Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a midsole including a sidewall having a recess;   a bladder disposed closer to a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure than the midsole and including a first chamber having a series of lobes extending around a perimeter of the first chamber; and   a cradle including a wall received within the recess of the midsole and a plurality of supports extending from the wall in a direction toward the ground-engaging surface, supports of the plurality of supports in contact with respective lobes of the bladder.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the wall extends from a medial side of the sole structure, around a heel region of the sole structure, to a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the wall varies along a length of the wall. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder includes a second chamber at least partially surrounded by the first chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the second chamber is an ovoid. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein a pressure of the second chamber is different than a pressure of the first chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein a pressure of the second chamber is less than a pressure of the first chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the midsole includes an interior support extending in a direction toward the ground-engaging surface and in contact with the second chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the midsole includes an interior support extending in a direction toward the ground-engaging surface and in contact with the bladder. 
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a midsole;   a bladder disposed closer to a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure than the midsole and including a first chamber having a series of lobes extending around a perimeter of the first chamber; and   a cradle including a wall in contact with the midsole and tapering in height in a direction extending from a heel region of the midsole to a forefoot region of the midsole, the cradle including a plurality of supports extending from the wall in a direction toward the ground-engaging surface and in contact with respective lobes of the bladder.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the wall extends from a medial side of the sole structure, around the heel region of the sole structure, to a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle is formed of a first material having a greater modulus of elasticity than a material of the midsole. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the bladder includes a second chamber at least partially surrounded by the first chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 14 , wherein the second chamber is an ovoid. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 14 , wherein a pressure of the second chamber is different than a pressure of the first chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 14 , wherein a pressure of the second chamber is less than a pressure of the first chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising an outsole including a first portion attached to the midsole and a second portion attached to the bladder, the first portion and the second portion connected by a flexure configured to permit relative movement between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle extends from the heel region of the sole structure and into the forefoot region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of  claim 11 .