Deformable lace guides for automated footwear platform

US11452339B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NIKE, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Summer L. Schneider · Portland, US
• Narissa Chang · Portland, US
• Daniel A. Johnson · Beaverton, US
• Peter R. Savage · Beaverton, US
• Travis J. Berrian · Beaverton, US
• Fanny Yung Ho · Portland, US
• Eric P. Avar · Lake Oswego, US
• Elizabeth A. Kilgore · Portland, US
• Katelyn Ricciardi · Hillsboro, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 27, 2022
• Expiry date: Sep 8, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A43C11/00
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In this example, the lace guide is deformable to assist in facilitating automated lace tightening. The lace guide can include a middle section, a first extension and a second extension. In this example, the lace guide can be configured to define a first route for a lace cable, the first route including receiving the lace cable along the first incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along the first outgoing lace axis. In this example, the lace guide can also deflect, in response to tension on the lace cable, resulting in defining a second route for the lace cable, the second route including receiving the lace cable along a second incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along a second outgoing lace axis.