Abstract:
The present invention relates to a lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace (20) within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing (12), a spool (14) supported by the housing, and a knob (16) supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel (78) formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.
Abstract:
An attachment system for securing footwear to a wearer, the attachment system including a buckle assembly and a receiver. The buckle assembly may include a clasp adapted to be coupled to a first portion of a footwear upper. The clasp may have an elongated portion with a first pivotable surface. The receiver may be adapted to be coupled to a second portion of the footwear upper. The receiver may have an elongated recess adapted to slideably receive the elongated portion, and the receiver may have a second pivotable surface that is sufficiently complementary shaped to the first surface so that the surfaces pivotably engage each other in a transverse direction of the attachment system when the buckle assembly is locked in the receiver.
Abstract:
An attachment system for securing footwear to a wearer, the attachment system including a buckle assembly and a receiver. The buckle assembly may include a clasp adapted to be coupled to a first portion of a footwear upper. The clasp may have an elongated portion with a first pivotable surface. The receiver may be adapted to be coupled to a second portion of the footwear upper. The receiver may have an elongated recess adapted to slideably receive the elongated portion, and the receiver may have a second pivotable surface that is sufficiently complementary shaped to the first surface so that the surfaces pivotably engage each other in a transverse direction of the attachment system when the buckle assembly is locked in the receiver.
Abstract:
A lace closure system may include a low friction guide that defines the turning radius and direction of a lace which, though tension, pulls two or more panels toward each other. The lace closure system may include a fixator that defines a slot into which the lace is led, containing multiple engagement surfaces that, when the lace is wrapped into the slot, serve to engage the lace preventing unwanted loosening. The lace closure system may include a ring onto which the lace is attached, to assist in applying manual tension to the lace. The ring may be shaped and sized to removably attach to an outer perimeter of the fixator after excess lace has been wrapped into the slot.
Abstract:
A device and method for encoding bits to symbols for a communication system are described. In one embodiment, a method for encoding bits to symbols for a communication system includes receiving a set ofN-bit data to be transmitted, where N is an integer, generating side scrambling values using a polynomial, scrambling the set of N-bit data using the side scrambling values to produce scrambled data, mapping the scrambled data to a particular set of M symbols from a plurality of sets of M symbols, where M is an integer and M is smaller than N, and outputting the particular set of M symbols for transmission over a transmission medium. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
An automatic ankle cinching system for an article of footwear comprises an upper including an ankle portion; a housing disposed on a rear portion of the ankle portion; an ankle strap associated with a front portion of the ankle portion; a strap moving mechanism disposed within the housing; the strap including a first end portion attached to the strap moving mechanism and a second end portion fixedly attached to the housing; and wherein the strap moving mechanism is configured to automatically move the strap between an open position and a closed position and thereby adjust the ankle portion.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, a cam assembly and strap based closure system using a spiral is configured for bringing two sides of an article together. In some embodiments, when the user inserts the strap into the cam assembly and turns a knob, the strap is driven into the cam assembly and the strap pins engage one or more cam spirals, hi some embodiments, the system is configured such that strap pins may be engaged at a constant angle which may be self-locking, hi some embodiments, the system may be infinitely adjustable and the torque felt by the knob may be constant, m some embodiments, the system may be configured to be a quick release system and may allow rapid insertion of the strap for faster operation.
Abstract:
A strap for a mechanical closure device is disclosed. The strap includes a wire disposed along a longitudinal axis of the strap. The wire maintains the strap in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the strap. In other embodiments, a wire-core strap can include transverse ridges, holes, or other types of grooves or apertures.
Abstract:
Organe de liaison pour dispositif de fermeture et serrage (4) d'une chaussure de sport, comprenant une embase (25, 35) apte à sa fixation sur la surface de la chaussure de sport et un élément de liaison (31, 37) apte à une coopération avec un second organe de liaison, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de liaison (31, 37) présente une géométrie telle que sa tangente (c, d ; c') à sa zone de liaison avec un second élément de liaison du second organe de liaison n'est pas perpendiculaire à la direction de fermeture de l'organe de liaison dans sa configuration de fermeture et de serrage de la chaussure de sport.