Dynamically-controlled cushioning system for an article of footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear with a dynamically-controlled cushioning system is disclosed. The cushioning system includes a sealed, fluid-filled bladder formed with a plurality of separate cushioning chambers, and a control system. The control system, which includes a CPU, pressure sensors and valves, controls fluid communication between the chambers to dynamically adjust the pressure in the cushioning chambers for various conditions such as the activity that the footwear is used in, the weight of the individual and the individual's running style. Certain adjustments can be made while the footwear is in use.

1 . An article of footwear having a dynamically-controlled cushioning system, the system comprising: 
 a control system attached to the article of footwear;    a fluid-filled bladder received within a sole of the article of footwear, said bladder being closed to ambient air, and having a plurality of separate cushioning chambers in fluid communication with each other, each said chamber having: 
 a pressure detector in communication with said control system for detecting pressure in said chamber; and  
 a regulator in communication with, and actuated by, said control system for regulating the level of fluid communication of the chamber with other chambers;  
   said control system modulating the level of fluid communication between said chambers by actuating said regulators in a predetermined sequence to maintain a predetermined pressure in each chamber.    
     
     
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         9 . A method of dynamically controlling a pressure in a cushioning system of an article of footwear, comprising: 
 operating a regulator to allow the entry of fluid from a fluid reservoir of a cushioning system into a first chamber of the cushioning system or the exit of fluid from the first chamber of the cushioning system to the fluid reservoir; and    operating an actuator to change a volume of the fluid reservoir to expel fluid from the fluid reservoir into the first chamber or draw fluid from the first chamber into the fluid reservoir.    
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 9 , further comprising operating a second regulator to allow the entry of fluid from a second chamber of the cushioning system into the first chamber or the exit of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber.  
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 receiving input from a user; and    operating the regulator based upon the data input.    
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 11 , wherein the data input corresponds to one or more of an anticipated use of the article of footwear, a weight of the user, and a pronation characteristic of a user.