Modular spool for automated footwear platform
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsSummer L. Schneider, Narissa Chang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.
Claims21
A method of assembling a modular winding spool for a footwear lacing apparatus, the method comprising:
- positioning an upper plate and a lower plate of the modular winding spool adjacent each other;
- inserting a first fastener into the upper and lower plates to couple the upper and lower plates;
- and
- inserting the upper and lower plates into a lacing channel of the footwear lacing apparatus;
- wherein the footwear lacing apparatus comprises a housing for receiving the modular winding spool and the lacing channel comprises an elongate channel extending through the housing, the lacing channel being accessible across a length of a superior side of the housing.
A method of assembling a modular winding spool for a footwear lacing apparatus, the method comprising:
- positioning an upper plate and a lower plate of the modular winding spool adjacent each other to be aligned along a rotation axis;
- inserting a fastener into the upper and lower plates to couple the upper and lower plates;
- inserting the upper and lower plates into a lacing channel of the footwear lacing apparatus;
- and
- inserting the footwear lacing apparatus into a lacing engine cavity within a sole structure for an article of footwear so that the rotation axis extends in a superior-inferior direction and the modular winding spool is configured to pull lace cable through medial and lateral sides of the sole structure.
A method of assembling a modular winding spool for a footwear lacing apparatus, the method comprising:
- selecting an upper plate from a group comprising:
- a first upper plate having a first drum of a first size and a first pair of fastener bores of a first configuration;
- and
- a second upper plate having a second drum of a second size and a second pair of fastener bores of a second configuration, the second size different than the first size and the second configuration equivalent to the first configuration;
- positioning the upper plate and a lower plate of the modular winding spool adjacent each other to align the first or second pair of fastener bores with a third pair of fastener bores of the lower plate;
- inserting a fastener into the upper and lower plates to couple the upper and lower plates;
- and
- inserting the upper and lower plates into a lacing channel of the footwear lacing apparatus.
A method of assembling a modular winding spool for a footwear lacing apparatus, the method comprising:
- positioning an upper plate and a lower plate of the modular winding spool adjacent each other;
- inserting a first fastener into the upper and lower plates to couple the upper and lower plates;
- inserting the upper and lower plates into a lacing channel of the footwear lacing apparatus;
- inserting a shaft of the lower plate through a bore of the footwear lacing apparatus transverse to the lacing channel;
- and
- attaching a gear to the shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.