A43C11/20

Reel based closure system

A reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.

Reel based closure system

A reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.

Lock for an adjustment cord of a wearable article

A lock for an adjustment cord of a wearable article includes a body defining a first passage extending through the body from an entrance opening of the body to a first exit opening of the body, and the body defining a second passage extending from an intermediate portion of the first passage to a second exit opening of the body. The body is configured with a segment of the first passage extending from the intermediate portion to the first exit opening in communication with the second passage. At least a portion of the second passage is narrower than the first passage so that a portion of the cord disposed in the segment of the first passage is movable relative to the first passage when tensioned and is repositionable to the second passage where the cord locks to the body and retains tension. A wearable article includes the lock.

Lock for an adjustment cord of a wearable article

A lock for an adjustment cord of a wearable article includes a body defining a first passage extending through the body from an entrance opening of the body to a first exit opening of the body, and the body defining a second passage extending from an intermediate portion of the first passage to a second exit opening of the body. The body is configured with a segment of the first passage extending from the intermediate portion to the first exit opening in communication with the second passage. At least a portion of the second passage is narrower than the first passage so that a portion of the cord disposed in the segment of the first passage is movable relative to the first passage when tensioned and is repositionable to the second passage where the cord locks to the body and retains tension. A wearable article includes the lock.

SENSORIZED SHOELACE-TENSIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD
20220257185 · 2022-08-18 ·

The present disclosure relates to systems and devices for measuring motion of a shoe and tension in the shoelace of the shoe.

LACING CONFIGURATIONS FOR BOOTS AND OTHER FOOTWEAR

A footwear closure system includes an article of footwear, such as a boot, having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a mid-portion that is positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion. The footwear closure system also includes a plurality of reel based closure devices that are coupled with the footwear. The plurality of reel based closure devices are configured to effect closure or tightening of the upper portion, the lower portion, and the mid-portion of the footwear. Each reel based closure device is independently operable and each reel based closure device effects closure or tightening of one of the upper portion, the lower portion, the mid-portion, or a combination thereof.

LACING CONFIGURATIONS FOR BOOTS AND OTHER FOOTWEAR

A footwear closure system includes an article of footwear, such as a boot, having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a mid-portion that is positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion. The footwear closure system also includes a plurality of reel based closure devices that are coupled with the footwear. The plurality of reel based closure devices are configured to effect closure or tightening of the upper portion, the lower portion, and the mid-portion of the footwear. Each reel based closure device is independently operable and each reel based closure device effects closure or tightening of one of the upper portion, the lower portion, the mid-portion, or a combination thereof.

ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN AUTOMATIC LACING SYSTEM
20220079294 · 2022-03-17 ·

A footwear assembly includes at least one article of footwear with an upper, a sole structure coupled with the upper, a housing that houses a motor, a gear train that is configured to be driven by the motor, and a spool that is configured to loosen or tighten a first lace, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are disposed under a cover of the housing, and a control printed circuit board (PCB) having a wireless communication module. The footwear assembly further includes an electronic device wirelessly coupled with the wireless communication module. The first lace can be incrementally tightened or loosened by tapping a region of the at least one article of footwear to initiate a tighten command or a loosen command.

ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN AUTOMATIC LACING SYSTEM
20220079294 · 2022-03-17 ·

A footwear assembly includes at least one article of footwear with an upper, a sole structure coupled with the upper, a housing that houses a motor, a gear train that is configured to be driven by the motor, and a spool that is configured to loosen or tighten a first lace, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are disposed under a cover of the housing, and a control printed circuit board (PCB) having a wireless communication module. The footwear assembly further includes an electronic device wirelessly coupled with the wireless communication module. The first lace can be incrementally tightened or loosened by tapping a region of the at least one article of footwear to initiate a tighten command or a loosen command.

ZIPCORD CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
20210307456 · 2021-10-07 · ·

A closure mechanism for an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear having an upper comprising a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, a vamp, an ankle opening, a first tension member, a second tension member, and a slider. The first tension member being coupled to the lateral sidewall portion and the second tension member being coupled to the medial sidewall at each of a first end near the vamp, an intermediate point at the ankle opening, and a second end. The slider may be coupled to and movable along the tension members from a first position at the vamp to a second position at the ankle opening, such that moving the slider from the first position to the second position operatively reduces a maximum size of the ankle opening.