# US 12,213,562 B2 · Lace routing pattern of a lacing system for an article of footwear

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- Number: US 12,213,562 B2
- Document ID: US12213562B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/083,475
- Filed: 2020-10-29
- Published: 2021-02-11
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-15
- Assignees: NIKE, Inc.
- Applicants: NIKE, Inc.
- Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers; Andrew A. Owings
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213562B2

## CPC

- A43C 11/165: {characterised by a spool, reel or pulley for winding up cables, laces or straps by rotation}
- A43B 3/34: with electrical or electronic arrangements
- A43C 1/00: Shoe lacing fastenings (garment fastening devices A41F)
- A43C 1/003: {Zone lacing, i.e. whereby different zones of the footwear have different lacing tightening degrees, using one or a plurality of laces (laces combined with another system A43C11/008; zone tightening using straps A43C11/14)}
- A43C 3/00: Hooks for laces (making from sheet metal B21D53/46); Guards for hooks
- A43C 11/008: {Combined fastenings, e.g. to accelerate undoing or fastening}
- A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

## Abstract

A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An article of footwear, comprising:
a sole structure;
an upper, secured to the sole structure, the upper forming a throat opening and a lacing area bounded by a medial edge of the upper, a lateral edge of the upper, the throat opening, and a forefoot region of the upper;
a tensioning assembly;
a lace, comprising a first lace segment and a second lace segment, the lace operatively coupled to the tensioning system, the lace extending across the lacing area in a plurality of lace positions, the plurality of lace positions including a first lace position that is most proximate to the throat opening relative to all other lace positions of the plurality of lace positions;
wherein the first lace segment enters the lacing area from the tensioning assembly at the first lace position proximate the throat opening and then crosses over a first portion of the lacing area between the throat opening and a midsection of the lacing area at least twice, wherein the first lace segment has an end secured to the upper; and
wherein the second lace segment enters the lacing area, from the tensioning assembly, directly proximate the midsection of the lacing area and crosses over a second portion of the lacing area between the midsection and the forefoot region at least twice, wherein the second lace segment has an end, separate from the end of the first lace segment, secured to the upper separate from the end of the first lace segment, and wherein the first lace segment overlaps the second lace segment on one of a medial side and a lateral side of the lacing area;
wherein the first and second lace segments are secured to one of a medial side and a lateral side of the forefoot region of the upper.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first lace segment enters the lacing area proximate the medial edge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the second lace segment enters the lacing area proximate the medial edge.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first lace segment crosses over the lacing area three times.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the second lace segment crosses over the lacing area three times.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lacing guides positioned proximate the lacing area, each of the plurality of lacing guides receiving one of the first lace segment and the second lace segment.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of lacing guides extends across the lacing area.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of lacing guides further partially extends between the throat opening and the forefoot region.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the lace extends along a full length of the lacing area from the throat opening to the forefoot region.