Vacuum system for article of footwear or apparel

Abstract

An adjustment element for an article of footwear includes a bladder forming an interior void and a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a first embedded structure tapering in a direction from a first end located at an outer perimeter edge of the compressible component to a second end, the compressible component movable from a first configuration having a first shape to a second configuration having a second shape in response to fluid being removed from the interior void.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustment element for an article of footwear, the adjustment element comprising:
 a bladder forming an interior void; and   a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a first embedded structure tapering in a direction from a first end located at an outer perimeter edge of the compressible component to a second end, the compressible component movable from a first configuration having a first shape to a second configuration having a second shape in response to fluid being removed from the interior void.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustment element of  claim 1 , wherein the first embedded structure includes a series of peaks and valleys. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustment element of  claim 2 , wherein peaks and valleys of the series of peaks and valleys are positioned into individual V-shaped segments. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustment element of  claim 3 , wherein the V-shaped segments are aligned with one another along a central, longitudinal axis of the first embedded structure, the central, longitudinal axis of the first embedded structure extending through the first end of the first embedded structure and the second end of the first embedded structure. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustment element of  claim 3 , wherein the V-shaped segments are nested with one another. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustment element of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the first embedded structure is disposed at an interior location of the compressible component. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustment element of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible component includes a second embedded structure, the second embedded structure tapering in a direction from a third end located at an outer perimeter edge of the compressible component to a fourth end. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustment element of  claim 7 , wherein the second end of the first embedded structure and the fourth end of the second embedded structure are in contact with one another at a junction. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustment element of  claim 7 , wherein the first end of the first embedded structure and the third end of the second embedded structure move toward one another when the compressible component is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear incorporating the adjustment element of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . An adjustment element for an article of footwear, the adjustment element comprising:
 a bladder forming an interior void; and   a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a first embedded structure having a series of peaks and valleys, the compressible component movable from a first configuration having a substantially planar profile to a second configuration having a curved profile in response to fluid being removed from the interior void.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustment element of  claim 11 , wherein the compressible component is formed from foam. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustment element of  claim 11 , wherein peaks and valleys of the series of peaks and valleys are positioned into individual V-shaped segments. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustment element of  claim 13 , wherein the V-shaped segments are aligned with one another along a central, longitudinal axis of the first embedded structure, the central, longitudinal axis of the first embedded structure extending through a first end of the first embedded structure and a second end of the first embedded structure. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustment element of  claim 13 , wherein the V-shaped segments are nested with one another. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustment element of  claim 11 , wherein the first embedded structure tapers in a direction from a first end located at an outer perimeter edge of the compressible component to a second end. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustment element of  claim 16 , wherein the compressible component includes a second embedded structure, the second embedded structure tapering in a direction from a third end located at an outer perimeter edge of the compressible component to a fourth end. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustment element of  claim 17 , wherein the second end of the first embedded structure and the fourth end of the second embedded structure are in contact with one another at a junction. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustment element of  claim 17 , wherein the first end of the first embedded structure and the third end of the second embedded structure move toward one another when the compressible component is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration to form the curved profile. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear incorporating the adjustment element of  claim 11 .