IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,642,332
Granted Patent B2
US 12,642,332 · App. 18/673,648 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Footwear having motorized adjustment system and removable midsole

Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook (Portland, OR); Tiffany A. Beers (Portland, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
A43C11/22A43B3/34A43B11/00A43B17/00A43C11/165A43D86/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,642,332
App. No.
18/673,648
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer and a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper, the sole structure including a ground-contacting outer member and a removable midsole. The footwear may further include a motorized tensioning system including a power source, a control unit, a tensile member, and a motorized tightening device, the motorized tightening device being attached to an outer surface of the upper, and the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear. In addition, the power source and the control unit of the tensioning system may be configured to be removably disposed in the removable midsole.

Claims (26)

1 . A system, comprising:

an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, having an instep portion configured to extend over an instep of the foot of the wearer;

a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper, the sole structure including a ground-contacting outer member and a removable midsole;

a motorized tensioning system including:

a power source configured to be removably disposed in the removable midsole;

a control unit configured to be removably disposed in the removable midsole;

a motorized tightening device;

and a tensile member having a first end connected to the motorized tightening device and a second end connected to the motorized tightening device, the tensile member extending from the first end forwardly along a side of the upper to a forefoot region of the upper and then across the instep portion and then rearwardly along an opposed side of the upper, the motorized tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear; and

a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to the upper on the instep portion of the upper along each side of the upper, wherein the tensile member is strung through the plurality of lace receiving members.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tightening device housing in which the motorized tightening device is disposed.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the tightening device housing is removably securable within the sole structure.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the removable midsole includes at least one recess on a lower side of the midsole configured to receive the tightening device housing.

5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the tightening device housing has a tamper-resistant construction, including a first portion formed of a first, substantially rigid plastic, and a second portion formed of a second material fixedly attached to the first portion, the second portion configured to be destructively opened to provide access for removal of the motorized tightening device.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the removable midsole is configured to be removed from the article of footwear through an opening configured to receive a foot of a wearer.

7 . A system, comprising:

an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, having an instep portion configured to extend over an instep of the foot of the wearer;

a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper, the sole structure including a ground-contacting outer member and a removable midsole;

a motorized tensioning system including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device, the tensile member having a first end connected to the motorized tightening device and a second end connected to the motorized tightening device, the tensile member extending from the first end forwardly along a side of the upper to a forefoot region of the upper and rearwardly along an opposed side of the upper rearwardly, the motorized tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear;

a tightening device housing in which the motorized tightening device is disposed, the tightening device housing being fixedly secured within a recess of the sole structure;

a power source configured to power the motorized tightening device;

a control unit configured to control operation of the motorized tightening device; and

a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached the upper on the instep portion of the upper along each side of the upper; and

wherein the tensile member extends through the lace receiving members.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the tightening device housing has a tamper-resistant construction, including a first portion formed of a first, substantially rigid plastic, and a second portion formed of a second material fixedly attached to the first portion, the second portion configured to be destructively opened to provide access for removal of the motorized tightening device.

9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the motorized tightening device is configured to be controlled by a remote device.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further including a remote device configured to control the motorized tightening device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2024
From: RUSHBROOK, THOMAS J.; BEERS, TIFFANY A.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 067590/0094 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17866989 · Jul 18, 2022
Continuation 16113069 · Aug 27, 2018
Continuation 14253042 · Apr 15, 2014
Related Publication 20240315399A1 · Sep 26, 2024
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