18521239. Foot Support Systems Including Fluid Movement Controllers and Adjustable Foot Support Pressure simplified abstract (NIKE, Inc.)

Foot Support Systems Including Fluid Movement Controllers and Adjustable Foot Support Pressure

Organization Name

NIKE, Inc.

Inventor(s)

Devin Bailly of Portland OR (US)

Matthew Browne of Portland OR (US)

Narissa Y. Chang of Portland OR (US)

Rémy Pieron of Portland OR (US)

Stepan Ryabinin of Vancouver WA (US)

Adam Vollmer of Portland OR (US)

Michael Fairchild of Vancouver WA (US)

Ethan Vella of Lake Oswego OR (US)

Daniel Weeks of Portland OR (US)

Foot Support Systems Including Fluid Movement Controllers and Adjustable Foot Support Pressure - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18521239 titled 'Foot Support Systems Including Fluid Movement Controllers and Adjustable Foot Support Pressure

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a foot support system with a fluid flow control system that manages fluid movement within a sole structure or footwear article to adjust pressure in fluid-filled bladders.

• Valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems
• Solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems
• User input button features
• Air filter features
• Fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features
• Fluid distributor to footwear connection features
• Valve position sensor features
• Valve transmission features
• Pressure control algorithm features
• Electronic communication features
• System sealing features
• Pressure sensor mounting features

Potential Applications

The technology could be applied in athletic footwear to provide customizable cushioning and support for different activities.

Problems Solved

This innovation solves the issue of limited adjustability in traditional footwear cushioning systems.

Benefits

The foot support system offers personalized comfort and support, potentially reducing foot fatigue and injury risk.

Potential Commercial Applications

"Customizable Foot Support System for Athletic Footwear"

Possible Prior Art

There may be existing patents related to fluid-filled cushioning systems in footwear, but further research is needed to identify specific prior art.

Unanswered Questions

How does the fluid flow control system impact the overall weight of the footwear?

The article does not address how the added components for fluid flow control may affect the weight of the footwear.

Are there any limitations to the adjustability of the pressure in the fluid-filled bladders?

The patent application does not mention any potential constraints on the range of pressure adjustments possible with this technology.

Original Abstract Submitted

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.