Article of footwear and a charging system for an article of footwear

• US 10,779,605 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2019
• Issued: 09/22/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Beers, Tiffany A., Owings, Andrew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pacheco, Alexis B
• Application Number:
  US16/287,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20190261725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320108, 320109, 320134, 320136
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 11/00 Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/004 Fastenings fixed along the upper edges of the uppers
• 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: B65D 85/187 for footwear
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear. A charging system may include a charging device dimensioned to be used with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in a motorized tensioning system.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system for an article of footwear including an internal inductive loop, comprising:

a container configured to admit, fully enclose, and secure the article of footwear therein;

a power source;

a charging device, operatively coupled to the power source, comprising;

an external inductive loop; and

a housing, in which the internal inductive loop is positioned, configured to engage with a cavity in the sole of the article of footwear to secure the internal inductive loop of the article of footwear in a predetermined alignment with the external inductive loop;

wherein the charging device is positioned within the container such that upon placement of the article of footwear within the container the container engages with the article of footwear to bring the internal inductive loop in alignment with the external inductive loop to allow the external inductive loop to induce a current in the internal inductive loop.

2. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging device is positioned on a bottom surface of the container.

3. The wireless charging system of claim 2, wherein a first portion of the housing has a first thickness and a second portion of the housing has a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and wherein the housing is configured to secure the article of footwear proximate the first portion.

4. The wireless charging system of claim 3, wherein the housing is configured to bring the article of footwear in contact with a surface of the first portion.

5. The wireless charging system of claim 4, wherein the housing is further configured to bring the article of footwear in contact with a side surface between the first portion and the second portion.

6. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging device is configured to secure the article of footwear within the container.

7. The wireless charging system of claim 6, wherein the charging device is a first charging device and the article of footwear is one of a pair of articles of footwear, and further comprising a second charging device positioned in the container to secure a second article of footwear of the pair of articles of footwear within the container.

8. The wireless charging system of claim 7, wherein the second charging device is positioned within the container to secure the second article of footwear parallel with respect to the first article of footwear.

9. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein the power source is configured to be coupled to an external power source to provide power to the power source.

10. The wireless charging system of claim 9, wherein the power source is configured to be plugged into the external power source.

11. A method of making a wireless charging system for an article of footwear including an internal inductive loop, the method comprising:

obtaining a container configured to admit, fully enclose, and secure the article of footwear therein;

securing a charging device to the container, the charging device comprising;

an external inductive loop; and

a housing, in which the internal inductive loop is positioned, configured to engage with a cavity in the sole of the article of footwear to secure the internal inductive loop of the article of footwear in a predetermined alignment with the external inductive loop;

operatively coupling to the charging device to the power source,

wherein the charging device is positioned within the container such that upon placement of the article of footwear within the container the enclosure engages with the article of footwear to bring the internal inductive loop in alignment with the external inductive loop to allow the external inductive loop to induce a current in the internal inductive loop.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein securing the charging device includes positioning the charging device on a bottom surface of the container.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming the housing with a first portion of the housing having a first thickness and a second portion of the housing having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and wherein the housing is configured to secure the article of footwear proximate the first portion.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the housing includes configuring the enclosure to bring the article of footwear in contact with a surface of the first portion.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the housing further includes configuring the housing to bring the article of footwear in contact with a side surface between the first portion and the second portion.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the charging device is configured to secure the article of footwear within the container.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the charging device is a first charging device and the article of footwear is one of a pair of articles of footwear, and further comprising securing a second charging device in the container to secure a second article of footwear of the pair of articles of footwear within the container.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein securing the second charging device includes positioning the second charging device within the container to secure the second article of footwear parallel with respect to the first article of footwear.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the power source is configured to be coupled to an external power source to provide power to the power source.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the power source is configured to be plugged into the external power source.