Nike Invents a Motorized Adjustment System for Next Generation Footwear

One of Nike's latest patents were published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Their invention generallly relates to articles of footwear that include a removable motorized adjustment system.

Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper is often formed from a plurality of material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer sheet layers, foam layers, leather, and synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot.

More particularly, the upper forms a structure that extends over instep and toe areas of the foot, along medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around a heel area of the foot.

The upper may also incorporate a lacing system to adjust the fit of the footwear, as well as permitting entry and removal of the foot from the void within the upper.

This is the focus of Nike's new invention that will be linked to a future version of Nike + iPod as you'll see as our report progresses. Nike has invented an over-the-top insanely cool motorized tensioning system for footwear for professionals and enthusiasts who want the latest tools to protect their feet while power walking, running and performing many other sports and activities.

Nike's tensioning system may include a tensile member and a motorized tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear.

Powering the System

According to Nike, the tensioning system may further include a power source configured to supply power to the motorized tightening device. The tensile member, the motorized tightening device, and the power source may be configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of changing a lacing system of an article of footwear. The method may include providing an article of footwear including a motorized tensioning system attached to the article of footwear, the motorized tensioning system including a tensile member laced through eye stays in a lacing region of the article of footwear, a motorized tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear, and a power source configured to supply power to the motorized tightening device. The method may further include removing the tensile member, the motorized tightening device, and the power source from the article of footwear. In addition, the method may include lacing a manual lace into the article of footwear.

In some embodiments, Nike states that the power source may include one or more batteries. The power source is only intended as a schematic representation of one or more types of battery technologies that could be used to power the motorized tightening device. One possibly battery technology that could be used is a lithium polymer battery. The battery (or batteries) could be rechargeable or replaceable units packaged as flat, cylindrical, or coin shaped. In addition, batteries could be single cell or cells in series or parallel.

Further, Nike notes that rechargeable batteries could be recharged in place or removed from an article for recharging. In some embodiments, the charging circuitry could be built in and on board. In other embodiments, the charging circuitry could be located in a remote charger.

In yet another embodiment, Nike states that inductive charging could be used for charging one or more batteries. For example, a charging antenna could be disposed in a sole structure of an article and the article could then be placed on a charging mat to recharge the batteries.

Part 1: The Footwear lacing System

In another aspect of Nike's invention is directed to a motorized footwear lacing system. The lacing system may include an article of footwear and a manual lace. In addition, the lacing system may include a motorized tensioning system, including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear.

Also the lacing system may include a container configured to contain the article of footwear, the manual lace, the tensile member, and the motorized tightening device. Further, the tensile member and the motorized tightening device may be configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear and replaced with the manual lace.

Nike's System is Clearly Designed to Work with Apple's Joint Nike + Systems Ecosystem

In different embodiments, control of a motorized lacing device can be accomplished using various methods and devices. In Nike's patent FIG. 38 we're able to see how the system will work with various kinds of remote devices, including an RF based control bracelet shown as #390. The control bracelet may incorporate one or more buttons for sending commands to a motorized tensioning device.

In some cases, the control bracelet may include buttons for initiating incremental tightening and incremental loosening commands. In still other cases, additional buttons can be included for initiating any other commands including the open command (or fully loosen command), store tension command and return to stored tension command. Still other cases could incorporate any other buttons for issuing any other kinds of commands.Patent FIG. 31 specifically illustrates an iPhone in use with the new system.

In some other embodiments, buttons for tightening, loosening and/or performing other functions can be located directly on an article. As an example, some embodiments could incorporate one or more buttons located on or adjacent to the housing of a motorized tensioning device.

In still other embodiments, a motorized tightening device maybe controlled using voice commands. These commands could be transmitted through a remote device, or to a device capable of receiving voice commands that is integrated into the article and in communication with the motorized tensioning device. Think Siri enabled.

All of the following patent figures relate specifically to the Nike + Systems interfaces to control the new motorized footwear adjustment system:

Nike's patent FIG. 32 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an iPhone running a lacing control application; FIG. 33 and 34 are schematic views of an embodiment of a foot being inserted into an article and a remote device running a lacing control application; FIG. 35 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an article being tightened as an iPhone sends an incremental tighten command to a tensioning system and FIG. 36 shows an article being loosened using the iPhone interface: FIG. 37 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an article opened to allow a foot to be removed after the iPhone has sent an open command to a tensioning system (just don't lose your iPhone or your foot will be stuck in your runners … forever! - Ha!).

Nike's patent FIG. 46 is a schematic view of an article of footwear having an attachable tensioning system and showing select components of a sole structure of the footwear – which is the classic Nike + iPod sensor.

Part 2: The Footwear Lacing System

In Nike's patent FIG. 7 noted below we're able to see an embodiment of an exemplary manual release system for tensile members. In FIG. 7, the footwear #1000 can include a tensioning system #1002 with a lace #1004 and a motorized tensioning device #1006.

In this embodiment, a portion of the lace is equipped with a manual release mechanism #1010. In the embodiment shown here, manual release mechanism #1010 includes corresponding fasteners #1012 that can be manually disconnected to relieve lace tension. In some cases, the fasteners comprise a threaded coupling, as shown in FIG. 7

Nike's patent FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and an attachable motorized tensioning system; FIG. 3 is a perspective, assembled view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and an attachable motorized tensioning system.

Alternative Lacing Designs

Nike's patent FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of a manual release mechanism for a tensioning system including a motorized tensioning device.

Nike's patent application that was published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office was originally filed in Q3 2013. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.

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