Sole structure and / or article of footwear with expandable lugs for joining footwear components together

Abstract

The article of footwear includes one or more expandable lugs 210 (e.g., inflatable lugs) to hold together at least some of the footwear components. An expandable lug 210 may be included as part of an impact damping component (e.g., a fluid-filled bladder) for an article of footwear. The expandable lug extends into a receptacle 410 provided in the foot support member 402 in the unexpanded state. Once within the receiving portion 410, the expandable lug 210 changes to an expanded state. The expanded lug 210 engages a bearing surface disposed inside the receiving portion 410 to prevent the lug 210 from being pulled out of the receiving portion 410. The use of such expandable lugs for securing footwear components together may achieve easy assembly of footwear components without the use of adhesives and / or separate hardware components, which may enhance the reusability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness of the article of footwear and methods of production thereof.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 381,968, filed on October 19, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 418,198, filed on October 21, 2022, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present technology relate to sole structures and / or footwear articles that include one or more expandable lugs (e.g., inflatable lugs) to hold together at least some of the footwear components. Additional aspects of the present technology relate to methods of assembling sole structures and / or footwear articles using expandable lugs to hold together at least some of the footwear components. Further additional aspects of the present technology relate to methods of disassembling sole structures and / or footwear articles that include expandable lugs that hold together at least some of the footwear components. Background Art

[0004] Conventional athletic footwear articles include two main elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper can provide a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot relative to the sole structure. Additionally, the upper can have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, keeping the foot cool and removing sweat. The sole structure can be attached to the lower surface of the upper and is typically positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure can provide traction friction and control potentially harmful foot movements, such as overpronation.

[0005] The upper forms a void inside the footwear to receive the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot and has an entrance at the ankle opening. Thus, the upper extends along the medial and lateral sides of the foot and around the heel region of the foot over the dorsal and toe regions of the foot. A lacing system is typically incorporated into the upper to allow the user to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to allow the user to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly the circumference, to accommodate differently proportioned feet. Additionally, the upper can include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to regulate the pressure exerted by the laces on the foot). The upper can also include a heel stabilizer to limit or control the movement of the heel. Summary of the Invention

[0006] As described above, aspects of the present technology relate to sole structures and / or footwear articles that include one or more expandable lugs (e.g., inflatable lugs) to hold together at least some of the footwear components. These expandable lugs can be included as part of an impact attenuation component (e.g., a fluid-filled bladder) that can form at least a portion of the midsole component of the footwear article and / or the sole structure. Additional aspects of the present technology relate to methods of using one or more expandable lugs to hold together at least some of the footwear components to assemble a sole structure and / or a footwear article. Further additional aspects of the present technology relate to methods of disassembling sole structures and / or footwear articles that include one or more expandable lugs to hold together at least some of the footwear components. The use of such expandable lugs for holding the footwear components together enables easy assembly of the footwear components without the use of adhesives and / or separate hardware components, which can enhance the reusability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness of the sole structure, the footwear article, its uses, and its manufacturing methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following detailed description will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent the same or similar elements in all the various views in which they appear.

[0008] Figure 1 Illustrates an example upper component in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0009] Figure 2 Illustrates an example impact attenuation component (e.g., an inflatable bladder) in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0010] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Illustrates an example feature of joining an upper component and an impact attenuation component in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0011] Figure 4 Illustrates an assembled footwear article in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0012] Figures 5A to 5E Illustrates various example assembly steps and features of a footwear article and its components in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0013] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Illustrates an example footwear structure including additional components in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0014] Figures 8 to 11 Illustrates additional and / or alternative features of a foot support component in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0015] Figure 12 Illustrates another example footwear structure in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0016] Figure 13 Illustrates another example footwear structure in accordance with some aspects of the present technology, where the ground-facing lugs of the foot support member expand under an inflation force;

[0017] Figure 14 Illustrates an example disassembly process in accordance with some aspects of the present technology;

[0018] Figures 15A to 15C Illustrates additional example footwear components and features in accordance with some aspects of the present technology; and

[0019] Figure 16 Shows a general footwear component (e.g., a bottom view of a sole structure) for illustrating various terms and definitions used in this specification. Detailed Description

[0020] In the following description of various examples of footwear structures and components in accordance with the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, methods, and environments in which aspects of the present technology may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures, methods, and environments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures, functions, and methods.

[0021] As used herein, the term "footwear" means any type of wearable apparel for the foot, and the term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, athletic shoes, sandals, clogs, flip-flops, mules, bedroom shoes, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball shoes, football shoes, or rugby shoes, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, dance shoes, etc.).

[0022] This application and / or the claims use adjectives, such as "first," "second," "third," etc., to identify certain components and / or features related to the present technology. The use of these adjectives is merely for convenience, e.g., to help maintain a distinction between components and / or features of a particular structure. The use of these adjectives should not be construed as requiring a particular order or arrangement of the components and / or features being discussed. Additionally, the use of these particular adjectives for a particular structure in the specification does not require the use of the same adjective in the claims to refer to the same part (e.g., a component or feature referred to as "third" in the specification may correspond to any numerical adjective used for that component or feature in the claims).

[0023] The various structures and parameters of footwear articles and their components are described based on the "longitudinal length" parameter L. See Figure 16 . The longitudinal length L can be found in the unloaded state (e.g., no weight is applied to it other than the weight of the footwear article and / or other components of the sole structure) when the footwear article and / or the horizontal support surface on the ground-facing surface of the sole structure is oriented. Once so oriented, a parallel vertical plane VP perpendicular to the horizontal support surface (into and out of Figure 16 the page) is oriented to contact the rearmost heel (RH) position and the foremost toe (FT) position of the footwear article and / or the sole structure. The parallel vertical planes VP should be oriented to face each other and as far apart from each other as possible while still contacting the rearmost heel RH position and the foremost toe FT position. The direct distance between these vertical planes VP corresponds to the length (e.g., longitudinal length) L of the footwear article and / or the sole structure. The positions of some footwear components can be described in this specification based on their respective positions along the longitudinal length L, which is measured forward from the rearmost heel vertical plane VP. Thus, along the longitudinal length L, the rearmost heel position is located at position 0L, and the foremost toe position is located at position 1L. The intermediate position along the longitudinal length L is represented by a fractional position (e.g., 0.33L or 0.66L) of the longitudinal length L measured forward from the rearmost heel vertical plane VP. As used herein, the term "parallel plane" is a plane oriented parallel to the vertical plane VP. These parallel planes can intersect the longitudinal length or longitudinal direction somewhere between P = 0L and P = 1.0L.

[0024] As used herein, the term "rearward" means located at or toward the heel region of the footwear article (or its component), and as used herein, the term "forward" means located at or toward the forefoot or toe region of the footwear article (or its component). See Figure 16 . Also as Figure 16As shown, as used herein, the term "heel," "heel region," or "heel zone" generally refers to the zone defined by parallel planes at 0L and 0.33L. As used herein, the term "midfoot," "midfoot region," or "midfoot zone" generally refers to the zone defined by parallel planes at 0.33L and 0.66L. As used herein, the term "forefoot," "forefoot region," or "forefoot zone" generally refers to the zone defined by parallel planes at 0.66L and 1.0L. Additionally, the term "lateral" means the "little toe" side of the footwear article or its components (e.g., upper, sole structure, etc.), and the term "medial" means the "big toe" side of the footwear article or its components (e.g., upper, sole structure, etc.). Unless otherwise specified or the context clearly indicates, as used herein, directional terms such as "up," "down," "top," and / or "bottom" refer to the direction or position in which the footwear article and / or other components are oriented such that their surface facing the ground is supported on a horizontal contact surface (e.g., a horizontal floor) or facing the horizontal contact surface (e.g., a horizontal floor). The term "upper" is also used herein as a noun to refer to the footwear component structure (as commonly used in the footwear art).

[0025] As used herein in the context of method steps, the term "provide," such as "provide an upper component," "provide a foot support component," "provide an inflatable bladder," and / or "provide an impact attenuation component," means any manner of making the identified component available for further method steps. Thus, in this context, the term "provide" includes, but is not limited to: manufacturing the component, assembling the component, purchasing the component, obtaining the component from a third-party supplier or other source, retrieving the component from storage or inventory, recovering the component from a previously formed product, etc.

[0026] I. General Description of Aspects of the Present Technology

[0027] A sole structure and / or a footwear article according to some aspects of the present technology includes removable (and possibly interchangeable) components (e.g., a foot support component removably engaged with an impact attenuation component and / or a sole component removably engaged with a footwear upper component). In at least some aspects of the present technology, the footwear components can be assembled in an adhesive-free manner. One or more of the footwear components (e.g., one or more of the upper component, the impact attenuation component, the foot support component, etc.) can be formed from a single material, can be formed as an integral, one-piece construction, can be formed from recycled materials, and / or they can themselves be recyclable.

[0028] Some aspects of the present technology relate to footwear articles that include: (a) an upper component having a first through-hole opening (e.g., in its bottom surface, in a strobel component, etc.); (b) a foot support component having a first surface (e.g., a midsole component, an outsole component, etc.), wherein the foot support component is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber; and (c) an impact attenuation component (e.g., an inflatable bladder) that includes: (i) a foot support surface (e.g., the top surface or sheet of a fluid-filled bladder) for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface (e.g., the bottom surface or sheet of a fluid-filled bladder), and (iii) a first expandable lug (e.g., an inflatable lug) extending from the base surface, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined at least within the first expandable lug. The first expandable lug may extend through the first through-hole opening and into the first receiving portion. When the sealed fluid chamber is filled with fluid (e.g., inflated with gas), the first expandable lug has a size and / or shape and / or rigidity that inhibits the first expandable lug from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening. The inner surface of the first internal chamber may provide an "undercut" or "support surface" that engages the outer surface of the first expandable lug to prevent the first expandable lug from being pulled out of the first internal chamber or the first receiving portion through the first opening. In at least some instances, the footwear article may include: (i) an upper having a plurality of through-hole openings, (ii) a foot support component having a plurality of receiving portions and / or a plurality of openings providing access to the receiving portions; and / or (iii) an impact attenuation component having a plurality of expandable lugs (e.g., inflatable lugs). A sole structure according to at least some instances of the present technology may include the foot support component and the impact attenuation component as described above without the upper component.

[0029] Additional aspects of the present technology relate to methods of assembling footwear articles, the methods including: (a) providing an upper component having a first through-hole opening (e.g., in its bottom surface, in a Strobel component, etc.); (b) providing a foot support component having a first surface (e.g., a midsole component, an outsole component, etc.), wherein the foot support component is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber; and (c) providing an impact attenuation component (e.g., an inflatable bladder, etc.) having: (i) a foot support surface (e.g., the top surface or sheet of a fluid-filled bladder) for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface (e.g., the bottom surface or sheet of a fluid-filled bladder), and (iii) a first expandable lug (e.g., an inflatable lug) extending from the base surface, wherein a first fluid chamber is defined at least within the first expandable lug; (d) positioning the base surface of the impact attenuation component relative to the upper component with the first fluid chamber in a contracted state (e.g., a deflated state, a low-pressure state, etc.) such that the first expandable lug extends through the first through-hole opening and into the first receiving portion; and (e) introducing a fluid (e.g., a gas, a liquid, etc.) into the first fluid chamber with the first expandable lug extending into the first receiving portion to change the first fluid chamber from the contracted state to an expanded state (e.g., an inflated state, a high-pressure state, etc.), during which expansion state, the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the first expandable lug changes such that withdrawal of the first expandable lug through the first opening from the first internal chamber is inhibited. The assembly methods according to at least some examples of the present technology can be used to assemble footwear articles having: (i) an upper with a plurality of through-hole openings, (ii) a foot support component having a plurality of receiving portions and / or a plurality of openings providing access to the receiving portions; and / or (iii) an impact attenuation component having a plurality of expandable lugs (e.g., inflatable lugs). Some methods of assembling a sole structure and / or a footwear article according to at least some examples of the present technology can include joining the foot support component to the impact attenuation component as described above without including the upper component in the assembly method (e.g., the upper component can be incorporated into the assembly process in another manner and / or at other steps).

[0030] Additional aspects of the present technology relate to methods of disassembling a sole structure and / or an article of footwear, the methods including: (a) releasing fluid from at least a first expandable lug (e.g., an inflatable lug) of an impact attenuation member (e.g., an inflatable bladder), wherein the first expandable lug includes: (i) a base portion that extends into a first receiving portion formed in a foot support member (e.g., a midsole member, an outsole member, etc.), and (ii) an expandable securing portion that, when filled with fluid (e.g., gas), has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first expandable lug from being pulled out of the first receiving portion; and (b) after releasing sufficient fluid, removing the expandable securing portion of the first expandable lug from the first receiving portion. The step of releasing fluid can include piercing a sealed fluid-filled bladder, opening a valve of the fluid-filled bladder, removing a cap from a port of the fluid-filled bladder, etc. The disassembly methods according to at least some examples of the present technology can be used to disassemble sole structures and / or articles of footwear that have two or more of the following: (i) an upper having a plurality of through-hole openings, (ii) a foot support member having a plurality of receiving portions and / or a plurality of openings providing access to the receiving portions; and / or (iii) an impact attenuation member having a plurality of expandable lugs (e.g., inflatable lugs). Additionally, such disassembly methods can be used with sole structures and / or articles of footwear of the type described above and / or sole structures and / or articles of footwear made by the assembly methods described above.

[0031] Any one or more of the above examples and aspects of the present technology can also include any one or more of the following features: (a) the sole structure and / or the article of footwear can be assembled in an adhesive-free manner; (b) some or all of the components of the sole structure and / or the article of footwear (e.g., at least the upper member, the foot support member, and / or the impact attenuation member (e.g., the inflatable bladder)) can be formed from a single material and / or formed as an integral, one-piece construction; (c) some or all of the components of the sole structure and / or the article of footwear (e.g., at least the upper member, the foot support member, and / or the impact attenuation member (e.g., the inflatable bladder)) can be releasably joined together; and / or (d) some or all of the components of the sole structure and / or the article of footwear (e.g., at least the upper member, the foot support member, and / or the impact attenuation member (e.g., the inflatable bladder)) can be recyclable and / or can be made from recycled materials.

[0032] Given the general description of the features, examples, aspects, structures, processes, and arrangements of certain aspects and examples of the present technology provided above, the following is a more detailed description of specific example sole structures, articles of footwear, and / or methods according to the present technology.

[0033] II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE SOLE STRUCTURES, FOOTWEAR ARTICLES, AND THEIR COMPONENTS / FEATURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASPECTS OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0034] With reference to the accompanying drawings and the following discussion, examples of footwear components, sole structures, and footwear articles in accordance with aspects of the technology are described. Figures 1 to 4 The components of an example footwear article in accordance with aspects of the technology are illustrated, and Figures 5A to 5E the assembly and various characteristics of such example footwear articles and components are illustrated more fully.

[0035] Figure 1 A bottom view of an example upper component 102 (formed as a flat upper blank in the illustrated example) for a footwear article in accordance with some examples of the technology is illustrated. The upper component 102 of the illustrated example is a single component that includes a lateral portion 102L, a medial portion 102M, and a bottom panel 102B that extends between and connects the lateral portion 102L and the medial portion 102M. The bottom panel 102B of the example upper component 102 includes a plurality of through-hole openings 104 that extend completely through the upper component 102. Although other arrangements are possible, in this example, the plurality of through-hole openings 104 are arranged in a plurality of rows that extend in the medial-to-lateral direction of the upper component 102 (and the footwear article that includes the upper component 102). The through-hole openings 104 can also be arranged in a plurality of columns that extend in the front-to-back direction of the upper component 102 (and the footwear article that includes the upper component 102). Any desired number and / or arrangement of through-hole openings 104 can be provided in examples of the technology.

[0036] The upper component 102 can be formed from any desired material and / or in any desired construction, including materials and / or constructions that are commonly known and used in the footwear art. More specific examples include textile materials, fabric materials, plastic materials, knitted components, woven components, molded components, etc. Additionally, the upper component 102 (e.g., as Figure 1 illustrated) can form a complete upper for a footwear article. Alternatively, in some examples, the upper component 102 (e.g., as Figure 1As shown, it can form a component of a multi-component footwear upper. Additionally or alternatively, component 102 itself can be made as a single integral part (e.g., a single continuous fabric or polymer component), or it can consist of multiple parts joined together (e.g., by stitched seams, by mechanical fasteners, by adhesives, etc.). In some examples of the present technology, the bottom panel 102B including one or more through-hole openings 104 can form a Strobel element for a footwear article (optionally, the Strobel element can be stitched to one or more other components that form the outer side portion 102L, the inner side portion 102M, and / or other components of the overall footwear upper). In some examples, the area around one or more of the through-hole openings 104 can be reinforced, for example, to inhibit stretching, deformation, and / or tearing of the upper component 102 at the openings 104. As an example, Figure 1 A reinforcing ring 104R around one through-hole opening 104 is shown, made of, for example, a thicker fabric, a heavier fabric, or a plastic material (similar to a washer structure).

[0037] Figure 2 An example impact attenuation component 200 (e.g., an inflatable bladder 200) that can be used in a sole structure and / or a footwear article according to some examples of the present technology is illustrated. Figure 2 A bottom view of the impact attenuation component 200 is provided, illustrating the base surface 202B of a portion of the impact attenuation component 200. One or more expandable lugs 210 (e.g., inflatable lugs 210) extend away from the base surface 202B (e.g., extend downward from the base surface 202B). Figure 2 The shown base surface 202B is opposite to Figure 2 the foot support surface 202A of the impact attenuation component 200 not seen in (but the foot support surface 202A is shown in other figures such as Figures 5B to 5C ). In examples of the present technology, any desired number and / or arrangement of expandable lugs 210 can be provided (e.g., matching the number and arrangement of the through-hole openings 104 in the upper component 102 to which the impact attenuation component 200 will be joined).

[0038] Although Figure 2 the pattern of the shown expandable lugs 210 does not match the exact pattern of the through-hole openings 104 shown in Figure 1 , the impact attenuation component 200 (e.g., the inflatable bladder 200) can be produced such that the position and pattern of the expandable lugs 210 extending from the base surface 202B match the pattern of the through-hole openings 104 shown in Figure 1 . For example, Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe bottom view and the bottom outer perspective view of an exemplary upper component 102 are shown respectively, in which the expandable lugs 210 of the impact attenuation component 200 (e.g., the inflatable bladder 200) are arranged to match the through-hole openings 104 in the bottom panel 102B of the upper component 102 and extend through these through-hole openings 104. In Figure 3A and Figure 3B the arrangement shown, the base surface 202B of the impact attenuation component 200 is located inside the upper component 102 and is covered by the upper component 102, and is optionally in direct contact with the upward-facing surface (102BT, see Figure 5A and Figure 5B ) of the bottom panel 102B of the upper component 102. The combined upper component 102 and the impact attenuation component 200 are referred to herein as the footwear precursor component 300.

[0039] In this specification, when referring to a specific footwear component by its general term and its more specific embodiments, the same reference numeral may be used. For example, the reference numeral "200" is used herein to refer to both the general "impact attenuation component" and the more specific inflatable bladder or fluid-filled "bladder". Similarly: (i) the reference numeral "202A" is used herein to refer to both the more general "foot support surface" of the impact attenuation component and the more specific "first sheet" of the inflatable bladder; (ii) the reference numeral "202B" is used herein to refer to both the more general "base surface" of the impact attenuation component and the more specific "second sheet" of the inflatable bladder; and (iii) the reference numeral "210" is used herein to refer to both the more general "expandable lug" of the impact attenuation component and the more specific "inflatable lug" of the inflatable bladder. When formed as an inflatable bladder 200, the bladder 200 may be formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane material (including thermoplastic polyurethane materials ("TPU") commonly known and used in the footwear field and / or the inflatable bladder field) (e.g., having a sealed, inflatable chamber defined between two "sheets" or portions of the thermoplastic polyurethane material). The thickness of the TPU material (e.g., in the region of the expandable lug 210) may be selected and / or controlled to provide a desired level of expandability to the lug 210, a desired level of flexibility to the lug (e.g., in the uninflated or low-pressure state), and / or a desired level of stiffness to the lug 210 and / or the bladder 200 (e.g., in the inflated or high-pressure state).

[0040] Figure 4 A bottom view of the overall footwear article 400 is provided, in which Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe footwear precursor component 300 is combined with the foot support component 402. The foot support component 402 can include or can serve as a midsole component (e.g., an impact attenuation component such as a polymer foam material), an outsole component (e.g., a ground-engaging component such as rubber or a thermoplastic material), or both. As will be explained in more detail in connection with Figures 5A to 5E and Figure 9 , the foot support component 402 includes one or more receiving portions 410 (see Figures 5A to 5E ), and the one or more receiving portions 410 correspond to the positions of the expandable lugs 210 and the through-hole openings 104. In this way (and as will be described in more detail below), the expansion of the expandable lugs 210 within the receiving portions 410 can be used to fix the impact attenuation component 200 (and optionally, the upper component 102) to the foot support component 402. As Figure 5A further shown, the expandable lug 210 can include: (i) a base portion 220B, e.g., the base portion 220B extends through the through-hole opening 104 of the upper component 102 (when present) and the opening 414 for the corresponding receiving portion 410 in the foot support component 402, and (ii) an expandable fixing portion 220E (e.g., an inflatable spherical portion), and the expandable fixing portion 220E extends from the base portion 220B and is received in the corresponding receiving portion 410. In some instances, the expandable lug 210 can have the appearance of a balloon-like structure extending from the base surface 202B of the impact attenuation component 200 (e.g., extending from the bottom sheet 202B of the inflatable bladder 200), where the base portion 220B forms the intake valve stem of the balloon-like structure, and the expandable fixing portion 220E forms the main body of the balloon-like structure. In Figure 4 instances, the ground-engaging lugs 412 provide the outer surface of the structure, and the corresponding receiving portions 410 are defined therein. In Figure 4 the arrangement shown, the bottom surface 102BB of the upper component 102 is at least partially located inside the foot support component 402 and is covered by the foot support component 402. In some instances, the bottom surface 102BB can be in direct contact with the first surface 402T (e.g., the upward-facing surface) of the foot support component 402. See Figure 5A .

[0041] The foot support member 402 can be formed in any desired manner. More specific examples include: injection molding or other molding techniques; 3D printing techniques; and so on. Additionally, the foot support member 402 can be made of any desired material, including materials commonly known and used in the footwear field, such as thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, rubber materials, and the like. The foot support member 402 can at least partially function as a midsole member and / or an outsole member for the sole structure and / or the footwear article, and the foot support member 402 is incorporated in the sole structure and / or the footwear article.

[0042] will be incorporated Figures 5A to 5E The assembly of an exemplary sole structure and / or footwear article 400 and various features of these components in accordance with some examples of the present technology will be described in more detail. Figure 5A An example step in the assembly process is illustrated, in which: (a) a vamp member 102 having at least a first through-hole opening 104 (and optionally a plurality of openings 104, e.g., as Figure 1 shown) is provided, and (b) a foot support member 402 is provided. The vamp member 102 can include a fabric element (or other suitable footwear vamp material), which has a bottom panel 102B having a top surface 102BT and a bottom surface 102BB. The bottom panel 102B can include a footwear strobel element that closes the bottom of the overall footwear vamp. The through-hole opening 104 extends completely through the bottom panel 102B of the vamp member 102 from the top surface 102BT to the bottom surface 102BB.

[0043] The foot support member 402 of this example includes a first surface 402T (e.g., a top surface) and a second surface 402B (e.g., a bottom surface) opposite the first surface 402T. As Figure 5A shown, the foot support member 402 is shaped to form a first receiving portion 410 (and optionally a plurality of receiving portions 410). Each of the receiving portions 410 can provide or define an internal chamber 410C. An access opening 414 defined at the first surface 402T provides an entrance to the internal chamber 410C of the corresponding receiving portion 410. Figure 5A The assembly step shown by the arrow 502 in [reference] includes positioning (e.g., direct contact) the bottom surface 102BB of the vamp member 102 relative to the first surface 402T of the foot support member 402 such that the first through-hole opening 104 of the vamp member 102 and the first access opening 414 leading to the first receiving portion 410 are at least partially aligned (e.g., overlap in the axial direction of the openings 104, 414). When a plurality of through-hole openings 104 and corresponding plurality of access openings 414 and / or receiving portions 410 are provided in the footwear structure, Figure 5AThe steps can include positioning the upper member 102 relative to the foot support member 402 such that the through-hole opening 104 of the upper member 102 is at least partially aligned with the corresponding entry opening 414 of the foot support member 402. In at least some instances of this assembly process, no adhesive is provided between the bottom surface 102BB of the upper member 102 and the first surface 402T of the foot support member 402.

[0044] Figure 5B Illustrated is another step in this exemplary assembly process. In Figure 5B the step, the inflatable bladder 200 (or other impact attenuating member) is included in the assembly process. The inflatable bladder 200 of this instance includes: (i) a first sheet 202A (e.g., a top sheet) that forms a top surface (e.g., a foot support surface) for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, and (ii) a second sheet 202B (e.g., a bottom sheet that forms a base surface) opposite the first sheet 202A. A fluid chamber 204 is defined between the first sheet 202A and the second sheet 202B. The inflatable bladder 200 also includes at least one inflation port 206 through which fluid (e.g., gas, such as air) can be introduced into the fluid chamber 204. The inflatable bladder 200 can be made of conventional materials formed in a conventional manner (e.g., conventional materials known and used in the footwear art). Additionally, the first sheet 202A and the second sheet 202B can be formed from separate sheets (e.g., sheets of thermoplastic elastomer material), or they can constitute different portions of a single sheet (e.g., portions of a larger, single sheet folded at an edge). The sheets 202A, 202B can be joined together, for example, at a peripheral seam, such as using heat and / or pressure, welding techniques, etc., known and used in the footwear art. Additionally, internal welds or seams (e.g., joining the inner surfaces of the sheet 202A and the sheet 202B) and / or other features (such as internal tension elements) can be used to control the shape of the inflatable bladder 200, for example, in a manner generally known and used in the footwear art.

[0045] As Figure 5BFurther shown, the inflatable bladder 200 of this example also includes a first inflatable lug 210 extending from the second sheet 202B (and extending outwardly from the base surface provided by the second sheet 202B). The fluid chamber 204 of this example extends continuously from the volume between the first sheet 202A and the second sheet 202B and extends into the internal volume defined within the first inflatable lug 210. At this stage in the process, the inflatable bladder 200 (including the inflatable lug 210) may be in a non-inflated state or a low-pressure state, such that the surface of the inflatable lug 210 is prone to collapse and / or fold. When a plurality of through-hole openings 104, a plurality of inlet openings 414, and / or a plurality of receiving portions 410 are provided in the footwear structure, the inflatable bladder 200 may include a corresponding plurality of inflatable lugs 210, e.g., providing one inflatable lug 210 for each corresponding through-hole opening 104, each corresponding inlet opening 414, and / or each corresponding receiving portion 410.

[0046] In the assembly step illustrated by process arrow 504, the inflatable bladder 200 is positioned relative to the upper member 102 and the foot support member 402 such that the first inflatable lug 210 extends into the first receiving portion 410. More specifically, as Figure 5B illustrated in the example of, the first inflatable lug 210 is positioned such that: (a) its base portion 220B extends through the first through-hole opening 104 and through the opening 414 of the foot support member 402, and (b) its expandable portion 220E extends into the first chamber 410C of the first receiving portion 410. When present, other inflatable lugs 210 may be positioned to extend through other corresponding through-hole openings 104 in the upper member 102 and enter other receiving portions 410 provided in the foot support member 402 in a similar manner. In this way, as Figure 5B illustrated, at least a portion of the upper member 102 may be clamped between the base surface 202B of the inflatable bladder 200 (formed by the second sheet 202B) and the first surface 402T (top surface) of the foot support member 402. In at least some instances of this assembly process, no adhesive is provided between the base surface 202B of the inflatable bladder 200 and the upward-facing surface 102BT of the upper member 102. Figure 5B The reference numeral 510 shown refers to the combined structure of the upper member 102, the inflatable bladder 200, and the foot support member 402, which is assembled with the inflatable lugs 210 extending into the corresponding receiving portions 410 and passing through the corresponding through-hole openings 104 provided in the upper member 102.

[0047] During the above assembly process, the upper component 102 is positioned relative to the foot support component 402, and then the inflatable bladder 200 is positioned relative to the combination of the upper component 102 and the foot support component 402. Other alternatives are possible. For example, the inflatable bladder 200 can be positioned relative to the upper component 102 (e.g., having an inflatable lug 210 extending through the through-hole opening 104, as described above in connection with Figure 3A and Figure 3B ), and then the foot support component 400 can be positioned relative to the combination of the upper component 102 and the inflatable bladder 200 (e.g., such that the inflatable lug 210 of the inflatable bladder 200 extends into the corresponding receiving portion 410 of the foot support component 402). Additionally or alternatively, Figure 5A and Figure 5B 's steps can occur simultaneously or in an alternating sequence (e.g., assembling different parts of the overall combined structure 510 in a different order). Any desired manner of providing the combined structure 510 shown in Figure 5B can be used in different instances of the present technology.

[0048] Figure 5C shows a portion of the footwear assembly process in which the inflatable bladder 200 (or other expandable structure) is inflated with fluid 524 (e.g., gas) from a fluid source 520. Figure 5C shows a fluid line 522 from the fluid source 520 that introduces the fluid 524 into the fluid chamber 204 of the inflatable bladder 200 (e.g., through an inflation needle 526 inserted into the inflation port 206). This action changes the inflatable bladder 200 from an uninflated state or a low-pressure state ( Figure 5C the left side) to an inflated state or a high-pressure state ( Figure 5C the right side). Accordingly, the size, shape, and / or stiffness of the inflatable lug 210 changes to expand within the inner chamber 410C of its corresponding receiving portion 410, as shown on the right side of Figure 5C . Once expanded (e.g., inflated) to a desired pressure (e.g., from 15 psi to 25 psi (103 kPa to 172 kPa)) and / or stiffness, the inflation port 206 can be sealed (e.g., crimped closed, capped, etc. using heat and / or pressure), as shown by the sealed end 208 in Figure 5C . Once inflated with gas (or otherwise expanded) and sealed, the first inflatable lug 210 will have a size, shape, and / or stiffness that inhibits the first inflatable lug 210 from being pulled out of the first inner chamber 410C of the first receiving portion 410 through the first opening 414. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 5C , when expanded, the outer surface of the expandable lug 210 abuts against the top inner surface of the receiving portion 410. See Figure 5CThe area 512 therein. The top of the receiving portion 410 forms an "undercut" or "support surface" that engages and extends the surface of the lug 210. The connection between the surface of the lug 210 and the surface of the receiving portion 410 at the area 512 inhibits the pulling out of the lug 210 from the receiving portion. Similarly, when present and inflated (or otherwise expanded) with gas and sealed, other inflatable lugs 210 will have a size, shape, and / or stiffness that inhibits the inflatable lugs 210 from being pulled out of the internal chamber 410C of their corresponding receiving portion 410 through the opening 414 located at the top surface 402T of the foot support member 402 (e.g., these lugs 210 and the receiving portion 410 can have similar connecting surfaces and undercuts).

[0049] In this way, as Figure 5C shown, the upper member 102, the inflatable bladder 200, and the foot support member 402 can optionally be joined together in a completely adhesive-free manner. Instead, the inflatable lugs 210 of the inflatable bladder 200 can hold these parts together by engaging the inner surface of the inner chamber 410C with the outer surface of the enlarged head or spherical portion of the inflatable lug 210. In fact, the entire footwear structure 400 can be assembled in this "adhesive-free" manner. Such structures may be well-suited for the disassembly (discussed in more detail below) and / or recycling of footwear parts.

[0050] In some examples of the present technology, the inner surface of the inner chamber 410C will define an inner chamber volume (V 210 ) that is substantially the same as the volume defined by the outer surface of the inflatable lug 210 located within the inner chamber 410C (V 410 ). In other words, once fully inflated, the inflatable lug 210 can completely fill or substantially completely fill the inner chamber 410C (e.g., V 410 = V 210 to 1.1V 210 ). Alternatively, if desired, V 410 can be slightly larger than V 210 (when fully inflated), for example, especially if the inflatable lug 210 is stiff enough during inflation to prevent it from deforming undesirably within the inner chamber 410C and being pulled out of its corresponding opening 414. As another alternative, in at least some examples of the present technology, a single inner chamber 410C and receiving portion 410 can include multiple openings (e.g., at the surface 402T) such that multiple inflatable lugs 210 can extend into a single or continuous inner chamber 410C and receiving portion 410 (i.e., two or more inflatable lugs 210 can extend into a single inner chamber 410C and a single receiving portion 410). See Figure 10 and Figure 11 for the right chamber 410C, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0051] Various features of the opening 104, the receiving portion 410, the internal chamber 410C, the opening 414, and / or the inflatable lug 210 can contribute to fixing the inflatable bladder 200 to the foot support member 402 (and thus fixing these parts together and fixing these parts to the upper member 102). For example, as Figure 5D shown, relatively sharp corners or edges 416 can be provided at the entrance of the internal chamber 410C. As some more specific examples, the corner or edge 416 can form an angle α of 75 degrees to 170 degrees. As shown, the angle α is the angle between (i) the side wall 416A of the opening 414 and (ii) the inner surface 416B of the internal chamber 410C at a position adjacent to the opening 414. If one or both of these surfaces 416A and / or 416B are curved, the tangent (e.g., 416C) at a position adjacent to the entrance of the internal chamber 410C can be used to measure the angle. As additional examples, the angle α can be in the range of 75 degrees to 165 degrees, 80 degrees to 160 degrees, 85 degrees to 155 degrees, 90 degrees to 150 degrees, 80 degrees to 125 degrees, 85 degrees to 120 degrees, or even in the range of 90 degrees to 120 degrees. As still other examples, the edge 416 can have a curved entrance shape, for example, with a curvature radius less than 10 mm, and in some examples, with a curvature radius less than 8 mm or less than 6 mm. In addition, any one or more of the above-described angles and / or curvature magnitudes can be provided in any of the foot support members 402 described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 this specification. In this way, the inner surface (at the top) of the internal chamber 410C provides an enlarged "support surface" or "undercut" that engages the outer surface of the inflatable lug 210 when the lug 210 expands. When the inflatable lug 210 is inflated to a sufficient pressure and / or the inflatable lug 210 is made to have sufficient stiffness, the sizes and / or shapes (and / or have sufficient stiffness) of these connecting and engaging surfaces of the internal chamber 410C and the inflatable lug 210 are designed to prevent the inflatable lug 210 from being pulled out of the internal chamber 410C or the receiving portion 410 through the opening 414. In some examples of this technology, the opening 104 (as described above) in the reinforced upper member 102 and / or the opening 414 of the foot support member 402 can also be used, for example, to help prevent or inhibit undesired deformation, stretching, and / or tearing of the material at the openings 104, 414.

[0052] Another way to define the "undercut" provided at the entrance of the internal chamber 410C is by comparing the following two: (i) the area (A 平面A ) defined within the opening 414 at a first plane A (e.g., a plane located directly above the entrance of the chamber 410C and optionally transverse to the axial direction of the opening 414), and (ii) the area (A 平面B ) defined within the chamber 410C at a second plane B parallel to the first plane A and at a position spaced "D" mm from the first plane A. Note Figure 5D and Figure 5E ( Figure 5E A view looking directly down at the opening 414 from the top surface 402T of the foot support member 402 is provided, where the plane A shows the size of the opening 414 and the plane B is shown as a dashed line (since the plane B is within the chamber 410C below the opening 414). In at least some instances of the present technology, with the parallel plane spacing distance D being 5 mm, the area of plane A (A 平面A ) within the opening 414 can be compared with the area of plane B (A 平面B ) within the internal chamber 410C under any one or more of the following relationships:

[0053] A 平面B ≥1.25×A 平面A A 平面B ≥1.5×A 平面A A 平面B ≥1.75×A 平面A

[0054] A 平面B ≥2×A 平面A A 平面B ≥4×A 平面A A 平面B ≥8×A 平面A

[0055] A 平面B ≥10×A 平面A A 平面B ≥12×A 平面A A 平面B ≥15×A 平面A

[0056] 100×A 平面A ≥A 平面B ≥1.25×A 平面A 80×A 平面A ≥A 平面B ≥1.25×A 平面A

[0057] 60×A 平面A ≥A 平面B≥1.25×A 平面A 40×A 平面A ≥A 平面B ≥1.25×A 平面A

[0058] 100×A 平面A ≥A 平面B ≥2×A 平面A 80×A 平面A ≥A 平面B ≥4×A 平面A

[0059] 60×A 平面A ≥A 平面B ≥8×A 平面A 40×A 平面A ≥A 平面B ≥10×A 平面A

[0060] It is also possible to provide any one or more of the above-described relationships between plane A and plane B at planes A and B with a parallel plane spacing distance D of 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, and / or 12 mm. In addition, any one or more of the above relationships can be provided in any foot support member 402 described in this specification and illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 .

[0061] In Figures 4 to 5D the exemplary structure shown, the ground-facing surface (e.g., surface 402B) of the foot support member 402 that is oppositely positioned to the first (e.g., top) surface 402T can form a surface for direct contact with the ground during use (as the term "ground" as used herein in this context means any contact surface, indoor or outdoor). In such a structure, the ground-facing surface can be formed to include one or more ground-facing lugs and / or ground-engaging lugs 412 that at least partially enclose the first internal cavity 410C of the receiving portion 410. If desired, separate ground-facing lugs and / or ground-engaging lugs 412 (e.g., as shown in Figure 4 ) can be provided for each internal cavity 410C and / or receiving portion 410.

[0062] However, in some instances of the present technology, at least one, some, or even all of the ground-facing lugs 412 of the foot support member 402 can be at least partially enclosed within another sole member 600 (such as an outsole member 600 (e.g., formed using conventional footwear sole materials and conventional outsole production techniques)). Note Figure 6The sole component 600 of this example includes an internal chamber 602 or recess, e.g., the size and shape of the internal chamber 602 or recess are designed to at least partially contain one or more receiving portions 410. The bottom surface 600B of the sole component 600 may include attachment friction enhancing structures (such as ridges, grooves, treads, lugs, studs, cleats, etc.), including those commonly known and used in the footwear art. The sole component 600 may be joined to the foot support component 402 (and / or other footwear components) in any desired manner (including by adhesives, by mechanical fasteners, by stitched seams, etc.). In some examples of the present technology, the sole component 600 will be joined in an adhesive-free manner and / or in a detachable manner (such as by stitched seams or mechanical fasteners), e.g., to facilitate disassembly and / or recycling.

[0063] Figure 7 Illustrated is a portion of an assembled footwear article 400 similar to the footwear article described above in connection with Figure 1 A through Figure 5E wherein the outer surface of one or more of the receiving portions 410 forms an exposed, ground-facing lug 412. However, in this example footwear 400 configuration, an additional protective element 700 (e.g., an outsole element 700) is joined to the bottom outer surface of the ground-facing lug 412. The additional protective element 700 may be made of a conventional outsole material and provides some additional protection (such as durability, puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, etc.) to the ground-facing lug 412. Any one or more of the ground-facing lugs 412 (such as Figure 4 any one or more of the ground-facing lugs 412 shown) may include Figure 7 an additional protective element 700 of the type shown. The additional protective element 700 may be joined to the foot support component 402 in any desired manner (including by adhesives, by mechanical fasteners, by stitched seams, etc.). In some examples of the present technology, the additional component 700 will be joined in an adhesive-free manner and / or in a detachable manner, e.g., to facilitate disassembly and / or recycling.

[0064] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view is provided through the receiving portion 410 of another example foot support component 402, which another example foot support component 402 has one or more receiving portions 410 formed therein. However, in Figure 8In the example, the outer surface of the ground-facing lug 412 is more formed in a conventional shape for an attachment friction enhancing component (such as a stud or other sole component) of a footwear sole structure. Thus, the outer surface of the ground-facing lug 412 does not need to correspond to the shape of the inner chamber 410C of the receiving portion 410 formed in the ground-facing lug 412. This enables the ground-facing lug 412 to be sized and shaped as needed to provide desired attachment friction, durability, and / or other performance characteristics while also adequately protecting the inflatable lug 210 of the inflatable bladder 200 housed within the receiving portion 410. Although not required, Figure 8 illustrates an additional protective component 700 (such as an outsole element) that engages the bottom of the ground-facing lug 412 (e.g., in the manner described above for Figure 7 element 700).

[0065] Similar to Figure 4 the structure shown, Figure 9 illustrates the top surface 402T of an exemplary foot support component 402, which has a plurality of openings 414 that extend into a plurality of inner chambers 410C and receiving portions 410. In the illustrated example, each illustrated receiving portion 410 has its own separate ground-facing lug 412, but all of the ground-facing lugs 412 are connected to a common base (which forms the top surface or upward-facing surface 402T and the bottom surface or ground-facing surface 402B) or extend from the common base. Although not shown in Figure 9 , one or more of the ground-facing lugs 412 may include protective elements such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 the protective component 700 shown.

[0066] Figure 10 and Figure 11 show additional examples of the foot support component 402, where a single ground-facing lug 412 includes two or more receiving portions 410, two or more inner chambers 410C, and / or two or more openings 414 at the upward-facing surface 402T, and the two or more openings 414 provide access to the receiving portions 410 and / or inner chambers 410C. Thus, as shown in the example on the left side of Figure 10 and Figure 11 , each opening 414 may include its own and separate receiving portion 410 and inner chamber 410C. Alternatively, in some examples of the present technology, two or more of the openings 414 at the upward-facing surface 402T may lead to a single receiving portion 410 and inner chamber 410C, e.g., as shown on the right side of Figure 10 and Figure 11 .

[0067] Figure 12 illustrates a footwear article 400 structure similar to the Figures 1 to 5E footwear article structure shown, except that the ground-facing lugs 412 and the shape of the receiving portion 410 / internal cavity 410C are more frustoconical. Thus, when inflated, the inflatable lugs 210 also assume a more frustoconical shape. Figure 12 The footwear structure 400 can include any of the alternative and / or additional features described above in connection with Figures 1 to 11 such as an additional outsole member 600, an additional protective member 700, an inflatable lug 210 to receiving portion 410 one-to-one ratio, two or more inflatable lugs 210 extending into a single receiving portion 410, additional reinforcements, etc. Figure 12 The components shown can be joined together in an adhesive-free manner, e.g., using the joining provided only by the inflatable lugs 210 within the receiving portion 410.

[0068] Figure 13 illustrates an example feature according to another aspect of the present technology. Figure 13 illustrates the steps of inflating the bladder 200, e.g., similar to the Figure 5C steps shown. However, in the Figure 13 instance, the inflation of the inflatable lugs 210 exerts an outward force on the inner surface of the receiving portion 410 such that the size of the receiving portion 410 also expands slightly, as shown by the broken line on the right hand side of Figure 13 . This feature can provide a visual indicator of the inflation of the inflatable lugs 210 that is not visible from the exterior of the footwear article 400. If desired, the ground-facing lugs 412 and / or the outer surface of the receiving portion 410 can include expansion support features (such as folds, bellows, etc.), and / or can be at least partially made of stretchable material (such as a thermoplastic sidewall or panel). Such expansion support features are shown by the Figure 13 component 1300 in Figures 1 to 12 (e.g., the reference numeral 1300 generally denotes a fold, bellows, or stretchable material). Any of the other features described above for Figure 13 can also be included in or applied to the Figure 13 type of structure shown, and / or Figure 13 the expansion support features of Figures 1 to 12Any of the structures shown and described. Additionally or alternatively, in some instances, when extended, the bottommost edge of the lug 412 can be shifted a distance Z of at least 2 mm. As additional instances, the distance Z can be at least one or more of the following: at least 3 mm; at least 4 mm; at least 5 mm; between 2 mm and 12 mm; between 2 mm and 10 mm; between 2 mm and 8 mm; between 3 mm and 12 mm; between 3 mm and 10 mm; and / or between 3 mm and 8 mm.

[0069] While the outer surface of one or more ground-facing lugs 412 can be extended by any desired amount without departing from the present technology, in some instances of the present technology, compared to the initial and unextended lug volume (V INIT ) of the ground-facing lug 412, the extended lug volume (V EXP ) of the ground-facing lug 412 can correspond to one or more of the following relationships:

[0070] V EXP ≥1.05×V INIT V EXP ≥1.1×V INIT V EXP ≥1.2×V INIT

[0071] 2.5×V INIT ≥V EXP ≥1.05×V INIT 2×V INIT ≥V EXP ≥1.1×V INIT

[0072] Additionally or alternatively, in some instances of the present technology, compared to the initial and unextended outer surface area (A INIT ) of the ground-facing lug 412, the extended outer surface area (A EXP ) of the ground-facing lug 412 can correspond to one or more of the following relationships:

[0073] A EXP ≥1.05×A INIT A EXP ≥1.1×A INIT A EXP ≥1.2×A INIT

[0074] 2.5×A INIT ≥A EXP ≥1.05×A INIT 2×A INIT ≥A EXP ≥1.1×AINIT.

[0075] As described above, according to at least some aspects of the present technology, the footwear 400 structure can be assembled (at least in part) in an adhesive-free manner, for example, by using one or more inflatable lugs 210 of the foot support inflatable bladder 200 to engage one or more receiving portions 410 provided in a foot support member 402 (such as a footwear midsole or outsole member). Optionally, the one or more inflatable lugs 210 can extend through one or more through-hole openings 104 of the upper member 102 to further engage the upper member 102 in the footwear 400 structure in an adhesive-free manner. Avoiding the use of adhesives generally enhances the reusability of the footwear parts because it simplifies the disassembly process and avoids the contamination of the materials to be recycled by the adhesive material. In addition, avoiding the use of adhesives during assembly improves the sustainability and environmental friendliness of the product and production by reducing the use of volatile chemicals.

[0076] Figure 14 An example process for disassembling a footwear article 400 according to some aspects of the present technology is illustrated. The process starts with a completed footwear article 400 of any type described above, for example, in connection with Figures 1 to 13 Then, as shown by process arrow 1400 in Figure 14 , the process begins by releasing the fluid from the sealed fluid chamber 204 in any desired manner (e.g., by piercing the fluid-filled bladder 200, by opening a valve (if present), by opening the sealed end 208, etc.). Although Figure 14 shows a sharp element 1402 for piercing the inflatable lug 210, the sealed fluid chamber 204 can be pierced at any location, and / or the fluid can be released through a valve or other port 206 provided for the inflatable bladder 200. This action releases the fluid 524 from the fluid chamber 204, thereby deflating the inflatable lug 210. See the top right hand side of Figure 14 .

[0077] Once the inflatable lug 210 is deflated, the absence of adhesives (when not in use) allows the footwear parts to be easily pulled apart, for example, as shown at the bottom of Figure 14 . For example, since the inflatable lug 210 is no longer expanded, it can be pulled out of the receiving portion 410 through the opening 414. See process arrow 1404. This allows the inflatable bladder 200 to be completely removed from the remaining footwear components. Due to the absence of adhesives on the surface of the inflatable bladder 200, the bladder 200 (e.g., made of a thermoplastic elastomer material) may be very suitable for reuse in a new shoe (e.g., after cleaning and / or other processing) and / or very suitable for use in a recycling process, for example, in those recycling processes where the bladder 200 can be reprocessed and made into a new bladder, other footwear components, and / or other products.

[0078] In addition, as Figure 14 shown on the bottom right side of, there is no adhesive (when not in use) allowing the upper component 102 to separate from the foot support component 402. See process arrow 1406. In this way, the foot support component 402 (e.g., made of rubber or thermoplastic material) may be very suitable for use in a new shoe (e.g., after cleaning and / or other processing) and / or very suitable for use in a recycling process, e.g., in those recycling processes where the foot support component 402 can be reprocessed and made into a new foot support component, other footwear components, and / or other products. Similarly, the upper component 102 (e.g., a fabric component, textile, plastic component, etc.) can be cleaned for use in a new shoe (e.g., after cleaning and / or other processing) and / or very suitable for use in a recycling process, e.g., in those recycling processes where the upper component 102 can be reprocessed and made into a new footwear upper component, other footwear components, and / or other products.

[0079] In aspects of the present technology, the expandable lugs 210 and the receiving portions 410 that receive them can vary widely. In addition, all of the expandable lugs 210 and / or receiving portions 410 present in a single footwear article and / or sole structure do not need to have the same size and / or shape. Different expandable lugs 210 and / or receiving portions 410 sizes, shapes, geometries, and / or arrangements can be provided in different regions of the sole structure. As some more specific examples, the lugs 210 and / or receiving portions 410 may differ in size, shape, geometry, and / or arrangement: (i) in the heel region compared to the midfoot region, (ii) in the heel region compared to the forefoot region, (iii) in the midfoot region compared to the heel region, (iv) on the outer side (in any one or more regions) compared to the inner side (in any one or more regions), etc.

[0080] Figures 15A to 15C Some additional specific examples are shown. In Figures 15A to 15C cases where the same reference numerals as those used in other figures are used, the same or similar parts (including any options, alternatives, etc. of these same or similar parts) are referenced, and most of their repeated descriptions can be omitted.

[0081] Figure 15AShows a bottom view of an expandable member (e.g., an inflatable bladder) 200 having a plurality of expandable lugs 210 of different sizes and shapes extending downwardly from a base surface 202B. At least a portion of the heel region and the midfoot region of the illustrated example includes relatively small expandable lugs 210HS and relatively large expandable lugs 210HL. Although the expandable lugs may be arranged in a wide variety of configurations, in the illustrated example, in at least a portion of the heel region and / or the midfoot region, these expandable lugs are arranged in an alternating manner. For example: (a) in the left-right direction, small expandable lugs 210HS are arranged next to large expandable lugs 210HL, (b) in the heel-to-toe direction, small expandable lugs 210HS are arranged between two large expandable lugs 210HL, and / or (c) large expandable lugs 210HL are arranged between two small expandable lugs 210HS.

[0082] The forefoot region of this example includes expandable lugs having three general sizes, namely: relatively small expandable lugs 210FS, relatively medium-sized expandable lugs 210FM, and relatively large expandable lugs 210FL. Although the expandable lugs may also be arranged in a wide range of configurations, in the illustrated example, where space permits, in the forefoot region, the three different-sized expandable lugs are arranged to be generally aligned in the left-right direction, with the size increasing and / or decreasing in the medial-to-lateral direction. As Figure 15A generally shown in, the relatively large expandable lugs 210FL may be separated from each other by one or both of the relatively small expandable lugs 210FS and / or the relatively medium-sized expandable lugs 210FM.

[0083] Figure 15B Illustrates the top surface 402T of a foot support member 402, which is configured to engage Figure 15A the expandable lugs of the expandable member 200 shown. Thus, Figure 15B the top view of shows openings 414HL, 414HS, 414FS, 414FM, and 414FL of various different sizes, which are provided to respectively receive the corresponding expandable lugs 210HL, 210HS, 210FS, 210FM, and 210FL described above. These openings 414HL, 414HS, 414FS, 414FM, and 414FL provide access to one or more internal chambers 410C of the type described in detail above in the receiving portion 410 in the foot support member 402. In at least some examples of the present technology, a footwear upper member (e.g., similar to member 102 discussed above) may be provided to be positioned at Figure 15AThe bottom base surface 202B of the expandable component (e.g., an inflatable bladder) 200 shown and Figure 15B Between the top surface 402T of the foot support component 402 shown. Such a footwear upper component 102 may include one or more portions (e.g., a fabric component) having through-holes (e.g., similar holes 104), and these through-holes have Figure 15B The general layout and arrangement shown (e.g., axially aligned or overlapping with one or more of the openings 414HL, 414HS, 414FS, 414FM, and 414FL).

[0084] Figure 15C Shown in a deflated or low-pressure configuration (left side) and in an inflated or high-pressure configuration (left side) is, for example, Figure 15A An enlarged view of an example expandable lug 210 of the type shown. As shown in this example, the portion 210A of the expandable lug 210 that is closest to and extends away from the base surface 202B may extend substantially straight away from the base surface 202B. The top portion 210A of the expandable lug 210 may extend away from the bottom base surface 202B at an angle of approximately 90 degrees (e.g., 90 degrees ± 10 degrees, and in some instances, 90 degrees ± 5 degrees). The top portion 210A may form the base portion 220B of the expandable lug 210 described above. Additionally, the top portion 210A may form the outer surface of the expandable lug 210, and this outer surface may directly engage (e.g., directly contact) the side surface of the hole 104 in the footwear upper component 102 (when present) and / or the opening 414 of the foot support component 402.

[0085] The expandable portion 210B of the expandable lug 210 extends downward from the top portion 210A (in Figure 15C The arrangement shown) and is located below the top portion 210A. The expandable portion 210B forms the expandable fixed portion 220E of the expandable lug 210 described above. In Figure 15C The example, the cross-section of the expandable portion 210B is generally trapezoidal, but other shapes are possible (e.g., having more outwardly bulging side walls, having more rounded corners, etc.).

[0086] In at least some instances of the present technology, inflation of the expandable lug 210 (including Figures 2 to 3B , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 And Figure 15A Any one of the expandable / inflatable lugs 210 shown) may cause dimensional changes in one or more dimensions of the lug 210. Figure 15CThe left side of [Figure] shows the exemplary expandable lug 210 in a low pressure or non-inflated state, having a lug height dimension H1 and a lug width dimension W1 (e.g., any dimension directly across the expandable lug 210, such as a diameter or chord dimension). Figure 15C The right side of [Figure] shows the same exemplary expandable lug 210 in a high pressure or inflated state (e.g., optionally, after being inserted into the receiving portion 410 of the foot support member 402 and / or through the opening 104 in the upper member 102 as described above). In the high pressure or inflated state, the expandable / inflatable lug 210 can increase its lug height dimension to H2 and / or increase its lug width dimension to W2, where H2 > H1 and / or W2 > W1. Figure 15C The broken lines on the right side show the original dimensions H1 and W1 of the expandable / inflatable lug 210.

[0087] As some more specific examples, H1, H2, W1, and W2 (in any one of the expandable / inflatable lugs 210 shown in Figures 2 to 3B , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 and Figure 15A ) can have any one or more of the following characteristics:

[0088] W2 ≥ 1.05×W1 W2 ≥ 1.1×W1 W2 ≥ 1.15×W1 W2 ≥ 1.2×W1

[0089] 2×W1 ≥ W2 ≥ 1.05×W1 1.75×W1 ≥ W2 ≥ 1.1×W1 1.5×W1 ≥ W2 ≥ 1.15×W1

[0090] H2 ≥ 1.05×H1 H2 ≥ 1.1×H1 H2 ≥ 1.15×H1 H2 ≥ 1.2×H1

[0091] 2×H1 ≥ H2 ≥ 1.05×H1 1.75×H1 ≥ H2 ≥ 1.1×H1 1.5×H1 ≥ H2 ≥ 1.15×H1

[0092] Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of the present technology, W2 can be at least 2 mm greater than W1, and in some examples, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 7.5 mm, at least 10 mm, or even at least 12.5 mm greater. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of the present technology, H2 can be at least 2 mm greater than H1, and in some examples, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 7.5 mm, at least 10 mm, or even at least 12.5 mm greater.

[0093] While the outer surface of one or more expandable / inflatable lugs 210 can expand any desired amount without departing from the present technology, in some instances of the present technology (including any of the expandable / inflatable lugs 210 shown in Figures 2 to 3B , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 and Figure 15A ), compared to the initial and unexpanded lug volume (V INIT ) of the expandable / inflatable lug 210, the expanded lug volume (V EXP ) of the expandable / inflatable lug 210 can correspond to one or more of the following relationships:

[0094] V EXP ≥1.025×V INIT V EXP ≥1.05×V INIT V EXP ≥1.075×V INIT

[0095] V EXP ≥1.1×V INIT 2×V INIT ≥V EXP ≥1.025×V INIT

[0096] 1.75×V INIT ≥V EXP ≥1.05×V INIT

[0097] Additionally or alternatively, in some instances of the present technology, compared to the initial and unexpanded outer surface area (A INIT ) of the lug 210, the outer surface area (A EXP ) of the expanded lug 210 can correspond to one or more of the following relationships:

[0098] A EXP ≥1.025×A INIT A EXP ≥1.05×A INIT A EXP ≥1.075×A INIT

[0099] A EXP ≥1.1×A INIT 2×A INIT ≥A EXP≥1.025×A INIT

[0100] 1.75×A INIT ≥A EXP ≥1.05×A INIT.

[0101] In addition, according to at least some aspects of the present technology, one or more of the upper component 102, the inflatable bladder 200, and / or the foot support component 402 may itself be formed of a single material and / or formed as an integral, one-piece construction. These features (when present) can enhance the recyclability of these parts, for example, after the end of the initial useful life of the overall footwear product 400. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some instances of the present technology: (a) the entire footwear article 400 can be assembled in an adhesive-free manner; (b) the separate upper component 102, the inflatable bladder 200, and / or the foot support component 402 can be made without the use of adhesives and in an adhesive-free manner; and / or (c) other footwear components present (e.g., components 600, 700, etc.) (if any) can be releasably engaged with each other and / or releasably engaged with other footwear 400 components. When present, one or more of these features can improve the environmental "friendliness" of the footwear article 400 and / or can enhance the recyclability of the individual components (e.g., the upper component 102, the inflatable bladder 200, and / or the foot support component 402). Alternatively, some advantageous features of the present technology can still be achieved by the upper component 102, the inflatable bladder 200, and / or the foot support component 402 formed of multiple parts and / or using adhesives and / or other permanent connection configurations. Although such modifications may adversely affect the ability to recycle some components and / or the overall structure, a useful footwear article can still be produced. Therefore, not all aspects of the present technology need to have the improved recyclability and / or improved environmentally friendly features described herein for some aspects of the present technology.

[0102] In the above specific example, the overall footwear 400 structure including the upper component 102 and the foot support components (the inflatable bladder 200 and the foot support component 402) is releasably held together using one or more expandable lugs 210 of the impact attenuation component 200 that extend into one or more receiving portions 410 of the foot support component 402. However, in some examples of the present technology, the upper component 102 need not be included in a structure held together using one or more expandable lugs 210 that extend into one or more receiving portions 410. Instead, the impact attenuation component 200 and the foot support component 402 can be held together, assembled, and disassembled in any of the various ways described above without an upper component extending between the impact attenuation component 200 and the foot support component 402. In such a structure, before or after the impact attenuation component 200 and the foot support component 402 are releasably joined together by one or more expandable lugs 210 that extend into one or more receiving portions 410, an upper component (e.g., including one or more components and / or a conventional construction) can be joined to the impact attenuation component 200 and / or the foot support component 402. The upper component can be joined to one or both of the impact attenuation component 200 and the foot support component 402, for example, by one or more of adhesives, mechanical connectors, stitched seams, etc.

[0103] The above description also focuses on a structure in which the inflatable bladder 200 includes a single fluid chamber 204 that extends into and is in fluid communication with all of the inflatable lugs 210. Other arrangements and structures are possible. For example, the footwear structure 400 can include multiple, separate inflatable bladders 200, where separate fluid chambers 204 are provided in the separate bladders (and each bladder includes one or more expandable lugs 210). As another example, the interior of a single inflatable bladder can include separate compartments that are fluidly isolated from each other (e.g., such that not all of the inflatable lugs 210 are in open fluid communication with each other). Using such separate and fluidly isolated inflatable lugs 210 can help hold the footwear article 400 together in the event that one or more of the inflatable lugs deflate for any reason.

[0104] The above specific example also focuses on a structure in which the expandable securing element is an inflatable lug 210 inflated by gas. Other structures are possible. For example, instead of inflating with gas, the bladder 200 can be filled with a liquid, and thus, the expandable lugs 210 in the structure will expand due to the introduced liquid. Once the interior chamber 204 of the bladder 200 is filled with liquid, the chamber 204 can be sealed, and the bladder 200 can be operated in the manner described above.

[0105] As other potential features, the bladder 200 and / or the expandable lug 210 can form part of an impact attenuation component that also includes other components. For example, the various types of bladders 200 described above can be at least partially contained within a polymeric foam midsole component and / or a midsole component that includes one or more mechanical impact attenuation components.

[0106] III. Conclusion

[0107] The present technology has been disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to various embodiments. However, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide examples of various features and concepts related to the present technology, rather than to limit its scope. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0108] To avoid doubt, this application at least includes the subject matter described in the following numbered clauses:

[0109] Clause 1. An article of footwear, comprising:

[0110] An upper component having a first through-hole opening;

[0111] A foot support component having a first surface, wherein the foot support component is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber; and

[0112] An inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder comprising: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a first inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the first inflatable lug, wherein the first inflatable lug extends through the first through-hole opening and into the first receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with gas, the first inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first inflatable lug from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0113] Clause 2. The footwear article according to Clause 1, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a second through-hole opening; (ii) the foot support member includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber; and (iii) the inflatable bladder includes a second inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the second inflatable lug, wherein the second inflatable lug extends through the second through-hole opening and into the second receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with the gas, the second inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the second inflatable lug from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0114] Clause 3. The footwear article according to Clause 2, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a third through-hole opening; (ii) the foot support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber; and (iii) the inflatable bladder includes a third inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the third inflatable lug, wherein the third inflatable lug extends through the third through-hole opening and into the third receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with the gas, the third inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the third inflatable lug from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

[0115] Clause 4. The footwear article according to Clause 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber; (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug; and (iii) a third ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the third internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug and the second ground-facing lug.

[0116] Clause 5. The footwear article according to Clause 4, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member engaged with the first ground-facing lug, a second ground-engaging member engaged with the second ground-facing lug, and a third ground-engaging member engaged with the third ground-facing lug.

[0117] Clause 6. The footwear article according to Clause 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0118] Clause 7. The footwear article according to Clause 6, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages with the first ground-facing lug.

[0119] Clause 8. The footwear article according to Clause 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0120] Clause 9. The footwear article according to Clause 8, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages with the continuous ground-facing element.

[0121] Clause 10. The footwear article according to Clause 2 or 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, and (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug.

[0122] Clause 11. The footwear article according to Clause 10, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages with the first ground-facing lug, and a second ground-engaging member that engages with the second ground-facing lug.

[0123] Clause 12. The footwear article according to Clause 2 or 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0124] Clause 13. The footwear article according to Clause 12, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages with the first ground-facing lug.

[0125] Clause 14. The footwear article according to Clause 2 or 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0126] Clause 15. The footwear article according to Clause 14, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages with the continuous ground-facing element.

[0127] Clause 16. The footwear article according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber.

[0128] Clause 17. The footwear article according to Clause 16, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages with the first ground-facing element.

[0129] Clause 18. The footwear article according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein the upper member, the foot support member, and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0130] Clause 19. The footwear article according to any one of Clauses 1 to 18, wherein the upper member includes a first surface and a second surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the upper member is adjacent to the first surface of the foot support member, and wherein the second surface of the upper member is adjacent to the second sheet of the inflatable bladder.

[0131] Clause 20. A footwear article, comprising:

[0132] an upper member having a plurality of through openings;

[0133] a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of receiving portions are defined at the first surface, and the openings among the plurality of openings provide entrances to the corresponding internal chambers; and

[0134] Inflatable airbag, the inflatable airbag comprising: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite to the first sheet, and (iii) a plurality of inflatable lugs extending from the second sheet, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the plurality of inflatable lugs, wherein the plurality of inflatable lugs extend through corresponding through-hole openings of the shoe upper member and into corresponding receiving portions of the foot support member, and wherein when inflated with gas, the plurality of inflatable lugs have a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the inflatable lugs from being pulled out of the corresponding internal chamber through the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings.

[0135] Clause 21. The footwear article according to clause 20, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite to the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes one or more ground-facing elements, and the one or more ground-facing elements at least partially enclose one or more internal chambers formed in one or more of the plurality of receiving portions.

[0136] Clause 22. The footwear article according to clause 21, further comprising: one or more ground-engaging members engaged with at least one of the one or more ground-facing elements.

[0137] Clause 23. The footwear article according to any one of clauses 20 to 22, wherein the shoe upper member, the foot support member, and the inflatable airbag are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0138] Clause 24. The footwear article according to any one of clauses 20 to 23, wherein the plurality of through-hole openings and the plurality of inflatable lugs are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the medial-to-lateral direction of the footwear article and / or a plurality of columns extending in the anterior-to-posterior direction of the footwear article.

[0139] Clause 25. The footwear article according to any one of clauses 20 to 24, wherein the shoe upper member includes a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface of the shoe upper member is adjacent to the first surface of the foot support member, and wherein the second surface of the shoe upper member is adjacent to the second sheet of the inflatable airbag.

[0140] Clause 26. A method of assembling a footwear article, comprising:

[0141] Providing a shoe upper member having first through-hole openings;

[0142] Provide a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber;

[0143] Provide an inflatable bladder having: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a first inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein a fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet and within the first inflatable lug;

[0144] Position the second sheet of the inflatable bladder relative to the upper member with the fluid chamber in a first pressure state such that the first inflatable lug extends through the first through-hole opening and into the first receiving portion; and

[0145] With the first inflatable lug extending into the first receiving portion, introduce gas into the fluid chamber to change the fluid chamber to a second pressure state, wherein the second pressure state is at a higher pressure than the first pressure state, and wherein the step of introducing the gas into the fluid chamber changes the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the first inflatable lug such that the first inflatable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0146] Clause 27. The method according to Clause 26, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a second through-hole opening, (ii) the foot support member includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber, and (iii) the inflatable bladder includes a second inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the fluid chamber extends within the second inflatable lug,

[0147] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the second sheet of the inflatable bladder relative to the upper member such that the second inflatable lug extends through the second through-hole opening and into the second receiving portion, and

[0148] wherein the introducing step includes introducing gas into the fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the second inflatable lug such that the second inflatable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0149] Clause 28. The method according to Clause 27, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a third through-hole opening, (ii) the foot support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber, and (iii) the inflatable bladder includes a third inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the fluid chamber extends within the third inflatable lug,

[0150] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the second sheet of the inflatable bladder relative to the upper member such that the third inflatable lug extends through the third through-hole opening and into the third receiving portion, and

[0151] wherein the introducing step includes introducing gas into the fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the third inflatable lug such that the third inflatable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

[0152] Clause 29. The method according to Clause 28, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug, and (iii) a third ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the third internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug and the second ground-facing lug.

[0153] Clause 30. The method according to Clause 29, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug, engaging a second ground-engaging member with the second ground-facing lug, and engaging a third ground-engaging member with the third ground-facing lug.

[0154] Clause 31. The method according to Clause 28, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0155] Clause 32. The method according to Clause 31, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug.

[0156] Clause 33. The method according to Clause 28, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0157] Clause 34. The method according to Clause 33, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the continuous ground-facing element.

[0158] Clause 35. The method according to Clause 27 or 28, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, and (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug.

[0159] Clause 36. The method according to Clause 35, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug, and engaging a second ground-engaging member with the second ground-facing lug.

[0160] Clause 37. The method according to Clause 27 or 28, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0161] Clause 38. The method according to Clause 37, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug.

[0162] Clause 39. The method according to Clause 27 or 28, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0163] Clause 40. The method according to Clause 39, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member that engages with the continuous ground-facing element.

[0164] Clause 41. The method according to any one of Clauses 26 to 28, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber.

[0165] Clause 42. The method according to Clause 41, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing element.

[0166] Clause 43. The method according to any one of Clauses 26 to 42, wherein the upper member, the foot support member, and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0167] Clause 44. A method of assembling a footwear article, comprising:

[0168] Providing an upper member having a plurality of through-hole openings;

[0169] Providing a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings are defined at the first surface, the plurality of openings providing an entrance to the corresponding internal chamber;

[0170] Providing an inflatable bladder having: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a plurality of inflatable lugs extending from the second sheet, wherein a fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet and within the plurality of inflatable lugs;

[0171] With the fluid chamber in a first pressure state, positioning the second sheet of the inflatable bladder relative to the upper member such that the plurality of inflatable lugs extend through the corresponding through-hole openings of the upper member and into the corresponding receiving portions of the plurality of receiving portions; and

[0172] With the plurality of inflatable lugs extending into the corresponding receiving portions, introducing gas into the fluid chamber to change the fluid chamber to a second pressure state, wherein the second pressure state is at a higher pressure than the first pressure state, and wherein the step of introducing the gas into the fluid chamber changes the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the plurality of inflatable lugs such that the plurality of inflatable lugs are inhibited from being pulled out of their corresponding receiving portions.

[0173] Clause 45. The method according to Clause 44, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes one or more ground-facing elements that at least partially enclose one or more internal chambers formed in one or more of the plurality of receiving portions.

[0174] Clause 46. The method according to Clause 45, further comprising: engaging one or more ground-engaging members with at least one of the one or more ground-facing elements.

[0175] Clause 47. The method according to any one of Clauses 44 to 46, wherein the upper member, the foot support member, and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0176] Clause 48. The method according to any one of Clauses 44 to 47, wherein the plurality of through-hole openings and the plurality of inflatable lugs are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the medial-to-lateral direction of the footwear article and / or in a plurality of columns extending in the anterior-to-posterior direction of the footwear article.

[0177] Clause 49. A footwear article, comprising:

[0178] An upper member having a first through-hole opening;

[0179] A foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber; and

[0180] An impact attenuation member, the impact attenuation member including: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a first expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined at least within the first expandable lug, wherein the first expandable lug extends through the first through-hole opening and into the first receiving portion, and wherein when the sealed fluid chamber is filled with fluid, the first expandable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first expandable lug from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0181] Clause 50. The footwear article according to Clause 49, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a second through-hole opening; (ii) the foot support member includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber; and (iii) the impact attenuation member includes a second expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the second expandable lug, wherein the second expandable lug extends through the second through-hole opening and into the second receiving portion, and wherein, when filled with the fluid, the second expandable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the second expandable lug from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0182] Clause 51. The footwear article according to Clause 50, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a third through-hole opening; (ii) the foot support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber; and (iii) the impact attenuation member includes a third expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the third expandable lug, wherein the third expandable lug extends through the third through-hole opening and into the third receiving portion, and wherein, when filled with the fluid, the third expandable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the third expandable lug from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

[0183] Clause 52. The footwear article according to Clause 51, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially surrounds the first internal chamber; (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially surrounds the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug; and (iii) a third ground-facing lug that at least partially surrounds the third internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug and the second ground-facing lug.

[0184] Clause 53. The footwear article according to Clause 52, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug, a second ground-engaging member that engages the second ground-facing lug, and a third ground-engaging member that engages the third ground-facing lug.

[0185] Clause 54. The footwear article according to Clause 51, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0186] Clause 55. The footwear article according to Clause 54, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug.

[0187] Clause 56. The footwear article according to Clause 51, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0188] Clause 57. The footwear article according to Clause 56, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the continuous ground-facing element.

[0189] Clause 58. The footwear article according to Clause 50 or 51, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, and (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug.

[0190] Clause 59. The footwear article according to Clause 58, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug, and a second ground-engaging member that engages the second ground-facing lug.

[0191] Clause 60. The footwear article according to Clause 50 or 51, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0192] Clause 61. The footwear article according to Clause 60, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug.

[0193] Article 62. The footwear article according to Article 50 or 51, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0194] Article 63. The footwear article according to Article 62, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the continuous ground-facing element.

[0195] Article 64. The footwear article according to any one of Articles 49 to 51, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber.

[0196] Article 65. The footwear article according to Article 64, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing element.

[0197] Article 66. The footwear article according to any one of Articles 49 to 65, wherein the upper member, the foot support member, and the impact attenuation member are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0198] Article 67. The footwear article according to any one of Articles 49 to 66, wherein the upper member includes a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the first surface of the upper member is adjacent to the first surface of the foot support member, and wherein the second surface of the upper member is adjacent to the base surface of the impact attenuation member.

[0199] Article 68. The footwear article according to any one of Articles 49 to 67, wherein the fluid filling the sealed fluid chamber is a gas.

[0200] Article 69. A footwear article, comprising:

[0201] an upper member having a plurality of through-hole openings;

[0202] a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of receiving portions are defined at the first surface, and the openings among the plurality of openings provide entrances to the corresponding internal chambers; and

[0203] Impact attenuation component, the impact attenuation component comprising: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a plurality of expandable lugs extending from the base surface, wherein the plurality of expandable lugs define one or more sealed fluid chambers within the plurality of expandable lugs, wherein the plurality of expandable lugs extend through corresponding through-hole openings in the upper component and into corresponding receiving portions of the foot support component, and wherein when the one or more sealed fluid chambers are filled with fluid, the plurality of expandable lugs have a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the plurality of expandable lugs from being pulled out of the corresponding internal chamber through the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings.

[0204] Clause 70. The footwear article according to clause 69, wherein the foot support component comprises a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface comprises one or more ground-facing elements, and the one or more ground-facing elements at least partially surround one or more internal chambers formed in one or more of the plurality of receiving portions.

[0205] Clause 71. The footwear article according to clause 70, further comprising: one or more ground-engaging components engaged with at least one of the one or more ground-facing elements.

[0206] Clause 72. The footwear article according to any one of clauses 69 to 71, wherein the upper component, the foot support component, and the impact attenuation component are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0207] Clause 73. The footwear article according to any one of clauses 69 to 72, wherein the plurality of through-hole openings and the plurality of expandable lugs are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the medial-to-lateral direction of the footwear article and / or a plurality of columns extending in the anterior-to-posterior direction of the footwear article.

[0208] Clause 74. The footwear article according to any one of clauses 69 to 73, wherein the upper component comprises a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the upper component is adjacent to the first surface of the foot support component, and wherein the second surface of the upper component is adjacent to the base surface of the impact attenuation component.

[0209] Clause 75. The footwear article according to any one of clauses 69 to 74, wherein the fluid filling the one or more sealed fluid chambers is a gas.

[0210] Clause 76. A method of assembling a footwear article, comprising:

[0211] providing an upper component having a first through-hole opening;

[0212] providing a foot support component having a first surface, wherein the foot support component is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber;

[0213] providing an impact attenuation component having: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a first expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a first fluid chamber is defined at least within the first expandable lug;

[0214] positioning the base surface of the impact attenuation component relative to the upper component with the first fluid chamber in a contracted state such that the first expandable lug extends through the first through-hole opening and into the first receiving portion; and

[0215] introducing a fluid into the first fluid chamber with the first expandable lug extending into the first receiving portion to change the first fluid chamber from the contracted state to an expanded state, during which the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the first expandable lug changes such that the first expandable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0216] Clause 77. The method according to Clause 76, wherein: (i) the upper component includes a second through-hole opening, (ii) the foot support component includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber, and (iii) the impact attenuation component includes a second expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a second fluid chamber extends within the second expandable lug,

[0217] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the base surface of the impact attenuation component relative to the upper component such that the second expandable lug extends through the second through-hole opening and into the second receiving portion, and

[0218] wherein the introducing step includes introducing a fluid into the second fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the second expandable lug such that the second expandable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0219] Clause 78. The method according to Clause 77, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a third through-hole opening, (ii) the foot support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber, and (iii) the impact attenuation member includes a third expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a third fluid chamber extends within the third expandable lug,

[0220] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the base surface of the impact attenuation member relative to the upper member such that the third expandable lug extends through the third through-hole opening and into the third receiving portion, and

[0221] wherein the introducing step includes introducing a fluid into the third fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the third expandable lug such that the third expandable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

[0222] Clause 79. The method according to Clause 78, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug, and (iii) a third ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the third internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug and the second ground-facing lug.

[0223] Clause 80. The method according to Clause 79, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug, engaging a second ground-engaging member with the second ground-facing lug, and engaging a third ground-engaging member with the third ground-facing lug.

[0224] Clause 81. The method according to Clause 78, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0225] Clause 82. The method according to Clause 81, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug.

[0226] Clause 83. The method according to Clause 78, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

[0227] Clause 84. The method according to Clause 83, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member engaged with the continuous ground-facing element.

[0228] Clause 85. The method according to Clause 77 or 78, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, and (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug.

[0229] Clause 86. The method according to Clause 85, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug, and engaging a second ground-engaging member with the second ground-facing lug.

[0230] Clause 87. The method according to Clause 77 or 78, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0231] Clause 88. The method according to Clause 87, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug.

[0232] Clause 89. The method according to Clause 77 or 78, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

[0233] Clause 90. The method according to Clause 89, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member engaged with the continuous ground-facing element.

[0234] Clause 91. The method according to any one of Clauses 76 to 78, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber.

[0235] Clause 92. The method according to Clause 91, further comprising: engaging a first ground-engaging member with the first ground-facing lug.

[0236] Clause 93. The method according to any one of Clauses 76 to 92, wherein the upper member, the foot support member, and the impact attenuation member are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0237] Clause 94. The method according to any one of Clauses 76 to 93, wherein the step of introducing the fluid into the first fluid chamber includes inflating the first fluid chamber with a gas.

[0238] Clause 95. A method of assembling a footwear article, comprising:

[0239] providing an upper member having a plurality of through-hole openings;

[0240] providing a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings are defined at the first surface, the plurality of openings providing an entrance to the corresponding internal chamber;

[0241] providing an impact attenuation member having: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a plurality of expandable lugs extending from the base surface, wherein the plurality of expandable lugs define a corresponding plurality of fluid chambers;

[0242] positioning the base surface of the impact attenuation member relative to the upper member with the plurality of fluid chambers in a contracted state such that the plurality of expandable lugs extend through the corresponding through-hole openings of the upper member and into the corresponding receiving portions of the plurality of receiving portions; and

[0243] introducing a fluid into the plurality of fluid chambers with the plurality of expandable lugs extending into the corresponding receiving portions to change the plurality of fluid chambers to an expanded state, wherein when changing from the contracted state to the expanded state, the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the plurality of expandable lugs changes such that pulling of the plurality of expandable lugs from their corresponding receiving portions is inhibited.

[0244] Clause 96. The method according to Clause 95, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes one or more ground-facing lugs, and the one or more ground-facing lugs at least partially enclose one or more internal chambers formed in one or more of the plurality of receiving portions.

[0245] Clause 97. The method according to Clause 96, further comprising: engaging one or more ground-engaging members with at least one of the one or more ground-facing lugs.

[0246] Clause 98. The method according to any one of Clauses 95 to 97, wherein the upper member, the foot support member, and the impact attenuation member are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0247] Clause 99. The method according to any one of Clauses 95 to 98, wherein the plurality of through-hole openings and the plurality of expandable lugs are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the medial-to-lateral direction of the footwear article and / or a plurality of columns extending in the anterior-to-posterior direction of the footwear article.

[0248] Clause 100. The method according to any one of Clauses 95 to 99, wherein the step of introducing the fluid into the plurality of fluid chambers includes inflating the plurality of fluid chambers with a gas.

[0249] Clause 101. A method of disassembling a sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0250] deflating at least a first inflatable lug of an inflatable bladder, wherein the first inflatable lug includes: (i) a base portion that extends into a first receiving portion formed in a foot support member, and (ii) an inflatable securing portion that has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first inflatable lug from being pulled out of the first receiving portion when inflated with a gas; and

[0251] after sufficient deflation, removing the inflatable securing portion of the first inflatable lug from the first receiving portion.

[0252] Clause 102. The method according to Clause 101, wherein the base portion of the first inflatable lug extends through a first through-hole opening of an upper member.

[0253] Clause 103. The method according to Clause 101 or 102, wherein the footwear article has a structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 19.

[0254] Clause 104. A method of disassembling a sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0255] Deflating at least a plurality of inflatable lugs of an inflatable bladder, wherein each of the plurality of inflatable lugs comprises: (i) a base portion that extends into one of a plurality of receiving portions formed in a foot support member, and (ii) an inflatable fixing portion that has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the plurality of inflatable lugs from being pulled out of the corresponding receiving portion of the plurality of receiving portions when inflated with gas; and

[0256] After sufficient deflation, removing the inflatable fixing portion of the plurality of inflatable lugs from the plurality of receiving portions.

[0257] Clause 105. The method according to Clause 104, wherein the base portion of the plurality of inflatable lugs extends through corresponding ones of a plurality of through-hole openings in the upper member.

[0258] Clause 106. The method according to Clause 104 or 105, wherein the footwear article has a structure according to any one of Clauses 20 to 25.

[0259] Clause 107. A method of disassembling a sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0260] Releasing fluid from at least a first expandable lug of an impact attenuation member, wherein the first expandable lug comprises: (i) a base portion that extends into a first receiving portion formed in a foot support member, and (ii) an expandable fixing portion that has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first expandable lug from being pulled out of the first receiving portion when filled with fluid; and

[0261] After releasing sufficient fluid, removing the expandable fixing portion of the first expandable lug from the first receiving portion.

[0262] Clause 108. The method according to Clause 107, wherein the base portion of the first expandable lug extends through a first through-hole opening in the upper member.

[0263] Clause 109. The method according to Clause 107 or 108, wherein the footwear article has a structure according to any one of Clauses 49 to 68.

[0264] Clause 110. A method of disassembling a sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0265] Releasing fluid from at least a plurality of expandable lugs of an impact attenuating member, wherein each of the plurality of expandable lugs includes: (i) a base portion that extends into one of a plurality of receiving portions formed in a foot support member, and (ii) an expandable securing portion that, when filled with fluid, has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the plurality of expandable lugs from being pulled out of the corresponding receiving portion of the plurality of receiving portions; and

[0266] After releasing a sufficient amount of fluid, removing the expandable securing portion of the plurality of expandable lugs from the plurality of receiving portions.

[0267] Clause 111. The method according to Clause 110, wherein the base portion of the plurality of expandable lugs extends through corresponding ones of a plurality of through-hole openings of the upper member.

[0268] Clause 112. The method according to Clause 110 or 111, wherein the footwear article has a structure according to any one of Clauses 69 to 75.

[0269] Clause 113. A sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0270] A foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber; and

[0271] An inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder including: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a first inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the first inflatable lug, wherein the first inflatable lug extends into the first receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with gas, the first inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first inflatable lug from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0272] Clause 114. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to Clause 113, wherein: (i) the foot support member includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber, and (ii) the inflatable bladder includes a second inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the second inflatable lug, wherein the second inflatable lug extends into the second receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with the gas, the second inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the second inflatable lug from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0273] Clause 115. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to Clause 114, wherein: (i) the foot support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber, and (ii) the inflatable bladder includes a third inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the third inflatable lug, wherein the third inflatable lug extends into the third receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with the gas, the third inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the third inflatable lug from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

[0274] Clause 116. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to any one of Clauses 113 to 115, wherein the foot support member and the inflatable bladder are joined together in a non-adhesive manner.

[0275] Clause 117. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to any one of Clauses 113 to 116, further comprising an upper member having a first portion clamped between the first surface of the foot support member and the second sheet of the inflatable bladder.

[0276] Clause 118. A sole structure and / or footwear article comprising:

[0277] A foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of receiving portions are defined at the first surface, and the openings in the plurality of openings provide an entrance to the corresponding internal chambers; and

[0278] An inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder comprising: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a plurality of inflatable lugs extending from the second sheet, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the plurality of inflatable lugs, wherein the plurality of inflatable lugs extend into corresponding receiving portions of the foot support member, and wherein when inflated with gas, the plurality of inflatable lugs have a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the inflatable lugs from being pulled out of the corresponding internal chamber through the corresponding opening of the plurality of openings.

[0279] Clause 119. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to clause 118, wherein the foot support member and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0280] Clause 120. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to clause 118 or 119, further comprising an upper member having a first portion clamped between the first surface of the foot support member and the second sheet of the inflatable bladder.

[0281] Clause 121. A method of assembling a sole structure and / or footwear article, comprising:

[0282] Providing a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber;

[0283] Providing an inflatable bladder having: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a first inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein a fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet and within the first inflatable lug;

[0284] Positioning the second sheet of the inflatable bladder such that the first inflatable lug extends into the first receiving portion while the fluid chamber is in a first pressure state; and

[0285] In the case where the first inflatable lug extends into the first receiving portion, gas is introduced into the fluid chamber to change the fluid chamber to a second pressure state, wherein the second pressure state is at a higher pressure than the first pressure state, and wherein the step of introducing the gas into the fluid chamber changes the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the first inflatable lug such that the first inflatable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0286] Clause 122. The method according to Clause 121, wherein: (i) the foot support member includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber, and (ii) the inflatable bladder includes a second inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the fluid chamber extends within the second inflatable lug,

[0287] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the second sheet of the inflatable bladder such that the second inflatable lug extends into the second receiving portion, and

[0288] wherein the introducing step includes introducing gas into the fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the second inflatable lug such that the second inflatable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0289] Clause 123. The method according to Clause 122, wherein: (i) the foot support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber, and (ii) the inflatable bladder includes a third inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the fluid chamber extends within the third inflatable lug,

[0290] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the second sheet of the inflatable bladder such that the third inflatable lug extends into the third receiving portion, and

[0291] wherein the introducing step includes introducing gas into the fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the third inflatable lug such that the third inflatable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

[0292] Clause 124. The method according to any one of Clauses 121 to 123, wherein the foot support member and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0293] Clause 125. A method of assembling a sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0294] providing a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings are defined at the first surface, the plurality of openings providing an entrance to a corresponding internal chamber;

[0295] providing an inflatable bladder having: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a plurality of inflatable lugs extending from the second sheet, wherein a fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet and within the plurality of inflatable lugs;

[0296] positioning the second sheet of the inflatable bladder such that the plurality of inflatable lugs extend into corresponding ones of the plurality of receiving portions with the fluid chamber in a first pressure state; and

[0297] introducing a gas into the fluid chamber with the plurality of inflatable lugs extending into corresponding receiving portions to change the fluid chamber to a second pressure state, wherein the second pressure state is at a higher pressure than the first pressure state, and wherein the step of introducing the gas into the fluid chamber changes the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the plurality of inflatable lugs such that the plurality of inflatable lugs are inhibited from being pulled out of their corresponding receiving portions.

[0298] Clause 126. The method according to Clause 125, wherein the foot support member and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0299] Clause 127. A sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0300] a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber; and

[0301] Impact attenuation component, the impact attenuation component comprising: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a first expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined at least within the first expandable lug, wherein the first expandable lug extends into the first receiving portion, and wherein when the sealed fluid chamber is filled with fluid, the first expandable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first expandable lug from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0302] Clause 128. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to Clause 127, wherein: (i) the foot support component includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber, and (ii) the impact attenuation component includes a second expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the second expandable lug, wherein the second expandable lug extends into the second receiving portion, and wherein when filled with the fluid, the second expandable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the second expandable lug from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0303] Clause 129. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to Clause 128, wherein: (i) the foot support component includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber, and (ii) the impact attenuation component includes a third expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the third expandable lug, wherein the third expandable lug extends into the third receiving portion, and wherein when filled with the fluid, the third expandable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the third expandable lug from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

[0304] Clause 130. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to any one of Clauses 127 to 129, wherein the foot support component and the impact attenuation component are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0305] Clause 131. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to any one of Clauses 127 to 130, further comprising an upper component having a first portion clamped between the first surface of the foot support component and the base surface of the impact attenuation component.

[0306] Clause 132. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to any one of Clauses 127 to 131, wherein the fluid filling the sealed fluid chamber is a gas.

[0307] Clause 133. A sole structure and / or footwear article, comprising:

[0308] A foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of receiving portions are defined at the first surface, and the openings among the plurality of openings provide entrances to the corresponding internal chambers; and

[0309] An impact attenuation member, the impact attenuation member comprising: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a plurality of expandable lugs extending from the base surface, wherein the plurality of expandable lugs define one or more sealed fluid chambers within the plurality of expandable lugs, wherein the plurality of expandable lugs extend into corresponding receiving portions of the foot support member, and wherein when the one or more sealed fluid chambers are filled with fluid, the plurality of expandable lugs have a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the plurality of expandable lugs from being pulled out of the corresponding internal chambers through the corresponding openings among the plurality of openings.

[0310] Clause 134. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to Clause 133, wherein the foot support member and the impact attenuation member are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0311] Clause 135. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to Clause 133 or 134, further comprising an upper member having a first portion clamped between the first surface of the foot support member and the base surface of the impact attenuation member.

[0312] Clause 136. The sole structure and / or footwear article according to any one of Clauses 133 to 135, wherein the fluid filling the one or more sealed fluid chambers is a gas.

[0313] Clause 137. A method of assembling a sole structure and / or footwear article, comprising:

[0314] Providing a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber;

[0315] An impact attenuating member is provided, the impact attenuating member having: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a first expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a first fluid chamber is defined at least within the first expandable lug;

[0316] With the first fluid chamber in a contracted state, position the base surface of the impact attenuating member such that the first expandable lug extends into the first receiving portion; and

[0317] With the first expandable lug extending into the first receiving portion, introduce fluid into the first fluid chamber to change the first fluid chamber from the contracted state to an expanded state, during which the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the first expandable lug changes such that the first expandable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

[0318] Clause 138. The method according to clause 137, wherein: (i) the foot support member includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber, and (ii) the impact attenuating member includes a second expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a second fluid chamber extends within the second expandable lug,

[0319] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the base surface of the impact attenuating member such that the second expandable lug extends into the second receiving portion, and

[0320] wherein the introducing step includes introducing fluid into the second fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the second expandable lug such that the second expandable lug is inhibited from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

[0321] Clause 139. The method according to clause 138, wherein: (i) the foot support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber, and (ii) the impact attenuating member includes a third expandable lug extending from the base surface, wherein a third fluid chamber extends within the third expandable lug,

[0322] wherein the positioning step includes positioning the base surface of the impact attenuating member such that the third expandable lug extends into the third receiving portion, and

[0323] wherein the introducing step includes introducing a fluid into the third fluid chamber to change the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the third expandable lug such that the pulling of the third expandable lug out of the third internal chamber through the third opening is inhibited.

[0324] Clause 140. The method according to any one of Clauses 137 to 139, wherein the foot support member and the impact attenuation member are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0325] Clause 141. The method according to any one of Clauses 137 to 140, wherein the step of introducing the fluid into the first fluid chamber includes inflating the first fluid chamber with a gas.

[0326] Clause 142. A method of assembling a sole structure and / or a footwear article, comprising:

[0327] providing a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings are defined at the first surface, the plurality of openings providing an entrance to the corresponding internal chamber;

[0328] providing an impact attenuation member having: (i) a foot support surface for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a base surface opposite the foot support surface, and (iii) a plurality of expandable lugs extending from the base surface, wherein the plurality of expandable lugs define a corresponding plurality of fluid chambers;

[0329] positioning the base surface of the impact attenuation member such that the plurality of expandable lugs extend into corresponding ones of the plurality of receiving portions while the plurality of fluid chambers are in a contracted state; and

[0330] introducing a fluid into the plurality of fluid chambers to change the plurality of fluid chambers to an expanded state while the plurality of expandable lugs extend into the corresponding receiving portions, wherein when changing from the contracted state to the expanded state, the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the plurality of expandable lugs changes such that the pulling of the plurality of expandable lugs out of their corresponding receiving portions is inhibited.

[0331] Clause 143. The method according to Clause 142, wherein the foot support member and the impact attenuation member are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

[0332] Clause 144. The method according to Clause 142 or 143, wherein the step of introducing the fluid into the plurality of fluid chambers includes inflating the plurality of fluid chambers with a gas.

Claims

1. A footwear article, comprising: an upper member having a first through - hole opening; a foot - support member having a first surface, wherein the foot - support member is shaped to form a first receiving portion having a first internal chamber, and wherein a first opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the first internal chamber; and an inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder comprising: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a first inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the first inflatable lug, wherein the first inflatable lug extends through the first through - hole opening and into the first receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with gas, the first inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the first inflatable lug from being pulled out of the first internal chamber through the first opening.

2. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a second through - hole opening, (ii) the foot - support member includes a second receiving portion having a second internal chamber, wherein a second opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the second internal chamber, and (iii) the inflatable bladder includes a second inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the second inflatable lug, wherein the second inflatable lug extends through the second through - hole opening and into the second receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with the gas, the second inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the second inflatable lug from being pulled out of the second internal chamber through the second opening.

3. The footwear article according to claim 2, wherein: (i) the upper member includes a third through - hole opening, (ii) the foot - support member includes a third receiving portion having a third internal chamber, wherein a third opening defined at the first surface provides an entrance to the third internal chamber, and (iii) the inflatable bladder includes a third inflatable lug extending from the second sheet, wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the third inflatable lug, wherein the third inflatable lug extends through the third through - hole opening and into the third receiving portion, and wherein when inflated with the gas, the third inflatable lug has a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the third inflatable lug from being pulled out of the third internal chamber through the third opening.

4. The footwear article according to claim 3, wherein the foot - support member includes a ground - facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground - facing surface comprises: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug, and (iii) a third ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the third internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug and the second ground-facing lug.

5. The footwear article according to claim 4, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug, a second ground-engaging member that engages the second ground-facing lug, and a third ground-engaging member that engages the third ground-facing lug.

6. The footwear article according to claim 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

7. The footwear article according to claim 6, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug.

8. The footwear article according to claim 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, the second internal chamber, and the third internal chamber.

9. The footwear article according to claim 8, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the continuous ground-facing element.

10. The footwear article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface comprises: (i) a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber, and (ii) a second ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the second internal chamber and is spaced apart from the first ground-facing lug.

11. The footwear article according to claim 10, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug, and a second ground-engaging member that engages the second ground-facing lug.

12. The footwear article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface that is positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a first ground-facing lug that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

13. The footwear article according to claim 12, further comprising: a first ground-engaging member that engages the first ground-facing lug.

14. The footwear article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes a continuous ground-facing element that at least partially encloses the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.

15. A footwear article comprising: an upper member having a plurality of through-hole openings; a foot support member having a first surface, wherein the foot support member is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of receiving portions are defined at the first surface, and the openings among the plurality of openings provide entrances to the corresponding internal chambers; and an inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder including: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a plurality of inflatable lugs extending from the second sheet, wherein a sealed fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet, and wherein the sealed fluid chamber extends within the plurality of inflatable lugs, and wherein the plurality of inflatable lugs extend through the corresponding through-hole openings of the upper member and into the corresponding receiving portions of the foot support member, and wherein when inflated with gas, the plurality of inflatable lugs have a size and / or shape and / or stiffness that inhibits the inflatable lugs from being pulled out of the corresponding internal chambers through the corresponding openings among the plurality of openings.

16. The footwear article according to claim 15, wherein the foot support member includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the ground-facing surface includes one or more ground-facing elements that at least partially enclose one or more internal chambers formed in one or more of the plurality of receiving portions.

17. The footwear article according to claim 16, further comprising: one or more ground-engaging members that engage at least one of the one or more ground-facing elements.

18. The footwear article according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the upper member, the foot support member, and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

19. The footwear article according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the plurality of through-hole openings and the plurality of inflatable lugs are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the medial-to-lateral direction of the footwear article and / or a plurality of columns extending in the anterior-to-posterior direction of the footwear article.

20. The footwear article according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the upper member includes a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite the first surface, and wherein the first surface of the upper member is adjacent to the first surface of the foot support member, and wherein the second surface of the upper member is adjacent to the second sheet of the inflatable bladder.

21. A method of assembling a footwear article comprising: Provide an upper component having a plurality of through-hole openings; Provide a foot support component having a first surface, wherein the foot support component is shaped to form a plurality of receiving portions, each receiving portion having an internal chamber, and wherein a plurality of openings are defined at the first surface, the plurality of openings providing an entrance to a corresponding internal chamber; Provide an inflatable bladder having: (i) a first sheet for supporting at least a portion of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot, (ii) a second sheet opposite the first sheet, and (iii) a plurality of inflatable lugs extending from the second sheet, wherein a fluid chamber is defined between the first sheet and the second sheet and within the plurality of inflatable lugs; With the fluid chamber in a first pressure state, position the second sheet of the inflatable bladder relative to the upper component such that the plurality of inflatable lugs extend through corresponding through-hole openings of the upper component and into a corresponding one of the plurality of receiving portions; And With the plurality of inflatable lugs extending into corresponding receiving portions, introduce gas into the fluid chamber to change the fluid chamber to a second pressure state, wherein the second pressure state is at a higher pressure than the first pressure state, and wherein the step of introducing the gas into the fluid chamber changes the size and / or shape and / or stiffness of the plurality of inflatable lugs such that the plurality of inflatable lugs are inhibited from being pulled out of their corresponding receiving portions.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the foot support component includes a ground-facing surface positioned opposite the first surface, wherein the ground-facing surface includes one or more ground-facing elements that at least partially enclose one or more internal chambers formed in one or more of the plurality of receiving portions.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: Engage one or more ground-engaging components with at least one of the one or more ground-facing elements.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the upper component, the foot support component, and the inflatable bladder are joined together in an adhesive-free manner.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the plurality of through-hole openings and the plurality of inflatable lugs are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the medial-to-lateral direction of the footwear article and / or in a plurality of columns extending in the anterior-to-posterior direction of the footwear article.

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