Systems and apparatus related to automated tightening of a footwear platform including a lacing engine drive apparatus are discussed. In an example, a drive apparatus to rotate a lace spool of a motorized lacing engine within a footwear platform can include a gear motor, a gear box, a worm drive, and a worm gear. The gear box can be mechanically coupled to the gear motor, and the gear box can include a drive shaft extending opposite the gear motor. The worm drive can be slidably keyed to the drive shaft to control rotation of the worm drive in response to gear motor activation. The worm gear can rotate the lace spool upon rotation of the worm drive to tighten or loosen a lace cable on the footwear platform.

A heel protector (100) includes a leg engaging section (101) and a foot engaging section (102) intersecting at a heel receiver (103). The leg engaging section (101) and the foot engaging section (102) define a leg insertion aperture (104). The leg engaging section (101) defines at least one aperture (203) disposed in an ankle region (205) to permit a connection tube (1002) extending from an inflatable bladder (901) of a compression device (800) to pass therethrough. The heel protector (100) and compression device (800) work together as a rehabilitation system (1300).

A cable lock includes a housing having a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface. The cable lock also includes a locking member slideably disposed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and including a first lock element opposing the first engagement surface and a second lock element opposing the second engagement surface. The first lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth. The first lock element is operable to engage a first portion of a cable. The second lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth of the second lock element. The second lock element is operable to engage a second portion of the cable.

A cable lock includes a housing having a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface. The cable lock also includes a locking member slideably disposed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and including a first lock element opposing the first engagement surface and a second lock element opposing the second engagement surface. The first lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth. The first lock element is operable to engage a first portion of a cable. The second lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth of the second lock element. The second lock element is operable to engage a second portion of the cable.

A fastening system for an object (e.g., a wearable such as footwear) is disclosed that includes a buckle assembly and a strap for adjusting tension. The buckle assembly includes a base and a slider engaged with the base. The strap includes an array of teeth to engage with a pawl formed on the base. The fastening system is configurable between an engaged condition and a released condition based on the positioning of the slider relative to the base.

A position sensing assembly for a tensioning system designed to provide tension to a lace, cord, or other type of strand is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a reel member configured to rotate about a central axis and the position sensing assembly. The position sensing assembly includes a shaft, an indicator tab, and an optical sensing unit. The position sensing assembly assists in controlling the degree to which the strand is tightened and loosened. The position sensing assembly prevents tightening of the strand when the strand is meant to be loosened.

A position sensing assembly for a tensioning system designed to provide tension to a lace, cord, or other type of strand is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a reel member configured to rotate about a central axis and the position sensing assembly. The position sensing assembly includes a shaft, an indicator tab, and an optical sensing unit. The position sensing assembly assists in controlling the degree to which the strand is tightened and loosened. The position sensing assembly prevents tightening of the strand when the strand is meant to be loosened.

Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.

Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.

An article of footwear may have a first upper component and a second upper component. A first strap section extends between the first upper component and the second upper component and across an instep-containing portion of the first upper component. A second strap section extends between the first upper component and the second upper component and across the instep-containing portion of the first upper component. A sole structure is engaged with at least one of the first upper component or the second upper component. A lock is engaged with at least one of the first upper component, the second upper component, the first strap section, the second strap section, or the sole structure, The lock releasably holds at least one of the first strap section or the second strap section in a tightened condition.