Motorized tensioning system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10085517-B2
Application number	US-201615385280-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2016
Priority date	Aug 31, 2012
Publication date	Oct 2, 2018
Grant date	Oct 2, 2018

Abstract

A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensioning member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A motorized tensioning device for adjusting a tensioning member in an article, comprising:
a motor and a gear reduction system; wherein the motor drives the gear reduction system;
a spool connected to the gear reduction system and configured to wind the tensioning member, wherein the spool rotates in a first rotational direction to tighten the tensioning member and wherein the spool rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to loosen the tensioning member;
a torque transmitting system cooperating with the spool, wherein the torque transmitting system substantially prevents the spool from driving the motor; and
wherein the torque transmitting system is configured to transmit torque from a gear of the gear reduction system to the spool.

2. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 1 , wherein the motorized tensioning device operates in an incremental loosen mode where tension in the tensioning member is reduced by an incremental amount and wherein the motorized tensioning device operates in a fully loosen mode where tension in the tensioning member is fully released.

3. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the torque transmitting system is disposed between the gear reduction system and the spool.

4. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 1 , wherein the spool rotates in the first rotational direction as the torque transmitting system transmits torque from the gear reduction system to the spool.

5. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 1 , wherein the torque transmitting system prevents the spool from transmitting torque to the gear reduction system when the spool rotates in the second rotational direction.

6. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 1 , wherein the torque transmitting system includes a ratcheting assembly mounted on a shaft with a threaded end.

7. A motorized tensioning device for adjusting a tensioning member in an article, comprising:
a motor and a gear reduction system, wherein the motor is configured to drive the gear reduction system;
a spool configured to wind a tensioning member, wherein the spool can rotate in a first rotational direction for tightening the tensioning member and wherein the spool can rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction for loosening the tensioning member;
a torque transmitting system capable of transmitting torque from the gear reduction system to the spool so that torque generated by the motor can be used to rotate the spool in the first rotational direction;
wherein the torque transmitting system is operable in an incremental tighten mode where torque generated by the motor is used to rotate the spool in the first rotational direction and thereby tighten the tensioning member;
wherein the torque transmitting system is operable in an incremental loosen mode where the tension in the tensioning member is incrementally decreased; and
wherein the torque transmitting system is operable in a full loosen mode in which substantially no torque is transmitted from the torque transmitting system to the spool.

8. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 7 , wherein a secondary winding assembly is connected to the spool and drives the spool in the first rotational direction when there is slack in the tensioning member.

9. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 7 , wherein the secondary winding assembly prevents the tensioning member from tangling on the spool.

10. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 7 , wherein the secondary winding assembly operates independently of the motor.

11. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 7 , wherein the torque transmitting assembly includes a ratcheting assembly configured to engage a first end of the spool and a rotation control assembly capable of engaging a second end of the spool.

12. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 11 , wherein the incremental loosen mode includes clamping and unclamping the ratcheting assembly to the first end of the spool while the rotation control assembly is engaged with the second end of the spool.

13. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 12 , wherein the ratcheting assembly; the spool and the rotation control assembly are mounted on a shaft and wherein the spool and the shaft are rotatably locked together when the rotation control assembly is engaged with the second end of the spool.

14. A motorized tensioning device for adjusting a tensioning member in an article, comprising:
a motor and a gear reduction system, wherein the motor is configured to drive the gear reduction assembly;
a spool configured to wind a tensioning member, wherein the spool can rotate in a first rotational direction for tightening the tensioning member and wherein the spool can rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction for loosening the tensioning member;
a torque transmitting system capable of transmitting torque from the gear reduction system to the spool so that torque generated by the motor can be used to rotate the spool in the first rotational direction;
the torque transmitting assembly further comprising:
a shaft including a threaded end, wherein the spool is rotatably mounted onto the shaft;
a ratcheting assembly mounted onto the threaded end of the shaft, wherein the ratcheting assembly is disposed between the gear reduction system and a first end of the spool, and where the ratcheting assembly transmits torque from the gear reduction assembly to the first end of the spool;
a rotation control assembly mounted onto the shaft, the rotation control assembly being associated with a second end of the spool;
wherein the ratcheting assembly transmits torque to the first end of the spool by rotating on the threaded end of the shaft and clamping against the first end of the spool; and
wherein the rotation control assembly can be used to lock the shaft and the spool together so that shaft and the spool cannot rotate independently.

15. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 14 , wherein the ratcheting assembly includes a pawl member and a ratchet housing.

16. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 15 , wherein a gear of the gear reduction system, the pawl member and an end of the spool are clamped together to drive the spool.

17. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 14 , wherein the torque transmitting system can operate in a first mode to incrementally loosen tension and can operate in a second mode to fully loosen tension and wherein the first mode and the second mode are different.

18. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 14 , wherein the rotation control assembly includes an engagement plate with at least one pin and wherein the at least one pin can be inserted into an alignment hole on the spool.

19. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 18 , wherein the shaft includes a flange portion and wherein the flange portion is disposed between the spool and the engagement plate.

20. The motorized tensioning device according to claim 14 , wherein the tensioning member is a lace.

21. A motorized tensioning device for adjusting a tensioning member in an article, comprising:
a motor and a gear reduction system, herein the motor is configured to drive the gear reduction system;
a spool configured to wind a tensioning member, wherein the spool can rotate in a first rotational dir

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Beers Tiffany A
• Owings Andrew A
• Henderson Cody Collier
• Capra James Alan
• Soderberg Mark Stanley
• Hipwood Daniel

Classifications

• A41D27/08

  Trimmings; Ornaments · CPC title

• A43C11/008

  Combined fastenings, e.g. to accelerate undoing or fastening · CPC title

• A61F5/028

  Braces for providing support to the lower back, e.g. lumbo sacral supports · CPC title

• A43C1/00

  Shoe lacing fastenings (garment fastening devices A41F) · CPC title

• B65H59/382

  using mechanical means · CPC title