NIKE, Inc.
SOLE STRUCTURE FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR

Abstract:

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder having an inner chamber and a peripheral chamber completely surrounding the inner chamber. The inner chamber defines a first interior void having a tensile element received therein and providing the inner chamber with a constant thickness. The inner chamber may be arcuate and curve continuously from a first end of the bladder to a second end of the bladder. The peripheral chamber extends from and completely surrounds the inner chamber, and has a variable thickness that is greater than the constant thickness of the first inner chamber. The inner chamber and the peripheral chamber are in fluid communication with each other, and the peripheral chamber includes a plurality of deformation zones configured to deform to accommodate a pressure increase within the inner chamber.