US 11,882,904 B2
Autolacing footwear having a sliding securing device
Eric P. Avar, Lake Oswego, OR (US); and Summer L. Schneider, Beaverton, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Nov. 26, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/696,522.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/773,379, filed on Nov. 30, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0170352 A1, Jun. 4, 2020
Int. Cl. A43C 11/12 (2006.01); A43C 1/00 (2006.01); A43B 3/00 (2022.01); A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A43C 11/16 (2006.01)
CPC A43C 11/12 (2013.01) [A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A43C 1/00 (2013.01); A43C 11/165 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
a midsole;
an upper, secured with respect to the midsole, forming an opening to admit a foot of a wearer, the opening being adjustable between a first segment of the upper and a second segment of the upper to secure the article of footwear to the foot of the wearer;
a slidable securing device, coupled between the first segment and the second segment of the upper, configured to slide along a length of track and attach an edge of the first segment directly to an edge of the second segment together via the slidable securing device; and
a motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with a lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace, the motorized lacing system comprising:
a motor; and
a lace spool, operatively coupled to the motor, configured to spool and unspool the lace to increase and decrease the tension on the lace, respectively;
wherein the lace is secured to the slidable securing device by entering an exiting the slidable securing device at a first end of the slidable securing device, and wherein, when tension is placed on the lace, the lace causes the slidable securing device to slide along the track and secure the first and second segments together.