/Patent Tracker
NikeGranted patentClothing & sportInterest 7/10

Nike patents shoe that pumps fluid to heel for cushioning

Nike has been granted a patent for a shoe system that uses a pump in the front of the foot to move fluid into a chamber in the heel. This design includes valves to keep the fluid in place and a manual release valve to adjust the pressure.

Why it mattersThis could lead to shoes that offer customizable cushioning without electronic parts, potentially improving comfort for runners.

In the filing’s own words

An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A fluid system for an article of footwear, comprising: a foot-activated pump located in a forefoot portion of the article of footwear; a first fluid line for supplying incoming fluid to the foot-activated pump; a first one way valve configured to allow fluid to flow through the first fluid line into the foot-activated pump but inhibit fluid from flowing out of the foot-activated pump through the first fluid line; a fluid chamber located in a heel portion of the article of footwear; a second fluid line for moving fluid from the foot-activated pump to the fluid chamber; a second one way valve located downstream of the foot-activated pump and upstream of the fluid chamber, wherein the second one way valve is configured to allow fluid to flow into the second fluid line from the foot-activated pump but inhibit fluid from flowing through the second fluid line into the foot-activated pump; a third fluid line located downstream from the fluid chamber; and a manual pressure release valve configured to release fluid from the fluid chamber via the third fluid line when activated.

Facts

Company
Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
Official title
Article of footwear with an adaptive fluid system
Patent number
US12727645B2
Application number
18937818
Filed
Nov 5, 2024
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
5
Claims
20

Classified under

A43B 13/203 Human necessitiesA43B 13/186 Human necessitiesA43B 13/189 Human necessitiesA43B 13/20 Human necessitiesA43B 13/206 Human necessitiesA43B 21/28 Human necessities
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

More from Nike in Clothing & sport

Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.