US 12,262,785 B2
Fluid flow control devices usable in adjustable foot support systems
Aaron B. Weast, Portland, OR (US); and Timothy P. Hopkins, Lake Oswego, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Sep. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/483,163.
Application 17/483,163 is a division of application No. 16/425,331, filed on May 29, 2019, granted, now 11,147,342.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/678,635, filed on May 31, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0007786 A1, Jan. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. A43B 13/20 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/203 (2013.01) 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A foot support system for an article of footwear, comprising:
a first footwear component;
a first fluid-filled container or bladder support engaged with the first footwear component, wherein the first fluid-filled container or bladder support includes a gas at a first pressure;
a second fluid-filled container or bladder support engaged with the first footwear component or a second footwear component, wherein the second fluid-filled container or bladder support includes a gas at a second pressure;
a first fluid transfer line placing the first fluid-filled container or bladder support in fluid-communication with the second fluid-filled container or bladder support;
a valve located in or connected to the first fluid transfer line, wherein the valve is switchable between an open condition and a closed condition and includes: (a) a fixed valve part including a valve component seating area, (b) a movable valve part including a ball movable into and out of contact with the valve component seating area, and (c) a biasing component configured to apply a biasing force to the ball in a direction toward the closed condition, wherein the biasing component includes a spring applying the biasing force to the ball; and
a control system configured to change the valve between the open condition and the closed condition, wherein when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure, the control system: (a) holds the valve in the closed condition and inhibits gas from moving from the second fluid-filled container or bladder support, through the first fluid transfer line and valve, and into the first fluid-filled container or bladder support or (b) is selectively controllable to move the valve to the open condition and allow fluid to move from the second fluid-filled container or bladder support, through the first fluid transfer line and valve, and into the first fluid-filled container or bladder support, and
wherein when the first pressure is greater than the second pressure by at least a first predetermined amount, gas from the first fluid-filled container or bladder support: (a) causes the movable valve part to move out of contact with the valve component seating area and (b) moves from the first fluid-filled container or bladder support, through the valve and first fluid transfer line, and into the second fluid-filled container or bladder support.