Airbag for article of footwear

Abstract

A bladder for an article of footwear includes a first barrier layer formed of a first material, and a second barrier layer formed of a second material. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer cooperate to form a fluid-filled chamber having a first fluid-filled segment extending along an arcuate path, a second fluid-filled segment extending from a first end of the first fluid-filled segment to a first distal end along a first longitudinal axis, and a third fluid-filled segment extending from a second end of the first fluid-filled segment to a second distal end along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer may be joined together define a web area connecting each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer joined to a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure, and an arcuate segment extending between and connecting the first segment and the second segment;   a first cushion disposed between the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber; and   a heel counter extending from a medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure around a posterior end of the article of footwear, an upper edge of the heel counter crossing an upper edge of the first cushion at a junction.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the heel counter comprises a translucent or a transparent material. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first cushion is visible at an outer surface of the article of footwear from the junction to a forefoot region of the article of footwear and from the junction to a heel region of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first cushion is visible through the heel counter at a heel region of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first cushion tapers in thickness from the junction in a direction toward the posterior end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first cushion is in contact with the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber, the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber, and the arcuate segment of the fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 6 , further comprising a web area extending between and connecting the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber, the first cushion in contact with the web area between the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 7 , further comprising a second cushion disposed between the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 8 , wherein the second cushion is disposed on an opposite side of the web area than the first cushion. 
     
     
         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 fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer joined to a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure, and an arcuate segment extending between and connecting the first segment and the second segment;   a first cushion disposed between the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber; and   a heel counter extending from a medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure around a posterior end of the article of footwear, the heel counter extending over a first portion of the first cushion and spaced apart from a second portion of the first cushion.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the heel counter comprises a translucent or a transparent material. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first cushion is visible at an outer surface of the article of footwear at the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion is disposed in a heel region of the article of footwear and the second portion is disposed in a forefoot region of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the heel counter crosses the first cushion at a junction, the first cushion tapering in thickness from the junction in a direction toward the posterior end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first cushion is in contact with the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber, the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber, and the arcuate segment of the fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 16 , further comprising a web area extending between and connecting the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber, the first cushion in contact with the web area between the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 17 , further comprising a second cushion disposed between the first segment of the fluid-filled chamber and the second segment of the fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 18 , wherein the second cushion is disposed on an opposite side of the web area than the first cushion. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of  claim 11 .