Dynamic lacing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11730229-B2
Application number	US-201916594269-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 7, 2019
Priority date	Jul 22, 2016
Publication date	Aug 22, 2023
Grant date	Aug 22, 2023

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper;
a tensioning grip disposed at an outer surface of the upper and comprising a fabric material that imparts elastic properties defining a first conduit having an inner diameter, the first conduit (i) extending from a first end attached at a medial side of the upper to a second end attached at a lateral side of the upper, and (ii) defining an intermediate portion operable to be pulled away from the upper between the first end and the second end; and
a tensioning cable received within the first conduit, including an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the first conduit, and operable to move the upper into one of a tightened state and a loosened state, the tensioning cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into the tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into the loosened state.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , further comprising a cable lock operable between a locked state restricting movement of the tensioning cable in the loosening direction and an unlocked state permitting movement of the tensioning cable in both the loosening direction and the tightening direction.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein the cable lock is disposed within a sole structure of the article of footwear.

4. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein the cable lock permits movement of the tensioning cable in the tightening direction when the cable lock is in the locked state.

5. The article of footwear of claim 4 , wherein the cable lock engages the tensioning cable in the locked state to restrict movement of the tensioning cable in the tightening direction when the cable lock is in the locked state.

6. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein the article of footwear includes a sole structure having a midsole and an outsole defining a cavity therebetween, the cable lock being received within the cavity.

7. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning cable includes a first length between the cable lock and the tensioning grip and a second length between the cable lock and a loosening grip, wherein movement of the tensioning cable in the tightening direction causes the first length to increase and the second length to decrease, and movement of the tensioning cable in the loosening direction causes the first length to decrease and the second length to increase.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning cable is operable to bunch within the first conduit when the upper is in the tightened state.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning grip is elongate.

10. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper;
an elongate tensioning grip disposed at an outer surface of the upper and including a fabric material that imparts elastic properties defining a first conduit, the first conduit (i) extending from a first end attached at a medial side of the upper to a second end attached at a lateral side of the upper, (ii) defining an intermediate portion detached from the upper between the first end and the second end, (iii) having an inner diameter, and (iv) operable between an extended state and a relaxed state; and
a tensioning cable received within the first conduit, including an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the first conduit, and operable to move the upper into one of a tightened state when moved in a tightening direction and a loosened state when moved in a loosening direction, the elongate tensioning grip moved from the relaxed state to the extended state when the tensioning cable is moved in the tightening direction.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10 , further comprising a cable lock operable between a locked state restricting movement of the tensioning cable in the loosening direction and an unlocked state permitting movement of the tensioning cable in both the loosening direction and the tightening direction.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein the cable lock is disposed within a sole structure of the article of footwear.

13. The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein the cable lock permits movement of the tensioning cable in the tightening direction when the cable lock is in the locked state.

14. The article of footwear of claim 13 , wherein the cable lock engages the tensioning cable in the locked state to restrict movement of the tensioning cable in the tightening direction when the cable lock is in the locked state.

15. The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein the article of footwear includes a sole structure having a midsole and an outsole defining a cavity therebetween, the cable lock being received within the cavity.

16. The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein the tensioning cable includes a first length between the cable lock and the elongate tensioning grip and a second length between the cable lock and a loosening grip, wherein movement of the tensioning cable in the tightening direction causes the first length to increase and the second length to decrease, and movement of the tensioning cable in the loosening direction causes the first length to decrease and the second length to increase.

17. The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein the cable lock includes a housing and a lock member slidably disposed within the housing, the lock member movable between a locked position restricting movement of the tensioning cable relative to the housing and an unlocked position permitting movement of the tensioning cable relative to the housing.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Dyer Caleb W
• Lam Peter
• Orand Austin
• Vinet Andrea M
• Williams Ii Peter P
• Young Samantha

Classifications

• A43B3/26 Primary

  adjustable as to length or size · CPC title

• A43B11/00 Primary

  Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps · CPC title

• A43B13/125

  characterised by the midsole or middle layer · CPC title

• A43B23/0245

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title

• A43C7/00

  Holding-devices for laces · CPC title