Tunnel spring structures

• US 10,065,369 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2016
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Guest, Stefan E., Holmes, Matthew J., Sterman, Yoav
• Primary Examiner(s): Upchurch, David M
• Application Number:
  US15/370,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20170156427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/22 Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/00 Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/02 Uppers; Boot legs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0245 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/042 Uppers made of one piece one piece slippers A43B3/106; one piece sandals A43B3/124
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/24 Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/26 adjustable as to length or size
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/00 Shoe lacing fastenings garment fastening devices A41F
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/04 with rings or loops
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/06 tightened by draw-strings
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/16 Fastenings secured by wire, bolts, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 7/00 Holding-devices for laces
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 2200/60 Computer aided manufacture of footwear, e.g. CAD or CAM
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/00 Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/106 using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/112 using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/118 using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/30 Auxiliary operations or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/00 Producing hollow articles tubular articles B29D23/00; pneumatic tyres B29D30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 35/12 : Producing parts thereof, e.g. soles, heels, uppers, by a moulding technique
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2101/12 : Thermoplastic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0082 : Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/505 : Uppers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/727 : Fastening elements bolts B29L2001/002; nuts B29L2001/005; screws B29L2001/007; slide fasteners B29L2005/00; buttons for haberdashery B29L2019/00
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 : Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 : Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

A tunnel spring structure three-dimensionally printed on a base layer. The tunnel spring structure includes three tubular structures and two connecting portions. A connecting portion is disposed between two tubular structures. A tensile strand extends through the tubular structures. Tension applied to the tensile strand forces the tubular structures to adjoin due to the flexibility of the connection portions.

Claims

1. A tunnel spring structure attached to a base layer of an article of footwear or an article of apparel, the tunnel spring structure comprising:

a plurality of tubular structures with each tubular structure including a first end and a second end, wherein each tubular structure has a tunnel;

a plurality of flexible connecting portions with each connecting portion including a third end and a fourth end;

wherein the second end of a first tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures is attached to the third end of a first connecting portion of the plurality of connecting portions; and

wherein the first end of a second tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures is attached to the fourth end of the first connecting portion.

2. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1, further comprising a tensile strand having a first end and a second end, the tensile strand extending through the tunnels of the plurality of tubular structures;

wherein the first end of the tensile strand is secured at the first end of the first tubular structure; and

wherein the tensile strand is partially exposed proximate each of the plurality of connecting portions.

3. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 2, wherein tension applied to the second end of the tensile strand urges one or more of the plurality of tubular structures to deviate from a first state to a second state;

wherein the plurality of tubular structures are spaced apart a first distance when the tunnel spring structure is in the first state;

wherein the plurality of tubular structures are spaced apart a second distance when the tunnel spring structure is in the second state; and

wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

4. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 3, wherein when the tension is released, the plurality of connecting portions urge the tunnel spring structure from the second state to the first state.

5. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 3, wherein the tensile strand is a cord.

6. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of connecting portions is elastic.

7. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connecting portions have arc-like shapes protruding away from one or more of the plurality tubular structures.

8. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1, wherein

at least one of the tubular structures of the plurality of tubular structures has a greater stiffness than at least one of connecting portions of the plurality of connecting portions.

9. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1, wherein

at least one of the plurality of tubular structures is made of a different material than at least one of the plurality of connecting portions.

10. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel spring structure is disposed on a portion of an article of apparel.

11. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel spring structure is disposed on a portion of an article of footwear.

12. A tunnel spring structure attached to a base layer of an article of footwear or an article of apparel, the tunnel spring structure comprising:

a first tubular structure attached to the base layer including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first tubular structure having a first tunnel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion;

a second tubular structure attached to the base layer including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the second tubular structure having a second tunnel extending from the third end portion to the fourth end portion;

a third tubular structure attached to the base layer including a fifth end portion and a sixth end portion, the third tubular structure having a third tunnel extending from the fifth end portion to the sixth end portion;

a first connecting portion disposed between the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure, wherein the first connecting portion is attached to the second end portion of the first tubular structure and the third end portion of the second tubular structure;

a second connecting portion disposed between the second tubular structure and the third tubular structure, wherein the second connecting portion is attached to the fourth end portion of the second tubular structure and the fifth end portion of the third tubular structure;

a tensile strand including a first end and a second end, the tensile strand extending through the first tunnel, the second tunnel, and the third tunnel; and

wherein the tensile strand is partially exposed proximate the first connecting portion and is also partially exposed proximate the second connecting portion, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are flexible portions.

13. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 12, wherein the tunnel spring structure is configured in a non-linear shape.

14. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 13, wherein the tunnel spring structure is in a first state when the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure are spaced apart a first distance;

wherein the tunnel spring structure is in a second state when the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure are spaced apart a second distance;

wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and

wherein a predetermined tension applied to the first end and the second end of the tensile strand forces the tunnel spring structure from the first state to the second state.

15. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 14, wherein when the predetermined tension is released, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion force the tunnel spring structure from the second state to the first state.

16. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 12, wherein the first connecting portion is more flexible than the first tubular structure.

17. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 14, wherein the base layer has a geometry, and wherein the geometry of the base layer changes when the tunnel spring structure transitions from the first state to the second state.

18. The tunnel spring structure according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have arc-like shapes protruding away from the second tubular structure.