Patent Description:
The upper is often formed from a plurality of material elements (for example, textiles, polymer sheets, foam layers, leather, and/or synthetic leather) that are stitched and/or adhesively bonded together to form a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving a foot. More particularly, the upper forms a structure that extends over instep and toe areas of the foot, along medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around a heel area of the foot. The upper may also incorporate a lacing system to adjust fit of the footwear, as well as permitting entry and removal of the foot from the void within the upper. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance adjustability and comfort of the footwear. Further, the upper may incorporate a heel counter to provide stability, rigidity, and support to the heel and ankle portion of the foot.

The sole structure may include one or more components. For example, the sole structure may include a ground-contacting sole component. The ground-contacting sole component may be fashioned from a durable and wear-resistant material (such as rubber or plastic), and may include ground- engaging members, tread patterns, and/or texturing to provide traction.

In addition, in some embodiments, the sole structure may include a midsole and/or a sockliner. The midsole may be secured to a lower surface of the upper and forms a middle portion of the sole structure. Many midsole configurations are primarily formed from a resilient polymer foam material, such as polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate, that extends throughout the length and width of the footwear. The midsole may also incorporate fluid- filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, influence the motions of the foot, or impart stability, for example. The sockliner is a thin, compressible member located within the upper and positioned to extend under a lower surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort.

Sole structures have been developed that utilize a plurality of support members, which, in some cases, may be generally cylindrical, to provide attenuation of ground reaction forces. Such systems can include support members of various sizes distributed about the midsole to provide cushioning and stability that is tailored to each region of the foot including, for example, the forefoot and/or heel region. However, these systems are not adjustable. While a user may, in some cases, substitute a different insole to provide a different cushioning and/or stability characteristics, the majority of cushioning and/or stability attributes are often provided by the midsole rather than the insole. Therefore, once the article of footwear is manufactured, the performance characteristics of the sole structure are substantially fixed because the characteristics of the midsole are not adjustable. It may be desirable to provide some adjustability for the attributes of the midsole in order to provide a higher level of customizability of the performance characteristics of footwear.

Document <CIT> describes an elastic sole for a shoe, such as a sport shoe, includes an outer sole with a profiled wearing surface and an inner sole. The inner sole forms at least one chamber. A spring member is located within the chamber and includes a plurality of elastomer spring elements and a tension rod extending through the spring elements. The tension rod is connected to abutments at opposite ends of the spring elements. One end of the tension rod is accessible on the exterior of the sole for adjusting the spring characteristic of the spring member.

Document <CIT> describes an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by a groove. Also, the article of footwear includes a biasing structure that is elongate and non-extendable. The biasing structure is operably coupled to the sole assembly to bias the first and second portions of the sole assembly generally toward each other.

The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose systems and methods for manufacturing an article of footwear. Concepts associated with the disclosed systems and methods may be applied to a variety of footwear types, including athletic shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, or any other type of footwear.

For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. The term "longitudinal," as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims, refers to a direction extending a length of an article of footwear, that is, extending from a forefoot portion to a heel portion. The term "forward" is used to refer to the general direction in which the toes of a foot point, and the term "rearward" is used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction in which the heel of the foot is facing.

The term "lateral direction," as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims, refers to a side-to-side direction extending a width of the footwear. In other words, the lateral direction may extend between a medial side and a lateral side of an article of footwear, with the lateral side of the article of footwear being the surface that faces away from the other foot, and the medial side being the surface that faces toward the other foot.

The term "horizontal," as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims, refers to any direction substantially parallel with the ground, including the longitudinal direction, the lateral direction, and all directions in between. Similarly, the term "side," as used in this specification and in the claims, refers to any portion of a component facing generally in a lateral, medial, forward, and/or rearward direction, as opposed to an upward or downward direction.

The term "vertical," as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims, refers to a direction generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in cases where a sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. The term "upward" refers to the vertical direction heading away from a ground surface, while the term "downward" refers to the vertical direction heading towards the ground surface. Similarly, the terms "top," "upper," and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object substantially furthest from the ground in a vertical direction, and the terms "bottom," "lower," and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object substantially closest to the ground in a vertical direction.

For purposes of this disclosure, the foregoing directional terms, when used in reference to an article of footwear, shall refer to the article of footwear when sitting in an upright position, with the sole facing groundward, that is, as it would be positioned when worn by a wearer standing on a substantially level surface. Further, it will be understood that each of these directional terms may be applied to, not only a complete article of footwear, but also to individual components of an article of footwear.

In addition, for purposes of this disclosure, the term "fixedly attached" shall refer to two components joined in a manner such that the components may not be readily separated (for example, without destroying one or both of the components). Exemplary modalities of fixed attachment may include joining with permanent adhesive, rivets, stitches, nails, staples, welding or other thermal bonding, and/or other joining techniques. In addition, two components may be "fixedly attached" by virtue of being integrally formed, for example, in a molding process.

<FIG> depicts an article of footwear <NUM>. The configuration of an article of footwear may vary significantly according to the type of activity for which the article of footwear is anticipated to be used. For example, in some embodiments, footwear may be anticipated to be used for athletic activities, such as running, jogging, and participating in sports. In some embodiments, the article of footwear may be configured for casual wear, such as running errands, attending school, or participating in a social event. In addition, the configuration of an article of footwear may vary significantly according to one or more types of ground surfaces on which the footwear may be used. For example, the footwear may be configured to have certain features and/or attributes depending on whether the footwear is anticipated to be used on natural outdoor surfaces, such as natural turf (e.g., grass), synthetic turf, dirt, snow; synthetic outdoor surfaces, such as rubber running tracks; or indoor surfaces, such as hardwood flooring/courts, rubber floors; and any other type of surface.

Footwear <NUM> is depicted in <FIG> as a high top sneaker, suitable for wear playing basketball, for example. However, the disclosed manufacturing apparatuses and methods may be applicable for manufacturing any type of footwear, including other types of athletic shoes, such as running shoes or cleated shoes; dress shoes, such as oxfords or loafers; casual shoes; or any other type of footwear.

As shown in <FIG>, footwear <NUM> may include a sole structure <NUM> and an upper <NUM>. For reference purposes, footwear <NUM> may be divided into three general regions: a forefoot region <NUM>, a midfoot region <NUM>, and a heel region <NUM>. Forefoot region <NUM> generally includes portions of footwear <NUM> corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region <NUM> generally includes portions of footwear <NUM> corresponding with an arch area of the foot. Heel region <NUM> generally corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Regions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear <NUM>. Rather, regions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are intended to represent general relative areas of footwear <NUM> to aid in the following discussion. Since sole structure <NUM> and upper <NUM> both span substantially the entire length of footwear <NUM>, the terms forefoot region <NUM>, midfoot region <NUM>, and heel region <NUM> apply not only to footwear <NUM> in general, but also to sole structure <NUM> and upper <NUM>, as well as the individual elements of sole structure <NUM> and upper <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, upper <NUM> may include an ankle opening <NUM> in heel region <NUM> provides access to the interior void or cavity configured to receive a foot. In addition, upper <NUM> may include a lace <NUM>, which may be utilized to modify the dimensions of the interior void, thereby securing the foot within the interior void and facilitating entry and removal of the foot from the interior void. Lace <NUM> may extend through apertures in upper <NUM>, and a tongue portion <NUM> of upper <NUM> may extend between the interior void and lace <NUM>. Upper <NUM> may alternatively implement any of a variety of other configurations, materials, and/or closure mechanisms. For example, upper <NUM> may include sock-like liners instead of a more traditional tongue; alternative closure mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners (for example, straps), buckles, clasps, cinches, or any other arrangement for securing a foot within the void defined by upper <NUM>.

An upper of an article of footwear may be formed of one or more panels. In embodiments that combine two or more panels, the panels may be fixedly attached to one another. For example, upper panels may be attached to one another using stitching, adhesive, welding, and/or any other suitable attachment technique.

As shown in <FIG>, upper <NUM> may include one or more upper panels <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, upper <NUM> may be made from a single panel. In other embodiments, upper <NUM> may be formed of multiple panels. For example, upper <NUM> may include a first upper panel <NUM> and a second upper panel <NUM>. The shape and size of upper panels <NUM> may have any suitable form, and those skilled in the art will recognize various possible shapes and sizes for upper panels <NUM> other than those shown in <FIG>.

Upper <NUM> may be formed out of any suitable materials. For example, upper panels <NUM> may be formed of such materials as leather, textiles, canvas, foam, rubber, polyurethane, vinyl, nylon, synthetic leathers, and/or any other suitable material. In some cases, footwear <NUM> may be formed out of multiple panels in order to facilitate assembly of footwear <NUM>. In some embodiments, multiple panels may be used for upper <NUM> in order to enable different materials to be used in different parts of upper <NUM>. Different materials may be chosen for different panels of footwear <NUM> based on factors such as strength, durability, wear-resistance, flexibility, breathability, elasticity, and comfort.

Sole structure <NUM> may be fixedly attached to upper <NUM> (for example, with adhesive, stitching, welding, and/or other suitable techniques) and may have a configuration that extends between upper <NUM> and the ground. Sole structure <NUM> may include provisions for attenuating ground reaction forces (that is, cushioning the foot). In addition, sole structure <NUM> may be configured to provide traction, impart stability, and/or limit various foot motions, such as pronation, supination, and/or other motions.

In some embodiments, sole structure <NUM> may include multiple components, which may individually and/or collectively provide footwear <NUM> with a number of attributes, such as support, rigidity, flexibility, stability, cushioning, comfort, reduced weight, and/or other attributes. In some embodiments, sole structure <NUM> may include an insole <NUM>, a midsole <NUM>, and a ground engaging sole component <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, midsole <NUM> may include a support plate <NUM>. Insole <NUM> and support plate <NUM> are shown in broken lines in order to illustrate hidden boundaries of these components, not visible from the exterior of footwear <NUM>. In some cases, one or more of these components of sole structure <NUM> may be omitted. Further, footwear <NUM> may also include a heel counter <NUM> affixed to or incorporated within upper <NUM>.

Insole <NUM> may be disposed in the void defined by upper <NUM>. Insole <NUM> may extend through each of regions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and between the lateral and medial sides of footwear <NUM>. Insole <NUM> may be formed of a deformable (for example, compressible) material, such as polyurethane foams, or other polymer foam materials. Accordingly, insole <NUM> may, by virtue of its compressibility, provide cushioning, and may also conform to the foot in order to provide comfort, support, and stability.

In some embodiments, insole <NUM> may be removable from footwear <NUM>, for example, for replacement or washing. In other embodiments, insole <NUM> may be integrally formed with the footbed of upper <NUM>. In other embodiments, insole <NUM> may be fixedly attached within footwear <NUM>, for example, via permanent adhesive, welding, stitching, and/or another suitable technique. In some embodiments of footwear <NUM>, upper <NUM> may include a bottom portion defining a lower aspect of the void formed by upper <NUM>. Therefore, in such embodiments, insole <NUM> may be disposed above the bottom portion of upper <NUM>, inside the void formed by upper <NUM>. In other embodiments, upper <NUM> may not extend fully beneath insole <NUM>, and thus, in such embodiments, insole <NUM> may rest atop midsole <NUM> (or sole component <NUM> in embodiments that do not include a midsole).

Footwear <NUM> is depicted in <FIG> as having a midsole <NUM>. The general location of midsole <NUM> has been depicted in <FIG> as it may be incorporated into any of a variety of types of footwear. Midsole <NUM> may be fixedly attached to a lower area of upper <NUM> (for example, through stitching, adhesive bonding, thermal bonding (for example, welding), and/or other techniques), or may be integral with upper <NUM>. Midsole <NUM> may extend through each of regions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and between the lateral and medial sides of footwear <NUM>.

In some embodiments, portions of midsole <NUM> may be exposed around the periphery of footwear <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. For example, one or more support members <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, support members <NUM> may, for example, be embodied as substantially cylindrical columns configured to provide cushioning and stability. In other embodiments, midsole <NUM> may be completely covered by other elements, such as material layers of upper <NUM>.

Midsole <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material having the properties described above, according to the activity for which footwear <NUM> is intended. In some embodiments, midsole <NUM> may include a foamed polymer material, such as polyurethane (PU), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), or any other suitable material that operates to attenuate ground reaction forces as sole structure <NUM> contacts the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities.

In some embodiments, a midsole may include, in addition (or as an alternative) to cushioning components, such as support members <NUM> discussed above, features that provide support and/or rigidity. In some embodiments, such features may include a support plate that extends at least part of the length of footwear <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, midsole <NUM> may include support plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, support plate <NUM> may extend a portion of the length of footwear <NUM>. In other embodiments, support plate <NUM> may extend substantially the entire length of footwear <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Support plate <NUM> may be a substantially flat, plate-like platform. Support plate <NUM>, although relatively flat, may include various anatomical contours, such as a relatively rounded longitudinal profile, a heel portion that is higher than the forefoot portion, a higher arch support region, and other anatomical features.

Support plate <NUM> may be formed of a relatively rigid plastic, carbon fiber, or other such material, in order to maintain a substantially flat surface upon which the forces applied by a foot during ambulatory activities may be distributed. Support plate <NUM> may also provide torsional stiffness to sole structure <NUM>, in order to provide stability and responsiveness.

A ground-engaging sole component may include features that provide traction, grip, stability, support, and/or cushioning. For example, a sole component may have ground-engaging members, such as treads, cleats, or other patterned or randomly positioned structural elements. A sole component may also be formed of a material having properties suitable to provide grip and traction on the surface upon which the footwear is anticipated to be used. For example, a sole component configured for use on soft surfaces, may be formed of a relatively hard material, such as hard plastic. For instance, cleated footwear, such as soccer shoes, configured for use on soft grass may include a sole component made of hard plastic, having relatively rigid ground engaging members (cleats). Alternatively, a sole component configured for use on hard surfaces, such as hardwood, may be formed of a relatively soft material. For example, a basketball shoe configured for use on indoor hardwood courts may include a sole component formed of a relatively soft rubber material.

Ground-engaging sole components may be formed of suitable materials for achieving the desired performance attributes. Sole components may be formed of any suitable polymer, composite, and/or metal alloy materials. Exemplary such materials may include thermoplastic and thermoset polyurethane (TPU), polyester, nylon, polyether block amide, alloys of polyurethane and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, carbon fiber, poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (paraaramid fibers, e.g., Kevlar®), titanium alloys, and/or aluminum alloys. In some embodiments, sole components may be formed of a composite of two or more materials, such as carbon-fiber and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide. In some embodiments, these two materials may be disposed in different portions of the sole component. Alternatively, or additionally, carbon fibers and polyparaphenylene terephthalamide fibers may be woven together in the same fabric, which may be laminated to form the sole component. Other suitable materials and composites will be recognized by those having skill in the art.

The sole component may be formed by any suitable process. For example, in some embodiments, the sole component may be formed by molding. In addition, in some embodiments, various elements of the sole component may be formed separately and then joined in a subsequent process. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize other suitable processes for making the sole components discussed in this disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, sole component <NUM> may be disposed at a bottom portion of footwear <NUM> and may be fixedly attached to midsole <NUM>.

In addition, in some embodiments, footwear may include other footwear components, such as a heel counter. In some cases, components such as heel counters may, themselves, be upper panels. In other cases, heel counters, and other such components, may be separate components added to an upper.

In some embodiments, an article of footwear may include a heel counter to provide support and stability to the heel and ankle regions of the foot. In some embodiments, the heel counter may be disposed on an outside portion of the upper. In other embodiments, the heel counter may be disposed in between layers of the upper. The heel counter may be formed of a relatively rigid material, configured to stiffen the rear section of an article of footwear, including the heel region. In some embodiments, the heel counter may include a U-shaped structure configured to wrap around the lateral, rear, and medial portions of the heel region of the footwear. In some embodiments, the heel counter may also include a bottom portion configured to be disposed under the heel region of the upper.

As shown in <FIG>, footwear <NUM> may include heel counter <NUM>. Heel counter <NUM> may be fixedly attached to upper <NUM> in heel region <NUM> of footwear <NUM>. For example, heel counter <NUM> may wrap around the lateral, rear, and medial sides of heel region <NUM>. Heel counter <NUM> may be formed of a suitably rigid material, such as hard plastic, carbon fiber, stiff cardboard, or any other type of relatively rigid material. In some embodiments, heel counter <NUM> may be attached to an exterior of upper <NUM> with adhesive, stitching, welding, or another suitable fastening technique. Heel counter <NUM> may have a pre-formed shape, or may be shaped/molded in conjunction with its attachment to upper <NUM>, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Midsole <NUM> of sole structure <NUM> may include one or more support members <NUM>. Support members <NUM> may include substantially cylindrical support columns disposed, for example, in heel region <NUM> of footwear <NUM>. In some embodiments, support members <NUM> may have other configurations and/or shapes. For example, in some embodiments, support members may have a rectangular, oval, square, or other cross-sectional shape. In addition, sidewalls of support members may be curved, for example in either a convex (bulged) manner, as shown in <FIG>, or a concave (hourglass) manner. Support members <NUM>, as part of midsole <NUM>, may provide cushioning and stability to footwear <NUM>. Accordingly, support members <NUM> may be formed of any suitable material, such as rubber, foam, plastics, and any other suitable materials. In some embodiments, support members <NUM> may be hollow, whereas, in other embodiments, support members <NUM> may be solid. In still other embodiments, support members <NUM> may contain a fluid medium, such as a liquid, gel, or gas. Support members <NUM> may be compressible to absorb and control ground reaction forces, and may be resilient such that, when any loads applied to support members <NUM> are released, support members <NUM> may return to an uncompressed/undeformed shape.

Various wearers may have different preferences as to the performance characteristics of their footwear. For example, when choosing footwear, wearers may consider characteristics such as weight, fitment, comfort, and traction. In some cases, one wearer may favor lightweight at the expense of fit, whereas another wearer may favor traction over lightweight. Similarly, wearers may also consider characteristics such as cushioning, stability, responsiveness, and control. Like the characteristics above, these characteristics are also weighed differently by different wearers. In some cases, differences in the physical characteristics of the wearers and/or differences in the activities performed by the wearers while wearing the footwear may influence the wearers' preferences. For example, heavier wearers may prefer a relatively softer midsole that offers more cushioning, whereas a lighter wearer may prefer a relatively harder midsole that is more responsive. Similarly, a wearer that is performing a power intensive exercise, such as a football lineman, may want a stiffer sole structure to provide support and stability, whereas a wearer that is performing an exercise that involves more speed and quickness, such as a football wide receiver, may prefer lightweight footwear, with high levels of responsiveness. In addition, two similarly sized athletes performing the same activity may have different preferences regarding footwear characteristics. Further, athletes may have conditions (for example, injuries) that influence their footwear selection. For example, two similarly sized athletes may play the same sport, but one has an injured knee and, therefore, favors footwear with more cushioning.

The performance characteristics of footwear may be tailored based on shoe size. That is, each size of footwear may be provided with performance characteristics that are based on the average weight of wearers of that size. However, not all wearers of that size may be the same weight. Further, many other factors discussed above may lead to wearers having varied preferences as to the performance characteristics of footwear. Accordingly, footwear that is mass produced may not be tuned precisely to the preferences of each wearer when the footwear leaves the factory. Accordingly, it may be desirable to have a way to alter the performance characteristics of a midsole via a wearer adjustment built into (or onto) the footwear.

The present disclosure is directed to adjustment systems for adjusting performance characteristics of midsole components. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary midsole adjustment system <NUM>. Adjustment system <NUM> may include, in addition to support members <NUM>, a tensile member <NUM>, which may at least partially surround support members <NUM>. Tensile member <NUM> may serve as a cinch, and thus, tensile member <NUM> may be tightened (cinched) around support members <NUM> to alter the performance characteristics of midsole <NUM> by altering one or more properties of support members <NUM>. For example, tightening tensile member <NUM> may squeeze support members <NUM>, which may alter the shape of support members <NUM>, such as by increasing the height of support members <NUM> and/or decreasing the width of support members <NUM>, as discussed in greater detail below. Further, tightening tensile member <NUM> about support members <NUM> may alter the vertical compliance or compressibility and/or the horizontal stiffness of support members <NUM>, as well as other properties of support members <NUM>. In some configurations, multiple tensile members may be associate with a support member (for example in a parallel fashion), which may increase the surface area over which the compression is applied to the support member by the tensile members.

In some embodiments, support members <NUM> may be hollow, gas-filled chambers formed, for example, by bladders. In such embodiments, tightening tensile member <NUM> may alter the compressibility, or other performance characteristics, of support members <NUM>. For example, tightening tensile member <NUM> may increase the pressure of the gas within the chambers, thus altering the compressibility, support, rigidity, shape, height, and/or other characteristics of support members <NUM>. In some embodiments, support members <NUM> may be filled with gases at substantially atmospheric pressure. Bladders filled with gases at substantially atmospheric pressure may be made with significantly less cost than more highly pressurized chambers. However, atmospheric pressure is typically not suitable for supporting the weight of a wearer. Accordingly, tightening tensile member <NUM> may pressurize support members <NUM> to a supportive pressure, and such pressure may be adjusted by the wearer according to their performance preferences.

Support member chambers may be formed from a polymer or other bladder material that provides a sealed barrier for enclosing a fluid. As noted above, the bladder material may be transparent. A wide range of polymer materials may be utilized for such chambers. In selecting materials for chambers, engineering properties of the material (e.g., tensile strength, stretch properties, fatigue characteristics, dynamic modulus, and loss tangent) as well as the ability of the material to prevent the diffusion of the fluid contained by the chambers may be considered. When formed of thermoplastic urethane, for example, the outer barrier of the chambers may have a thickness of approximately <NUM> millimeter, but the thickness may range from <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters or more, for example.

In addition to thermoplastic urethane, examples of polymer materials that may be suitable for support member chambers include polyurethane, polyester, polyester polyurethane, and polyether polyurethane. Chambers may also be formed from a material that includes alternating layers of thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, as disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> to Mitchell, et al. A variation upon this material may also be utilized, wherein a center layer is formed of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, layers adjacent to the center layer are formed of thermoplastic polyurethane, and outer layers are formed of a regrind material of thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. Another suitable material for chambers is a flexible microlayer membrane that includes alternating layers of a gas barrier material and an elastomeric material, as disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> to Bonk, et al. Additional suitable materials are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> to Rudy. Further suitable materials include thermoplastic films containing a crystalline material, as disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> to Rudy, and polyurethane including a polyester polyol, as disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT> to Bonk, et al.

The fluid within chambers may range in pressure from zero to three-hundred-fifty kilopascals (i.e., approximately fifty-one pounds per square inch) or more. In some configurations of sole structure <NUM>, a suitable pressure for the fluid may be a substantially ambient pressure. That is, the pressure of the fluid may be within five kilopascals of the ambient pressure of the atmospheric air surrounding footwear <NUM>. The pressure of fluid within chambers may be selected to provide desirable performance attributes. For example, higher pressures may provide a more responsive cushioning element, whereas lower pressures may provide more ground force attenuation (a softer cushion). The pressure of fluid within chambers may be selected to work in concert with other cushioning elements of footwear <NUM>, such as foam members and/or an insole (not shown).

In some configurations, support member chambers may be inflated with substantially pure nitrogen. Such an inflation gas promotes maintenance of the pressure within chambers through diffusion pumping, whereby the deficiency of other gases (besides nitrogen), such as oxygen, within chambers biases the system for inward diffusion of such gasses into chambers. Further, bladder materials, such as those discussed above, may be substantially impermeable to nitrogen, thus preventing the escape of the nitrogen from chambers.

In some configurations, relatively small amounts of other gases, such as oxygen or a mixture of gasses, such as air, may be added to the nitrogen occupying most of the volume within support member chambers. In addition to air and nitrogen, the fluid contained by chambers may include octafluorapropane or be any of the gasses disclosed in <CIT>, such as hexafluoroethane and sulfur hexafluoride, for example. In some configurations, chamber <NUM> may incorporate a valve that permits the individual to adjust the pressure of the fluid. In other configurations, chambers may be incorporated into a fluid system, as disclosed in <CIT>, as a pump chamber or a pressure chamber. In order to pressurize chambers or portions of chambers, the general inflation methods disclosed in U. Patent Application Publication No. <CIT>), and <CIT>), may be utilized.

Upon inflation, chambers experience pressure that is evenly distributed to all portions of the inner surface of the bladder material from which the chamber is formed. Accordingly, the tendency is for chambers, when inflated, to take on an outwardly rounded shape. In order to maintain a relatively flat shape, that is, with the upper and lower surfaces of the chamber being relatively parallel to one another, one or more tensile members may be attached to the upper and lower surface, which may restrict the distance to which the chamber may be expanded by pressurized gases in a particular direction, such as the vertical direction. Exemplary tensile member configurations are described in <CIT>, and entitled "Method of Thermoforming a Bladder Structure," and <CIT>, entitled "Methods for Manufacturing Fluid-Filled Chambers Incorporating Spacer Textile. Other tensile member configurations are also possible, and those having skill in the art will recognize alternative tensile member configurations that may be suitable for the support member structures described in the present disclosure.

Tensile member <NUM> may have any suitable construction. In some embodiments, tensile member <NUM> may include a wire, cable, rope, or other elongate, flexible (or semi-flexible) member. In some embodiments, tensile member <NUM> may be configured to contact support members <NUM> in a larger surface area. For example, in some configurations, tensile members <NUM> having relatively round cross-sectional shapes may have larger diameters. In some configurations, tensile member <NUM> may include a ribbon, strap, or other type of elongate structure having a relatively flat or flattened cross-sectional shape. In some configurations, tensile member <NUM> may be a wire or ribbon formed of a single filament. In other embodiments, tensile member <NUM> may be a cable, rope, or strap formed of multiple filaments, which may be either wound or woven together to form a single tensile member <NUM>. In some embodiments, tensile member <NUM> may be relatively inelastic in tension. In other embodiments, tensile member <NUM> may have a certain amount of elasticity in tension. Relatively inelastic tensile members may facilitate more significant and/or precise changes in performance characteristics, while relatively elastic tensile members may enable more subtle changes in performance characteristics and/or may provide performance characteristics that include more compliance generally.

Since the performance characteristics of an adjustable midsole component are based on a combination of the characteristics of the support member and the tensile member surrounding it, tensile members and support members may be selected according to the desired combined effect. For example, relatively compressible support members may be paired with relatively inelastic tensile members, which may be used to substantially stiffen the relatively compressible support members. In other cases, a high level of compressibility may still be desired within the range of adjustments. In such cases, it may be desirable to pair a relatively compressible support member with a relatively elastic tensile member. Although tightening an elastic tensile member around a compressible support member may increase the stiffness and/or decrease the compressibility of the support member, the elasticity of the tensile member still allows deformation of the support member under loads, whereas an inelastic tensile member may provide a substantially strict limitation on the amount of deformation the support member is allowed to undergo, thereby creating a potentially higher level of variation in performance characteristics.

In addition to having various structural configurations, the tensile members may be formed of a variety of suitable materials in order to achieve the desired characteristics discussed above. For example, in some configurations, the tensile member may be a semi-flexible, mono-filament, metal wire. In other configurations, the tensile member may be a semi-flexible, multi-filament, metal cable. In other configurations, the tensile member may be formed of synthetic materials, such as polymers and composites. In some embodiments, mono-filament plastics, for example, similar to fishing line, may be utilized. In other embodiments, wound or woven synthetic materials, such as poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (para-aramid fibers, e.g., Kevlar®) may be utilized to form the tensile member.

In some embodiments, system <NUM> may include a wire housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Wire housing <NUM> may provide a smooth, clean, low friction environment in which tensile member <NUM> may slide. In addition, tubular wire housing enclosing at least part of tensile member <NUM> may be configured to maintain positioning of tensile member <NUM> and distribute forces applied to support member <NUM> by tensile member <NUM> by contacting support member <NUM> over a surface area that is larger than one half the circumference of tensile member <NUM>. Details of wire housing design are well-known to artisans in the field of bicycle shifting and brake cables. Technologies, such as friction-reducing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) inner coatings, that may be used in bicycle shifter and brake cable housings may also be applicable to the presently disclosed embodiments.

In addition, adjustment system <NUM> may include a tensioning device <NUM>. Tensioning device <NUM> may include, for example, a dial-type device configured to wind tensile member <NUM>, in order to shorten the amount of wire wrapped around support members <NUM>, to thereby tighten tensile member <NUM>, thus altering the performance characteristics of support members <NUM>. Further details regarding exemplary tensioning devices, and exemplary adjustment systems in general, are provided below in reference other disclosed embodiments. The factors, considerations, and details discussed above with regard to <FIG>, may also be applicable to the embodiments discussed below.

<FIG> illustrate the alteration in shape of a support member when squeezed by the tightening of a tensile member at least partially surrounding the support member. <FIG> shows a midsole adjustment system <NUM>, including a support member <NUM>. <FIG> shows support member <NUM> in an unloaded condition. In <FIG>, support member <NUM> has a substantially convex shape. Adjustment system <NUM> may include a tensile member <NUM>, which may be slidably disposed within a housing <NUM>. The tensile member <NUM> is disposed within an indentation, such as a groove <NUM> in support member <NUM>, which may maintain the vertical placement of housing <NUM> and, therefore the vertical placement of tensile member <NUM>, relative to support member <NUM>. In the unloaded condition, support member <NUM> may have a first diameter <NUM>, and a first height <NUM>. Alternatively, the housing <NUM> may be disposed within an indentation, such as a groove <NUM> in support member <NUM>, which may maintain the vertical placement of housing <NUM> and, therefore the vertical placement of tensile member <NUM>, relative to support member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the effect of tightening tensile member <NUM> on the shape of support member <NUM>. Notably, under the radially inward force applied by tightening tensile member <NUM>, support member <NUM> compresses radially to have a smaller second diameter <NUM>, while increasing its vertical dimension to a second height <NUM>. Support member <NUM> may be formed of a resilient material, as discussed above, and, accordingly, may return to its original shape when loads applied by tensile member <NUM> are released.

These changes in shape of support member <NUM> by tensile member <NUM> may be used to tailor footwear to a wearer. In some embodiments, this type of shape alteration of support member <NUM> may be utilized to slightly change the form of the footbed on which the wearer stands. For example, if support member <NUM> is mounted in a heel region of an article of footwear, the amount of heel raise may be varied according to the wearer's preference. In some cases, a heel height may be raised in an athletic shoe in order to alleviate or prevent symptoms of an injury. For example, it may be desirable to raise the heel of an athlete who has, or wishes to prevent, an Achilles tendon injury, or other type of injury that could be affected by the amount of ankle flexion in a person's gait. This type of shape alteration could also be used to provide a higher or lower footbed toward the medial or lateral side of the footwear. This may be utilized to treat or prevent injuries or conditions such as pronation and/or supination.

In some embodiments, footwear may be constructed such that tightening may not result in a significant increase in height of support member <NUM>. In such embodiments, the more significant effect of the tightening may be to prevent the expansion in the radial direction caused by vertical loads that are applied to support member <NUM>. By preventing or limiting radial expansion of support member <NUM> under vertical loads, the compressibility of support member <NUM> may be reduced. Thus, tightening tensile member <NUM> about support member <NUM> may be utilized to preload support member so it does not react as significantly (that is, it will not compress as much) under loads. Limiting the compressibility of support members may provide a less compliant, but more responsive midsole, which may be preferred by some wearers.

In addition, tightening tensile member <NUM> about support member <NUM> may also affect the lateral stiffness of support member <NUM>. Under lateral loads (for example, that may result from an athlete cutting from side-to-side), support member <NUM> may be subjected to shear forces, which may cause the side profile of support member <NUM> to appear substantially like a parallelogram, as the top portion of support member <NUM> may translate more laterally (with the upper of the footwear) than a bottom portion of support member <NUM> (which is more closely affixed to the ground engaging sole component). The more of this shear strain that is allowed by support member <NUM>, the less responsive an article of footwear will be to lateral loading, such as during cutting by an athlete. Accordingly, tensile member <NUM> may be tightened about support member <NUM> to increase the lateral stiffness of support member <NUM>, thereby increasing the responsiveness of the article of footwear.

The following embodiments illustrate possible implementations of the concepts discussed above. For example, as discussed in greater detail below, the alterations in support member characteristics provided by tightening tensile members around support members may be implemented at various locations of footwear sole structure (forefoot, heel, medial, and lateral). The following embodiments also illustrate exemplary implementations of tensioning devices to effectuate tensile member tightening.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of support member <NUM> as a single heel support member in an article of footwear <NUM>. Footwear <NUM> may include an upper <NUM> configured to receive a foot of a wearer. In addition, footwear <NUM> may also include a ground-engaging sole component <NUM>. is an exploded view, showing sole component <NUM> as separated from the bottom of footwear <NUM>. Although not shown, a similar, large support member and associated adjustment system could also be incorporated into the forefoot region of footwear <NUM>. A suitable tensioning device may be used with this embodiment. Exemplary such devices are discussed in detail below with regard to other embodiments. It will be understood that the details of such tensioning devices discussed below may be applicable to the embodiment shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, a midsole adjustment system may include multiple support members substantially surrounded by a single tensile member. In such embodiments, the characteristics for all of the support members may be collectively altered by tensioning the single tensile member. In some embodiments, a similar configuration may utilize plural tensile members, wherein each tensile member substantially surrounds all of the support members. In some embodiments, some support members of the system may be surrounded by more than one tensile member, whereas other support members may be surrounded by only one tensile member. In this manner, some support members in the system may be adjusted more than others. This may be beneficial, for example, to adjust high impact support members, such as those at the far rear of the footwear, where initial footstrike may occur. Other various combinations of multiple tensile members and multiple support members are also envisaged, and will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.

<FIG> illustrates an article of footwear <NUM>, including an upper <NUM> and a sole structure <NUM>. Sole structure may include a ground engaging sole component <NUM>. In addition, footwear <NUM> may include a midsole adjustment system <NUM>. System <NUM> may include multiple support members <NUM>. Further, system <NUM> may include a tensile member <NUM>, which may be disposed within a housing <NUM>. In order to resist the tendency of support members <NUM> deflecting toward a center of the arrangement upon application of tension to tensile member <NUM>, system <NUM> may include a spacer <NUM>.

Spacer <NUM> may be disposed between support members <NUM>. Exemplary placement for such a spacer is illustrated in more detail with regard to other embodiments. Spacer <NUM> may be configured to buttress support members <NUM> against forces applied to support members by tensile member <NUM>. Accordingly, spacer <NUM> may be configured to cradle portions of support members <NUM>. For example, spacer <NUM> may include one or more indentations <NUM> configured to receive support members <NUM>. In some embodiments, spacer <NUM> may be formed of a relatively compressible/compliant material. In other embodiments, spacer <NUM> may be formed of a substantially rigid material. A substantially rigid spacer may be configured to resist compression, thereby causing a substantial majority of the deformation of support members <NUM> to be elongation in the direction substantially perpendicular to the radial direction in which compression forces are applied by tensile member <NUM>.

The rigidity/compressibility of spacer <NUM> may be a significant factor in determining how much adjustment to performance properties of support members <NUM> will be created by the tensioning of tensile members <NUM>. The more rigid the spacer, the more adjustment (stiffness) will be created by tensioning tensile members about the support members. In some embodiments, spacer <NUM> may have a horizontal compliance that is substantially different from the horizontal compliance of support members <NUM>. In other embodiments, spacer <NUM> may have a horizontal compliance that is substantially the same as the horizontal compliance of support members <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an additional embodiment including a midsole adjustment system in a heel region of an article of footwear. As shown in <FIG>, an article of footwear <NUM> may include an upper <NUM> and a sole structure <NUM>. Sole structure may include a ground engaging sole component <NUM> and a midsole adjustment system <NUM>.

In some embodiments, adjustment system <NUM> may include a plurality of support members <NUM> in a heel region of footwear <NUM>. In addition, system <NUM> may include a tensile member <NUM> substantially surrounding support members <NUM>. Tensile member <NUM> may be slidably disposed in a wire housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, sole structure <NUM> may include a void <NUM> defined by a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> opposite first surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, support members <NUM> may be located within void <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, support members <NUM> may be secured to first surface <NUM> and second surface <NUM>. In addition, wire member <NUM> may extend at least partially around support members <NUM> at a location between first surface <NUM> and second surface <NUM>.

Tensile member <NUM> may be associated with a tensioning device <NUM>. In some embodiments, tensioning device <NUM> may include a dial <NUM>, which may be rotated in order to tighten tensile member <NUM>. In some embodiments, dial <NUM> may be depressed and then twisted in order to apply tension. The internals of tensioning device <NUM> may include a ratcheting mechanism, so that incremental increases in tension may be applied, without slippage of tensile member <NUM> that can cause unwanted loosening. In some embodiments, dial <NUM> may be pressed or pulled upward in order to release the tension on tensile member <NUM>. In other embodiments, tensioning device <NUM> may be rotated in an opposite direction from the tightening direction in order to loosen tensile member <NUM>. Tensioning device <NUM> may include an arrow <NUM>, which may be single-headed or double-headed, in order to indicate the direction in which dial <NUM> may be tumed in order to tension tensile member <NUM>. In some embodiments, dial <NUM> may also include indicia <NUM>, providing, for example, instructions regarding usage of dial <NUM> to tighten and/or loosen tensile member <NUM>.

Dial-type wire lacing systems are known in the art. Exemplary such systems have been developed by Boa Technology Inc. Additional details regarding exemplary Boa lacing systems may be found in <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. The present disclosure does not, however, propose implementing dial-type wire tensioning systems for lacing an article of footwear. Rather, the present disclosure proposes to implement such tensioning devices for altering the performance characteristics of midsole components of an article of footwear.

In some embodiments, tensioning device <NUM> may be located on an exterior of footwear <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, tensioning device <NUM> may be located on an instep region of footwear <NUM>. For example, tensioning device <NUM> may be disposed on or near conventional shoe laces. In some embodiments, however, alternative closure systems may be used, such as straps, hook and loop fasteners, and any other suitable closure system. In addition to providing tension around support members <NUM>, in some embodiments, placement of tensioning device <NUM> in the instep region may have the additional benefit of tightening the top of footwear <NUM> against the wearer's instep. In some embodiments, however, use of wire housing and housing ferrules may limit the degree to which this tension is transmitted to the instep region via housing <NUM>. As such, variations in the components of footwear <NUM> may affect the degree to which wire <NUM> and tensioning device <NUM> may be used to tighten the upper against the foot.

In order to wrap tensile member <NUM> substantially around support members <NUM>, and provide an improved angle of tension, housing <NUM> may be routed in a lateral direction, in front of support members <NUM> before proceeding up around upper <NUM> to the instep region. In this wire routing configuration, tensile member <NUM> and housing <NUM> may crisscross in front of support members <NUM>, in an opening <NUM> provided in an arch region <NUM> of footwear <NUM>. Accordingly, tensile member <NUM> may extend from tensioning device <NUM> disposed on the instep of footwear <NUM> around support members <NUM> disposed in the heel region of footwear <NUM> and may crisscross under arch region <NUM> of footwear <NUM> between tensioning device <NUM> and support members <NUM> in arch region <NUM>.

<FIG> is a bottom view of the embodiment of <FIG> with ground engaging sole component <NUM> removed for purposes of illustration. As illustrated in <FIG>, housing <NUM> crisscrosses through opening <NUM> in arch region <NUM>. In order to facilitate this crisscrossing, the midsole may include a grooved plate <NUM>.

As also shown in <FIG>, adjustment system <NUM> may include a spacer <NUM> that operates similarly to spacer <NUM>. Spacer <NUM> may include one or more indentations <NUM> configured to receive support members <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, each of support members <NUM> may be located within one of a plurality of indentations <NUM>. In some embodiments, support member <NUM> may fit between support members <NUM> with a small space between support members <NUM> and spacer <NUM>. This may allow for deformation of support members <NUM> caused by compression during use. In other embodiments, spacer <NUM> may fit relatively snugly between support members <NUM>. This may impart more control and influence over the adjustability that can be achieved with system <NUM>. In some embodiments, spacer <NUM> may be absent.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of grooved plate <NUM> in arch region <NUM> of footwear <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, footwear <NUM> may be provided with crisscrossing grooves that enable housing <NUM> to crisscross in arch region <NUM> without causing binding of tensile member <NUM> at the intersection. For example, plate <NUM> may include a first groove <NUM> and a second groove <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, first groove <NUM> may be deeper than second groove <NUM> in order to allow overlap of housing <NUM> with itself without binding. It should also be noted that, while in some embodiments, housing <NUM> may be exposed, as shown in <FIG>, in other embodiments, part or all of housing <NUM> may be encased within other shoe components. Accordingly, in some embodiments, plate <NUM> may include crisscrossing through holes (tunnels) through which housing <NUM> may pass.

For reasons discussed above, it may be desirable to provide independent adjustability for different parts of a sole structure. For example, it may be desirable to provide a different adjustment for a heel region than a forefoot region. It may be further desirable to provide different adjustments for medial and lateral sides of an article of footwear. For example, <FIG> illustrate an exemplary embodiment having three separate midsole adjustment systems, including a heel system, a medial forefoot system, and a lateral forefoot system.

<FIG> is a bottom side view of an article of footwear <NUM> with the ground engaging sole component removed, exposing various components of a sole structure <NUM>. Footwear <NUM> may include a heel region <NUM>, a midfoot region <NUM>, and a forefoot region <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, footwear <NUM> may include a heel adjustment system <NUM> disposed in heel region <NUM>. Heel adjustment system <NUM> may include a plurality of support members, including a first support member <NUM>, a second support member <NUM>, a third support member <NUM>, and a fourth support member <NUM>. Heel adjustment system <NUM> may also include a tensile member <NUM>, which may be slidably disposed in a housing <NUM>. Further, heel adjustment system <NUM> may include a tensioning device <NUM>. In some embodiments, tensioning device <NUM> may be disposed on a rear (heel) portion of the upper of footwear <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, tensioning device <NUM> may be rotated, as indicated by an arrow <NUM>, in order to tighten tensile member <NUM>. In addition, heel adjustment system <NUM> may include a spacer <NUM>. These components of heel adjustment system may be substantially similar to the components of system <NUM> discussed above and shown in <FIG>, with the exception of tensioning device <NUM> being located on a heel portion of footwear <NUM> instead of on an instep portion.

Footwear <NUM> may also include a medial adjustment system <NUM>, which may be disposed in forefoot region <NUM>. In some embodiments, portions of system <NUM> may be disposed in midfoot region <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Medial adjustment system <NUM> may include a plurality of support members, including, for example, a fifth support member <NUM>, a sixth support member <NUM>, and a seventh support member <NUM>. In addition, medial adjustment system <NUM> may include a tensile member <NUM>, which may be configured to substantially surround support members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Tensile member <NUM> may be slidably disposed within a housing <NUM>. Tensile member <NUM> may be tightened with a tensioning device <NUM>. In some embodiments, tensioning device may include a dial <NUM>, which may be rotated, for example, in a direction of an arrow <NUM> in order to tighten tensile member <NUM> about support members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

In some embodiments, medial adjustment system <NUM> may also include a guide block <NUM>. Guide block <NUM> may be configured to receive tensile member <NUM> and housing <NUM> and route these components to a medial side of the upper of footwear <NUM>.

Footwear <NUM> may also include a lateral adjustment system <NUM>. Lateral adjustment system <NUM> may include a plurality of support members, including an eighth support member <NUM>, a ninth support member <NUM>, and a tenth support member <NUM>. Lateral adjustment system <NUM> may also include a tensile member <NUM>, which may be slidably disposed in a housing <NUM>. In addition, lateral adjustment system <NUM> may include a tensioning device <NUM>. In some embodiments, tensioning device <NUM> may include a dial <NUM>, which may be rotated in a direction <NUM> to effectuate adjustments in tension of tensile member <NUM>.

Tensile members <NUM> and <NUM> and housings <NUM> and <NUM> may crisscross in between two or more of the support members. Such crisscross routing may be facilitated in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in <FIG> regarding the crisscrossing of tensile members in an arch region <NUM> of footwear <NUM>. Alternatively, housings <NUM> and <NUM> may be substantially enclosed within other footwear components.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the support members may have different sizes in different regions of the footwear. For example, heel region support members may be larger than forefoot support members. In addition, certain forefoot support members may be larger than other forefoot support members, in order to tailor the midsole's properties to the loads produced by a foot. As shown in <FIG>, first support member <NUM> may have a first diameter <NUM>, fifth support member <NUM> may have a fifth diameter <NUM>, sixth support member <NUM> may have a sixth diameter <NUM>, and eighth support member <NUM> may have an eighth diameter <NUM>. In some embodiments, diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may all be different from one another. This may be based on the general loading of a human foot. A large amount of weight may be placed on sixth support member <NUM>, compared to eighth support member <NUM>, which is disposed near the fifth phalanx. These differences in support member sizing may influence the effect tightening the tensile members may have on the support members.

In some embodiments, all support members on an article of footwear may have substantially the same structural properties. Alternatively, or additionally, different support members of an article of footwear may have different structural properties. As examples, the height, width, circumference, and other dimensions may vary between support members. Moreover, support members may be formed from different materials, or different densities of the same materials. In addition, some support members may be hollow, whereas others may be solid. Further, the performance characteristics of the support members may vary. For example, compressibility, stiffness, hardness, and other characteristics may vary from support member to support member.

<FIG> is a perspective view of footwear <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, footwear <NUM> may include an upper <NUM> and sole structure <NUM>. Sole structure <NUM> may include a ground engaging sole component <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, tensioning device <NUM> may be disposed on a lateral side of footwear <NUM>, with housing <NUM> routed to tensioning device <NUM> from an opening <NUM> in an arch region <NUM> of footwear <NUM>.

<FIG> is a rear view of footwear <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, tensioning device <NUM> may be disposed on a rear heel portion of footwear <NUM>. <FIG> also shows housing <NUM> proceeding laterally across the back of support members <NUM> and <NUM>, around a housing guide <NUM>, and up toward tensioning device <NUM>. In some embodiments, housing <NUM> may terminate short of tensioning device <NUM>, exposing a portion of tensile member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In other embodiments, housing <NUM> may fully enclose tensile member <NUM>.

Another midsole adjustment system <NUM> that may be utilized in place of adjustment system <NUM> in footwear <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>. Midsole adjustment system <NUM> may include a plurality of support members <NUM>. As also shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, support members <NUM> may be hollow, and thus, may define an internal cavity <NUM>. Support members <NUM> may be disposed on a support plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, support plate <NUM> may be substantially rigid, in order to distribute ground reaction forces from and between the plurality of support members <NUM>. System <NUM> may include a tensile member <NUM>, which may be disposed in a housing <NUM>.

Adjustment system <NUM> may include a differently shaped, spacer <NUM>. For example, spacer <NUM> may extend further around the circumference of each support member <NUM>. This may provide additional control of the adjustment, additional stability, and/or additional stiffness, both in terms of vertical compliance and lateral stiffness. A further feature of midsole adjustment system <NUM> relates to the routing of housing <NUM>, which extends through spacer <NUM>. More particularly, housing <NUM> may enter and/or exit spacer <NUM> at junctions <NUM> and <NUM>. This configuration may be utilized to secure housing <NUM> at a desired location relative to the height of the support members. Although depicted as being secured about halfway up the sidewall of support members <NUM>, housing <NUM> and tensile member <NUM> may be located in other positions. In addition, in some embodiments, housing <NUM> and tensile member <NUM> may be oriented at an angle with respect to the horizontal. For example, in some cases, it may be desirable to provide more or less cushion at an edge of support members that face an outer edge of the sole component. For instance, it may be desirable to provide more (or less) compliance at a rearmost edge of a heel portion of a sole structure. Similarly, different levels of compliance may be desired at forward, medial, and/or lateral edges of footwear. Accordingly, an angled orientation of housing and tensile members may provide a support member with compliance that has a gradient (increasing or decreasing with distance from the edge of the footwear).

In some cases, it may be desirable for a wearer to be able to customize the width and, therefore, the fit of their footwear. In some embodiments, a plurality of elongate members may be deformed, using wire tension forces, to narrow the structure.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom view of an alternative implementation of tensile members configured to be tightened in order to alter the configuration of a sole structure. <FIG> shows a schematic illustration of a sole structure of an article of footwear <NUM>. Footwear <NUM> may include an upper <NUM> configured substantially as described elsewhere in this disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, a portion of upper <NUM> may wrap at least partially in a horizontal direction under the cavity formed by upper <NUM>. In addition, footwear <NUM> may include a sole structure <NUM>, including an adjustable width component <NUM>. Adjustable width component <NUM> may include at least one row of flexible elongate members <NUM> extending substantially horizontally. In some embodiments, elongate members <NUM> may extend in a lateral direction. Elongate members <NUM> may each include a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, and a third portion <NUM> between first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM>.

Elongate members <NUM> may be formed of any suitably flexible material. In some embodiments, elongate members <NUM> may serve as cushioning components for footwear <NUM>, configured to attenuate ground forces. Accordingly, in some embodiments, elongate members <NUM> may be formed of a resilient foam, for example. In some embodiments, elongate members <NUM> may include fluid-filled portions containing, for example, liquids, gels, and/or gases.

Adjustable width component <NUM> may also include additional elongate members <NUM>. Additional elongate members <NUM> may also serve as cushioning components. Accordingly, additional elongate members <NUM> may have similar features and may be formed of similar materials to elongate members <NUM>, as discussed above. In some embodiments, the elongate members <NUM> and additional elongate members <NUM> may be differently configured. In some embodiments, elongate members <NUM> and additional elongate members <NUM> may alternate to form adjustable width component <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, elongate members <NUM> may be fluid filled components and additional elongate members <NUM> may be foam components, and the two types of components may alternate, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the medial and lateral ends of elongate members <NUM> may be fixedly attached to upper <NUM>, for example at the horizontally extending portions shown in <FIG>.

In addition, sole structure <NUM> may include a substantially rigid member <NUM> at one end of the row of elongate members. Rigid member <NUM> may be fixedly attached to at least one tensile member <NUM>, which may, in turn, be connected to a tensioning device <NUM> at an opposite end of the row of elongate members. For example, in some embodiments rigid member <NUM> may be disposed at a forward portion of footwear <NUM> and tensioning device <NUM> may be disposed at a rear portion of footwear <NUM>, with tensile member <NUM> extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, spanning the distance between these two components. Thus, in some embodiments, adjustable width component <NUM> may extend substantially the entire length of footwear <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In other embodiments, adjustable width component <NUM> may extend over shorter segments of footwear <NUM>, such as the forefoot region or the heel region.

Tensioning device <NUM> may include, for example, a dial <NUM>, which may be turned (as indicated by an arrow <NUM>) to retract tensile member <NUM>. Accordingly, tensioning device <NUM> may be configured to pull substantially rigid member <NUM> toward tensioning device <NUM> via tensile member <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, tensioning device <NUM> may be operated to pull tensile members <NUM>, which pulls rigid member <NUM> toward tensioning device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates longitudinal translation of rigid member <NUM> by a distance <NUM>. Rigid member <NUM> may have a lateral width that is shorter than elongate members <NUM> so that only the central portion of each elongate member is pulled toward tensioning device <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, rigid member <NUM> may include a pointed portion oriented toward tensioning device <NUM>, configured to focus the pulling forces generated by tensioning device <NUM> and tensile member <NUM> against the central portions of elongate members <NUM>. Accordingly, pulling rigid member <NUM> toward tensioning device <NUM> may, in turn, pull third portion <NUM> of each elongate member <NUM> closer to tensioning device <NUM>.

First and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> of each elongate member <NUM> may be fixedly attached to a peripheral portion of the sole structure. In some embodiments, first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> of each elongate member <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the portions of upper <NUM> that wrap around the bottom portion of the cavity defined by upper <NUM>. Accordingly, first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> of each elongate member <NUM> may remain in place, and thus, substantially the same distance from tensioning device <NUM> while third portion <NUM> is translated longitudinally. This may result in first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> of each elongate member <NUM> becoming closer to one another (as the V configuration of elongate members <NUM> become deeper, that is, more acutely angled). By drawing first and second portions <NUM> an <NUM> closer to one another, adjustable width component <NUM> may be narrowed, which may reduce the width of the foot receiving cavity defined by upper <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the central portion of elongate member <NUM> may be moved toward tensioning device a distance indicated by a dimension <NUM>. This may result in movement of the medial edge of elongate member <NUM> laterally by a distance indicated by a dimension <NUM> in <FIG>.

Since elongate support members <NUM> may be resilient, when the tension provided by tensioning device <NUM> is released, elongate support members <NUM> may return to the undeformed configuration, allowing the width of adjustable width component <NUM> to increase back to the original size. In some embodiments, tensioning device <NUM> may be configured to allow the release of tensile members to be controlled, for example, by turning dial <NUM> in the opposite direction to the tightening direction. In other embodiments, the tension on tensile member <NUM> may be fully released, for example, by simply by pushing or pulling dial <NUM>. Thus, a tensioning system may be implemented to adjust the width of an article of footwear. Such a system may include, for example, an elongate member may have a first end, a second end, and a central portion. By pulling on the central portion in a direction transverse to the long axis of the elongate member, the elongate member may be deformed to have a "V" shape, with the first end and the second end at the two top parts of the "V," and the central portion at the bottom of the "V. " Accordingly, in the deformed configuration, the first and second ends are closer to one another than when the elongate member is fully extended. By fastening the first and second ends of the elongate members to the medial and lateral portions, respectively, of an article of footwear, the width of the article of footwear may be adjusted by applying tension longitudinally on the central portions of the elongate members.

<FIG> illustrates a sole system <NUM> for an article of footwear. Sole system <NUM> may have any suitable shape and/or size. For example, in some configurations, sole system <NUM> may be configured to be located in a heel region of the article of footwear, as shown in <FIG>. In some cases, sole system <NUM> may have a full-length configuration, essentially extending through forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions of the footwear. In other configurations, sole system <NUM> may extend a partial length of the footwear, such as through only a heel region and midfoot region, or only through a heel region and forefoot region.

Sole system <NUM> may include a chamber <NUM> configured to contain pressurized fluid. Chamber <NUM> may be formed of bladder material and pressurized in configurations similar those described above. Chamber <NUM> may include a base portion <NUM> and a plurality of peripheral subchambers <NUM> extending upward from base portion <NUM>. The size and/or shape of peripheral subchambers <NUM> may be configured to provide various desired performance characteristics.

As illustrated in <FIG>, sole system <NUM> may also include a mating component <NUM>. Mating component <NUM> may be configured to mate with the contours of chamber <NUM>. For example, mating component <NUM> may include a central portion <NUM> and a plurality of peripheral portions <NUM> extending substantially radially from central portion <NUM> of mating component <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, peripheral portions <NUM> may extend between peripheral subchambers <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, peripheral portions <NUM> may include projecting members that project substantially radially from central portion <NUM> of mating component <NUM>.

In some configurations, mating component <NUM> may include a substantially incompressible material, such as a relatively hard plastic, carbon fiber, or other composite material. In some configurations, mating component <NUM> may include a minimally compressible material, such as a relatively hard rubber or moderately compressible rubber. In some configurations mating component <NUM> may include a relatively compressible material, such as a relatively soft rubber, gel-filled chamber, or a foam material. For example, in some configurations, mating component <NUM> may include a compressible foam material, such as ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or other such foam materials.

In some configurations, sole system <NUM> may include an adjustment system <NUM> configured to vary one or more performance characteristics of sole system <NUM>. For example, adjustment system <NUM> may be configured to vary the compressibility (cushioning), responsiveness, stability, and/or other performance characteristics of sole system <NUM>.

Adjustment system <NUM> may include a tensile member <NUM> anchored to the peripheral portions of mating component <NUM>. In addition, adjustment system <NUM> may include a tensioning device <NUM> configured to apply tension to tensile member <NUM> and thereby alter one or more performance characteristics of sole system <NUM> by applying pressure to peripheral subchambers <NUM> between peripheral portions <NUM> of mating component <NUM>. Tensioning device <NUM> may be configured to apply tension in tensile member <NUM> in a direction indicated by arrow <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Exemplary features and configurations of tensile member <NUM> and tensioning device <NUM> are described above in conjunction with other disclosed embodiments. For example, tensile member <NUM> may include an elongate member, such as a wire, chord, rope, cable, ribbon, or other such tensile member. Also for example, tensioning device <NUM> may include a dial or other control input device configured to vary the tension on tensile member <NUM>. For example, tensioning device <NUM> may be configured to wind an end of tensile member <NUM> to thereby apply tension to tensile member <NUM>.

Tensile member <NUM> may be fixedly attached to peripheral portions <NUM> of mating component <NUM> in any suitable manner. For example, tensioning member <NUM> may be secured to peripheral portions <NUM> at anchor points <NUM> using adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or other attachment structures. Anchor points <NUM> are illustrated schematically in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, anchor points <NUM> may secure tensile member <NUM> to the ends of peripheral portions <NUM> of mating component <NUM>.

Tensioning device <NUM> is also shown schematically in <FIG>. Tensioning device <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the article of footwear in any suitable manner. In some configurations, tensioning device <NUM> may be fixedly attached to sole system <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, tensioning device <NUM> may be located in a rearward-most position. In other configurations, tensioning device <NUM> may be located elsewhere, such as on a medial or lateral side of sole system <NUM>. Also, tensioning device <NUM> may be secured to chamber <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, or secured to mating component <NUM>. In still other configurations, tensioning device <NUM> may be fixedly attached to other portions of the footwear incorporating sole system <NUM>. For example, it may be advantageous to secure tensioning device <NUM> to an upper of the article of footwear. In some configurations, it may be beneficial to fixedly attach tensioning device <NUM> to a relatively rigid component of the footwear, such as a heel counter.

<FIG> is an exploded view of portions of sole system <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates chamber <NUM> and mating component <NUM>, but omits adjustment system <NUM>. With chamber <NUM> and mating component <NUM> separated, as shown in <FIG>, the interlocking structures of these two components are shown. For example, recesses <NUM> may be provided between subchambers <NUM>. Peripheral portions <NUM> of mating component <NUM> may extend into recesses <NUM> between peripheral subchambers <NUM>.

In addition, peripheral portions <NUM> may include downwardly projecting peripheral portions <NUM>, which may extend downward between peripheral subchambers <NUM> when assembled. In some configurations, downwardly projecting peripheral portions <NUM> may extend the full height of sole system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Similarly, peripheral subchambers <NUM> may also extend a full height of sole system <NUM>.

It will be noted that, in some configurations, sole system <NUM> may be incorporated into footwear in the illustrated orientation. In other configurations, sole system <NUM> may be inverted, when incorporated into footwear. That is, chamber <NUM> may be located on the top, and mating member <NUM> may be located on the bottom. Therefore, downwardly projecting peripheral portions <NUM> may, in some configurations, project upwardly. Similarly, the locations of other upper and lower components may be reversed.

In some configurations, chamber <NUM> may include a base portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Peripheral subchambers <NUM> may extend upward from base portion <NUM>. In addition, peripheral subchambers <NUM> may extend substantially radially from a central portion <NUM> of chamber <NUM>.

In some configurations, base portion <NUM> may be configured to contain a pressurized fluid. In some such configurations, the interior of base portion <NUM> may be in fluid communication with at least one of peripheral subchambers <NUM>. In some configurations, the interior of base portion <NUM> may be is isolated from peripheral subchambers <NUM>. In some configurations, base portion <NUM> may not contain a fluid. In such configurations, base portion <NUM> may simply be a carrier for peripheral subchambers <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, central portion <NUM> of chamber <NUM> and central portion <NUM> of mating component <NUM> may be located substantially proximate to a central vertical axis <NUM>. Central portion <NUM> and central portion <NUM> may also be located substantially along a central longitudinal axis <NUM>.

The sizes and/or shapes of chamber <NUM> and mating component <NUM> may be varied to achieve desired performance characteristics. For example, the combination of a fluid-filled bladder and foam material member provides particular cushioning, stability, and responsiveness to the sole system. Some portions of sole system <NUM> may include sections in which chamber <NUM> extends a full height of sole system <NUM>, some portions may include sections where mating component <NUM> extends a full height of sole system <NUM>, and some portions may include both chamber <NUM> and mating component <NUM> are combined to form the height of sole system <NUM>. By varying the sizing, shapes, and distribution of the subsections of chamber <NUM> and mating component <NUM>, the performance characteristics may be tuned to take advantage of desirable aspects of the materials from which these two components are formed.

<FIG> illustrates a sole system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, sole system <NUM> may include at least one support member <NUM>. Support member <NUM> may be a part of a sole structure, such as a midsole. Accordingly, support member <NUM> may be configured to control ground reaction forces. For example, support member <NUM> may be configured to provide cushioning and/or stability. Support member <NUM> may include features and characteristics of support members discussed above. For example, support member <NUM> may be a compressible member. Accordingly, support member <NUM> may be formed of a suitable compressible material, such as foam or rubber. Further support member <NUM> may be a chamber configured to contain a pressurized fluid, or a chamber including a gel.

Support member <NUM> may have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in <FIG>, support member <NUM> may have a substantially cylindrical shape. In other configurations, support member <NUM> may have other shapes, such as a rectangular prism or a frustoconical shape. Further details provided above with respect to other support member embodiments are applicable to support member <NUM>.

Support member <NUM> may include a top portion <NUM>, a bottom portion <NUM>, and a sidewall surface <NUM>. In some configurations, support member <NUM> may also include a through hole <NUM> extending from a first opening <NUM> in a first area of sidewall surface <NUM> to a second opening <NUM> in a second area of sidewall surface <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

As also shown in <FIG>, sole system <NUM> may include an adjustment system <NUM>, which may include a tensile member <NUM> extending through the through hole <NUM> of support member <NUM>, and a tensioning device (not shown in <FIG>, but shown and described elsewhere herein in conjunction with other embodiments). Adjustment system <NUM> may be configured to selectively alter one or more performance characteristics of support member <NUM> by adjusting tension in tensile member <NUM>. Tensile member <NUM> and the tensioning device may have similar features and characteristics of tensile members and tensioning devices discussed above.

Adjustment system <NUM> may also include a compression member <NUM>. Compression member <NUM> may include an upper member <NUM> located above support member <NUM>, a lower member <NUM> located below support member <NUM>, and a side member <NUM> connecting upper member <NUM> and lower member <NUM> and located along, but spaced from, sidewall surface <NUM> of support member <NUM>. At least one of upper member <NUM> and lower member <NUM> may include a substantially flat panel configured to apply pressure against support member <NUM> over a surface area. In some configurations, the surface area over which upper member <NUM> or lower member <NUM> applies pressure to support member <NUM> may be less than a surface area of a corresponding upper surface (<NUM>) or lower surface (<NUM>) of support member <NUM>.

Tensile member <NUM> may be connected to side member <NUM> such that increasing tension in tensile member <NUM> applies a force to side member <NUM> in a direction toward sidewall surface <NUM> of support member <NUM> (the direction being indicated in <FIG> by an arrow <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, side member <NUM> may include a hinge portion <NUM> proximate to a point at which tensile member <NUM> is connected to side member <NUM>. In some configurations, hinge portion <NUM> may include a living hinge. Accordingly, applying this tension may thereby apply an upward force to lower member <NUM> and a downward force to upper member <NUM>, thus altering one or more performance characteristics of support member <NUM> by applying a vertical compressive force against support member <NUM>.

Sole system <NUM> may be configured such that the application of a vertical compressive force against support member <NUM> compresses support member <NUM>. This may change a height of support member <NUM>. Compressing the height of support member <NUM> may also alter the performance characteristics of support member <NUM>, such as compressibility, stability, and other attributes. For example, the application of a vertical compressive force against support member <NUM> to reduce the height of support member <NUM> may change the compressibility of support member <NUM>, for instance by reducing the compressibility. Thus, the adjustment system may be configured to apply vertical compressive forces to support member <NUM>, thereby reducing the compressibility of support member <NUM> by preloading support member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an elevation view of sole system <NUM> in an uncompressed condition. As shown in <FIG>, when sole system <NUM> is in an uncompressed condition, upper member <NUM> and lower member <NUM> may be substantially parallel to one another and side member <NUM> may be in a substantially straight configuration.

<FIG> illustrates sole system <NUM> in a compressed condition. As shown in <FIG>, when tensile member <NUM> is pulled by a tensioning device in the direction of arrow <NUM>, tensile member <NUM> may pull a central portion of side member <NUM> toward sidewall surface <NUM> of support member <NUM>. When side member <NUM> is pulled toward sidewall surface <NUM>, side member <NUM> may articulate at hinge portion <NUM>. Further, when side member <NUM> is pulled toward sidewall surface <NUM>, upper surface <NUM> and lower surface <NUM> may be pulled toward one another by the articulation of side member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A sole structure (<NUM>) for an article of footwear (<NUM>), the sole structure comprising:
a ground engaging component (<NUM>);
a plurality of support members (<NUM>); and
a tensile member (<NUM>) surrounding the plurality of support members (<NUM>) and associated with a tensioning device (<NUM>);
wherein the tensioning device (<NUM>) is configured to selectively alter properties of the plurality of support members (<NUM>) by tightening the tensile member (<NUM>);
wherein the plurality of support members (<NUM>) each defines an indentation, and a portion of the tensile member is located within the indentation, or
wherein each one of the plurality of support members (<NUM>) includes a groove, and wherein the tensile member (<NUM>) is disposed within the groove.