Braiding machine and method of forming an article incorporating a moving object

• US 10,280,538 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2015
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Bruce, Robert M., Lee, Eun Kyung
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Shaun R
• Application Number:
  US14/721,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20160345677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/042 Uppers made of one piece one piece slippers A43B3/106; one piece sandals A43B3/124
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/00 Shoe lacing fastenings garment fastening devices A41F
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 1/02 made from particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 1/10 Pattern tulle fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 3/36 Frames
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 3/42 with means for forming sheds by controlling guides for individual threads
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 3/44 with means for forming sheds by subsequently diverting various threads using the same guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 3/46 with thread carriers supported on rolls
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 3/48 Auxiliary devices
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/10 porous
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/043 Footwear

Abstract

A braiding machine comprising a support structure, a track, an enclosure, a plurality of rotor metals, and a passageway having a first opening and a second opening, and a method of forming an upper using a braiding machine, the method comprising braiding over a forming last that passes from a first side of a braiding point to a second side of the braiding point of the braiding machine. The braiding machine is capable of forming intricate braided structures and may include different sized rings and non-linear passageways through which a forming last passes. Multiple forming lasts may be attached together by connection mechanisms and passed through the braiding machine.

Claims

1. A method of forming a braided shoe upper over a shoe last using a braiding machine, the method comprising:

positioning the shoe last adjacent a first opening of a passageway that extends through the braiding machine to a second opening,

wherein the passageway extends through an enclosure of the braiding machine, and

wherein a track of the braiding machine extends around the enclosure;

passing the shoe last through the passageway from the first opening to the second opening and through a thread-organization ring;

passing the shoe last from a first side of a braiding point to a second side of the braiding point of the braiding machine, wherein the braiding point is located adjacent the thread-organization ring, wherein the braiding machine further includes a plurality of spools located along the track, the plurality of spools including a first spool and a second spool, the first spool being adjacent to the second spool, and wherein as the first spool moves the second spool remains stationary;

passing the plurality of spools around the track as the shoe last passes from the first side of the braiding point to the second side of the braiding point to deposit thread around the shoe last to form the braided shoe upper over the shoe last; and

moving the shoe last after the braided shoe upper is formed thereon onto a conveyer that is spaced from the thread-organization ring.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shoe last is a first shoe last of a plurality of shoe lasts and comprises a first size, and wherein the thread-organization ring is a first thread-organization ring of a plurality of thread-organization rings and comprises a first ring size.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

selecting a second thread-organization ring based on a size of a second shoe last, the second shoe last having a second size that is different than the first size;

attaching the second thread-organization ring to the braiding machine in place of the first thread-organization ring;

passing the second shoe last through the passageway, the second thread-organization ring, and from the first side of the braiding point to the second side of the braiding point; and

passing the plurality of spools around the track as the second shoe last passes from the first side of the braiding point to the second side of the braiding point to deposit thread around the second shoe last to form another braided shoe upper over the second shoe last.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second shoe last has a different shape than the first shoe last.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the second shoe last is coupled to a plurality of other shoe lasts, the second shoe last and the plurality of other shoe lasts coupled together via a plurality of non-rigid connection mechanisms that are respectively interposed between the second shoe last and the plurality of other shoe lasts.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the passageway defines a non-linear path that transitions from a first orientation to a second orientation, the second orientation being perpendicular to the first orientation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, as the shoe last with the braided shoe upper formed thereon is moved onto the conveyer, thread from the braided shoe upper remains connected to the plurality of spools of the braiding machine.

8. A method of forming a braided shoe upper using a braiding machine comprising an enclosure, a track extending around the enclosure, a plurality of spools positioned on the track, a passageway extending from a first opening to a second opening, and a braiding point, the method comprising:

positioning a first shoe last adjacent the first opening, the first shoe last coupled to a second shoe last with a flexible connection mechanism that movably couples the first shoe last to the second shoe last, wherein the flexible connection mechanism comprises a non-rigid, pliable material;

passing the first shoe last through the passageway from the first opening to the second opening;

passing the first shoe last from a first side of the braiding point to a second side of the braiding point;

passing the plurality of spools around the track as the first shoe last passes from the first side of the braiding point to the second side of the braiding point to deposit thread around the first shoe last to form a first braided shoe upper over the first shoe last;

advancing the first shoe last with the first braided shoe upper formed thereon to draw, via the flexible connection mechanism, the second shoe last from the first side of the braiding point to the second side of the braiding point; and

passing the plurality of spools around the track as the second shoe last passes from the first side of the braiding point to the second side of the braiding point to deposit thread around the second shoe last to form a second braided shoe upper over the second shoe last.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the passageway is non-linear, transitioning from a first direction to at least a second direction between the first opening and the second opening.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the thread passes over a tensioner positioned between the track and the braiding point.