Lacing system with guide elements
An article of footwear with various types of guide elements is disclosed. The article of footwear provides a set of tensile elements that can be moved through the guide elements to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The tensile elements may be routed through a guide element associated with the upper that can provide compressive strength and support.
1. A method, comprising:
forming an upper having a varying height forming a contour;
attaching an assembly of guide elements to the upper, each guide element of the assembly of guide elements having a different length corresponding to a height of the upper along the contour of the upper; and
routing each of a plurality of segments joined together with a joining element to form a single tensile element through an associated guide element of the assembly of guide elements, wherein the segments of the single tensile element are configured to move concurrently through the associated guide element when tension is applied to the joining element of the single tensile element, and wherein a rigidity of the guide elements is greater than a rigidity of the segments of the single tensile element.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the guide elements of the assembly of guide elements comprise a hollow tube geometry.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments are a plurality of straps for an article of footwear.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein attaching the assembly of guide elements is to a sidewall portion of the upper, and wherein the rigidity of the assembly of guide elements is greater than a rigidity of the sidewall portion of the upper.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein attaching the assembly of guide elements is to a sidewall portion of the upper, and wherein a curvature of a first guide element of the assembly of guide elements is substantially similar to a curvature of the sidewall portion of the upper.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein attaching the assembly of guide elements is between an outer lining of the sidewall portion and an inner lining of the sidewall portion.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising coupling the single tensile element to an automated lacing system that controls the tension of the single tensile element.
8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising securing the automated lacing system with respect to the upper, the automated lacing system comprising a motor configured to automatically move the single tensile element between a tightened configuration and a loosened configuration when activated.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a compressive strength of the assembly of guide elements is greater than a compressive strength of an associated portion of the upper.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the guide elements of the assembly of guide elements are substantially parallel with respect to one another.