Vacuum locking for article of footwear or apparel

US12376642B2 · US · B2

Patent metadata
FieldValue
Publication numberUS-12376642-B2
Application numberUS-202218068035-A
CountryUS
Kind codeB2
Filing dateDec 19, 2022
Priority dateDec 21, 2021
Publication dateAug 5, 2025
Grant dateAug 5, 2025

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  1. Title

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  2. Abstract

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  3. Assignees and inventors

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  4. Key dates

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  5. First independent claim

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  6. CPC / IPC classifications

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  7. Citations and related patents

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Abstract

Official abstract text for this publication.

A locking structure for an article includes a bladder having a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber including an interior void and a plurality of locking elements disposed within the interior void and each attached to at least one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element, each of the locking elements including an interface surface operable to selectively engage an interface surface of another one of the locking elements.

First claim

Opening claim text (preview).

The invention claimed is: 1. A locking structure for an article, the locking structure comprising: a bladder including a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber having an interior void; and a plurality of locking elements disposed within the interior void and each attached to at least one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element, each of the locking elements including an interface surface operable to selectively engage an interface surface of another one of the locking elements. 2. The locking structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the locking elements includes an anchor attached to an inner surface of one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element. 3. The locking structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the locking elements includes a locking body including the interface surface. 4. The locking structure of claim 3 , wherein each of the locking elements includes a pair of interface surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the locking body. 5. The locking structure of claim 1 , further comprising a port in fluid communication with the interior void. 6. A locking structure for an article, the locking structure comprising: a bladder including a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber having an interior void; and a locking system including locking elements each attached to one of the first barrier element or the second barrier element and including at least one interface surface, the interior void of the bladder operable between a first pressure to move the locking system to a locked state and a second pressure to move the locking system to an unlocked state. 7. The locking structure of claim 6 , wherein each of the locking elements includes an anchor attached to an inner surface of one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element. 8. The locking structure of claim 6 , wherein each of the locking elements includes a locking body including the interface surface. 9. The locking structure of claim 8 , wherein each of the locking elements includes a pair of interface surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the locking body. 10. The locking structure of claim 6 , further comprising a port in fluid communication with the interior void.

Assignees

Inventors

Classifications

  • separable or adjustable · CPC title

  • with size and configuration adjustment means · CPC title

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

  • made at least partially of flexible, bellow-like shaped material · CPC title

  • with special properties · CPC title

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Frequently asked questions

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What does patent US12376642B2 cover?
A locking structure for an article includes a bladder having a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber including an interior void and a plurality of locking elements disposed within the interior void and each attached to at least one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element, each of the locking elements including an interface surface ope…
Who is the assignee on this patent?
Nike Inc
What technology area does this patent fall under?
Primary CPC classification A43B7/1464. Mapped technology areas include Human Necessities.
When was this patent published?
Publication date Tue Aug 05 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
What related patents are in patentsdb?
We list 12 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).