Foot support systems including fluid movement controllers and adjustable foot support pressure

US11832686B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NIKE, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Devin Bailly · Portland, US
• Narissa Chang · Portland, US
• Elizabeth Langvin · Tigard, US
• SooMan Park · Busan, KR
• Levi J. Patton · Portland, US
• Remy Pieron · San Francisco, US
• Hector R. Quinonez · Beaverton, US
• Adam Vollmer · Palo Alto, US
• Philip Woodman · Treviso, IT

Key dates

• Filing date: May 28, 2021
• Grant date: Dec 5, 2023
• Expiry date: Aug 21, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16K11/0856
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.