Automated footwear tightening system

• US 20170135444A1
• Filed: 11/14/2016
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Martin Gerardo Vincent
• Original Assignee: Martin Gerardo Vincent
• Inventors: Vincent, Martin Gerardo
• Application Number:
  US15/330,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20170135444A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/14 Clamp fastenings , e.g. strap fastenings; Clamp-buckle fastenings; Fastenings with toggle levers
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/165 characterised by a spool, reel or pulley for winding up cables, laces or straps by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0069 Charging or discharging for charge maintenance, battery initiation or rejuvenation

Abstract

An automated footwear tightening system wherein a central rotary closure knob is provided on the top of an article of footwear. The rotary closure knob is engaged with a tightening element embedded within the article of footwear. The rotary closure knob is in communication with a motor, such that the motor can rotate the rotary closure knob to tighten the article of footwear upon a user'"'"'s foot. A wireless transceiver is in electric communication with the motor. In an embodiment, the wireless transceiver is configured to receive and send wireless signals from a user controlled device and activate the motor. The system allows a user to remotely tighten a shoe upon a wearer'"'"'s foot via the user'"'"'s controlled device. In an embodiment, the article of footwear will be provided with sensors to tighten the footwear upon receiving a wearer'"'"'s foot.

Claims

1. An automated footwear tightening system comprising:

a. an article of footwear;

b. a central rotary closure knob provided on the top surface of the article of footwear;

c. a tightening element engaged with the central rotary closure knob;

d. a motor in communication with the central rotary closure knob; and

e. a wireless transceiver in electronic communication with the motor;

wherein the motor is activated by the wireless transceiver to rotate the central rotary closure knob, winding the tightening element, and tightening the article of footwear.

2. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, wherein the central rotary closure further comprising with a quick release feature.

3. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, further comprising an instep cover beneath the central rotary closure knob.

4. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver further comprises:

a. a port for charging and sharing data; and

b. one or more electronic contact buttons able to be pressed by a user.

5. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver sends and receives Bluetooth radio signals,

6. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is adapted to be charged through induction.

7. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver further comprises one or more sensors to track movement.

8. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, wherein the article of footwear further comprising one or more kinetic energy generators.

9. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 8, wherein one or more kinetic energy generators provide charge to the wireless transceiver.

10. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 1, wherein the article of footwear further comprising a piezo-electric sensor.

11. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 10, wherein the piezo-electric sensor provides charge to the wireless transceiver.

12. The automated footwear tightening system of claim 10, wherein the piezo-electric sensor activates the motor.

13. A method of wearing the automated footwear tightening system comprising:

a. installing a software application onto a user controlled device;

b. pairing the user controlled device with an automated pair of footwear;

c. placing the automated pair of footwear on a wearer'"'"'s feet; and

d. using the software application on the paired device to tighten the automated pair of footwear onto the wearer'"'"'s feet.

14. The method of wearing the automated footwear tightening system of claim 13, further comprising selecting an auto-tightening feature on the user controlled device.

15. The method of wearing the automated footwear tightening system of claim 13, further comprising selecting a tracking feature on the user controlled device.

16. The method of wearing the automated footwear tightening system of claim 13, further comprising a voice command feature on the user controlled device.