Automatic lacing system
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.
Claims28
An automatic lacing system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a sole including a cavity;
- a motor disposed in the cavity;
- the motor including a driveshaft;
- the driveshaft including at least one gear;
- at least one belt engaged with the at least one gear at an intermediate portion of the belt;
- a yoke member connected to the at least one belt at an attachment portion of the at least one belt;
- a plurality of straps attached to the yoke member, the plurality of straps being configured to adjust an upper of the article of footwear;
- and
- wherein the straps can be automatically moved between a closed position and a loosened position by activating the motor.
An automatic lacing system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a strap moving mechanism;
- at least one strap attached to the strap moving mechanism, the at least one strap being configured to adjust an upper of the article of footwear;
- a rigid hollow plate associated with a sidewall portion of an upper;
- the rigid hollow plate configured to receive an intermediate portion of the at least one strap;
- wherein the intermediate portion is contracted within the rigid hollow plate when the at least one strap is closed and wherein the intermediate portion is extended outside of the rigid hollow plate when the at least one strap is open;
- wherein the strap moving mechanism further comprises:
- a motor including a driveshaft;
- the driveshaft including a gear;
- a belt configured to engage the gear;
- and
- wherein the belt is configured to supply power to the at least one strap.
An automatic ankle cinching system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper including an ankle portion;
- a housing disposed on a rear portion of the ankle portion;
- an ankle strap associated with a front portion of the ankle portion;
- a strap moving mechanism disposed within the housing;
- the ankle strap including a first end portion attached to the strap moving mechanism and a second end portion fixedly attached to the housing;
- wherein the strap moving mechanism is configured to automatically move the ankle strap between an open position and a closed position and thereby adjust the ankle portion;
- and
- wherein the automatic ankle cinching system includes a locking mechanism that is configured to lock the ankle strap in an open position.
An automatic ankle cinching system for an article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper including an ankle portion;
- a housing disposed on a rear portion of the ankle portion;
- a strap moving mechanism disposed within the housing;
- an ankle strap associated with a front portion of the ankle portion;
- the ankle strap including a first end portion attached to the strap moving mechanism and a second end portion fixedly attached to the housing;
- the strap moving mechanism including a coil spring that is configured to wind within the housing, the coil spring being configured to wind around a shaft;
- and
- wherein the shaft is oriented in a direction running from a top portion of the upper to a lower portion of the upper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.