Footwear having coverable motorized adjustment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9326566-B2
Application number	US-201414253102-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 15, 2014
Priority date	Apr 15, 2014
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

An article of footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear, the tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a tightening device cover configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear over the tightening device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A motorized footwear lacing system, comprising:
an article of footwear;
a motorized tensioning system including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear, the tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear; and
a control unit and a power source incorporated into the motorized tensioning system, the control unit and the power source being attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear;
a first set of component covers configured to be removably attached to the outer surface of the article of footwear, the first set of component covers including a first tightening device cover configured to be removably attached over the tightening device, a first control unit cover configured to be removably attached over the control unit, and a first power source cover configured to be removably attached over the power source; and
a second set of component covers configured to be removably attached to the outer surface of the article of footwear, the second set of component covers including a second tightening device cover configured to be removably attached over the tightening device, a second control unit cover configured to be removably attached over the control unit, and a second power source cover configured to be removably attached over the power source;
wherein the first tightening device cover is interchangeable with the second tightening device cover, the first control unit cover is interchangeable with the second control unit cover, and the first power source cover is interchangeable with the second power source cover.

2. The system of claim 1 , further including a container configured to contain the article of footwear, and the tensioning system, including the first set of component covers and the second set of component covers.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first tightening device cover and the second tightening device cover have different external shapes.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first tightening device cover and the second tightening device cover attach to the outer surface of the article of footwear with the same connection mechanism.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first tightening device cover and the second tightening device cover attach to the outer surface of the article of footwear with an interference fit connection.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motorized tightening device is configured to be controlled by a remote device.

7. The system of claim 6 , further including a remote device configured to control the motorized tightening device.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the remote device includes a bracelet.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first tightening device cover, the first control unit cover, and the first power source cover is removably attached to the article of footwear with an interference fit connection.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tightening device, the control unit, and the power source is removably attached to the article of footwear.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tightening device, the control unit, and the power source is attached to a heel portion of the article of footwear.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first tightening device cover includes a faceted inner surface defining concave contours configured to receive the tightening device.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein edges of the first tightening device cover are contoured to mate with a contoured portion of the outer surface of the article of footwear.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein, the tightening device is attached to the heel portion of the article of footwear in a rearmost portion of the article of footwear.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein, the control unit and the power source are located on opposing sides of the article of footwear in a heel region of the article of footwear.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Beers Tiffany A
• Smith Iii Wilson W

Classifications

• A43C11/165 Primary

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

• A43C11/22 Primary

  Fastening devices with elastic tightening parts between pairs of eyelets, e.g. clamps, springs, bands · CPC title

• A43C11/00

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

• A43B23/24

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

• A43B3/26

  adjustable as to length or size · CPC title