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 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 an inflatable air cushion has an integrally formed extension tube of zig-zag form with its free end attached to another cushion or to a pump assembly for inflating the cushion. By separating the limbs of the zig-zag tube, the cushions, or the cushion and pump assembly can be spaced apart at different distances to suit different applications. The pump may include a pressure limiting chamber integrated therewith for limiting the maximum inflation pressure of the cushion.

<CIT> describes a fluid system for an article of footwear or other products. The fluid system includes a pump chamber and a pressure chamber. The pump chamber is formed to exhibit a four layer structure to imparts an expandable configuration. The four layers are bonded to each other such that the sidewall has a zigzag-shaped configuration.

<CIT> describes an article of footwear with a dynamically-controlled cushioning system. The cushioning system includes a sealed, fluid-filled bladder formed with a plurality of separate cushioning chambers, and a control system. The control system, which includes a CPU, pressure sensors and valves, controls fluid communication between the chambers to dynamically adjust the pressure in the cushioning chambers for various conditions such as the activity that the footwear is used in, the weight of the individual and the individual's running style. Certain adjustments can be made while the footwear is in use.

The claimed invention is defined by the independent claim. Additional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. This Summary is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to the claimed invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed invention.

Aspects of the claimed invention relate to foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. Such 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 and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.

While aspects of the claimed invention are described in terms of foot support systems, additional aspects of this claimed invention relate to articles of footwear, 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.

The foregoing Summary of the claimed invention, as well as the following Detailed Description of the claimed invention, 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.

As noted above, aspects of this claimed invention relate to foot support systems, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. Such 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 and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.

Referring to the figures and following discussion, various examples of foot support systems in accordance with aspects of this claimed invention are described. <FIG> shows a first example foot support system <NUM> in accordance with an example for better understanding the claimed invention; <FIG> shows this foot support system <NUM> incorporated into an article of footwear <NUM>; <FIG> provide views of a portion of a foot support system <NUM> in a sole structure <NUM> of an article of footwear <NUM> (with the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> omitted in these figures to provide a clearer view of the sole structure <NUM>); <FIG> provides a close up view of the area shown in <FIG>; and <FIG> provide views illustrating various anti-pinch structures for fluid flow lines that may be used in at least some examples of this claimed invention.

Foot support systems <NUM> in accordance with this claimed invention may be fluid-tight (e.g., sealed with enclosed gas), and optionally a closed system (e.g., a system that does not intake/receive fluid (e.g., gas) from an external source (such as the ambient atmosphere) and/or does not release fluid (e.g., gas) to the external environment). A foot support bladder <NUM> (including its interior chamber <NUM>) is provided. While various sizes and/or shapes are possible, at least some foot support bladders <NUM> of this type will be sized and shaped so as to support a majority of a plantar surface of a user's foot (e.g., providing at least a heel support portion <NUM> and a forefoot support portion 102F; extending continuously to provide a heel support portion <NUM>, a midfoot support portion <NUM>, and a forefoot support portion 102F; and/or extending from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge, in one or more of these support portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or 102F; etc.). As some additional options, foot support bladders <NUM> of this type may support at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even up to <NUM>% of the plantar surface of the user's foot.

This example foot support system <NUM> further includes a fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (including its interior chamber <NUM>). A first fluid transfer line <NUM> interconnects the interior chamber <NUM> of foot support bladder <NUM> with the interior chamber <NUM> of fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and places these bladders (and their interior chambers) in fluid communication with one another. In this illustrated example, this first fluid transfer line <NUM> is the only direct fluid connection between the foot support bladder <NUM> interior chamber <NUM> and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> interior chamber <NUM>. A fluid flow control system <NUM> (e.g., a valve, a tube "pinch-off' structure, etc., see <FIG>) may be provided to selectively change the first fluid transfer line <NUM> between: (a) an open condition (in which fluid flow between the interior chamber <NUM> of the foot support bladder <NUM> and the interior chamber <NUM> of the reservoir bladder <NUM> occurs) and (b) a closed condition (in which fluid flow between the interior chamber <NUM> of the foot support bladder <NUM> and the interior chamber <NUM> of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> is stopped).

<FIG> and <FIG> further illustrate a pump <NUM> that may be provided in foot support systems <NUM>. Any desired type of pump <NUM> can be used, including a reversing pump, a foot-activated pump, and bulb pump, etc. The pump <NUM> may be disposed at a location so as to be activated by a user's foot, e.g., at a heel area or a forefoot area of a footwear sole structure <NUM>, such that when the user steps (e.g., lands on his/her heel, toes off, etc.), the pump <NUM> is activated to push out fluid from its chamber. Further, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a fluid transfer line <NUM> may be provided extending between the foot support bladder <NUM> interior chamber <NUM> and the pump <NUM> interior chamber to enable transfer of fluid from the foot support bladder <NUM> to the pump <NUM>. A valve <NUM> (e.g., a one-way valve of any desired design or construction) may be provided, e.g., within fluid transfer line <NUM>, at the inlet to fluid transfer line <NUM>, at the outlet of fluid transfer line <NUM>, etc., to allow fluid transmission from the foot support bladder <NUM> into the pump <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM> but not allowing fluid transmission from the pump <NUM> into the foot support bladder <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM>.

Another fluid transfer line <NUM> may be provided extending between the pump <NUM> and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (and allowing fluid to flow from the pump <NUM> to the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> interior chamber <NUM>). Another valve <NUM> (e.g., a one-way valve of any desired design or construction) may be provided, e.g., within fluid transfer line <NUM>, at the inlet to fluid transfer line <NUM>, at the outlet of fluid transfer line <NUM>, etc., to allow fluid transmission from the pump <NUM> into the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM> but not allowing fluid transmission from the fluid reservoir <NUM> into the pump <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM>.

At least some example foot support systems <NUM> in accordance with this aspect of the claimed invention will further include a reserve reservoir <NUM> in the system <NUM>. When present, this reserve reservoir <NUM> may be connected to at least one of the pump <NUM>, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, and/or the fluid transfer line <NUM> between the pump <NUM> and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (e.g., by fluid transfer line <NUM>). Reserve reservoir <NUM> in this illustrated example is connected to fluid transfer line <NUM> between the pump <NUM> and the fluid reservoir <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM>. A fluid flow control system <NUM> (e.g., a valve, a tube "pinch-off" structure, etc., see <FIG>) may be provided for changing fluid transfer line <NUM> between: (a) an open condition (in which fluid transfers between the reserve reservoir <NUM> and at least one of the pump <NUM>, the fluid reservoir <NUM>, or fluid transfer line <NUM>) and (b) a closed condition (in which fluid does not transfer between the reserve reservoir <NUM> and any of the pump <NUM>, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, or fluid transfer line <NUM>). The fluid flow control system <NUM> for controlling fluid transfer to/from reserve reservoir <NUM> may be part of the same fluid control system <NUM> or structure for controlling fluid transfer between fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and foot support bladder <NUM> or it may be a different system or structure. In at least some examples of this claimed invention, the reserve reservoir <NUM> will have a total volume of less than <NUM>% of a total volume of the fluid reservoir <NUM>, and in some examples, a total volume of less than <NUM>%, less than <NUM>%, less than <NUM>%, less than <NUM>%, or even less than <NUM>% of a total volume of the fluid reservoir <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of this claimed invention, the reserve reservoir <NUM> will have a total volume of less than <NUM>% of a total volume of the foot support bladder <NUM>, and in some examples, a total volume of less than <NUM>%, less than <NUM>%, less than <NUM>%, less than <NUM>%, or even less than <NUM>% of a total volume of the foot support bladder <NUM>.

Example operation of the various components of foot support system <NUM> for changing foot support hardness/firmness and/or changing pressure/moving fluid in the system <NUM> will be described in more detail below, e.g., in conjunction with <FIG>, after the more detailed description of various example structures and features of this claimed invention provided below.

<FIG> illustrate the foot support system <NUM> incorporated into an article of footwear <NUM> (although reference number <NUM> may represent any type of foot-receiving device). The article of footwear <NUM> of this example includes an upper <NUM> and a sole structure <NUM> engaged with the upper <NUM>. The footwear upper <NUM> may have any desired construction, may be made of any desired materials, and/or may have any desired number of component parts without departing from this claimed invention, including constructions, materials, and/or component parts as are conventionally known and used in the footwear arts. In final assembly, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> is moved or is bent with respect to foot support bladder <NUM> (from the configuration shown in <FIG>) along fluid transfer lines <NUM> and <NUM>, is formed into a curved shape (e.g., a U-shape) around a heel area of the footwear <NUM>, and is engaged with (or integrally forms a part of) footwear upper <NUM> and/or sole structure <NUM>, e.g., as shown in <FIG>. In this manner, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> is moved such that its bottom perimeter edge 104E extends adjacent and around a portion of the perimeter edge 102E of the foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., around the rear heel area of the upper <NUM> at least to the lateral heel area and/or the medial heel area of the upper <NUM>, and optionally to the lateral midfoot area or the lateral forefoot area of the upper <NUM> and/or optionally to the medial midfoot area or medial forefoot area of the upper <NUM>. While <FIG> shows fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> forming a portion of the outer surface of the upper <NUM>, this is not a requirement. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> may be at least partially provided in an interior foot-receiving chamber of the footwear <NUM>, between layers of the upper <NUM>, along a vamp area of the upper <NUM> (inside, outside, or between layers of the vamp), in a footwear tongue structure, and/or at any other desired portion of the upper <NUM>.

<FIG> further illustrates that the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> of this illustrated example includes an arch support portion 104A formed therein. The arch support portion 104A is in fluid communication with interior chamber <NUM> of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> via fluid transfer line <NUM>. In final assembly, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> folds/bends along fluid transfer line <NUM> and the arch support portion 104A fits into the arch gap <NUM> provided in this example foot support bladder <NUM>. In this manner, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> also may provide at least a portion of an overall foot support function (and a portion of plantar support surface) of the foot support system <NUM>. See also <FIG>. In this illustrated example, the arch support portion 104A "nests" within an area or volume defined by the foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., within arch gap <NUM>). The terms "nest," "nests," or "nested" as used herein in this context, means that one bladder at least partially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of another bladder (e.g., one bladder surrounds <NUM>% or more of an outer side perimeter or outer side wall/surface of another bladder) and/or that the two bladder portions otherwise have complementary shaped surfaces (e.g., at least side surfaces or walls) that tightly or compactly fit together. While the nested bladder may have at least some portions of its side wall(s)/surface(s) "surrounded" by the other bladder, a nested bladder also could have some portions of its top and/or bottom major surfaces "surrounded" by the other bladder.

At least the foot support bladder <NUM> of this example foot support system <NUM> may be mounted in or on a footwear sole structure <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The footwear sole structure <NUM> may constitute a midsole <NUM> (e.g., made from one or more polymeric foam material parts), an outsole component, and/or both. The footwear sole structure <NUM> may have any desired construction, may be made of any desired materials, and may have any desired number of component parts without departing from this claimed invention, including constructions, materials, and/or component parts as are conventionally known and used in the footwear arts. In this illustrated example, the sole structure <NUM> includes a recess 1004R formed in its upper surface 1004U, and at least some portion of the foot support bladder <NUM> is received within the recess 1004R (and optionally engaged with the sole structure <NUM> within this recess 1004R, such as with the bottom interior surface 1004A of sole structure <NUM>). While not shown in the example of <FIG>, the upper surface 1004U of the sole member <NUM> and the top surface of foot support bladder <NUM> may be covered, e.g., by a strobel member, by a fabric sheet, by a bottom surface of the upper <NUM> by a thin polymeric foam layer, and/or other desired component. Alternatively, if desired, the user's foot (e.g., in a sock) may directly contact one or more of the structures shown in <FIG> (e.g., at least some of the features shown in <FIG> may form the bottom interior foot-receiving chamber of the shoe <NUM>).

<FIG> further show that this example foot support system <NUM> includes a pump activator <NUM>, which is formed as a plate in this structure. The pump activator <NUM> may be mounted to sole structure <NUM> (e.g., by a hinge, on a support surface or ledge <NUM> of sole structure <NUM>, etc.). The pump activator <NUM> moves downward to compress the pump <NUM> bulb, e.g., under the force of a wearer's foot on a "toe off' phase of a step cycle or jump, to potentially move fluid in the foot support system <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below. While the pump <NUM> and pump activator <NUM> are shown in the forefoot/toe area of this example sole structure <NUM>, they may be provided in other areas without departing from this claimed invention, such as in the heel area (for activation when landing a step or jump, etc.).

In at least some examples of this claimed invention, two or more of the foot support bladder <NUM>, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, the arch support bladder portion 104A, the pump <NUM>, the reserve reservoir <NUM>, the fluid transfer line <NUM>, the fluid transfer line <NUM>, the fluid transfer line <NUM>, the fluid transfer line <NUM>, and/or the fluid transfer line <NUM> may be made as a unitary, one piece construction. More specifically, any desired two or more of these parts (and optionally all of the parts) may be formed from two thermoplastic elastomer sheet members (which may constitute a single thermoplastic elastomer sheet that is folded) that are sealed together, e.g., by adhesives, by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, etc.), etc. Note, for example, sheets 130A and 130B shown in <FIG>. The sheets 130A and 130B are joined at seal lines 130C (or weld joints), e.g., around their outer perimeter edges and other seal locations (e.g., at locations other than locations where fluid flow is desired). The bladder structure(s), their constructions, materials, and manufacturing methods may be conventional as are known and used in the footwear arts. The bladder structure(s) also may include internal tensile components, e.g., to control the bladder shape (e.g., to provide relatively smooth and/or contoured surfaces), as also are known and used in the footwear arts.

Thermoplastic materials of the types used in fluid-filled bladders for articles of footwear may be relatively flexible and pliable. But, as noted above, in at least some examples of this claimed invention, one or more of the fluid transfer lines (which may be integrally formed as part of the overall bladder/foot support system <NUM> structure), e.g., lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>, may be "bent", folded, or flexed to allow desired positioning of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> portions with respect to one another and/or with respect to the foot support bladder <NUM> in the final foot support system <NUM> structure. Such bends are described above, for example in conjunction with Area A shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and Area B shown in <FIG>. If necessary or desired, in accordance with at least some examples of this claimed invention, structure and/or components may be provided to prevent undesired closure (e.g., pinch-off, kink, etc.) of these relatively small and thin fluid transfer lines at the bend/fold locations.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate examples of structures/components that may be provided to help prevent undesired closure (e.g., pinch-off, kink, etc.) of various areas of the overall bladder system <NUM>, e.g., such as at the relatively small and thin fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> at the bend/flex locations. As one example, as shown in <FIG>, a fluid transfer line connecting interior chambers of two bladders (e.g., connecting bladders <NUM>/<NUM>, bladders <NUM>/104A, pump chamber <NUM> and bladder <NUM>/<NUM>, etc.) may include a first segment 140A in fluid communication with one interior chamber (e.g., chamber <NUM>), a second segment 140B in fluid communication with another interior chamber (e.g., chamber <NUM>), and a non-linear connecting portion 140C placing the first segment 104A and the second segment 104B in fluid communication with one another. In some more specific examples, as shown in <FIG>, the non-linear connecting portion 140C may include a U-shaped tube extending from the first segment 140A to the second segment 140B. As some other options and/or examples, the non-linear connecting portion 140C may define at least four turns 140T between the first segment 140A and the second segment 140B, wherein at least two turns 140T of the at least four turns 140T (and optionally at least four turns and/or all turns) define an angle α between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. Note <FIG> (which shows a top down view similar to <FIG> of another example fluid transfer line and connection portion 140C structure). In this manner, if desired, the non-linear connecting portion 140C may define a "zig-zag" or "herringbone" shape. This non-linear shape can help prevent undesired closure or "pinch-off' of the interior channel of fluid transfer line. Optionally, these shaping features may be used in conjunction with one or more of the features described below in conjunction with <FIG>.

<FIG> show another example structure to help prevent undesired closure (e.g., pinch-off, kink, etc.) of various areas of the overall bladder system <NUM>, e.g., at the bend/flex locations, in the fluid transfer lines, etc. In the example of <FIG>, one or more tensile elements <NUM> are provided within the enclosed flow channel defined by the fluid transfer/flow line <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The tensile member(s) <NUM> is/are provided inside an interior volume <NUM> defined by the bladder exterior envelope sheets 130A/130B. In this illustrated example, the tensile member(s) <NUM> include bases 150B attached to the interior surfaces 134A/134B of sheets 130A/130B (e.g., by welding, adhesives, etc.), and the bases 150B are interconnected by a plurality of fibers or strands <NUM>. The fibers or strands <NUM> help maintain the bladder structures in the desired shape by limiting separation of the envelope sheets 130A/130B when the bladder is inflated. The bases 150B and fibers or strands <NUM> also tend to interact with one another and the interior surfaces 134A/134B to prevent complete "pinching," "kinking," or other undesired closure of the interior volume <NUM>, e.g., when the fluid transfer/flow line <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is bent, folded, or rotated in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis <NUM> (the longitudinal axis <NUM> is shown into and out of the page of <FIG> by the central "X" labeled <NUM>). In this manner, the bases 150B and/or fibers/strands <NUM> provide a continuous path for fluid to flow through fluid transfer/flow line <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> through the bent or rotated area (e.g., like the areas A and B shown in <FIG>). The top view of <FIG> shows that multiple tensile members <NUM> may be provided along the longitudinal direction.

Another example fluid-flow support component provided within an enclosed flow channel <NUM> of a fluid transfer/flow line (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to prevent undesired complete closure of the fluid transfer/flow line is shown in <FIG>. In this illustrated example, one or more interior tubular components <NUM> are provided within the interior chamber <NUM> defined by thermoplastic sheets 130A/130B. The tubular component(s) <NUM> has/have a through hole <NUM> defined through it/them and may be made from a rigid plastic material. The tubular component(s) may have a shorter axial dimension (along axis <NUM> into and out of the page of <FIG>) than side-to-side width dimension W. In such structures, when the fluid transfer/flow line <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is bent or rotated in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis <NUM>, the through hole(s) <NUM> of tubular component(s) <NUM> still provide a continuous path for fluid to flow through fluid transfer/flow line <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> through the bent or rotated area (e.g., like the areas A and B shown in <FIG>) and thereby prevent complete kinking or pinching off of the fluid transfer/flow line <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The top view of <FIG> shows that multiple tubular components <NUM> may be provided along the tubular member longitudinal or axial direction <NUM>.

In at least some examples of this claimed invention, the fluid transfer/flow lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have a relatively small cross sectional area or volume, e.g., as compared to volumes of interior chambers <NUM> and 104I. As some more specific examples, any one or more of the fluid transfer/flow lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (between the interior chambers 102I/104I of foot support bladder <NUM> and fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, between pump chamber <NUM> and fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, between fluid transfer line <NUM> and reserve reservoir <NUM>, between fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and the arch support portion 104A thereof, etc.) may have an internal cross sectional area transverse to a fluid flow direction over at least a majority of its axial length (e.g., the areas shown by the views of <FIG>) of less than <NUM><NUM>, and in some examples, less than <NUM><NUM>, less than <NUM><NUM>, or even less than <NUM><NUM>. As yet additional or alternative potential features, any one or more of the fluid transfer/flow lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have an internal volume between the bladder chambers that it connects (or between a bladder chamber and a valve structure in the fluid transfer line) of less than <NUM><NUM>, and in some examples, less than <NUM><NUM>, less than <NUM><NUM>, less than <NUM><NUM>, or even less than <NUM><NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate another example of a foot support system <NUM> in accordance with some examples and aspects of this claimed invention. Where the example system <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> includes the same or similar parts as those in the system <NUM> of <FIG>, the same reference numbers are used, and a detailed corresponding and repetitive description of these same or similar parts will be omitted. One difference between the foot support system <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> and that shown in <FIG> relates to positioning of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> in the final footwear/foot-receiving device assembly. While <FIG> show systems <NUM> in which at least a majority of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> is located around and/or as part of the footwear upper <NUM>, in the example system <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> is folded around to a location beneath the foot support bladder <NUM> and within sole structure <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this manner, in the final footwear structure <NUM>, the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> is folded/vertically stacked beneath the foot support bladder <NUM> such that the top major surface 104T of fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> when the bladder <NUM> is formed will directly face (and optionally directly contact) the bottom major surface 102B of the foot support bladder <NUM> (and the bottom major surface 104B of fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> when the bladder <NUM> is formed will face away from the top major surface 102T of the foot support bladder <NUM> in the final footwear <NUM> assembly). Also, as shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, an arch support portion 104A of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> "nests" within an area or volume defined by the foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., within arch gap <NUM>).

Like the system <NUM> of <FIG>, this example foot support system <NUM> is formed to include fluid transfer lines as integral parts of the overall bladder construction. For example, <FIG> illustrates fluid transfer line <NUM> for moving fluid from the foot support bladder <NUM> into the interior pumping chamber of the pump <NUM> (which also is integrally formed as part of the overall bladder construction of system <NUM>), and valve <NUM> is provided within or at one end of this fluid transfer line <NUM>. In the system <NUM> of <FIG>, however, three fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> meet at the fluid flow control system <NUM>. More specifically: (a) one fluid transfer line <NUM> extends from the foot support bladder <NUM> to the fluid flow control system <NUM>, (b) another fluid transfer line <NUM> extends from the pump <NUM> to the fluid flow control system <NUM>, and (c) another fluid transfer line <NUM> extends from the fluid flow control system <NUM> to the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. Additionally, in this illustrated example system <NUM>, the reserve reservoir <NUM> is provided as a bladder volume at or near the fluid flow control system <NUM> (and it is connected to other fluid transfer lines via a short fluid transfer line <NUM>). The flow control system <NUM> includes structures (e.g., physical elements) to selectively "pinch off" or close electronically or manually controlled flow stop members (such as pinching elements or valves), etc.) to control fluid transfer through one or more of fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below. The flow control system <NUM> may include a switch <NUM> (e.g., a dial) for physically and/or manually moving the "pinch off" structures or otherwise selectively opening/closing one or more of fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> and/or may include an input system 108I for receiving input commands (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection from an electronic device <NUM>, such as a smart phone, etc.) for changing foot support pressure, as will be described in more detail below.

To move between bladder <NUM> and bladder <NUM> in the system <NUM> of <FIG>, fluid moves through line <NUM>, through the fluid flow control system <NUM>, and through line <NUM> or in the opposite direction. To move from pump <NUM> to bladder <NUM> in the system <NUM> of <FIG>, fluid moves through line <NUM>, through the fluid flow control system <NUM>, and through line <NUM>. To move between the pump <NUM> and the reserve reservoir <NUM>, fluid moves through line <NUM>, through the fluid flow control system <NUM>, and through line <NUM> or in the opposite direction. To move between the fluid reservoir <NUM> and the reserve reservoir <NUM>, fluid moves through line <NUM>, through fluid flow control system <NUM>, and through line <NUM> or in the opposite direction. The fluid control system <NUM> can selectively interconnect the lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> (e.g., by selectively opening or closing (e.g., pinching shut) any line or combination of lines) to allow any of these desired flow path line interconnections.

The bladder chambers/fluid tight bladders of foot support systems <NUM> and <NUM> described above may be formed, e.g., from sheets of thermoplastic material as are conventionally known and used in the footwear arts. Two or more of the components (e.g., any two or more of foot support bladder <NUM>, fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, arch support portion 104A, reserve reservoir bladder <NUM>, pump chamber <NUM>, and/or one or more of the various fluid transfer/flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be integrally formed as a unitary, one piece construction from two sheets of thermoplastic material 130A/130B sealed together at a seam or weld line 130C (thermoplastic sheet 130B is covered by thermoplastic sheet 130A in the views shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). In at least some examples of this claimed invention, all of foot support bladder <NUM>, fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, arch support portion 104A, reserve reservoir bladder <NUM>, pump chamber <NUM>, and the fluid transfer/flow paths (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>) will be formed as a unitary, one piece construction from two sheets of thermoplastic material 130A/130B sealed together at a seam or weld line 130C.

The cross sectional views of <FIG> provide additional details regarding production/formation of bladder components (e.g., folded bladder configurations and/or vertically "stacked" bladder configurations) for systems <NUM>, <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of this claimed invention. As shown, the chambers (e.g., foot support bladder chamber <NUM> and fluid reservoir bladder chamber <NUM> or fluid reservoir bladder chamber <NUM> and arch support portion bladder chamber 104AI) are initially formed laterally alongside one another from a top thermoplastic sheet 130A sealed to a bottom thermoplastic sheet 130B via a seal line 130C (e.g., by a "welding" or thermoforming operation). During the bladder production process, the top thermoplastic sheet 130A forms a top major surface 102M1 of the foot support bladder chamber <NUM> (or arch support portion bladder chamber 104A) and a top major surface 104M1 of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> as a continuous sheet, as shown in <FIG>. Similarly, as also shown in <FIG>, the bottom thermoplastic sheet 130B forms a bottom major surface 102M2 of the foot support bladder chamber <NUM> (or arch support portion bladder chamber 104A) and a bottom major surface 104M2 of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> as a continuous sheet. The interior chambers 102I (or 104AI) and 104I are defined between the welded sheets 130A, 130B. A fluid flow line <NUM>/<NUM> also is integrally formed between the two sheets 130A and 130B, thereby placing interior chamber 102I (or 104AI) and interior chamber 104I in fluid communication with one another.

Then, during the foot support production process, as shown in <FIG>, the fluid reservoir bladder chamber <NUM> is folded or moved beneath the foot support bladder chamber <NUM> (or arch support portion 104A) (shown by arrow <NUM>) about fluid transfer line <NUM> (or line <NUM>) so that the bottom major surface 104M2 of the fluid reservoir bladder chamber <NUM> rotates to face and lie immediately adjacent the bottom major surface 102M2 of the foot support bladder chamber <NUM> (or arch support portion 104A). This creates the vertically stacked bladder chamber configuration, as shown in <FIG>. As further shown, in the final, vertically stacked bladder chamber configuration, the top major surface 102M1 of the foot support bladder chamber <NUM> (or arch support portion 104A) (which lies closest to and supports at least some portion of a plantar surface of the wearer's foot) faces away from the originally top major surface 104M1 of the fluid reservoir bladder chamber <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, foot support bladder chambers <NUM> of this type may be sized and shaped so as to provide a support surface for supporting a majority of a plantar surface of a user's foot. In the structure shown in <FIG>, the fluid reservoir fluid-filled bladder chamber <NUM> may be sized and shaped such that its major surface 104M2 lies facing and/or directly adjacent (and optionally in direct contact with) at least <NUM>% of a total surface area of the major surface 102M2 of the foot support bladder chamber <NUM> (or arch support portion 104A) (and optionally facing, directly adjacent, and/or in direct contact with at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even <NUM>% of a total surface area of the major surface 102M2 of the foot support bladder chamber <NUM> (or arch support portion 104A)).

The foot support bladder chamber(s) <NUM> and the fluid reservoir bladder chamber(s) <NUM> present in an individual foot support system <NUM>/<NUM> and/or article of footwear <NUM> may have any desired relative sizes and/or volumes without departing from this claimed invention (e.g., provided sufficient volume exists to create the pressure change features described in more detail below, e.g., with respect to <FIG>). In some more specific examples of this claimed invention, the volume ratio between the fluid reservoir bladder chamber(s) <NUM> and the foot support bladder chamber(s) <NUM> (e.g., V104I/V102I, where "V" represents the fluid volume of the respective interior chambers) present in an individual foot support system <NUM>/<NUM> and/or article of footwear <NUM> may be within the range of at least <NUM>, and in some examples, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, or even at least <NUM>. In some examples, this volume ratio (e.g., V104I/V102I) in an individual foot support system <NUM>/<NUM> and/or article of footwear <NUM> may be within the range from <NUM> to <NUM>, and in some examples, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, or even from <NUM> to <NUM>. In at least some examples of this claimed invention, the fluid reservoir bladder chamber(s) <NUM> will define a larger interior volume than the foot support bladder chamber(s) <NUM> in an individual foot support system <NUM>/<NUM> and/or article of footwear <NUM>. These relative size/volume features may apply to the foot support systems <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the foot support systems <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and/or in any of the foot support systems and/or articles of footwear described in more detail below.

In the specific example of the claimed invention shown in <FIG>, the two sheets 130A and 130B of thermoplastic material are sealed together at seal lines 130C and are shaped to form at least: (a) a first fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., foot support bladder chamber <NUM> or arch support portion 104A) defining a first interior chamber (e.g., chamber 102I or chamber 104AI) between the first sheet of thermoplastic material 130A and the second sheet of thermoplastic material 130B; (b) a second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir chamber <NUM>) defining a second interior chamber (e.g., chamber 104I) between the first sheet of thermoplastic material 130A and the second sheet of thermoplastic material 130B; and (c) a first fluid flow line (e.g., fluid transfer line <NUM> (<FIG>) or lines <NUM> and <NUM>, <FIG>) or line <NUM> in <FIG>) placing the first interior chamber <NUM> (or 104AI) and the second interior chamber 104I in fluid communication with one another. In at least some examples of this aspect of the claimed invention, this first fluid flow line (e.g., fluid transfer line <NUM> (or line <NUM>)) may be the only direct fluid connection between the first interior chamber (e.g., chamber 102I (or chamber 104AI)) and the second interior chamber (e.g., chamber 104I). The fluid flow line (e.g., fluid transfer line <NUM> (or line <NUM>)) made in this step may have any of the size, shape, cross sectional area, and/or volume features described above for the fluid transfer lines.

If desired, as further shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the two thermoplastic sheets 130A and 130B may be joined together at seal lines 130C that are shaped so as to additionally form one or more of: (a) a pump portion <NUM> including an internal pump chamber (e.g., a pump chamber compressible by a wearer's foot, such as a bulb type pump chamber); (b) a second fluid flow line (e.g., line <NUM>) placing the first interior chamber 102I (e.g., of foot support bladder <NUM>) in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the pump <NUM>; (c) a third fluid flow line (e.g., line <NUM> (<FIG>) or lines <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>)) placing the internal chamber of pump <NUM> in fluid communication with the second interior chamber 104I (e.g., of fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>); (d) a reserve fluid chamber (e.g., chamber <NUM>); (e) a fourth fluid flow line (e.g., line <NUM> (<FIG>) or line <NUM> (<FIG>) placing the reserve fluid chamber <NUM> in fluid communication with at least one of the second interior chamber (104I), the internal chamber of the pump <NUM>, or the third fluid flow line (e.g., line <NUM> (<FIG>) or lines <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>))); (f) the arch support portion 104A; and/or (g) the fluid flow line (e.g., line <NUM>) connecting the interior chamber <NUM> with an interior chamber 104AI of arch support portion 104A. <FIG> further shows that the two thermoplastic sheets 130A and 130B may be joined together to form one or more inflation inlets <NUM>, to which a fluid source (e.g., a compressed gas source) can be engaged to permit inflation of the bladder chamber(s). The inflation inlet(s) <NUM> may be permanently sealed (e.g., by a weld operation) or releasably sealed (e.g., with a valve or pinch-off device) after inflation of the bladder chamber(s) to the desired inflation pressure(s).

As further shown in these figures, the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., foot support chamber <NUM> or arch support portion 104A) is movable with respect to the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>) in a manner so that in the foot support system <NUM>: (a) a portion of an exterior surface 102M2 of the second sheet of thermoplastic material 130B defining the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., foot support bladder chamber <NUM> or arch support portion 104A) directly faces (and optionally directly contacts) a portion of the exterior surface 104M2 of the second sheet of thermoplastic material 130B defining the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>) and (b) a portion of an exterior surface 102M1 of the first sheet of thermoplastic material 130A defining the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., foot support bladder chamber <NUM> or arch support portion 104A) faces away from a portion of the exterior surface 104M1 of the first sheet of thermoplastic material 130A defining the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir chamber <NUM>). For the first fluid flow line (e.g., fluid transfer line <NUM> or line <NUM>), the bladders may be formed to include one or more of a non-linear portion, in a U-shape, in a zig-zag or herringbone structure, with flow support systems, anti-pinch/anti-kink structures, etc., e.g., in any of the manners described above with respect to <FIG>.

Alternatively, rather than the "vertically stacked" arrangement of <FIG>, during production of the foot support system <NUM>, the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., foot support chamber <NUM>) may be oriented to support a plantar surface of a user's foot and the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir chamber <NUM>) may be moved/folded, e.g., by about <NUM>°, so as to extend around a portion of a perimeter edge 102E of the first fluid-filled bladder chamber <NUM>, e.g., as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In the examples for better understanding the claimed invention shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and in the examples of the claimed invention shown in <FIG>, at least one of the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., foot support bladder <NUM> and/or arch support portion 104A) and the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., <NUM>) is engaged with the footwear sole structure <NUM>, and in the vertically stacked arrangement shown in <FIG>, at least the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>) is engaged with the footwear sole structure <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this footwear sole structure <NUM> may include a polymeric foam material (e.g., when formed as a midsole) and/or a rubber or thermoplastic material (e.g., when formed as an outsole) that has an interior surface 1004A covering (and optionally in direct contact with) at least a majority (and optionally at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even <NUM>%) of a bottom surface 104B (<FIG>), 104M1 (<FIG>) of the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>). As shown in the examples of <FIG>, and <FIG>, these example footwear sole structures <NUM> include an upper surface 1004U and a bottom surface 1004B, wherein the upper surface 1004U includes a recess 1004R defined therein, and wherein at least the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., foot support bladder <NUM> or arch support portion 104A) and/or at least the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (e.g., fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>) is received in the recess 1004R. The lowermost foot support system <NUM>, <NUM> component (e.g., bottom surface 104B/104M1 of fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> or bottom surface 102B/102M2 of foot support bladder <NUM>/arch support portion 104A) may be engaged (e.g., by adhesive or cement, by mechanical connectors, etc.) with the bottom interior surface 1004A in the recess 1004R of sole component <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate example foot support systems <NUM> and articles of footwear <NUM> in which a major surface (e.g., bottom surface 102B) of the foot support bladder <NUM> lies directly adjacent and optionally directly in contact with a major surface (e.g., top surface 104T) of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. Other options are possible, e.g., as shown in <FIG> illustrates an example foot support system <NUM> similar to that of <FIG>, and similar reference numbers are used in <FIG> as used in <FIG> and much of the redundant description is omitted. The foot support system <NUM> of <FIG> may have any one or more of the specific features, characteristics, properties, structures, options, and the like of the example foot support systems <NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>.

In the foot support structure <NUM> of <FIG>, however, one or more separating members <NUM> are provided between the foot support bladder <NUM> and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (e.g., between the bottom surface 102B of the foot support bladder <NUM> and the top surface 104T of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>). Thus, in this example construction, the bottom major surface 102B of the foot support bladder <NUM> does not lie directly adjacent and does not directly contact the top major surface 104T of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> over at least some portion(s) of their respective facing surface areas (e.g., over at least <NUM>% of their facing surface area, over at least <NUM>% of their facing surface area, over at least <NUM>% of their facing surface area, over at least <NUM>% of their facing surface area, or even over <NUM>% of their facing surface area). The separating member <NUM> may be: (a) one or more relatively stiff or rigid plate members (e.g., carbon fiber plates, thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polyurethane plates, fiberglass plates, other moderator plates, etc.) to disperse forces over a wider area; (b) one or more foam members (e.g., ethylvinyl acetate foams, polyurethane foams, etc.) to provide additional impact force attenuation; (c) a combination of plate(s) and foam(s) (e.g., vertically stacked and/or present at separated areas over their facing surface area); and/or (d) other component(s). Such separating member(s) <NUM> can be useful, for example, to control the impact force attenuation, "feel," and/or responsiveness characteristics of the foot support system <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate example foot support systems <NUM>/<NUM> and articles of footwear <NUM> including vertically stacked bladders in which the foot support bladder <NUM> lies closest to the wearer's foot and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> lies beneath the foot support bladder <NUM>. These bladders <NUM>/<NUM> may be vertically inverted, e.g., as shown in the example foot support structure <NUM> of <FIG> (with fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> vertically stacked and located above foot support bladder <NUM>). Similar reference numbers are used in <FIG> as in <FIG> and much of the redundant description is omitted. The foot support system <NUM> of <FIG> may have any one or more of the specific features, characteristics, properties, structures, options, and the like of the example foot support systems <NUM>/<NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>. Also, while <FIG> shows an example with separating member(s) <NUM> present between the bladder facing surfaces 104B/102T, the separating member(s) <NUM> may be omitted over some or all of the facing surface area, and the bottom major surface 104B of the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> may lie directly adjacent and optionally directly contact the top surface 102T of the foot support bladder <NUM> over at least some extent of their facing surface area.

In the example structures of <FIG>, the foot support systems <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> each may include at least one "nested portion," e.g., in which a portion of one bladder (e.g., portion 104A of fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>) "nests" within a region (e.g., area or volume) defined by the other bladder (e.g., gap region <NUM> of foot support bladder <NUM>). If desired, additional and/or other "nested portions" may be provided in a foot support system <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>. As some more specific examples, one or more portions of fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (e.g., like portions 104A) may nest within one or more other regions of the foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., like gaps <NUM>), e.g., in the heel area, in the forefoot area, and/or in the midfoot area of the foot support system <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>. An individual foot support system <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> may include one or more of these nested portion 104A/gap <NUM> type features at any desired area(s) and/or of any desired shape(s). As yet additional or other alternative examples, if desired, one or more gaps may be provided in the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (e.g., like gap <NUM>) and one or more nested portions (e.g., like portion 104A) may be provided in the foot support bladder <NUM> and "nest" within the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> gap(s). As yet other potential features, a foot support bladder <NUM> may include at least one gap and at least one "nested" portion that respectively fit together with at least one "nested" portion and at least one gap provided in a fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. Any desired combination of gaps and nested portions may be provided in foot support structures without departing from this claimed invention.

As described above, two or more of the components (e.g., any two or more (and optionally all) of foot support bladder <NUM>, fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, arch support portion 104A, reserve reservoir bladder <NUM>, pump chamber <NUM>, and/or one or more of the various fluid transfer/flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>)) may be integrally formed as a unitary, one piece construction from two sheets of thermoplastic material 130A/130B sealed together at a seam or weld line 130C (thermoplastic sheet 130B is covered by thermoplastic sheet 130A in the views shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). In other examples of this claimed invention, however, at least some of these components (and optionally all of these components), e.g., foot support bladder <NUM>, fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, arch support portion 104A, reserve reservoir bladder <NUM>, pump chamber <NUM>, and the fluid transfer/flow paths (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>) may be formed as separate parts that are engaged together. As some more specific examples, foot support bladder <NUM> may be separately formed from fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, and these individual parts may be connected, e.g., by a line <NUM> (which also may be a separate part from bladders <NUM> and <NUM> or may be integrally formed with one of bladders <NUM> or <NUM>). Connectors, e.g., akin to inlets <NUM> (<FIG>), may be used with a tube (e.g., for line <NUM>) to connect bladders <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., with line <NUM> cemented or releasably connected to connectors <NUM>). Additionally or alternatively, pump chamber <NUM> may be separately formed from and connected to either or both of foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., via a separate or integrally formed line <NUM>) and fluid-reservoir bladder <NUM> (e.g., via a separate or integrally formed line <NUM>). Additionally or alternatively, reserve reservoir bladder <NUM> may be separately formed from and connected to either or both of pump chamber <NUM> (e.g., via a separate or integrally formed line <NUM>) and fluid-reservoir bladder <NUM> (e.g., via a separate or integrally formed line). The various bladders and/or lines may be formed to include connection ports like inlets <NUM> and/or the various parts may be connected in other ways (e.g., via cements or adhesives, via thermal forming or welding, etc.).

The various bladders (e.g., foot support bladder <NUM> and fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>) may be made by the same or different production processes and/or may have the same or different structures/constructions without departing from this claimed invention. As some examples, if desired, the bladders <NUM>/<NUM> may be formed by thermoforming, RF-welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, or the like. Internal welds may be used (e.g., welding interior surfaces of the bladder surfaces together, e.g., as shown for example in <CIT>) to control the shape of the bladder in some example bladders. In other examples, tensile members (e.g., including internal fiber structures, e.g., as shown for example in <CIT>) may be used to control the shape of the bladder. In some individual example foot support systems <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> and/or articles of footwear <NUM> in accordance with this claimed invention, one bladder (e.g., foot support bladder <NUM>) may be formed and shaped controlled by a thermoforming and/or welding process (e.g., with internal welds) and another bladder (e.g., fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>) may be formed and shape controlled using tensile members. Any desired combinations of bladder constructions and shape control methods may be used in an individual foot support systems <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> and/or articles of footwear <NUM>.

Movement of fluid in at least some example foot support systems <NUM>, <NUM> now will be described in more detail in conjunction with <FIG>. In these specifically illustrated example systems <NUM>, <NUM>, the systems <NUM>, <NUM> are closed systems in that they do not purposefully take in fluid (e.g., air or other gas) from the exterior environment and they do not purposely release fluid to the exterior environment. Rather, the fluid is moved between various different bladder chambers or other structures in fluid communication within the system <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., foot support bladder <NUM>, fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, and/or reserve reservoir <NUM>) in order to place and hold the foot support bladder <NUM> at three discrete pressure settings (and thus three discrete foot support hardness settings).

<FIG> shows one configuration of these example systems <NUM>, <NUM> with the foot support bladder <NUM> at its highest (or firmest) foot support pressure and the reservoir bladder <NUM> at its lowest pressure. While other pressures are possible, in one example system in accordance with this aspect of the claimed invention, the pressure of the overall bladder system <NUM>, <NUM> may be constant in this configuration, e.g., with fluid able to flow through fluid transfer lines <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>; and <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>. Valve <NUM> (e.g., a one way valve) prevents fluid from flowing from pump <NUM> back into the foot support bladder <NUM> via line <NUM> and valve <NUM> (e.g., a one way valve) prevents fluid from flowing from fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> back into the pump <NUM> via lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>. As the pump <NUM> pushes fluid from the pump chamber into line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> (by activation of pump <NUM> via activator <NUM> with a user's foot), the fluid moves freely through the system <NUM>, <NUM> to the reserve reservoir <NUM> and the fluid reservoir <NUM> and between the fluid reservoir <NUM> and the foot support bladder <NUM> (via fluid transfer line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>) until the overall system <NUM>, <NUM> reaches a constant fluid pressure. As a more specific example, in the configuration of <FIG>, foot support bladder <NUM>, reservoir bladder <NUM>, reserve bladder <NUM>, and the pump <NUM> may be at a relatively constant pressure, e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>% or ± <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi)). Thus, in this configuration, foot support bladder <NUM> may be at its highest foot support pressure condition (e.g., <NUM>,36kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc.), fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> may be at its lowest pressure condition (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> kPa(<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc.), and reserve reservoir bladder <NUM> may be at its lowest pressure condition (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc.).

If desired, a check valve may be provided in the fluid transfer line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> between the reservoir bladder <NUM> and the foot support bladder <NUM>. This check valve, when present, may help the foot support bladder <NUM> to feel somewhat firmer than would be the case when the fluid transfer line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> between the reservoir <NUM> and the foot support bladder <NUM> is in an open condition.

In use, a user then may change the system <NUM>, <NUM> from this firmest foot support condition (<FIG>) to a "medium firmness" foot support condition, as shown in <FIG>. This may be accomplished, for example, by turning switch <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> from the "<NUM>" or "F" (firm) setting to the "<NUM>" or "M" (medium) setting. As other options, the firmness setting may be changed electronically (e.g., using an input system, such as input device <NUM> of <FIG>). When this change is made, the system <NUM>, <NUM> changes to the configuration shown in <FIG>. More specifically, in this change, the fluid control system <NUM> closes off fluid transfer line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> between fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and foot support bladder <NUM> (but the other fluid transfer lines (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>) remain open. In this configuration, fluid moves from the foot support bladder <NUM> into pump <NUM> via line <NUM>, from where it is pumped through use of activator <NUM> to further inflate reserve reservoir bladder <NUM> and fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. But, because fluid is prevented from moving from fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> back into foot support bladder <NUM> (by the stop <NUM>), this pumping action takes some fluid out of foot support bladder <NUM> (thereby decreasing its pressure) and adds fluid into fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and reserve reservoir bladder <NUM> (thereby increasing their pressures).

Pressure is increased in fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and reserve reservoir bladder <NUM> (via the step cycle pumping action of pump <NUM>) until the pressure is high enough in these bladders that activation of the pump <NUM> through a single pump stroke cycle (e.g., a single downward press of activator <NUM>) is insufficient to move more fluid into reserve reservoir <NUM> and/or fluid reservoir <NUM>. More specifically, in this illustrated example, the pump <NUM> is integrally formed as part of the fluid filled bladder system <NUM>, <NUM> such that the pump is a "bulb" type pump that is activated by a foot (e.g., when a user makes a step). In other words, the user's step will compress the pump <NUM> bulb and, because of the valve <NUM>, this compression will force a volume of fluid out of the pump <NUM> chamber and into fluid transfer line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>. Thus, the pump <NUM> chamber of this example is structured to define a "maximum fluid pumping volume," which constitutes a maximum fluid volume that can be moved by the pump <NUM> in a single stroke cycle of the pump <NUM> (i.e., in a single step or compression). A volume of fluid equal to or less than the maximum fluid pumping volume will be moved during a single stroke cycle of the pump <NUM> (e.g., each individual pump stroke need not move the maximum fluid pumping volume). As it is pumped into line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, the additional fluid increases the fluid pressure in lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> and bladders <NUM> and <NUM>, and valve <NUM> will prevent fluid from returning to lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> after it gets into fluid reservoir <NUM>. After one or more pump <NUM> bulb compression cycles, the volume of fluid moved during a pump <NUM> stroke cycle will not be sufficient to move additional fluid past the valve <NUM> and into the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. In other words, over time and sufficient pump cycles, the pressure within fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> will become high enough so that the maximum volume of fluid moved during a pump stroke cycle will be insufficient to increase the fluid pressure in lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> to move more fluid past the valve <NUM>. At this stage, the system <NUM>, <NUM> reaches its second "steady state" (medium foot support firmness) pressure level. At this configuration (steady state in the configuration of <FIG>), the foot support bladder <NUM> will be at its "medium" firmness pressure (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc.), and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, reserve bladder <NUM>, and the pump <NUM> (as well as their connecting lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>) will be at a constant, but higher pressure, e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc. The volume of the fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> and bladders <NUM> and <NUM> may be selected with respect to the pump <NUM> maximum pump cycle volume so that the medium pressure condition reaches its steady state pressure at a desired pressure level.

In further use, a user also may change the system <NUM>, <NUM> from this medium pressure foot support condition (<FIG>) to a "lowest firmness" foot support condition, as shown in <FIG>. This may be accomplished, for example, by turning switch <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> from the "<NUM>" or "M" (medium) setting to the "<NUM>" or "S" (soft) setting. Again, as other options, the firmness setting may be changed electronically (e.g., using an input system, such as input device <NUM> of <FIG>). When this change is made, the system <NUM>, <NUM> changes to the configuration shown in <FIG>. More specifically, in this change, the fluid control system <NUM> additionally closes off fluid transfer line <NUM>, <NUM> to the reserve reservoir bladder <NUM>, but fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> remain open. Therefore, in this configuration, fluid moves from the foot support bladder <NUM> into pump <NUM>, from where it is pumped to further inflate fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. But, because fluid is prevented from moving from fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> back into foot support bladder <NUM> (by the stop <NUM>) and because fluid is prevented from moving from the pump <NUM> into reserve reservoir bladder <NUM> (by the stop 108B), this pumping action takes some additional fluid out of foot support bladder <NUM> (thereby further decreasing its pressure) and adds fluid into fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (thereby further increasing its pressure). Reserve reservoir <NUM> stays at its previous pressure prior to the switch to the configuration of <FIG>.

Pressure is increased in fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (via the step cycle pumping action of pump <NUM>) until the pressure is high enough in bladder <NUM> that activation of the pump <NUM> through a single pump stroke cycle is insufficient to move more fluid into fluid reservoir <NUM>. More specifically, the compression force of the user's step will compress the pump <NUM> bulb and, because of the valve <NUM>, this compression will force a volume of fluid out of the pump <NUM> chamber and into fluid transfer line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>. As it is pumped into line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, the additional fluid cannot further increase pressure in line <NUM>/<NUM> and/or reserve reservoir bladder <NUM> because of stop 108B, but it will increase the fluid pressure in lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and fluid reserve bladder <NUM>, and valve <NUM> will prevent fluid from returning to lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> after it gets into fluid reservoir <NUM>. After one or more pump <NUM> bulb compression cycles, the volume of fluid moved during a pump <NUM> stroke cycle will not be sufficient to move additional fluid past the valve <NUM> and into the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. In other words, over time, the pressure within fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> will become high enough so that the maximum volume of fluid moved during a pump <NUM> compression/stroke cycle will be insufficient to increase the fluid pressure in lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> to move more fluid past the valve <NUM>. At this stage, the system <NUM>, <NUM> reaches its third "steady state" (lowest foot support firmness) pressure level. At this configuration (steady state in the configuration of <FIG>), the foot support bladder <NUM> will be at its "softest" firmness pressure (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc.), reserve bladder <NUM> will remain at the pressure it was at when the switch 108A moved from the medium firmness setting to the softest firmness setting (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc., from <FIG>), and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and the pump <NUM> (as well as their connecting lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>) may be at a constant, but higher pressure, e.g.,. <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) (± <NUM>%), between <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi), etc. The volume of the fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> and bladders <NUM> and <NUM> may be selected with respect to the pump <NUM> maximum pump cycle volume so that the softest foot support pressure condition reaches its steady state pressure at a desired pressure level.

Further movement of switch 108A in this example will rotate it from the "<NUM>" or "S" setting to the "<NUM>" or "F" setting shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. When this occurs, stops <NUM> and 108B are opened, which switches the system <NUM>, <NUM> from the configuration shown in <FIG> to the configuration shown in <FIG>. This change allows fluid to flow from the higher pressure fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> to the lower pressure foot support bladder <NUM> (via lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>) and allows fluid exchange between reserve bladder <NUM> and line(s) <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, to thereby equalize the pressure over the entire system <NUM>, <NUM>. In at least some examples of this claimed invention, a user might hear and/or feel this relatively quick change of pressure over the system <NUM>, <NUM> when stops <NUM> and 108B are opened.

While the systems <NUM>, <NUM> and methods described above in conjunction with <FIG> are closed systems, if desired, systems <NUM>, <NUM> and methods according to at least some examples of this claimed invention may intake new fluid (e.g., air or other gas) from and/or discharge fluid to an external source/area, such as the ambient atmosphere. This possibility is shown in <FIG>, for example, as broken arrow <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, systems <NUM>, <NUM> and methods according to at least some examples of this claimed invention may allow a user to "fine tune" one or more of the firmness setting levels, e.g., by interacting with a user interface (which may be provided as part of input device <NUM>). As a more concrete example, the input device <NUM> and/or the shoe <NUM> could include a "pressure increase" button and a "pressure decrease" button with which a user could interact to adjust the pressure in foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., in relatively small increments, such as ± <NUM>,<NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) per interaction with the interface). Fluid could be moved into or out of bladder <NUM> and/or into or out of the external environment or other source to alter the support bladder <NUM> pressure in this manner.

In the example systems <NUM>, <NUM> described above, the pump <NUM> can continue to be activated at each step by user interaction with pump activator <NUM>. However, if the pressure level beyond pump <NUM> (in the fluid flow direction) is sufficiently high (as described above), the fluid will not substantially move out of the pump <NUM> and/or will not continue to transfer into bladders <NUM> and/or <NUM>. Thus, further fluid will not be drawn out of the foot support bladder <NUM>, thereby maintaining it at the desired foot support pressure level. Alternatively, if desired, once the foot support bladder <NUM> is at the desired pressure level for the selected setting, a valve could be activated (or valve <NUM> could be designed) to stop further transfer of fluid from the foot support bladder <NUM>, at least until the user interacts with the system <NUM>, <NUM> to indicate a desired change to foot support bladder <NUM> pressure.

The specific example foot support systems <NUM>, <NUM> described above have three discrete foot support pressure settings (e.g., as described in conjunction with <FIG>). Other options are possible. For example, a similar foot support system, could be provided that has only two foot support bladder <NUM> pressure settings (e.g., a "soft" setting and a "firm" setting). This may be accomplished, for example, by eliminating the reserve reservoir bladder <NUM>. In this potential arrangement, the foot support system <NUM>, <NUM> could simply toggle between the two noted conditions. As another potential option, if desired, the check valves and/or one way valves (e.g., valves <NUM>, <NUM>, other present check valves, etc.) could be reversed in the systems of <FIG>, e.g., to create a system that moves fluid from the reservoir <NUM> to the foot support bladder <NUM>.

<FIG>, however, illustrates another example foot support system <NUM> having two or more reserve reservoirs 120A, 120B,. By selectively activating zero or more stops <NUM>, 108B, 108C,. 108N (and thus placing zero or more reserve reservoirs 120A, 120B,. 120N in the system <NUM>'s active fluid volume), different discrete steps or hardness settings in foot support bladder <NUM> may be achieved, e.g., in the general manner described above in conjunction with <FIG>. In general, the greater number of reserve reservoirs 120A, 120B,. 120N (or the greater the available combined volume of reserve reservoir volumes available for accepting fluid from pump <NUM>), the lower the pressure setting in the foot support bladder <NUM> (as more fluid can be pumped out of bladder <NUM> into the higher available reserve reservoir volume). The reserve reservoirs 120A, 120B,. 120N may have the same or different volumes from one another, and they may be activated individually or in any desired combination(s), in order to alter the reserve reservoir volume available for accepting fluid from the pump <NUM> during a pump activation cycle. While conceivably N could be any desired number, in some examples of this claimed invention, N will be between <NUM> and <NUM>, and in some examples, between <NUM> and <NUM>, between <NUM> and <NUM>, or even between <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate other example foot support systems <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, that may be used in accordance with at least some examples of this claimed invention (e.g., in footwear structures of the types shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). These example foot support systems <NUM>, <NUM> may include foot support bladders <NUM> and fluid reservoir bladders <NUM>, e.g., of the various types and functions described above (e.g., and potentially in the various orientations and structural arrangements described above). When the same reference numbers are used in <FIG> and <FIG> as those used in <FIG> above, the same or similar parts are being referred to, and a complete/detailed description of the various parts may be omitted. The foot support systems <NUM>/<NUM> of <FIG> and/or 3F may have any one or more of the specific features, characteristics, properties, structures, options, and the like of the examples described above with respect to <FIG>.

In the examples of <FIG>, the foot support systems include reserve reservoirs <NUM>/120A-120N in the system to enable selection of additional foot support bladder <NUM> pressure/firmness settings, as described above. The reserve reservoir(s) <NUM> was (were) included in the system as a branch (via line <NUM>) to a separate bladder chamber, e.g., a branch from the pump chamber <NUM>, the fluid lines <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, and/or the fluid reserve reservoir <NUM>. As another option, if desired, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more (and optionally all) of the branch connected reserve reservoir(s) <NUM>/120A-120N may be omitted, e.g., in favor of one or more in-line pressure regulators <NUM> (mechanically or electronically controlled by control system <NUM>). The in-line pressure regulator(s) <NUM> may be provided, for example, in one or both of: (a) the fluid flow line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> between the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and the foot support bladder <NUM>, e.g., as shown in <FIG>, and/or (b) the fluid flow line <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> between the pump chamber <NUM> and the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, e.g., as shown in <FIG>. Pressure regulators <NUM> of this type, which are commercially available, allow fluid to flow until a predetermine pressure differential (ΔP) develops between the inlet end and the outlet end of the regulator <NUM>, at which time further fluid flow through the regulator <NUM> is stopped. Pressure regulator(s) <NUM> of these types may be used to provide any desired different numbers of foot support bladder <NUM> pressure level settings, e.g., from <NUM>-<NUM> settings, and in some examples, from <NUM>-<NUM> settings, from <NUM>-<NUM> settings, or even from <NUM>-<NUM> settings. As another option, rather than discrete individual or stepped pressure settings, pressure regulator(s) <NUM> of this type could be used to allow a user to freely select any desired setting level.

<FIG> illustrate other example foot support systems <NUM> that may be used in accordance with at least some examples of this claimed invention (e.g., in footwear structures of the types shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). These example foot support systems <NUM> may include foot support bladders <NUM> and fluid reservoir bladders <NUM>, e.g., of the various types described above (e.g., and potentially in the various orientations and arrangements described above). When the same reference numbers are used in <FIG> as those used in <FIG> above, the same or similar parts are being referred to, and a complete/detailed description of the various parts may be omitted. This example foot support system <NUM> includes a foot support bladder <NUM> for supporting at least a portion of a wearer's foot and fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>. A fluid flow direction regulating system <NUM> is provided in this system <NUM> for controlling movement of fluid (e.g., a gas): (a) in a first path from the foot support bladder <NUM> into the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> (<FIG>) or (b) in a second path from the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> into the foot support bladder <NUM> (<FIG>) through the action of a pump <NUM> (which may be a "step activated" pump/bulb pump of the various types described above). The fluid flow direction regulating system <NUM> may be a physical switch type structure (e.g., akin to components <NUM> and 108A above), an electronically controlled valve or other system (e.g., including input device <NUM> and wired or wireless communication), structure(s) to physically "pinch off" or close off fluid paths in a bladder structure, and/or the like.

A first fluid transfer line <NUM> extends between the foot support bladder <NUM> and the pump <NUM>, and a first valve <NUM> (e.g., a one-way valve) is provided allowing fluid transmission from the foot support bladder <NUM> to the pump <NUM> via the first fluid transfer line <NUM> but not allowing fluid transmission from the pump <NUM> back into the foot support bladder <NUM> (e.g., via the first fluid transfer line <NUM>). A second fluid transfer line <NUM> extends between the pump <NUM> and the fluid reservoir <NUM>, and a second valve <NUM> (e.g., a one-way valve) is provided allowing fluid transmission from the pump <NUM> to the fluid reservoir <NUM> via the second fluid transfer line <NUM> but not allowing fluid transmission from the fluid reservoir <NUM> back into the pump <NUM> (e.g., via the second fluid transfer line <NUM>). A third fluid transfer line <NUM> extends between the first fluid transfer line <NUM> and the second fluid transfer line <NUM>, and a separate, fourth fluid transfer line <NUM> extends between the first fluid transfer line <NUM> and the second fluid transfer line <NUM>. The various fluid transfer lines <NUM>-<NUM> may be formed as an integral part of the overall system <NUM> that forms the bladders <NUM> and/or <NUM> and/or that forms the pump <NUM> (e.g., by thermoforming/thermoplastic sheet welding processes as described above).

In this example system <NUM>, when fluid moves through both the first path and the second path, the fluid moves in a direction from the first fluid transfer line <NUM>, through the pump <NUM>, to the second fluid transfer line <NUM>. More specifically, <FIG> schematically shows the system <NUM> arrangement and configuration for providing fluid flow through the first fluid flow path identified above. As shown in <FIG>, in this configuration, the fluid flow direction regulating system <NUM> is structured and arranged such that, in the first path, fluid is drawn from the foot support bladder <NUM>, into the first fluid transfer line <NUM>, through the valve <NUM>, through the pump <NUM>, into the second fluid transfer line <NUM>, through the valve <NUM>, and into the fluid reservoir <NUM>. Note fluid flow arrows 420A. In this configuration and fluid flow path arrangement, the third fluid transfer line <NUM> and the fourth fluid transfer line <NUM> are maintained in a closed condition, e.g., by stop members 414A and 416A, respectively, and fluid flow direction regulating system <NUM>. The volume(s) of the flow line(s) (e.g., the volume of fluid transfer lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>) may be selected such that when the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> reaches a desired pressure, the amount of fluid moved by the pump <NUM> in a single pump cycle (e.g., a single user step) will be insufficient to overcome the pressure across valve <NUM> (and thus insufficient to move more fluid into fluid reservoir <NUM>).

<FIG>, on the other hand, shows the fluid flow direction regulating system <NUM> structured and arranged to allow fluid flow through the second path identified above. In this configuration and fluid path arrangement: fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir <NUM>, into the second fluid transfer line <NUM>, into the third fluid transfer line <NUM> (because of stop member 412A and/or valve <NUM> prevents flow into pump <NUM> via line <NUM>), and into the first fluid transfer line <NUM>. From there, because of stop member 410A, the fluid moves through valve <NUM>, through line <NUM>, through the pump <NUM>, into the second fluid transfer line <NUM>, and through valve <NUM>. From there, because of the stop member 412A, the fluid moves into the fourth fluid transfer line <NUM>, into the first fluid transfer line <NUM>, and into the foot support bladder <NUM> (because stop member 410A prevents flow into pump <NUM> via line <NUM>). Note fluid flow arrows 420B. In this arrangement: (a) the first fluid transfer line <NUM> is maintained in a closed condition (via stop member 410A) at a location so as to prevent fluid from flowing from the third fluid transfer line <NUM> directly into the foot support bladder <NUM> via the first fluid transfer line <NUM> and (b) the second fluid transfer line <NUM> is maintained in a closed condition (via stop member 412A) at a location so as to prevent fluid from flowing from the second fluid transfer line <NUM> directly into the fluid reservoir <NUM> via the second fluid transfer line <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this foot support system <NUM>: (a) the third fluid transfer line <NUM> is connected to the first fluid transfer line <NUM> at a location such that fluid flowing from the third fluid transfer line <NUM> into the first fluid transfer line <NUM> along the second path will pass through the first one-way valve <NUM> before reaching the pump <NUM> and/or (b) the fourth fluid transfer line <NUM> is connected to the second fluid transfer line <NUM> at a location such that fluid flowing from the pump <NUM> into the second transfer line <NUM> along the second path will pass through the second one-way valve <NUM> before reaching the fourth fluid transfer line <NUM>.

The foot support systems <NUM> and fluid control systems <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> allow a simple, uni-directional pump (e.g., a blub type pump activated by a user's foot during a step) to be used to move fluid in two distinct overall directions in the system <NUM>. More specifically, as described above, the system <NUM> can allow fluid to always enter pump <NUM> through one inlet area (e.g., via fluid transfer line <NUM>) and always exit pump <NUM> through one outlet area (e.g., via fluid transfer line <NUM>) while still permitting fluid transfer from foot support bladder <NUM> to fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> or from fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> to foot support bladder <NUM>. Opening all of stop members 410A, 412A, 414A, 416A can allow the fluid pressure to be equalized across the system <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another foot support system <NUM>, which is similar in many respects to the system <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> (e.g., with a uni-directional pump <NUM> able to move fluid along the two paths/directions described above). The same or similar features to those described above are shown by the same reference numbers as used in <FIG>, and a more detailed explanation of these same or similar features is omitted. Like the systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>, however, the system <NUM> includes one or more reserve reservoir bladders <NUM>, e.g., of the types described above with respect to element(s) <NUM>, 120A, 120B,. 120N of <FIG>. The reserve reservoir bladder(s) <NUM> can be selectively controlled by stop member(s) 440A (e.g., via flow control system <NUM>) to allow changes in the pressure in foot support bladder <NUM>, as described above (e.g., discrete, stepwise pressure changes), at least when the system <NUM> is in the first fluid path arrangement shown in <FIG> (with stop members 414A and 416A closed). Opening all of stop members 410A, 412A, 414A, 416A, 440A can allow the pressure to be equalized across the system <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, one or more (and optionally all) of the reserve reservoir bladder(s) <NUM> could be replaced with one or more in-line regulators, e.g., of the types described in conjunction with <FIG> and <FIG> (e.g., in line <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>).

<FIG> and <FIG> include side and bottom views, respectively, of another example article of footwear structure <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of this claimed invention. The article of footwear <NUM> includes an upper <NUM>, which may have any desired construction, structure, and/or numbers of parts and may be made by any desired methods, including conventional constructions, structures, numbers of parts, and/or production methods and/or any constructions, structures, numbers of parts, and/or production methods described above. The article of footwear <NUM> further includes a sole structure <NUM> engaged with the upper <NUM>, e.g., by adhesives or cements, by mechanical connectors, and/or by sewing or stitching (and may be connected in conventional manners as are known and used in the art). Certain features of this sole structure <NUM> will be described in more detail below.

<FIG> and <FIG> further illustrate that this example sole structure <NUM> includes a foot support system, e.g., which may have any of the structures, features, characteristics, properties, fluid flow connections, and/or options of the foot support systems described above in conjunction with <FIG>. In this specifically illustrated example footwear structure <NUM>, the foot support system includes one or more fluid reservoir bladders <NUM> (one fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) in fluid communication with one or more (three shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) foot support bladders <NUM>. In this illustrated example footwear structure <NUM>, the fluid reservoir bladder(s) <NUM> is vertically stacked and located above the foot support bladder(s) <NUM> in the footwear structure <NUM>, akin to the structure described above in conjunction with <FIG>, although a vertically inverted arrangement (with one or more foot support bladder(s) <NUM> vertically stacked above one or more reservoir bladder(s) <NUM> in the footwear structure <NUM>) also may be used without departing from the claimed invention.

As noted above, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that the foot support bladder <NUM> of this example includes three separated foot support bladder regions. Specifically, a heel oriented foot support bladder 102BH is located in a heel support region of the article of footwear <NUM>, a lateral forefoot support bladder 102BL is located in a lateral forefoot support region of the article of footwear <NUM> (e.g., vertically beneath and positioned to support at least the fifth metatarsal head region of a wearer's foot and optionally the third and/or fourth metatarsal head areas as well), and a medial forefoot support bladder 102BM is located in a medial forefoot support region of the article of footwear <NUM> (e.g., vertically beneath and positioned to support at least the first metatarsal head region of a wearer's foot and optionally the second and/or third metatarsal head areas as well). More or fewer individual foot support bladders <NUM> may be provided at any additional or alternative desired positions in a footwear structure, including one or more nested arrangements of foot support bladders <NUM>, without departing from this claimed invention. These figures further show one or more outsole elements <NUM> (e.g., made of rubber, TPU, or conventional outsole material) engaged with and/or otherwise covering an outer major surface of each of the foot support bladders 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM (although more, fewer, and/or different types of outsole elements <NUM> may be provided, if desired, including no separate outsole elements). If desired, an outsole element <NUM> could be provided that completely covers at least the bottoms (and optionally at least some portion(s) of the sides) of the fluid-filled bladders of the foot support system (e.g., bladders 102BH, 102BL, 102BM, and <NUM>). The outsole element(s) <NUM>, when present, made be made from materials and/or include suitable structures to enhance traction with a contact surface, e.g., traction features suitable for the desired end use of the article of footwear <NUM>.

While other options are possible, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the three bladder regions 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM interconnected with one another (shown by broken fluid transfer lines <NUM>). In this manner, unless valving, pressure regulators, or other pressure control means are provided (e.g., in one or more of lines <NUM>), the pressures in the three bladder regions 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM will be the same. As other options, when multiple bladder regions are provided as part of a foot support bladder <NUM> in an individual foot support system, any desired number of the bladder regions (e.g., two or more of 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM) may be maintained at the same pressure and/or any desired number of the bladder regions (e.g., one or more of 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM) may be maintained at a different pressure from any one or more of the other bladder regions. Check valves (or other appropriate fluid flow control components) may be provided (e.g., in the fluid transfer lines <NUM>) to enable control of fluid flow and/or pressures in the various bladder regions (e.g., 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM).

<FIG> and <FIG> further schematically show a pump chamber <NUM> in fluid communication with one foot support bladder (bladder region 102BM in this illustrated example) via line <NUM> and in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> via line <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the pump chamber <NUM> may be in direct fluid communication with one or both of foot support bladder regions 102BH and/or 102BL (or with any other present foot support bladder <NUM>). Although not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a reserve reservoir (e.g., like <NUM>) and fluid flow connections to that reserve reservoir (e.g., like those described above with respect to <FIG>) may be provided in the sole structure <NUM>. Any one or more of bladder regions 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM also may have a connection to fluid reservoir bladder(s) <NUM> (e.g., akin to line <NUM> described above). When more than one of bladder regions 102BH, 102BL, and 102BM has a separate connection line to pump chamber <NUM> and/or fluid reservoir bladder <NUM>, that separate connection line may include its own individual (and own individually controllable) valve <NUM> and/or stop member <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> further show additional components that may be included in sole structures <NUM> and/or articles of footwear <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of this claimed invention. As shown in <FIG>, the footwear <NUM>/sole structure <NUM> may include a midsole element <NUM> (e.g., made of a foam material) that extends to support all or any desired portion/proportion of a wearer's foot. As another option, component <NUM> may constitute a strobel member and/or other bottom component of the upper <NUM>. A moderator plate <NUM> (e.g., made from carbon fiber, thermoplastic polyurethane, fiberglass, etc.) may be provided beneath the midsole (or strobel) element <NUM>, and this moderator plate <NUM> may extend to support all or any desired portion/proportion of a wearer's foot. Optionally, if desired, moderator plate <NUM> and midsole element <NUM> may be vertically inverted so that the moderator plate <NUM> will be located closer to the wearer's foot than is the midsole element <NUM>. An additional foam material <NUM> (or other filler material) may be provided vertically beneath the moderator plate <NUM>, e.g., to provide a base for engaging the fluid reservoir bladder <NUM> and/or to fill in any gaps or holes through the sole structure <NUM> due to the structures of the various other parts. The parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may be engaged together in any desired manner, such as via adhesives or cements, mechanical connectors, sewing or stitching, etc..

The forward toe portion <NUM> of this example sole structure <NUM> may be constructed, e.g., akin to the area shown in <FIG>, to include an interior chamber for housing the pump chamber <NUM> and/or to include a pump activator <NUM> for activating the pump chamber <NUM> (by movement of a wearer's foot). The exterior or cover material defining the chamber of the forward toe portion <NUM> may be made of foam, rubber, TPU, or any other desired material (including materials conventionally used in the footwear arts). Additionally or alternatively, as also shown in <FIG>, any one or more of the midsole (or strobel) element <NUM>, the moderator plate <NUM>, and/or the additional foam material <NUM> may be structured to allow the wearer's foot to compress the pump chamber <NUM>. As some more specific examples, any one or more of the midsole (or strobel) element <NUM>, the moderator plate <NUM>, and/or the additional foam material <NUM> may be sufficiently flexible to allow the wearer's foot to move downward to compress the pump chamber and/or one or more hinges, flex lines, or other structures can be provided to enable relative rotational movement between the forward toe area and the forefoot area of any one or more of the midsole (or strobel) element <NUM>, the moderator plate <NUM>, and/or the additional foam material <NUM> (e.g., upward and downward about axis <NUM>). Thus, the forward toe area of any one or more of the midsole (or strobel) element <NUM>, the moderator plate <NUM>, and/or the additional foam material <NUM> may function as the pump activator <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As another option or example, if desired, the pump chamber <NUM> and/or pump activator <NUM> structure may be provided at another area of the sole structure <NUM> and/or article of footwear <NUM>, such as in the heel area.

Claim 1:
A foot support system (<NUM>), comprising:
a first sheet of thermoplastic material (130A); and
a second sheet of thermoplastic material (130B) sealed to the first sheet of thermoplastic material (130A), wherein seal lines (130C) joining the first sheet of thermoplastic material (130A) to the second sheet of thermoplastic material (130B) are shaped to form:
a first fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>) defining a first interior chamber (<NUM>) between the first sheet of thermoplastic material (130A) and the second sheet of thermoplastic material (130B);
a second fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>) defining a second interior chamber (<NUM>) between the first sheet of thermoplastic material (130A) and the second sheet of thermoplastic material (130B); and
a first fluid flow line (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) placing the first interior chamber (<NUM>) and the second interior chamber (<NUM>) in fluid communication with one another,
wherein the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>) is positioned with respect to the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>) so that in the foot support system (<NUM>):
(a) a portion of an exterior surface (102M2) of the second sheet of thermoplastic material (130B) defining the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>) directly faces a portion of the exterior surface (104M2) of the second sheet of thermoplastic material (130B) defining the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>) and
(b) a portion of an exterior surface (102M1) of the first sheet of thermoplastic material (130A) defining the first fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>) faces away from a portion of the exterior surface (104M1) of the first sheet of thermoplastic material (130A) defining the second fluid-filled bladder chamber (<NUM>).