Tunnel spring structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10065369-B2
Application number	US-201615370913-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2016
Priority date	Dec 7, 2015
Publication date	Sep 4, 2018
Grant date	Sep 4, 2018

Abstract

A tunnel spring structure three-dimensionally printed on a base layer. The tunnel spring structure includes three tubular structures and two connecting portions. A connecting portion is disposed between two tubular structures. A tensile strand extends through the tubular structures. Tension applied to the tensile strand forces the tubular structures to adjoin due to the flexibility of the connection portions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tunnel spring structure attached to a base layer of an article of footwear or an article of apparel, the tunnel spring structure comprising:
a plurality of tubular structures with each tubular structure including a first end and a second end, wherein each tubular structure has a tunnel;
a plurality of flexible connecting portions with each connecting portion including a third end and a fourth end;
wherein the second end of a first tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures is attached to the third end of a first connecting portion of the plurality of connecting portions; and
wherein the first end of a second tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures is attached to the fourth end of the first connecting portion.

2. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a tensile strand having a first end and a second end, the tensile strand extending through the tunnels of the plurality of tubular structures;
wherein the first end of the tensile strand is secured at the first end of the first tubular structure; and
wherein the tensile strand is partially exposed proximate each of the plurality of connecting portions.

3. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 2 , wherein tension applied to the second end of the tensile strand urges one or more of the plurality of tubular structures to deviate from a first state to a second state;
wherein the plurality of tubular structures are spaced apart a first distance when the tunnel spring structure is in the first state;
wherein the plurality of tubular structures are spaced apart a second distance when the tunnel spring structure is in the second state; and
wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

4. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 3 , wherein when the tension is released, the plurality of connecting portions urge the tunnel spring structure from the second state to the first state.

5. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 3 , wherein the tensile strand is a cord.

6. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of connecting portions is elastic.

7. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connecting portions have arc-like shapes protruding away from one or more of the plurality tubular structures.

8. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1 , wherein
at least one of the tubular structures of the plurality of tubular structures has a greater stiffness than at least one of connecting portions of the plurality of connecting portions.

9. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1 , wherein
at least one of the plurality of tubular structures is made of a different material than at least one of the plurality of connecting portions.

10. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1 , wherein the tunnel spring structure is disposed on a portion of an article of apparel.

11. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1 , wherein the tunnel spring structure is disposed on a portion of an article of footwear.

12. A tunnel spring structure attached to a base layer of an article of footwear or an article of apparel, the tunnel spring structure comprising:
a first tubular structure attached to the base layer including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first tubular structure having a first tunnel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion;
a second tubular structure attached to the base layer including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the second tubular structure having a second tunnel extending from the third end portion to the fourth end portion;
a third tubular structure attached to the base layer including a fifth end portion and a sixth end portion, the third tubular structure having a third tunnel extending from the fifth end portion to the sixth end portion;
a first connecting portion disposed between the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure, wherein the first connecting portion is attached to the second end portion of the first tubular structure and the third end portion of the second tubular structure;
a second connecting portion disposed between the second tubular structure and the third tubular structure, wherein the second connecting portion is attached to the fourth end portion of the second tubular structure and the fifth end portion of the third tubular structure;
a tensile strand including a first end and a second end, the tensile strand extending through the first tunnel, the second tunnel, and the third tunnel; and
wherein the tensile strand is partially exposed proximate the first connecting portion and is also partially exposed proximate the second connecting portion, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are flexible portions.

13. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 12 , wherein the tunnel spring structure is configured in a non-linear shape.

14. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 13 , wherein the tunnel spring structure is in a first state when the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure are spaced apart a first distance;
wherein the tunnel spring structure is in a second state when the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure are spaced apart a second distance;
wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and
wherein a predetermined tension applied to the first end and the second end of the tensile strand forces the tunnel spring structure from the first state to the second state.

15. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 14 , wherein when the predetermined tension is released, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion force the tunnel spring structure from the second state to the first state.

16. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 12 , wherein the first connecting portion is more flexible than the first tubular structure.

17. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 14 , wherein the base layer has a geometry, and wherein the geometry of the base layer changes when the tunnel spring structure transitions from the first state to the second state.

18. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 12 , wherein either or both of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have arc-like shapes protruding away from the second tubular structure.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Guest Stefan E
• Holmes Matthew J
• Sterman Yoav

Classifications

• B29C64/118

  using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM] · CPC title

• A43B23/24

  Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function · CPC title

• B29L2031/505

  Uppers · CPC title

• A43B23/042

  Uppers made of one piece (one piece slippers A43B3/106; one piece sandals A43B3/124) · CPC title

• A43D2200/60

  Computer aided manufacture of footwear, e.g. CAD or CAM · CPC title