Holding assembly for articles
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTodd W. Miller, Mike A. Chamblin, Eli R. Troyke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A holding assembly for articles can be used with a flexible manufacturing system to hold an article in place. The holding assembly can be used with a printing system to print onto the article. The holding assembly can expand to fit the article. The holding assembly can include a moldable surface that can be provided with a temporarily fixed geometry through the use of a vacuum. The holding assembly can help provide a flattened outer surface for the article to facilitate printing.
Claims20
A last member configured to hold an article of footwear, comprising:
- a first side portion, the first side portion including an interior chamber and an outer surface that is substantially deformable when the interior chamber is in a first state and substantially rigid when the interior chamber is in a second state;
- a second side portion, the second side portion including a substantially rigid outer surface;
- a bladder member disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion, wherein the bladder member is inflatable;
- and
- wherein expanding the bladder member causes the second side portion to extend away from the first side portion.
An adjustable pressure system for articles of footwear, comprising:
- a last member, the last member including a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion further comprises:
- a frame portion;
- a flexible membrane mounted over the frame portion;
- wherein the first side portion has a flexible outer surface;
- wherein the second side portion includes a substantially rigid outer surface;
- a bladder member disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion;
- wherein the bladder member is configured to be in fluid communication with a first fluid pump;
- a plurality of bead members disposed in an interior chamber formed between the frame portion and the flexible membrane;
- wherein the interior chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with a second fluid pump;
- and
- wherein the rigidity of the flexible outer surface of the first side portion increases when pressure in the interior chamber is decreased.
An adjustable pressure system for articles of footwear, comprising:
- a last member, the last member including a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion further comprises:
- a frame portion;
- a flexible membrane mounted over the frame portion;
- wherein the second side portion includes a substantially rigid outer surface;
- a bladder member disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion;
- a plurality of bead members disposed in an interior chamber formed between the frame portion and the flexible membrane;
- wherein the interior chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum pump;
- wherein the first side portion has a first configuration and a second configuration, the second configuration occurring when a vacuum is applied to the interior chamber of the first side portion;
- and
- wherein the rigidity of an outer surface of the first side portion increases from the first configuration to the second configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.