Lacing components for automated footwear platforms

Abstract

Systems and apparatus related to automated footwear platforms, including actuator assemblies for controlling footwear lacing devices, are discussed. In one example, a lacing assembly for an automated footwear assembly is discussed. In one example, the footwear assembly may include a floating tongue within an upper assembly. The lacing assembly may include a plurality of first or second lacing guides forming a first lacing region and a plurality of second lacing guides forming a second lacing region. The lacing assembly may also include a tongue lacing guide assembly secured to a proximal portion of the floating tongue.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on October 19, 2018, with application number 201880068332.X. Summary of the Invention

[0002] The following specification describes various aspects of a footwear assembly, including a lacing system comprising a motorized or non-motorized lacing engine, footwear components associated with the lacing engine, an automated lacing platform, and lacing components for use in the automated platform. More specifically, much of the following specification describes various aspects of the lacing assembly (construction) for footwear, including a motorized or non-motorized lacing engine for centralized lacing.

[0003] Cross-references to related applications

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 634,358, filed February 23, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 574,940, filed October 20, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Attached Figure Description

[0005] In accompanying drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, similar numbers may describe similar parts in different views. Similar numbers with different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar parts. The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, the various embodiments discussed in this document.

[0006] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a component of a footwear assembly having a motorized lacing system, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0007] Figure 2A-2C This is an illustration of a fully assembled footwear component including automatic lacing, according to some example embodiments.

[0008] Figures 3A to 3B This is a top view showing a lacing assembly used with a footwear assembly including a motorized lacing engine, according to some example embodiments.

[0009] Figure 4A This is a top view illustrating a two-zone lacing assembly used with a footwear assembly including a motorized or non-motorized lacing engine, according to some example embodiments.

[0010] Figure 4B These are photographic images of footwear components utilizing a two-zone lacing assembly, according to some example embodiments.

[0011] Figures 5A-5FThis is a diagram illustrating a shoelace guide for certain lacing assemblies according to some example embodiments.

[0012] Any headings provided in this article are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the terms used or discussed under those headings. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The concept of self-tightening shoelaces was first introduced in the 1989 film *Back to the Future II*, featuring the fictional power lacing worn by Marty McFly. Athletic shoes became widely popular. Afterwards, although... At least one version of a powered lacing shoe has been released, resembling the movie prop version from *Back to the Future II*, but the internal mechanical system and surrounding footwear platform are not necessarily suitable for mass production or everyday use. Furthermore, other previous designs for powered lacing systems have suffered from problems such as high manufacturing costs, complexity, assembly challenges, and poor maintainability. The inventors have developed a lacing assembly for modular footwear platforms to accommodate both powered and non-powered lacing engines, which helps address some or all of the problems discussed above. When used in conjunction with an automated lacing engine, the lacing assembly and lacing guides discussed herein also focus on improving fit and comfort. To fully utilize the modular lacing engine briefly discussed below and discussed in more detail in co-pending application serial number 15 / 452,636 entitled “LACING ENGINE FOR AUTOMATED FOORWEAR PLATFORM” (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), the inventors have developed the lacing assembly discussed herein. The lacing assemblies and lacing guides discussed herein address various problems experienced with centralized lacing mechanisms, such as uneven tightening, fit, comfort, and performance. One aspect of enhanced comfort involves a lacing assembly that reduces pressure on the top of the foot. Exemplary lacing assemblies can also enhance fit and performance by manipulating lacing tension in both the medial-lateral and posterior-posterior (front-to-back) directions. Another exemplary lacing assembly discussed below divides the lacing system into two zones by separating the toe (forefoot) area from the midfoot area to provide better fit, performance, and comfort. Various other benefits of the components described below will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0014] The lacing assemblies discussed are specifically developed for interfacing with modular lacing engines located within the midsole portion of the footwear assembly. However, these concepts can also be applied to motorized and manual lacing mechanisms positioned in various locations around the footwear, such as in the heel or even the toe section of the footwear platform. The lacing structures discussed include the use of lace guides, which can be formed from tubular plastic, metal clips, fabric loops or channels, plastic clips and open U-shaped channels, as well as other shapes and materials. In some examples, various types of lace guides can be combined to perform specific lace routing functions within the lacing assembly. Some examples of the construction of specific lace guides are discussed in detail below.

[0015] The motorized lacing engine discussed below was developed from scratch to provide robust, maintainable, and interchangeable components for an automated lacing footwear platform. The lacing engine incorporates unique design elements that enable retail-level final assembly into a modular footwear platform. The lacing engine design allows most footwear assembly processes to utilize known assembly techniques, while unique adaptations to standard assembly processes still leverage current assembly resources.

[0016] In one example, the modular automated lacing footwear platform includes a midsole plate fixed to the midsole for receiving the lacing engine. The midsole plate is designed to allow the lacing engine to be installed in the footwear platform until purchase. The midsole plate, along with other aspects of the modular automated footwear platform, allows for the interchangeable use of different types of lacing engines. For example, the motorized lacing engine discussed below can be replaced with a human-powered lacing engine. Alternatively, a fully automated motorized lacing engine with foot presence sensing or other optional features can be housed within a standard midsole plate. The lacing assembly is specifically designed to assist in docking the shoelace cords (or similar lacing elements) with the lacing engine.

[0017] Using motorized or non-motorized centralized lacing mechanisms to tighten athletic footwear presents challenges in providing sufficient performance without sacrificing a certain level of comfort. The lacing assembly discussed in this article has been specifically designed for use with centralized lacing mechanisms and is designed to enable a wide range of footwear designs, from casual to high-performance.

[0018] Footwear terms used in this disclosure include terms such as floating fabric layer, outer layer, upper, bonding material, and eyelet, which are further defined in co-pending application serial number 15 / 459,932 entitled “SHOE UPPER WITH FLOATING LAYER” (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). In one example, floating fabric layer is a term used to describe an internal sock-like structure that floats substantially within the outer layer of the upper portion of a footwear component. The floating fabric layer may be attached to the midsole of the footwear component and may also be attached minimally to portions of the upper portion at selected locations. In some examples, the floating fabric layer may be made of a material having no-stretch or restricted-stretch properties. In some examples, the material of the floating fabric layer is a quadriaxial, triaxial, or nonwoven material.

[0019] The outer layer is the second layer of the upper (or shoe upper), covering the floating fabric layer and essentially forming the outer shell of the upper. In some examples, the outer layer is an outer knitted shell. The outer layer may also be made wholly or partially of polyurethane, leather, cast urethane, or digitally printed urethane, as well as knitted, woven, braided, or nonwoven materials.

[0020] Bonding materials are commonly used to reinforce certain parts of footwear components, such as the edges of outer or floating fabric layers. Eyelets are, in some examples, a term used to describe an area on the upper that serves as a receiving eyelet or lace guide. In some examples, the eyelet area can be reinforced using bonding or similar materials.

[0021] This initial overview is intended to introduce the subject matter of this patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive interpretation of the various inventions disclosed in the more detailed description below.

[0022] Automated Footwear Platform

[0023] The following discussion covers various components of automated footwear platforms, including motorized lacing engines, midsoles, and various other platform components. While much of this disclosure focuses on lacing assemblies used with motorized lacing engines, the designs discussed are applicable to human-powered lacing engines or other motorized lacing engines with additional or fewer functions. Therefore, the term "automated" as used in "automated footwear platform" is not intended to cover only systems that operate without user input. Rather, the term "automated footwear platform" encompasses a variety of electric and human-powered, automatically activated and human-activated mechanisms for tightening or retaining lacing systems in footwear.

[0024] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of components of an electric lacing system for footwear, according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 1The electric tethering system 1 shown includes a tethering engine 10, a cover 20, an actuator 30, a midsole 40, a midsole 50, and an outsole 60. Figure 1 The basic assembly sequence of the components of the automatic lacing footwear platform is shown. The motorized lacing system 1 begins by securing the midsole plate 40 within the midsole. Next, the actuator 30 is inserted into an opening on the outer side of the midsole plate opposite a mating button that can be embedded in the outsole 60. Next, the lacing engine 10 is placed into the midsole plate 40. In this example, the lacing system 1 is inserted under a continuous loop of lacing cord, and the lacing cord is aligned with the spool in the lacing engine 10 (discussed below). Finally, a cover 20 is inserted into a recess in the midsole plate 40, secured in the closed position, and then locked into a recess in the midsole plate 40. The cover 20 can capture the lacing engine 10 and can help maintain the alignment of the lacing cord during operation.

[0025] In one example, the footwear article or motorized lacing system 1 includes or is configured to interface with one or more sensors capable of monitoring or determining foot presence characteristics. Based on information from the one or more foot presence sensors, the shoe including the motorized lacing system 1 can be configured to perform various functions. For example, the foot presence sensors can be configured to provide binary information about the presence of a foot in the footwear. If the binary signal from the foot presence sensor indicates the presence of a foot, the motorized lacing system 1 can be activated to automatically tighten or loosen (i.e., release) the lacing straps. In one example, the footwear article includes processor circuitry capable of receiving or interpreting signals from the foot presence sensors. The processor circuitry can optionally be embedded within or embedded with the lacing engine 10, for example, in the sole of the footwear article.

[0026] Footwear components

[0027] Figure 2A-2C This is an illustration of a fully assembled footwear assembly including automatic lacing, according to some example embodiments. Figure 2A In the example shown, footwear component 200 includes a midsole 211, an outsole 212, a midsole plate 213, an actuator button 214, an upper including an outer layer 215 and a floating fabric layer 216, a heel pull 217, a tongue pull 218, and a foot opening 219. In this example, only the upper edge of the floating fabric layer 216 is visible, but the floating fabric layer is essentially lining the inside of the outer layer 215. However, as the term "floating" implies, the floating fabric layer 216 is only minimally attached to the outer layer 215 at certain locations, such as along the eyelets, the central throat, or around the lace guide attachment points. In some examples, the floating fabric layer 216 is also (or alternatively) attached to the inside along the periphery of the midsole 211. A method for manufacturing is disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending application serial number 15 / 459,932. Figure 2A-2C The details of the footwear construction techniques shown in the example footwear components are not elaborated here.

[0028] In this example, a small external portion of the midsole plate 213 is exposed through a cutout in the midsole 211. In other examples, only the actuator button 214 is exposed through the side of the midsole 211. The midsole plate 213 is adapted to hold and protect the lacing engine within and in the midsole plate 211 of the footwear assembly 200.

[0029] Figure 2B An inside view of footwear assembly 200 is shown. In this example, footwear assembly 200 is depicted as including an outsole 212, a midsole 211, an outer layer 215, a heel pull 217, a tongue pull 218, and a foot opening 219. In this example, the outer layer 215 is a woven outer shell that covers a floating fabric layer 216 and all lacing components, as shown in the reference below. Figures 3A-3B The strap components under discussion.

[0030] Figure 2C A top view of a footwear component 200 is shown, illustrating an outer layer 215, a floating fabric layer 216, a heel pull 217, a foot opening 219, and a floating tongue 220. In this example, the floating tongue 220 may be attached only near the distal end or only at the distal end and proximal end adjacent to the foot opening 219.

[0031] Lace-up components

[0032] Figures 3A to 3B This is a top view showing a lacing assembly used with a footwear assembly including a motorized lacing engine, according to some example embodiments. Figure 3A This is a top view illustrating a flat upper with a lacing assembly for use with a lacing engine, according to some example embodiments. In this example, the upper 300 has an inner side 303 and an outer side 303, as well as a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a toe box portion 307, and the proximal end includes a heel portion. The upper 300 also includes a floating fabric layer 301, an outer layer 302, and a floating tongue 305. The floating tongue 305 extends into a foot opening 309 of the outer layer 302 near a throat 311 formed by a U-shaped cut in at least the outer layer 302. In other examples, the throat 311 may be integrated into the overlay of the outer layer 302, thus concealing the throat 311 and the lacing assembly from the outside. In some examples, the throat 311 is also cut away from the floating fabric layer 301. In this example, the outer layer 302 may include an outer boundary 320. The outer boundary 320 may be an adhesive material or some similar reinforcing structure. In some examples, the outer layer of the woven outer shell can be directly bonded to the midsole without an outer layer boundary.

[0033] In this example, the lacing assembly includes a series of lace guides 310 that route lace cords 319 in an interlaced pattern across the throat 311. The interlaced lacing pattern is a pattern that alternates between the medial and lateral lace guides across the centerline of the footwear assembly. The lace cords 319 may be secured at the medial lace end 316 and the lateral lace end 317, creating lace loops routed by the lacing assembly to engage a lacing engine housed within the midsole of the footwear assembly. The lacing engine may be located at various locations throughout the footwear assembly, but is discussed for illustrative purposes because the lacing engine is more or less centered within the midsole below the arch of the foot.

[0034] In this example, the lacing assembly includes a tongue lacing guide assembly 315 (or simply a tongue lacing guide 315). The tongue lacing guide 315 may include an inward-facing lacing guide and an outward-facing lacing guide. The inward-facing and outward-facing lacing guides may be molded or formed from a single piece of material, or may be separate structures joined together in some way. In some examples, the inward-facing and outward-facing lacing guides may be coupled to an elastic member that allows some separation between the lacing guides when tension is applied to the lacing cord 319. In some examples, the inward-facing and outward-facing lacing guides may be adhered to a tongue lacing guide reinforcement 306. In other examples, the inward-facing and outward-facing lacing guides are arranged on, wrapped in, or otherwise connected via a strip of material. The tongue lacing guide reinforcement can be made of a material with no or limited tension, a rigid material, or an elastic material. The tongue lacing guide reinforcement 306 can be adhered, sewn, or similarly secured to the floating tongue 305. In some examples, the tongue lacing guide reinforcement 306 is padded or similarly configured to distribute the forces applied to the tongue lacing guide over a wider area, thereby avoiding hot spots for the user.

[0035] The lacing assembly may include a plurality of lace guides 310 distributed around the periphery of the lace portion 311 and secured to eyelets 308. Eyelets 308 may be a reinforcing portion of the outer layer 302 or a separate structure secured to the outer layer 302. As described above, eyelets 308 may be made of adhesive material. Lace guides 310 may be sewn, glued, or otherwise secured to eyelets 308. Figure 3A As shown, eyelet 308 may include an enlarged area to receive lace guide 310. See below for reference. Figures 5A-5F Discuss exemplary shoelace guide structures.

[0036] In the illustrated lacing assembly example, the lace guide 310 routes the lace cords 319 proximally along the periphery of the throat 311 in an alternating manner. The lace cords 319 are routed from the lace guide 310 to the tongue lace guide 315, which in turn routes the lace cords 319 from the inside and outside to the heel lace guide 312. The heel lace guide 312 can be adhered to or secured to a heel stabilizer and can be connected to the heel stabilizer via an elastic or non-elastic connection to distribute the force of the lace cords around the heel portion of the footwear assembly. The lace cords 319 are routed from the heel lace guide 312 to either the inner lace outlet 318 or the outer lace outlet 319. The inner lace outlet 318 and the outer lace outlet 319 route the lace cords 319 to a location where they engage with the lacing engine disposed in the midsole of the footwear assembly. The inner lace outlet 318 and the outer lace outlet 319 may be molded lace guides, fabric lace guides, tubular lace guides, channels molded into the midsole, or some similar structure capable of guiding the lace cords 319.

[0037] Figure 3B This is a diagram illustrating a floating tongue according to an example embodiment. The floating tongue 305 includes a proximal end (top of the figure) and a distal end (bottom of the figure), as well as an inner and outer side. In this example, the floating tongue 305 includes an outer tongue layer 351 and an inner tongue layer 352. The outer tongue layer 351 may be made of a material similar to the outer layer 302 of the upper 300. The inner tongue layer 352 may be made of a material similar to the floating fabric layer 301 of the upper 300. In other examples, the outer tongue layer 351 and the inner tongue layer 352 may be made of alternative materials and may include padding or other features designed to enhance user comfort.

[0038] Figure 4A This is a top view showing a flat upper 400 having a lacing assembly used with a lacing engine, according to some example embodiments. Figure 4B It is using references Figure 4AThe image shows an example footwear assembly with a two-zone lacing system. In this example, the upper 400 has an inner side 403 and an outer side 404, as well as a distal end (toe) and a proximal end (heel). The distal end includes a toe box portion 407, and the proximal end includes a heel portion 406. The upper 400 may also include a floating fabric layer (optional, not shown), an outer layer 402, and a floating tongue 405. The floating tongue 405 extends into the foot opening 409 of the outer layer 402 near a throat 411 (also known as a throat segment) formed by a U-shaped cut in at least the outer layer 402. In some examples, the construction of the throat 411 varies, including various cut shapes or alternative material portions. All throats allow the outer and inner portions of the footwear assembly to move relative to each other. In other examples, the throat 411 may be integrated into the overlay of the outer layer 402, thus concealing the throat 411 and the lacing assembly from the outside. In some examples, the throat 411 is also cut off from the floating fabric layer. The upper 400 may include some or all of the structures discussed with reference to the upper 300, but is shown in a simpler manner to emphasize the two-zone lacing assembly.

[0039] In this example, the lacing assembly is divided into two distinct areas. The first area interacts with the toe or forefoot area of ​​the upper 400. The second area interacts with the midfoot area of ​​the upper 400. The lacing cords in the first lacing area are indicated by solid dark gray lines, and the lacing cords in the second lacing area are indicated by dashed black lines. These differences are for illustrative purposes only to help distinguish the different lacing cord paths; in these details, the lacing cord is a single cord extending from end 420 to end 421 (the end is also referred to as the anchoring position or anchor point). Alternatively, even if different lacing cords are used in the first and second lacing areas in the design, the materials used are generally common between the different areas. The first lacing area may include a lacing guide that guides the lacing cord 410 from the first lacing end 420. In this example, the first lacing end 420 is located on the distal lateral portion of the eyelet 408. The lacing cord 410 is routed from the first lacing end 420 across the distal end of the throat 411 and through the first medial lacing guide 440. The shoelace cord 410 is routed from the first inner shoelace guide 440 back above the throat 411 and through the first outer shoelace guide 430. From the first outer shoelace guide 430, the shoelace cord 410 is routed through the second outer shoelace guide 431 and through the third outer shoelace guide 432. The shoelace guides are labeled first, second, third, etc., to indicate the order in which they extend proximally from the distal end of the throat 411 toward the foot opening 409. Optionally, the shoelace cord 410 may pass through the material guide 422 along the route from the first outer shoelace guide 430 to the third outer shoelace guide 432. From the third outer shoelace guide 432, the shoelace cord 410 is routed through the outer-facing tongue shoelace guide 417 and down through the optional material guide 422 to the outer heel shoelace guide 451. The outer heel lace guide 451 routes the lace cord 410 to the midsole plate via the outer lace outlet 419.

[0040] The second lacing area includes a set of lacing guides that guide the laces 410 from the second end 421 to the medial lacing outlet 418. In this example, the laces 410 are routed from the second end 421 on the outside of the eyelet 408 above the throat 411 to the second medial lacing guide 441. The laces 410 are then routed from the second medial lacing guide 441 back to the second lateral lacing guide 431 above the throat 411. The laces 410 then pass through the second lateral lacing guide 431 a third time above the throat 411 and through the third medial lacing guide 442. The third medial lacing guide 442 routes the laces 410 to the medial tongue lacing guide 416, which routes the laces towards the medial heel lacing guide 450. On the way to the medial heel lacing guide 450, the laces can optionally be routed through the material lacing guide 424. The laces 410 are routed from the medial heel lacing guide 450 to the midsole plate via the medial lacing outlet 418.

[0041] The two-zone lacing assembly results in an uneven distribution of lacing tension between the distal and proximal ends of the lacing band at the throat 411. The first lacing zone applies the same lacing tension across fewer lacing guides, thus distributing the tension across a smaller area. The second lacing zone distributes the lacing tension over a larger area with more lacing bands. Users experience a tighter, more snug fit in the toe (forefoot) area of ​​the footwear with the two-zone lacing assembly. Other multi-zone lacing assemblies can be used to modify the lacing tension distribution required for specific footwear applications.

[0042] Example shoelace guide

[0043] Figures 5A-5FThis is a diagram illustrating an example shoelace guide 800 for certain lacing assemblies according to some example embodiments. In this example, an alternative shoelace guide with an open shoelace channel is shown. The shoelace guide 800 described below can be replaced with any lacing structure discussed above, such as the referenced shoelace guide 810, heel shoelace guide 610, or even the inner exit guide 835. For the sake of brevity, all the various constructions discussed above will not be repeated here. The shoelace guide 800 includes a guide piece 805, a seam opening 810, a guide upper surface 815, a shoelace retainer 820, a shoelace channel 825, a channel radius 830, a shoelace entry opening 840, a guide lower surface 845, and a guide radius 850. The advantage of an open-channel shoelace guide (such as shoelace guide 800) includes the ability to easily route the shoelaces after the shoelace guide has been attached to the upper. As demonstrated in many of the lacing assembly examples discussed above, using a tubular lace guide makes it easiest to route the laces through the lace guide before it is attached to the upper (not that it cannot be done later). An open-channel lace guide facilitates simple lace routing by allowing the laces to be easily pushed through the lace retainer 820 after the lace guide 800 is positioned on the upper. The lace guide 800 can be made of a variety of materials, including metal or plastic.

[0044] In this example, the shoelace guide 800 can initially be attached to the upper by stitching or adhesive. The design shown includes a stitch opening 810 configured to allow the shoelace guide 800 to be easily stitched to the upper (or similar material) manually or automatically. Once the shoelace guide 800 is attached to the upper, the shoelace cord can be routed by simply pulling the loop of the cord into the shoelace channel 825. The shoelace inlet opening 840 extends through the lower surface 845 to provide a release recess for the cord to wrap around the shoelace retainer 820. In some examples, the shoelace retainer 820 may have different dimensions or even be divided into multiple smaller protrusions. In one example, the width of the shoelace retainer 820 may be narrower, but it extends further toward and even into the inlet opening 840. In some examples, the inlet opening 840 may also have different dimensions and will generally mirror the shape of the shoelace retainer 820 to some extent (e.g., Figure 5F (As shown). In this example, the channel radius 830 is designed to correspond to or be slightly larger than the diameter of the shoelace cord. The channel radius 830 is one of the parameters of the shoelace guide 800, which controls the amount of friction experienced by the shoelace cord passing through the shoelace guide 800. Another parameter of the shoelace guide 800 that affects the friction experienced by the lacing cord includes the guide radius 850. The guide radius 850 can also affect the frequency or interval of the shoelace guidance located on the upper.

[0045] Figures 5A-5F This is a diagram illustrating a portion of an upper 805 having a lacing assembly 890 using lace guides 800, according to some example embodiments. In this example, a plurality of lace guides 800 are arranged on the outer surface of the upper 805 to form half of the lacing assembly 890. Similar to the lacing assemblies discussed above, the lacing assembly 890 uses lace guides 800 to form a wavy pattern or a parachute lacing pattern to route the laces. One advantage of this lacing assembly is that tightening the laces can produce both an outer-to-inner tightening and a front-to-back tightening of the upper 805.

[0046] In this example, the shoelace guide 800 is initially adhered to the upper 805 at least initially via stitch 860. The stitch 860 is shown above or engaged with the stitch opening 810. One of the shoelace guides 800 is also depicted as having a reinforcement 870 covering the shoelace guide. Such reinforcements can be positioned individually on each shoelace guide 800. Alternatively, a larger reinforcement can be used to cover multiple shoelace guides. Similar to the reinforcements discussed above, the reinforcement 870 can be adhered by adhesive, heat-activated adhesive, and / or stitching. In some examples, the reinforcement 870 can be adhered using an adhesive (heat-activated or non-heat-activated) and a vacuum bagging process that uniformly compresses the reinforcement onto the shoelace guide. Similar vacuum bagging processes can also be used with the reinforcements and shoelace guides discussed above. In other examples, a mechanical press or similar machine can be used to assist in adhering the reinforcement to the shoelace guide.

[0047] Once all the lacing guides 800 are initially positioned and attached to the upper 805, the lacing cords can be routed through the lacing guides. Lace routing can begin by anchoring the first end of the lacing cord to the outer anchor point 870. Then, starting from the foremost lacing guide, the lacing cords can be pulled into each lacing channel 825 and worked backwards towards the heel of the upper 805. Once the lacing cords have been routed through all the lacing guides 800, reinforcements 870 can optionally be attached to each lacing guide 800 to secure the lacing guides and lacing cords.

[0048] Example

[0049] The inventors of this invention have recognized, among other things, the need for an improved lacing assembly for automatic and semi-automatic tightening of shoelaces. Among other things, this document describes example lacing assemblies and example shoelace guides used in lacing assemblies. The following examples provide some non-limiting examples of the actuators and footwear assemblies discussed herein.

[0050] Example 1 describes a subject matter including a footwear assembly with a lacing component to facilitate automatic tightening. In this example, the footwear assembly may include an upper assembly, lace cords, multiple lace guides, a tongue lace guide, a medial heel lace guide, a lateral heel lace guide, and medial and lateral lace exits. The upper assembly may include an outer layer, a floating fabric layer, and a floating tongue, and includes a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, a heel portion, and a central throat segment. The footwear assembly may also include lace cords passing through the multiple lace guides. The lace cords may include: a first end, with a distal medial portion adjacent to the central throat, anchored to the upper assembly; and a second end, with a distal lateral portion adjacent to the central throat, anchored to the upper assembly. The multiple lace guides may be distributed along the medial and lateral sides of the central throat on the upper assembly, each of the multiple lace guides being adapted to receive a length of lace cord. In this example, the laces can extend through each of a plurality of lace guides and enter the tongue lace guide assembly. The tongue lace guide assembly can be secured to the proximal portion of the floating tongue, and is adapted to receive laces from both the medial and lateral sides. A medial heel guide can be positioned to receive laces from the tongue lace guides along the medial side of the upper assembly. A lateral heel lace guide can be positioned to receive laces from the tongue lace guides along the lateral side of the upper assembly. A medial lace outlet routes the laces from the medial heel lace guides to a location allowing engagement of the laces with a lacing engine disposed within the midsole portion of the footwear assembly. A lateral lace outlet routes the laces from the lateral heel lace guides to a location engaging with the lacing engine.

[0051] In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 may optionally include a tongue lacing guide assembly having an inward-facing lacing guide opposite to an outward-facing lacing guide.

[0052] In Example 3, the subject of Example 2 may optionally include a tongue lacing guide assembly having a resilient member that connects an inward-facing lacing guide to an outward-facing lacing guide.

[0053] In Example 4, the subject of Example 2 may optionally include a single structure in which the tongue lace guide component has a rigid connection between an inward-facing lace guide and an outward-facing lace guide.

[0054] In Example 5, the subject matter of any of Examples 1 through 4 may optionally include integrating a shoelace guide component into a reinforcing material that is stitched to a floating tongue.

[0055] In Example 6, the subject matter of any of Examples 1 to 5 may optionally include the floating tongue being secured to the upper assembly at its distal end near the central throat.

[0056] In Example 7, the subject of Example 6 may optionally include a floating tongue, with the proximal end adjacent to the central throat being secured to the upper assembly.

[0057] In Example 8, the subject of Example 7 may optionally include a floating tongue having an elastic connection with the upper component.

[0058] In Example 9, the subject of any of Examples 1 to 8 may optionally include a lace cord forming an interlaced pattern across at least a length of the central throat, which connects the inside of the upper assembly to the outside.

[0059] In Example 10, the subject of Example 9 may optionally include forming an interlaced pattern by routing the laces in an interlaced pattern between the lace guides on the inside and outside of the upper assembly.

[0060] In Example 11, the subject matter of any of Examples 1 to 10 may optionally include an inner heel lacing guide and an outer heel lacing guide connected via a heel connector to a heel stabilizer within the heel portion of the upper assembly.

[0061] In Example 12, the subject of Example 11 may optionally include at least one of the heel stabilizer or heel coupling as an elastic member.

[0062] In Example 13, the subject of any of Examples 1 to 12 may optionally include each of a plurality of shoelace guides forming a U-shaped channel to hold the shoelace cords.

[0063] In Example 14, the subject of Example 13 may optionally include a U-shaped channel in each shoelace guide that is an open channel that allows the shoelace loops to be pulled into the shoelace guide.

[0064] In Example 15, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 14 may optionally include each of the plurality of shoelace guides being secured to the upper assembly by stitching.

[0065] In Example 16, the subject of Example 15 may optionally include each of a plurality of shoelace guides being further secured to the upper assembly by a cover comprising a heat-activated adhesive compressed on each shoelace guide.

[0066] Example 17 describes a subject matter including a lacing assembly for an automated footwear platform. In this example, the lacing assembly for an automated footwear platform may include laces routed through a plurality of medial lacing guides and a plurality of lateral guides to enter a tongue lacing guide. For the tongue lacing guide, the laces may be routed to a medial heel lacing guide and / or a lateral heel lacing guide, and then to a medial or lateral lacing outlet. The laces may include: a first end, a distal medial portion of which is anchored to an upper assembly adjacent to a central throat; and a second end, a distal lateral portion of which is anchored to an upper assembly adjacent to a central throat. A plurality of medial lacing guides may be distributed on the upper assembly adjacent to the medial side of the central throat. The tongue lacing guide may be secured to a proximal portion of a floating tongue, wherein the tongue lacing guide assembly is adapted to receive laces from a medial lacing guide among a plurality of medial lacing guides and a lateral lacing guide among a plurality of lateral lacing guides. The medial heel lacing guide is positioned to receive lacing cords from the tongue lacing guide along the medial side of the upper assembly. Simultaneously, the lateral heel lacing guide is positioned to receive lacing cords from the tongue lacing guide along the lateral side of the upper assembly. A medial lacing outlet guides the lacing cords from the medial heel lacing guide to a location allowing engagement of the lacing cords with a lacing engine located within the midsole portion of the footwear platform. Simultaneously, a lateral lacing outlet routes the lacing cords from the lateral heel lacing guide to the engagement location with the lacing engine.

[0067] In Example 18, the subject of Example 17 may optionally include a tongue lacing guide having an inward-facing lacing guide opposite to an outward-facing lacing guide.

[0068] In Example 19, the subject of Example 18 may optionally include a tongue lacing guide comprising an elastic member connecting an inward-facing lacing guide to an outward-facing lacing guide.

[0069] In Example 20, the subject of Example 18 may optionally include a single structure having a rigid connection between an inward-facing lace guide and an outward-facing lace guide.

[0070] In Example 21, the subject of Example 17 may optionally include incorporating a shoe tongue lace guide into a reinforcing material that is stitched to a floating shoe tongue.

[0071] Example 22 describes a subject matter including a footwear assembly with a lacing component to facilitate automatic tightening. In this example, the footwear assembly may include an upper assembly, lace cords, multiple lace guides, a tongue lace guide, a medial heel lace guide, a lateral heel lace guide, and medial and lateral lace exits. The lace cords may include: a first end anchored to the upper assembly at a first anchoring position; and a second end anchored to the upper assembly at a second anchoring position. The multiple first lace guides may form a first lacing region that routes a first portion of the lace cord to tension a forefoot region of the footwear assembly. The multiple second lace guides may form a second lacing region that routes a second portion of the lace cord to tension a midfoot region of the footwear assembly. A tongue lace guide assembly may be attached to a proximal portion of a floating tongue that is adapted to receive lace cords from both the medial and lateral sides. The medial heel lacing guide is positioned to receive lacing cords from the tongue lacing guide along the medial side of the upper assembly. The lateral heel lacing guide is positioned to receive lacing cords from the tongue lacing guide along the lateral side of the upper assembly. A medial lacing outlet routes the lacing cords from the medial heel lacing guide to a location allowing the lacing cords to engage with a lacing engine located within the midsole portion of the footwear assembly. A lateral lacing outlet routes the lacing cords from the lateral heel lacing guide to a location where they engage with the lacing engine.

[0072] In Example 23, the subject of Example 22 may optionally include a plurality of second shoelace guides having more shoelace guides than a plurality of first shoelace guides.

[0073] In Example 24, the subject of any of Examples 22 and 23 may optionally include a plurality of second lace guides that distribute the lace tension over a larger area of ​​the footwear component than a plurality of first lace guides.

[0074] In Example 25, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 3 may optionally include: a plurality of first lace guides including an inner lace guide on the inside of the central throat segment and two outer lace guides on the outside of the central throat segment.

[0075] In Example 26, the subject matter of Example 25 may optionally include: a first lateral lace guide of the two lateral lace guides positioned toward the distal end of the central throat segment, and a second lateral lace guide of the two lateral lace guides positioned toward the proximal end of the central throat segment.

[0076] In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 26 may optionally include: the shoelace cord path for the first lacing area includes path segments such as: a first anchoring position to the inner shoelace guide; the inner shoelace guide to the first outer shoelace guide; and the first outer shoelace guide to the second outer shoelace guide.

[0077] In Example 28, the subject of Example 27 may optionally include a lace path for the first lacing area extending from the first and second outer lace guides to an outer-facing lace guide in the tongue lace guide assembly.

[0078] In Example 29, the subject of Example 28 may optionally include a lace path for the first lacing area extending from the outward-facing lace guide to the outward-facing heel lace guide.

[0079] In Example 30, the subject matter of any one of Examples 22 to 29 may optionally include: a plurality of second lace guides forming a second lacing region including a first lateral lace guide disposed along the central portion of the lateral side of the central throat segment and a plurality of medial lace guides distributed along the length of the medial side of the central throat segment.

[0080] In Example 31, the subject of Example 30 may optionally include a shoelace cord path for the second lacing area comprising, for example, the following: path segment: from the second anchoring position to the first inner shoelace guide among a plurality of inner shoelace guides; from the first inner shoelace guide to the first outer shoelace guide; from the first outer shoelace guide to the second inner shoelace guide among a plurality of inner shoelace guides.

[0081] In Example 32, the subject of Example 31 may optionally include at least one lace guide located near the first lacing area and on the outside of the central throat segment.

[0082] In Example 33, the subject matter of any of Examples 30 and 31 may optionally include: the lace path for the second lacing area further includes a path segment extending from the second inner lace guide to the inner-facing lace guide in the tongue lace guide assembly.

[0083] In Example 34, the subject of Example 33 may optionally include a lace path for the second lacing area extending from the outward-facing lace guide to the outward-facing heel lace guide.

[0084] In Example 35, the subject matter of any of Examples 22 to 34 may optionally include: a first anchoring position on the lateral distal end of the central throat segment, and a second anchoring position on the lateral side adjacent to the first lateral shoelace guide.

[0085] In Example 36, the subject matter of any of Examples 22 through 35 may optionally include a tongue lacing guide assembly having an inward-facing lacing guide opposite to an outward-facing lacing guide.

[0086] In Example 37, the subject of Example 36 may optionally include a tongue lacing guide assembly having a resilient member that connects an inward-facing lacing guide to an outward-facing lacing guide.

[0087] In Example 38, the subject of Example 36 may optionally include a single structure having a rigid connection between an inward-facing lace guide and an outward-facing lace guide.

[0088] In Example 39, the subject of Example 38 may optionally include incorporating a tongue lace guide component into a reinforcing material that is stitched to the floating tongue.

[0089] In Example 40, the subject matter of any of Examples 22 to 39 may optionally include an inner heel lacing guide and an outer heel lacing guide connected via a heel connector to a heel stabilizer within the heel portion of the upper assembly.

[0090] In Example 41, the subject of Example 40 may optionally include at least one of the heel stabilizer or heel coupling as an elastic member.

[0091] Example 42 describes a subject including a lacing assembly for an automated footwear platform. In this example, the lacing assembly may include a shoelace cord, a first lacing region, and a second lacing region. The shoelace cord may include: a first end, a distal lateral portion of which is anchored to an upper assembly adjacent to a central throat; and a second end, a first lateral shoelace guide on a lateral portion of which is anchored to the upper assembly. The first lacing region may include a first portion of the shoelace cord extending from the first end above the central throat to a first medial shoelace guide, returning above the central throat to a proximal first lateral shoelace guide along the lateral side of the central throat, to a proximal third lateral shoelace guide, to an outward-facing shoelace guide within a tongue shoelace guide assembly, from the lateral side to an lateral heel shoelace guide and along the lateral edge of the upper to an lateral shoelace exit. The second lacing area may include a second portion of the lace cord extending from a second end above the central throat to a second medial lace guide, returning above the central throat to a second lateral lace guide, returning above the central throat to a proximal third medial lace guide, to an inwardly facing lace guide within the tongue lace guide assembly, from the inside to the medial heel lace guide and along the medial edge of the upper to the medial lace exit.

[0092] Supplementary Explanation

[0093] Throughout this specification, multiple instances can implement components, operations, or structures described as single instances. Although individual operations of one or more methods are shown and described as separate operations, one or more individual operations can be performed simultaneously, and they do not need to be performed in the order shown. Structures and functions represented as individual components in the example constructions can be implemented as combined structures or components. Similarly, structures and functions presented as single components can be implemented as individual components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of this document's subject matter.

[0094] Although an overview of the subject matter of the invention has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broad scope of embodiments of this disclosure. For convenience only, the term "invention" may be used herein, individually or collectively, to refer to such embodiments of the inventive subject matter, and it is not intended that the scope of this application be automatically limited to any single disclosure or inventive concept if there are actually more than one disclosure or inventive concept.

[0095] The embodiments shown herein have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed teachings. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, allowing for structural and logical substitutions and changes without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure should not be construed as limiting, and the scope of the various embodiments includes the full scope of equivalents to which the disclosed subject matter is entitled.

[0096] As used herein, the term "or" can be interpreted in an inclusive or exclusive sense. Furthermore, multiple instances can be provided for a resource, operation, or structure described herein as a single instance. Additionally, the boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and a particular operation is shown in the context of a particular illustrative construct. Other allocations of functionality are contemplated, and they may fall within the scope of various embodiments of this disclosure. Generally, structures and functions represented as separate resources in the example constructs can be implemented as combined structures or resources. Similarly, structures and functions presented as single resources can be implemented as separate resources. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of embodiments of this disclosure as represented by the appended claims. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0097] Each of these unrestricted examples can exist independently, or can be combined or arranged with one or more other examples in various permutations.

[0098] The detailed description above includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” These examples may also include elements other than those shown or described. However, the inventors also contemplate examples that provide only those elements shown or described. Furthermore, the inventors also contemplate examples of any combination or arrangement (or one or more aspects thereof) of those elements shown or described, with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

[0099] In the event of any inconsistency between the usage in this document and any other document incorporated by reference, the usage in this document shall prevail.

[0100] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” commonly used in patent documents include one or more, independent of any other use of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, unless otherwise stated, the term “or” is used to indicate non-exclusivity or that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B.” In the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “wherein” are used as equivalents to the corresponding terms “including” and “in….” Similarly, in the following claims, the terms “comprising” and “including” are open-ended, meaning that a system, apparatus, article, composition, formulation, or method that includes elements other than those listed after such terms in a claim is still considered to be within the scope of that claim. Furthermore, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0101] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the above examples (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments may be used by those skilled in the art, for example, after reviewing the above description. If an abstract is provided, it should comply with 37 CFR §1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. This document is submitted in the interest of not being construed as interpreting or limiting the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, various features may be combined together in the above description to simplify this disclosure. This should not be construed as intending to make any unstated disclosed features essential to any statement. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may lie in fewer than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the following claims are thus incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, each claim existing independently as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments may be combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

Claims

1. A footwear component, comprising: An upper assembly, including an outer layer and a floating tongue, the upper assembly including a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, a heel portion, and a central throat segment; The shoelace cord has a first end and a second end, the first end being anchored to the upper assembly at a first anchoring position, and the second end being anchored to the upper assembly at a second anchoring position. Multiple shoelace guides route the shoelace cords through the central throat section in an interlaced pattern; A shoe tongue lacing guide assembly is attached to the proximal portion of the floating shoe tongue. This shoe tongue lacing guide assembly is adapted to receive and route shoelace cords from the inside and from the outside. The inner heel lacing guide is positioned to receive lacing cords from the tongue lacing guide along the inside of the upper assembly; The outer heel lace guide is positioned to receive lace cords from the tongue lace guide assembly along the outer side of the upper assembly; The inner lace outlet routes the lace cord from the inner heel lace guide to a position that allows the lace cord to engage with a lacing engine disposed within the midsole portion of the footwear assembly; and The outer shoelace outlet routes the shoelace cord from the outer heel shoelace guide to a position where it engages with the lacing engine.

2. The footwear component according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of shoelace guides include the same number of shoelace guides on the inner and outer sides of the central throat section.

3. The footwear component according to claim 1, wherein, The shoe tongue lacing guide assembly includes an inward-facing lacing guide opposite to the outward-facing lacing guide.

4. The footwear component according to claim 3, wherein, The tongue lacing guide assembly includes an elastic member that connects the inward-facing lacing guide to the outward-facing lacing guide.

5. The footwear component according to claim 3, wherein, The shoe tongue lacing guide assembly is a single structure that has a rigid connection between the inward-facing lacing guide and the outward-facing lacing guide.

6. The footwear component according to claim 5, wherein, The shoe tongue and lace guide assembly is integrated into a reinforcing material that is stitched to the floating shoe tongue.

7. The footwear component according to claim 1, wherein, The inner and outer heel lacing guides are connected to the heel stabilizer within the heel portion of the upper assembly via a heel connector.

8. The footwear component according to claim 1, wherein, The first anchoring position and the second anchoring position are on opposite sides of the distal end of the central throat segment.

9. A footwear component, comprising: The upper components include the toe box section, medial side, lateral side, heel section, central throat section, and floating tongue; The shoelace cord has a first end and a second end, the first end being anchored to the upper assembly near the distal inner portion of the central throat segment, and the second end being anchored to the upper assembly near the distal outer portion of the central throat segment. Multiple shoelace guides are distributed on the upper assembly along the inner and outer sides of the central throat section, each of the multiple shoelace guides being adapted to receive a length of shoelace cord; A shoe tongue lacing guide assembly is attached to the proximal portion of the floating shoe tongue. This shoe tongue lacing guide assembly is adapted to receive and route shoelace cords from the inside and from the outside. The inner heel lacing guide is positioned to receive lacing cords from the tongue lacing guide along the inside of the upper assembly; The outer heel lace guide is positioned to receive lace cords from the tongue lace guide assembly along the outer side of the upper assembly; The inner lace outlet routes the lace cord from the inner heel lace guide to a position that allows the lace cord to engage with a lacing engine disposed within the midsole portion of the footwear assembly; and The outer shoelace outlet routes the shoelace cord from the outer heel shoelace guide to a position where it engages with the lacing engine.

10. The footwear component according to claim 9, wherein, The shoe tongue lacing guide assembly includes an inward-facing lacing guide opposite to the outward-facing lacing guide.

11. The footwear component of claim 10, wherein, The tongue lacing guide assembly includes an elastic member that connects the inward-facing lacing guide to the outward-facing lacing guide.

12. The footwear component of claim 10, wherein, The shoe tongue lacing guide assembly is a single structure that has a rigid connection between the inward-facing lacing guide and the outward-facing lacing guide.

13. The footwear component according to claim 12, wherein, The shoe tongue and lace guide assembly is integrated into a reinforcing material that is stitched to the floating shoe tongue.

14. The footwear component according to claim 9, wherein, The inner and outer heel lacing guides are connected to the heel stabilizer within the heel portion of the upper assembly via a heel connector.

15. The footwear component according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of shoelace guides include the same number of shoelace guides on the inner and outer sides of the central throat section.

16. The footwear component of claim 15, wherein, The shoelace cords are routed through the plurality of shoelace guides to form an interlaced pattern, the interlaced pattern being routed on the central throat segment.

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