Motorized tensioning system with sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11786013-B2
Application number	US-202017070387-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 14, 2020
Priority date	Aug 31, 2012
Publication date	Oct 17, 2023
Grant date	Oct 17, 2023

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 tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper;
a sole structure attached to the upper, the sole structure having a midfoot region;
a motorized tensioning device fixedly attached to the midfoot region;
the motorized tensioning device including a motor assembly coupled to a shaft member by a gear reduction system and a current sensor configured to measure current levels associated with the operation of the motor;
the motorized tensioning device having a first reel member and a first lace member secured to the first reel member;
wherein the first reel member is concentrically mounted to the shaft member;
wherein the motorized tensioning device is activated by a pressure force applied to the sole structure and output from the current sensor, wherein there is a first current level associated with operating the motor when the article of footwear is tensioned at the first tension level, wherein there is a second current level associated with operating the motor when the article of footwear is tensioned at the second tension level;
wherein the gear reduction system rotates the shaft member and the first reel member in a first rotational direction;
wherein the first lace member winds upon the first reel member in response to the rotation of the first reel member in the first rotational direction; and
wherein a portion of the first lace member extends through a first localized portion of the upper and wherein the first localized portion of the upper is adjusted in response to the winding of the first lace member in the first rotational direction.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the motorized tensioning device includes a housing unit, the housing unit has a first width and a second width relative to a lateral axis, the lateral axis extending between a medial side and a lateral side, the first width is proximal to a lateral side and the second width is proximal to a medial side; and wherein the first width is different than the second width.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the first reel member and the second reel member are attached at a first end portion of the shaft member and wherein the gear reduction system engages a second end portion of the shaft member.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A43B3/34

  with electrical or electronic arrangements · CPC title

• A43B3/38

  with power sources · CPC title

• A43C11/165 Primary

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

• A43B11/00

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

• A43C11/00

  Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes (dress fastenings in general A44B) · CPC title