Adjustable Foot Support Systems Including Fluid-Filled Bladder Chambers

Abstract

Fluid systems, foot support systems (including sole structures), and/or articles of footwear include: (a) a foot support bladder; (b) a fluid reservoir; (c) a pump (e.g., a foot-activated pump) including an inlet and an outlet, the outlet supplying fluid to one of the fluid reservoir or the foot support bladder; (d) a fluid line placing the foot support bladder or the fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet of the pump; and (e) another fluid line placing the foot support bladder in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. Such fluid systems, foot support systems, and/or articles of footwear further may include an electronic control system (e.g., an electronically controlled switch or valve), e.g., for changing at least one of the fluid lines between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The electronic control system may receive user input for adjusting foot support pressure (e.g., from a mobile electronic device).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foot support system for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a foot support bladder;   a fluid reservoir;   a pump including an inlet and an outlet, the outlet supplying fluid to the foot support bladder;   a first fluid line placing the fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet of the pump;   a second fluid line placing the foot support bladder in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and   an electronic control system configured to change the second fluid line between an open configuration and a closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein interaction with the electronic control system to change the second fluid line from the closed configuration to the open configuration increases a height dimension of the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein interaction with the electronic control system to change the second fluid line from the closed configuration to the open configuration causes an immediate increase in a height dimension of the fluid reservoir as fluid pressure is equalized in the foot support bladder and the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The foot support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic control system includes an electronically controlled valve or switch that changes the second fluid line between the open configuration and the closed configuration, and wherein the electronic control system further includes an input device configured to receive input data indicating a desire to change fluid pressure in the foot support bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The foot support system according to  claim 4 , further comprising a mobile computing device in electronic communication with the electronic control system, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to receive user input indicating a desire to change fluid pressure in the foot support bladder and to wirelessly transmit the user input to the electronic control system. 
     
     
         6 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a foot support bladder;   a fluid reservoir;   a pump including: (i) an inlet receiving fluid from the fluid reservoir and (ii) an outlet supplying fluid to the foot support bladder;   a fluid line placing the foot support bladder in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and   an electronic control system configured to change the foot support bladder between: (i) a high pressure foot support configuration in which the fluid line is closed and (ii) a low pressure foot support configuration in which the fluid line is open.   
     
     
         7 . The sole structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the electronic control system includes an input device configured to receive input data indicating a desire to change fluid pressure in the foot support bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure according to  claim 6 , wherein interaction with the electronic control system to change the foot support bladder from the high pressure foot support configuration to the low pressure foot support configuration increases a height dimension of the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure according to  claim 6 , wherein interaction with the electronic control system to change the foot support bladder from the high pressure foot support configuration to the low pressure foot support configuration causes an immediate increase in a height dimension of the fluid reservoir as fluid pressure increases in the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure according to  claim 6 , further comprising a mobile computing device in electronic communication with the electronic control system, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to receive user input indicating a desire to change fluid pressure in the foot support bladder and to wirelessly transmit the user input to the electronic control system. 
     
     
         11 . The sole structure according to  claim 10 , wherein the mobile computing device includes a smartphone. 
     
     
         12 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a foot support bladder;   a fluid reservoir;   one or more fluid lines placing the foot support bladder in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and   an electronic control system configured to change a fluid pressure setting for the foot support bladder,   wherein movement of sufficient fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder causes a change in a height dimension of the sole structure.   
     
     
         13 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the electronic control system includes an input device configured to receive input data indicating a desire to change the fluid pressure setting for the foot support bladder. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , wherein when the electronic control system places the foot support bladder in a high pressure foot support setting, the one or more fluid lines are controlled to move fluid from the fluid reservoir to the foot support bladder through at least one of the one or more fluid lines. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , wherein when the electronic control system places the foot support bladder in a low pressure foot support setting, the one or more fluid lines are controlled to move fluid such that fluid pressure in the foot support bladder equals fluid pressure in the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , wherein interaction with the electronic control system to change the foot support bladder from a high pressure foot support setting to a low pressure foot support setting increases the height dimension of the sole structure. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , wherein interaction with the electronic control system to change the foot support bladder from a high pressure foot support setting to a low pressure foot support setting causes an immediate increase in the height dimension of the sole structure as fluid pressure increases in the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , further comprising a mobile computing device in electronic communication with the electronic control system, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to receive user input indicating a desire to change the fluid pressure setting for the foot support bladder and to wirelessly transmit the user input to the electronic control system. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the electronic control system receives input representing features of a user's play of an electronic game and, based at least in part on the input, the electronic control system generates signals configured to change the fluid pressure setting for the foot support bladder. 
     
     
         20 . The sole structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the electronic control system receives input from one or more foot force sensors and, based at least in part on the input, the electronic control system generates signals configured to change the fluid pressure setting for the foot support bladder. 
     
     
         21 . A foot support system for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a foot support bladder;   a fluid reservoir;   a pump including an inlet and an outlet, the outlet supplying fluid to the fluid reservoir;   a first fluid line placing the foot support bladder in fluid communication with the inlet of the pump;   a second fluid line placing the foot support bladder in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and   an electronic control system configured to change the second fluid line between an open configuration and a closed configuration.