Article of footwear and a method of assembly of the article of footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include one or more specialized compartments designed to receive the components. The components can be installed in compartments after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the components can be used to perform different functions in a motorized tensioning system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic lacing system for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a strap moving mechanism;   at least one strap attached to the strap moving mechanism, the at least one strap being configured to adjust an upper of the article of footwear;   an upper of the article of footwear, the upper including a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion, the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion being disposed on opposite sides of the upper and spaced apart by a lacing gap;   the at least one strap comprising a first end portion attached to the strap moving mechanism, a second end portion attached to the second sidewall portion of the upper, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion;   wherein the automatic lacing system is configured to be controlled between a closed position and an open position;   wherein the at least one strap is configured to pull the second sidewall portion of the upper towards the first sidewall portion when the automatic lacing system is in the closed position; and   wherein the lacing gap between the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion is configured to increase when the automatic lacing system is in the open position.