Segmented tunnels on articles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10144173-B2
Application number	US-201615370893-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2016
Priority date	Dec 7, 2015
Publication date	Dec 4, 2018
Grant date	Dec 4, 2018

Abstract

Collapsible tunnel systems or segmented tubular structures may be printed on or otherwise attached to base layers on articles of apparel, articles of footwear, or other articles of manufacture. The collapsible tunnel systems have two or more tubular structures attached to the base layer, with tunnels extending through the tubular structures. A tensile strand may be laced through the tunnels in the tubular structure such that when tension is applied to the tensile strand, the tunnels may collapse into a structure with a continuous tunnel through two or more tubular structures. In some embodiments, two or more segmented tubular structures each have two spaced-apart tubular structures joined by a connecting portion, and a tensile strand extending through tunnels in the tubular structures.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible tunnel system attached to a base layer, 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 tensile strand extending through the first tunnel and the second tunnel;
the collapsible tunnel system having a first configuration wherein the second end portion of the first tubular structure is spaced apart from the third end portion of the second tubular structure;
the collapsible tunnel system having a second configuration wherein the second end portion of the first tubular structure is closer to the third end portion of the second tubular structure than in the first configuration; and
wherein applying tension across a portion of the tensile strand places the collapsible tunnel system in the second configuration,
wherein the tensile strand includes a catching element and a size of the catching element prevents the catching element from passing through the first tunnel, and
wherein the catching element presses against the first end portion of the first tubular structure when tension is applied across the tensile strand and wherein the catching element is a knot in the tensile strand.

2. The collapsible tunnel system and base layer according to claim 1 , wherein the first tubular structure has a linear geometry and wherein the second tubular structure has a linear geometry.

3. The collapsible tunnel system and base layer according to claim 1 , wherein the catching element is disposed at an end of the tensile strand.

4. The collapsible tunnel system and base layer according to claim 1 , wherein the catching element is disposed at a point along the tensile strand between opposing ends of the tensile strand.

5. The collapsible tunnel system and base layer according to claim 1 , wherein, in the second configuration, the second end portion of the first tubular structure is in contact with the third end portion of the second tubular structure, such that the first tunnel is continuous with the second tunnel.

6. The collapsible tunnel system and base layer according to claim 1 , wherein a length of the first tubular structure from the first end portion to the second end portion is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of one of the first end portion or the second end portion.

7. The collapsible tunnel system of claim 1 , wherein the first tubular structure has a curved portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, with the first tunnel curving through the curved portion of the first tubular structure;
wherein in the second configuration the second end portion of the first tubular structure is in contact with the third end portion of the second tubular structure, such that the first tunnel is continuous with the second tunnel in the second configuration; and
wherein the first tunnel and the second tunnel provide a nonlinear path for the tensile strand in the second configuration.

8. The collapsible tunnel system and base layer according to claim 7 , wherein the second tubular structure is approximately straight.

9. The collapsible tunnel system and base layer according to claim 7 , wherein the second tubular structure is curved.

10. A tensioning system attached to a base layer, comprising:
a first segmented tubular structure comprising a first tubular structure attached to the base layer and a second tubular structure attached to the base layer;
wherein the first tubular structure includes a first tunnel and wherein the second tubular structure includes a second tunnel;
wherein the first tubular structure is attached to the second tubular structure by a first connecting portion, the first tunnel being spaced apart from the second tunnel proximate the first connecting portion;
a second segmented tubular structure comprising a third tubular structure attached to the base layer and a fourth tubular structure attached to the base layer;
wherein the third tubular structure includes a third tunnel and wherein the fourth tubular structure includes a fourth tunnel;
wherein the third tubular structure is attached to the fourth tubular structure by a second connecting portion, the third tunnel being spaced apart from the fourth tunnel proximate the second connecting portion;
a tensile strand extending through the first tunnel, the second tunnel, the third tunnel, and the fourth tunnel; and
wherein the first segmented tubular structure is spaced apart from the second segmented tubular structure.

11. The tensioning system and base layer according to claim 10 , wherein:
the first segmented tubular structure is spaced apart from the second segmented tubular structure by a first distance in a first configuration;
wherein the first segmented tubular structure is spaced apart from the second segmented tubular structure by a second distance in a second configuration;
wherein the second distance is less than the first distance; and
wherein applying tension across the tensile strand places the first segmented tubular structure and the second segmented tubular structure in the second configuration.

12. The tensioning system and base layer according to claim 11 , wherein the base layer has a geometry, and wherein the geometry of the base layer changes between the first configuration and the second configuration.

13. The tensioning system and base layer according to claim 11 , wherein the first segmented tubular structure and the second segmented tubular structure are placed in contact with one another when tension greater than a predetermined tension is applied across the tensile strand.

14. The tensioning system and base layer according to claim 10 , wherein:
a third segmented tubular structure of the tensioning system includes a fifth tubular structure attached to the base layer, a sixth tubular structure attached to the base layer and a third connecting portion connecting the fifth tubular structure to the sixth tubular structure;
wherein the fifth tubular structure includes a fifth tunnel and wherein the sixth tubular structure includes a sixth tunnel; and
wherein the fifth tunnel is spaced apart from the sixth tunnel proximate the third connecting portion.

15. The tensioning system and base layer according to claim 14 , wherein the tensile strand extends through the fifth tunnel and the sixth tunnel.

16. The tensioning system and base layer according to claim 10 , wherein a linear axis extending through the first tunnel and the second tunnel of the first segmented tubular structure lies at an angle greater than zero relative to the linear axis extending through the third tunnel and the fourth tunnel of the second segmented tubular structure when the base layer is in a relaxed state.

17. The tensioning system and base layer according to claim 10 , wherein:
a first portion of the tensile strand extends between the first segmented tubular structure and the second segmented tubular structure;
wherein a second portion of the tensile strand extends between the second segmented tubular structure and the third segmented tubular structure; and
wherein the first portion and the second portion are orientated in different directions.

18. A tensioning system attached to a base layer, comprising:
a first tubul

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

• B29L2031/727

  Fastening elements (bolts B29L2001/002; nuts B29L2001/005; screws B29L2001/007; slide fasteners B29L2005/00; buttons for haberdashery B29L2019/00) · CPC title

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• A43B23/24

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

• A43C11/16

  Fastenings secured by wire, bolts, or the like · CPC title