Segmented tunnels on articles
First Claim
1. A collapsible tunnel system attached to a base layer, 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 tensile strand extending through the first tunnel and the second tunnel;
the collapsible tunnel system having a first configuration wherein the second end portion of the first tubular structure is spaced apart from the third end portion of the second tubular structure;
the collapsible tunnel system having a second configuration wherein the second end portion of the first tubular structure is closer to the third end portion of the second tubular structure than in the first configuration; and
wherein applying tension across a portion of the tensile strand places the collapsible tunnel system in the second configuration,wherein the tensile strand includes a catching element and a size of the catching element prevents the catching element from passing through the first tunnel, andwherein the catching element presses against the first end portion of the first tubular structure when tension is applied across the tensile strand and wherein the catching element is a knot in the tensile strand.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Collapsible tunnel systems or segmented tubular structures may be printed on or otherwise attached to base layers on articles of apparel, articles of footwear, or other articles of manufacture. The collapsible tunnel systems have two or more tubular structures attached to the base layer, with tunnels extending through the tubular structures. A tensile strand may be laced through the tunnels in the tubular structure such that when tension is applied to the tensile strand, the tunnels may collapse into a structure with a continuous tunnel through two or more tubular structures. In some embodiments, two or more segmented tubular structures each have two spaced-apart tubular structures joined by a connecting portion, and a tensile strand extending through tunnels in the tubular structures.
22 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A collapsible tunnel system attached to a base layer, comprising:
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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 tensile strand extending through the first tunnel and the second tunnel; the collapsible tunnel system having a first configuration wherein the second end portion of the first tubular structure is spaced apart from the third end portion of the second tubular structure; the collapsible tunnel system having a second configuration wherein the second end portion of the first tubular structure is closer to the third end portion of the second tubular structure than in the first configuration; and wherein applying tension across a portion of the tensile strand places the collapsible tunnel system in the second configuration, wherein the tensile strand includes a catching element and a size of the catching element prevents the catching element from passing through the first tunnel, and wherein the catching element presses against the first end portion of the first tubular structure when tension is applied across the tensile strand and wherein the catching element is a knot in the tensile strand. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A tensioning system attached to a base layer, comprising:
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a first segmented tubular structure comprising a first tubular structure attached to the base layer and a second tubular structure attached to the base layer; wherein the first tubular structure includes a first tunnel and wherein the second tubular structure includes a second tunnel; wherein the first tubular structure is attached to the second tubular structure by a first connecting portion, the first tunnel being spaced apart from the second tunnel proximate the first connecting portion; a second segmented tubular structure comprising a third tubular structure attached to the base layer and a fourth tubular structure attached to the base layer; wherein the third tubular structure includes a third tunnel and wherein the fourth tubular structure includes a fourth tunnel; wherein the third tubular structure is attached to the fourth tubular structure by a second connecting portion, the third tunnel being spaced apart from the fourth tunnel proximate the second connecting portion; a tensile strand extending through the first tunnel, the second tunnel, the third tunnel, and the fourth tunnel; and wherein the first segmented tubular structure is spaced apart from the second segmented tubular structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A tensioning system attached to a base layer, comprising:
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a first tubular structure attached to a first portion of the base layer and a second tubular structure attached to a second portion of the base layer, wherein the base layer further includes an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion; the first tubular structure including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first tubular structure further including a first tunnel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion; the second tubular structure including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the second tubular structure further including a second tunnel extending from the third end portion to the fourth end portion; a tensile strand extending through the first tunnel and the second tunnel, wherein the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure are spaced apart so that an exposed portion of the tensile strand extends between the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure; wherein the exposed portion of the tensile strand is proximate the intermediate portion of the base layer; and wherein the intermediate portion of the base layer has a first geometry when the tensile strand is not under tension, and wherein applying tension across the tensile strand changes the first geometry of the intermediate portion of the base layer; the collapsible tunnel system having a first configuration wherein the second end portion of the first tubular structure is spaced apart from the third end portion of the second tubular structure; and
wherein in a second configuration, the second end portion of the first tubular structure is in contact with the third end portion of the second tubular structure, such that the first tunnel is continuous with the second tunnel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification