IP Library Granted Patent US 9,254,018
Granted Patent B2
US 9,254,018 · App. 14/276,250 · Granted Feb 9, 2016

Shoe with automatic closure mechanism

Inventor: Derrick Bliss (West Babylon, NY)
A43C11/00A43B1/0054A43B3/0015A43B3/248A43B11/00A43C11/008A43C11/16
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,254,018
App. No.
14/276,250
Granted
Feb 9, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is an automated shoe closure including a sole and a plurality of motors disposed in the sole. The motors are configured to expand or contract one or more shoe panels. The shoe panels each include one or more connectors configured to connect the shoe panels to each other when the shoe panels are in an expanded state. A plurality of slits are disposed in the sole. Each of the slits is configured to expand and contract a corresponding shoe panel therethrough. An expansion button is disposed in the sole. A retraction button is disposed in a side of the sole, and a charging port is disposed in the sole.

Claims (41)

1. An automated shoe closure, comprising:

a sole;

a plurality of panels;

a plurality of motors disposed in the sole, wherein the motors expand or contract one or more of the shoe panels, and wherein the shoe panels each comprise one or more connectors configured to connect the shoe panels to each other when the shoe panels are in an expanded state;

the one or more connectors comprise a magnet configured to connect the one or more connectors to each other;

a plurality of slits disposed in the sole, wherein each of the slits is configured to expand and contract a corresponding shoe panel therethrough;

an expansion button disposed in the sole;

a retraction button disposed in a side of the sole; and

a charging port disposed in the sole.

2. The automated shoe closure of claim 1 , wherein the motors have a cylindrical shape, and wherein the shoe panels are configured to roll around the motors.

3. The automated shoe closure of claim 1 , wherein the motors are configured to be activated simultaneously in response to a wireless signal.

4. The automated shoe closure mechanism of dam 3 , wherein the wireless signal is generated from a remote control or a smartphone device.

5. The automated shoe closure of claim 1 , wherein the slits are disposed on a top of the sole.

6. The automated shoe closure mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the motors are activated by a voice command.

7. An automated shoe closure; comprising:

a sole;

a plurality of panels;

a plurality of motors disposed in the sole, wherein the motors expand or contract one or more of the shoe panels, and wherein the shoe panels each comprise one or more connectors configured to connect the shoe panels to each other when the shoe panels are in an expanded state;

the one or more connectors comprise a magnet configured to connect the one or more connectors each other;

a plurality of slits disposed in a top portion of the sole, wherein each of the slits is configured to expand and contract a corresponding shoe panel therethrough;

an expansion button disposed in the sole;

a retraction button disposed in a side of the sole; and

a charging port disposed in the sole.

8. The automated shoe closure of claim 7 , wherein the motors have a cylindrical shape, and wherein the shoe panels are configured to roll around the motors.

9. The automated shoe closure of claim 7 , wherein the motors are configured to be activated simultaneously in response to a wireless signal.

10. The automated shoe closure mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the wireless signal is generated from a remote control or a smartphone device.

11. The automated shoe closure mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the motors are activated by a voice command.

12. An article of footwear having an automated closure mechanism, comprising:

a sole;

a plurality of panels;

a plurality of motors disposed in the sole, wherein the motors expand or contract one or more of the shoe panels, and wherein the shoe panels each comprise one or more connectors configured to connect the shoe panels to each other when the shoe panels are in an expanded state;

the one or more connectors comprise a magnet configured to connect the one or more connectors to each other;

a plurality of slits disposed in the sole, wherein each of the slits is configured to expand and contract a corresponding shoe panel therethrough;

an expansion button disposed in the sole;

a retraction button disposed in a side of the sole; and

a charging port disposed in the sole.

13. The automated shoe closure of claim 12 , wherein the motors have a cylindrical shape, and wherein the shoe panels are configured to roll around the motors.

14. The automated shoe closure of claim 12 , wherein the motors are configured to be activated simultaneously in response to a wireless signal.

15. The automated shoe closure mechanism of claim 14 , wherein the wireless signal is generated from a remote control or a smartphone device.

16. The automated shoe closure of claim 12 , wherein the slits are disposed on a top of the sole.

17. The automated shoe closure mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the motors are activated by a voice command.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61823294 · May 14, 2013
Related Publication 20140338225A1 · Nov 20, 2014