A tensioning system for use with an article of footwear includes a pulley assembly. The pulley assembly may include a first disc and a second disc connected by a central shaft. A tensioning element can be engaged around the central shaft. A ring element can be used to prevent the tensioning element from disengaging the pulley when there is slack in the tensioning element. The pulley assembly can include a guide portion that guides a tensioning member so as to restrict the entry angle of segments of the tensioning member.

Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

An article of footwear, method, and motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and a three-dimensional encoder. The three-dimensional encoder defines a major axis and has a surface having a tabs extending from a drum, an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of the tabs, and a beam break, positioned between the three-dimensional encoder and the optical sensor, forming a pair of slits. The optical sensor is positioned to view the tabs through the pair of slits, wherein the processor circuit is configured to operate the motor based, at least in part, on the signal as received from the optical sensor.

An article of footwear, method, and motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and a three-dimensional encoder. The three-dimensional encoder defines a major axis and has a surface having a tabs extending from a drum, an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of the tabs, and a beam break, positioned between the three-dimensional encoder and the optical sensor, forming a pair of slits. The optical sensor is positioned to view the tabs through the pair of slits, wherein the processor circuit is configured to operate the motor based, at least in part, on the signal as received from the optical sensor.

An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.

An upper for an article of footwear includes a base layer, an exterior layer, a first strap, and a second strap. The exterior layer at least partially covers an outer side of the base layer and defines a first aperture and a second aperture both in a forefoot region. Each strap includes a central portion, a front branch, and a rear branch, the front and rear branches disposed between the outer side of the base layer and the exterior layer. The front branch of the second strap crosses the rear branch of the first strap and is disposed forward of the rear branch of the first strap at the lower extent of the base layer. The central portion of the first strap extends through the first aperture and defines a first loop, and the central portion of the second strap extends through the second aperture and defines a second loop.

An upper for an article of footwear includes a base layer, an exterior layer, a first strap, and a second strap. The exterior layer at least partially covers an outer side of the base layer and defines a first aperture and a second aperture both in a forefoot region. Each strap includes a central portion, a front branch, and a rear branch, the front and rear branches disposed between the outer side of the base layer and the exterior layer. The front branch of the second strap crosses the rear branch of the first strap and is disposed forward of the rear branch of the first strap at the lower extent of the base layer. The central portion of the first strap extends through the first aperture and defines a first loop, and the central portion of the second strap extends through the second aperture and defines a second loop.

A tethered anchor point for a footwear lace element includes various elements. For example, the tethered anchor point includes a tensile strand that attaches to a portion of the footwear article. In addition, the tethered anchor point includes a tensile-strand reinforcement. The tensile-strand reinforcement provides a sliding surface against which the lace element of the footwear article may slide when the lace element is threaded through the tethered anchor point.

A tethered anchor point for a footwear lace element includes various elements. For example, the tethered anchor point includes a tensile strand that attaches to a portion of the footwear article. In addition, the tethered anchor point includes a tensile-strand reinforcement. The tensile-strand reinforcement provides a sliding surface against which the lace element of the footwear article may slide when the lace element is threaded through the tethered anchor point.