Motorized tensioning device with compact spool system

Abstract

A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensioning member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper;   a sole structure attached to the upper, the sole structure having a midfoot region;   a loop channel disposed on a lateral side of the upper along the midfoot region of the sole structure;   a motorized tensioning device fixedly attached to the midfoot region;   the motorized tensioning device including a motor assembly coupled to a shaft member by a gear reduction system, the motorized tensioning device enclosed within a housing unit;   the motorized tensioning device having a reel member and a lace secured to the reel member, the lace extending through the loop channel and entering a medial side of the housing unit to be secured to the reel member, the loop channel being configured to redirect the lace so that a first segment of the lace that enters the loop channel is parallel with a second segment of the lace that exits the loop channel;   wherein the reel member is concentrically mounted to the shaft member;   wherein the motorized tensioning device is activated by a pressure force applied to the sole structure;   wherein the gear reduction system rotates the shaft member and the reel member in a first rotational direction;   wherein the lace member winds upon the reel member in response to the rotation of the reel member in the first rotational direction; and   wherein a portion of the lace extends through a first localized portion of the upper and wherein the first localized portion of the upper is adjusted in response to the winding of the lace in the first rotational direction.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the lace is a first lace and wherein the motorized tensioning device includes a second reel member and a second lace, and wherein the second lace is secured to the second reel member. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein the first reel member has a first diameter and the second reel member has a second diameter different from the first diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein the second reel member is concentrically mounted to the shaft member, and the second reel member is adjacent to the first reel member. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the second lace extends through a second localized portion of the upper and wherein the second localized portion of the upper is adjusted in response to the winding of the second lace in the first rotational direction. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the motorized tensioning device includes a housing unit, the housing unit has a first width and a second width relative to a lateral axis, the lateral axis extending between a medial side and a lateral side, the first width is proximal to a lateral side and the second width is proximal to a medial side; and
 wherein the first width is different than the second width.   
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the first reel member and a second reel member are attached at a first end portion of the shaft member and wherein the gear reduction system engages a second end portion of the shaft member. 
     
     
         8 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper;   a sole structure attached to the upper, the sole structure having a midfoot region;   a loop channel disposed on a lateral side of the upper along the midfoot region of the sole structure;   a motorized tensioning device fixedly attached to the midfoot region;   the motorized tensioning device having a motor assembly, a shaft member, a gear reduction system attaching the motor assembly to the shaft member, the motorized tensioning device enclosed within a housing unit;   the motorized tensioning device including a first reel member and a first lace attached to the first reel member and the motorized tensioning device including a second reel member and a second lace attached to the second reel member, the first lace extending through the loop channel and entering a medial side of the housing unit to be secured to the first reel member, the loop channels being configured to redirect the first lace so that a first segment of the first lace that enters one of the plurality of loop channels is parallel with a second segment of the first lace that exits the loop channel;   wherein a first gear and a second gear of the gear reduction system are positioned at a first end portion of the shaft member;   wherein the first reel member and the second reel member are concentrically mounted to a second end portion of the shaft member;   wherein the first lace has a first end secured to the first reel member and a second end secured to the first reel member;   wherein the second lace has a third end secured to the second reel member and a fourth end secured to the second reel member;   wherein the motorized tensioning device is activated by a pressure force applied to the sole structure;   wherein the motor assembly actuates the gear reduction system when the motorized tensioning device is activated;   wherein the gear reduction system rotates the shaft member thereby rotating the first reel member and the second reel member in a first rotational direction; and   wherein the first reel member has a first diameter and the second reel member has a second diameter that is different from the first diameter.   
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 8 , wherein the first lace is configured to wind upon the first reel member at a first pull-in rate and wherein the second lace is configured to wind upon the second reel member at a second pull-in rate that is different from the first pull-in rate. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein a first lacing guide, a first medial internal channel, a first lateral internal channel, and the loop channel route the first lace through the upper. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear according to  claim 8 , wherein the motorized tensioning device includes a third lace, the third lace having a fifth end secured to the first reel member and a sixth end secured to the second reel member. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear according to  claim 8 , wherein the first gear member and the second gear member comprise a worm drive. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear according to  claim 12 , wherein the first lace and the second lace are routed from the first reel member and the second reel member through sidewall portions disposed on a medial side and a lateral side of the upper such that portions of the first lace and the second lace are arranged in a parallel configuration on a tongue of the upper. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein the motorized tensioning device includes a battery and a control unit;
 wherein the motorized tensioning device includes a housing unit; and   wherein the battery and the control unit are arranged in a stacked configuration along a vertical axis within the housing unit, and wherein the vertical axis is perpendicular to a horizontal surface of the sole structure.   
     
     
         15 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper;   a sole structure attached to the upper, the sole structure having a midfoot region;   a loop channel disposed on a lateral side of the upper along the midfoot region of the sole structure;   a motorized tensioning device fixedly attached to the midfoot region and comprising a battery, a control unit, wherein a housing unit encloses the motorized tensioning device, wherein the battery and the control unit are arranged in a stacked configuration along a vertical axis within the housing unit, and wherein the vertical axis is perpendicular to a horizontal surface of the sole structure;   the motorized tensioning device having a motor assembly, a shaft member, a gear reduction system attaching the motor assembly to the shaft member;   the motorized tensioning device including a first reel member and a first lace attached to the first reel member and the motorized tensioning device including a second reel member and a second lace attached to the second reel member, wherein the first lace and the second lace are routed from the first reel member and the second reel member through sidewall portions disposed on a medial side and a lateral side of the upper such that portions of the first lace and the second lace are arranged in a parallel configuration on a tongue of the upper, the first lace extending through the loop channel and entering a medial side of the housing unit to be secured to the first reel member, the loop channel being configured to redirect the first lace so that a first segment of the first lace that enters the loop channel is parallel with a second segment of the first lace that exits the loop channel;   wherein a first gear and a second gear of the gear reduction system comprise a worm drive and are positioned at a first end portion of the shaft member;   wherein the first reel member and the second reel member are concentrically mounted to a second end portion of the shaft member;   wherein the first lace has a first end secured to the first reel member and a second end secured to the first reel member;   wherein the second lace has a third end secured to the second reel member and a fourth end secured to the second reel member;   wherein the motorized tensioning device is activated by a pressure force applied to the sole structure;   wherein the motor assembly actuates the gear reduction system when the motorized tensioning device is activated;   wherein the gear reduction system rotates the shaft member thereby rotating the first reel member and the second reel member in a first rotational direction; and   wherein the first reel member has a first diameter and the second reel member has a second diameter that is different from the first diameter.