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US 9,107,479 B2Granted
Adjustable last
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsLyle R. Hanson, Elizabeth Langvin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable last that may be inserted into an article includes provisions so that the position of an adjustable portion of the adjustable last can be changed according to the size of the article. In some embodiments, the adjustable last includes an inflatable member that can be filled with fluid according to the size of the article, and may be used to adjust the size of the article. Other embodiments do not include an inflatable member. The adjustable last can include an adjustment assembly for adjusting the adjustable portion. The adjustment assembly can include a wedge member.
Claims46
An inflatable member configured to be inserted into an article, comprising:
- an outer layer and an interior chamber disposed within the outer layer;
- an adjustable portion disposed inside the interior chamber;
- a support plate supporting an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly further comprising:
- a pivot support portion;
- a linkage arm including a first end portion and a second end portion,
- wherein the first end portion is attached to the pivot support portion and
- wherein the second end portion is attached to the adjustable portion;
- a wedge member configured to move with respect to the support plate;
- wherein the linkage arm can pivot with respect to the pivot support portion;
- and
- wherein the linkage arm is configured to pivot when the wedge member moves with respect to the support plate.
8 more elements
An inflatable member configured to be inserted into an article, comprising:
- a central longitudinal axis extending a length of the inflatable member;
- an outer layer and an interior chamber disposed within the outer layer;
- an adjustable portion disposed inside the interior chamber;
- a support plate supporting an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly further comprising:
- a pivot support portion;
- a linkage arm including a first end portion and a second end portion,
- wherein the first end portion is attached to the pivot support portion and
- wherein the second end portion is attached to the adjustable portion;
- a wedge member configured to move with respect to the support plate;
- a wedge engaging portion in contact the wedge member, the wedge engaging portion being associated with the second end portion of the linkage arm;
- wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a first configuration and a second configuration;
- and
- wherein the distance between the wedge engaging portion and the central longitudinal axis increases from the first configuration to the second configuration.
10 more elements
A member configured to be inserted into an article, comprising:
- a support plate supporting an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly further comprising:
- a pivot support portion;
- a linkage arm including a first end portion and a second end portion,
- wherein the first end portion is attached to the pivot support portion and
- wherein the second end portion is attached to the adjustable portion;
- a wedge member configured to move with respect to the support plate;
- wherein the linkage arm can pivot with respect to the pivot support portion;
- and
- wherein the linkage arm is configured to pivot when the wedge member moves with respect to the support plate.
6 more elements
A member configured to be inserted into an article, comprising:
- a central longitudinal axis extending a length of the member;
- an adjustable portion;
- a support plate supporting an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly further comprising:
- a pivot support portion;
- a linkage arm including a first end portion and a second end portion,
- wherein the first end portion is attached to the pivot support portion and
- wherein the second end portion is attached to the adjustable portion;
- a wedge member configured to move with respect to the support plate;
- a wedge engaging portion in contact with the wedge member, the wedge engaging portion being associated with the second end portion of the linkage arm;
- wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a first configuration and a second configuration;
- and
- wherein the distance between the wedge engaging portion and the central longitudinal axis increases from the first configuration to the second configuration.
9 more elements
An adjustable last comprising:
- a support plate having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction;
- a guide track in the support plate oriented in the longitudinal direction;
- a wedge disposed on the support plate and engaging the guide track;
- a motor assembly disposed on the support plate adapted to translate the wedge in the longitudinal direction;
- a first wedge engaging portion pivotally attached to the wedge;
- a first adjustable portion in contact with the first wedge engaging portion and disposed on the support plate;
- a first linkage arm attached at a first end to the motor assembly and at a second end to the first wedge engaging portion;
- wherein the wedge, the first wedge engaging portion and the first linkage arm are configured such that translation of the wedge in the longitudinal direction operates to translate the first adjustable portion in the lateral direction.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.