Modular spool for automated footwear platform

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10660405-B2
Application number	US-201715458777-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2017
Priority date	Mar 15, 2016
Publication date	May 26, 2020
Grant date	May 26, 2020

Abstract

A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A footwear lacing apparatus comprising:
a housing structure comprising:
a first inlet;
a second inlet; and
a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets;

a modular spool disposed in the lacing channel, the modular spool comprising:
a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate;
an upper plate including a drum portion; and
a winding channel extending through the modular spool;
wherein the upper plate is releasabley connected to the lower plate at a connection interface; and
wherein the lower plate is positioned adjacent the drum portion such that a lower flange of the lower plate is disposed at least partially around the drum portion;

a drive mechanism coupling with the modular spool and adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool;
a pair of pegs extending from the upper plate within the drum portion; and
a plurality of ports extending into the lower plate around the shaft;
wherein the pair of pegs can extend into a pair of ports from the plurality of ports to rotationally lock the upper plate and the lower plate.

2. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connection interface comprises a threaded fastener.

3. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the threaded fastener extends into the upper plate, through the drum portion and into the lower plate.

4. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the connection interface comprises a pair of threaded fasteners.

5. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the winding channel extends through the drum portion of the upper plate.

6. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the drum portion extends from the upper plate such that an upper flange is disposed at least partially around the drum portion.

7. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the upper plate further comprises a pair of threaded passages extending through the drum portion on either side of the winding channel.

8. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the shaft extends from the lower plate away from the drum portion; and
the lower plate has a smaller diameter than the upper plate.

9. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ports includes at least four ports configured to receive the pair of pegs in at least two positions.

10. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing structure comprises:
an upper wall having a first superior surface through which the lacing channel extends; and
an inner wall disposed in the lacing channel and having a second superior surface along which the lacing channel extends;

wherein the upper plate is disposed proximate the first superior surface and the lower plate is disposed proximate the second superior surface.

11. A footwear lacing apparatus comprising:
a housing structure comprising:
a first inlet;
a second inlet; and
a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets;

a modular spool disposed in the lacing channel, the modular spool comprising:
a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate;
an upper plate including a drum portion; and
a winding channel extending through the modular spool;

wherein:
the upper plate is releasabley connected to the lower plate at a connection interface;
the shaft extends from the lower plate away from the drum portion;
the lower plate has a smaller diameter than the upper plate; and
the lower plate is positioned adjacent the drum portion such that a lower flange is disposed at least partially around the drum portion;

a drive mechanism coupling with the modular spool and adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool; and
a gear coupled to the shaft, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the shaft via engagement with the gear.

12. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the connection interface comprises a threaded fastener.

13. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the threaded fastener extends into the upper plate, through the drum portion and into the lower plate.

14. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the connection interface comprises a pair of threaded fasteners.

15. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the winding channel extends through the drum portion of the upper plate.

16. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the drum portion extends from the upper plate such that an upper flange is disposed at least partially around the drum portion.

17. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the upper plate further comprises a pair of threaded passages extending through the drum portion on either side of the winding channel.

18. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a pair of pegs extending from the upper plate within the drum portion; and
a plurality of ports extending into the lower plate around the shaft;
wherein the pair of pegs can extend into a pair of ports from the plurality of ports to rotationally lock the upper plate and the lower plate.

19. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 18 , wherein plurality of ports includes at least four ports configured to receive the pair of pegs in at least two positions.

20. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the housing structure comprises:
an upper wall having a first superior surface through which the lacing channel extends; and
an inner wall disposed in the lacing channel and having a second superior surface along which the lacing channel extends;
a counterbore located in the inner wall for receipt of the lower plate;
wherein the upper plate is disposed proximate the first superior surface and the lower plate is disposed proximate the second superior surface.

21. The footwear lacing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Schneider Summer L
• Chang Narissa

Classifications

• B65H75/148

  with at least one frustoconical end flange · CPC title

• A43C11/165 Primary

  characterised by a spool, reel or pulley for winding up cables, laces or straps by rotation · CPC title

• B65H75/14

  with two end flanges · CPC title

• A43C7/00 Primary

  Holding-devices for laces · CPC title

• A43B13/14

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title