Motorized tensioning system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9532893-B2
Application number	US-201314014491-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 30, 2013
Priority date	Aug 31, 2012
Publication date	Jan 3, 2017
Grant date	Jan 3, 2017

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 motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensioning member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper including a plurality of lacing guides;
a lace inserted through the plurality of lacing guides;
a motorized tightening device including a spool, wherein the lace is wound onto the spool;
the motorized tightening device further including:
a motor configured to drive a gear reduction system;
a torque transmitting system capable of transmitting torque from a gear of the gear reduction system to the spool in order to wind the lace around the spool;

wherein the lace is wound in incremental steps; and
wherein the torque transmitting system prevents the spool from driving the motor.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein at least one component of the torque transmitting system is connected to both the gear reduction system and the spool.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the motorized tightening device is controlled using a remote device.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 3 , wherein the remote device transmits RF signals.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4 , wherein the remote device is an RF transmitting bracelet.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 3 , wherein the remote device is a mobile phone.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the lace disposed outside of the motorized tightening device includes a manual release mechanism for manually releasing tension in the lace.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein the manual release mechanism includes a separable fastener that can be used to separate two adjacent portions of the lace.

9. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper including a plurality of lacing guides;
a lace inserted through the plurality of lacing guides;
a motorized tightening device including:
a spool, wherein the lace is wound onto the spool;
a motor that automatically winds and unwinds the spool in response to various inputs, wherein a first torque generated by the motor is transmitted to the spool;
a secondary winding assembly configured to apply a second torque to the spool; and
wherein the secondary winding assembly applies the second torque to the spool independently of the first torque applied to the spool.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein the motorized tensioning device is positioned on a heel portion of the upper.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein the motorized tensioning device is removably attached to the upper.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein the lace is positioned around a throat opening of the upper.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein the motorized tightening device is controlled by a remote device, wherein the various inputs can be entered in the remote device.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 13 , wherein the various inputs could be a tighten input or a loosen input.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A43B11/00

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

• A43C7/00

  Holding-devices for laces · CPC title

• A43C11/16

  Fastenings secured by wire, bolts, or the like · CPC title

• A61F5/01 Primary

  Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces · CPC title

• A43C11/165 Primary

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