Lockout feature for a control device
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. A control device included in the article can be configured to allow manual control of a system by a user. A lockout feature that can disable manual control may be included. During periods of competitive activity, the manual controls may be disabled to allow a user wearing the article to engage in different activities without inadvertent activation of a system. In some cases, the control device and lockout feature can be used in conjunction with a motorized tensioning system.
Claims7
A method of disabling manual controls in a control device associated with an article of footwear, comprising:
- determining if an athlete wearing the article of footwear is engaging in competitive activity;
- permitting manual control of the control device if the athlete is determined not to be competing;
- and
- disabling manual control of the control device if the athlete is determined to be competing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.