KR102364775B1 - Automated footwear having cable and upper tensioners - Google Patents

Abstract

The shoe assembly may include an upper, a lace cable, a plurality of lace guides, and a tensioner. The tensioner includes an elastic member extending between two lace guides of the plurality of lace guides, an elastic member extending between a first portion and a second portion of the upper, and between a portion of the upper and a lace guide of one of the plurality of lace guides. an elastic member that extends, a heel channel connected to a heel portion of the upper and configured to facilitate access to the interior space, an elastic coupled to the shoe assembly that functions to smooth a torque versus lace displacement curve during tightening of the lace cable member, a tension member secured to the side of the upper proximate to the toe box and lace cable, and a floating overlay attached to the side of the upper proximate to the toe box and lace cable.

Description

AUTOMATED FOOTWEAR HAVING CABLE AND UPPER TENSIONERS

claim of priority

This patent application includes, but is not limited to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/471,850, filed March 15, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/475,105, filed March 22, 2017.

This application relates generally to tensioning systems for footwear. More particularly, this application relates to upper and lace drive systems for controlling shoe fit.

Current shoe uppers generally have fixed dimensions, and thus do not readily allow conforming to the shape of the foot. Accordingly, the wearer generally controls the fit and tension of the upper by means of a lace drive system. However, in a shoe comprising a motorized lace drive engine, the ability of the wearer of the shoe to tighten the upper around the foot by adjusting the lace drive system, along with the feel and tactile feedback obtainable from a manual lace drive system, is: can be reduced. As such, a need exists to improve the ability of uppers and lace drive systems to conform to the shape of the foot while accompanying the required amount of tension, particularly when accompanied by an automated lace drive engine.

The following specification provides a description of a lace drive system comprising a motorized or non-motorized lace drive engine, a shoe component associated with the lace drive engine, a shoe assembly comprising an automated lace driven shoe platform, and related manufacturing processes. Various aspects are described. More specifically, much of the following specification describes various aspects of a lace structure (configuration) for use in footwear comprising a motorized or non-motorized lace drive engine for centralized lace tightening. The following specification additionally describes various tensioners that may be incorporated into a shoe assembly, such as in a lace-up upper.

wherein the shoe assembly comprises a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side each extend proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion. , shoe upper; a lanyard cable having a first end secured along a distal lateral portion of the medial side and a second end secured along a distal lateral portion of the lateral side; a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: a plurality of string guides, which extend through each of the plurality of string guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side; routing the lace cables from the pattern formed by the inner portions of the plurality of lace guides to a location that allows the lace cables to engage a lacing engine disposed within the midsole portion; medial proximal string guide; an outer proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable from the position that allows the lace cable to engage the string drive engine into the pattern defined by the outer portions of the plurality of lace guides; and a first elastic member extending between a first string guide and a second string guide among the plurality of string guides.

wherein the shoe assembly comprises a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side each extend proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion. , shoe upper; a lanyard cable having a first end secured along a distal lateral portion of the medial side and a second end secured along a distal lateral portion of the lateral side; a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: a plurality of string guides, which extend through each of the plurality of string guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side; routing the lace cables from the pattern formed by the inner portions of the plurality of lace guides to a location that allows the lace cables to engage a lacing engine disposed within the midsole portion; medial proximal string guide; an outer proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable from the position that allows the lace cable to engage the string drive engine into the pattern defined by the outer portions of the plurality of lace guides; and a first elastic member extending between the first and second portions of the shoe upper.

wherein the shoe assembly comprises a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side each extend proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion. , shoe upper; a string cable having a first end secured along a distal lateral portion of the medial side and a second end secured along a distal lateral portion of the lateral side; a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: a plurality of string guides, which extend through each of the plurality of string guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side; routing the lace cables from the pattern formed by the inner portions of the plurality of lace guides to a location that allows the lace cables to engage a lacing engine disposed within the midsole portion; medial proximal string guide; an outer proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable from the position that allows the lace cable to engage the string drive engine into the pattern defined by the outer portions of the plurality of lace guides; and a first elastic member extending between the first portion of the shoe upper and a first lace guide of the plurality of lace guides.

A shoe assembly comprising: a sole structure; A shoe upper defining a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, the shoe upper connected to the sole structure to define an interior space for receiving a foot, the shoe upper extending into the interior space a shoe upper defining a collar to allow access of the shoe; a lace drive engine disposed within the sole structure; A lace drive system comprising: a lace cable having medial and lateral ends secured to the shoe upper and a middle portion passing through the lace drive engine; and a plurality of lace guides for routing the lace cable along the shoe upper between the medial and lateral ends and the lace drive engine; and a heel channel coupled to the heel portion and configured to facilitate access to the interior space.

A shoe assembly comprising: a sole structure; A shoe upper defining a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, the shoe upper connected to the sole structure to define an interior space for receiving a foot, the shoe upper extending into the interior space a shoe upper defining a collar to allow access of the shoe; a lace drive engine disposed within the sole structure; A lace drive system comprising: a lace cable having medial and lateral ends secured to the shoe upper and a middle portion passing through the lace drive engine; and a plurality of lace guides for routing the lace cable along the shoe upper between the medial and lateral ends and the lace drive engine; and an elastic member coupled to the shoe assembly that functions to smooth a torque versus lace displacement curve during tightening of the lace cable.

wherein the shoe assembly comprises a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side each extend proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion. , shoe upper; a medial tension member secured to the medial side of the upper proximate the toe box; a lateral tension member secured to the lateral side of the upper proximate the toe box; a string cable having a first end attached to the inner tension member and a second end attached to the outer tension member; and a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: and a plurality of string guides that extend through each of the plurality of string guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side.

A shoe assembly comprising: a sole structure; A shoe upper defining a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, the shoe upper connected to the sole structure to define an interior space for receiving a foot, the shoe upper extending into the interior space a shoe upper defining a collar to allow access of the shoe; a lace drive engine disposed within the sole structure; a medial floating overlay attached to the medial side of the shoe upper proximate the toe box portion; a lateral floating overlay attached to the lateral side of the shoe upper proximate the toe box portion; and a string drive system comprising: a string cable having inner and outer ends secured to the inner and outer floating overlays and an intermediate portion passing through the string drive engine; and a plurality of lace guides for routing the lace cable along the shoe upper between the medial and lateral ends and the lace drive engine.

A shoe assembly comprising: a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, the medial side and the lateral side each extending proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion, and a shoe upper defining a throat region of the shoe upper; a medial tension member secured to the medial side of the upper proximate the toe box; a lateral tension member secured to the lateral side of the upper proximate the toe box; a string cable having a first end attached to the inner tension member and a second end attached to the outer tension member; and a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein the lace cable comprises: from the first end at the medial tension member, across the neck region, and one or more lace guides; along the outer side through; and the lace cable extends from the second end at the outer tension member, across the neck region, and along the medial side through one or more string guides, the lace cable extending generally at the neck region. and segments extending in parallel.

In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, like reference numerals may refer to like elements in different drawings. Like reference signs with different letter suffixes may refer to different instances of like elements. The drawings illustrate, generally, by way of example, and not limitation, various embodiments discussed herein.
1 is an exploded view of components of a portion of a shoe assembly having a motorized lace drive system, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
2 is a plan view illustrating a lace structure for use with a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
3A-3C are plan views illustrating a flattened shoe upper having a lace structure for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
4A illustrates a portion of a shoe upper having a lace structure for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine and heel and tongue access control components of the shoe upper, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. It is an illustrative drawing.
4B is a diagram illustrating a portion of a shoe upper having a lace structure for use in a shoe assembly including a heel and tongue elastic member connected to the lace structure.
5 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a shoe upper having a lace structure for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
6 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a shoe upper having a lace structure for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
7A-7B are diagrams illustrating a portion of a shoe upper having a lace structure for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
7C-7D are diagrams illustrating deformable lace guides for use in a shoe assembly, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
7E is a graph illustrating various torque versus string displacement curves for deformable string guides, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
8A-8G are diagrams illustrating lace guides for use in certain lace structures, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
9 is a flow diagram illustrating a shoe assembly process for assembling a shoe including a lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
10 is a flow diagram illustrating a shoe assembly process for assembling a shoe including a lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
11 is a diagram illustrating a front view of a shoe upper, partially cut away, showing elastic strips connecting the medial side panel and the lateral side panel of the upper;
12 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the shoe upper of FIG. 11 showing a heel strap assembly connecting portions of lace cables on the medial side and lateral side of the upper;
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an outer view of the shoe upper of FIG. 11 , partially cut away to show a lace guide coupled to the shoe upper with an elastic strip;
14 is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper of FIG. 13 bent to reveal a lace guide connected to the shoe upper separately from the elastic strip;
15A is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper of FIG. 12 showing the loosened lace cable being pulled from the motorized lace drive engine by the pre-tensioned strap of the heel strap assembly.
FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper of FIG. 15A , showing the lace cables being tightened into a motorized lace drive engine and the heel strap of the heel strap assembly being tightened around the heel portion of the shoe upper.
16 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a shoe upper, showing medial and lateral lace cable tension straps;
17 is a graph illustrating various force versus lace displacement curves for a shoe upper including various elastic members described herein, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper of FIG. 16 , laid flat to show a lace structure including tension straps connected to the laces in a cross-over configuration;
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the tension strap of FIG. 18 , showing a lockout region and an extension region;
20 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a shoe upper, including a lace structure including tension straps connected to the laces in a non-traversing configuration.
21 is a top view illustrating a two-zone lace structure for use with a shoe assembly including a motorized or non-motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
22 is a top perspective view of an article of footwear incorporating the upper and two-zone lace structure of FIG. 21 , in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
Any headings provided herein are for convenience only, and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the terms used or discussed under the heading.

The concept of self-tightening shoelaces was first widely popularized by the fictional power-lace Nike® sneakers worn by Marty McFly in the 1989 film Back to the Future II. became Nike® has since released at least one version of the power-lace sneaker that looked similar to the movie prop version from Back to the Future II, but the internal mechanical system and surrounding shoe platform employed did not necessarily make it suitable for mass production or everyday use. didn't Additionally, other prior designs for motorized string drive systems have been relatively hampered by problems such as high manufacturing cost, complexity, assembly issues, and poor serviceability. The present inventors have developed a modular shoe platform for accommodating motorized and non-motorized lace drive engines, particularly addressing some or all of the problems discussed above. In order to fully utilize the modular lace drive engine discussed briefly below and further discussed in co-pending Application No. 62/308,686 entitled "Lace Drive Apparatus for Automated Shoe Platforms", the present inventors developed the string structure discussed herein. The lace structures discussed herein can address a variety of issues experienced with centralized string tightening mechanisms, such as non-uniform tightening, fit, comfort and performance. The lace construction provides a number of advantages, including smoothing lace tension over a wider lace travel distance and improving comfort while maintaining fit performance. One aspect of improved comfort includes a strap structure that reduces pressure across the top of the foot. Exemplary lace structures may also improve fit and performance by manipulating string tension in an inward-outward as well as anterior-posterior (front-to-back) direction. Various other advantages of the components described below will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The lace structures discussed have been specifically developed to interface with a modular lace drive engine positioned within the midsole portion of a shoe assembly. However, this concept may also be applied to motorized and manual lace drive mechanisms that are placed in various locations around the shoe, such as the heel or even the toe portion of a shoe platform. The lace structures discussed include the use of string guides, which may be formed from tubular plastics, metal clips, fabric loops or channels, plastic clips, and open U-shaped channels, among other shapes and materials. In some examples, a variety of different types of lace guides may be mixed to perform a particular lace routing function within a lace structure.

The motorized lace drive engine, discussed below, was developed from the ground up as a foundation to provide robust, serviceable, and interchangeable components of an automated lace driven shoe platform. The lace drive engine includes unique design elements that allow for consumer level final assembly into a modular shoe platform. The lace-driven engine design allows most shoe assembly processes to utilize known assembly techniques, while unique adaptations to standard assembly processes can still utilize current assembly resources.

In one example, a modular automated lace driven shoe platform includes a midsole plate secured to a midsole to receive a lace driven engine. The design of the midsole plate allows the lace-driven engine to be mounted directly into the shoe platform at the point of purchase. Another aspect of the midsole plate and modular automated shoe platform allows different types of lace drive engines to be used interchangeably. For example, a motorized string driven engine, discussed below, may be replaced with a human driven string driven engine. Alternatively, a fully automatic motorized strap drive engine with foot presence sensing or other optional features may be housed inside a standard midsole plate.

The use of a motorized or non-motorized centralized lace-drive engine to tighten a sneaker presents several challenges in providing sufficient performance without sacrificing some degree of comfort. The lace structures discussed herein are specifically designed for use with a centralized lace drive engine, and are designed to enable a variety of shoe designs from casual to high performance.

This initial summary part is intended to introduce the subject matter of this patent application. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or exhaustive description of the various inventions disclosed in the more detailed description that follows.

Automated Shoe Platform

The following discusses various components of an automated shoe platform, including a motorized laces drive engine, a midsole plate, and various other components of the platform. Although much of this disclosure focuses on string structures for use with motorized string drive engines, the designs discussed are human driven string drive engines or other motorized string drive engines with additional or less capabilities. is also applicable to Accordingly, the term “automated” as used in “automated shoe platform” is not intended to encompass only systems that operate without user input. Rather, the term "automated shoe platform" encompasses a variety of electrically driven and human driven, automatically activated and human activated mechanisms for tightening a lace or restraint system of a shoe.

1 is an exploded view of components of a motorized lace drive system for a shoe, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. The motorized string drive system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a string drive engine 10 , a shroud 20 , an actuator 30 , a midsole plate 40 , a midsole 50 and an outsole 60 . do. 1 shows the basic assembly sequence of the components of an automated lace-driven shoe platform. The motorized strap drive system 1 begins with the midsole plate 40 secured within the midsole. Next, the actuator 30 is inserted into an opening in the outer side of the midsole plate opposite the access button that may be embedded in the outsole 60 . Next, the string drive engine 10 is dropped into the midsole plate 40 . In one example, string drive system 1 is inserted under a continuous loop of string cable, and string cable is aligned with a spool of string drive engine 10 (discussed below). Finally, the shroud 20 is inserted into the groove of the midsole plate 40 , secured in the closed position, and latched into the recess of the midsole plate 40 . The shroud 20 may capture the string drive engine 10 and may help maintain the alignment of the string cables during operation.

In one example, the article of footwear or motorized lace drive system 1 comprises or is configured to connect with one or more sensors, capable of monitoring or determining a foot presence characteristic. Based on information from one or more foot presence sensors, a shoe comprising the motorized lace drive system 1 may be configured to perform various functions. For example, a foot presence sensor may be configured to provide binary information regarding whether a foot is present or not present in a shoe. When a binary signal from the foot presence sensor indicates that a foot is present, the motorized lace drive system 1 can be activated to automatically tighten or loosen (ie loosen) the lace cable. In one example, an article of footwear includes processor circuitry capable of receiving or interpreting signals from a foot presence sensor. The processor circuit may optionally be embedded within or with the lace drive engine 10 , such as in the sole of an article of footwear.

string structure

2 is a plan view of upper 200 illustrating an example lace configuration, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, upper 205 includes, in addition to lace 210 and lace drive engine 10 , an outer lace anchorage 215 , an inner lace anchorage 216 , outer lace guides 222 , and a medial component. string guides 220 and a brio cable 225 . The example shown in FIG. 2 includes a continuous knit fabric upper 205 having a diagonal lace pattern with non-overlapping medial and lateral lace paths. The lace paths start at the outer lace anchor 215 , through the outer lace guides 222 , through the string drive engine 10 , through the inner lace guides 220 , and back to the inner lace guide. It is created in such a way that it extends to government 216 . In this example, lace 210 forms a continuous loop from outer lace anchor 215 to inner lace anchor 216 . In this example, an inward to outward tightening is transmitted via the vitality cables 225 . In another example, the lace path may traverse, or incorporate additional features, to transmit a tightening force in a medial-outward direction across the upper 205 . Additionally, the continuous lace loop concept may be incorporated into a more traditional upper, having a central (medial) gap and a lace 210 traversing back and forth across the central gap.

3A-3C are plan views illustrating a flattened shoe upper 305 having a lace structure 300 for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. . To discuss an example shoe upper, it is assumed that upper 305 is designed to be integrated into a right foot version of a shoe assembly. 3A is a plan view of a flattened shoe upper 305 having a lace structure 300 as shown. In this example, shoe upper 305 consists of a series of lace guides 320A- 320J (collectively lace guide(s) 320 ), with lace cable 310 extending through lace guides 320 . referred to). In this example, lace cable 310 includes lateral lace anchors 345A and medial lace anchors 345B on each side of upper 305 (referred to collectively as lace anchoring points 345 ). A middle portion of the loop is routed through a lace drive engine inside the midsole of the shoe assembly, while forming a loop that terminates at Upper 305 also includes stiffeners associated with each of the series of lace guides 320 . The stiffeners may cover individual lace guides, or may extend across a plurality of lace guides. In this example, the stiffeners include a central stiffener 325 , a first lateral stiffener 335A, a first medial stiffener 335B, a second lateral stiffener 330A, and a second medial stiffener 330B. The middle portion of the string cable 310 is routed to and/or from the string drive engine through the outer rear string guide 315A and the inner rear string guide 315B, and the outer string outlet 340A ) and medial lace outlet 340B exits and/or enters upper 300 .

Upper 305 may include different portions, such as a forefoot (toe) portion 307 , a midfoot portion 308 , and a heel portion 309 . The forefoot portion 307 corresponds to a joint connecting the metatarsal bone and the phalanx of the foot. Midfoot portion 308 may correspond to an arch region of the foot. The heel portion 309 may correspond to the back or heel portion of the foot. Medial heel portion and lateral heel portion 309 may be connected via heel member 350 , which may include medial strip 352 and lateral strip 354 . The medial side and lateral side of the midfoot portion of upper 305 may include a central portion 306 . In some common shoe designs, central portion 306 may have an opening extending over by an intersecting (or similar) pattern of laces that allows the fit of the shoe upper around the foot to be adjusted. The central portion 306 having an opening also facilitates entry of the foot into and removal of the foot from the shoe assembly.

The lace guides 320 are a tubular or channel-like structure for restraining the lace cable 310 while routing the lace cable 310 through a pattern along each of the lateral and medial sides of the upper 305 . am. In this example, lace guides 320 are U-shaped plastic tubes disposed in an essentially sinusoidal pattern, cycling up and down along the medial and lateral sides of upper 305 . The number of cycles completed by the lace cable 310 may vary depending on the shoe size. Exemplary upper 305 can be used prior to entering medial rear lace guide 315B or lateral rear lace guide 315A, while smaller sized shoe assemblies can accommodate only 1 and 1/2 cycles. to accommodate 2 and 1/2 cycles. The pattern is described as essentially sinusoidal, at least as in this example, and the U-shaped guides have a wider profile than an actual sinusoidal crest or trough. In another example, a pattern that more closely approximates the actual sine wave pattern may be utilized (without extensive use of carefully curved string guides, a true sine wave is not easily obtained with a string stretching between the string guides). The shape of the lace guide 320 can be varied to produce different torque versus lace displacement curves, where the torque is measured at the lace drive engine in the midsole of the shoe. Using string guides with tighter radius curves, or having a higher frequency wave pattern (eg, more string guides, higher number of cycles) changes the torque versus string displacement curve may cause For example, using string guides with tighter radii, the string cable experiences greater friction, which may result in higher initial torque, which may appear to smooth the torque over the torque versus string displacement curve. . However, in certain embodiments, while utilizing a string guide placement pattern or string guide design to help smooth the torque versus string displacement curve, a low initial (eg, by keeping friction within the string guides low) It may be more desirable to maintain the torque level. One such lace guide design is discussed with reference to FIGS. 7A-7B , along with another alternative lace guide design discussed with reference to FIGS. 8A-8G . In addition to the lace guides discussed with reference to these figures, the lace guides may be made of plastic, polymer, metal or fabric. For example, layers of fabric can be used to create shaped channels for routing braided cables in a desired pattern. As discussed below, a combination of plastic or metal guides and fabric overlays may be used to create guide components for use in the discussed lace construction.

3A , stiffeners 325 , 335 and 330 are shown in association with different lace guides, such as lace guides 320 . In one example, the stiffeners 335 may comprise a fabric impregnated with a heat activated adhesive that may be applied over the top of the string guides 320G, 320H, a process sometimes referred to as hot melt. am. The stiffeners may cover multiple lace guides, such as stiffener 325 , which in this example covers six upper lace guides positioned adjacent a central portion of the shoe, such as central portion 306 . In another example, the stiffener 325 is divided below the middle of the central portion 306 so that the laces along the inner side of the central portion 306 are separate from the lace guides along the outer side of the central portion 306 . It is possible to form two pieces covering the guides. In another alternative example, stiffener 325 may be divided into six individual stiffeners covering individual string guides. The use of stiffeners may vary to change the dynamics of interaction between the lace guides and the lower shoe upper, eg, upper 305 . The stiffeners may also be attached to the upper 305 in a variety of other ways, including sutures, adhesives, or a combination of mechanisms. With respect to the type of fabric or material used for the stiffeners, the manner in which the stiffener is adhered may also affect the friction experienced by the lace cable extending through the lace guides. For example, a stiffer material that would otherwise be hot melted over the flexible lace guides could increase the friction experienced by the lace cable. In contrast, a flexible material attached over the lace guides may reduce friction by maintaining more lace guide flexibility. Reinforcement 325 may also include an elastic mesh that covers the neck region of the shoe upper.

As noted above, FIG. 3A illustrates a central stiffener 325 , a single member extending across medial and lateral upper lace guides 320A, 320B, 320E, 320F, 320I, and 320J. Assuming stiffener 325 is, in this example, a more rigid material that is less flexible than the underlying shoe upper, ie, upper 305 , the resulting central portion 306 of the shoe assembly is less forgiving. It will show fit characteristics. In some applications, a more rigid, less tolerant, central portion 306 may be desirable. However, in applications where more flexibility across the central portion 306 is desired, the central stiffener 325 may be separated into two or more stiffeners. In certain applications, the separate central stiffeners may be joined across the central portion 306 using a variety of flexible or elastic materials to enable a more conformable central portion 306 . In another example, the central stiffener 325 itself may be elastic. In some examples, upper 305 may have a small gap extending along the length of central portion 306 , with one or more elastic members extending across the gap, lace guide 410 and elastic member As shown at least in part in FIG. 4A with 440 connecting a plurality of central stiffeners.

Heel member 350 is a device or component that may be used to control access to shoe upper 305 and, additionally or alternatively, to control effective spring stiffness of shoe upper 305 . may include In one example, medial strip 352 and lateral strip 354 may include elastic strips that are sewn or otherwise attached to medial heel portion and lateral heel portion 309, respectively, and that are sewn together. there is. In other embodiments, only a single elastic strip is connected to the medial heel portion and the lateral heel portion 309 . Accordingly, strips 352 and 354 may provide some stretchability to the heel portion of shoe upper 305 . This effect may be used to provide various comfort and performance aspects to upper 305 , as discussed below. For example, elasticity may help heel portion 309 maintain engagement with the wearer's heel during use of the article of footwear. The strips 352 and 354 may include an elastomer, spandex, rubber, or the like.

In another embodiment, medial strip 352 and lateral strip 354 may include releasably engaging components to selectively open and close shoe upper 305 by a user of an article of footwear. . For example, strips 352 and 354 may include opposing components of hook and loop fastener material, or opposing components of a zipper structure. In such an embodiment, heel member 350 may provide for entry and exit of the foot into shoe upper 305 regardless of the state of lace cable 310 . More specifically, the heel member 350 allows the foot to displace the shoe upper, even when the lace drive engine pulls the lace cable 310 into the sole structure to tighten the lace cable 310 down onto the shoe upper 305. 305) can be allowed to be withdrawn.

3B is another plan view of a flattened shoe upper 305 having a lace structure 300 , as shown. In this example, shoe upper 305 includes a similar lace guide pattern, including lace guides 320 with modifications to the configuration of stiffeners 325 , 330 and 335 . As discussed above, modifications to the stiffener configuration will result in at least slightly different fit characteristics, and may also alter the torque versus string displacement curve.

3C is a series of examples of lace structures illustrated on a flattened shoe upper in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Lace structure 300A depicts a lace guide pattern, similar to the sinusoidal pattern discussed with reference to FIG. 3A , with individual stiffeners covering each individual lace guide. Lace structure 300B again shows a wavy lace pattern, also referred to as a parachute string, with elongate stiffeners covering the individual lower lace guides and an upper string guide pair extending over a central portion. Braid structure 300C is another undulating braid pattern, with a single central stiffener. The lace structure 300D introduces a triangular shaped lace pattern with individual stiffeners cut to fit over the individual lace guides. String structure 300E illustrates a variation of the reinforcement configuration in a triangular braid pattern. Finally, string structure 300F depicts another variation of the reinforcing configuration, including a central stiffener and reinforced lower stiffeners.

4A is a diagram illustrating a portion of a shoe upper 405 having a lace structure 400 for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, the medial portion of upper 405 is shown with lace guides 410 that route lace cable 430 through lace guide component 415 . The lace guides 410 are enclosed within the stiffeners 420 to form lace guide components 415 , with at least some of the lace guide components being repositionable on the upper 405 . In one example, lace guide components 415 are supported with hook and loop material, and upper 405 provides a surface for receiving hook and loop material. In this example, lace guide components 415 may be supported with a hook portion, with upper 405 providing a knit loop surface for receiving lace guide components 415 . In another example, lace guide components 415 may have a track interface integrated into engagement with a track, such as track 445 . Track-based integration may provide a firm, limited movement, movement option for lace guide components 415 . For example, the track 445 extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central portion 450 and allows positioning the string guide components 415 along the length of the track. In some examples, the track 445 may extend across from the lateral side to the medial side to retain the lace guide component on either side of the central portion 450 . Similar tracks may be disposed in suitable positions to retain all lace guide components 415 to allow adjustment in limited directions for all lace guides on shoe upper 405 .

Shoe upper 405 depicts another example lace structure that includes a central elastic member, such as elastic member 440 . In these examples, at least the upper lace guide components along the medial side and the lateral side transverse central portion 450 with elastic members allowing different shoe designs to achieve different levels of fit and performance. can be connected across. For example, a high performance basketball shoe that must protect the foot over a wide range of lateral motion may utilize elastic members with a high modulus of elasticity to ensure a snug fit. In another example, a running shoe may utilize elastic members having a low modulus of elasticity, as the running shoe may be designed to focus on comfort for long-distance road running versus providing a high level of lateral motion inhibition. In certain examples, the elastic members 440 may be interchangeable with or include a mechanism for allowing adjustment of the elastic level. As discussed above, in some examples, a shoe upper, such as upper 405 , may have a gap along central portion 450 that at least partially separates a medial side from a lateral side. Even with a small gap along central portion 450 , elastic members, such as elastic member 440 , may be used to extend across the gap.

4A only shows a single track 445 or a single elastic member 440, these elements may be replicated for any or all of the lace guides in a particular lace configuration. For example, each lace guide component 415 may be mounted to its own track 445 , which extends in an inward-outward direction generally across the central portion 450 . The position of each lace guide component 415 may correlate with the presence of a foot within the shoe upper 405 . When a presence sensor, eg, a contact switch within the sole structure, detects the weight of the foot at the shoe upper 405 , the lace guide components 415 move the shoe upper 405 downward on the foot. To tighten the slack of the lanyard cable 430 for a tight tightening, it may be pulled closer to the central portion 450 . However, if the presence sensor does not detect the weight of the foot within the shoe upper 405 , the lace guide components 415 cause a slack to be introduced into the lace cable 430 , thereby causing the foot into the shoe upper 405 . To facilitate entry, it may be retracted from the central portion 450 . In this embodiment, the drive mechanism of the lace cable may additionally be used to move the lace guide components 415 on the track 445 . In another embodiment, one or more additional drive mechanisms, such as motors, may be incorporated into the article of footwear. Additionally, in this embodiment, the central stiffener 325 may open an opening, such as a zipper (eg, zipper 465 ), to the shoe upper 405 to provide an elastic zone or, additionally or alternatively, to the shoe upper 405 . ), may be added to the central part.

FIG. 4B additionally shows a heel strap 480 , extending over a heel ridge 650 and a plurality of elastic members 440 at lace guide components 415 . Heel strap 480 and elastic members 440 may be used to control effective spring stiffness of shoe upper 405 . As discussed above, the elasticity provided by various strips, such as heel strap 480 and elastic members 440 , may provide shoe upper 405 with a certain degree of stretch capability, and thus upper 405 . ) allows various comfort and performance aspects to be controlled. In examples, heel strap 480 can be connected directly to heel strap guide component 615 on the medial side and lateral side of heel ridge 650 . Alternatively, heel strap 480 may be connected to lace guide component 615 at one end and sewn to shoe upper 605 at heel ridge 650 . In such embodiments, a single heel strap 480 may be used on the medial side or lateral side of the shoe upper 605 , or a heel strap 480 may be used on the medial side and lateral side of the shoe upper 605 . each can be used. Heel lace guide components 615 may be separated from shoe upper 405 to be suspended relative to shoe upper 405 by lace cable 430 and heel strap 480 . The elastic member 440 preloads the heel strap guide component 615 against the back or heel portion of the shoe upper 405 to cause the lace cable 430 to be pulled from the lace drive engine in a slack state. can be stretched. However, when the lace drive engine winds the lace cable 430 in a tightened state, the heel strap 480 allows the lace cable 430 to be tightened downwardly on the shoe upper 405 and the shoe upper ( 405 may be stretched to allow it to be pulled downwards on the wearer's heel.

The elastic members 440 may provide an additional degree of stretch capability to the shoe upper 405 . Elastic members 440 may be attached to lace guide components 415 at one end and at the other end, such as in central portion 450 , to another opposing lace guide component 415 or shoe. It may be connected to the upper 405 . As with the accompanying heel strap 480 , the elastic members 440 may be used to pull the lace cable 430 from the lace drive engine, but the lace cable 430 downwards on the shoe upper 405 . It can be stretched to allow tightening.

Heel strap 480 , elastic members 440 , and elastic central stiffener 325 are each specific to a shoe upper, which may introduce different comfort and performance zones within the lace drive action provided by the lace drive mechanism. Each can provide a degree of stretching capacity. 17 illustrates various comfort and performance for different exemplary shoe uppers incorporating different combinations of lace cable 480 , elastic members 440 , elastic heel member 350 , and elastic central stiffener 325 . curves are shown.

5 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a shoe upper 405 having a lace structure 400 for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, the central portion 450 shown in FIG. 4A is replaced with a central closure mechanism 460 , which in this example is shown as a central zipper 465 . The central closure mechanism is designed to enable a wider opening in the shoe upper 405 for easy entry and exit. The central zipper 465 can be easily zipped open to allow foot entry and exit. In another example, the central closure mechanism 460 may be a hook and loop, snap, clasps, toggle, secondary strap, or any similar closure mechanism.

6 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a shoe upper 405 having a lace structure 600 for use in a shoe assembly that includes a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, lace structure 600 includes a heel strap component 615 , including a heel strap guide 610 and a heel stiffener 620 , as well as a heel turning guide 610 and a heel advance guide 615 . add Heel redirection guide 610 moves lace cable 430 exiting last lace guide 410 towards heel lace component 615 . Heel strap component 615 is formed into heel strap guide 610 with heel reinforcement 620 . Heel strap guide 610 is shown in a shape similar to lace guides, used in other locations on upper 405 . However, in other examples, heel strap guide 610 may be of other shapes or may include a plurality of lace guides. In this example, the heel strap component 615 is shown mounted on the heel track 645 , allowing for an adjustable position of the heel strap component 615 . Similar to the adjustable lacing guides described above, other mechanisms, such as a hook and loop fastener or similar fastening mechanism, may be utilized to facilitate adjustment with respect to positioning of the heel strap component 615 .

In some examples, upper 405 includes heel ridge 650 , which may include a closure mechanism similar to central portion 450 discussed above. In examples having a heel closure mechanism, the heel closure mechanism is designed to provide easy entry and exit from the shoe by expanding the traditional shoe assembly foot opening. Additionally, in some examples, heel strap component 615 can be connected to an opposite mating heel strap component across heel ridge 650 (with or without a heel closure mechanism). there is. The connection part may include an elastic member, similar to the elastic member 440 .

7A-7B are diagrams illustrating a portion of a shoe upper 405 having a lace structure 700 for use in a shoe assembly including a motorized lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, lace structure 700 includes lace guides 710 for routing lace 730 . String guides 710 may include associated stiffeners 720 . In this example, lace guides 710 are configured to allow bending of portions of lace guide 710 from an initial open position shown in FIG. 7A to a flexed closed position shown in FIG. 7B (see (with imaginary lines indicating opposing positions in each drawing). In this example, the lace guides 710 have extended portions that exhibit approximately 14° of deflection between the open initial position and the closed position. Other examples may exhibit more or less deflection between the initial and final position (or shape) of the lace guide 710 . Bending of the string guides 710 occurs when the string 730 is tightened. Bending of the string guide 710 acts to smooth the torque versus string displacement curve by applying some initial tension to the string 730 and by providing an additional mechanism to dissipate the string tension during the tightening process. . Thus, in the initial shape or flex position, the lace guide 710 creates some initial tension in the lace cable, which also serves to tighten the slack in the lace cable. When tightening of the string cable begins, the string guide 710 is bent or deformed.

In this example, string guides 710 are plastic or polymer tubes, and may have different modulus of elasticity depending on the particular composition of the tubes. The modulus of elasticity of the lace guides 710 in conjunction with the configuration of the stiffeners 720 will control the amount of additional tension induced in the lace 730 by bending of the lace guides 710 . The elastic deformation of the ends (legs or extensions) of the lace guides 710 induces a sustained tension on the lace 730 as the lace guides 710 attempt to return to their original shape. In some examples, the entire string guide flexes uniformly over the length of the string guide. In another example, the bending occurs primarily within the U-shaped portion of the lace guide while the extensions remain substantially straight. In another example, the extensions accommodate most of the deflection while the U-shaped portion remains relatively stationary.

Stiffeners 720 are attached over the lace guides 710 in a manner that allows movement of the ends of the lace guides 710 . In some examples, the stiffeners 720 are adhered via the hot melt process discussed above, along with the placement of the heat activated adhesive allowing the opening to enable bending in the lace guides 710 . In another embodiment, the stiffeners 720 may be sutured in place, or a combination of adhesive and suture may be used. How the stiffeners 720 are attached or structured may affect which portion of the lace guide bends under load from the lace cable. In some examples, the hot melt is concentrated around the U-shaped portion of the string guide so that the extensions (legs) remain more free to bend.

7C-7D are diagrams illustrating a deformable lace guide 710 for use in a shoe assembly in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B , the lace guides 710 introduced above are discussed in additional detail. 7C shows the lace guide 710 in a first (open) state, which may be considered an undeformed state. 7D shows the lace guide 710 in a second (closed/bent) state, which may be considered a deformed state. The lace guide 710 may include three different sections, such as an intermediate section 712 , a first extension 714 , and a second extension 716 . The lace guide 710 may also include a lace receiving opening 740 and a lace exit opening 742 . As discussed above, string guides 710 may have different modulus of elasticity, which control the level of deformation due to a particular applied tension. In some examples, lace guide 710 has different elasticity, such as intermediate section 712 having a first modulus of elasticity, a first extension having a second modulus of elasticity, and a second extension having a third modulus of elasticity. It can be composed of different sections with coefficients. In certain instances, the second modulus of elasticity and the third modulus of elasticity are substantially similar, causing the first extension and the second extension to bend or deform in a similar manner. In this example, substantially similar can be interpreted as the modulus of elasticity lying within a small number of percentage points of each other. In some examples, lace guide 710 may have a variable modulus of elasticity, transitioning from a high modulus of elasticity at the apex 746 to a low modulus of elasticity towards the outer ends of the first and second extensions. . In these examples, the modulus of elasticity may vary based on the wall thickness of the lace guide 710 .

Lace guide 710 defines a number of axes useful for describing how a deformable lace guide functions. For example, the first extension 714 can define a first entry strap axis 750 that is aligned with at least an outer portion of an inner channel defined within the first extension 714 . The second extension 716 defines a first exit string axis 760 that is aligned with at least an outer portion of an inner channel defined within the second extension 716 . In deformation, lace guide 710 defines a second entry lace axis 752 and a second exit lace axis 762 that are aligned with respective portions of the first extension and second extension, respectively. Lace guide 710 also has a medial axis 744 that intersects lace guide 710 at apex 746 and lies equidistant from the first and second extensions (shown in FIG. 7C ). (assuming symmetric string guides in the non-strain state as shown).

7E is a graph 770 illustrating various torque versus string displacement curves for a deformable string guide, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. As discussed above, one of the advantages achieved using string guides 710 includes modifying the torque (or string tension) versus string displacement (or shortening) curve. Curve 776 depicts a torque versus displacement curve for a non-deformable strap guide used in the exemplary strap construction. Curve 776 shows how the laces experience a sharp increase in tension over a short displacement near the endpoint of the tightening process. In contrast, curve 778 depicts a torque versus displacement curve for a first deformable lace guide used in the example lace construction. Curve 778 begins in a similar manner to curve 776 , but as the string guides deform with additional string tension, the curve flattens, resulting in increasing tension over greater string displacement. Flattening the curves allows better control of the fit and performance of the shoe for the end user.

The final example may be divided into three segments: an initial tightening segment 780 , an adaptive segment 782 , and a responsive segment 784 . Segments 780 , 782 , 784 may be utilized in any environment where torque and resulting displacement are desired. However, the responsive segment 784 may be particularly sensitive to an unexpected external factor, such as a motorized strap drive engine, for example, abruptly stopping movement to cause the wearer to cause a relatively high load on the strap. , may be utilized in situations where abrupt changes or corrections are made regarding the displacement of the string. In contrast, the adaptation segment 782 may, because changes in load on the laces can be predicted, for example, when changes in load are less abrupt, or when changes in activity are input by the wearer to a motorized strap drive engine or , or because a motorized string-driven engine can predict changes in activity through machine learning, when a more gradual displacement of the string can be exploited. The deformable string guide design resulting in this final example is designed to create an adaptive segment 782 and a responsive segment 784 through the structural design of the string guide (such as channel shape, material selection or combination parameters). do. The lace structure and lace guides that create the final example also create a pre-tension in the string cable to result in the initial tightening segment 780 shown.

8A-8F are diagrams illustrating an example lace guide 800 for use in certain lace structures in accordance with some example embodiments. In this example, an alternative lace guide with an open lace channel is illustrated. The lace guide 800 includes a guide tab 805 , a suture opening 810 , a guide upper surface 815 , a lace retainer 820 , a lace channel 825 , a channel radius 830 , a lace access opening 840 . , a guide subsurface 845 , and a guide radius 850 . Advantages of an open channel lace guide, such as lace guide 800 , include the ability to easily route a lace cable after installing the lace guides on the shoe upper. With tubular lace guides as exemplified in many of the lace construction examples discussed above, routing a lace cable through the lace guides is most easily accomplished (achieved later) prior to attaching the lace guides to the shoe upper. Can't say it can't be). The open channel lace guides allow for simple lace routing by simply allowing the lace cable to be pushed through the lace retainer 820 after the lace guides 800 are placed on the shoe upper. The string guide 800 may be made of various materials including metal or plastic.

In this example, lace guide 800 may initially be attached to the shoe upper, via sutures or adhesives. The illustrated design includes a suture opening 810 that is configured to facilitate easy manual or automated suturing of the lace guide 800 onto a shoe upper (or similar material). Once the lace guide 800 is attached to the shoe upper, the lace cable can be routed by simply pulling a loop of the lace cable into the lace channel 825 . A lace access opening 840 extends through the lower surface 845 to provide a release recess for allowing a lace cable to pass around the lace retainer 820 . In this example, the channel radius 830 is designed to correspond to, or slightly larger than, the diameter of the braided cable. Channel radius 830 is one of the parameters of lace guide 800 that can control the amount of friction experienced by a lace cable extending through lace guide 800 . Another parameter of the lace guide 800 that affects the friction experienced by the lace cable includes the guide radius 850 . Guide radius 850 may also affect the frequency or spacing of lace guides disposed on the shoe upper.

8G is a diagram illustrating a portion of a shoe upper 405 having a lace structure 890 using a lace guide 800, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, a plurality of lace guides 800 are arranged on the lateral side of the shoe upper 405 to form half of the lace structure 890 . Similar to the string structure discussed above, string structure 890 uses string guides 800 to form a parachute pattern or wave pattern for routing string cables. One of the advantages of this type of lace construction is that the lace tightening can create a front-to-back tightening of the shoe upper 405 as well as a lateral-to-medial tightening.

In this example, lace guides 800 are attached, at least initially, to upper 405 via seam 860 . The suture 860 is illustrated over or in engagement with the suture opening 810 . One of the lace guides 800 is also shown with stiffener 870 covering the lace guide. Such stiffeners may be individually disposed over each lace guide 800 . Alternatively, larger stiffeners may be used to cover the plurality of lace guides. Similar to the stiffeners described above, the stiffener 870 may be attached via adhesives, heat activated adhesives, and/or sutures. In some examples, stiffener 870 may be attached using an adhesive (heat activated or otherwise) and a vacuum bagging process that uniformly compresses the stiffener over the string guides. A similar vacuum packaging process may also be used with the stiffeners and string guides described above. In another example, a mechanical press or similar machine may be used to assist in attaching the stiffeners over the string guides.

Once all lace guides 800 are initially positioned and attached to shoe upper 405 , the lace cables may be routed through the lace guides. String cable routing may begin with securing the first end of the string cable to an outer anchoring point 470 . The lace cables may then be pulled into each lace channel 825 , starting by the foremost lace guide and acting rearward towards the heel of the upper 405 . Once the lace cables have been routed through all lace guides 800 , stiffeners 870 may optionally be attached over each lace guide 800 to secure both the lace guides and the lace cable. .

assembly process

9 is a flow diagram illustrating a shoe assembly process 900 for assembling a shoe including a lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, assembly process 900 includes, at 910 , obtaining a shoe upper, lace guides, and lace cable; at 920, routing the lace cable through the tubular lace guides; At 930, securing the first end of the string cable; At 940 , securing the second end of the string cable; at 950 , placing the lace guides; at 960, securing the lace guides; and, at 970 , integrating the upper with the shoe assembly. Process 900, described in greater detail below, may include some or all of the process operations described, and at least some of the process operations may occur at various locations and/or using different automated tools. there is.

In this example, process 900 begins at 910 by obtaining a shoe upper, a plurality of lace guides, and a lace cable. A shoe upper, such as upper 405 , may be a flattened shoe upper that is separate from the remainder of the shoe assembly (eg, sole, midsole, outer cover, etc.). In this example, the lace guides include tubular plastic lace guides as discussed above, but may also include other types of lace guides. At 920 , the process 900 continues (or threaded) through the plurality of lace guides the lace cable is routed. Although the lace cable may be routed through the lace guides at different points in the assembly process 900 , when using tubular lace guides, it is desirable to route the lace through the lace guides prior to assembly onto the shoe upper. You can do it. In some examples, lace guides may be pre-weaved on a lace cable, and further, process 900 begins with accompanying a plurality of lace guides pre-weaved on lace obtained during operation at 910 . .

At 930 , process 900 continues with the first end of the lace cable being secured to the shoe upper. For example, lace cable 430 may be secured along an outer edge of upper 405 . In some examples, a lace cable may be temporarily secured to upper 405 by a more permanent fixation achieved during integration of the shoe upper with the rest of the shoe assembly. At 940 , process 900 may continue with the second end of the lace cable being secured to the shoe upper. Like the first end of the lace cable, the second end may be temporarily secured to the upper. Additionally, process 900 may optionally delay anchoring of the second end until later in the process or during integration with the shoe assembly.

At 950 , process 900 continues with a plurality of lace guides disposed on the upper. For example, lace guides 410 may be disposed on upper 405 to create a desired lace pattern. Once the lace guides are in place, the process 900 may continue, at 960 , by securing the lace guides onto the shoe upper. For example, stiffeners 420 may be secured over string guides 410 to hold them in place. Finally, process 900 may be completed, at 970 , with the shoe upper being integrated into the remainder of the shoe assembly including the sole. In one example, consolidation may include disposing a loop of lace cable to connect the lateral side and medial side of the shoe upper in place for engagement with a lace drive engine within a midsole of the shoe assembly.

10 is a flow diagram illustrating a shoe assembly process 1000 for assembling a shoe including a plurality of lace guides, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In this example, assembly process 1000 includes, at 1010 , obtaining a shoe upper, lace guides, and lace cable; at 1020, securing lace guides on the shoe upper; at 1030, securing the first end of the string cable; at 1040, routing the lace cable through the lace guides; at 1050, securing the second end of the string cable; optionally, at 1060 , securing stiffeners over the string guides; and, at 1070 , integrating the upper with the shoe assembly. Process 1000 , described in greater detail below, may include some or all of the process operations described, and at least some of the process operations may be performed at various locations and/or using different automated tools. can be performed.

In this example, process 1000 begins, at 1010 , by obtaining a shoe upper, a plurality of lace guides, and a lace cable. A shoe upper, such as upper 405 , may be a flattened shoe upper that is separate from the remainder of the shoe assembly (eg, sole, midsole, outer cover, etc.). In this example, the lace guides include open channel plastic lace guides as discussed above, but may also include other types of lace guides. At 1020 , process 1000 continues with the lace guides secured to the upper. For example, lace guides 800 may be individually sewn at a location on upper 405 .

At 1030 , process 1000 continues with the first end of the lace cable being secured to the shoe upper. For example, lace cable 430 may be secured along an outer edge of upper 405 . In some examples, lace cables may be temporarily secured to upper 405 by a more permanent fixation achieved during integration of the shoe upper with the rest of the shoe assembly. At 1040 , process 1000 continues with the lace cable being routed through the open channel lace guide, routing the lace loop for engagement with a lace drive engine between the outer side and the inner side of the shoe upper. (lace loop) is included. The lace loop may be of a predetermined length to ensure that the lace drive engine can properly tighten the assembled shoe.

At 1050 , process 1000 may continue with the second end of the lace cable being secured to the shoe upper. Like the first end of the lace cable, the second end may be temporarily secured to the upper. Further, process 1000 may optionally delay anchoring of the second end until later in the process or during integration with the shoe assembly. In certain instances, delaying anchoring of the first end and/or second end of the string cable may allow adjustment of the overall string length, which may be useful during integration of the string drive engine.

At 1060 , process 1000 may optionally include securing textile reinforcements (covers) over the lace guides to further secure them to the shoe upper. For example, lace guides 800 may have stiffeners 870 that are hot melted over the lace guides to further secure the lace guides and lace cable. Finally, process 1000 may be completed, at 1070 , with the shoe upper being integrated into the remainder of the shoe assembly including the sole. In one example, integrating may include disposing a loop of the lace cable to connect the lateral and medial sides of the shoe upper in place for engagement with a lace drive engine within a midsole of the shoe assembly.

tension straps

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a front view of shoe upper 1100 , partially cut away, showing elastic strip 1102 connecting medial side 1104 and lateral side 1106 of shoe upper 1100 . The shoe upper 1100 may be coupled to a sole structure 1108 into which a motorized lace drive engine may be disposed. Shoe upper 1100 may include interior layers, such as medial panel 1110 and lateral panel 1112 configured to surround a foot. The inner panel 1110 and the outer panel 1112 may include additional layers, such as a lining or filling layer (not shown). The elastic strip 1102 may be connected to both the inner panel 1110 and the outer panel 1112 .

The shoe upper 1110 may also include lace guides 1114 , a lace 1116 , and an outer layer 1118 . Upper 1100 may include an outer layer 1118 , configured to cover lace 1116 , elastic strip 1102 , and lace guides 1114 . The outer layer 1118 is cut away in FIG. 11 to show the inner panel 1110 , the outer panel 1112 , the elastic strip 1102 , the lace guides 1114 , and the lace 1116 .

The lace guides 1114 may be connected to the inner panel 1110 and the outer panel 1112 . The lace guides 1114 may each include a guide tab 1115 and a lace channel body 1117 . The guide tabs 1115 may be mounted directly to the panels 1110 and 1112 , for example, via adhesive, sealing, riveting, or the like. The lace guides 1114 may be configured similarly to other lace guides described herein. The lace 1116 may be woven through a channel disposed within the lace channel body 1117 of the lace guides 1114 . Lace 1116 may have distal portions secured to the upper towards the toe region and a proximal portion connecting the distal portions and positioned within the lace drive engine.

As discussed herein, operation of the string drive engine may act to tighten the string 1116 to compress the inner panel 1110 and the outer panel 1112 . In particular, the proximal portion of the lace 1116 is pulled into the sole structure 1108 when the lace drive engine is activated, which may cause the lace guides 1114 to be pulled towards the sole structure 1108 . . As the lace guides 1114 on the inner panel 1110 and the outer panel 1112 are pulled closer to the sole structure 1108 , the elastic strip 1102 causes the foot to be positioned inside the shoe upper 1100 . It can be stretched around. The elastic strip 1102 may be made of any type of elastic material other than an elastic material such as rubber or spandex. The elastic strip 1102 may be configured to rest in an unstretched or pre-tensioned resting state when the foot rests within the shoe upper 1100 . In other embodiments, the elastic strip 1102 may be replaced with an elastic mesh material.

12 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the shoe upper 1100 of FIG. 11 , showing a heel strap assembly 1120 connecting laces 1116 on the medial side and the lateral side of the upper 1110 . Heel strap assembly 1120 can include a pre-tensioned strap 1122 , a heel strap 1124 , and an anchoring point 1126 . The pre-tension strap 1122 may extend from the laces 1116 on the lateral side of the shoe upper 1100 shown in FIG. 11 , and may extend past the heel portion 1128 of the shoe upper 1100 . and may extend to a medial side (not shown in FIG. 12 ) of shoe upper 1100 for connection to an opposite end of lace 1116 . The pre-tensioned strap 1122 may be connected to the lace 1116 in any suitable manner at the junction 1130 , such as by using the lace guide 1114 . In one example, lace 1116 is allowed to slide within splice 1130 by pre-tensioned strap 1122 . In one example, pre-tensioned strap 1122 can be connected to guide tab 1115 of lace guide 1114 , and lace 1116 can be connected to lace channel body 1117 of lace guide 1114 . there is. The pre-tension strap 1122 may include a resilient elongate member that is capable of being stretched and capable of restoring its original length after stretching. As will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 15A-15B , the pre-tension strap 1122 is disengaged from the string 1116 from the string driven engine spool when the string driven engine spool is unwound to release the lace 1116 . ) can be configured to pull.

Heel strap 1124 may extend from junction 1130 of pre-tension strap 1122 with lace 1116 to anchorage point 1126 . In the state shown in FIG. 12 , heel strap 1124 is folded between anchor point 1126 and abutment 1130 . As will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 15A-15B , the heel strap 1124 will unfold when the abutment 1130 is pulled toward the toe portion of the shoe upper 1100 , and ultimately the anchoring point 1126 . ) will cause the heel portion 1128 to pull towards the toe portion, thereby helping to maintain the shoe upper 1100 on the heel of the foot being inserted into the upper 1100 . Anchor point 1126 may include any suitable means or device capable of providing a fixation point on shoe upper 1100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the anchoring point 1126 may have a threaded fastener that extends through the shoe upper 1100 .

13 is a diagram illustrating a lateral side view of the shoe upper 1100 of FIG. 11 , partially cut away to show a lace guide 1114 connected to the shoe upper 1100 together with the elastic strip 1102 . . FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper 1100 of FIG. 13 bent to show the lace guide 1114 connected to the shoe upper 1100 separately from the elastic strip 1102 . 13 and 14 are discussed simultaneously.

The outer layer 1118 is partially cut away to reveal the outer panel 1112 that is independently connected to the elastic strip 1102 and the lace guide 1114 . The guide tabs 1115 of the lace guide 1114 may be connected to the outer panel 1112 by any suitable means. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide tab 1115 is connected to the outer panel 1112 via a seam 1132 . Guide tab 1115 is spaced from a top edge of outer panel 1112 , on which elastic strip 1102 is disposed to form a gap between guide tab 1115 and elastic strip 1102 thereon.

The elastic strip 1102 may comprise a single strip, or it may comprise a plurality of strips end-to-end aligned, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . The elastic strip 1102 may be connected to the outer panel 1112 via any suitable means, such as adhesives or sutures. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic strip 1102 is connected to the outer panel 1112 via a seam 1134 . Separating the lace guide 1114 from the elastic strip 1102 may allow the elastic strip 1102 to stretch evenly along the length of the outer panel 1112, and the elastic strip 1102 will may allow for providing a more uniform action to the actuation of lace guide 1114 on 1116 .

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper 1100 of FIG. 12 , showing the loosened lace 1116 being pulled from the motorized lace drive engine by the pre-tension strap 1122 . As shown, the distance D1 between lace guide 1114A and lace guide 1114B may lie at the first open length. Likewise, the distance D2 between the abutment 1130 and the anchoring point 1126 may lie in the first folded length. Distance D1 is large compared to distance D3 in FIG. 15B to allow the foot to enter shoe upper 1100 when lace 1116 is loosened. Tension strap 1122 is activated to pull lace 1116 at junction 1130 towards heel portion 1128 , thereby pulling proximal end portion 1131 of lace 1116 from the lace drive engine. . As excess slack from the proximal end portion 1131 allows the tension strap to pull the abutment 1130 towards the anchoring point 1126 , the heel strap 1124 ties the abutment 1130 and the anchoring point 1126 . ) are buckled or folded between

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper 1100 of FIG. 15A , showing the lace 1116 being tightened into a motorized lace drive engine and the heel strap being tightened around the heel of the shoe upper 1100 . As shown, the distance D3 between lace guide 1114A and lace guide 1114B may lie in the second folded length. Likewise, the distance D4 between the abutment 1130 and the anchoring point 1126 may lie at the second open length. Distance D3 is small compared to distance D1 because the string drive engine has been activated to pull the proximal end portion 1131 of the string 1116 into the string drive engine. This additionally causes the previously retracted tensile strap 1122 to stretch such that distance D4 is greater than distance D2 , and causes heel strap 1124 to flatten and then stretch. The elongation of the heel strap 11124 causes the heel portion 1128 of the shoe upper 1100 to tighten onto the shoe upper 1100 as the laces 1116 are tightened downwardly onto the shoe upper 1100 and the foot therein. ), causing it to be pulled towards the heel side of the foot being placed in it.

16 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a shoe upper 1200, showing medial and lateral lace cable tension straps 1202 and 1204, respectively. The shoe upper 1200 may be connected to a sole structure 1206 into which a motorized lace drive engine may be disposed. The shoe upper 1200 may include a medial panel 1208 , a lateral panel 1210 , and a toe panel 1212 configured to at least partially surround the foot. The inner panel 1208 and the outer panel 1210 may have additional layers, such as a lining or filling layer (not shown). Cable tensioning straps 1202 and 1204 may be connected to inner panel 1208 and outer panel 1210 at bottom edges, respectively, and lace 1214 at distal end portions 1216A and 1216B, respectively. ) can be connected to Shoe upper 1110 may also include lace guides 1218 and elastic panel 1220 .

Elastic panel 1220 may function similarly to elastic strip 1102 of FIGS. 11-15B to provide shoe upper 1200 with a certain degree of stretch capability. Lace guides 1218 may function similarly to other lace guides described herein, and further description is not provided herein for the sake of brevity. Lace 1214 can have distal ends connected to tension straps 1202 and 1204 , with a middle portion of lace 1214 positioned within a lace drive mechanism disposed within sole structure 1206 . there is. Accordingly, as the lace drive mechanism winds the lace 1214 , the lace 1214 is pulled through the lace guides 1218 to tighten the lace 1214 down against the shoe upper 1200 . Tension straps 1202 and 1204 provide anchorage to end portions 1216A and 1216B of lace 1214 to facilitate a tightening action.

Tension straps 1202 and 1204 allow lace 1214 to be secured to sole structure 1206 while also wrapping at least partially around panels 1208 and 1210 of shoe upper 1200 . As can be seen, laces 1214 traverse over shoe upper 1200 , once in medial panel 1208 and once in lateral panel 1210 . This allows some of the force used to tension the laces 1214 to be used to apply an inward pressure on the shoe upper 1200 directly proximate the toe panel 1212 . Tension straps 1202 and 1204 provide a greater surface area over which tension in string 1214 is distributed to panels 1208 and 1210 . That is, the surface area of the straps 1202 and 1204 in contact with the panels 1208 and 1210 is equal to the surface area of the panels 1202 and 1204 in the same position when the lace 1214 is secured to the shoe upper 1200 in the sole structure 1206. greater than the surface area of string 1214 in contact with 1208 and 1210 . In one embodiment, straps 1202 and 1204 are trapezoidal in shape. In another embodiment, straps 1202 and 1204 may be triangular or rectangular in shape. For example, strap 1202 may have a bottom edge region 1222 that is wider than a top edge region 1224 . The bottom edge region 1222 may be attached to the bottom portion of the inner panel 1208 , for example, by adhesive or sutures or by integration into the sole structure 1206 . Top edge region 1224 may be attached to strap 1214 by any suitable method, such as by attachment to the length of strap 1202 by suture 1226 . Straps 1202 and 1204 may attach to shoe upper 1200 only at sole structure 1206 , such that the straps form flaps. In another embodiment, straps 1202 and 1204 may be attached to shoe upper 1200 along their entire length or along only a portion of their length. Straps 1202 and 1204 may be made of a rigid or inelastic material, or an extensible (elastic) or elastic material. The trapezoidal or triangular shaped straps 1202 and 1204 may distribute stress and force more evenly in the toe box of shoe upper 11200 and may provide a comfortable and secure fit. Likewise, straps 1202 and 1204 may have other geometries that have various advantages, such as distributing stress and force uniformly along shoe upper 1200 .

17 shows various force versus lace displacement curves 1300A, 1300B, 1300C, 1300D, 1300E, and 1300F for a shoe upper including various elastic or tension members described herein, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. It is a graph representing The X-axis of the bottom represents the displacement in millimeters (mm), and the Y-axis of the side represents the load in Newtons (N). Curves 1300A - 1300F are each associated with a different load on the string. As shown, by adjusting the parameters of the various components described herein (lace cable 480 , elastic member 440 , elastic heel member 350 , elastic central stiffener 325 , etc.), different levels A comfort slope of can be provided before the elastic zones are locked out and the performance zones are initiated. Accordingly, the comfort slope and performance slope of each curve may be adjusted to provide different effects for different types of footwear or articles of footwear, or for different types of wearers.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the shoe upper 1200 of FIG. 16 , disposed flat to show a lace structure including tension straps 1202 and 1204 connected to a lace 1214 in a transverse configuration. .

Shoe upper 1200 may include medial panel 1208 , lateral panel 1210 , heel panels 1211A and 1211B, and toe panel 1212 , which include heel panel 1211B on the outside is attached to the side panel 1210 and is configured to at least partially surround the foot when the shoe upper 1200 is attached to the sole structure. The inner panel 1208 and the outer panel 1210 may include a lining (not shown), an outer layer 1230 (sole portions 1230A and 1230B), and neck portions 1230C and 1230D. )), and overlay 1232 (which may include sole portions 1232A and 1232B and neck portions 1232C and 1232D).

The outer layer 1230 may include a layer of material for reinforcing the inner panel 1208 and the outer panel 1210 . In one example, outer layer 1230 may include a synthetic material such as nylon. Overlay 1232 may include a layer that supports lace guides 1218 . Overlay 1232 may include a semi-rigid yet flexible material that may distribute the load of lace guides 1218 to shoe upper 1200 . In one example, overlay 1232 may include a synthetic material, such as Poron® microcellular urethane.

Tension straps 1202 and 1204 can be connected to inner panel 1208 and outer panel 1210, respectively, at bottom edges 1222A and 1222B, respectively, and at top edges 1224A and 1224B, respectively. Can be connected to distal end portions 1216A and 1216B of string 1214 . Shoe upper 1110 may also include lace guides 1218 and elastic panel 1220 .

Proximal ends 1234A and 1234B of string 1214 may be connected to a string drive engine (not shown). Proximal ends 1234A, 1234B may be connected to one another to form string 1214 . That is, the string 1214 may have a single-piece structure. String 1214 is laced through lace guides 1218 such that distal end portions 1216A and 1216B extend into tension straps 1202 and 1204 . Distal end portion 1216A is connected to tension strap 1202 at suture 1226 . Likewise, distal end portion 1216B may be connected to tension strap 1204 . As shown, distal end portions 1216A and 1216B cross the neck region of shoe upper 1200 , formed, for example, between neck portions 1230C and 1230D of outer layer 1230 . In this configuration, lace guides 1218 on neck portions 1230C and 1230D may be omitted near toe panel 1212 to prevent interference with lace 1214 .

Tension straps 1202 and 1204 allow the various layers of shoe upper 1200 (eg, outer layer 1230 and overlay 1232 ) of lace 1214 when the lace 1214 is pulled tight. It may be configured to float on top of the shoe upper 1200 to allow for retraction independent of tension. For example, when the proximal ends 1234A and 1234B are pulled tight by the string drive engine, as the neck portions 1230C and 1230D are pulled closer to the sole portions 1230A and 1230B, respectively, the neck Portions 1230C and 1230D may slide under tension straps 1202 and 1204 . Accordingly, in one embodiment, only a portion of each of the tension straps 1202 and 1204 may be attached to the shoe upper 1200 .

Tension straps 1202 and 1204 can have a variety of shapes to distribute the force of lace 1214 over inner panel 1208 and outer panel 1210 . Straps 1202 and 1204 may be triangular, quadrilateral, trapezoidal, straight, or any other shape. In one example, straps 1202 and 1204 are wider at the floor near the sole structure and to distribute force from lace 1214 along the wide width of shoe upper 1200 and sole structure and lace 1214 ) is narrower at the top near it. Straps 1202 and 1204 may have the same shape, or may have different shapes, as shown in FIG. 20 .

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating tensioning strap 1202 of FIG. 18 , showing lockout zone 1240 and stretch zone 1242 . Distal end portion 1216A of lace 1214 may be connected to lockout region 1240 along length L, for example by suture 1226 .

The bottom edge region 1222 of the strap 1202 may be wider than the top edge region 1224 . The bottom edge region 1222 may be connected to a shoe upper 1200 or a sole structure. In certain embodiments, only a portion of stretch region 1242 , such as bottom edge region 1222 , is connected to shoe upper 1200 or sole structure to allow stretch region 1242 to stretch. In one embodiment, stretch zone 1242 is comprised of an elastomer, a synthetic material, a polymer, a proprietary material having one or more of these properties, such as a Lunar Fly Strap material, or the like. In another example, most or all of stretch region 1242 is connected to shoe upper 1200 .

A lockout region 1240 may extend from an elongate region 1242 to a top edge region 1224 . The lockout region 1240 may extend laterally across the entirety of the uppermost portion of the elongate region 1242 . The lockout region 1240 may include a portion of the tension strap 1202 that is less elastic or less stretchable than the stretch region 1242 . In one example, the lockout zone 1240 may include a separate piece of material that is attached to the material of the stretch zone 1242 . In another embodiment, the lockout zone 1240 is an extension of the material of the stretch zone 1242 that is processed to strengthen the material within the lockout zone 1240 . For example, the seam 1226 along the length L of the lace 1214 may provide a reinforcing treatment. In one example, the length L may be approximately 15 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the lockout region 1240 may be treated with a hot melt material to secure the distal end portion 1216A and to strengthen the lockout region 1240 . In another embodiment, the lockout region 1240 may be treated with a stretch inhibiting coating, such as Terranina, to increase the lockout capability of the tension strap 1202 . The lockout ability may indicate unwillingness to the stretch to allow the laces 1214 to be tightened. That is, a fully locked out laces will increase the tightness to the foot in proportion to the amount the laces are tightened. In other words, the string can no longer be stretched. The lockout capability of the lockout zone 1240 and the stretch capability of the stretch zone 1242 can be varied in different combinations for different embodiments of the tension strap 1202 .

20 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a shoe upper 1200 comprising a lace structure including tension straps 1250 and 1252 coupled to lace 1214 in a non-traversing configuration. The shoe upper 1200 of FIG. 20 is shown in FIG. 18, except that the tension straps 1202 and 1204 are replaced with the tension straps 1250 and 1252, and lace guides 1218A and 1218B are added. includes the same components as the shoe upper 1200 of As can be seen in FIG. 20 , the distal end portions 1216A and 1216B of the lace 1214 are maintained on the same side of the shoe upper 1200 where they are connected to the lace drive engine and their respective tensile straps; can be configured. That is, the distal end portion 1216B can be connected to a medial tension strap 1250 , and across the medial panel 1208 for connection to a lace drive engine 1218A and other lace guides 1218 . A middle, distal end portion 1216A, which may extend through a string guide 1218B, may be connected to an outer tension strap 1252 and across the outer panel 1210 for connection to a string drive engine. and other string guides 1218 . Lace guides 1218A and 1218B may be added to facilitate tight tightening of upper 1200 and stretching of elastic panel 1220 along the length of the neck region of upper 1200 . As shown, the relative size of tension straps 1250 and 1252 may be altered to provide different performance characteristics to the medial side and lateral side of upper 1200 . For example, tension straps 1250 and 1252, in the non-traversal embodiment of FIG. 20 , may be attached to tension straps (eg, to bring distal end portions 1216A and 1216B closer to the sole structure) ( 1202 and 1204). Additionally, medial tension strap 1250 may be shorter than lateral tension strap 1252, or vice versa, to vary the force applied to the ball region, metatarsal region, and phalanx region of the foot.

21 is a plan view illustrating a flattened shoe upper 1400 having a lace structure for use with a lace drive engine, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. 22 is a diagram of an exemplary shoe assembly utilizing the two-zone lace structure discussed with reference to FIG. 21 . In this example, shoe upper 1400 has a distal (toe) end and a proximal (heel) end, as well as a medial side 1403 and a lateral side 1404 . The distal end includes a toe box section 1407 and the proximal end includes a heel portion 1406 . Shoe upper 1400 may also include a floating fabric layer (optional and not shown), an outer layer 1402 , and a floating tongue 1405 . The floating tongue 1405 is at least proximate to a neck portion 1411 (also referred to as a neck section) formed by a U-shaped incision in the outer layer 1402 , the foot opening 1409 of the outer layer 1402 . extended out In some examples, neck portion 1411 changes configuration, including various cut-out shapes or alternative material sections. All neck portions allow the portions of the outer side and inner side of the shoe assembly to move relative to each other. In another example, neck portion 1411 may be incorporated into a covered layer of outer layer 1402 , such that neck portion 1411 and strap structure are hidden when viewed from the outside. In some examples, neck portion 1411 is also an incision in the floating fabric layer. Shoe upper 1400 may include some or all of the structures discussed with respect to shoe upper 300 , but is illustrated in a simpler manner to emphasize the two-zone lace structure.

In this example, the string structure is divided into two different zones. The first zone interacts with a toe or forefoot region of shoe upper 1400 . The second region interacts with the midfoot region of the shoe upper 1400 . The first braid section braid cable is shown as a dark gray solid line, and the second braid section braid cable is shown as a black dashed line. These differences are for illustrative purposes only to help distinguish different string cable paths, and the string cable in these details is a single cable extending from end 1420 to end 1421 (the end is also referred to as anchoring positions or anchoring points). Alternatively, even for designs where the first and second braid sections utilize different braid cables, the material used will generally be common between the different sections. The first lace section may include lace guides, which guide the lace cable 1410 from the first lace end 1420 . In this example, the first string termination 1420 is located on the distal-outer portion of the eyestay 1408 . The lace cable 1410 is routed, from the first lace end 1420 , across the distal end of the neck portion 1411 and through the first inner lace guide 1440 . From the first inner lace guide 1440 , the lace cable 1410 is routed back over the neck portion 1411 and through the first outer lace guide 1430 . From the first outer lace guide 1430 , the lace cable 1410 is routed through the second outer lace guide 1431 and the third outer lace guide 1432 . The lace guides are labeled first, second, third, etc., to indicate the order in which they extend proximally from the distal end of the neck portion 1411 toward the foot opening 1409 . Optionally, lace cable 1410 may be routed through material guide 1422 en route from first outer lace guide 1430 to third outer lace guide 1432 . From the third lateral lace guide 1432 , the lace cable 1410 runs down the lateral heel lace guide 1451 through the outward facing tongue lace guide 1417 , and through the optional material guide 1423 . , the path is set. The lateral heel strap guide 1451 routes the lace cable 1410 through the lateral lace outlet 1419 and into the midsole plate.

The second lace section includes a set of lace guides that route the lace cable 1410 from the second end 1421 to the inner lace outlet 1418 . In this example, lace cable 1410 is routed from a second end 1421 on the outer side of eyestay 1408 above neck portion 1411 to second inner lace guide 1441 . From the second inner lace guide 1421 , the lace cable 1410 is routed back to the second outer lace guide 1431 over the neck portion 1411 . The lace cable 1410 is then routed through the second outer lace guide 1431 , again a third time over the neck portion 411 , and through the third inner lace guide 1442 . The third inner lace guide 1442 routes the lace cable 1410 to the inside facing tongue lace guide 1416 , the inside facing tongue lace guide routes the lace cable towards the inside heel lace guide 1450 . set En route to medial heel strap guide 1450 , a lace cable may be routed, optionally, through material lace guide 1424 . From medial heel strap guide 1450 , lace cable 1410 is routed through medial lace outlet 1418 into the midsole plate.

The two-zone braid construction allows for a non-uniform distribution of the braid cable tension between the proximal and distal ends of the neck portion 1411 . The first string section applies the same string cable tension across fewer string guides, causing the tension to be distributed over a smaller area. The second lace zone, with more lace guides, distributes the lace cable tension over a larger area. The user can experience a tighter, higher performance fit in the toe (forefoot) region of the shoe, thanks to the two-zone lace structure. Other multi-zone lace structures may be utilized to vary the distribution of lace cable tension as required for a particular footwear application.

In this example, the lace structure includes a tongue lace guide assembly 1415 (or simply tongue lace guide 1415 ). Tongue lace guide 1415 may include inward facing lace guide 1416 and outward facing lace guide 1417 . The inward-facing lace guide 1416 and outward-facing lace guide 1417 may be molded or formed from a single piece of material, or may be separate structures joined together in some manner. In certain instances, the inward-facing lace guide and outward-facing lace guide are elastic members, such as elastic member 440 , that allow for some separation between the lace guides when tensioning the lace cable 1418 . can be combined with In certain instances, inward facing lace guide 1416 and outward facing lace guide 1417 may be attached to a tongue lace guide reinforcement. In another example, the inward-facing lace guide and the outward-facing lace guide are disposed on, enclosed within, or otherwise connected through a webbing material. The tongue string guide reinforcement may be a non-stretch or limited-stretch material, a rigid material, or an elastic material. The tongue string guide reinforcement may be glued, sewn, or similarly attached to the floating tongue 1405 . In some examples, the tongue strap guide stiffener may be padded or similarly configured to distribute the force applied to the tongue strap guide over a larger area to avoid hot-spots for the user. . In another example, inward-facing lace guide 1416 and outward-facing lace guide 1417 may be connected by an elastic element or webbing, and may float relative to floating tongue 1405 .

Embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to adjusting the effective spring stiffness of a shoe when tightened on a foot. Intentional elastic zones in the lace drive system of a shoe upper may allow for different tightening rates. For example, very rigid string drive systems may become very fast and very tight, potentially causing discomfort to the wearer. The lace drive system and/or elastic zones strategically added to the shoe upper may manipulate the lockout stiffness, movement, modulus, or other parameter of the shoe to adjust the fit of the shoe upper to the foot. As such, elastic zones may be added to the upper and rear (or heel) regions of the foot to allow the shoe upper to be pulled down on the foot in a desired manner. For example, the elastic zones may facilitate pre-tensioning or placement of the untightened material of the shoe upper, which may be thought of as a parachute material that is tightened down on the foot by the lace structure. A user may adjust the laces drive mechanism to adjust the article of footwear to have different comfort or performance characteristics, depending on the needs, preference or use of the article of footwear.

examples

Example 1 is a shoe assembly comprising a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side are each proximally from the toe box portion a shoe upper extending into the heel portion; a lanyard cable having a first end secured along a distal lateral portion of the medial side and a second end secured along a distal lateral portion of the lateral side; a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: a plurality of string guides, which extend through each of the plurality of string guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side; routing the lace cables from the pattern formed by the inner portions of the plurality of lace guides to a location that allows the lace cables to engage a lacing engine disposed within the midsole portion; medial proximal string guide; an outer proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable from the position that allows the lace cable to engage the string drive engine into the pattern defined by the outer portions of the plurality of lace guides; and a first elastic member extending between a first lace guide and a second lace guide of the plurality of lace guides.

Example 2 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the first elastic member may optionally be capable of connecting a first lace guide and a second lace guide across a centerline portion of a shoe upper. may include

Example 3 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1 or 2, optionally in combination with a first lace guide and a second lace across a heel portion of a shoe upper. It may include a first elastic member that can connect the guide.

Example 4 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-3, optionally between a third and a fourth lace guide of the plurality of lace guides. It may include a second elastic member that can be extended.

Example 5 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4, optionally comprising: providing a varying modulus of elasticity to change the fit characteristics of a shoe upper; and a first elastic member interchangeable with different elastic members.

Example 6 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-5, optionally functioning to smooth a torque versus string displacement curve during tightening of a string cable. It may include a first elastic member that can.

Example 7 is a shoe assembly, wherein the shoe upper has a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side are each from the toe box portion to the heel portion a shoe upper extending proximally to; a lanyard cable having a first end secured along a distal lateral portion of the medial side and a second end secured along a distal lateral portion of the lateral side; a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: a plurality of string guides, which extend through each of the plurality of string guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side; a medial proximal strap routing the lace cable from the pattern defined by the inner portion of the plurality of lace guides to a location that allows the lace cable to engage a lace drive engine disposed within the midsole portion guide; an outer proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable from the position that allows the lace cable to engage the string drive engine into the pattern defined by the outer portions of the plurality of lace guides; and a first elastic member extending between the first and second portions of the shoe upper. may be included or used.

Example 8 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of example 7, wherein the first elastic member may optionally include an elastic centerline portion extending from at least the toe box portion proximally to the foot opening. and the first portion and the second portion of the shoe upper may include the medial side and the lateral side, respectively.

Example 9 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 7 or 8, which may optionally include an elastic heel portion extending proximate the foot opening. 1 elastic member, and wherein the first portion and the second portion of the shoe upper may include a medial side and a lateral side of the heel portion, respectively.

Example 10 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 7-9, optionally configured to smooth a torque versus string displacement curve during tightening of the string cable. It may include a first elastic member capable of functioning.

Example 11 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 7-10, optionally open to allowing access to an interior space within the shoe upper, or It may include a first elastic member that can be expanded.

Example 12 is a shoe assembly comprising a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side are each proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion a shoe upper that extends; a lanyard cable having a first end secured along a distal lateral portion of the medial side and a second end secured along a distal lateral portion of the lateral side; a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: a plurality of string guides, which extend through each of the plurality of string guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side; a medial proximal strap routing the lace cable from the pattern defined by the inner portion of the plurality of lace guides to a location that allows the lace cable to engage a lace drive engine disposed within the midsole portion guide; an outer proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable from the position that allows the lace cable to engage the string drive engine into the pattern defined by the outer portions of the plurality of lace guides; and a first elastic member extending between a first portion of the shoe upper and a first lace guide of the plurality of lace guides. or can be used.

Example 13 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of Example 12, and may optionally include a first portion of the shoe upper, which may include the heel portion, and wherein the first A lace guide may be positioned proximate the heel portion.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 12 or 13, optionally comprising one of the medial side or the lateral side of the shoe upper. and a first portion of the shoe upper capable of operable, and wherein the first lace guide may be positioned proximate a throat of the upper.

Example 15 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 12-14, optionally in combination with a second portion of the shoe upper and a second of the plurality of lace guides. A second elastic member extending between the string guides may be included.

Example 16 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, one or any combination of Examples 12-15, optionally providing a varying modulus of elasticity to change a fit characteristic of the shoe upper. and a first elastic member interchangeable with different elastic members.

Example 17 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 12-16, optionally configured to smooth a torque versus string displacement curve during tightening of the string cable. It may include a first elastic member capable of functioning.

Example 18 is a shoe assembly comprising: a sole structure; A shoe upper defining a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, the shoe upper connected to the sole structure to define an interior space for receiving a foot, the shoe upper extending into the interior space a shoe upper defining a collar to allow access of the shoe; a lace drive engine disposed within the sole structure; A lace drive system comprising: a lace cable having medial and lateral ends secured to the shoe upper and a middle portion passing through the lace drive engine; and a plurality of lace guides for routing the lace cable along the shoe upper between the medial and lateral ends and the lace drive engine; and a heel channel connected to the heel portion and configured to facilitate access to the interior space. there is.

Example 19 includes, or may be optionally combined with, the subject matter of example 18, and optionally comprising a heel channel that may include an elastic member engaging a medial portion and a lateral portion of the heel portion. can

Example 20 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 18 or 19, optionally coupled to the shoe assembly and during tightening of the lace cable. and an elastic member, which functions to smooth the torque versus string displacement curve.

Example 21 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 18-20, optionally including a heel channel, which may include a zipper.

Example 22 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 18-21, optionally located on the medial portion and the lateral portion of the heel portion, respectively. , a heel channel, which may include strips of hook and loop fastener material.

Example 23 is a shoe assembly comprising: a sole structure; A shoe upper defining a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, the shoe upper connected to the sole structure to define an interior space for receiving a foot, the shoe upper extending into the interior space a shoe upper defining a collar to allow access of the shoe; a lace drive engine disposed within the sole structure; A lace drive system comprising: a lace cable having medial and lateral ends secured to the shoe upper and a middle portion passing through the lace drive engine; and a plurality of lace guides for routing the lace cable along the shoe upper between the medial and lateral ends and the lace drive engine; and an elastic member coupled to the shoe assembly that functions to smooth a torque versus lace displacement curve during tightening of the lace cable. may be included or used.

Example 24 may include the subject matter of example 23, or optionally in combination with, an elastic member, wherein the string drive engine may be configured to be stretched after tightening the string cable. there is.

Example 25 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23 or 24, optionally having a modulus of elasticity lower than the modulus of elasticity of the shoe upper. member may be included.

Example 26 may include the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-25, optionally including an elastic member, wherein the elastic member may be configured to extend the collar. there is.

Example 27 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-26, optionally comprising: a first lace guide and a second lace guide of the plurality of lace guides; It may include a connectable, elastic member.

Example 28 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-27, optionally being positioned on the medial portion and the lateral portion of the heel portion, respectively. which may include a first lace guide and a second lace guide.

Example 29 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-28, optionally to be positioned on the medial side and lateral side of the shoe upper, respectively, respectively. which may include a first lace guide and a second lace guide.

Example 30 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of any one or any combination of Examples 23-29, optionally in combination with a first lace guide and a second strap guide, optionally capable of floating relative to the shoe upper. 2 may include string guides.

Example 31 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-30, wherein optionally, a first lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is applied to the second of the shoe upper. 1 may include an elastic member that can be connected to the part.

Example 32 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-31, optionally located on the medial side or lateral side of the shoe upper. and a first lace guide positioned on the heel and a first portion of the shoe upper that may be positioned on the heel portion.

Example 33 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-32, optionally located on the medial side or lateral side of the shoe upper. and a first lace guide positioned at a position and a first portion of the shoe upper, and wherein the first portion of the shoe upper may be located at a neck portion.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-33, optionally in combination with a first lace guide and a second strap guide, optionally capable of floating relative to the shoe upper. 2 may include string guides.

Example 35 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-35, optionally capable of connecting a first portion and a second portion of the shoe upper; It may include an elastic member.

Example 36 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-35, and optionally, a first portion of the shoe upper, which may include a lateral side, and and a second portion of the shoe upper that may include a medial side, and wherein the elastic member may extend over the heel portion.

Example 37 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-36, and optionally, a first portion of the shoe upper, which may include a lateral side, and and a second portion of the shoe upper that may include a medial side, and wherein the elastic member may extend over a neck portion of the shoe upper.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 23-37, optionally including a plurality of resilient members, which may be integrated into the string drive system. can do.

Example 39 is a shoe assembly, wherein the shoe upper has a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side each proximally proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion. a shoe upper that extends; a medial tension member secured to the medial side of the upper proximate the toe box; a lateral tension member secured to the lateral side of the upper proximate the toe box; a string cable having a first end attached to the inner tension member and a second end attached to the outer tension member; and a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive a length of the lace cable, the lace cable comprising: A shoelace adjustment, which may include a shoe assembly, comprising a plurality of lace guides, wherein the plurality of lace guides extend through each of the plurality of lace guides to form a pattern along each of the inner side and the outer side. It may contain or use an object such as a device.

Example 40 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of Example 39, optionally in combination with an elastic member to connect the medial side and the lateral side of the shoe upper along a neck region of the shoe upper. It may include a shoe upper, which may further include.

Example 41 includes, or can be optionally combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39 or 40, optionally for the medial side and the lateral side of the shoe upper, respectively. and an inner tension member and an outer tension member, each capable of at least partially floating.

Example 42 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-41, optionally comprising: a lockout zone; and an inner tension member and an outer tension member, each of which may have an extension zone.

Example 43 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-42, optionally in combination with a lockout region connectable to the lace cable and to the shoe upper. It may include a renal zone that may be

Example 44 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-43, and optionally comprising a bottom edge of an stretch region, which may be connected to the shoe upper. can

Example 45 includes the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-44, optionally including a lockout zone, wherein the lockout zone is fully floatable relative to the shoe upper. can do.

Example 46 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-45, and may optionally include a lockout zone, which may include an anti-stretch coating. there is.

Example 47 may include, or optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-46, and optionally, a lockout zone and an stretch zone, which may be comprised of a continuous sheet of material. may include

Example 48 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-47, optionally in the lockout region, separately, the inner tension member and the outer a first end and a second end of the string cable, which may be sewn to a tension member.

Example 49 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of any one or any combination of Examples 39-48, optionally comprising: a lace cable comprising: the medial side of the shoe upper and the lace cable; a first proximal portion connected to the first end; and a second proximal portion connected to a lateral side of the shoe upper and a second end of the lace cable; The first end of the string cable may be connected to the inner tension member, and the second end of the string cable may be connected to the outer tension member.

Example 50 includes the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-49, wherein the lacing cable may optionally traverse a neck region of the shoe upper. It may include a first end and a second end.

Example 51 includes, or can be optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 39-50, and optionally, a lace cable, comprising: a medial side of the shoe upper and a second of the lace cable a first proximal portion connected to the first end; and a second proximal portion connected to a lateral side of the shoe upper and a second end of the lace cable; The first end of the string cable may be connected to the outer tension member, and the second end of the string cable may be connected to the inner tension member.

Example 52 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of any one or any combination of Examples 39-51, optionally comprising: from a pattern formed by an inner portion of the plurality of lace guides: a medial proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable into a position that permits engagement of the lace cable with a lace drive engine disposed within the midsole portion; and an outer proximal lace guide for routing the lace cable in a pattern defined by an outer portion of the plurality of lace guides from a position that allows the lace cable to engage the string drive engine. can do.

Example 53 is a shoe assembly comprising: a sole structure; A shoe upper defining a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, the shoe upper connected to the sole structure to define an interior space for receiving a foot, the shoe upper extending into the interior space a shoe upper defining a collar to allow access of the shoe; a lace drive engine disposed within the sole structure; a medial floating overlay attached to the medial side of the shoe upper proximate the toe box portion; a lateral floating overlay attached to the lateral side of the shoe upper proximate the toe box portion; and a string drive system comprising: a string cable having inner and outer ends secured to the inner and outer floating overlays and an intermediate portion passing through the string drive engine; and a plurality of lace guides for routing the lace cable along the shoe upper between the medial and lateral ends and the lace drive engine. It may include or use an object, such as a shoelace adjustment device, which may include.

Example 54 includes, or can be optionally combined with, the subject matter of example 53, optionally in which an inner end of the lanyard cable connectable to the inner floating overlay and an inner end of the lanyard cable connectable to the outer floating overlay. an outer end of the string cable.

Example 55 may include, or may be optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53 or 54, optionally in a neck region of the shoe upper between the medial side and the lateral side. an inner end and an outer end of the string cable, which may cross the

Example 56 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-55, optionally comprising: an inner end of the lanyard cable connectable to the outer floating overlay; and an outer end of the lanyard cable connectable to the inner floating overlay.

Example 57 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-56, optionally capable of connecting the medial side and the lateral side of the shoe upper , may include an elastic member.

Example 58 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-57, optionally comprising: a lockout zone; and an inner tension member and an outer tension member, each of which may include an elongate zone.

Example 59 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-58, optionally in combination with a lockout region connectable to the lace cable and to the shoe upper. It may include a renal zone that may be

Example 60 may include, or may be optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-59, and optionally comprising a bottom edge of an stretch region, which may be connected to the shoe upper. can

Example 61 includes the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-60, optionally including a lockout zone, wherein the lockout zone is fully floatable relative to the shoe upper. can do.

Example 62 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-61, and may optionally include a lockout zone, which may include an anti-stretch coating. there is.

Example 63 may include, or optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-62, and optionally, a lockout zone and an stretch zone, which may be comprised of a continuous sheet of material. may include

Example 64 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 53-63, optionally in a lockout zone, separately, the inner tension member and the outer an inner end and an outer end of the lanyard cable, which may be sewn to a tension member.

Example 65 is a shoe assembly comprising a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel portion, wherein the medial side and the lateral side are each proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion a shoe upper extending to and forming a neck region of the shoe upper; a medial tension member secured to the medial side of the upper proximate the toe box; a lateral tension member secured to the lateral side of the upper proximate the toe box; a string cable having a first end attached to the inner tension member and a second end attached to the outer tension member; and a plurality of lace guides distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, wherein the lace cable comprises: from the first end at the medial tension member, across the neck region, and one or more lace guides; along the outer side through; and wherein the lace cable extends from the second end at the lateral tension member, across the neck region, and along the medial side through one or more lace guides. It may include or use an object such as a shoelace adjustment device.

Example 66 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of Example 65, optionally in combination with an elastic member connecting the medial side and the lateral side of the shoe upper along the neck region of the shoe upper. It may include a shoe upper, which may further include.

Example 67 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 65 or 66, optionally for the medial side and the lateral side of the shoe upper, respectively. and an inner tension member and an outer tension member, each capable of at least partially floating.

Example 68 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of, or optionally combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 65-67, optionally comprising: a rigid lockout zone; and an inner tension member and an outer tension member, each of which may have an elastic stretch zone.

Example 69 may include, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 65-68, optionally in combination with a lockout region connectable to the lace cable and a lockout region connectable to the lace cable and to the shoe upper. It may include a renal zone that may be

Example 70 includes, or can optionally be combined with, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 65-68, wherein the lockout zone and the stretch zone can optionally be comprised of a continuous sheet of material. may include

additional details

Throughout this specification, multiple instances may implement elements, operations, or structures that are described as a single instance. Although individual acts of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate acts, one or more of the separate acts may be performed concurrently, and the acts need not be performed in the order shown. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in the example configurations may be implemented as combined structures or components. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as single components may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

Although the summary of the subject matter of the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broad scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. These embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention are used herein for convenience only and without the intention of voluntarily limiting the scope of the present application to any single disclosure or conception of the invention, even where more than one is actually disclosed, the term "invention" is used herein. may be referred to individually or collectively.

The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed teachings. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom so that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments includes equivalents of the full scope to which the disclosed subject matter is entitled.

As used herein, the term “or” may be interpreted in an inclusive or exclusive sense. Additionally, multiple instances may be provided for a resource, operation, or structure described herein as a single instance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and specific operations are illustrated with respect to specific example configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of various embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate resources in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single resource may be implemented as separate resources. These and other variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as expressed by the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Each of these non-limiting examples may exist on its own, or may be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more other examples.

The above detailed description includes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples”. Such examples may include elements other than those shown or described. However, the inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. In addition, the inventors also contemplate those elements (or Examples using any combination or permutation of one or more aspects thereof) are contemplated.

In case of any inconsistency of usage between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document shall prevail.

In this document, the term "indefinite article" is intended to include one or more than one, regardless of any other instances or usages of "at least one" or "one or more" as commonly used in patent documents. used In this document, the term "or", unless otherwise indicated, refers to non-exclusive or "A or B" is "A but not B", "B but not A" and "A and B" used to include ". In this document, the terms "comprising" and "in which" are used as the plain English equivalent of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein". Also in the following claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open ended, i.e., a system comprising elements other than those listed after such terms in the claim; A device, article, composition, formulation or process is still considered to be within the scope of the scope of its claims. Also, in the following claims, terms such as "first", "second" and "third" are used only as labels and are not intended to impose a numerical requirement on their purposes.

Method (process) examples described herein, such as shoe assembly examples, may include, at least in part, mechanical or robotic implementations.

The above description is not intended to be limiting, but rather illustrative. For example, the examples described above (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments may be utilized by, for example, one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. An abstract, where provided, is included in order to enable the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the detailed description above, various features may be grouped together to streamline the present disclosure. It should not be construed as intended to imply that unclaimed disclosure features are essential to every claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments may be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. do. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims have rights.

Claims (19)

A shoe assembly comprising:
A shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side, a heel portion, and a neck positioned between the medial side and the lateral side, the medial side and the lateral side each proximally proximal to the toe box portion a shoe upper extending from the heel portion;
a first lace cable having a first distal end secured to the shoe upper at the toe box portion;
a second lace cable having a second distal end secured to the medial side or the lateral side of the shoe upper between the toe box portion and the heel portion;
a first plurality of string guides distributed along at least one of the inner side and the outer side, wherein each string guide of the first plurality of string guides is adapted to receive a length of the first string cable , a first plurality of string guides; and
a second plurality of string guides distributed along at least one of the inner side and the outer side, wherein each string guide of the second plurality of string guides is adapted to receive a length of the second string cable , a second plurality of string guides
A shoe assembly comprising a. According to claim 1,
and the first lace cable includes a segment extending parallel to the neck portion. 3. The method of claim 2,
and the first lace cable is secured proximate to the distal portion of the neck portion. According to claim 1,
the first string cable traverses the neck portion at least once; And
and the second lace cable traverses the neck portion multiple times. According to claim 1,
and the second lace cable includes a segment extending parallel to the neck portion. 6. The method of claim 5,
and the second lace cable is secured proximate to a middle portion of the neck portion. According to claim 1,
the first string cable traverses the neck portion several times; And
and the second lace cable does not cross the neck portion. According to claim 1,
wherein the first plurality of lace guides and the second plurality of lace guides share at least one common lace guide. 9. The method of claim 8,
and the at least one common lace guide comprises a double-sided lace guide attached to a tongue of the shoe upper. According to claim 1,
and at least one of the first plurality of lace guides and the second plurality of lace guides comprises an open channel lace guide. According to claim 1,
and the proximal ends of the first and second lace cables are secured to a lace drive engine disposed in a sole structure attached to the shoe upper. 12. The method of claim 11,
The first length of the first string cable between the proximal end of the first string cable and the first distal end is a second length of the second string cable between the proximal end of the second string cable and the second distal end. different from the length. A shoe assembly comprising:
a shoe upper having a toe box portion, a medial side, a lateral side and a heel portion, the medial side and the lateral side each extending proximally from the toe box portion to the heel portion; and
As a string drive system:
a proximal lacing region configured to tighten the midfoot region of the shoe upper; and
a distal lace region configured to tighten the forefoot region of the shoe upper distal to the proximal lace region
A string drive system comprising:
A shoe assembly comprising a. 14. The method of claim 13,
The string drive system comprises:
a first lace cable segment having a first end secured to the shoe upper at the toe box portion; and
a second lace cable segment having a second end secured to the medial side or the lateral side of the shoe upper between the toe box portion and the heel portion
The shoe assembly further comprising a. 15. The method of claim 14,
and the proximal ends of the first and second lace cable segments are secured to a lace drive engine disposed in a sole structure attached to the shoe upper. 15. The method of claim 14,
The string drive system comprises:
a first plurality of lace guides distributed along at least one of the medial side and the lateral side, wherein each lace guide of the first plurality of lace guides is adapted to receive the first lace cable segment; a first plurality of string guides; and
a second plurality of lace guides distributed along at least one of the medial side and the lateral side, each lace guide of the second plurality of lace guides adapted to receive the second lace cable segment; second plurality of string guides
The shoe assembly further comprising a. 14. The method of claim 13,
wherein one of the distal lace region and the proximal lace region has a lace segment extending parallel to a neck region of the shoe upper. 14. The method of claim 13,
and one of the distal lace region and the proximal lace region is longer than the other. 14. The method of claim 13,
and the distal lace region and the proximal lace region share a common lace guide attached to a tongue of the shoe upper.

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