US 12,133,575 B2
Automated footwear lacing systems, devices, and techniques
Robert A. Riccomini, Beaverton, OR (US); Hardy Shen, Beaverton, OR (US); and Stan Reyes, Beaverton, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/207,517.
Application 18/207,517 is a division of application No. 15/993,904, filed on May 31, 2018, granted, now 11,707,115.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/513,213, filed on May 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0309658 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. A43C 11/16 (2006.01); A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A43C 1/00 (2006.01); A43C 7/08 (2006.01); B65H 59/00 (2006.01); B65H 69/00 (2006.01); B65H 75/36 (2006.01); B65H 75/44 (2006.01); F16G 11/00 (2006.01); F16H 1/28 (2006.01); F16G 11/10 (2006.01); F16G 11/12 (2006.01); F16G 11/14 (2006.01)
CPC A43C 11/165 (2013.01) [A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A43C 1/00 (2013.01); A43C 7/08 (2013.01); B65H 59/00 (2013.01); B65H 69/00 (2013.01); B65H 75/368 (2013.01); B65H 75/4428 (2013.01); B65H 75/4484 (2013.01); F16G 11/00 (2013.01); F16H 1/2863 (2013.01); B65H 2403/46 (2013.01); B65H 2511/411 (2013.01); B65H 2515/31 (2013.01); B65H 2553/20 (2013.01); B65H 2701/39 (2013.01); F16G 11/106 (2013.01); F16G 11/12 (2013.01); F16G 11/14 (2013.01); Y10T 24/34 (2015.01); Y10T 24/3724 (2015.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lacing engine for an automated footwear platform, the lacing engine comprising:
a housing;
a lace spool at least partially disposed within the housing, the lace spool adapted to collect a portion of a lace cable in response to rotation in a first direction during tightening of the footwear platform;
a motor contained within the housing and coupled to the lace spool to drive rotation of the lace spool; and
a detection mechanism including a spring-loaded lever including a free end adapted to follow a contour of the lace spool and a cut-off switch to control the motor,
wherein the lace spool includes a divot adapted to receive at least a portion of the free end of the lever when the lace cable runs off the lace spool, and
wherein the detection mechanism includes a sensor being configured to detect when the free end of the lever is received within the divot.