NIKE, Inc.
Sole structure for an article of footwear having a bladder element with laterally extending tubes and method of manufacturing a sole structure

Abstract:

An article of footwear is disclosed that includes a sole structure having a bladder element. The bladder element includes multiple fluid-filled tubes that are substantially decoupled from one another along their respective lengths. The tubes extend lengthwise at least partially from a lateral extremity of the sole structure to a medial extremity of the sole structure. A method of manufacturing a sole structure of an article of footwear includes forming a bladder element with multiple tubes substantially decoupled from one another along their respective lengths. The method includes positioning the bladder element so that the tubes extend lengthwise at least partially from a lateral extremity of the sole structure to a medial extremity of the sole structure.