PUMP FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR OR APPAREL

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/717,523, filed on Nov. 7, 2024. The disclosure of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to a pump and more particularly to a pump for an article of footwear or apparel.

BACKGROUND

[0003]This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

[0004]Articles of apparel, such as garments and headwear, and articles of footwear, such as shoes and boots, typically include a receptacle for receiving a body part of a wearer. For example, an article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure that operate to form a receptacle for receiving a foot of a wearer. Likewise, garments and headwear may include one or more pieces of material formed into a receptacle for receiving a torso or head of a wearer.

[0005]Articles of apparel or footwear are typically adjustable and/or include a relatively flexible material to allow the article of apparel or footwear to accommodate various sizes of wearers, or to provide different fits on a single wearer. While conventional articles of apparel and articles of footwear are adjustable, such articles typically require a wearer to secure the article by lacing or other means. For example, while laces adequately secure an article of footwear to a wearer by contracting or constricting a portion of an upper around the wearer's foot, the laces do not cause the upper to lock in a size or shape conforming to the user's foot. Accordingly, an optimum fit of the upper around the foot is difficult to achieve.

DRAWINGS

[0006]The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0007]FIG. 1A is a lateral side perspective view of an article of footwear incorporating a pump according to an example of the present disclosure, where the article of footwear is in a relaxed state;

[0008]FIG. 1B is a lateral side perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1A, where the article of footwear is in a constricted state;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pump assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pump in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0011]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the pump of FIG. 3;

[0012]FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 3 where the pump is in a first configuration;

[0013]FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 3 where the pump is in a second configuration;

[0014]FIGS. 6A-6F show an example progression of expansion for an infill of the pump according to the present disclosure;

[0015]FIG. 7A is an example of the pump of FIG. 3, where the pump is in a first position;

[0016]FIG. 7B is an example of the pump of FIG. 3, where the pump is in a second position;

[0017]FIG. 7C is an example of the pump of FIG. 3, where the pump is in the first position;

[0018]FIG. 8A is an example of a pump according to the present disclosure, where the pump is in a first position;

[0019]FIG. 8B is an example of the pump of FIG. 8A, where the pump is in a second position;

[0020]FIG. 8C is an example of the pump of FIG. 8A, where the pump is in the first position;

[0021]FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an article of clothing incorporating a pump according to an example of the present disclosure, where the article of clothing is in a relaxed state; and

[0022]FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the article of clothing of FIG. 9A, where the article of clothing is in a constricted state.

[0023]Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024]Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0025]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0026]When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027]The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0028]In one configuration, a pump is provided and includes a conduit defining an inner volume and formed from a flexible material. The conduit is movable between an expanded state and a relaxed state. An auxetic infill is disposed within the conduit and includes an outer diameter that is approximately equal to an inner diameter of the conduit. The auxetic infill is configured to expand laterally and longitudinally when the conduit is moved between the relaxed state and the expanded state. A manifold is in fluid communication with the inner volume and is operable to permit fluid to enter the inner volume in a first mode and expel fluid from the inner volume in a second mode.

[0029]The pump may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the auxetic infill may be formed from a different material than a material forming the conduit. In some examples, the auxetic infill includes a plurality of flex portions and acute angles defined between each of the plurality of flex portions. Additionally or alternatively, the auxetic infill may have an auxetic architecture having a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0030]In one configuration, the auxetic infill may define a passageway formed therethrough. The passageway may include a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the auxetic infill. Additionally or alternatively, the manifold may include a first valve permitting fluid flow into the inner volume and preventing fluid flow out of the inner volume in the first mode and a second valve permitting fluid flow out of the inner volume and preventing fluid flow into the inner volume in the second mode. At least one of the first valve and the second valve may be a check valve.

[0031]An article of footwear may incorporate the pump.

[0032]An article of apparel may incorporate the pump.

[0033]In another configuration, a pump is provided and includes a conduit defining an inner volume and movable between an expanded state and a relaxed state. An effective length of the conduit is increased when moved from the relaxed state to the expanded state. An infill is disposed within the conduit. The infill includes an outer diameter that is approximately equal to an inner diameter of the conduit. The infill has an effective length that is increased when the conduit is moved from the relaxed state to the expanded state. The infill is configured to expand laterally and longitudinally when the conduit is moved between the relaxed state and the expanded state. A manifold is in fluid communication with the inner volume and is operable to permit fluid to enter the inner volume in a first mode and expel fluid from the inner volume in a second mode.

[0034]The pump may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the infill may be formed from a different material than a material forming the conduit. The infill may include a plurality of flex portions and acute angles defined between each of the plurality of flex portions. The infill may have an auxetic architecture that has a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0035]In one configuration, the coil may define a passageway therethrough. The passageway may include a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the infill. Additionally or alternatively, the manifold may include a first valve permitting fluid flow into the inner volume and preventing fluid flow out of the inner volume in the first mode and a second valve permitting fluid flow out of the inner volume and preventing fluid flow into the inner volume in the second mode. At least one of the first valve and the second valve may be a check valve.

[0036]An article of footwear may incorporate the pump.

[0037]An article of apparel may incorporate the pump.

[0038]The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

[0039]Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an article of footwear 10 includes an upper 100 and a sole structure 200 attached to the upper 100. The article of footwear 10 may further include an anterior end 12 associated with a forward-most point of the footwear 10, and a posterior end 14 corresponding to a rearward-most point of the footwear 10. A longitudinal axis A₁₀ of the footwear 10 extends along a length of the footwear 10 from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14 parallel to a ground surface, and generally divides the footwear 10 into a medial side 16 and a lateral side 18. Accordingly, the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18 respectively correspond with opposite sides of the footwear 10 and extend from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14. As used herein, a longitudinal direction refers to the direction extending from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14, while a lateral direction refers to the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and extending from the medial side 16 to the lateral side 18.

[0040]The article of footwear 10 may be divided into one or more regions. The regions may include a forefoot region 20, a mid-foot region 22, and a heel region 24. The forefoot region 20 may correspond with the phalanges and the metatarsal bones of a foot. The mid-foot region 22 may correspond with an arch area of the foot, and the heel region 24 may correspond with rear portions of the foot, including a calcaneus bone.

[0041]As shown, the sole structure 200 includes a midsole 202 configured to provide cushioning and support and an outsole 204 defining a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure 200. In other examples, the midsole 202 may be configured as a composite structure including a plurality of components joined together. Stitching or adhesives may secure the midsole 202 to the upper 100, while a bottom surface of the outsole 204 defines a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure 200.

[0042]The article of footwear 10 may further include a pump 102 and a release valve 104. The pump 102 extends across the upper 100 and may be in fluid communication with the upper 100 through one or more valves to adjust a pressure in the upper 100 from a first pressure (e.g., at or above ambient) to a second pressure (e.g., below ambient) by removing fluid (e.g., a gas or liquid) from the upper 100. The release valve 104 may be fluidly coupled to the upper 100 and serves to selectively permit fluid to enter the upper 100 to return the upper 100 to the first pressure. As discussed in greater detail below, the pump 102 and the release valve 104 cooperate to transition the upper 100 between a relaxed state (FIG. 1A) and a constricted state (FIG. 1B).

[0043]Referring to FIGS. 2-5B and 7A-7C, the pump 102 includes a first end 106 coupled to the article of footwear 10 (FIG. 1A) and a second end 108 coupled to the article of footwear 10 and disposed on an opposite end of the pump 102 than the first end 106. The pump 102 further includes an endcap 110 disposed at the first end 106, a manifold 112 disposed at the second end 108, and an outer tube 114 extending between and connecting the endcap 110 and the manifold 112 to enclose a chamber 116 defined by the pump 102. The pump 102 further includes a pump core 118 sized to be received by the chamber 116. The pump core 118 includes an auxetic infill 118 that substantially fills the outer tube 114 and extends between the endcap 110 and the manifold 112. When assembled, the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 further define an actuator cable 120. As described below, the auxetic infill 118 may be formed from a different material than a material forming the outer tube 114.

[0044]The endcap 110 and the manifold 112 may include any suitable lightweight material, such as nylon (PA), polypropylene (PP), carbon, or an aluminum alloy. The outer tube 114 may include rubber, latex, butyl, silicone, or any other tubing that is highly elastic and retains its properties under a high number of cycles. The pump core 118 may include a flexible material such as a PP, PA, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), rubber, closed cell foam, BRSX, or any other material that retains its properties under a high number of cycles. When the pump 102 is assembled, the chamber 116 desirably has a low gas transmission rate to preserve its retained gas pressure. The endcap 110, manifold 112, and outer tube 114 may be secured together by compression fit, adhesive, or by any other external securing means.

[0045]The manifold 112 includes an inlet check valve 122 configured to selectively allow fluid to flow into an inner volume of the chamber 116, and an exhaust check valve 124 configured to selectively permit fluid to flow out of the chamber 116. The inlet check valve 122 may further include an intake port 126 connecting the inlet check valve 122 of the pump 102 to the upper 100, and an exhaust port 128 connecting the exhaust check valve 124 of the pump 102 to the outside air (e.g., ambient).

[0046]With continued reference to FIGS. 2-5B and 7A-7C, the endcap 110 is defined by an outer end 130 corresponding to the first end 106 of the pump 102, and an inner end 132 formed on an opposite side of the endcap 110 than the outer end 130 and facing the outer tube 114. The manifold 112 is further defined by an outer end 134 corresponding to the second end 108 of the pump 102, and an inner end 136 formed on an opposite side of the manifold 112 than the outer end 134 and facing the outer tube 114. The outer tube 114 is defined by a first end 136 facing the inner end 130 of the endcap 110, a second end 138 formed on an opposite side of the outer tube 114 than the first end 136 and facing the inner end 134 of the manifold 112, and an inner surface 140.

[0047]In the illustrated example, the pump core 118 includes an auxetic infill 118 extending from a first end 144 coupled to the inner end 132 of the endcap 110, to a second end 146 coupled to the inner end 136 of the manifold 112. The auxetic infill 118 may further include an outer surface 148 defining the outer diameter of the auxetic infill 118. In some implementations, one or both of the first end 144 and the second end 146 are fully detached from the inner end 132 of the endcap 110 and the inner end 136 of the manifold 112.

[0048]The auxetic infill 118 is disposed within the chamber 116 of the pump 102 and, with the outer tube 114, forms a transformable structure (i.e., the actuator cable 120) operable to transition the pump 102 between a relaxed state (FIG. 1A) and a stretched or expanded state (FIG. 1B). When the pump 102 is assembled, the outer surface 148 of the auxetic infill 118 faces the inner surface 142 of the outer tube 114 and may be attached to the inner surface 142. Thus, as the outer tube 114 moves between the relaxed state (FIG. 1A) and the stretched state (FIG. 1B), the inner surface 142 of the outer tube 114 directly pulls the auxetic infill 118 to transition the auxetic infill 118 from the relaxed state (FIG. 1A) to the stretched state (FIG. 1B).

[0049]In other examples, the outer surface 148 of the auxetic infill 118 may be fully detached from the inner surface 142 of the outer tube 114. In this configuration, the auxetic infill 118 is free to translate or slide with respect to the inner surface 140 of the outer tube 114 as the outer tube 114 of the pump 102 transitions between the relaxed state (FIG. 1A) and the stretched state (FIG. 1B). Here, the outer surface 148 of the auxetic infill 118 may be indirectly influenced into the relaxed and stretched states by the outer tube 114. Alternatively, the outer surface 148 of the auxetic infill 118 may be zonally attached to the inner surface 142 of the outer tube 114 and/or may be attached at the ends 144, 146.

[0050]A cross-section the actuator cable 120 is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B to show the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 in the relaxed state (FIG. 5A) and the stretched or expanded state (FIG. 5B). With reference to FIGS. 5A-6A, the auxetic infill 118 is further defined by an auxetic geometry 150 arranged to define a plurality of openings 152 between a plurality of flex portions 154 connected at flex points 156. The auxetic infill 118 also defines a through-hole or passageway 157 extending axially from the first end 144 to the second end 146 of the auxetic infill 118. For example, the passageway 157 includes a longitudinal axis A₁₅₇ that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A_{118 o}f the auxetic infill 118. Generally, as the pump 102 transitions from the relaxed state to the stretched state, the auxetic infill 118 is configured to expand its diametric dimension while extending axially. Thus, the outer tube 114 is configured to flex and extend in proportion to the diametric dimensional expansion of the auxetic infill 118. Consequently, the auxetic infill 118 prevents the outer tube 114 from collapsing when the pump 102 moves between the relaxed state and the stretched state.

[0051]The outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 are configured to stretch when a force is applied to the actuator cable 120 (i.e., the actuator cable 120 is pulled in a tightening direction). Due to the resiliency of the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118, the actuator cable 120 returns to a resting length when released. Accordingly, the actuator cable 120 is operable to actuate the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 between a first position associated with a first length L₁ where the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 are in a resting state (FIG. 5A), and a second position associated with a second length L₂ where the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 are in a stretched state (FIG. 5B). Additionally, the first position is associated with a first orientation (FIG. 6A) of the flex portions 154 and a first size and shape of the openings 152, and the second position is associated with a second orientation (FIG. 6F) of the flex portions 154 and a second size and shape of the openings 152.

[0052]The auxetic infill 118 is configured to alter the size and shape of the openings 152 during expansion and contraction. For example, the flex portions 154 are connected at flex points 156 that are configured to flex, rotate, or otherwise reconfigure the flex portions 154 in response to the expansion of the auxetic infill 118. As a result, the openings 152 also alter in shape and size. For example, FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate the various configurations of the openings 152 as the auxetic infill 118 is translated from the relaxed state (FIG. 6A) to the expanded state (FIG. 6F). The auxetic infill 118 gradually expands lengthwise and radially, which results in the rotation of the flex portions 154 to expand the openings 152, described in more detail below. While FIG. 6F illustrates a full expansion of the auxetic infill 118, the auxetic infill 118 may be expanded to any intermediate expansion (FIGS. 6B-6E). The intermediate expansion of the auxetic infill 118 may be utilized to achieve the draw effects of the pump 102, with varying degrees of draw. For example, the expansion of the auxetic infill 118 at the intermediate expansion illustrated in FIG. 6C may have less draw than the expansion of the auxetic infill 118 at the intermediate expansion illustrated in FIG. 6E.

[0053]During expansion, the shape of the openings 152 is expanded while the flex portions 154 are contracted or otherwise altered. This configuration facilitates maximum fluid draw with minimal effort. For example, the auxetic characteristics of the auxetic infill 118 allows a pulling force at a single flex point 156 to activate all of the flex points 156. The auxetic characteristics include an auxetic architecture of the auxetic infill 118 defined by acute angles 158 between each of the flex portions 154. The acute angles 158 define a negative Poisson's ratio of the auxetic infill 118. The negative Poisson's ratio results in the auxetic infill 118 expanding laterally when stretched along its length. For example, an applied force may result in a change in length, described below, that can be characterized by a longitudinal and lateral strain. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the lateral expansion by illustrating the auxetic infill 118 having a first width W₁ and first diameter D₁ when the actuator cable 120 is in the relaxed state (FIG. 5A), and the lateral expansion with the auxetic infill 118 transitioning to a second width W₂ and second diameter D₂ when the actuator cable 120 is in the expanded state (FIG. 5B). The auxetic infill 118 experiences lateral expansion under axial tension and lateral contraction under axial contraction. The shape of the flex portions 154 generally define the auxetic architecture of the auxetic infill 118. For example, the shape of the flex portions 154 may include, but is not limited to, bowtie and honeycomb shapes.

[0054]When the actuator cable 120 is in the first position, the auxetic infill 118 may substantially fill the outer tube 114. As the actuator cable 120 is actuated into the second position, the auxetic infill 118 stretches axially and radially, altering the size and shape of the openings 152 from the first size and shape to the second size and shape, which allows air to be drawn into the chamber 116 of the pump 102 by rapidly increasing an inner diameter of the actuator cable 120. Consequently, and as discussed below, cycling the actuator cable 120 between the first position and the second position operates to draw fluid in through the intake port 126 and exhaust fluid out through the exhaust port 128 when the force is released. This is accomplished by the auxetic infill 118 rapidly expanding and contracting due to the force exerted thereon. While the outer tube 114 may have some degree of radial expansion to accommodate the radial expansion of the auxetic infill 118, the radial expansion of the outer tube 114 is less than the available radial expansion of the auxetic infill 118. Thus, there is a degree of restriction between the auxetic infill 118 and the outer tube 114 when the actuator cable 120 is transitioned from the first position to the second position causing an internal volume of the tube 114 to increase, thereby causing fluid to be drawn into the tube 114 via the intake port 126. As discussed above, the outer tube 114 is sized to receive the auxetic infill 118. The auxetic infill 118 is defined by the interconnected flex portions 154 arranged in the auxetic architecture or pattern. This arrangement forms the plurality of acute angles 158 at each of the flex points 156 and the openings 152 between each of the flex portions 154.

[0055]Referring briefly to FIGS. 1A-2, the upper 100 may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to define an interior void 160. Suitable materials of the upper 100 may include, but are not limited to, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The example upper 100 may be formed from a combination of one or more substantially inelastic or non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper 100 to facilitate movement of the article of footwear 10 between the constricted state and the relaxed state. The one or more elastic materials may include any combination of one or more elastic fabrics such as, without limitation, spandex, elastane, rubber or neoprene. The one or more inelastic materials may include any combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylon, leather, vinyl, or another material/fabric that does not impart properties of elasticity.

[0056]In the illustrated example, the upper 100 includes one or more fluid chambers 162 in fluid communication with the pump 102. Each of the chambers 162 includes a compressible component 164 (FIG. 2) disposed therein that compresses as the upper 100 transitions from the relaxed state (FIG. 1A) to the constricted state (FIG. 1B). The compressible component 164 may include a lattice structure 166 defining a plurality of reliefs 168 (e.g., openings). As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pump 102 is in fluid communication with the chambers 162 of the upper 100. In these implementations, an intake conduit 170 connects the intake port 126 including the inlet check valve 122 to the chambers 162 of the upper 100 allowing fluid communication between the pump 102 and the upper 100. In some implementations, the release valve 104 includes a release valve 104 including a Schrader valve that is selectively activated by the release valve 104 to allow outside air (e.g., ambient) to enter the upper 100 to return the upper 100 to a relaxed state from a constricted state.

[0057]In use, the pressure within the chambers 162 of the upper 100 is reduced by drawing a vacuum within the chambers 162 of the upper 100 via the pump 102. As the pressure is reduced, the upper 100 moves from a relaxed state to a constricted state that forms the upper 100 around the wearer's foot. Thus, as the vacuum is drawn by cycling the pump 102, as described below with respect to FIGS. 7A-8C, fluid is drawn from within the chambers 162 of the upper 100 and into the chamber 116 of the pump 102 to compress the lattice structure 166 of the compressible component 164, thereby constricting the upper 100 around the foot of the wearer. When the release valve 104 is actuated, the lattice structure 166 of the compressible component 164 expands within each chamber 162, thereby causing an internal volume of the chamber 162 to increase. The increase in volume draws fluid from the release valve 104 and allows the upper 100 to move to the relaxed state around the foot of the wearer. Optionally, the upper 100 may include a locking system which, when activated, locks the geometry of the upper 100 in place once it is in the constricted state.

[0058]With continued reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, the upper 100 may be transitioned between the relaxed state and the constricted state via the pump 102. Here, a vacuum may be drawn by pulling the actuator cable 120 in the tightening direction (i.e., moving the cable 120 away from the upper 100) and releasing the actuator cable 120 for a number of cycles. As the actuator cable 120 is pulled in the tightening direction, the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 are moved from the first position (FIG. 7A) associated with the first length L₁ to the second position (FIG. 7B) associated with the second length L₂. Concurrently, the flex portions 154 rotate from the first orientation associated with the first length L_i to the second orientation associated with the second length L₂, thereby increasing the shape and size of the openings 152 and creating a vacuum drawing fluid 30 from the upper 100 into the chamber 116 via the intake port 126 and the inlet check valve 122. Once the actuator cable 120 is in the second position, the inlet check valve 122 closes to prevent the fluid 30 from escaping the chamber 116 back into the chambers 162 of the upper 100.

[0059]When the actuator cable 120 is released, the resiliency of the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 bias the actuator cable 120 from the second position (FIG. 7B) associated with the second length L₂ to the first position (FIG. 7C) associated with the first length L₁, decreasing the openings 152 and exhausting the fluid 30 within the chamber 116 through the exhaust check valve 124 and the exhaust check valve 124. Thus, the fluid 30 drawn from the chambers 162 when the actuator cable 120 moves from the first position to the second position is exhausted from the pump 102 when the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 return from the second position to the first position. Accordingly, the steps of pulling the actuator cable 120 in the tightening direction followed by releasing the actuator cable 120 constitutes a cycle. For each cycle that the actuator cable 120 is pulled in the tightening direction and released, the pressure within the upper 100 is incrementally reduced. In some examples, the pressure within the upper 100 reaches an ideal pressure to constrict the upper 100 (e.g., −5 psi) after three pulls on the actuator cable 120. In other examples, fewer or more pulls on the actuator cable 120 are required.

[0060]While not shown, when the wearer wishes to move the upper 100 to the relaxed state, the wearer increases the pressure within the chambers 162 of the upper 100 by pressing the release valve 104. Specifically, the wearer may press the release valve 104 located on the outer surface of the sole structure 200, which biases the release valve 104 to an open position to allow ambient air to flow within the chambers 162 of the upper 100. Consequently, the pressure within the chambers 162 of the upper 100 increases, and the upper 100 transitions from the constricted state (FIG. 1B) to the relaxed state (FIG. 1A) around the wearer's foot.

[0061]With particular reference to FIGS. 8A-8C, another example of a configuration of a pump 102a is shown. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the pump 102 with respect to the pump 102a, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

[0062]The pump 102a includes the actuator cable 120 including the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 with respect to FIGS. 7A-7C but includes an alternate arrangement of check valves. Here, the pump 102a includes a first manifold 112a disposed on the first end 106 and including an inlet check valve 122a and a second manifold 112b disposed on the second end 108 and including an outlet check valve 124a. Accordingly, the inlet check valve 122a and the outlet check valve 124a are inline, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. A vacuum may be drawn by pulling the actuator cable 120 in the tightening direction and releasing the actuator cable 120 for a number of cycles. As the actuator cable 120 is pulled in the tightening direction, the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 are moved from the first position (FIG. 8A) associated with the first length L₁ to the second position (FIG. 8B) associated with the second length L₂. Concurrently, the flex portions 154 rotate from the first orientation associated with the first length L₁ to the second orientation associated with the second length L₂, thereby creating larger openings 152 between the flex portions 154 of the auxetic infill 118 and creating a vacuum drawing fluid 30a from the upper 100 into the chamber 116 via an intake port 126a and the inlet check valve 122a disposed on the first end 106 of the pump 102a. Once the actuator cable 120 is in the second position, the inlet check valve 122a closes to prevent the fluid 30a from escaping the chamber 116 back into the chambers 162 of the upper 100.

[0063]When the actuator cable 120 is released, the resiliency of the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 bias the actuator cable 120 from the second position (FIG. 7B) associated with the second length L₂ to the first position (FIG. 7C) associated with the first length L₁, rotating the flex portions 154 from the second orientation to the first orientation and exhausting the fluid 30 within the chamber 116 through an exhaust check valve 124a and the exhaust check valve 124b disposed on the second end 108 of the pump 102a. Thus, the fluid 30a drawn from the chambers 162 when the actuator cable 120 moves from the first position to the second position is exhausted from the pump 102a when the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 return from the second position to the first position.

[0064]While not shown, the inlet check valves 122, 122a and the exhaust check valves 124, 124a may be flipped to create a pump 102 that creates positive pressure (i.e., creates pressure in the upper 100) rather than negative pressure (i.e., pulls a vacuum in the upper 100).

[0065]Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the pump 102 may be incorporated into an article of apparel such as shirt 40. In this example, the shirt 40 may include one or more fluid-filled chambers 42 in fluid communication with the pump 102. As discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the chambers 42 may include a compressible component disposed therein which compresses as the shirt 40 transitions from a relaxed state (FIG. 9A) to a constricted state (FIG. 9B). In these implementations, an intake conduit 44 connects the pump 102 to the chambers 42 of the shirt 40 allowing fluid communication between the pump 102 and the shirt 40.

[0066]In use, the shirt 40 begins in the relaxed state (FIG. 9A), and the wearer actuates the pump 102 by moving the actuator cable 120 from the first position to the second position, thereby creating a vacuum drawing fluid from the shirt 40 into the chamber 116 of the pump 102. Once the actuator cable 120 is in the second position, the inlet check valve 122 closes to prevent the fluid from escaping the chamber 116 back into the chambers 42 of the shirt 40.

[0067]When the actuator cable 120 is released, the resiliency of the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 biases the actuator cable 120 from the second position to the first position and exhausts the fluid 30 within the chamber 116 through the exhaust check valve 124a and the exhaust check valve 124b. Thus, the fluid 30 drawn from the chambers 42 when the actuator cable 120 moves from the first position to the second position is exhausted from the pump 102 when the outer tube 114 and the auxetic infill 118 return from the second position to the first position. Accordingly, the shirt 40 moves from a relaxed state to a constricted state around the wearer's body.

[0089]The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.