Motorized tensioning system
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Cody Collier Henderson, James Alan Capra, Mark Stanley Soderberg, Daniel Hipwood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensioning member.
Claims20
A method for making a motorized tensioning device, comprising:
- coupling a motor to a gear reduction system, wherein the motor is configured to drive the gear reduction system;
- connecting a spool connected to the gear reduction system, the spool configured to wind a tensioning member, wherein the spool is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction to tighten the tensioning member rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to loosen the tensioning member;
- coupling a torque transmitting system to the spool, the torque transmitting system configured to substantially prevent the spool from driving the motor;
- and
- wherein the torque transmitting system is configured to transmit torque from a gear of the gear reduction system to the spool.
A method for adjusting a tensioning member in an article of footwear, comprising:
- operating a torque transmitting system in an incremental tighten mode where torque generated by a motor is used to rotate a spool in a first rotational direction and thereby tighten the tensioning member incrementally;
- operating the torque transmitting in an incremental loosen mode where the motor rotates the spool in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to lessen the tension in the tensioning member incrementally;
- and
- operating the torque transmitting system in a full loosen mode in which substantially no torque is transmitted from the torque transmitting system to the spool.
A method of making a motorized tensioning device for adjusting a tensioning member in an article of footwear, comprising:
- coupling a motor to a gear reduction system, wherein the motor is configured to drive the gear reduction system;
- a spool configured to wind a tensioning member, wherein the spool can rotate in a first rotational direction for tightening the tensioning member and wherein the spool can rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction for loosening the tensioning member;
- coupling a torque transmitting system to the gear reduction system and the spool, the torque transmitting system configured to transmit torque from the gear reduction system to the spool so that torque generated by the motor can rotate the spool in the first rotational direction;
- rotatably mounting the spool to a shaft including a threaded end;
- mounting a ratcheting assembly onto the threaded end of the shaft, wherein the ratcheting assembly is disposed between the gear reduction system and a first end of the spool, and where the ratcheting assembly transmits torque from the gear reduction system to the first end of the spool;
- mounting a rotation control assembly onto the shaft, the rotation control assembly being associated with a second end of the spool;
- wherein the ratcheting assembly is configured to transmit torque to the first end of the spool by rotating on the threaded end of the shaft and clamping against the first end of the spool;
- and
- wherein the rotation control assembly is configured to lock the shaft and the spool together so that shaft and the spool cannot rotate independently.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.