Fluid Flow Control Devices Usable In Adjustable Foot Support Systems

Abstract

Foot support systems include a fluid flow regulator and/or valve that: (a) can operate as a stop valve to stop transfer of fluid between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, (b) can open in a controlled manner to allow transfer of fluid from the second fluid container to the first fluid container, (c) can open to equalize pressure in the first and second fluid containers, and (d) can act as a check valve to enable flow of fluid from the first fluid container to the second fluid container when/if gas pressure in the first container exceeds that in the second container by a predetermined amount. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods, systems and methods for changing and controlling the crack pressure of a valve (e.g., a check valve), and/or systems and methods for matching foot support pressure features in two different sole structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foot support system for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a first footwear component;   a first fluid-filled bladder support or container engaged with the first footwear component, wherein the first fluid-filled bladder support or container includes a gas at a first pressure;   a second fluid-filled bladder support or container engaged with the first footwear component or a second footwear component, wherein the second fluid-filled bladder support or container includes a gas at a second pressure;   a first fluid transfer line placing the first fluid-filled bladder support or container in fluid-communication with the second fluid-filled bladder support or container;   a valve located in or connected to the first fluid transfer line, wherein the valve includes:
 a fixed valve part including a valve component seating area, and 
 a movable valve part including a portion movable into and out of contact with the valve component seating area; and 
   a control system configured to change the valve between an open condition and a closed condition, wherein when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure, the control system:   (a) holds the valve in the closed condition and inhibits gas from moving from the second fluid-filled bladder support or container, through the first fluid transfer line and valve, and into the first fluid-filled bladder support or container or (b) is selectively controllable to move the valve to the open condition and allow fluid to move from the second fluid-filled bladder support or container, through the first fluid transfer line and valve, and into the first fluid-filled bladder support or container, and   wherein when the first pressure is greater than the second pressure by at least a first predetermined amount, gas from the first fluid-filled bladder support or container: (a) causes the movable valve part to move out of contact with the valve component seating area and (b) moves from the first fluid-filled bladder support or container, through the valve and first fluid transfer line, and into the second fluid-filled bladder support or container.   
     
     
         2 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve further includes a biasing component for applying a biasing force to the movable valve part in a direction toward the closed condition. 
     
     
         3 . The foot support system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first fluid transfer line includes a tube having an interior wall that defines an interior channel;
 wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, wherein an outer rim of the fixed valve part sealingly engages the interior wall of the tube, and wherein:
 the first end includes a stop surface that forms at least a portion of the valve component seating area, wherein a first fluid port extends from the stop surface to a location exterior to the fixed valve part at the first end, 
 the second end includes a second fluid port, and 
 an interior volume defined within the sidewall of the fixed valve part and extending from the first fluid port to the second fluid port; 
   wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume and includes a free end surface; and   wherein the biasing component is located within the interior volume and applies the biasing force to the movable valve part in a direction to push the free end surface of the movable valve part toward the stop surface.   
     
     
         4 . The foot support system according to  claim 3 , wherein in the open condition:
 the control system applies a force to the movable valve part sufficient to overcome a biasing force of the biasing component and sufficient to hold the free end surface of the movable valve part at a location spaced from the stop surface of the fixed valve part, and   
       wherein in the closed condition:
 the biasing force applied by the biasing component to the movable valve part places the free end surface of the movable valve part against the stop surface of the fixed valve part. 
 
     
     
         5 . The foot support system according to  claim 2 , wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and an interior volume defined within the sidewall,
 wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume, and   wherein the biasing component is located within the interior volume.   
     
     
         6 . The foot support system according to  claim 5 , wherein the biasing component includes a spring located within the interior volume. 
     
     
         7 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and an interior volume defined within the sidewall, and
 wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume.   
     
     
         8 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid transfer line includes a tube having an interior wall that defines an interior channel;
 wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, wherein an outer rim of the fixed valve part sealingly engages the interior wall of the tube, and wherein:
 the first end includes a stop surface that forms at least a portion of the valve component seating area, wherein a first fluid port extends from the stop surface to a location exterior to the fixed valve part at the first end, 
 the second end includes a second fluid port, and 
 an interior volume defined within the sidewall of the fixed valve part and extending from the first fluid port to the second fluid port; and 
   wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume.   
     
     
         9 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable valve part includes a magnet and/or at least a portion made from a material attracted to a magnet, and wherein the control system includes a permanent magnet that is movable between a first position and a second position to change the valve between the open condition and the closed condition. 
     
     
         10 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable valve part includes a magnet and/or at least a portion made from a material attracted to a magnet, and wherein the control system includes an electromagnet that is switchable between a powered condition and an unpowered condition to change the valve between the open condition and the closed condition. 
     
     
         11 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pump to move fluid from the first fluid-filled bladder support or container to the second fluid-filled bladder support or container.   
     
     
         12 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pump to move fluid from the first fluid-filled bladder support or container to the second fluid-filled bladder support or container;   a second fluid transfer line connecting the first fluid-filled bladder support or container to the pump;   a first one-way valve in the second fluid transfer line that allows fluid flow from the first fluid-filled bladder support or container to the pump but inhibits fluid flow from the pump to the first fluid-filled bladder support or container via the second fluid transfer line;   a third fluid transfer line connecting the pump to the second fluid-filled bladder support or container; and   a second one-way valve in the third fluid transfer line that allows fluid flow from the pump to the second fluid-filled bladder support or container but inhibits fluid flow from the second fluid-filled bladder support or container to the pump via the third fluid transfer line.   
     
     
         13 . A foot support system for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a first footwear component;   a first fluid-filled bladder support or container engaged with the first footwear component;   a second fluid-filled bladder support or container engaged with the first footwear component or a second footwear component;   a first fluid transfer line placing the first fluid-filled bladder support or container in fluid-communication with the second fluid-filled bladder support or container;   a valve located in or connected to the first fluid transfer line, wherein the valve is switchable between: (a) an open condition in which fluid flows through the valve and through the first fluid transfer line and (b) a closed condition in which fluid flow through the first fluid transfer line is stopped by the valve, wherein the valve includes:
 a fixed valve part including a valve component seating area, and 
 a movable valve part including a portion movable into and out of contact with the valve component seating area; and 
   a control system that changes the valve between the open condition and the closed condition.   
     
     
         14 . The foot support system according to  claim 13 , wherein the valve further includes a biasing component for applying a biasing force to the movable valve part in a direction toward the closed condition. 
     
     
         15 . The foot support system according to  claim 14 , wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, wherein:
 the first end includes a stop surface that forms at least a portion of the valve component seating area, wherein a first fluid port extends from the stop surface to a location exterior to the fixed valve part at the first end,   the second end includes a second fluid port, and   an interior volume defined within the sidewall of the fixed valve part and extending from the first fluid port to the second fluid port;   wherein the movable valve part includes a free end surface movable into and out of contact with the stop surface, and   wherein the biasing component applies the biasing force to the movable valve part in a direction to push the free end surface toward the stop surface.   
     
     
         16 . The foot support system according to  claim 14 , wherein the first fluid transfer line includes a tube having an interior wall that defines an interior channel;
 wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, wherein an outer rim of the fixed valve part sealingly engages the interior wall of the tube, and wherein:
 the first end includes a stop surface that forms at least a portion of the valve component seating area, wherein a first fluid port extends from the stop surface to a location exterior to the fixed valve part at the first end, 
 the second end includes a second fluid port, and 
 an interior volume defined within the sidewall of the fixed valve part and extending from the first fluid port to the second fluid port; 
 wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume and includes a free end surface; and 
   wherein the biasing component is located within the interior volume and applies the biasing force to the movable valve part in a direction to push the free end surface of the movable valve part toward the stop surface.   
     
     
         17 . The foot support system according to  claim 14 , wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and an interior volume defined within the sidewall,
 wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume, and   wherein the biasing component is located within the interior volume.   
     
     
         18 . The foot support system according to  claim 14 , wherein the biasing component includes a spring. 
     
     
         19 . The foot support system according to  claim 13 , wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and an interior volume defined within the sidewall, and
 wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume.   
     
     
         20 . The foot support system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first fluid transfer line includes a tube having an interior wall that defines an interior channel;
 wherein the fixed valve part includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, wherein an outer rim of the fixed valve part sealingly engages the interior wall of the tube, and wherein:
 the first end includes a stop surface that forms at least a portion of the valve component seating area, wherein a first fluid port extends from the stop surface to a location exterior to the fixed valve part at the first end, 
 the second end includes a second fluid port, and 
 an interior volume defined within the sidewall of the fixed valve part and extending from the first fluid port to the second fluid port; and 
   wherein the movable valve part is located within the interior volume.