A43C1/06

Footwear with aligned tensile restraints
10881169 · 2021-01-05 · ·

A shoe may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may include a shell and first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints. Each of the sets may have one or more tensile restraints extending over and/or through a corresponding portion of the shell. The shell may be engaged with the sole structure and define an interior void configured to receive insertion of a user's foot. The first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints may be configured so that, upon securing of one or more structures to tighten the upper and connect the sets of tensile restraints, two linear axes of tension with anchors located in the forefoot and heel region extend diagonally across the article from one side to the other.

KNITTED COMPONENT WITH INSERTED ELEMENTS
20200397090 · 2020-12-24 · ·

An article of footwear may include a knitted component that at least partially forms an upper. The knitted component may include a first knit layer and a second knit layer, the first knit layer being separable from the second knit layer such that a pocket is located between the first knit layer and the second knit layer. A cable may be located at least partially within the channel. A cable guide may additionally be located at least partially within the channel, where the cable guide includes at least one curved surface for contacting the cable. The cable may extend around the at least one curved surface such that the cable changes directions within the channel.

Reel based lacing system

A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Reel based lacing system

A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Article of footwear having knit upper with edging
10856619 · 2020-12-08 · ·

A footwear article, comprising a single-piece knit upper that includes a medial portion and a plurality straps. The footwear article may further comprise one or more openings formed into the knit upper, a perimeter of the one or more openings defined at least in part by an edge of the knit upper, and a pipe edging may be fixed to the edge of the knit upper defining the openings. Further, a sole may be coupled to the knit upper. In at least one example, the footwear article may additionally comprise a lacing system that includes a plurality of cords, and strap of the knit upper may have a separate cord section of the lacing system attached therein. A plastic overlay may be positioned over the cords of the lacing system that are attached to the knit upper, in at least one example.

Article of footwear having knit upper with edging
10856619 · 2020-12-08 · ·

A footwear article, comprising a single-piece knit upper that includes a medial portion and a plurality straps. The footwear article may further comprise one or more openings formed into the knit upper, a perimeter of the one or more openings defined at least in part by an edge of the knit upper, and a pipe edging may be fixed to the edge of the knit upper defining the openings. Further, a sole may be coupled to the knit upper. In at least one example, the footwear article may additionally comprise a lacing system that includes a plurality of cords, and strap of the knit upper may have a separate cord section of the lacing system attached therein. A plastic overlay may be positioned over the cords of the lacing system that are attached to the knit upper, in at least one example.

FOOTWEAR HAVING MOTORIZED ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM AND ELASTIC UPPER
20200352283 · 2020-11-12 ·

An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.

FOOTWEAR HAVING MOTORIZED ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM AND ELASTIC UPPER
20200352283 · 2020-11-12 ·

An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.

SENSING DEVICE FOR FOOTWEAR
20200352284 · 2020-11-12 ·

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

Tunnel spring structures
10813410 · 2020-10-27 · ·

A tunnel spring structure three-dimensionally printed on a base layer. The tunnel spring structure includes three tubular structures and two connecting portions. A connecting portion is disposed between two tubular structures. A tensile strand extends through the tubular structures. Tension applied to the tensile strand forces the tubular structures to adjoin due to the flexibility of the connection portions.