Lace routing pattern of a lacing system for an article of footwear

Abstract

A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.

Please amend the claims as follows: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole structure;   an upper, secured to the sole structure, the upper forming a throat opening and a lacing area bounded by a medial edge of the upper, a lateral edge of the upper, the throat opening, and a forefoot region of the upper;   a tensioning assembly;   a lace, comprising a first lace segment and a second lace segment, the lace operatively coupled to the tensioning system;   wherein the first lace segment enters the lacing area from the tensioning assembly, proximate the throat opening and crosses over a first portion of the lacing area between the throat opening and a midsection of the lacing area at least twice, wherein the first lace segment has an end secured to the upper; and   wherein the second lace segment enters the lacing area, from the tensioning assembly, proximate the midsection of the lacing area and crosses over a second portion of the lacing area between the midsection and the forefoot region at least twice, wherein the second lace segment has an end secured to the upper.   
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear according to  claim 12  wherein the first lace segment enters the lacing area proximate the medial edge. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear according to  claim 3 , wherein the second lace segment enters the lacing area proximate the medial edge. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second lace segments are secured to the upper proximate the lateral edge. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second lace segments are secured to the upper further proximate the forefoot region. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear according to  claim 3 , wherein the first lace segment crosses over the first portion three times. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the second lacing segment crosses over the second portion three times. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of lacing guides positioned proximate the lacing area, each of the plurality of lacing guides receiving one of the first lacing segment and the second lacing segment. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of lacing guides extend across the lacing area. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of lacing guides further partially extends between the throat opening and the forefoot region. 
     
     
         12 . A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
 securing an upper to a sole structure, the upper forming a throat opening and a lacing area bounded by a medial edge of the upper, a lateral edge of the upper, the throat opening, and a forefoot region of the upper;   securing a tensioning assembly to at least one of the upper and the sole structure;   operatively coupling a lace to the tensioning assembly, the lace comprising a first lace segment and a second lace segment;   routing the first lace segment within the lacing area and securing an end of the first lace segment to the upper, wherein the first lace segment enters the lacing area, from the tensioning assembly, proximate the throat opening and crosses over a first portion of the lacing area between the throat opening and a midsection of the lacing area at least twice; and   routing the second lace segment within the lacing area and securing an end of the second lace segment to the upper, wherein the second lace segment enters lacing area, from the tensioning assembly, proximate the midsection of the lacing area and crosses over a second portion of the lacing area between the midsection and the forefoot region at least twice.   
     
     
         13 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 12 , wherein routing the end of the first lace segment includes causing the first lace segment to enter the lacing area proximate the medial edge. 
     
     
         14 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 13 , wherein routing the second lace segment enters the lacing area proximate the medial edge. 
     
     
         15 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second lace segments are secured to the upper proximate the lateral edge. 
     
     
         16 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second lace segments are secured to the upper further proximate the forefoot region. 
     
     
         17 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 13 , wherein routing the first lace segment causes the first lace segment to cross over the first portion three times. 
     
     
         18 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 17 , wherein routing the second lacing segment causes the second lace segment to cross over the second portion three times. 
     
     
         19 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 12 , further comprising positioning a plurality of lacing guides proximate to the lacing area, each of the plurality of lacing guides receiving one of the first lacing segment and the second lacing segment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein positioning the plurality of lace guides includes extending each of the plurality of lacing guides extend across the lacing area. 
     
     
         21 . The method of making the article of footwear according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the plurality of lacing guides further partially extends between the throat opening and the forefoot region.