US 11,672,308 B2
Autolacing footwear having a notched spool
Brendan Donohoe, Beaverton, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Aug. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/557,286.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/725,677, filed on Aug. 31, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0068999 A1, Mar. 5, 2020
Int. Cl. A43C 11/16 (2006.01); A43C 11/00 (2006.01); A43C 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC A43C 11/165 (2013.01) [A43C 1/04 (2013.01); A43C 11/008 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear, comprising: a midsole; an upper secured with respect to the midsole; a lace extending across the upper, the lace having a plurality of securing members, a first segment of the lace having a first apparent length and a second segment of the lace, separated from the first segment by at least one of the plurality of securing members, having a second apparent length; and a motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace, the motorized lacing system comprising: a motor; and a spool, coupled to the motor, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on an operation of the motor, the spool having a plurality of notches, each of the plurality of notches configured to seat an individual one of the plurality of securing members, wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length is adjustable based on which of the plurality of notches individual ones of the plurality of securing members are seated in, wherein the first and second apparent lengths are defined by which of the plurality of securing members are seated in ones of the plurality of notches.