US 12,446,660 B2
Fluid distributors and foot support systems including fluid movement controllers and adjustable foot support pressure
Stepan Ryabinin, Vancouver, WA (US); Narissa Y. Chang, Portland, OR (US); Rémy Pieron, Portland, OR (US); Adam Vollmer, Portland, OR (US); Michael Allison, Ridgefield, WA (US); Michael Fairchild, Vancouver, WA (US); John Geile, Vancouver, WA (US); Ethan Vella, Lake Oswego, OR (US); and Daniel Weeks, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/969,515.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/273,640, filed on Oct. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0138485 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. A43B 13/20 (2006.01); A43B 23/02 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/203 (2013.01) [A43B 13/20 (2013.01); A43B 23/028 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A foot support system, comprising:
a first foot support bladder;
a fluid tank;
a fluid distributor that includes:
a distributor body that includes: (a) a first solenoid mount, (b) a second solenoid mount, (c) a main fluid distribution channel in fluid communication with the first solenoid mount and in fluid communication with the second solenoid mount, (d) a tank channel in fluid communication with the first solenoid mount, (e) a first foot support bladder channel in fluid communication with the second solenoid mount, (f) a first foot support connector connecting the first foot support bladder with the first foot support bladder channel, and (g) a tank connector connecting the fluid tank with the tank channel, and (h) a fluid source connector that receives fluid from a fluid source and supplies the fluid to the main fluid distribution channel;
a first solenoid engaged with the fluid distributor at the first solenoid mount; and
a second solenoid engaged with the fluid distributor at the second solenoid mount,
wherein the foot support system is configured to be selectively placed in a tank inflate configuration in which fluid moves: (i) from the fluid source connector, (ii) into the main fluid distribution channel, (iii) through the first solenoid, (iv) into the tank channel, (v) into the tank connector, and (vi) to the fluid tank.