Integrated manual pump for article of footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper having a chamber, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity, in fluid communication with the chamber, and operable to move the upper from a relaxed state to a constricted state by selectively evacuating fluid from the chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump comprising:
 a housing defining a chamber;   a piston disposed within the chamber and operable between a first position and a second position;   at least one biasing member biasing the piston toward the first position; and   an actuator cable having a first portion routed into the chamber and slidably connected to the piston, the actuator cable moving the piston from the first position to the second position against the force of the biasing member when the actuator cable is placed under tension to draw fluid into the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator cable is routed through a plurality of apertures in an endcap of the housing and around at least one bearing surface of the piston. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator cable comprises a continuous loop extending from the pump housing to a tightening grip. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one biasing member comprises a coil spring disposed between the piston and an endcap of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises an inlet check valve that permits fluid to flow into the chamber when the piston moves from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises an exhaust check valve that permits fluid to flow out of the chamber when the piston returns from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator cable is formed from a high modulus polyethylene fiber or a lubricous monofilament polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the piston includes a plurality of arcuate bearing surfaces for routing the actuator cable within the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator cable is configured to be pulled in a tightening direction to move the piston and, upon release, is drawn back into the chamber by the biasing member. 
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator cable includes a serpentine shape within the housing. 
     
     
         11 . A pump comprising:
 a housing defining a chamber;   a piston disposed within the chamber and operable between a first position and a second position;   at least one biasing member biasing the piston toward the first position; and   an actuator cable having a first portion routed into the chamber, connected to the piston, and having a serpentine shape, the actuator cable moving the piston from the first position to the second position against the force of the biasing member when the actuator cable is placed under tension to draw fluid into the housing.   
     
     
         12 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator cable is routed through a plurality of apertures in an endcap of the housing and around at least one bearing surface of the piston. 
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator cable comprises a continuous loop extending from the pump housing to a tightening grip. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one biasing member comprises a coil spring disposed between the piston and an endcap of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the housing further comprises an inlet check valve that permits fluid to flow into the chamber when the piston moves from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the housing further comprises an exhaust check valve that permits fluid to flow out of the chamber when the piston returns from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator cable is formed from a high modulus polyethylene fiber or a lubricous monofilament polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the piston includes a plurality of arcuate bearing surfaces for routing the actuator cable within the chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator cable is configured to be pulled in a tightening direction to move the piston and, upon release, is drawn back into the chamber by the biasing member. 
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the actuator cable includes a first length within the housing when the piston is in the first position and a second length within the housing that is shorter than the first length when the piston is in the second position.