Cord lock
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsYuki Aihara, Kevin C. Sze
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cord-lock assembly for slidably adjusting a length of cord is provided. The assembly may include various components such as a cord, a cord lock, and an article layer into which the cord lock and cord may be at least partially integrated. The cord lock may include one or more components that releasably clamp onto the cord and engage the cord through resistance provided by a biasing element. The cord-lock assembly may be configured such that a force applied to the cord lock in axial alignment with an aperture in which the cord lock is positioned allows adjustment of a length of cord extending through the cord lock and/or through the aperture layer.
Claims20
A cord-lock assembly, comprising:
- a cord lock, comprising:
- a first portion,
- a second portion, and
- a biasing element coupled between the first portion and the second portion,
- the first portion including a first through-channel,
- the second portion including a second through-channel that is alignable with the first through-channel, and
- the biasing element providing a force in a first direction to misalign the first through-channel and the second through-channel;
- and
- an article layer with a first aperture, the first aperture bounded by an aperture collar that forms a perimeter around the first aperture,
- wherein the first portion is seated in the second portion,
- wherein the first portion extends in the first direction through the first aperture, and
- wherein the first direction of the force provided by the biasing element is aligned along an axis of the first aperture.
A cord-lock assembly, comprising:
- a cord lock, comprising:
- a first portion,
- a second portion, and
- a biasing element coupled between the first portion and the second portion,
- the first portion including a first through-channel,
- the second portion including a second through-channel that is alignable with the first through-channel, and
- the biasing element providing a force in a first direction to misalign the first through-channel and the second through-channel;
- and
- an article layer having a first aperture, the first aperture bounded by an aperture collar that forms a perimeter around the first aperture,
- wherein at least part of the first portion is positioned in the first aperture and is circumscribed by the aperture collar,
- wherein the first direction of the force is axially aligned with the first aperture, and
- wherein the aperture collar includes a grommet that is coupled to the perimeter around the first aperture.
A cord-lock assembly, comprising:
- a cord lock, comprising:
- a first portion,
- a second portion, and
- a biasing element coupled between the first portion and the second portion,
- the first portion including a first through-channel,
- the second portion including a second through-channel that is alignable with the first through-channel, and
- the biasing element providing a force in a first direction to misalign the first through-channel and the second through-channel;
- and
- an article layer with a first aperture, the first aperture bounded by an aperture collar that forms a perimeter around the first aperture,
- wherein at least part of the first portion is positioned in the first aperture and is circumscribed by the aperture collar,
- wherein the first portion and the aperture collar together comprise a single unified component,
- wherein the first direction of the force is axially aligned with the first aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.