Footwear Having Coverable Motorized Adjustment System

Abstract

An article of footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear, the tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a tightening device cover configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear over the tightening device.

1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a motorized tensioning system including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear, the tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear; and   a tightening device cover configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear over the tightening device.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further including:
 a control unit and a power source incorporated into the motorized tensioning system, the control unit and the power source being attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear;   a control unit cover configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear over the control unit; and   a power source cover configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear.   
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the tightening device cover, the control unit cover, and the power source cover is removably attached to the article of footwear with an interference fit connection. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the tightening device, the control unit, and the power source is removably attached to the article of footwear. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tightening device, the control unit, and the power source is attached to a heel portion of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the tightening device cover includes a faceted inner surface defining concave contours configured to receive the tightening device. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein edges of the tightening device cover are contoured to mate with a contoured portion of the outer surface of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein, the tightening device is attached to the heel portion of the article of footwear in a rearmost portion of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein, the control unit and the power source are located on opposing sides of the article of footwear in a heel region of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         10 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer;   a sole structure secured to the upper;   a motorized tensioning system including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear, the tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear; and   a control unit and a power source incorporated into the motorized tensioning system, the control unit and the power source being attached to an outer surface of the article of footwear; and   a set of component covers configured to be removably attached to the outer surface of the article of footwear, the set of component covers including a tightening device cover configured to be removably attached over the tightening device, a control unit cover configured to be removably attached over the control unit, and a power source cover configured to be removably attached over the power source.   
     
     
         22 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the tightening device cover, the control unit cover, and the power source cover is removably attached to the article of footwear with an interference fit connection. 
     
     
         23 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the tightening device, the control unit, and the power source is removably attached to the article of footwear. 
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the tightening device, the control unit, and the power source is attached to a heel portion of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the tightening device cover includes a faceted inner surface defining concave contours configured to receive the tightening device. 
     
     
         26 . The article of footwear of  claim 25 , wherein edges of the tightening device cover are contoured to mate with a contoured portion of the outer surface of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         27 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the control unit cover includes a faceted inner surface defining concave contours configured to receive the control unit. 
     
     
         28 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the power source cover includes a faceted inner surface defining concave contours configured to receive the power source. 
     
     
         29 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein, the control unit and the power source are located on opposing sides of the article of footwear in a heel region of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         30 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the motorized tightening device is configured to be controlled by a remote device. 
     
     
         31 . A footwear system, comprising:
 the article of footwear of  claim 30 , and   a remote device configured to control the motorized tightening device;   wherein the remote device includes a bracelet.