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NikeGranted patentWearablesInterest 8/10

Nike patents shoes with fluid-filled bladders that adjust pressure automatically

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Nike has secured a patent for footwear that uses fluid-filled bladders in the sole to provide adjustable support. The system includes sensors and a control unit that monitor fluid pressure in real-time to ensure the shoe reaches a specific target firmness. It corrects for pressure changes caused by fluid moving through tubes, allowing for precise adjustment of the shoe's cushioning.

Why it mattersThis technology could allow runners or athletes to fine-tune their shoe's support level on the fly, potentially improving comfort or performance during long activities.

In the filing’s own words

Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A foot support system for an article of footwear, comprising: a first footwear component comprising a foot support bladder or a fluid container; a first fluid line that extends between a first port of a manifold or a sealing connector and a second port of the manifold or sealing connector, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the first footwear component, and wherein the second port is in fluid communication with a second footwear component or with an external environment; a first pressure sensor configured to measure fluid pressure within the first fluid line; and a control system for changing fluid pressure in the first footwear component, wherein the control system is configured to: (i) receive input data indicating a target pressure for fluid pressure in the first footwear component, (ii) receive, from the first pressure sensor, fluid pressure data as measured in the first fluid line as fluid moves through the first fluid line, (iii) determine an adjusted fluid pressure based on the fluid pressure measured in the first fluid line, and (iv) stop fluid flow through the first fluid line when the adjusted fluid pressure is determined to be within a predetermined range of the target pressure, wherein the adjusted fluid pressure corrects for flow rate dependent offset between the fluid pressure measured by the first pressure sensor in the first fluid line and actual fluid pressure in the first footwear component.

Facts

Company
Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
Official title
Foot support systems including fluid movement controllers and adjustable foot support pressure
Patent number
US12745822B2
Application number
18973922
Filed
Dec 9, 2024
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

A43B 13/203 Human necessitiesA43B 3/34 Human necessitiesA43B 13/186 Human necessitiesA43B 13/206 Human necessitiesF04B 43/08 Mechanical engineeringF04B 43/113 Mechanical engineering
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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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.