Folded loop fastening system for an article of footwear
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorClifford B. Gerber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lacing element for a fastening system of an article of footwear is formed using a continuous strip of material that is folded across itself in a series of different directions to produce a plurality of folded loops. A first group of exposed folded loops form eyestays for a lace, with each eyestay being formed by a trailing edge of one exposed loop and a leading edge of an adjacent exposed loop. The trailing edge and the leading edge are formed by folded regions in the continuous strip of material that are points of contact for the lace. A second group of secured folded loops are disposed below the exposed loops and are used to attach the lacing element to an upper of the article of footwear.
Claims20
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper including a fastening portion;
- a lacing element associated with the fastening portion;
- a lace associated with the lacing element;
- wherein the lacing element is made from a continuous strip of material that has been folded to form a plurality of folded loops;
- wherein a trailing edge of a first folded loop and a leading edge of a second folded loop adjacent to the first folded loop form an eyestay configured to receive the lace;
- and
- wherein a first portion of the lace contacts the trailing edge of the first folded loop, a second portion of the lace contacts the leading edge of the second folded loop, and a third portion of the lace extends between the trailing edge of the first folded loop and the leading edge of the second folded loop, wherein the third portion of the lace is exposed.
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper including a fastening portion;
- a lacing element associated with the fastening portion;
- wherein the lacing element is made from a continuous strip of material that has been folded to form a plurality of folded loops;
- wherein an engaging portion of the lacing element is disposed above the upper;
- wherein a securing portion of the lacing element is attached to the upper;
- wherein the engaging portion and the securing portion comprise a substantially similar amount of the continuous strip of material;
- wherein the engaging portion includes a first folded loop, wherein the first folded loop comprises a first folded region and a second folded region, wherein the first folded region and the second folded region are separated by a run gap disposed between the first folded region and the second folded region;
- and
- a lace associated with the engaging portion of the lacing element, wherein a first portion of the lace contacts the first folded region of the first folded loop and exits the first folded loop from the run gap, a second portion of the lace enters the first folded loop at the first run gap and contacts the second folded region of the first folded loop, so that the run gap accommodates two portions of the lace.
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper;
- a lacing element comprising a continuous strip of material that has been folded to form a plurality of folded loops, the lacing element being configured to attach to the upper;
- the lacing element including a first folded loop, the first folded loop comprising a first folded region and a second folded region of the strip of material separated by a first run gap associated with a first distance;
- the lacing element including a second folded loop, the second folded loop comprising a third folded region and a fourth folded region of the strip of material separated by a second run gap associated with a second distance;
- wherein the second distance is larger than the first distance;
- wherein the second folded region is disposed adjacent to the third folded region, and wherein the second folded region is separated from the third folded region by a third run gap associated with a third distance;
- and
- a lace, wherein a first portion of the lace contacts the second folded region, a second portion of the lace contacts the third folded region, and a third portion of the lace extends between the second folded region and the third folded region, and wherein the length of the third portion of the lace is substantially equal to the third distance associated with the third run gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.