Shoe With Automatic Closure Mechanism

Abstract

Provided is an automated shoe closure including a sole and a plurality of motors disposed in the sole. The motors are configured to expand or contract one or more shoe panels. The shoe panels each include one or more connectors configured to connect the shoe panels to each other when the shoe panels are in an expanded state. A plurality of slits are disposed in the sole. Each of the slits is configured to expand and contract a corresponding shoe panel therethrough. An expansion button is disposed in the sole. A retraction button is disposed in a side of the sole, and a charging port is disposed in the sole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated shoe closure, comprising:
 a sole;   one or more shoe panels, wherein each of the one or more shoe panels comprises at least one connector;   one or more slits disposed in the sole, wherein each of the one or more slits is configured to pass at least one of the one or more shoe panels therethrough; and   an expansion mechanism configured to expand and contract the one or more shoe panels in and out of the one or more slits disposed in the sole.   
     
     
         2 . The automated shoe closure of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion mechanism comprises one or more motors. 
     
     
         3 . The automated shoe closure of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to be activated in response to a wireless signal. 
     
     
         4 . The automated shoe closure mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the wireless signal is generated from a remote control or a smartphone device. 
     
     
         5 . The automated shoe closure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         6 . The automated shoe closure of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slits are disposed on a side of the sole. 
     
     
         7 . The automated shoe closure mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to be activated by a voice command. 
     
     
         8 . An automated shoe closure, comprising:
 a sole;   one or more shoe panels, wherein each of the one or more shoe panels comprises at least one connector;   one or more slits disposed in a top portion of the sole, wherein each of the one or more slits is configured to pass at least one of the one or more shoe panels therethrough; and   an expansion mechanism configured to expand and contract the one or more shoe panels in and out of the one or more slits disposed in the sole.   
     
     
         9 . The automated shoe closure of  claim 8 , wherein the expansion mechanism comprises one or more motors. 
     
     
         10 . The automated shoe closure of  claim 8 , wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to be activated in response to a wireless signal. 
     
     
         11 . The automated shoe closure mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the wireless signal is generated from a remote control or a smartphone device. 
     
     
         12 . The automated shoe closure of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The automated shoe closure mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to be activated by a voice command. 
     
     
         14 . An article of footwear having an automated closure mechanism, comprising:
 a sole;   one or more shoe panels, wherein each of the one or more shoe panels comprises at least one connector;   one or more slits disposed in the sole, wherein each of the one or more slits is configured to pass at least one of the one or more shoe panels therethrough; and   an expansion mechanism configured to expand and contract the one or more shoe panels in and out of the one or more slits disposed in the sole.   
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the expansion mechanism comprises one or more motors. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to be activated in response to a wireless signal. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the wireless signal is generated from a remote control or a smartphone device. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more slits are disposed on a side of the sole. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to be activated by a voice command.