An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure further has a first cushioning element having a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, and an outsole layer extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The outsole layer is configured to directly receive a portion of the first cushioning element, and the outsole layer forms a ground-contacting surface of the article of footwear.
An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a first cushioning element, having a plurality of first tubes and a plurality of first web areas. Adjacent first tubes are connected to one another by a respective first web area of the plurality of first web areas. The sole structure also having a second cushioning element, having a plurality of second tubes and a plurality of second web areas. Adjacent second tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area of the second plurality of web areas.
Example embodiments relate to methods and systems for playback of adaptive music corresponding to an athletic activity. A user input is received from a user selecting an existing song for audible playback to the user, the song comprising a plurality of audio layers including at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Augmented playback of the existing song to the user is initiated by audibly providing the first layer but not the second layer. Physical activity information derived from a sensor corresponding to a real-time physical activity level of a user is received. If the physical activity level of the user is above a first activity level threshold, the augmented playback of the existing song is continued by audibly providing the first layer and the second layer to the user.
G16H 20/30 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
G10L 25/21 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups characterised by the type of extracted parameters the extracted parameters being power information
G16H 20/40 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
4.
Sole Structures and/or Articles of Footwear Having Expandable Lugs for Engaging Footwear Components Together
Articles of footwear include one or more expandable lugs (e.g., inflatable lugs) to hold at least some footwear component parts together. The expandable lug(s) may be included as part of an impact force-attenuating component (e.g., a fluid-filled bladder) for the article of footwear. The expandable lug(s) extend into receptacle(s) provided in a foot support component in an unexpanded (e.g., deflated or low-pressure) condition. Once within the receptacle(s), the expandable lug(s) are changed to an expanded (e.g., inflated or high-pressure) condition. The expanded lug(s) engage bearing surfaces provided inside the receptacle(s) to prevent the lugs from pulling out of the receptacles. The use of such expandable lugs for securing footwear component parts together may enable easy assembly of footwear components without use of adhesives and/or separate hardware components, which can enhance the recyclability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness of articles of footwear and their production methods.
A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.
D04B 1/12 - Patterned fabrics or articles characterised by thread material
D04B 1/24 - Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel
An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.
An article of footwear with a heel region including a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole with a first cushioning element extending from the posterior end to the anterior end; a second cushioning element extending from the mid-foot region to the posterior end, the second cushioning element being formed of a different material than the first cushioning element; and a shell with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apart protrusions, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is directly coupled to the second cushioning element.
An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear. The article of footwear also having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a midsole having a first cushioning element extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The article of footwear also having a heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.
A method of forming a cushioning element. The method including placing a first sheet adjacent to an outer surface of a first mold portion, the first mold portion including a first mold cavity. The method including pressing a portion of the first sheet into the first mold portion and into the first mold cavity with a forming tool, wherein at least a portion of the forming tool is extended into the first mold cavity. The method including applying negative pressure to the first mold cavity to draw the portion of the first sheet into the first mold cavity, and joining a second sheet to the first sheet to form the cushioning element.
A43D 29/00 - Machines for making soles from strips of material
B29C 51/10 - Forming by pressure difference, e.g. vacuum
B29C 51/14 - Shaping by thermoforming, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor using multilayered preforms or sheets
B29C 51/36 - Moulds specially adapted for vacuum forming
10.
ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR INCLUDING A HEEL STABILIZING ELEMENT
An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear. The article of footwear also having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a midsole having a first cushioning element extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The article of footwear also having a heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.
A43B 7/144 - Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
A43B 7/24 - Insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side
An article of footwear with a heel region including a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has: a cushioning element, with a plurality of tubes and a plurality of web areas, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area of the plurality of web areas, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.
Articles of footwear include one or more expandable lugs 210 (e.g., inflatable lugs) to hold at least some footwear component parts together. The expandable lug(s) 210 may be included as part of an impact force-attenuating component (e.g., a fluid-filled bladder) for the article of footwear. The expandable lug(s) extend into receptacle(s) 410 provided in a foot support component 402 in an unexpanded condition. Once within the receptacle(s) 410, the expandable lug(s) 210 are changed to an expanded condition. The expanded lug(s) 210 engage bearing surfaces provided inside the receptacle(s) 410 to prevent the lugs 210 from pulling out of the receptacles 410. The use of such expandable lugs for securing footwear component parts together may enable easy assembly of footwear components without use of adhesives and/or separate hardware components, which can enhance the recyclability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness of articles of footwear and their production methods.
A43B 13/26 - Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer by use of insertions projecting beyond the sole surface
An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the cushioning element having a first tube and a second tube, wherein each of the first tube and the second tube extend from the lateral side of the article of footwear to the medial side of the article of footwear, wherein the first tube includes a contained fluid volume at a first pressure, and the second tube includes a contained fluid volume at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are equal to one another.
A43B 7/144 - Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
A sole structure for an article of footwear having a first support element, the first support element including a first set of recesses; a second support element, the second support element including a second set of recesses, and wherein the second support element includes an opening extending therethrough; a coupling portion, the coupling portion including a third set of recesses, and wherein the coupling portion is disposed within the opening of the second support element; a cushioning element disposed between the first support element and the second support element, the cushioning element including a plurality of tubes, wherein the first set of recesses, the second set of recesses, and the third set of recesses form a continuous receiving area, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the continuous receiving area.
Systems and methods of manufacturing articles of footwear include providing articles to a customer, receiving evaluations of one or more structural characteristics of the articles, and making new customized articles for the customer based on the evaluations of one or more structural characteristics. The methods can be conducted as a cycle that is repeated each time the customer buys a new pair of footwear. Systems for manufacturing customized articles of footwear include: a computing system that receives input including a customer-selected evaluation of one or more structural characteristics of an article of footwear, wherein the article of footwear includes a first sole member with a first structural characteristic having a first value. A surface of a second sole member may be modified to include a first pattern of apertures and/or incisions based on the customer-selected evaluation of the first structural characteristic.
An article of footwear, with an upper; a heel region including a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, a forefoot region including an anterior end of the article of footwear, a medial side, and a lateral side. A sole structure is coupled to the upper, having a midsole having an outer side surface. The midsole has a first cushioning element extending from the posterior end toward the anterior end, with one or more engagement areas. The article of footwear further includes a heel clip extending from a first end on the medial side to a second end on the lateral side, the heel clip including an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support, the base and the support forming the outer surface of the heel clip.
A method of forming a cushioning element. The method including placing a first sheet adjacent to an outer surface of a first mold portion, the first mold portion including a first mold cavity. The method including pressing a portion of the first sheet into the first mold portion and into the first mold cavity with a forming tool, wherein at least a portion of the forming tool is extended into the first mold cavity. The method including applying negative pressure to the first mold cavity to draw the portion of the first sheet into the first mold cavity, and joining a second sheet to the first sheet to form the cushioning element.
Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings, venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item may comprise the engineered openings. Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.
A41D 13/00 - Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
A41D 13/002 - Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with controlled internal environment
An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.
A43B 13/28 - Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by their attachment, also attachment of combined soles and heels
A43B 13/39 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process with upset sewing ribs
A43B 13/40 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process with cushions
An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or mom of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.
Aspects of the technology described herein provide a system for an improved inventory system using RFID information. A first user device may initiate a team scanning session and a second user device may join the team scanning session. RFID scan data received by each of the first user device and the second user device may be filtered, aggregated, and sent to an inventory system using a first IoT topic. An inventory list for the team scanning session may be updated with the information provided by each of the first and second user devices and published to each of the user devices using a second IoT topic. Additional RFID scan data received by each user device may trigger an indication to the user that a particular RFID scan data had not yet been scanned during the team scanning session.
A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.
A43B 13/28 - Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by their attachment, also attachment of combined soles and heels
A43B 13/41 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process combined with heel stiffener, toe stiffener, or shank stiffener
An article of footwear includes an upper including a chamber, a compressible component disposed within the chamber and operable between a relaxed state and a constricted state, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the chamber, the pump device operable to transition the compressible component from the relaxed state to the constricted state by removing fluid from the chamber.
Methods and systems are disclosed for apparel assembly using three-dimensional printing directly onto fabric apparel materials. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing and assembly of an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system.
A43D 11/00 - Machines for preliminary treatment or assembling of upper-parts, counters, or insoles on their lasts preparatory to the pulling-over or lasting operations; Applying or removing protective coverings
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
B29C 70/78 - Moulding material on one side only of the preformed part
Aspects herein are directed to a knit sock having a leg portion and an integrally knit ankle welt extending around a circumference of the leg portion and positioned at a lower end of the leg portion. The knit sock further includes an integrally knit tab located at a back aspect of the ankle welt.
D04B 1/18 - Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials elastic threads
D04B 1/26 - Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel stockings
A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.
An article of footwear includes an adjustable element. The adjustable element includes a bladder that defines an interior void. A compressible component that is disposed within the interior void and is operable between an expanded state and a contracted state. The adjustable element also includes a lock strip including a first end anchored at a first location within the bladder and a second end disposed at an opposite end of the lock strip than the first end. A lock receives the lock strip and is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder and an unlocked state permitting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder.
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the forefoot cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the forefoot cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures or incisions that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
A43B 7/1405 - Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
A43B 7/145 - Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the toes, i.e. the phalanges
A43B 13/12 - Soles with several layers of different materials
A43B 13/14 - Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
An article of footwear includes an adjustable element. The adjustable element includes a bladder that defines an interior void. A compressible component that is disposed within the interior void and is operable between an expanded state and a contracted state. The adjustable element also includes a lock strip including a first end anchored at a first location within the bladder and a second end disposed at an opposite end of the lock strip than the first end. A lock receives the lock strip and is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder and an unlocked state permitting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder.
A system including an injector, a press, and a robotic conveyance is used to form a physically foamed article of footwear component from a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid. The parameters and features of the system are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner with enhanced throughput by the system.
C08J 9/12 - Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent by a physical blowing agent
A43B 1/14 - Footwear characterised by the material made of plastics
A43D 119/00 - Driving or controlling mechanisms of shoe machines; Frames for shoe machines
B29D 35/08 - Producing footwear having soles or heels formed and joined on to preformed uppers using a moulding technique, e.g. by injection moulding, pressing and vulcanising having multilayered parts
B29D 35/12 - Producing parts thereof, e.g. soles, heels or uppers, by a moulding technique
A computer-implemented method for analyzing sport performance metrics and providing training feedback includes receiving play data for a plurality of users participating in a sporting activity; determining a statistical distribution of the performance metrics categorized by an ability level of each user; and receiving data indicating participation of the first user in the sporting activity. The server then determines a performance metric for the first user based on the received data and compares the performance metric to the statistical distribution of other users having a similar ability level as the first user. The server then identifies a deficient performance metric and transmits, to the user, a training program configured to improve the deficient performance metric.
A63B 71/06 - Indicating or scoring devices for games or players
A63B 24/00 - Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups
A63B 69/36 - Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
H04M 1/72457 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions according to geographic location
A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.
A43B 13/28 - Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by their attachment, also attachment of combined soles and heels
A43B 13/41 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process combined with heel stiffener, toe stiffener, or shank stiffener
A system includes a wearable article and a housing assembly including a receptacle defining a chamber and having an access opening providing access to the chamber to removably receive an electronic module within the chamber. The housing assembly further includes an interface having first and second electrical contacts exposed to the chamber. First and second conductive leads are connected to the electrical contacts through the bottom side of the receptacle to place the leads in electronic communication with the contacts. The housing assembly is bonded between top and bottom layers of material forming a portion of the wearable article, such that the layers are bonded to the receptacle by a bonding material.
Systems and processes for measuring and sizing a foot are provided. In one exemplary process, at least one image of a foot and a horizontal reference object from a first point of view is captured. A portion of the foot may be disposed against a vertical reference object. The at least one image may be displayed, where one or more camera guides are overlaid on the at least one displayed image. In response to aligning the one or more camera guides with one or more of the horizontal reference object and the vertical reference object, a measurement of the foot based on the at least one captured image from the first point of view is determined.
Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.
A43B 17/03 - Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient filled with a gas, e.g. air
An article of footwear includes an upper including a chamber, a compressible component disposed within the chamber and operable between a relaxed state and a constricted state, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the chamber, the pump device operable to transition the compressible component from the relaxed state to the constricted state by removing fluid from the chamber.
Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding, or injection molding followed by compression molding.
C08J 9/12 - Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent by a physical blowing agent
Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.
A footwear article includes an asymmetric ankle collar that may expand in a manner that facilitates donning and doffing the footwear article, such as when the wearer slides his or her heel out of the footwear article. The footwear article may also include a collar elevator.
An upper for an article of footwear is configured to be connected to a sole structure and is configured to receive a foot. The upper includes a knitted component having a strobel portion that is configured to be disposed underneath the foot. The strobel portion defines an interior surface and an exterior surface of the knitted component. The strobel portion defines a strobel passage between the interior surface and the exterior surface. Also, the upper includes a tensile strand that extends through the strobel passage.
A vacuum powered pickup tool with mechanically moveable discrete nozzles allows for selective activation of the nozzles through the mechanical movement of the nozzles relative to a vacuum manifold. The movement of a nozzle from an inactive position where an inlet port of the nozzle is fluidly decoupled with the vacuum manifold to an active position where the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the vacuum manifold allows for independent activation of discrete nozzles of the pickup tool. Aspects also contemplate varying an associate manifold through movement of the manifolds accessible to the inlet port of the nozzle when in the active position.
B65G 51/00 - Conveying articles through pipes or tubes by fluid flow or pressure; Conveying articles over a flat surface, e.g. the base of a trough, by jets located in the surface
An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.
A cushioning element for an article of footwear includes a bladder having a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer joined together along a seam to define a chamber and a support element disposed within the chamber and having a support member and a plurality of flexible support legs each extending from a first end attached to the support member to a second end disposed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer within the seam.
A43B 17/03 - Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient filled with a gas, e.g. air
71.
FOOTWEAR STROBEL WITH BLADDER AND LASTING COMPONENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.
A43B 13/28 - Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by their attachment, also attachment of combined soles and heels
A43B 13/39 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process with upset sewing ribs
A43B 13/40 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process with cushions
Systems and methods for providing heat to a three-dimensional article are disclosed. The method can include inserting at least a portion of the article over a form. The method can further include inserting the form and article at least partially within an article container and moving the form and article into engagement with a flexible membrane where the membrane and the article container form an airtight chamber. The method can further include exposing the airtight chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure to pull the membrane against at least a portion of the article and exposing the membrane to a heated deformable media.
An article of footwear may have a knitted component with an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion. At least one sole structure may be secured to the underfoot portion of the knitted component. A first knit surface of the underfoot portion may face toward a foot-receiving void, while a second knit surface may comprise a first thermoplastic material. A skin layer may be located between and directly coupled to the sole structure and the second knit surface.
Aspects herein are directed to a knit lower-body garment, methods of manufacturing and/or forming the knit lower-body garment using a flat knitting process, and knit blanks used to form the knit lower-body garment. In example aspects, the knit lower-body garment is formed from a one-piece knit textile blank that includes partial-length knit courses in select locations to provide three-dimensional shaping to the resulting lower-body garment.
D04B 1/24 - Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration wearing apparel
D04B 7/04 - Flat-bed knitting machines with independently-movable needles with two sets of needles
D04B 7/12 - Flat-bed knitting machines with independently-movable needles with provision for incorporating pile threads
D04B 15/36 - Cam systems or assemblies for operating knitting instruments for flat-bed knitting machines
75.
FOOTWEAR STROBEL WITH BLADDER HAVING GROOVED FLANGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.
A43B 13/12 - Soles with several layers of different materials
A43B 13/28 - Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by their attachment, also attachment of combined soles and heels
A43B 13/39 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process with upset sewing ribs
A43B 13/40 - Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process with cushions
A footwear article includes a footwear upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region and defining an ankle opening, the footwear upper including an ankle collar at the ankle opening. The footwear article has a sole structure secured to the footwear upper and underlying the foot-receiving cavity, the sole structure including a strobel and a midsole. The footwear article including a collar support disposed inward of an exterior layer of the footwear upper at the heel region, and extending from the sole structure to the ankle opening. The ankle collar is movable from a raised state positioned farther from the sole to a lowered state positioned closer to the sole during donning, and wherein the collar support has a shoehorn structure operable to move a portion of the ankle collar rearward in a longitudinal direction as the ankle collar moves from the raised state to the lowered state.
A footwear article includes a heel structure that returns an ankle collar from a second state that is conducive to donning up to a first state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The footwear article includes an upper having a foot insertion opening. The foot-insertion opening defines a first circumference when the heel structure is in the first state, and wherein the heel structure expands the foot-insertion opening to a second circumference when the heel structure is in the second state, such that the second circumference is larger than the first circumference.
A method of integrating a cryptographic digital asset into a digital software application, includes receiving a digital asset identification (ID) code, the digital asset ID code existing together with a unique owner ID code on a distributed blockchain ledger. The digital asset ID code represents the cryptographic digital asset, and the cryptographic digital asset comprises a plurality of attributes. A virtual object is then represented on the display via the digital software application. The virtual object has an appearance that is based on the plurality of attributes of the cryptographic digital asset, and the virtual object includes a plurality of object attributes. The method further includes modifying at least one of the object attributes according to an aspect of the digital software application or interaction between the character avatar and the virtual object and representing a modified virtual object on the display via the digital software application.
A63F 13/71 - Game security or game management aspects using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
H04L 9/06 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols the encryption apparatus using shift registers or memories for blockwise coding, e.g. D.E.S. systems
A method of displaying a cryptographically secured digital collectable on a digital display includes receiving the cryptographically secured digital collectable; receiving an indication from a user to display the cryptographically secured digital collectable on the digital display provided on an article of footwear or apparel; receiving an article identifier from communication circuitry provided on the article of footwear in response to receiving the indication to display the digital collectable on the article of footwear or apparel; transmitting the cryptographically secured digital collectable to the article of footwear or apparel for display on the digital display; and recording or requesting the recordation that the cryptographically secured digital collectable is displayed in connection with the article identifier of the article of footwear or apparel.
A43B 3/00 - Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
A43B 3/48 - Footwear characterised by the shape or the use with electrical or electronic arrangements with transmitting devices, e.g. GSM or WiFi
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
