and <FIG>.

In a similar manner, the top of the second pump <NUM> (e.g., fourth wall 804B) is at least partially covered by (and optionally completely covered by) second sole component <NUM> (e.g., a midsole component). The fourth major surface <NUM> of this illustrated example includes a second pump containing region 612P, and this second pump containing region 612P defines a second pump engaging surface <NUM> configured to lie immediately adjacent (and optionally in contact with) an exterior side of the fourth wall 804B of the second internal pump chamber 802C.

As further shown by <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the second internal pump chamber 802C has an ellipsoidal and/or spheroidal shape. Also, each of the third pump engaging surface <NUM> (of the first sole component <NUM>) and the second pump engaging surface <NUM> (of the second sole component <NUM>) has a semi-ellipsoidal and/or semi-spheroidal shape (e.g., approximately half-ellipsoidal and/or half-spheroidal shaped). One or both of the pump engaging surfaces <NUM> and/or <NUM> may directly contact the exterior sides of pump walls 804A and/or 804B, respectively, of the second pump chamber 802C. Optionally, if desired, one or both of the pump engaging surfaces <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be fixed to the exterior sides of pump walls 804A and/or 804B, respectively, of the second pump chamber 802C (by adhesives or cements) so that the pump walls 804A and/or 804B will move (inward and outward) as the first sole component <NUM> and second sole component <NUM> move (compress and expand) with respect to one another (e.g., to compress and expand the pump chamber 802C). This "fixed" feature may be particularly useful to pull the opposite pump walls 804A/804B apart (and consequently pull new fluid (e.g., air) into the pump chamber 802C through the inlet 802I) as the first sole component <NUM> and the second sole component <NUM> return and/or re-expand to their original positions after the user's weight is lifted off the pump <NUM> during a step cycle.

When two pumps <NUM> and <NUM> are present in a sole structure <NUM>, e.g., as shown in this illustrated example, the pumps may have the same or different constructions and/or the same or different sizes (e.g., volumes, dimensions, etc.). As some more specific examples, either or both of the pumps <NUM>, <NUM> may be a compressible bulb type pump that is/are positioned to be activated by contact between a wearer's foot and a contact surface (e.g., the ground). In such structures, pump <NUM> may be structured and arranged in the sole structure <NUM> to be compressed when a wearer's heel contacts the ground (e.g., when landing a step) and pump <NUM> may be structured and arranged in the sole structure <NUM> to be compressed when a wearer's forefoot contacts the ground (e.g., a big toe area, such as when toeing off on a step). The terms "ellipsoidal," "semi-ellipsoidal," "spheroidal," and "semi-spheroidal" as used herein should not be construed as requiring the surface of the noted object to follow any precise mathematical formula and/or functional shape, but rather these terms are used to refer to objects having surfaces that generally conform to the noted shapes (e.g., generally smoothly curved egg, bulbous, and/or ball shaped objects or other generally ellipsoidal, spheroidal, semi-ellipsoidal, and/or semi-spheroidal shaped objects). Also, the terms "semi-ellipsoidal" and/or "semi-spheroidal" do not require the presence of exactly one half of an ellipsoidal and/or spheroidal shape. Rather, these terms include a surface that partially surrounds, lies adjacent to, and/or contacts the pump's exterior surface, e.g., surrounding, lying adjacent to, and/or contacting at least <NUM>% of the pump's exterior surface, and in some examples, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even at least <NUM>% of the pump's exterior surface.

At least one of the pumps <NUM>, <NUM> (and in this illustrated example, it is pump <NUM>) has its outlet 502O, 802O in fluid communication with fluid filled bladder <NUM>. As a more specific example, fluid line <NUM> connects the second outlet 802O of pump <NUM> with inlet 402I of fluid filled bladder <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, at least a portion of (and optionally all of) the fluid filled bladder <NUM> is located between the second major surface 302I of the first sole component <NUM> and the fourth major surface <NUM> of the second sole component <NUM>. Also, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fluid filled bladder <NUM> has a medial side portion <NUM> and a lateral side portion <NUM>, and these side portions <NUM>, <NUM> are separated from another, at least in part, by one or more of the pump <NUM>, the pump <NUM>, and/or the first fluid line <NUM>. Fluid may be free to flow between medial side portion <NUM> and lateral side portion <NUM> (e.g., to keep both side portions <NUM> and <NUM> at the same pressure), or fluid flow/fluid pressure may be controlled between these portions <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., to allow the side portions <NUM> and <NUM> to have different pressures). The fluid filled bladder <NUM> may be a foot support bladder and/or a reservoir bladder (e.g., a bladder used to supply fluid to, capture fluid from, and/or store fluid for use by a foot support bladder).

In the illustrated example of <FIG>, the first sole component <NUM> (e.g., an outsole component) and the second sole component <NUM> each are formed as a one-piece construction that extends continuously to support an entire plantar surface of a wearer's foot. Other options are, however, possible. For example, if desired, the outsole component <NUM> could be provided as multiple component parts (e.g., such as a heel outsole component 310A and a forefoot outsole component 310B, as shown by broken lines in <FIG> and <FIG>). In such an arrangement, protrusions <NUM> and <NUM>, pump containing regions 302P and 312P, and pump engaging surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on different outsole component parts. More specifically, in such an arrangement: (a) protrusion <NUM>, pump containing region 302P, and pump engaging surface <NUM> are provided on heel outsole component 310A and (b) protrusion <NUM>, pump containing region 312P, and pump engaging surface <NUM> are provided on forefoot outsole component 310B. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the midsole component <NUM> could be provided as multiple component parts (e.g., such as a heel midsole component 610A and a forefoot midsole component 610B, as shown by broken lines in <FIG>). In such an arrangement, pump containing regions 602P and 612P and pump engaging surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on different midsole component parts. More specifically, in such an arrangement: (a) pump containing region 602P and pump engaging surface <NUM> are provided on heel midsole component 610A and (b) pump containing region 612P and pump engaging surface <NUM> are provided on forefoot midsole component 610B. Separate arch based outsole and/or midsole component parts may be provided in the sole structure <NUM> and/or a gap may be provided in the arch area between heel based component parts and forefoot based component parts of the midsole <NUM> and/or the outsole <NUM>. As another alternative, the heel based components 310A, 610A and/or the forefoot based components 310B, 610B may extend into or through the arch area and meet one another, e.g., thereby avoiding an open gap between the heel based components 310A, 610A and the forefoot based components 310B, 610B. Other multi-component part structures for midsole <NUM> and/or outsole <NUM> may be used.

Also, <FIG> shows the first pump <NUM>, the second pump <NUM>, the fluid filled bladder <NUM> (including side components <NUM> and <NUM>), and first fluid line <NUM> formed as a unitary, one-piece construction. Such a bladder can be formed by thermoforming techniques (e.g., from one or more sheets of thermoplastic material that is/are selectively secured together (e.g., via welding techniques) and/or include internal structures or components to form the desired sizes and shapes). Such bladders <NUM> may be formed in manners that are known and used in the art. Alternatively, if desired, these items in bladder <NUM> may be formed as two or more separate parts. As some more specific examples: (a) the bladder portion(s) <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> could be formed separate from one or both pumps <NUM>/<NUM>; (b) bladder portions <NUM> and <NUM> could be formed separate from one another (with or without the pump(s) <NUM>/<NUM> and/or fluid line <NUM>); (c) the fluid line <NUM> could be a separate part from one or both pumps <NUM>, <NUM> and/or from the fluid filled bladder <NUM> or bladder portions <NUM>/<NUM>; etc..

<FIG> and <FIG> further show that this example sole structure <NUM> includes a foot support bladder <NUM> for supporting at least a portion of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot (and optionally all of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot). The foot support bladder <NUM> can be formed by thermoforming techniques (e.g., from one or more sheets of thermoplastic material that are selectively secured together (e.g., by welding techniques) and/or include internal structures or components to form the desired sizes and shapes). Such bladders <NUM> may be formed in manners that are known and used in the art. The foot support bladder <NUM> may be in fluid communication with the fluid filled bladder <NUM> (e.g., a reservoir bladder), for example, via a fluid transfer control system <NUM> (e.g., a programmable control valve), examples of which will be described in more detail below. In some examples of the technology disclosed herein, e.g., as shown in <FIG>, at least a portion of the foot support bladder <NUM> is located adjacent (and optionally in contact with and/or fixed to) the third major surface 602I of the second sole component <NUM> (e.g., a midsole component and/or foot support plate). If desired, the foot support bladder <NUM> could be omitted and the other bladder <NUM> could be used for foot support purposes.

Aspects of fluid transfer systems <NUM>, e.g., for articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices, in accordance with some examples of the technology disclosed herein will be described, e.g., in conjunction with <FIG>. <FIG> provides a schematic view of the fluid transfer system <NUM> and example overall components. <FIG> is a transverse, medial side-to-lateral side, vertical cross sectional view of the shoe <NUM> components with some features of the fluid transfer system <NUM> highlighted. <FIG> provides a schematic view of an example fluid transfer control system <NUM> and components thereof. <FIG> and <FIG> show the fluid transfer control system <NUM> engaged with the article of footwear <NUM> (e.g., engaged with one or more components of the upper <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM>, e.g., by one or more of adhesives or cements; mechanical connectors; sewn seams; etc.). As compared to <FIG>, <FIG> shows that a cover member <NUM> may be provided, e.g., to partially or fully cover the electronics and/or other structures of the fluid transfer control system <NUM> and fluid transfer system <NUM>.

This example fluid transfer system <NUM> includes a first pump <NUM> having a first pump chamber 502C, a first inlet 502I, and a first outlet 502O. A fluid transfer line <NUM> connects to the first inlet 502I and connects the first pump <NUM> with an external fluid source <NUM> (such as an ambient air source). This fluid transfer line <NUM> moves fluid from the external fluid source <NUM> into the first pump chamber 502C through the first inlet 502I. A valve <NUM> (e.g., a check valve or one-way valve) may be provided in line <NUM>, e.g., to prevent fluid from flowing out of the first pump chamber 502C and back to the external fluid source <NUM> through fluid transfer line <NUM>. In this manner, when the first pump <NUM> is activated (e.g., the bulb pump is compressed or squeezed), fluid is forced out of the first pump chamber 502C via first outlet 502O.

This example fluid transfer system <NUM> includes a second pump <NUM> that has a second pump chamber 802C, a second inlet 802I, and a second outlet 802O. Another fluid transfer line <NUM> connects the first outlet 502O of the first pump <NUM> with the second inlet 802I of the second pump <NUM>. This fluid transfer line <NUM> moves fluid discharged from the first outlet 502O into the second pump chamber 802C through the second inlet 802I. A valve <NUM> (e.g., a check valve or one-way valve) may be provided in line <NUM>, e.g., to prevent fluid from flowing out of the second pump chamber 802C and back into the fluid transfer line <NUM> and/or the first pump chamber 502C. In this manner, when the second pump <NUM> is activated (e.g., the bulb pump is compressed or squeezed), fluid is forced out of the second pump chamber 802C via second outlet 802O.

Another fluid transfer line <NUM> connects to the second outlet 802O of the second pump <NUM> and receives fluid discharged from the second pump chamber 802C. A valve <NUM> (e.g., a check valve or one-way valve) may be provided in fluid transfer line <NUM>, e.g., to prevent fluid from flowing back into the second pump chamber 802C via fluid transfer line <NUM> once it has been pumped out. The other end of fluid transfer line <NUM> connects to (or is otherwise in fluid communication with) fluid-filled bladder <NUM>. This example fluid-filled bladder <NUM> is a reservoir bladder (e.g., a bladder that stores fluid for transfer into a foot support bladder). Additionally or alternatively, if desired, fluid-filled bladder <NUM> may itself be a foot support bladder or a part of a foot support bladder system, e.g., for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Additionally or alternatively, at least some part of the bladder <NUM> may be engaged with and/or formed as at least a part of the footwear upper <NUM>.

In at least some example fluid transfer systems <NUM> in accordance with the technology disclosed herein, the fluid-filled bladder <NUM> may function as a fluid source or reservoir for a foot support bladder <NUM>. A fluid transfer control system <NUM> may be provided to control flow of fluid between the fluid-filled bladder <NUM> and the foot support bladder <NUM>, e.g., to enable control and change of pressure in the foot support bladder <NUM>. Fluid transfer line <NUM> moves fluid from the fluid-filled bladder <NUM>, through outlet 402O, into the fluid transfer control system <NUM> (via inlet 902I). Optionally, if necessary or desired, a valve <NUM> (e.g., a check valve or one-way valve) may be provided in fluid transfer line <NUM>, e.g., to prevent fluid from flowing back into the fluid-filled bladder <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM> once it has been released through outlet 402O.

The fluid transfer control system <NUM> may include a programmable controller and/or one or more user controlled and/or electronically controlled valves (e.g., solenoid valves, check valves, one-way valves, etc.) that can be used and controlled to move and control movement of fluid from the fluid-filled bladder <NUM> to the foot support bladder <NUM>; from the foot support bladder <NUM> to the bladder <NUM>; and/or from either or both of bladders <NUM>, <NUM> and/or from control system <NUM> to be released or vented, e.g., to the ambient environment (optionally under control of a valve <NUM>). Fluid transfer line <NUM> connects one outlet 902O of fluid transfer control system <NUM> to an inlet port 702I of the foot support bladder <NUM>. Another outlet 904O of the fluid transfer control system <NUM> releases fluid from the system <NUM>, e.g., vents fluid to the ambient environment and/or returns fluid back to bladder <NUM>. Optionally, if desired, the foot support bladder <NUM> may include a check valve <NUM> (or other one-way valve) set to an appropriate crack pressure to avoid over inflation of the foot support bladder <NUM>.

Any desired type of fluid transfer control system <NUM> structure and components could be used, including programmable and/or electronically controllable valves, manually controllable valves, systems that include one or more pressure sensors, etc. A schematic of one example fluid transfer control system <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In this illustrated example, a pressure sensor P1 is provided, e.g., in fluid transfer line <NUM> from the reservoir bladder <NUM> (or in a line in communication with fluid transfer line <NUM>). Fluid from the reservoir bladder <NUM> is introduced into a first solenoid valve <NUM> (or other controllable valve). When opened, fluid from line <NUM> flows through the solenoid valve <NUM> to valve <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM>. Fluid transfer line <NUM> transfers fluid through valve <NUM> into fluid transfer line <NUM>, which is in fluid communication with foot support bladder <NUM> and second solenoid valve <NUM>. Flow through fluid transfer line <NUM> is controlled based on pressure readings from pressure sensor P2 (which is within fluid transfer line <NUM> or in a line in communication with fluid transfer line <NUM>) and a desired pressure setting for foot support bladder <NUM>. For example, a user may set a desired cushioning level for the foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., via an electronic interface, such as a cellular telephone application program, a controller on the shoe, etc.). If the pressure sensor P2 senses that the pressure in fluid transfer line <NUM> (and thus pressure in the foot support bladder <NUM>) is below that desired cushioning level, second solenoid valve <NUM> may be closed and/or the crack pressure of valve <NUM> may be appropriately set so that fluid from reservoir bladder <NUM> flows through fluid transfer line <NUM>, through first solenoid valve <NUM>, through fluid transfer line <NUM>, through valve <NUM>, through outlet 902O, and into foot support bladder <NUM>. Fluid can flow in this manner (e.g., pumped by pumps <NUM>, <NUM>) until the desired pressure level is reached (as measured by pressure sensor P2) in the foot support bladder <NUM>. The second solenoid valve <NUM> can further be controlled and/or the crack pressure of valve <NUM> can be set such that further increases in pressure in line <NUM> (e.g., above the desired pressure setting for foot support bladder <NUM>) may pass through valve <NUM> and second solenoid valve <NUM> and be released, e.g., vented, e.g., to the ambient environment (ATM) via outlet 904O and/or returned to the bladder <NUM>. In this manner, fluid can continue to be pumped through the overall foot support system <NUM>, e.g., from the ambient environment <NUM>, through pump <NUM>, through pump <NUM>, through fluid-filled bladder <NUM> (e.g., a reservoir bladder), and into fluid transfer control system <NUM>, from which it is either introduced into the foot support bladder <NUM> (via fluid transfer line <NUM>), released, e.g., vented back into the ambient environment (through valve <NUM> and second solenoid valve <NUM>, depending on the pressure level in foot support bladder <NUM> and/or the desired pressure setting for foot support bladder <NUM>), and/or returned to bladder <NUM>.

As further shown in the figures (e.g., <FIG>), aspects of the technology disclosed herein further relate to a foot support system (e.g., sole structure <NUM> and fluid flow control system <NUM>) that includes:.

The fluid filled bladder <NUM> further may include one or more of: (a) a lateral side portion <NUM> located on a lateral side of the first pump <NUM>, (b) a medial side portion <NUM> located on a medial side of the first pump <NUM>, (c) a lateral side portion <NUM> located on a lateral side of the second pump <NUM>, (d) a medial side portion <NUM> located on a medial side of the second pump <NUM>, (e) a lateral side portion <NUM> located on a lateral side of second fluid transfer line <NUM>, and/or (f) a medial side portion <NUM> located on a medial side of second fluid transfer line <NUM>.

As also described above, this foot support system further may include a second fluid-filled bladder <NUM>, e.g., as a foot support bladder. When present, a fluid transfer control system <NUM>, e.g., of the various types described above, connects the fluid-filled bladder <NUM> with the second fluid-filled bladder <NUM>. One or both of the fluid-filled bladder <NUM> and/or the second fluid-filled bladder <NUM> may be engaged with a sole component (e.g., a midsole component <NUM>, an outsole component <NUM>, both etc.) and/or with a footwear upper <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, one or both of the fluid-filled bladder <NUM> and/or the second fluid-filled bladder <NUM> may be structured, oriented, and configured to form a plantar support surface for all or some portion (e.g., a heel portion, a forefoot portion, etc.) of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot.

In use, as evident from the figures, each of the first pump <NUM> and the second pump <NUM> is structured (e.g., as a bulb pump), oriented (e.g., beneath a wearer's foot), and configured to be compressed in response to force applied by a wearer's foot against a surface. As some more specific features: (a) the first pump chamber 502C is structured, oriented, and configured to be compressed in response to downward force applied by a wearer's heel (e.g., when landing a step) and/or (b) the second pump chamber 802C is structured, oriented, and configured to be compressed in response to downward force applied by a wearer's forefoot (e.g., one or more toes, e.g., when leaving the ground during "toe-off" of a step). The inclusion of two pumps in series (e.g., pump <NUM> supplying fluid directly to pump <NUM>) allows the initial pump up of the fluid filled bladder <NUM> and/or the foot support bladder <NUM> to be achieved more quickly, as fluid from the first pump <NUM> quickly supplies the second pump <NUM>, which then transfers to the bladders <NUM>/<NUM>.

While the above described examples of the technology disclosed herein show two pumps arranged in series, one skilled in the art, given benefit of this disclosure, will recognize that three or even more pumps (e.g., compressible bulb pumps) could be arranged in series, if desired in a single sole structure. In at least some examples of this aspect of the technology disclosed herein, as shown in <FIG>, a series arrangement of pumps could be spaced, in order, from the rear heel area of the sole structure component <NUM>, through the midfoot area, and to the forefoot area of the sole structure component <NUM>. The pumps could be arranged in a series sequence so as to be activated in succession (from back-to-front) as the wearer's weight transfers during a step cycle, e.g., from a lateral heel area (where one typically lands a step), through the midfoot area, and finally at the medial toe area (for toe-off at the end of the step). In the example of <FIG>, the pumps would be activated in order as Pump <NUM>, Pump <NUM>, Pump <NUM>, and Pump <NUM> as a typical step progresses. Any desired number of pumps could be provided in this series sequence. Further, each of the pumps may have any of the structures and/or options for the structures described above in conjunction with <FIG>, including any of the structures and/or options for the other components of the sole structure (e.g., the pump containing regions and/or pump engaging surfaces of the outsole <NUM> and/or the midsole <NUM>; protrusions on the outsole <NUM>; etc.).

<FIG> includes a schematic diagram of fluid transfer systems and/or foot support systems <NUM> in accordance with some additional examples of the technology disclosed herein. <FIG> is similar to <FIG> described above, and when the same reference number is used in <FIG> as used in <FIG> (or the other figures), the same or similar components are intended. Thus, a complete and/or detailed description of that component may be omitted from the discussion of <FIG>.

Like the system <NUM> of <FIG>, the system <NUM> of <FIG> includes a two-stage pump (pump <NUM> in series with pump <NUM>) providing fluid to reservoir <NUM>, which in turn supplies fluid to fluid transfer control system <NUM>, which in turn supplies fluid to foot support bladder <NUM>. Alternatively, if desired, the system <NUM> of <FIG> may use a single pump rather than this two-stage pump, at least in some examples of the technology disclosed herein. One difference between the system <NUM> of <FIG> and that shown in <FIG> includes the filter 1010A to filter incoming fluid from external fluid source <NUM>, which may be ambient atmosphere. The filter 1010A helps prevent water, debris, mud, dirt, particulate matter, etc., from entering the system <NUM>. Such a filter 1010A optionally may be removable, cleanable, and/or replaceable, if desired. Also, any of the examples of the technology disclosed herein as described above in conjunction with <FIG> may include a filter of this type.

<FIG> further shows additional features that may be included in such systems <NUM> to handle fluid flow when the foot support bladder <NUM> and the reservoir <NUM> contain fluid at a desired pressure level and/or at steady state. As described above, aspects of the technology disclosed herein include use of foot-activated pumps <NUM>, <NUM> to inflate and adjust fluid pressure in both the reservoir <NUM> and the foot support bladder <NUM>. In use, however, unless they are de-activated in some manner, foot-activated pumps <NUM>, <NUM> will continue to move fluid into the system <NUM> during each step as the user walks, runs, and/or undertakes other activities. This fluid has to move through and/or out of the system <NUM> in some manner, e.g., to prevent over-inflation of bladder <NUM> or reservoir <NUM> (and potentially rupturing parts, including tubing or bladders included in the system <NUM>). The system <NUM> of <FIG> included valves <NUM> and/or <NUM> that were capable of discharging fluid from that system (e.g., to the ambient environment) as the user continues to step down on pump(s) <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, once at a desired pressure in each part of the system <NUM>, the system <NUM> of <FIG> allows fluid to escape (e.g., through valve(s) <NUM> and/or <NUM>) at the same general rate at which it enters.

Additional or alternative pressure release systems are possible. For example, as shown in <FIG>, either or both of pumps <NUM>, <NUM> may include a valve (e.g., a check valve) to release incoming fluid as it is pumped into the system <NUM> and before it goes to the reservoir <NUM>, fluid transfer control system <NUM>, and/or foot support bladder <NUM>. As shown pump <NUM> may include release valve 500P and/or pump <NUM> may include release valve 800P. The crack pressure(s) of valve(s) 500P and/or 800P may be set (or these valves 500P, 800P may be otherwise controlled, e.g., manually, by an electronic control that is part of fluid transfer control system <NUM>, etc.) to release incoming fluid to the external environment-on a step-by-step basis, if necessary-once reservoir <NUM> and/or foot support bladder <NUM> is/are at a desired and/or set pressure level.

Additionally or alternatively, if desired, a release valve 400P (e.g., a check valve, a manually or electronically controlled valve, etc.) could be included in fluid communication with the interior 400I of the reservoir <NUM>. Using valve 400P, the system <NUM> may release incoming fluid as it is pumped into the system <NUM> before it goes to the fluid transfer control system <NUM> and/or foot support bladder <NUM>. The crack pressure(s) of valve 400P may be set (or it may be otherwise controlled, e.g., manually, by an electronic control that is part of fluid transfer control system <NUM>, etc.) to release incoming fluid to the external environment-on a step-by-step basis, if necessary-once reservoir <NUM> and/or foot support bladder <NUM> is/are at a desired and/or set pressure level.

<FIG> shows other additional or alternative features that may be included in systems <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of the technology disclosed herein. In the system <NUM> of <FIG>, fluid flows from the reservoir <NUM>, through fluid transfer control system <NUM>, and from there, when needed, to the foot support bladder <NUM>. Other and/or additional structures are possible. As shown in <FIG>, if desired, a fluid line <NUM> may run directly from pump <NUM> (and/or even from pump <NUM>) to the foot support bladder <NUM>. While not shown in the example of <FIG>, this fluid line <NUM> may be equipped with one or more valves, e.g., check valves, and/or other structures to prevent fluid from flowing from bladder <NUM> into pump <NUM> (or <NUM>), to control the pressure at which fluid line <NUM> is opened (to allow fluid to be pumped directly into foot support bladder, <NUM>), etc. Fluid line <NUM> may be useful, for example, in situations when foot support bladder <NUM> is at very low pressure, when it is desired to inflate quickly, when large pressure increases are desired, etc..

As an additional or alternative feature, the system <NUM> of <FIG> may include a fluid line <NUM> running directly from reservoir <NUM> to the foot support bladder <NUM>. This fluid line <NUM> also may be equipped with one or more valves, e.g., check valves or other structures, to prevent fluid from flowing from bladder <NUM> into reservoir <NUM> and/or to control the conditions under which fluid may be allowed to move between bladder <NUM> and reservoir <NUM> (in either direction). Fluid line <NUM> may be particularly useful, for example, in situations when foot support bladder <NUM> is at very low pressure, when one wants to inflate foot support bladder <NUM> quickly, when large and/or quick pressure changes (increased or decreased in bladder <NUM>) are desired, etc..

Thus, fluid transfer systems and foot support systems <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of the technology disclosed herein may selectively move fluid through any one or more of the following paths and/or between any of the following components: (a) from a pump (e.g., pump <NUM>, pump <NUM>) to the external (e.g., ambient) environment (e.g., via valve 500P and/or valve 800P); (b) from a pump (e.g., pump <NUM>, pump <NUM>) to a reservoir <NUM> (e.g., fluid line <NUM>); (c) from a reservoir <NUM> to a foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., directly via fluid line <NUM> or through a fluid transfer control system <NUM>); (d) from a foot support bladder <NUM> to the external (e.g., ambient) environment (e.g., via valve <NUM>); (e) from a pump (e.g., pump <NUM>, pump <NUM>) to a foot support bladder (e.g., fluid line <NUM>); and/or (f) from the reservoir <NUM> to the external (e.g., ambient) environment (e.g., via valve 400P). These same six operational states also may be accomplished in the system <NUM> of <FIG>, e.g., by moving fluid from its starting location (e.g., pump <NUM>, <NUM>, reservoir <NUM>, or bladder <NUM>) to fluid transfer control system <NUM> and from there to its desired destination (e.g., ambient environment, reservoir <NUM>, or bladder <NUM>). In these manners, fluid transfer control system <NUM> operates as a central hub for receiving incoming fluid and distributing it to desired locations.

<FIG> provides a schematic diagram of another fluid transfer system and/or foot support system <NUM> in accordance with some examples of the technology disclosed herein. <FIG> is similar to <FIG> and <FIG> described above, and when the same reference number is used in <FIG> as used in <FIG> and/or <NUM> (or the other figures), the same or similar components are intended. Thus, a complete and/or detailed description of that component may be omitted from the discussion of <FIG>.

In the system <NUM> of <FIG>, however, the pump <NUM> supplies fluid directly to a fluid transfer control system <NUM> (via fluid line <NUM>) rather than directly to the reservoir <NUM> as shown for systems <NUM>, <NUM>. Fluid transfer control system <NUM>, in turn, selectively distributes fluid to and/or receives fluid from, as needed, reservoir <NUM> (via fluid line <NUM>) and/or foot support bladder <NUM> (via fluid line <NUM>). Fluid line <NUM> of this example further includes check valve <NUM> to prevent/control undesired fluid flow from line <NUM> back into pump <NUM> and valve <NUM> to prevent/control undesired fluid flow from fluid transfer control system <NUM> back into fluid line <NUM>. Fluid line(s) <NUM> and/or <NUM> may contain valving and/or other structures to enable selective and/or automated control of fluid flow through those lines, e.g., to establish and maintain desired pressure levels within reservoir <NUM> and/or foot support bladder <NUM>, respectively. In this system <NUM>, fluid transfer control system <NUM> may function as a central hub for receiving and distributing fluid.

<FIG> shows some additional or alternative potential features that may be included in system <NUM> in accordance with some examples of the technology disclosed herein. For example, while one foot support bladder <NUM> is illustrated in the examples above, the system <NUM> of <FIG> illustrates a second foot support bladder 700A in fluid communication with fluid transfer control system <NUM> via fluid line <NUM>. Foot support system <NUM> (as well as any of the other foot support systems (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) described above) may include any desired number of foot support bladders, including one or more, between <NUM> and <NUM>, between <NUM> and <NUM>, between <NUM> and <NUM>, between <NUM> and <NUM>, etc. When present, the additional foot support bladder(s) 700A may include any of the structures and/or features of the bladders <NUM> described above, any of the fluid line connections (e.g., including release valve 706A), etc. When multiple bladders <NUM>, 700A are present, they may be in fluid communication with one another, may be isolated from one another, and/or may be selectively placed in fluid communication with one another (e.g., by opening and closing one or more valves and/or fluid lines).

The system <NUM> of <FIG> (as well as system <NUM> of <FIG>) further may include a check valve <NUM> in fluid line <NUM> to prevent fluid from moving from the pump chamber 502C into fluid line <NUM> under some conditions. For example, valve <NUM> may prevent fluid from moving into line <NUM> under low pump <NUM> pumping pressure conditions (e.g., when a user taps his/her foot, when light pressure is applied to pump <NUM> while sitting, etc.). In this manner, fluid is moved from pump chamber 502C into line <NUM> only when a threshold foot-activated pressure condition is reached when the pump chamber <NUM> is compressed. Valves <NUM> and <NUM> also may help maintain line <NUM> in a pressurized condition between pump <NUM> activations (e.g., when a user is sitting, when standing still, when the shoes are not being worn, etc.).

The system <NUM> of <FIG> may include other additional or alternative features, e.g., such as those shown in broken lines and dot-dash lines in <FIG>. As shown, if desired, a fluid line <NUM> may run directly from pump <NUM> (and/or even from pump <NUM>) to the foot support bladder <NUM> (and, when present, directly to any one or more additional foot support bladders 700A). While not shown in <FIG>, fluid line(s) <NUM> may be equipped with one or more valves, e.g., check valves, to prevent fluid from flowing from bladder <NUM> into pump <NUM> (or <NUM>), to control the pressure at which fluid line <NUM> is opened, etc. Fluid line <NUM> may be useful, for example, in situations when foot support bladder <NUM> (and/or bladder(s) 700A) is at very low pressure, when it is desired to inflate quickly, when large pressure increases are desired, etc..

As an additional or alternative feature, the system <NUM> of <FIG> may include a fluid line <NUM> running directly from pump <NUM> (or pump <NUM>) to the reservoir <NUM>. This fluid line <NUM> also may be equipped with one or more valves, e.g., check valves, to prevent fluid from flowing from reservoir <NUM> into pump <NUM> (or <NUM>). Fluid line <NUM> may be useful, for example, in situations when reservoir <NUM> is at very low pressure, when one wants to inflate reservoir <NUM> quickly, when large pressure changes (increased or decreased in reservoir <NUM>) are desired, etc..

As further alternatives and/or additional features, fluid reservoir <NUM> may be in direct fluid communication with foot support bladder <NUM> (and/or, when present, one or more additional foot support bladders 700A). <FIG> shows fluid lines <NUM> and 5016A for these direct connection purposes, and if desired, fluid may flow in either direction within these lines <NUM>, 5016A (into and out of reservoir <NUM> and/or into and out of bladder(s) <NUM>, 700A). Fluid line(s) <NUM> (5016A, when present) also may be equipped with one or more valves, e.g., check valves, to prevent fluid from flowing from bladder <NUM> (and/or bladder 700A) into reservoir <NUM> and/or to control the conditions under which fluid may be allowed to move from bladder <NUM> (and/or bladder 700A) into reservoir <NUM>. Fluid line(s) <NUM> (5016A) may be useful, for example, in situations when foot support bladder(s) <NUM> (700A) is at very low pressure, when one wants to inflate foot support bladder(s) <NUM> (700A) quickly, when large pressure changes (increased or decreased in bladder(s) <NUM> (700A) are desired, etc. If desired, in the system <NUM> of <FIG>, one or more of the additional over-pressure release valves 500P, 800P, 400P, <NUM>, 706A still may be provided (e.g., as extra protection against over-inflation of the system <NUM>) or one or more may be omitted.

Like system <NUM>, fluid transfer systems and foot support systems <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of this aspect of the technology disclosed herein, as shown in <FIG>, may selectively move fluid through any one or more of the following paths and/or between any one or more of the following components: (a) from a pump (e.g., pump <NUM>, pump <NUM>) to the external (e.g., ambient) environment (e.g., via valve 500P and/or valve 800P); (b) from a pump (e.g., pump <NUM>, pump <NUM>) to a reservoir <NUM> (e.g., fluid line <NUM>); (c) from a reservoir <NUM> to a foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., via fluid line <NUM>, 5016A); (d) from a foot support bladder <NUM>,700A to the external (e.g., ambient) environment (e.g., via valve <NUM>, 706A); (e) from a pump (e.g., pump <NUM>, pump <NUM>) to a foot support bladder (e.g., fluid line <NUM>); and/or (f) from the reservoir <NUM> to the external (e.g., ambient) environment (e.g., via valve 400P).

Alternatively, fluid transfer control system <NUM> could operate to place the system into the six different operating states described above without one or more (or any) of fluid lines <NUM>, fluid lines <NUM>, fluid lines <NUM>, 5016A, valve 500P, valve 800P, valve 400P, valve <NUM>, and/or valve 706A. <FIG> shows one example of such a system <NUM>. In this system <NUM>, the fluid transfer control system <NUM> acts as a central hub for receiving and distributing fluid. In this example system <NUM>, the fluid transfer control system <NUM> includes a housing, manifold, or body member having (at least) four physical connections or ports, namely: (a) a connection or port connecting from the pump <NUM> (which optionally may be part of a two-stage pump system including pumps <NUM>, <NUM>, but a single pump <NUM> also may be used in some examples of this system <NUM>) via fluid line <NUM>; (b) a connection or port connecting to reservoir <NUM> via fluid line <NUM>; (c) a connection or port connecting to foot support bladder <NUM> via fluid line <NUM>; and (d) a connection or port connecting to the external (ambient) environment via valve <NUM>. The system <NUM> of <FIG> provides at least six different operating states as follows:.

If desired, the example system <NUM> of <FIG> may include additional foot support bladders (e.g., like 700A described above), and the fluid transfer control system <NUM> may include additional lines (e.g., like <NUM> described above) for connection to it. Such a system could include additional operational states, e.g., to inflate and/or deflate the additional bladder(s) 700A, e.g., from pump(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, from reservoir <NUM>, from another bladder <NUM>, etc. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, system <NUM> of <FIG> could include one or more additional operational states. As some more specific examples: (a) an operational state may be provided in which reservoir <NUM> and foot support bladder <NUM> are inflated simultaneously (e.g., by connecting pump <NUM> to lines <NUM> and <NUM> through fluid transfer control system <NUM> while valve <NUM> is closed) and/or (b) an operational state may be provided in which reservoir <NUM> and foot support bladder <NUM> are deflated simultaneously (e.g., by connecting lines <NUM> and <NUM> to valve <NUM> through fluid transfer control system <NUM>). If desired, in the system <NUM> of <FIG>, one or more of the additional over-pressure release valves 500P, 800P, 400P, and <NUM> (shown in broken lines in <FIG>) still may be provided (e.g., as extra protection against over-inflation of the system <NUM>) or one or more may be omitted.

In addition or as an alternative to the structures described above, fluid transfer control system <NUM> may include the various manually and/or electronically controlled switching systems, fluid paths, and/or component parts as described in any of <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. The control system <NUM> may include one or more solenoid valves, one or more stem valves (e.g., activated by a movable cam within a housing or manifold), a rotatable cylinder or other movable base component structure defining multiple paths through its interior (e.g., located within a housing or manifold), a switching mechanism, and/or other suitable structures to selectively connect fluid lines from the pump <NUM>, reservoir <NUM>, bladder <NUM> (one or more), and ambient environment to one another-through the fluid transfer control system <NUM>-to allow fluid communication between one or more of the above operational states.

As some further potential structures, the fluid transfer control system <NUM> may include a motor driven body, such as a cylinder, located within a housing or manifold. The driven body may include internal pathways defined through it, and these pathways include openings at the outer surface of the driven body. The housing or manifold may include ports in fluid communication (e.g., aligned) with fluid lines that extend to the pump <NUM>, reservoir <NUM>, bladder <NUM>, and valve <NUM>. In some discrete positions of the driven body within the housing or manifold, these openings may be positioned so that: (a) at least two of the openings of the driven body align with the ports of the housing or manifold to place the fluid paths extending from the ports in fluid communication with one another (i.e., so that fluid flows through the driven body from one port to the other); and (b) other openings of the driven body are sealed off. By driving the driven body to different positions within the housing or manifold (e.g., by a motor rotating, linearly translating, or otherwise moving the driven body with respect to the housing or manifold), fluid paths between the different ports can be selectively opened through the driven body and other fluid paths through the driven body may be sealed. In this manner, one or more of the various operational states (e.g., the six operational states described above) can be selectively activated by locating the driven body within the housing or manifold of the fluid transfer control system <NUM> at a specific position.

Fluid transfer control systems <NUM> that may be used in at least some examples of the technology disclosed herein and of the types described above may include one or more solenoid based actuators to control the fluid flow. Some examples of such solenoid based actuators and solenoid based systems that include fluid paths defined through them are described, for example, in <CIT> and <CIT>, each entitled "Adjustable Foot Support Systems Including Fluid-Filled Bladder Chambers.

Additionally or alternatively, if desired, fluid transfer control systems <NUM> that may be used in at least some examples of the technology disclosed herein and of the types described above may include solenoid valves/cylinders having latching features, e.g., magnetic latching. For example, in fluid transfer control systems, a movable valve component may move to open or close a valve and/or a fluid path to allow or stop fluid flow, respectively, through the valve. When the movable valve component blocks the path, fluid flow is stopped through that path and when the movable valve component is moved away from the path, fluid flow is allowed through the path. A biasing member, such as a spring, may bias the movable valve component in one of the open position or the closed position. For electronically controlled systems, power (e.g., battery power) may be needed to move the movable valve component from its biased position (where no power is needed to hold it in place because of the biasing force) to the opposite position (in which the movable valve component must be held in place opposing the biasing force). Some continuing "holding force" is needed to hold the movable valve component in the place where it opposes the biasing force and to maintain the movable valve component in that "opposite position. " If the movable valve component needs to be held in this "opposite position" for a substantial time, this may drain significant power from the battery quickly.

Thus, fluid flow control systems <NUM> in accordance with some aspects of the technology disclosed herein may include: (a) a movable valve component of the types described above made, at least in part, from a magnetic attracted material (or even a magnet) and (b) a switch that moves a separate magnet between two or more discrete positions (e.g., an activated position and a deactivated position). With the switch in the "activated" position, the magnet associated with the switch is physically moved to a location where it interacts with the movable valve body with sufficient magnetic force (e.g., magnetic attraction) to pull the movable valve body to and hold it in the "opposite position" in opposition to the biasing force. In the "deactivated" position, the magnet is physically moved to a location where its magnetic attractive force is insufficient to hold the movable valve body against the biasing force (and thus the movable valve body moves to the biased position under the biasing force). Rather than move a magnet, the switch could move shielding material between the magnet and the movable valve body. In these systems, use of battery power may be limited to power needed to move the switch (and/or the magnet or shielding material associated with it) between the activated position and the deactivated position. In this manner, the movable valve body may be held in both the biased position and the opposite position for long time periods with minimal power consumption. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, magnet based systems of the types described in <CIT> and <CIT>, each entitled "Fluid Flow Control Devices Usable in Adjustable Foot Support Systems" may be used in fluid transfer control system <NUM>. As yet additional or other alternative features, movable valve bodies and/or movable solenoid parts may be moved to selectively open and close various fluid flow paths by a servo drive, linear motor, stepper motor, ball screw, lead screw, linear guide, or the like.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate sole structures <NUM> in which the foot support bladder <NUM> is vertically stacked above the pumping systems <NUM>, <NUM>, and the reservoir <NUM>. Other structural options are possible. For example, rather than having reservoir <NUM> and foot support bladder(s) <NUM> vertically stacked, reservoir <NUM> could be longitudinally spaced from the foot support bladder <NUM> (but optionally at the same or overlapping vertical level). As a more specific example, if desired, the reservoir <NUM> could be located in the heel area and/or midfoot area of the sole member <NUM> while the foot support bladder(s) <NUM> may be located in the forefoot area and/or midfoot area of the sole member <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, at least some portion (and optionally all) of the reservoir <NUM> may be included as part of the footwear upper <NUM> or engaged with the footwear upper <NUM>. In such structures, the foot support bladder(s) <NUM> may support all or any one or more portions of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot (e.g., one or more of the heel area, the midfoot area, the forefoot area, the lateral side, the medial side, etc.). Foot support systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described above may include any of these types of physical and/or relative reservoir <NUM> and bladder <NUM> arrangements.

In some examples of the technology disclosed herein, the reservoir <NUM> may be maintained at a relatively constant pressure and/or at a pressure within the range of <NUM> to <NUM> kPa (<NUM> to <NUM> psi). Additionally or alternatively, if desired, pressure in the foot support bladder(s) <NUM> may be varied, e.g., over a range of <NUM> to <NUM> kPa (<NUM> to <NUM> psi), and this pressure may be controlled manually or electronically (e.g., by control of fluid transfer control system <NUM>). Pressure sensors may be provided, as described above, as inputs to computer control systems for maintaining, setting, and/or changing these pressures in reservoir <NUM> and bladder <NUM>, e.g., via fluid transfer control system <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A foot support system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a fluid transfer control system (<NUM>) including a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, wherein the fourth port is in fluid communication with an external environment;
a first pump (<NUM>) connected to the first port;
a reservoir (<NUM>) connected to the second port; and
a foot support bladder (<NUM>, 700A) connected to the third port,
wherein the fluid transfer control system (<NUM>) selectively places the foot support system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in any one of six operational states as follows:
(a) a first operational state in which fluid moves from the first pump (<NUM>), into the fluid transfer control system (<NUM>), and through the fourth port to the external environment;
(b) a second operational state in which fluid moves from the first pump (<NUM>), into the fluid transfer control system (<NUM>), and through the second port to the reservoir (<NUM>);
(c) a third operational state in which fluid moves from the reservoir (<NUM>), through the fluid transfer control system (<NUM>), and through the third port to the foot support bladder (<NUM>, 700A);
(d) a fourth operational state in which fluid moves from the foot support bladder (<NUM>, 700A), through the fluid transfer control system (<NUM>), and through the fourth port to the external environment;
(e) a fifth operational state in which fluid moves from the first pump (<NUM>), through the fluid transfer control system (<NUM>), and through the third port to foot support bladder (<NUM>, 700A); and
(f) a sixth operational state in which fluid moves from the reservoir (<NUM>), through the fluid transfer control system (<NUM>), and through the fourth port to the external environment.