U.S. patent application number 17/499457 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-14 for article of footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is NIKE, Inc.. Invention is credited to Neil Crumbleholme, Joel Ryp Greenspan, Peter Lam, Timothy J. Smith, Matthew Tegenkamp.
Application Number | 20220110401 17/499457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006041608 |
Filed Date | 2022-04-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220110401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crumbleholme; Neil ; et
al. |
April 14, 2022 |
Article of Footwear
Abstract
An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The sole
structure includes a plate having a first surface defining a
ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an
opposite side of the plate than the first surface. The plate
includes a recess formed into the second surface, which is defined
by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall. The
plate includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel,
and a fourth channel each extending from and in fluid communication
with the recess. The first channel, a second channel, a third
channel, and a fourth channel cooperate with the recess to form a
substantially H-shaped structure in the second surface. The article
of footwear also includes a cable lock disposed within the recess.
The cable lock includes a housing disposed in the recess and a
plurality of cable elements received within the channels.
Inventors: |
Crumbleholme; Neil; (Lake
Oswego, OR) ; Greenspan; Joel Ryp; (Portland, OR)
; Lam; Peter; (Portland, OR) ; Smith; Timothy
J.; (Portland, OR) ; Tegenkamp; Matthew;
(Beaverton, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKE, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIKE, Inc.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
1000006041608 |
Appl. No.: |
17/499457 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63090969 |
Oct 13, 2020 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20130101;
A43B 3/34 20220101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/34 20060101
A43B003/34; A43B 13/14 20060101 A43B013/14 |
Claims
1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure
comprising: a plate including a first surface defining a
ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an
opposite side of the plate than the first surface; a recess formed
into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall and a
second sidewall; and a cable lock disposed within the recess and
including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second
sidewall.
2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the recess is further
defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first
sidewall and the second sidewall.
3. The sole structure of claim 2, wherein the housing is in contact
with the bottom wall.
4. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising a first
channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess,
the first channel operable to receive a cable therein.
5. The sole structure of claim 4, further comprising a second
channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess,
the second channel operable to receive a cable therein.
6. The sole structure of claim 5, wherein the second channel
extends transverse to the first channel.
7. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall and
the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii)
diametrically opposed to one another.
8. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising a projection
extending from the first surface, a portion of the projection being
formed by and having the shape of the recess.
9. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plate is formed from
a rigid material.
10. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the recess is disposed
in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.
11. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising
ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.
12. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of
claim 1.
13. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure
comprising: a plate including a first surface defining a
ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an
opposite side of the plate than the first surface; a recess formed
into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a second
sidewall, and a bottom wall extending between and connecting the
first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a first channel
extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the
first channel extending away from the recess along an axis that is
either (i) substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall or
(ii) substantially parallel to the first sidewall.
14. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the recess is further
defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first
sidewall and the second sidewall.
15. The sole structure of claim 14, further comprising a cable lock
disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the
first sidewall and the second sidewall.
16. The sole structure of claim 15, further comprising a first
cable element extending from the cable lock, the first cable
element being received by the first channel.
17. The sole structure of claim 16, further comprising a second
cable element extending from the cable lock, the second cable
element being received by a second channel.
18. The sole structure of claim 17, wherein the second channel
extends substantially perpendicular to the first channel.
19. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the first sidewall and
the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii)
diametrically opposed to one another.
20. The sole structure of claim 13, further comprising a projection
extending from the first surface, the projection being formed by
and having the shape of the recess.
21. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the plate is formed
from a rigid material.
22. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the recess is disposed
in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.
23. The sole structure of claim 13, further comprising
ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.
24. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of
claim 13.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/090,969, filed on
Oct. 13, 2020. The disclosure of this prior application is
considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an article of
footwear.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Articles of footwear conventionally include an upper and a
sole structure. The upper may be formed from any suitable
material(s) to receive, secure and support a foot on the sole
structure. A bottom portion of the upper, proximate to a bottom
surface of the foot, attaches to the sole structure. Sole
structures generally include a layered arrangement extending
between an outsole providing abrasion-resistance and traction with
a ground surface and a midsole disposed between the outsole and the
upper for providing cushioning for the foot.
[0005] The upper may cooperate with laces, straps, or other
fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. For
instance, laces may be tightened to close the upper around the foot
and tied once a desired fit of the upper around the foot is
attained. Care is required to ensure that the upper is not too
loose or too tight around the foot each time the laces are tied.
Moreover, the laces may loosen or become untied during wear of the
footwear. While fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners are
easier and quicker to operate than traditional laces, these
fasteners have a propensity to wear out over time and require more
attention to attain a desired tension when securing the upper to
the foot.
[0006] Known automated tightening systems typically include a
tightening mechanism, such as a rotatable knob, that can be
manipulated to apply tension to one or more cables that interact
with the upper for closing the upper around a foot. While these
automated tightening systems can incrementally increase the
magnitude of tension of the one or more cables to achieve a desired
fit of the upper around a foot, they require a time-consuming task
of manipulating the tightening mechanism to properly tension the
cables for securing the upper around the foot. Further, when it is
desired to remove the footwear from the foot, the wearer is
required to simultaneously depress a release mechanism and pull the
upper away from the foot to release the tension of the cables.
Additionally, conventional automated tightening systems provide a
constant tensioning along the lengths of the one or more cables,
whereby rotation of the rotatable knob causes the entire cable to
be tightened uniformly. In instances where it may be desirable to
tighten a first region of the upper more than a second region of
the upper, additional cables and tightening mechanisms must be
incorporated and controlled separately.
[0007] Thus, known automated tightening systems lack suitable
provisions for both quickly and variably adjusting the tension of
cables to close an upper around a foot and do not allow a wearer to
quickly release the tension applied to the cables so that the upper
can be quickly loosened for removing the footwear from the foot.
Moreover, the tightening mechanism employed by these known
automated tightening systems is required to be incorporated onto an
exterior of the upper so that the tightening mechanism is
accessible to the wearer for adjusting the fit of the upper around
the foot, thereby detracting from the general appearance and
aesthetics of the footwear.
DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected configurations and not all possible
implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a lateral side, exploded elevation view of an
article of footwear in accordance with principles of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a medial side elevation view of the article of
footwear of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a medial side elevation view of the article of
footwear of FIG. 1, where a shroud of the article of footwear is
removed for clarity;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the article of
footwear of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear
of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the article
of footwear of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of the article of
footwear of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the article of footwear of
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a sole structure of the article
of footwear of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of
FIG. 8, taken along Line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of
FIG. 8, taken along Line 10-10 of FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of
FIG. 8, taken along Line 11-11 of FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of
FIG. 8, taken along Line 12-12 of FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of
FIG. 8, taken along Line 13-13 of FIG. 8;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear in
accordance with principles of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of
FIG. 14;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear
of FIG. 14;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear in
accordance with principles of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of
FIG. 17;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear
of FIG. 17;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a lateral side, exploded elevation view of an
article of footwear in accordance with principles of the present
disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 21 is a medial side elevation view of the article of
footwear of FIG. 20, where a shroud of the article of footwear is
removed for clarity;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the article of
footwear of FIG. 20;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear
of FIG. 20;
[0033] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an example of a tensioning
device according to the principles of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the tensioning device of FIG.
24;
[0035] FIG. 26 is a top view of the tensioning device of FIG. 24,
showing a housing having a lid removed to expose a locking member
slidably disposed within the housing when the locking member is in
a locked position;
[0036] FIG. 27 is a top view of the locking device of FIG. 24,
showing a housing having a lid removed to expose a locking member
slidably disposed within the housing when the locking member is in
an unlocked position;
[0037] FIG. 28 is an exploded view of a tensioning device in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the tensioning device of
FIG. 28;
[0039] FIG. 30 is a top view of the tensioning device of FIG. 28,
where internal components of the tensioning device are hidden to
show a construction of a housing of the tensioning device;
[0040] FIG. 31 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tensioning
device of FIG. 28, showing the tensioning device in a locked
position; and
[0041] FIG. 32 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tensioning
device of FIG. 28, showing the tensioning device in an unlocked
position.
[0042] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Example configurations will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully
convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in
the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of
specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough
understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific
details need not be employed, that example configurations may be
embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and
the example configurations should not be construed to limit the
scope of the disclosure.
[0044] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a," "an," and
"the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations,
elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other features, steps, operations,
elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps,
processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed
as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an
order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
[0045] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to"
another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged,
connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or
intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged
to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening
elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the
relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like
fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent"
versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items.
[0046] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to
describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a
sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a
first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below
could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or
section without departing from the teachings of the example
configurations.
[0047] The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure
are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description
below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent
from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1-13, an example of an article of
footwear 10 including a system providing for variable tension is
disclosed. In some implementations, the article of footwear 10
includes a sole structure 100 and an upper 200 attached to the sole
structure 100. The article of footwear 10 further includes a
tensioning system 300 and a tensioning device 400 each integrated
into at least one of the sole structure 100 and the upper 200. The
tensioning system 300 includes a cable 302 routed along the upper
200 and configured to manage the tension of the upper 200. The
upper 200, the tensioning system 300, and the tensioning device 400
cooperate to move the article of footwear 10 between a relaxed
state and a tightened state. Particularly, the cable 302 is movable
in a tightening direction D.sub.T to move the article of footwear
10 into the tightened state, and in a loosening direction D.sub.L
to move the article of footwear 10 into the loosened state. In some
implementations, the sole structure 100 and the upper 200 cooperate
to provide passages and guides for routing portions of the cable
302 through the tensioning device 400. The tensioning device 400 is
configured to selectively move and secure the cable 302 in the
tightened state.
[0049] The article of footwear 10, and components thereof, may be
described as including an anterior end 12 associated with a
forward-most point of the footwear 10, and a posterior end 14
corresponding to a rearward-most point of the footwear 10. As shown
in the bottom view of FIG. 7, a longitudinal axis A.sub.10 of the
footwear 10 extends along a length of the footwear 10 from the
anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14, and generally divides the
footwear 10 into a lateral side 16 and a medial side 18.
Accordingly, the lateral side 16 and the medial side 18
respectively correspond with opposite sides of the footwear 10 and
extend from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14.
[0050] The article of footwear 10 may be divided into one or more
regions along the longitudinal axis A.sub.10. The regions may
include a forefoot region 20, a mid-foot region 22, and a heel
region 24. The forefoot region 20 may correspond with toes and
joints connecting metatarsal bones with phalanx bones of a foot.
The mid-foot region 22 may correspond with an arch area of the
foot, and the heel region 24 may correspond with rear regions of
the foot, including a calcaneus bone.
[0051] The article of footwear 10, and more particularly, the sole
structure 100, may be further described as including a peripheral
region 26 and an interior region 28, as indicated in FIG. 8. The
peripheral region 26 is generally described as being a region
between the interior region 28 and an outer perimeter of the sole
structure 100. Particularly, the peripheral region 26 extends from
the forefoot region 20 to the heel region 24 along each of the
lateral side 16 and the medial side 18, and wraps around each of
the forefoot region 20 and the heel region 24. The interior region
28 is circumscribed by the peripheral region 26, and extends from
the forefoot region 20 to the heel region 24 along a central
portion of the sole structure 100. Accordingly, each of the
forefoot region 20, the mid-foot region 22, and the heel region 24
may be described as including the peripheral region 26 and the
interior region 28.
[0052] The sole structure 100 of the present disclosure includes an
outsole 102 and a heel counter 104. The outsole 102 and the heel
counter 104 may be formed as separate components and joined
together using a fastening means, such as an adhesive or welding
process. Accordingly, the outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may
include different materials. For example, the outsole 102 may
include a material having a different hardness and/or stiffness
than the heel counter 104. In one example, the outsole 102 includes
a rigid material having a greater hardness than the heel counter
104. Alternatively, the outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may be
integrally formed of a continuous and unitary (i.e., seamless)
piece of material. Optionally, the sole structure 100 may also
include a plurality of traction elements 106a-106c extending from
the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the traction elements
106a-106c are integrally formed with the outsole 102. Particularly,
the traction elements 106a-106c are formed of the same material as
the outsole 102 using a molding process.
[0053] With particular reference to FIGS. 8-13, the outsole 102 of
the sole structure 100 extends from a first end 110 at the anterior
end 12 of the footwear 10 to a second end 112 at the posterior end
14 of the footwear 10. The outsole 102 further includes an inner
surface 114, an outer surface 116 formed on an opposite side of the
outsole 102 from the inner surface 114, and a peripheral edge 118
connecting the inner surface 114 and the outer surface 116. The
inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 is configured to face the
upper 200 when the footwear 10 is assembled, such that the inner
surface 114 supports the plantar surface of the foot. Conversely,
the outer surface 116 faces away from the upper 200 and defines a
ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear 10. A distance
from the inner surface 114 to the bottom surface 116 defines a
thickness T102 of the outsole 102.
[0054] The outsole 102 includes a support bed 120 formed in the
interior region 28 and a peripheral lip 122 extending around the
support bed 120 in the peripheral region 26. The support bed 120
provides vertical (e.g., normal to the ground surface) support
along the plantar surface of the foot while the peripheral lip 122
provides lateral support along an outer periphery of the foot.
Accordingly, the support bed 120 is a substantially straight
portion of the outsole 102 and the peripheral lip 122 curves
upwardly around the outer periphery of the support bed 120.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 13, the support bed 120 and the peripheral
lip 122 cooperate to provide the inner surface 114 with a concave
profile along a lateral direction (i.e., from the lateral side 16
to the medial side 18) and along a longitudinal direction (i.e.,
from the first end 110 to the second end 112). However, the
curvature of the inner surface 114 may be variable, wherein the
portion of the inner surface 114 defining the support bed 120 has a
radius R1 that is greater than a radius R2 of the portion of the
inner surface 114 defining the peripheral lip 122. Thus, the
portion of the inner surface 114 extending along the support bed
120 may be flat or slightly concave, while the portion of the inner
surface 114 forming the peripheral lip 122 is more concave.
[0056] On the opposite side of the outsole 102, the outer surface
116 has a generally convex profile along the lateral direction.
Like the inner surface 114, the portion of the outer surface 116
defining the support bed 120 has a radius R3 that is greater than
radius R4 of the portion of the outer surface 116 forming the
peripheral lip 122. Accordingly, the outer surface 116 is flatter
across the interior region 28 and curves upwardly in the peripheral
region 26.
[0057] As discussed previously, the thickness T102 of the outsole
102 is defined by the distance from the inner surface 114 to the
outer surface 116. In some portions of the outsole 102, the
thickness T102 may be variable across a width of the outsole 102.
For example, the thickness T1o2 may be greater in the interior
region 28 than in the peripheral region 26. As shown in FIG. 13,
the radius R3 of the outer surface 116 may be less than the radius
R1 of the inner surface 114 such that the outer surface 116
converges with the inner surface 114 in a direction towards the
peripheral region 26.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 8-13, the support bed 120 of the outsole
102 includes a recess 124 formed in the inner surface 114, which is
configured to receive the tensioning device 400. In the illustrated
example, the recess 124 is disposed in the mid-foot region 22 and
is configured to receive a rectangular housing 402 of a tensioning
device 400. In other examples, at least a portion of the recess 124
may be disposed in other regions 20, 24 of the outsole 102 and/or
the shape of the recess 124 may be modified to accommodate a
tensioning device 400 having a housing 402 with a different
geometry.
[0059] As shown, the recess 124 is defined, in part, by an opposing
(i.e., facing) pair of parallel sidewalls 126a, 126b extending
along the longitudinal direction and an opposing pair of parallel
end walls 128a, 128b extending between the sidewalls 126a, 126b.
Each of the sidewalls 126a, 126b and the end walls 128a, 128b is
substantially planar, whereby the sidewalls 126a, 126b are
diametrically opposed (i.e., completely and directly facing) to
each other and the end walls 128a, 128b are diametrically opposed
to each other. The sidewalls 126a, 126b and the end walls 128a,
128b extend from the inner surface 114 to a bottom wall 130, which
defines a bottom surface of the recess 124. In other words, a
distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom wall 130 defines
a depth D124 of the recess 124. In the illustrated example, the
depth D124 of the recess 124 is configured such that the tensioning
device 400 is flush with the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102
when the tensioning device 400 is received against the bottom wall
130 within the recess 124.
[0060] The outsole 102 further includes a plurality of cable
channels 132a-132d each extending from and in fluid communication
with the recess 124. The channels 132a-132d are configured to
receive respective portions of the cable 302 of the tensioning
system 300 for routing the cable 302 between the tensioning device
400 and the upper 200. The cable channels 132a-132d may be
described as including a pair of tensioning element channels 132a,
132b extending from an anterior portion of the recess 124, and a
pair of control element channels 132c, 132d extending from a
posterior portion of the recess 124. The tensioning element
channels 132a, 132b include a lateral tensioning element channel
132a extending from the lateral sidewall 126a of the recess 124,
and a medial tensioning element channel 132b extending from the
medial sidewall 126b of the recess 124. Similarly, the control
element channels 132c, 132d include a lateral control element
channel 132c extending from the lateral sidewall 126a of the recess
124, and a medial control element channel 132d extending from the
medial sidewall 126b of the recess 124.
[0061] A length of each of the channels 132a-132d extends from the
recess 124 towards the peripheral edge 118. Particularly, each of
the channels 132a-132d extends from a first end 134a-134d at one of
the sidewalls 126a, 126b of the recess 124 towards one of the
lateral side 16 or the medial side 18, and terminates at a distal
end 136a-136d within the support bed 120 and adjacent to the
peripheral lip 122. As best shown in FIG. 8, each channel 132a-132d
extends at an oblique angle relative to a length of the recess 124
(i.e., the direction from the anterior end wall 128a to the
posterior end wall 128b). Specifically, each channel 132a-132d is
angled towards the posterior end 14 along a direction from the
recess 124 to the peripheral lip 122. Accordingly, the channels
132a, 132c extending from the lateral sidewall 126a of the recess
124 are transverse to the channels 132b, 132d extending from the
medial sidewall 126b of the recess 124.
[0062] In the illustrated example, each of the channels 132a-132d
has a substantially rectangular cross-section defined by an
anterior sidewall 138a-138d, a posterior sidewall 140a-140d
opposing (i.e., facing) the anterior sidewall 138a-138d, and a
bottom wall 142a-142d extending between the respective sidewalls
138a-138d, 140a-140d. Depths of the channels 132a-132d are defined
by the distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom walls
142-142d. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the depths of the tensioning
element channels 132a, 132b taper along the length of the channel
132a, 132b (i.e., a direction from the recess 124 towards the
peripheral edge 118). The depths of the control element channels
132c, 132d taper in the same manner. Particularly, the depth of
each channel 132a-132d is equal to the depth D124 of the recess 124
at the first end 134a-134d and tapers to zero (0) at the second end
136a-136d. In other words, the bottom walls 142a-142d of the
channels 132a-132d are flush with the bottom wall 130 of the recess
124 at the first end 134a-134d of each channel 132a-132d and
converge with and terminate at the inner surface 114 adjacent to
the peripheral lip 122.
[0063] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the anterior sidewalls 138a, 138b
of the tensioning element channels 132a, 132b are flush with the
anterior end wall 128a of the recess 124, while the posterior
sidewalls 140c, 140d of the control element channels 132c, 132d are
flush with the posterior end wall 128b of the recess 124 such that
the channels 132a-132d are disposed at opposite ends of the recess
124. However, optionally, the channels 132a-132d may be spaced
apart or offset from the end walls 128a, 128b of the recess
124.
[0064] With continued reference to FIGS. 8-12, the inner surface
114 of the outsole 102 further includes a release cord channel 144
configured to route a release cord 404 of the tensioning device 400
through the outsole 102 from the recess 124 to the upper 200. While
the release cord channel 144 may extend from and be in fluid
communication with the recess 124 via any one of the sidewalls
126a, 126b or end walls 128a, 128b, the release cord channel 144 of
the illustrated example extends from the posterior end wall 128b of
the recess 124.
[0065] A length of the release cord channel 144 extends from a
first end 146 at the posterior end wall 128b to a distal end 148
adjacent to the peripheral lip 122 at the second end 112 of the
outsole 102. Thus, the length of the release cord channel 144
extends in a direction transverse to the lengths of each of the
cable channels 132a-132d. Optionally, the release cord channel 144
may include a first portion 150 extending from the posterior end
wall 128b substantially parallel to the length of the recess 124,
and a second portion 152 extending from the first portion 150 to
the distal end 148 at an oblique angle relative to the first
portion 150. In the illustrated example, the second portion 152 of
the release cord channel 144 extends at an oblique angle from the
first portion 150 and towards the lateral side 16. Accordingly, the
distal end 148 of the release cord channel 144 is disposed adjacent
to the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 at the second end 112
and on the lateral side 16.
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the release cord channel 144 has a
polygonal cross-sectional shape defined by a pair of sidewalls
154a, 154b and a bottom wall 156. Unlike the sidewalls 138a-138d,
140a-140d of the cable channels 132a-132d, which are substantially
parallel and define a rectangular cross section, the sidewalls
154a, 154b of the release cord channel 144 converge with each other
along a direction from the inner surface 114 to the bottom wall
156, providing the channel with a V-shaped cross-section. As shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12, the bottom wall 156 is offset from the bottom
wall 130 of the recess 124 such that a depth of the release cord
channel 144, defined as the distance from the inner surface 114 to
the bottom wall 156, is less than the depth D130 of the recess
124.
[0067] While the recess 124 and channels 132a-132d, 144 are defined
within the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102, the thickness T102
of the outsole 102 may be configured such that the walls of the
recess 124 and channels 132a-132d, 144 are pronounced on the outer
surface 116 of the outsole 102. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7 and
10-12, the geometries of the recess 124 and channels 132a-132d, 144
form a projection 125 extending from the outer surface 116. The
projection 125 has a shape or profile corresponding to the shape
and profile of the recess 124 and channels 132a-132d, 144. For
example, the projection 125 of the current example includes a
rectangular portion corresponding in shape to the rectangular
recess 124, and a plurality of elongate portions corresponding in
shape to the elongate channels 132a-132d, 144. As shown, the
projection 125 may be described as having a substantially H-shaped
profile including the portions corresponding to the recess 124 and
the channels 132a-132d. The projection 125 cooperates with the
bottom surface 116 of the outsole 102 to form a portion of the
ground-engaging surface of the outsole 102.
[0068] As previously mentioned, the sole structure 100 may include
a plurality of traction elements 106a-106c extending from the outer
surface 116 of the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the
traction elements 106a-106c are integrally molded with the outsole
102 and extend from the support bed 120. While the traction
elements 106a-106c of the present disclosure are formed as hollow
bodies or shells including cavities extending from the inner
surface 114 of the outsole 102, in other examples, the traction
elements 106a-106c may be solid bodies extending from the outer
surface 116.
[0069] The traction elements 106a-106c of the present disclosure
include a plurality of chevron-shaped traction elements 106a
arranged in series along the lateral side 16 of the outsole 102, a
series of hex-shaped traction elements 106b arranged in series
along the medial side 18 of the outsole 102, and a pair of straight
traction element 106c disposed between the lateral and medial sides
16, 18 in the forefoot region 20 of the outsole 102. The outsole
102 may be described as including a forefoot traction element set
108a including four of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106a,
four of the hex-shaped traction elements 106b, and the straight
traction elements 106c. The outsole 102 also includes a heel
traction element set 108b including a pair of the chevron-shaped
traction elements 106a and a pair of the hex-shaped traction
elements 106b.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 124 and cable channels
132a-132d are disposed in the mid-foot region 22, between the
forefoot traction element set 108a and the heel traction element
set 108b. The release cord channel 144 intersects the heel traction
element set 108b in the heel region 24 and extends between the
chevron-shaped traction elements 106a on the lateral side 16 and
the hex-shaped traction elements 106b on the medial side 18.
[0071] Optionally, the bottom surface 116 of the outsole 102 may
include traction pads 158a-158c surrounding one or more of the
traction elements 106a-106c. In the illustrated example, the bottom
surface includes a triangular first traction pad 158a surrounding
one of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106a at the anterior
end 12 on the lateral side 16, a triangular second traction pad
158b surrounding a pair of the hex-shaped traction elements 106b at
the anterior end 12 on the medial side 18, and a hexagonal third
traction pad 158c surrounding one of the hex-shaped traction
elements 106b and one of the straight traction elements 106c on the
medial side 18. The traction pads 158a-158c are substantially flush
with the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102, and include a
textured pattern. In the illustrated example, the traction pads
158a-158c have a honeycomb pattern (FIG. 7).
[0072] As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heel counter 104 of the
sole structure 100 is attached to and extends from the peripheral
lip 122 of the outsole 102 in the heel region 24. Generally, the
heel counter 104 includes an inner surface 160 that is flush and
continuous with the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102, and an
outer surface 162 that is flush and continuous with the outer
surface 116 of the outsole 102. A distance from the inner surface
160 to the outer surface 162 defines a thickness T104 of the heel
counter 104. As set forth above, the heel counter 104 may include a
material having a lesser hardness and/or stiffness than the
material of the outsole 102. Accordingly, the heel counter 104 may
be formed independently from the outsole 102 and attached to the
outsole 102 using a fastening means, such as an adhesive or melding
process. As best shown in FIG. 9, the heel counter 104 includes a
bottom edge 164 attached to the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole
102, and a terminal upper edge 166 disposed at an opposite end from
the bottom edge 164. Referring to FIG. 6, a length of the heel
counter 104 extends around the posterior end 14 from a lateral end
168 on the lateral side 16 to a medial end 170 on the medial side
18.
[0073] In the illustrated example, an attachment interface between
the heel counter 104 and the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102
forms a lap joint between the heel counter 104 and the outsole 102.
Particularly, a portion of the outer surface 162 adjacent to the
bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 is recessed to form a tab
172 along the bottom portion of the outsole 102. Likewise, the
peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 may have a groove 174 having
a depth and profile corresponding to the thickness and profile of
the tab 172. When the sole structure 100 is assembled, the tab 172
is disposed within the groove 174 such that the lower portion of
the heel counter 104 overlaps the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole
102. Here, the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 is flush and
continuous with the inner surface 160 of the heel counter 104 at
the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 and the outer surface
116 of the outsole 102 is flush and continuous with the outer
surface 162 of the heel counter 104 at the peripheral edge 118 of
the outsole 102. In other examples, the heel counter 104 may be
joined to the outsole 102 by other joint configurations, such as a
butt joint between the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 and
the peripheral edge 118 of the outsole 102.
[0074] With reference to FIG. 4, the heel counter 104 includes an
opening 176 formed through the thickness T104 of the heel counter
104. As discussed in greater detail below, the opening 176 provides
access to a tightening grip 340 of the tensioning system 300
through the heel counter 104. In the illustrated example, the
opening 176 is fully bounded by the heel counter 104. The opening
176 may have a substantially rectangular shape including a straight
first end 178a on the lateral side 16, a straight second end 178b
on the medial side 18, and lower and upper edges 180a, 180b
extending between the ends 178a, 178b. Optionally, at least one of
the lower and upper edges 180a, 180b may include a relief 182
configured to provide a gap or space for inserting a finger between
the tightening grip 340 and the upper 200. In the illustrated
example, the relief 182 is an arcuate relief 182 formed in the
lower edge 180a.
[0075] The upper 200 includes an enclosure 202 having a plurality
of components that cooperate to define an interior void 204 and an
ankle opening 206, which cooperate to receive and secure a foot for
support on the sole structure 100. For example, the upper 200
includes a pair of quarter panels 208 in the mid-foot region 22 on
opposite sides of the interior void 204. A throat 210 extends
across the top of the upper 200 and defines an instep region
extending between the quarter panels 208 from the ankle opening 206
to the forefoot region 20. In the illustrated example, the throat
210 is enclosed with a material panel extending between the
opposing quarter panels 208 in the instep region to cover the
interior void 204. Here, the material panel covering the throat 210
may be formed of a material having a higher modulus of elasticity
than the material forming the quarter panels 208.
[0076] The upper 200 of the article of footwear 10 may be further
described as including heel side panels 212 extending through the
heel region 24 along the lateral and medial sides 16, 18 of the
ankle opening 206. A heel counter 214 wraps around the posterior
end 14 of the footwear 10 and connects the heel side panels 212.
Uppermost edges of the throat 210, the heel side panels 208, and
the heel counter 214 cooperate to form a collar 216, which defines
the ankle opening 206 of the interior void 204.
[0077] The components of the enclosure 202 may be formed from one
or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together
to define the interior void 204. Suitable materials of the upper
200 may include, but are not limited to, textiles, foam, leather,
and synthetic leather. The example upper 200 may be formed from a
combination of one or more substantially inelastic or
non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or
stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper
200 to facilitate movement of the article of footwear 10 between
the tightened state and the loosened state. The one or more elastic
materials may include any combination of one or more elastic
fabrics such as, without limitation, spandex, elastane, rubber or
neoprene. The one or more inelastic materials may include any
combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylon,
leather, vinyl, or another material/fabric that does not impart
properties of elasticity.
[0078] The upper 200 may further include a plurality of routing
elements 218a-218e, 220, 222a, 222b configured to interface or
cooperate with the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 to adjust
a fit of the enclosure 202. Particularly, the routing elements
218a-218e, 220, 222a, 222b are configured to convert a tensile
force applied along a length of the cable 302 to directional forces
to move the upper 200 between a relaxed state and a tightened
state. The routing elements include a plurality of tensioning
straps 218a-218e arranged along the forefoot region 20 and the
mid-foot region 22 and configured to route the cable 302 along the
throat 210, a heel strap 220 extending around the heel counter 214
of the upper 200, and one or more cable guides 222a attached at
fixed locations along the enclosure 202.
[0079] As best shown in FIG. 3, the tensioning straps 218a-218e
include a series of medial tensioning straps 218a-218c and a pair
of lateral tensioning straps 218d-218e alternatingly arranged along
the length of the enclosure 202. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the
tensioning straps 218a-218e each extend from a fixed end 224a-224e
to a free end 226a-226e. The fixed end 224a-224e of each tensioning
strap 218a-218e is attached to the enclosure 202 at a bite line 30
between the sole structure 100 and the upper 200, while the free
end 226a-226e is disposed adjacent to the throat 210. As discussed
below, the free end 226a-226e may include a loop or conduit
228a-228e through which the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300
is routed.
[0080] In the illustrated example, each of the tensioning straps
218a-218e includes a pair of segments 230a-230e, 232a-232e attached
to each other at the free end 226a-226e and independently attached
to the enclosure 202 at the fixed end 224a-224e. Each tensioning
strap 218a-218e may be formed of a continuous band, whereby a first
portion or segment 230a-230e of the band extends from a first
attachment point at the fixed end 226a-226e to the free end
226a-226e, where a second portion of segment 232a-232e of the band
is folded back on the first segment 230a-230e to form the loop
228a-228e at the free end 226a-226e. From the free end 226a-226e,
the second segment 232a-232e extends to a second attachment point
at the fixed end 224a-224e. Thus, the fixed end 226a-226e of each
strap 218a-218e may include two independent attachment points at
the bite line 30. In other examples, the tensioning straps
218a-218e may be formed of a single piece or segment extending
between the fixed end 224a-224e and the free end 226a-226e, and/or
the loop 228a-228e may be independently formed and attached to the
free end 226a-226e.
[0081] As previously mentioned, the tensioning straps 218a-218e
include a series of medial tensioning straps 218a-218c arranged
along the medial side 18 and a series of lateral tensioning straps
218d, 218e arranged along the lateral side 16. The lateral
tensioning straps 218d, 218e are offset or staggered along the
length of the throat 210 relative to the medial tensioning straps
218a-218c. Thus, the medial tensioning straps 218a-218c and the
lateral tensioning straps 218d, 218e are alternatingly arranged
along the length of the throat 210.
[0082] As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, a first medial tensioning strap
218a extends from a fixed end 224a attached to the bite line 30 in
a toe portion of the forefoot region 20, to a free end 226a
adjacent to a medial side of the throat 210 in the forefoot region
20. A second medial tensioning strap 218b includes a fixed end 224b
attached to the bite line 30 in the mid-foot region 22 adjacent to
the forefoot region 20, and a free end 226b disposed adjacent to
the medial side of the throat 210 in the mid-foot region 22. A
third medial tensioning strap 218c includes a fixed end 224c
attached to the bite line 30 in the mid-foot region 22 adjacent to
the heel region 24, and a free end 226c disposed adjacent to the
medial side of the throat 210 near the ankle opening 206.
[0083] On the lateral side 16, a first lateral tensioning strap
218d extends from a fixed end 224d attached to the bite line 30 in
a ball portion of the forefoot region 20, to a free end 226d
disposed adjacent to the lateral side of the throat 210. As shown
in FIG. 3, the free end 226d of the first lateral tensioning strap
218d is positioned between the free ends 226a, 226b of the first
and second medial tensioning straps 218a, 218b along the
longitudinal direction. A second lateral tensioning strap 218e
includes a fixed end 224e attached to the bite line 30 in the
mid-foot region 22 adjacent to the heel region 24, and a free end
226d disposed adjacent to the throat 210 on the lateral side 16
near the ankle opening 206. Here, the free end 226e of the second
lateral tensioning strap 218e is aligned with the free end 226c of
the third medial tensioning strap 218c across the throat 210.
[0084] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heel strap 220 extends
around the heel counter 214 of the upper 200 from a first end 234a
located at the heel side panel 212 on the lateral side 16 to a
second end 234b located at the heel side panel 212 on the medial
side 18. Each end 234a, 234b of the heel strap 220 may be attached
the enclosure 202 by a respective harness 236a, 236b. For example,
on the lateral side 16 (FIG. 1), the first end 234a of the heel
strap 220 is attached to the enclosure 202 by a first harness 236a
having an upper tether 238a extending towards the collar 216 and a
lower tether 240a extending to the bite line 30. Similarly, on the
medial side 18 (FIG. 2), the second end of the heel strap 220 is
attached to the enclosure 202 by a second harness 236b having an
upper tether 238b extending towards the collar 216 and a lower
tether 240b extending to the bite line 30. Thus, the heel strap
220, and particularly, the ends 234a, 234b of the heel strap 220,
may not be directly attached to the enclosure 202.
[0085] The upper 200 may include one or more gripping features 242
for manipulating the footwear 10 on the foot. In the illustrated
example, the upper 200 includes a loosening grip 242 attached to
the throat 210 at the anterior end of the ankle opening 206. In
use, the loosening grip 242 may be pulled by a wearer to pull the
throat 210 away from the foot, thereby expanding the size of the
interior void 204 to allow a foot to be inserted and removed.
Optionally, the loosening grip 242 may be attached to a portion of
the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300, such that when the
loosening grip 242 is pulled, a length of the cable 302 extending
along the throat 210 is increased to allow the upper 200 to move to
a relaxed or loosened state.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper 200 may include a shroud 250
covering a portion of the enclosure 202 and the routing elements
218a-218e, 220, 222a, 222b. In the illustrated example, the shroud
250 covers the enclosure 202 in the forefoot region 20 and the
mid-foot region 22, and extends partially along the heel region 24.
Particularly, the shroud 250 extends along the heel side panels 212
and interfaces with the ends 168, 170 of the heel counter 104 of
the sole structure 100 to fully cover the enclosure 202 of the
upper 200. The shroud 250 may be formed of a lightweight,
translucent mesh or film material, such that the routing elements
218a-218e, 220, 222a, 222b are enclosed but visible.
[0087] The upper 200 may also include a support plate 252 disposed
along the medial side of the enclosure 202. Generally, the support
plate 252 is configured to distribute forces applied to the medial
tensioning straps 218a-218c along the medial side of the foot. As
shown, the support plate 252 is attached along the bite line 30 of
the article of footwear 10 and a height of the support plate 252
extends vertically towards the throat 210 and ankle opening 206. In
the illustrated example, the support plate 252 includes an elongate
posterior portion 254 and an angled anterior portion 256. The
posterior portion 254 has a constant height extending towards the
posterior end 14 from a transition portion 258 of the support plate
252 disposed between the second medial tensioning strap 218b and
the third medial tensioning strap 218c. The anterior portion 256
extends at an oblique angle away from the bite line 30 and towards
the anterior end 12, such that the height of the anterior portion
256 increases from the transition portion 258 and is greater than
the height of the posterior portion 254. The anterior portion 256
is disposed between the second medial tensioning strap 218b and the
enclosure 202 to distribute forces applied to the second medial
tensioning strap 218b along the medial side 18 of the foot.
[0088] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the tensioning system 300 includes
the cable 302 routed along the cable routing elements 218a-218e,
220, 222a of the upper 200 to move the footwear 10 between a
tightened state and a relaxed state. The tensioning system 300 may
include one or more sheaths 310 for managing slack in the cable
302. As discussed below, the sheath 310 maintains the cable 302 in
a retracted state against the upper 200 when the upper 200 is in
the tightened state.
[0089] The cable 302 may be highly lubricous and/or may be formed
from one or more fibers having a low modulus of elasticity and a
high tensile strength. For instance, the fibers may include high
modulus polyethylene fibers having a high strength-to-weight ratio
and a low elasticity. Additionally or alternatively, the cable 302
may be formed from a molded monofilament polymer and/or a woven
steel with or without other lubrication coating. In some examples,
the cable 302 includes multiple strands of material woven
together.
[0090] The cable 302 includes a tensioning element 312 and a
control element 314 that cooperate with the cable routing elements
218a-218e, 220, 222a of the upper 200 and the tensioning device 400
to move the article of footwear 10 between the tightened state and
the relaxed state. The tensioning element 312 and the control
element 314 may be collectively referred to as adjustment elements
312, 314. The adjustment elements 312, 314 are movable in a
tightening direction D.sub.T to move the article of footwear 10
into the tightened state, and in a loosening direction D.sub.L to
allow the article of footwear 10 to transition to a relaxed state.
In some examples, a tightening force F.sub.T applied to the control
element 314 is transmitted to at least a portion of the tensioning
element 312 through the tensioning device 400 to move the
tensioning element 312 in the tightening direction D.sub.T.
[0091] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, the tensioning element 312
and the control element 314 may be described as including lateral
strands 316, 320 and medial strands 318, 322. More specifically,
the tensioning element 312 includes a lateral tensioning strand 316
and a medial tensioning strand 318, and the control element 314
also includes a lateral control strand 320 and a medial control
strand 322. In the illustrated example, the lateral tensioning
strand 316 of the tensioning element 312 is connected to the
lateral control strand 320 of the control element 314 through the
tensioning device 400. Similarly, the medial tensioning strand 318
of the tensioning element 312 is connected to the medial control
strand 322 of the control element 314 through the tensioning device
400. Accordingly, positions of the lateral and medial tensioning
strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 may be adjusted by
moving a respective one of the lateral and medial control strands
320, 322 of the control element 314.
[0092] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2B, the routing of the
tensioning element 312 along each of the lateral and medial sides
16, 18 is shown. As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the tensioning element
312 may be described as including the lateral tensioning strand 316
and the medial tensioning strand 318. Generally, the lateral
tensioning strand 316 extends from the tensioning device 400 on the
lateral side 16 and is routed along a lower, anterior portion of
the throat 210. Conversely, the medial tensioning strand 318
extends from the tensioning device 400 on the medial side 18 and is
routed along an upper, posterior portion of the throat 210.
[0093] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, on the lateral side 16 of the
article of footwear 10, the lateral tensioning strand 316 includes
a first end 324 received by the tensioning device 400 and a second
end 326 attached at the bite line 30 on the lateral side 16 in the
forefoot region 20. Here, the lateral tensioning strand 316 is
routed from the tensioning device 400 in the recess 124 of the
outsole 102 to the upper 200 through the lateral tensioning element
channel 132a of the outsole 102 of the sole structure 100. The
lateral tensioning strand 316 then extends along the lateral
quarter panel 208 and over the throat 210 to the free end 226b of
the second medial tensioning strap 218b on the medial side of the
throat 210. From the second medial tensioning strap 218b, the
lateral tensioning strand 316 extends across the throat 210 and is
routed through the free end 226d of the first lateral tensioning
strap 218d on the lateral side of the throat 210. The lateral
tensioning strand 316 is then routed across the throat 210 from the
first lateral tensioning strap 218d to the free end 226a of the
first medial tensioning strap 218a, and then back to the second end
326 attached to the upper 200 on the lateral side 16. Thus, when
the tightening force F.sub.T is applied to the lateral tensioning
strand 316, the free ends 226a, 226b of the first and second medial
tensioning straps 218a, 218b are drawn towards the free end 226d of
the first lateral tensioning strap 218d across the throat 210. In
other words, the lateral tensioning strand 316 controls a fit of
the upper 200 along a lower or anterior portion of the throat
210.
[0094] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the medial side 18 of the
article of footwear 10, the medial tensioning strand 318 includes a
first end 328 received by the tensioning device 400 and a second
end 330 attached to the free end 226c of the third medial
tensioning strap 218c. Here, the medial tensioning strand 318 is
routed from the tensioning device 400 in the recess 124 of the
outsole 102 to the upper 200 through the medial tensioning element
channel 132b. A first segment of the medial tensioning strand 318
extends along the medial heel side panel 212 from the bite line 30
to the medial end 234b of the heel strap 220. From the heel strap
220, the medial tensioning strand 318 is routed through a cable
guide 222b on the medial heel side panel 212 such that a second
segment of the medial tensioning strand 318 returns along the
medial side panel 212 and across the throat 210. The medial
tensioning strand 318 is then routed through the loop 228e at the
free end 226e of the second lateral tensioning strap 218e on the
lateral side of the throat 210, and then returns across the throat
210 and is attached to the free end 226c of the third medial
tensioning strap 218c. Thus, when the tightening force F.sub.T is
applied to the medial tensioning strand 318, the free ends 226c,
226e of the third medial tensioning strap 218c and the second
lateral tensioning strap 218e are drawn towards each other across
the throat 210. Accordingly, the medial tensioning strand 318
controls a fit of the upper 200 along an upper or posterior portion
of the throat 210.
[0095] As described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lateral
control strand 320 of the control element 314 is connected to the
lateral tensioning strand 316 of the tensioning element 312 through
the tensioning device 400, and extends from a first end 332 at the
tensioning device 400 to a second end 334 along the upper 200.
Particularly, the lateral control strand 320 of the control element
314 is routed from the tensioning device 400 to the bite line 30
through the lateral control element channel 132c, and then along
the lateral heel side panel 212 to the heel counter 214 of the
upper 200.
[0096] Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the medial control
strand 322 of the control element 314 is connected to the medial
tensioning strand 318 of the tensioning element 312 through the
tensioning device 400, and extends from a first end 336 at the
tensioning device 400 to a second end 338 along the upper 200. The
medial control strand 322 of the control element 314 is routed from
the tensioning device 400 to the bite line 30 through the medial
control element channel 132d, then along the medial heel side panel
212 to the heel counter 214 of the upper 200.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 4, the second end 334 of the lateral
control strand 320 may be connected to the second end 338 of the
medial control strand 322 at the posterior end 14, such that the
lateral control strand 320 and the medial control strand 322 form a
continuous loop extending around the heel counter 214 of the upper
200. In other examples, the second ends 334, 338 of the lateral
control strand 320 and the medial control strand 322 may be
indirectly connected to each other by an intermediate connecting
element (not shown).
[0098] A portion of the control element 314 that extends around the
heel counter 214 may be enclosed within one or more of the sheaths
310. Each sheath 310 may be formed from a material and/or a weave
that allows the sheath 310 and the control element 314 to move from
a relaxed state to a stretched or expanded state when the control
element 314 is moved in a direction away from the upper 200 by way
of the tightening force F.sub.T (i.e., when the control element 314
is moved in the tightening direction D.sub.T). When the tightening
force F.sub.T is removed, the material and/or weave of the sheath
310 automatically causes the sheath 310 to contract to the relaxed
state and accommodate bunching of the control element 314 therein,
as shown in FIG. 4. As shown, the control element 314 is routed
through the sheath 310 and around the heel counter 214 of the upper
200.
[0099] In the example shown, the connected second ends 334, 338 of
the control element 314 and/or the sheath 310 may form the
tightening grip 340 configured to allow a user to apply the
tightening force F.sub.T to pull the control element 314 away from
the upper 200, thereby causing each of the control element 314 and
the tensioning element 312 to move in the tightening direction
D.sub.T. Here, the tightening grip 340 is defined by the sheath 310
and is exposed at the posterior end 14 through the opening 176
formed through the heel counter 104 of the sole structure 100. In
use, the user can grasp the tightening grip 340 by inserting one or
more fingers between the tightening grip 340 and the upper 200 via
the relief 182 formed in the lower edge 180a of the opening 176.
Other configurations may include operatively connecting one or more
tightening grips 340 along the length of the control element
314.
[0100] The upper 200 is moveable between a relaxed state and a
tightened state by adjusting the tensioning element 312 along the
throat 210 of the upper 200. As shown, the cable 302 of the
tensioning system 300 can be moved in the tightening direction
D.sub.T by applying a tightening force F.sub.T to the control
element 314. For instance, a user may apply the tightening force
F.sub.T to the control element 314 by pulling the tightening grip
340 and the sheath 310 away from the upper 200, thereby moving the
control element 314 in the tightening direction D.sub.T. Here, the
tightening force F.sub.T is applied to each of the control strands
320, 322 and is transmitted to respective ones of the tensioning
strands 316, 318 through the tensioning device 400. The tightening
force F.sub.T pulls the tensioning strands 316, 318 in the
tightening direction to draw the free ends 226a-226e of the
tensioning straps 218a-218e towards each other across the throat
210. As provided above, the fit of the upper 200 may be zonally
adjusted along the length of the throat 210 by applying the
tightening force F.sub.T to one or the lateral control strand 320
or the medial control strand 322. For instance, applying the
tightening force F.sub.T to the lateral control strand 320 will
tighten the lateral tensioning strand 316 along the lower portion
of the throat 210, while applying the tightening force to the
medial control strand 322 will tighten the medial tensioning strand
318 along the upper portion of the throat 210.
[0101] The locking device or tensioning device 400 may be disposed
within the cavity of the sole structure 100, and may be biased to a
locked state to restrict movement of the adjustment elements 312,
314 in their respective loosening directions D.sub.L. The
tensioning element 312 and the control element 314 each approach
and pass through a housing 402 of the tensioning device 400 from
opposite directions. In some configurations, the tensioning device
400 permits movement of the adjustment elements 312, 314 in the
tightening directions D.sub.T while in the locked state.
[0102] The release cord 404 of the tensioning device 400 is
operable to move the locking device 400 between an unlocked state
and the locked state so that the cable 302 can be selectively moved
in the tightening direction D.sub.T and loosening direction
D.sub.L. The release cord 404 is routed from a first end 406 at the
tensioning device 400 to a second end 408 attached to a release
grip 410 at the posterior end of the ankle opening 206. As
discussed previously, the release cord 404 is routed from the
recess 124 to the upper 200 through the release cord channel 144 of
the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the release cord
channel 144 extends through the heel region 24, such that the
release cord 404 is routed up the posterior end 14 between the heel
counter 214 of the upper 200 and the heel counter 104 of the sole
structure 100.
[0103] With particular reference to FIGS. 14-16, an article of
footwear l0a is provided and includes a sole structure 100a and the
upper 200 attached to the sole structure 100a. In view of the
substantial similarity in structure and function of the components
associated with the article of footwear 10 with respect to the
article of footwear 10a, like reference numerals are used
hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while
like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to
identify those components that have been modified.
[0104] The sole structure 100a of the article of footwear l0a
includes the outsole 102 discussed above and a heel counter 104a
substantially similar to the heel counter 104 previously described.
However, unlike the heel counter 104 above, which includes an
opening 176 that is fully surrounded, the opening 176a of the heel
counter 104a is formed as a notch 176a within the upper portion of
the heel counter 104a. Thus, the heel counter 104a extends from the
bottom edge 164 to the lower edge 180a of the opening 176a. In this
example, the heel counter 104a may include a pair of ears 184a,
184b disposed at opposite ends of the notch 176a, where each ear
184a, 184b is formed between an end 168, 170 of the heel counter
104a and an end 178a, 178b of the notch 176a. In this example, the
tightening grip 340 is exposed between the ears 184a, 184b.
[0105] With particular reference to FIGS. 17-19, an article of
footwear 10b is provided and includes a sole structure 100b and the
upper 200 attached to the sole structure 100b. In view of the
substantial similarity in structure and function of the components
associated with the article of footwear 10 with respect to the
article of footwear 10b, like reference numerals are used
hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while
like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to
identify those components that have been modified.
[0106] The sole structure 100b of the article of footwear 10b
includes the outsole 102 discussed above and a heel counter 104b
substantially similar to the heel counter 104 previously described.
In this example, the upper edge 166 of the heel counter 104b
terminates below the tightening grip 340 of the tensioning system
300. Accordingly, the opening 176b of the heel counter 104b is
simply formed as an exposed region above the upper edge 166 of the
heel counter 104b.
[0107] With particular reference to FIGS. 20-23, an article of
footwear 10c is provided and includes the sole structure 100 and an
upper 200a attached to the sole structure 100. In view of the
substantial similarity in structure and function of the components
associated with the article of footwear 10 with respect to the
article of footwear 10c, like reference numerals are used
hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while
like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to
identify those components that have been modified.
[0108] The article of footwear 10c includes the sole structure 100
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-13, but includes an upper
200a having an alternative routing of the cable 302 and the release
cord 404 along the upper 200a. Here, the upper 200a includes a pair
of medial tensioning straps 218f, 218g arranged along the medial
side of the throat 210 and a pair of lateral tensioning straps
218h, 218i arranged along the lateral side of the throat 210.
Unlike the upper 200 discussed above, where the tensioning straps
218a-218e are staggered along the throat 210, in the present
example, the medial tensioning straps 218f, 218g are arranged
directly across the throat 210 from the lateral tensioning straps
218h, 218i.
[0109] As shown in FIGS. 20-22, the lateral tensioning strand 316
includes the first end 324 received by the tensioning device 400
and the second end 326 attached at the bite line 30 on the medial
side 18 in the forefoot region 20. Here, the lateral tensioning
strand 316 is routed from the tensioning device 400 in the recess
124 of the outsole 102 to the upper 200 through the lateral
tensioning element channel 132a of the outsole 102. A first segment
of the lateral tensioning strand 316 is routed rearward to a cable
guide 222b attached to the lateral heel side panel 212. From the
cable guide 222b, the lateral tensioning strand 316 is routed
across the throat 210 to the free end 226g of the second medial
tensioning strap 218g on the medial side of the throat 210, and
then back across the throat 210 to the free end 226h of the first
lateral tensioning strap 218h on the lateral side of the throat
210. The lateral tensioning strand 316 then extends to the second
end 326 attached at the bite line 30 on the medial side 18 in the
forefoot region 20.
[0110] With continued reference to FIGS. 20-22, the medial
tensioning strand 318 includes the first end 328 received by the
tensioning device 400 and the second end 330 attached at the bite
line 30 on the lateral side in the forefoot region 20. Here, the
medial tensioning strand 318 is routed from the tensioning device
400 in the recess 124 of the outsole 102 to the upper 200 through
the medial tensioning element channel 132b of the outsole 102. A
first segment of the medial tensioning strand 318 is routed
rearward to a cable guide 222a attached to the medial heel side
panel 212. From the cable guide 222a, the medial tensioning strand
318 is routed across the throat to the free end 226i of the second
lateral tensioning strap 218i on the lateral side of the throat
210, and then back across the throat 210 to the free end 226f of
the first medial tensioning strap 218f on the lateral side of the
throat 210. The medial tensioning strand 318 then extends to the
second end 330 attached at the bite line 30 on the lateral in the
forefoot region 20.
[0111] The control element 314 of the article of footwear 10c is
routed in the same manner as the control element 314 discussed
above with respect to the articles of footwear 10-10b. However, as
shown in FIG. 20, the release cord 404 of the tensioning device 400
is routed along one of the sides 16, 18 of the upper 200a, instead
of along the posterior end 14. In the illustrated example, the
release cord 404 is routed from the recess 124 to the upper 200a
through the lateral control element channel 132c. The release cord
404 then extends from the bite line 30 on the lateral side 16 and
along the lateral heel side panel 212 to the second end 408
adjacent to the collar 216 on the lateral side 16. Thus, the
release grip 410 is located on the lateral side of the ankle
opening 206. The release cord 404 may be concealed beneath the
shroud 250, when included.
[0112] Referring to FIGS. 24-27, in some implementations, the
tensioning device 400 includes the housing 402 and a locking member
or lock member 412 slidably disposed within the housing 402 and
enclosed by a lid 414 fastened to the housing 402. FIG. 25 provides
an exploded view of the tensioning device 400 of FIG. 24 showing
the locking member 412 and the lid 414 removed from the housing
402. The housing 402 defines a length extending between a first end
416 and a second end 418. The housing 402 includes a base portion
420 having a cable-receiving surface 422 and a mounting surface 424
disposed on an opposite side of the base portion 420 than the
cable-receiving surface 422 and opposing the exterior surface of
the upper 200. The lid 414 opposes the cable-receiving surface 422
of the base portion 420 to define a locking member cavity 426
therebetween that is configured to receive the locking member 412
and a portion of the tensioning system 300. In some configurations,
the locking member cavity 426 is bounded by a first engagement
surface 428 and a second engagement surface 430 (FIGS. 26 and 27)
that converge toward one another such that the locking member
cavity 426 is associated with a wedge-shaped configuration tapering
toward the second end 418 of the housing 402. Accordingly, the
first engagement surface 428 and the second engagement surface 430
include corresponding sidewalls of the housing 402 converging
toward one another and extending between the lid 414 and the
cable-receiving surface 422 of the base portion 420 to define the
locking member cavity 426.
[0113] As discussed above, the cable 302 of the tensioning system
300 may include a tensioning element 312 and a control element 314,
which are connected to each other by a locking element 315 that
extends through the locking member cavity 426 and includes a first
portion extending along the first engagement surface 428 and a
second portion extending along the second engagement surface 430.
The tensioning element 312 exits out of corresponding slots 432
(FIGS. 26 and 27) formed through opposing sidewalls of the housing
402 proximate to the first end 416. The control element 314 exits
out of corresponding slots 432 (FIGS. 26 and 27) formed through the
opposing sidewalls of the housing 402 proximate to the second end
418.
[0114] In some implementations, the locking member 412 includes a
first lock surface 434 opposing the first engagement surface 428 of
the housing 402 and a second lock surface 436 opposing the second
engagement surface 430 of the housing 402 when the locking member
412 is disposed within the locking member cavity 426 of the housing
402. In some examples, the first lock surface 434 and the second
lock surface 436 converge toward one another. Additionally or
alternatively, the first lock surface 434 may be substantially
parallel to the first engagement surface 428 and the second lock
surface 436 may be substantially parallel to the second engagement
surface 430. In the example shown, the lock surfaces 434, 436
include projections or teeth each having an angled surface to
permit movement by tensioning system 300 in the tightening
direction D.sub.T (i.e., when the tightening force F.sub.T is
applied to control element 314) while restricting movement by the
tensioning system 300 by gripping the locking element 315 in the
loosening direction D.sub.L when the locking member 412 is in the
locked state. A biasing member 438 (e.g., a spring) may include a
first end 440 attached to the second end 418 of the housing 402 and
a second end 442 attached to a first end 444 of the locking member
412 to attach the locking member 412 to the housing 402.
[0115] In some implementations, the locking member 412 is slidably
disposed within the housing 402 and is movable between a locked
position (FIG. 26) associated with the locked state of the
tensioning device 400 and an unlocked position (FIG. 27) associated
with the unlocked state of the tensioning device 400. In some
examples, the release mechanism 404 (e.g., release cord 404) moves
the locking member 412 from the locked position (FIG. 26) to the
unlocked position (FIG. 27). The locking member 412 may include a
tab portion 446 extending from an opposite end of the locking
member 412 than the first end 444. In one configuration, the first
end 406 of the release cord 404 attaches to the tab portion 446 of
the locking member 412. The tab portion 446 may include a pair of
retention features or recesses 448 formed in corresponding ones of
the first lock surface 434 and the second lock surface 436 and
selectively receiving one or more retention features 450 associated
with the housing 402 to maintain the tensioning device 400 in the
unlocked state. The retention features 450 associated with the
housing 402 may include a first retention feature 450 and a second
retention feature 450 disposed on opposite sides of the housing
402, whereby the retention features 450 are biased inward toward
the cavity 426 and one another by corresponding biasing members
452. The retention features 450 may be projections that are
integrally formed with the housing 402 such that the retention
features 450 act as living hinges movable between a retracted state
(FIG. 26) and an extended state (FIG. 27).
[0116] FIG. 26 provides a top view of the tensioning device 400 of
FIG. 24 with the lid 414 removed to show the locking member 412
disposed within the cavity 426 of the housing 402 while in the
locked position. In some examples, the locking member 412 is biased
into the locked position. For instance, FIG. 26 shows the biasing
member 438 exerting a biasing force F.sub.B (represented in a
direction D.sub.B) upon the locking member 412 to urge the first
end 444 of the locking member 412 toward the second end 418 of the
housing 402, and thereby bias the locking member 412 into the
locked position. While in the locked position, the locking member
412 restricts movement of the tensioning system 300 relative to the
housing 402 by pinching the locking element 315 of the tensioning
system 300 between the lock surfaces 434, 436 and the engagement
surfaces 428, 430. Accordingly, the locked position of the locking
member 412 restricts the tensioning system 300 from moving in the
loosening direction D.sub.L. In the example shown, the locking
member 412 permits movement of the tensioning system 300 when the
tightening force F.sub.T is applied to the tightening grip 340, as
this direction causes the tensioning system 300 to apply a force on
the locking member 412 due to the generally wedge shape of the
locking member 412, thereby moving the locking member 412 into the
unlocked state. The locking member 412 automatically returns to the
locked state once the force applied to the tightening grip 340 is
released due to the forces imparted on the locking member 412 by
the biasing member 438.
[0117] FIG. 27 provides a top view of the tensioning device 400 of
FIG. 24 with the lid 414 removed to show the locking member 412
disposed within the cavity 426 of the housing 402 while in the
unlocked position. In some examples, the release cord 404 attached
to the tab portion 446 of the locking member 412 applies a release
force F.sub.R upon the locking member 412 to move the locking
member 412 away from the first engagement surface 428 and the
second engagement surface 430 relative to the housing 402. Here,
the release force F.sub.R is sufficient to overcome the biasing
force F.sub.B of the biasing member 438 to permit the locking
member 412 to move relative to the housing 402 such that the
pinching upon the locking element 315 of the tensioning system 300
between the lock surfaces 434, 436 and the engagement surfaces 428,
430 is released. In some examples, the biasing force F.sub.B causes
the locking member 412 to transition back to the locked position
when the release force F.sub.R applied by the release cord 404 is
released. The release cord 404 may apply the release force F.sub.R
when a release force F.sub.R of sufficient or predetermined
magnitude is applied to pull the release cord 404 away from the
upper 200 relative to the view of FIG. 27.
[0118] While in the unlocked position, the locking member 412
permits movement of the tensioning system 300 relative to the
housing 402 by allowing the locking element 315 of the tensioning
system 300 to freely move between the lock surfaces 434, 436 and
the engagement surfaces 428, 430. The unlocked position of the
locking member 412 permits movement of the tensioning system 300 in
both the tightening direction D.sub.T and the loosening direction
D.sub.L when the forces F.sub.T, F.sub.L are applied to respective
ones of the control element 314 and the tensioning element 312.
[0119] In some examples, a sufficient magnitude and/or duration of
the release force F.sub.R applied to the release cord 404 causes
the release cord 404 to apply the release force F.sub.R (FIG. 27)
upon the locking member 412 in a direction opposite the direction
of the biasing force F.sub.B (FIG. 26) such that the locking member
412 moves away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430 relative to
the housing 402 and toward the first end 416 of the housing 402. At
least one of the retention features 450 of the housing 402 may
engage the retention feature 448 of the locking member 412 when
release force F.sub.R moves the locking member 412 a predetermined
distance away from the first engagement surface 428 and the second
engagement surface 430 of the housing 402. Here, engagement between
the retention feature 448 of the locking member 412 and the at
least one retention feature 450 of the housing 402 maintains the
locking member 412 in the unlocked position once the release force
F.sub.R is released. The biasing force F.sub.B of the biasing
member 438 and the forces exerted by the pair of biasing members
452 on the retention features 450 lock the retention feature 448 of
the locking member 412 into engagement with the retention features
450 of the housing 402 after the locking member 412 moves the
predetermined distance and the release force F.sub.R is no longer
applied.
[0120] In some scenarios, a release force F.sub.R associated with a
first magnitude may be applied to the release cord 404 to move the
locking member 412 away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430 by a
distance less than the predetermined distance such that the
retention features 448, 450 do not engage. In these scenarios, the
release force F.sub.R associated with the first magnitude can be
maintained when it is desirable to move the tensioning system 300
in the loosening direction D.sub.L or the tightening direction
D.sub.T (e.g., by applying the tightening force F.sub.T to the
tightening grip 340) for adjusting the fit of the interior void 204
around the foot. Once the desired fit of the interior void 204
around the foot is achieved, the release force F.sub.R can be
released to cause the locking member 412 to transition back to the
locked position so that movement of the tensioning system 300 is
restricted in the loosening direction D.sub.L and the desired fit
can be sustained. It should be noted that even when the locking
member 412 is in the locked position, the tensioning system 300 can
be moved in the tightening direction D.sub.T. As such, once the
release force F.sub.R is released and a desired fit is achieved,
the locking member 412 automatically retains the desired fit by
locking a position of the tensioning system 300 relative to the
housing 402.
[0121] In other scenarios, a release force F.sub.R associated with
a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude can be applied
to the release cord 404 to move the locking member 412 the
predetermined distance away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430
to cause the corresponding retention features 448, 450 to engage.
Engagement of the retention features 448, 450 is facilitated by
providing the retention features 450 with a tapered edge that
opposes the locking member 412 to allow the locking member 412 to
more easily move the retention features 450 against the biasing
force F.sub.B imparted thereon by the biasing members 452 when the
release cord 404 is pulled the predetermined distance. In these
scenarios, engagement between the corresponding retention features
448, 450 maintains the locking member 412 in the unlocked position
when the release force F.sub.R is released.
[0122] The locking member 412 is returned to the locked position
when a tightening force F.sub.T is applied to the control element
314. Namely, when a force is applied to the lateral and medial
control strands 320, 322, these control strands 320, 322 are placed
in tension which, in turn, exerts a force on the biasing members
452 via the retention features 450, as the control strands 320, 322
pass through a portion of the retention features 450. In so doing,
the retention features 450 compress the biasing members 452 and, as
such, cause the retention features 450 to move away from one
another and disengage the retention features 448 of the locking
member 412, thereby allowing the biasing member 438 to return the
locking member 412 to the locked position.
[0123] In use, the article of footwear 10-10c can be selectively
moved between a relaxed state and a tightened state using the
tensioning system 300 and tensioning device 400. With the footwear
10-10c initially provided in a relaxed state, an effective length
of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312
(i.e., the lengths from the first ends 324, 328 to the second ends
326, 330) will be maximized, such that the tensioning element 312
and the tensioning straps 218a-218e are in a relaxed state about
the upper 200, 200a, while an effective length of the control
strands 320, 322 of the control element 314 (i.e., the lengths from
the first ends 332, 336 to the second ends 334, 338) is minimized.
Accordingly, a foot of a user can be inserted into the interior
void 204 of the footwear 10-10c with the materials of the upper
200, 200a allowing the upper 200, 200a to stretch to accommodate
the foot therein.
[0124] With the foot of the user inserted within the interior void
204 of the upper 200, 200a, the tensioning system 300 can be moved
to a tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 10-10c to
the foot. As discussed above, the tensioning system 300 is moved to
the tightened state by applying a tightening force F.sub.T to the
tightening grip 340 of the control element 314, thereby causing the
control element 314 to move in the tightening direction D.sub.T. As
the control element 314 moves in the tightening direction D.sub.T,
the cable 302 is pulled through the housing 402 of the tensioning
device 400, thereby causing the effective lengths of the tensioning
strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 to be reduced.
Accordingly, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 is
minimized around the upper 200 to move the upper 200 to a tightened
state around the foot.
[0125] As discussed above, when the tensioning element 312 is moved
in the tightening direction D.sub.T, the lateral and medial
tensioning strands 316, 318 distribute the tightening force F.sub.T
to the free ends 226a-226e of the tensioning straps 218a-218e to
draw the tensioning straps 218a-218e tight over the throat 210.
Simultaneously, the effective length of the control element 314 may
be increased when the tensioning system 300 is moved to the
tightened state. However, the control element 314 is maintained in
a taut position against the upper 200 by the elasticity of the
sheath 310, which accommodates the increased effective length of
the control element 314 by allowing the control element 314 to
"bunch" within the sheath 306 when the sheath 310 is
contracted.
[0126] When a user desires to remove the article of footwear 10-10c
from the foot, the tensioning system 300 may be moved to the
loosened state to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed around the
foot. Initially, the tensioning device 400 must be moved to the
unlocked state by applying a sufficient release force F.sub.R to
overcome the biasing force F.sub.B of the biasing member 438, as
discussed above. Once the tensioning device 400 is moved to the
unlocked state, the cable 302 can be pulled in the loosening
direction D.sub.L through the housing 402 of the tensioning device
by pulling the article of footwear 10 from the foot of the user,
which inherently causes the upper to expand and increases the
effective lengths of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the
tensioning element 312.
[0127] With reference to FIGS. 28-32, another example of a manual
tensioning device 400a is shown, where the tensioning device 400a
is embodied as a rotary mechanism. FIG. 28 provides an exploded
view of the tensioning device 400a, showing a housing 402a defining
a cavity 454 configured to rotatably receive a spool 456, a first
pawl 458, and a second pawl 460. The tensioning device 400a may
include a lid 462 fastened to the housing 402a to prevent access to
the cavity 454 when the lid 462 is fastened to the housing 402a and
to allow access to the cavity 454 when the lid 462 is removed from
the housing 402a. One or more fasteners 464 may extend through the
lid 462 and fasten with threaded holes 466 in the housing 402a to
secure the lid 462 to the housing 402a.
[0128] The housing 402a defines a plurality of retainer slots 468
each configured to receive and support a respective cable retainer
470 through which the cable adjustment elements are routed into the
cavity 454 of the housing 402a. The housing 402a may support a
plurality of the cable retainers 470 such that the ends of the
adjustment elements 312, 314 each extend through a respective one
of the cable retainers 470.
[0129] As described in greater detail below, the housing 402a may
further include a retaining wall 472 disposed within the cavity
454. The retaining wall 472 is configured to cooperate with the
first pawl 458. The retaining wall 472 may further include a
tactile slot 474 configured to receive one or more tactile domes
476. Described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS.
30-32, the first pawl 458 may engage the tactile dome(s) 476 to
provide a click or other sound that indicates the spool 456 has
changed positions relative to the housing 402a and/or the
tensioning device 400a has transitioned from the locked state to
the unlocked state.
[0130] FIG. 30 provides a top view of the housing 402a showing a
pair of mounting flanges 478, 480 disposed on opposite sides of the
housing 402a. The mounting flanges 478, 480 may rest upon an inner
surface of the recess 124 of the sole structure 100 to mount the
tensioning device 400a within the sole structure 100.
Alternatively, the flanges 478, 480 may attach to a strobel of the
upper 200. The strobel can be any support structure forming an
underfoot portion of the footwear 10 that is at least disposed
between the sole structure 100 and the interior void 204. In some
examples, bonding agents, such as adhesives and/or epoxies, may be
applied to the contact surfaces of the mounting flanges 478, 480
and/or the inner surface of the recess 124 of the sole structure
100 for attaching the housing 402a within the recess 124.
Additionally or alternatively, the mounting flanges 478, 480 may
define one or more mounting holes 482 formed therethrough and
configured to receive a fastener (not shown) for mounting the
housing 402a to the sole structure 100.
[0131] FIG. 30 shows the housing 402a with the pawls 458, 460,
adjustment elements 312, 314, and other components of the
tensioning device 400a removed to expose an elongate channel 484
formed through the housing 402a. As discussed in greater detail
below, the elongate channel 484 aligns with an attachment point of
the first pawl 458 and permits the release cord 404 to pass
underneath the housing 402a and up through a feed slot 486 defined
by the mounting flange 480. The mounting flange 480 also defines a
cut-out region 477 proximate to the feed slot 486 to provide more
clearance for the release cord 404 (and/or a conduit enclosing the
release cord 404) to extend from the housing 402a. The mounting
flanges 478, 480 may define a lip around the perimeter of the
housing 402a so that the housing 402a is spaced apart from the
mounting surface of the recess 124 or the strobel, allowing the
release cord 404 to be routed between the housing 402a and the
mounting surface of the recess 124 or strobel. Thus, the release
cord 404 may freely extend underneath the housing 402a between the
elongate channel 484 and the feed slot 486. In some examples, the
feed slot 486 has a curved edge to prevent the release cord 404
from catching or being restricted by the housing 402a.
[0132] Referring now to FIG. 29, the spool 456 is supported within
the cavity 454 of the housing 402a and may rotate relative to the
housing 402a. In some examples, the spool 456 rotates relative to
the housing 402a in a first direction D.sub.S1 when the adjustment
elements 312, 314 move in the tightening direction D.sub.T and in
an opposite second direction D.sub.S2 when the adjustment elements
312, 314 move in the loosening direction D.sub.L. The spool 456
includes a first channel or annular groove 488 configured to
collect portions of the tensioning element 312 and a second channel
or annular groove 490 configured to collect portions of the control
element 314. The spool 456 may include one or more anchor slots 492
formed through a divider wall separating the channels 488, 490 for
fixing a rotational position of each of the adjustment elements
312, 314 relative to the spool 456.
[0133] The tensioning device 400a also includes a ratchet mechanism
494 associated with the spool 456 and having a plurality of teeth
496 positioned circumferentially around an axis of the ratchet
mechanism 494 and protruding radially inward therefrom. In some
implementations, the ratchet mechanism 494 is integrally formed
upon an inner circumferential wall of the spool 456 such that the
plurality of teeth 496 protrude radially inward from the channels
488, 490. In other examples, the ratchet mechanism 494 is supported
for common rotation with the spool 456.
[0134] The first pawl 458 is disposed within the cavity 454 of the
housing 402a and is configured to cooperate with the ratchet
mechanism 494 to selectively prevent and allow rotation of the
spool 456 and, consequently, movement of the adjustment elements
312, 314. In some examples, the first pawl 458 includes one or more
teeth 498 configured to selectively and meshingly engage with the
plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494. In some
implementations, the first pawl 458 includes a first pawl axle 500
configured to support the first pawl 458 within the housing 402a to
permit the first pawl 458 to rotate relative to the housing 402a
about a first pawl axis of rotation A.sub.FP.
[0135] A first pawl spring 502 may operably connect to the first
pawl axle 500 and the retaining wall 472 disposed within the cavity
454 of the housing 402a to bias the first pawl 458 in a first
direction D.sub.FP1 about the pawl axis of rotation A.sub.FP. The
first pawl axis of rotation A.sub.FP may be substantially parallel
to an axis of rotation of the spool 456 when the spool 456 is
received by the cavity 454. Accordingly, the first pawl spring 502
may interact with the retaining wall 472 and the first pawl 516 to
exert a biasing force that causes the first pawl 458 to pivot about
the pawl axis of rotation A.sub.FP in the first direction D.sub.FP1
and into engagement with the plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet
mechanism 494, thereby causing the tensioning device 400a to
operate in the locked state to restrict movement by the adjustment
elements 312, 314 in the loosening directions D.sub.L.
[0136] FIGS. 31 and 32 each show a top view of the first pawl 458
of the tensioning device 400a. The first pawl 458 defines a first
receiving surface 504 configured to support the first pawl spring
502. The first pawl axle 500 protrudes from the first receiving
surface 504 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first
receiving surface 504. The first pawl axle 500 may be integrally
formed with the first pawl 458. The first pawl 458 also defines a
second receiving surface 506 configured to support a second pawl
spring 516. An aperture 508 is formed through the second receiving
surface 506 and is configured to receive a second pawl axle 514. An
anchor post 510 may protrude away from the receiving surfaces 504,
506 in a direction substantially parallel to the first pawl axle
500. The anchor post 510 may define an aperture 512 to provide an
attachment location for attaching the first end 406 of the release
cord 404 to the anchor post 510. The anchor post 510 may be
integrally formed with the first pawl 458.
[0137] With reference to FIG. 29, the second pawl axle 514
rotatably attaches the second pawl 460 to the first pawl 458 to
permit the second pawl 460 to rotate relative to both the first
pawl 458 and the housing 402a about a second pawl axis of rotation
A.sub.SP. The second pawl axis of rotation Asp may extend
substantially parallel to the first pawl axis of rotation A.sub.FP
and the axis of rotation of the spool 456. In some examples, the
second pawl 460 is associated with the second pawl spring 516,
which is configured to bias the second pawl 460 into engagement
with a control surface 518 associated with an inner periphery of
the spool 456 when the first pawl 458 is disengaged from the teeth
496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 to permit the spool 456 to rotate
in the second direction D.sub.S2.
[0138] FIG. 29 provides a perspective view of the tensioning device
400a while in the locked state with the first pawl teeth 498 of the
first pawl 458 engaging the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494
to selectively restrict the spool 456 from rotating in the second
direction Ds2 and thereby restrict the adjustment elements 312, 314
from moving in their respective loosening directions D.sub.L. In
some examples, the plurality of the teeth 496 are sloped to permit
the spool 456 to rotate in the first direction D.sub.S1 when the
teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 are engaged with the teeth 496 of
the ratchet mechanism 494, thereby permitting the tensioning
element 312 to move in the tightening direction D.sub.T and the
control element 314 to move in the tightening direction D.sub.T
responsive to the tightening force F.sub.T being applied to the
tightening grip 340.
[0139] When the spool 456 rotates in the first direction D.sub.S1,
the control element 314 is unreeled from the second channel 490 of
the spool 456 while the first channel 488 of the spool 456
simultaneously retracts the tensioning element 312 as the spool 456
rotates in the first direction D.sub.S1. Accordingly, movement by
the adjustment elements 312, 314 in their respective tightening
directions D.sub.T causes an effective length of the control
element 314 to increase, while simultaneously causing an effective
length of the tensioning element 312 to decrease, thereby moving
the upper 200 into a tightened state for closing the interior void
204 around a foot of a user. Here, the control element 314
incrementally moves in the tightening direction D.sub.T during each
successive engagement between the first pawl 458 (e.g., first pawl
teeth 498) and the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 to
thereby incrementally increase the tension applied to lateral and
medial tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312
for tightening the fit of the interior void 204 around the foot as
the upper 200 moves into the tightened state. More particularly,
because each of the lateral tensioning strand 316 and the medial
tensioning strand 318 of the tensioning element 312 is connected to
and disposed within the first channel 488 of the spool 456, each of
the tensioning strands 316, 318 will be wound and unwound by the
spool 456 at the same rate, providing substantially uniform
tightness of the upper 200 around the foot.
[0140] In some examples, the release cord 404 operably connects to
the anchor post 510 of the first pawl 458 to selectively disengage
the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494
when a predetermined release force F.sub.R is applied to the
release cord 404. When the second pawl 460 is engaged with the
control surface 518, the second pawl 460 is operative to control
the rotational speed of the spool 456 in the second direction
D.sub.S2 such that the adjustment elements 312, 314 do not become
tangled when collected (e.g., wound) or released (e.g., unwound)
from respective ones of the first channel 488 and the second
channel 490 of the spool 456 during rotation in the second
direction D.sub.S2. In some configurations, the second pawl 460
includes two cam surfaces that remain engaged with respective ones
of two control surfaces 518 when the first pawl 458 remains
disengaged from the teeth 496 (i.e., when the tensioning device
400a is operable in the unlocked state). Each control surface 518
may be axially disposed on an opposite side of the ratchet
mechanism 494 such that the teeth 496 are disposed between the
control surfaces 518 and protrude radially inward therefrom.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 31, the first pawl 458 is biased into
engagement with the plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism
494 when the tensioning device 400a is in the locked state. Here,
the first pawl 458 pivots and rotates about the first pawl axis of
rotation A.sub.FP in the first direction D.sub.FP1 such that the
teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 engage with the teeth 496 of the
ratchet mechanism 494. In some examples, the first pawl 458
includes a tactile protrusion 520 configured to engage with the
tactile domes 476 to provide the "click" indicating the incremental
change of position in the spool 456 during each successive
engagement between the first pawl 458 and the teeth 496.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 32, a first end 406 of the release cord
404 is attached to the anchor post 510 of the first pawl 458 to
allow the release cord 404 to selectively disengage the first pawl
458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 when the
predetermined release force F.sub.R is applied to the release cord
404. For example, a user may grasp the release grip 410 of the
release cord 404 and apply the predetermined force F.sub.R to
disengage the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet
mechanism 494. Here, the predetermined force F.sub.R overcomes the
biasing force of the first pawl spring 502 to allow the first pawl
458 to rotate about the first pawl axis of rotation A.sub.FP in a
second direction D.sub.FP2. Additionally, the tactile protrusion
520 may engage with the tactile dome 476 to provide the "click"
when the predetermined force F.sub.R moves to the first pawl 458
out of engagement with the teeth 496 to transition the tensioning
device 400a to the unlocked state.
[0143] FIG. 32 shows the tensioning device 400a in the unlocked
state responsive to the release cord 404 selectively disengaging
the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494
when the predetermined force F.sub.R is applied to the release cord
404. While the tensioning device 400a is in the unlocked state with
the first pawl 458 disengaged from the teeth 496 of the ratchet
mechanism 494, the spool 456 is permitted to rotate in the second
direction D.sub.S2 to allow the tensioning element 312 to move in
the loosening direction D.sub.L when the loosening force F.sub.L is
applied to the tensioning element 312. In some examples, the first
channel 488 of the spool 456 collects the tensioning element 312
while the second channel 490 of the spool 456 simultaneously
releases the control element 314 as the spool 456 rotates in the
second direction D.sub.S2. Accordingly, movement of the control
element 314 in the loosening direction D.sub.L allows an effective
length of the tensioning element 312 to increase to allow the
tensioning strands 316, 318 to relax and thereby facilitate a
transition of the upper 200 from the tightened state to the
loosened state such that a foot can be removed from the interior
void 204.
[0144] Referring back to FIG. 28, the lid 462 and the housing 402a
of the tensioning device 400a may each include a hub 522 configured
to support the first pawl axle 500 of the first pawl 458. The lid
462 may also each include an elongate channel 524 that cooperates
with the elongate channel 484 of the housing 402a to allow the
anchor post 510 of the first pawl 458 to freely rotate relative to
the housing 402a and the lid 462 when the first pawl 458 pivots
about the first pawl axis of rotation A.sub.FP in either the first
direction D.sub.FP1 or the second direction D.sub.FP2.
[0145] In use, the article of footwear 10 can be selectively moved
between a tightened state and a relaxed state using the tensioning
system 300. With the footwear 10 initially provided in a relaxed
state, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 will be
maximized, such that the first cable is in a relaxed state about
the upper 200, while an effective length of the control element 314
is minimized as the control element 314 is wound about the spool
456 of the tensioning device 400a. Accordingly, a foot of a user
can be inserted into the interior void 204 of the footwear 10 with
the materials of the upper 200 allowing the upper 200 to stretch to
accommodate the foot therein.
[0146] With the foot of the user inserted within the interior void
204 of the upper 200, the tensioning system 300 can be moved to a
tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 10 to the foot.
As discussed above, the tensioning system 300 is moved to the
tightened state by applying a tightening force F.sub.T to the
tightening grip 340, thereby causing the control element 314 to
move in the tightening direction D.sub.T. As the control element
314 moves in the tightening direction D.sub.T, the spool 456
rotates in the first direction D.sub.S1 and the control element 314
is unwound from the second channel 490. Simultaneously, the
tensioning element 312 is wound up within the first channel 488,
thereby causing the tensioning element 312 to be retracted within
the tensioning device 400a. Accordingly, an effective length of the
tensioning element 312 is minimized around the upper 200 to move
the upper 200 to a tightened state around the foot.
[0147] Prior to, during, or after movement of the tensioning system
300 to the tightened state, the biasing force of the first pawl
spring 502 may move the first pawl 458 to the locked position when
the release force F.sub.R applied to the release cord 404 is
overcome by the first pawl spring 502. When the tensioning device
400a is in the locked state, the teeth 496 of the spool 456 are
engaged by the teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 to prevent the spool
456 from rotating in the second direction D.sub.S2 (i.e., the
loosening direction D.sub.L). Accordingly, the tensioning device
400a maintains the tensioning system 300 in the tightened state as
long as the tensioning device 400a remains in the locked
position.
[0148] When a user desires to remove the article of footwear 10
from the foot, the tensioning system 300 may be moved to the
loosened state to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed around the
foot. Initially, the tensioning device 400a must be moved to the
unlocked state by applying a sufficient release force F.sub.R to
overcome the biasing force of the first pawl spring 502. When the
release force F.sub.R overcomes the biasing force, the teeth 498 of
the first pawl 458 will disengage from the teeth 496 of the spool
456, thereby allowing the spool 456 to rotate in the second
direction D.sub.S2.
[0149] A loosening force F.sub.L may be applied to the tensioning
element 312 by the user to move the first cable in the loosening
direction D.sub.L, thereby maximizing the effective length of the
tensioning element 312 to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed. In the
illustrated example, the loosening force F.sub.L may be applied
indirectly to the tensioning element 312 by pulling the anterior
end 12 of the upper 200 in a downward direction, whereby the
interior void 204 is forced open to remove the foot. Alternatively,
the tensioning element 312 may be provided with one or more
loosening grips (not shown) to allow the user to apply the
loosening force F.sub.T directly to the tensioning element 312.
[0150] As the tensioning element 312 moves in the loosening
direction D.sub.L, the spool 456 rotates in the second direction
D.sub.S2 and the tensioning element 312 is unwound from the first
channel 488. As the tensioning element 312 is unwound, the
effective length of the tensioning element 312 increases and the
tensioning strands 316, 318 are relaxed, allowing the tensioning
straps 218a-218i to relax about the upper 200. Simultaneously, the
control element 314 is wound up within the second channel 490,
thereby causing the control element 314 to be retracted within the
tensioning device 400a. Accordingly, an effective length of the
control element 314 is minimized.
[0151] The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for
a sole structure and an article of footwear described above.
[0152] Clause 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the
sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface
defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed
on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess
formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall and
a second sidewall, and a cable lock disposed within the recess and
including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second
sidewall.
[0153] Clause 2. The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the recess
is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and
connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0154] Clause 3. The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein the
housing is in contact with the bottom wall.
[0155] Clause 4. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, further comprising a first channel extending from and in
fluid communication with the recess, the first channel operable to
receive a cable therein.
[0156] Clause 5. The sole structure of Clause 4, further comprising
a second channel extending from and in fluid communication with the
recess, the second channel operable to receive a cable therein.
[0157] Clause 6. The sole structure of Clause 5, wherein the second
channel extends transverse to the first channel.
[0158] Clause 7. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i)
substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one
another.
[0159] Clause 8. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first
surface, a portion of the projection being formed by and having the
shape of the recess.
[0160] Clause 9. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
[0161] Clause 10. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the
sole structure.
[0162] Clause 11. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from
the first surface.
[0163] Clause 12. An article of footwear incorporating the sole
structure of any of the preceding Clauses.
[0164] Clause 13. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the
sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface
defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed
on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess
formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a
second sidewall, and a bottom wall extending between and connecting
the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a first channel
extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the
first channel extending away from the recess along an axis that is
either (i) substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall or
(ii) substantially parallel to the first sidewall.
[0165] Clause 14. The sole structure of Clause 13, wherein the
recess is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and
connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0166] Clause 15. The sole structure of Clause 14, further
comprising a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a
housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0167] Clause 16. The sole structure of Clause 15, further
comprising a first cable element extending from the cable lock, the
first cable element being received by the first channel.
[0168] Clause 17. The sole structure of Clause 16, further
comprising a second cable element extending from the cable lock,
the second cable element being received by a second channel.
[0169] Clause 18. The sole structure of Clause 17, wherein the
second channel extends substantially perpendicular to the first
channel.
[0170] Clause 19. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i)
substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one
another.
[0171] Clause 20. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first
surface, the projection being formed by and having the shape of the
recess.
[0172] Clause 21. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
[0173] Clause 22. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the
sole structure.
[0174] Clause 23. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from
the first surface.
[0175] Clause 24. An article of footwear incorporating the sole
structure of any of the preceding Clauses.
[0176] Clause 25. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the
sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface
defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed
on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess
formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a
second sidewall, and a bottom wall, and a first channel extending
from and in fluid communication with the recess, a second channel
extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, a third
channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess,
and a fourth channel extending from and in fluid communication with
the recess, the fourth channel cooperating with the first channel,
the second channel, the third channel, and the recess to provide a
substantially H-shaped structure at the second surface.
[0177] Clause 26. The sole structure of Clause 25, further
comprising a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a
housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0178] Clause 27. The sole structure of Clause 26, further
comprising a first cable element extending from the cable lock, the
first cable element being received by the first channel and the
second channel.
[0179] Clause 28. The sole structure of Clause 27, further
comprising a second cable element extending from the cable lock,
the second cable element being received by the third channel and
the fourth channel.
[0180] Clause 29. The sole structure of Clause 28, wherein the
first channel and the second channel are (i) disposed on the same
side of the recess and on opposite ends of one of the first
sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0181] Clause 30. The sole structure of Clause 29, wherein the
third channel and the fourth channel are (i) disposed on the same
side of the recess and on opposite ends of the other of the first
sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0182] Clause 31. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i)
substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one
another.
[0183] Clause 32. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first
surface, the projection being formed by the recess, the first
channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth
channel.
[0184] Clause 33. The sole structure of Clause 32, wherein the
projection includes a substantially H-shape.
[0185] Clause 34. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
[0186] Clause 35. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the
sole structure.
[0187] Clause 36. The sole structure of any of the preceding
Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from
the first surface.
[0188] Clause 37. An article of footwear incorporating the sole
structure of any of the preceding Clauses.
[0189] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a
particular configuration are generally not limited to that
particular configuration, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even
if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied
in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *