TENSION MEMBER GUIDES OF A LACING SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63/580,120 filed Sep. 1, 2023, entitled “Tension Member Guides of a Lacing System,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The embodiments described herein are generally related to closure or tightening systems, devices, and methods for closing and/or tightening an article. The embodiments are specifically related to guides or components that are used to route a tension member or lace about a path of the article.

[0003]Closure or tightening systems are commonly used to tighten and close an article. For example, a reel based mechanism may be used to close or tighten footwear. A knob of the reel based mechanism is typically coupled with a spool that includes a channel around which a tension member is wound as the knob is rotated by a user. The reel based mechanism may include teeth that engage, or another ratchet type mechanism, to prevent counter-rotation of the spool and/or knob. A tension member is typically attached to the reel based mechanism so that rotation of the knob by the user causes tensioning of the tension member. The tension member is typically routed along a path of the article via one or more guide members, such as eyelets in conventional footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0004]The embodiments described herein relate to guides that are designed to guide or route a lace or tension member about an article, such as an article of footwear. According to one aspect, a guide for routing a lace or tension member about an article includes a strip of woven material having a longitudinal length and a lateral width. The strip of woven material is folded along the longitudinal length to form a loop within which the lace or tension member is disposed. The strip of woven material defines or includes a center portion and two end portions positioned along the lateral width with the two end portions being disposed or positioned on opposite sides of the center portion. A pre-curved is formed or defined in the guide so that prior to tensioning or application of any load to the guide, via the lace or tension member, an upper end of the loop defines a curve that mimics or replicates a natural curve of the guide under load.

[0005]The center portion may be formed of a different material than the two end portions. For example, the two end portions may be made of a material that is more flexible than the center portion. In such instances, the center portion typically has sufficient strength to resist compression along the lateral width of the guide and thereby prevent the guide from bunching when the lace or tension member is tensioned. The center portion may be formed of a thicker and firmer material in comparison with the two end portions. The center portion and two end portions are formed or woven together so that the strip of woven material is a solitary or single fabric material.

[0006]The guide typically does not include any materials that are positioned on or coupled with an inner surface of the loop. In such instances, the lace or tension member directly contacts an inner surface of the strip of woven material. The center portion may comprise between 55% and 85% of the lateral width of the guide and the two end portions may comprise between 15% and 45% of the lateral width of the guide. An angle of the pre-curve that is formed or defined in the guide may be between 40 degrees and 80 degrees as measured along a line tangential to one of the opposing ends and a line that is parallel to a side or edge of the loop. The guide may also include a shim that is positioned within the loop to aid in maintaining the loop in an open configuration. The shim may be positioned within the loop so that the shim does not contact the lace or tension member when the lace or tension member is under tension.

[0007]According to another aspect, a guide for routing a lace or tension member about an article includes a material strip having a longitudinal length and a lateral width. The material strip is folded along the longitudinal length to form a loop within which the lace or tension member is disposed or positioned. The material strip defines a center portion and two end portions along its lateral width. The guide includes a pre-curve so that a curvature in the loop is present or defined in the guide while the guide is in a relaxed, untensioned, or non-tensioned state.

[0008]The center portion may be formed of a different material than the two end portions. In such instances, the center portion may be formed of a thicker and firmer material than the two end portions. The center portion and two end portions are typically formed or woven together so that the material strip is a single fabric material. The guide typically does not include any materials positioned on or coupled with an inner surface of the loop. In such instances, the lace or tension member directly contacts an inner surface of the material strip.

[0009]The center portion may comprise or extend between 55% and 85% of the lateral width of the guide and the two end portions may comprise or extend between 15% and 45% of the lateral width of the guide. An angle of the pre-curve may be between 40 degrees and 80 degrees as measured along a line tangential to one of the two end portions and a line parallel to a side or edge of the loop. The guide may also include a shim that is positioned within the loop to aid in maintaining the loop in an open configuration. The shim may be positioned within the loop so that the shim does not contact the lace or tension member when the lace or tension member is under tension.

[0010]According to another aspect, a method of constructing a guide having a pre-curve includes providing a strip of material having a longitudinal length and a lateral width and folding the strip of material along the longitudinal length to form a loop, in which the folded strip of material has or defines a center portion and two end portions along its lateral width. The method also includes inserting a tool having a negative curvature through the loop and attaching or coupling a bottom end of the loop together.

[0011]In some instances, a curvature significantly greater than the pre-curve may be applied to the loop prior to attaching or coupling the bottom end of the loop together. The center portion may be formed of a different material than the two end portions. In such instances, the method may further include forming or weaving the center portion and two end portions together such that the strip of material is a single material. The method may additionally include positioning a shim within the loop to aid in maintaining the loop in an open configuration.

[0012]According to another aspect, a shim for a lace guide includes a main body and a flange that extends from the main body. The flange has a thin cross section so that the flange is positionable between opposing sides of a folded strip of material and a profile of the main body is substantially thicker than the flange so that the main body is positionable within a loop of the folded strip of material to facilitate in maintaining a looped end of the folded strip of material in an open configuration. A lateral width of the main body is substantially wider than a lateral width of the flange. The main body includes a central portion and opposing lateral arms. In such instances, the opposing lateral arms may taper or curve away from the central portion so that a top end of the shim is curved. The main body typically has an oval or round profile.

[0013]According to another aspect, a guide for routing a lace or tension member about an article includes a polymer guide body having a channel through which the lace or tension member is insertable. The guide also includes a fabric flange that extends from the polymer guide body. The flange is substantially thinner than the polymer guide body and the fabric flange is integrally formed with the polymer guide body. The channel may have a curved configuration and/or the fabric flange may be positioned near an upper portion or region of the polymer guide body. The polymer guide body has a tapered proximal end and a tapered distal end.

[0014]According to another aspect, a guide for routing a lace or tension member about an article includes a main body and a channel that extends laterally through the main body. The channel is configured so that the lace or tension member is insertable through the channel. The main body includes a coupling feature that is configured so that a strip of material is positionable or wrapped around the main body to attach the main body to an article.

[0015]The coupling feature may be a pair of ribs or flanges that are positioned on opposing ends or edges of the main body in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the channel. The pair of ribs or flanges may form or define a barrier that confines or encloses the strip of material between the ribs or flanges to impede the strip of material from sliding or moving lateral off the main body. The main body may include a slot through which the strip of material is inserted to couple the main body to the strip of material. A proximal end of the main body may include one or more teeth that contact the strip of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]The present invention is described in conjunction with the appended figures:

[0017]FIGS. 1A-D illustrate an embodiment of a lace guide that may be used to route or direct a lace or tension member about a path.

[0018]FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a shim that may be positioned within a loop or channel of the lace guide of FIGS. 1A-D to help maintain the loop or channel in an open configuration.

[0019]FIGS. 3A-B illustrate another embodiment of a lace guide that has a low profile and that is designed for easy attachment to an article.

[0020]FIGS. 4A-D illustrate another embodiment of a lace guide that may be attached to an article to route or direct a tension member about the article . . .

[0021]In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0023]The embodiments described herein provide embodiments of guides or components (hereinafter guides) that may be used to route or direct a tension member or lace about a path of an article, such as footwear. The tension member may be a lace or cord that is tensionable via operation of a tightening mechanism. The tension member may be routed about an article, via the guides, so that tensioning of the tension member causes the article to close and/or tighten. Specifically, the tension member may be routed along and across an opening of the article so that tensioning of the tension member urges one side of the opening toward an opposite side of the opening in order to close and tighten the article. Various forms of footwear (e.g., shoes, boots, and the like) include such an arrangement of a tension member and guides. For example, conventional shoes and boots commonly employ shoelaces that are routed about the shoe's tongue and that are tensioned to urge opposing sides of the tongue toward one another to close and tighten the shoe/boot about the user's foot.

[0024]The guide is generally positioned near the opening of the article, such as on opposing sides of the eyestay, and directs, routes, or guides the tension member along and/or across the opening. The guide may be made of a low friction material that minimizes frictional engagement of the tension member and guide. For example, some of the guides described herein are formed of a fabric or webbing type materials that is folded over to form a loop. The tension member is inserted within the loop and the loop functions to guide or direct the tension member about the path. Additional details of the guide members are described in greater detail below. Other guides are formed of polymer materials and are molded or arranged to form or define a channel within which the tension member is inserted.

[0025]As briefly described above, the lace is tensioned via a tightening mechanism. In a specific embodiment, the tightening mechanism is a reel based closure system. The reel based closure system includes a knob that may be grasped and rotated by a user to tension the lace. Exemplary embodiments of reel based closure devices are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/098,276, filed Apr. 29, 2011, titled “Reel Based Lacing System”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/328,521, filed Jul. 10, 2014, titled “Closure Devices Including Incremental Release Mechanisms and Methods Therefor,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/623,362, filed Nov. 20, 2009, titled “Reel Based Lacing System”, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0026]In another embodiment, the tightening mechanism is a motorized device or mechanism that tensions the tension member or lace. An exemplary embodiment of a motorized mechanism that may be used to tension the lace is further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/015,807, filed Aug. 30, 2013, titled “Motorized Tensioning System for Medical Braces and Devices”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0027]In yet other embodiments, the tightening mechanism may be a pull cord type device that is configured to be grasped and pulled by a user to tension the lace. Exemplary pull cord devices are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/166,799, filed Jan. 28, 2014, and titled “Lace Fixation Assembly and System”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. For ease is describing the various embodiments herein, the tightening mechanism will be referred to generally as a “reel assembly” or “reel based closure device”.

[0028]Referring now to FIGS. 1A-B, illustrated is lace guide 100 that may be used to route or direct a lace or tension member (hereinafter tension member) about a path. The lace guide 100 is formed of a fabric or webbing material that is folded backward to form a loop 108 within which the tension member is inserted. The fabric or webbing material of the lace guide 100 is a solitary or single fabric material, which means that the fabric or webbing material is formed or woven together. Stated differently, the fabric or webbing material is not formed of separate webbing materials that are subsequently joined, coupled, or attached together. It should be realized, however, that while the fabric or webbing material is generally described as being a solitary or single fabric material, in other instances the fabric or webbing material may be formed form multiple fabric or webbing materials that are joined, coupled, or attached together. As such, unless specifically claimed, the reference to a fabric or webbing material in the claim is intended to cover all fabric or webbing material materials regardless of how they are formed or coupled together.

[0029]The tension member (not illustrated) is inserted within and through a channel 112 that is formed or defined by the loop 108 of the lace guide 100. The tension member is inserted through the channel 112 so that the tension member extends from opposing ends or sides of the lace guide 100. The tension member is slidably positioned within the channel 112 and is able to slide or move within the channel 112 as the tension member is tensioned. To facilitate this movement, the lace guide 100 is constructed to minimize frictional engagement with the tension member, which increases an operable life of the lace guide 100 and tension member.

[0030]As the tension member is tensioned, opposing ends 116 of the lace guide 100 flex and bend outward so that the lace guide 100 forms a more substantial U-shape. The lace guide 100 is constructed so that frictional engagement of the tension member and lace guide 100 is concentrated near the opposing ends 116 and is reduced toward the center 114 of the lace guide 100.

[0031]Frictional engagement of the tension member and lace guide 100 may be reduced based on the construction or composition of the lace guide 100 and/or by forming a pre-curve in the lace guide 100. In some instances, a shim 200 may be added to the lace guide 100, which may further reduce the frictional engagement of the tension member and lace guide 100.

[0032]Regarding the construction or composition of the lace guide 100, the lace guide 100 may have a main body 102 that has or defines a longitudinal length and two opposing lateral sides when the lace guide 100 is not folded over to form the loop 108. The main body 102 include a central section 104 and two end sections or edges 106 (hereinafter end sections 106) that are positioned on opposite sides of the central section 104. In some instances, the central section 104 and/or two end sections 106 may extend along an entire longitudinal length of the main body 102. In other instances, the central section 104 and/or the two end sections 106 may only extend along a portion of the longitudinal length of the main body 102. For example, the boxes illustrated in FIG. 1A may represent boundaries for the central section 104 and/or two end sections 106. In instances where the central section 104 and/or two end sections 106 extends for less than an entire length of the main body 102, the central section 104 and two end sections 106 extends sufficiently such that when folded over, the central section 104 and two end sections 106 extend along an entire length of the loop 108 and channel 112. More commonly, however, the central section 104 and both end sections 106 extend along an entire longitudinal length of the main body 102.

[0033]The central section 104 and the two end sections 106 are made of different materials. Specifically, the central section 104 is made or formed of a thicker and firmer material while the two ends are made of a thinner and more flexible material. The thicker and firmer central section 104 allows the central section 104 to form an even surface when the lace guide 100 is under tension via the tension member. The thicker and firmer central section 104 further limits horizontal or lateral collapse of the main body 102 when the lace guide 100 is under tension. Stated differently, the thicker and firmer central section 104 is able to withstand lateral forces that are imparted on the main body 102 from the tension member, which helps the main body 102 minimize lateral collapse and maintain a lateral width or dimension, thereby preventing wrinkling of the main body 102. It should be noted that some degree of lateral collapse of the central section 104 may happen even though the central section 104 is more readily able to withstand lateral loads than conventional webbing guides.

[0034]In a specific embodiment, the central section 104 is formed or constructed of 1200 Denier Polypropylene material. The central section 104 may include or consist of this material based on the end application of the lace guide 100. The central section 104 may have a lateral width of between 55% and 85% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100. In other embodiments, the central section 104 may have a lateral width of between 60% and 80% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100, and more commonly between 65% and 75% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100. In a specific embodiment, the central section 104 may have a lateral width of approximately 70% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100.

[0035]The thinner and more flexible end sections 106 allow the end sections 106 of the lace guide 100 to form a natural curve under load from the tension member. The natural curve provides a radius or curvature for the tension member to exit under tension, which greatly reduces friction in comparison with conventional guides that form or define sharper edges. Specifically, in relation to the central section 104, the two end sections 106 have a lower denier material, thereby forming a denier gradient between the main body 102 and two end sections 106. The gradient formed by the higher denier central section 104 and the lower denier end sections 106 enable increased stretch or flexibility at the ends of the main body 102 and less stretch or flexibility in the central section 104. This enables a natural curve to form in the loop 108 in a controlled manner, thereby reducing friction.

[0036]In a specific embodiment, the two end sections 106 are formed or constructed of 320 Denier Polypropylene material. The two end sections 106 may include or consist of this material based on the end application of the lace guide 100. The two end sections 106 may have a lateral width of between 15% and 45% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100—i.e., each end 106 may have a lateral width of between 7.5% and 22.5%. In other embodiments, the two end sections 106 may have a lateral width of between 20% and 40% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100 (i.e., a lateral width of between 10% and 20% for each end 106), and more commonly between 25% and 35% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100 (i.e., a lateral width of between 12.5% and 17.5% for each end 106). In a specific embodiment, the two end sections 106 may have a lateral width of approximately 30% of the lateral width of the lace guide 100 (i.e., a lateral width of approximately 15% for each end 106).

[0037]The central section 104 and two end sections 106 may be formed by weaving the materials together. In this manner, the central section 104 may be integrally formed with the two end sections 106. In other embodiments, the central section 104 and the two end sections 106 may be separate material layers. In such embodiments, the separate material layers may be coupled with a common backing via heat pressing, RF or sonic welding, and the like. In yet other embodiments, the central section 104 and the two end sections 106 may be made of the same material. The increased compliance or flexibility of the two end sections 106 may be formed or constructed by varying the weave or pattern of the material. For example, the central section 104 may have a relatively tight weave or pattern while the two end sections 106 have a relatively loose weave or pattern. This may allow the two end sections 106 to stretch or flex to a greater degree even though the lace guide 100 is made entirely of a single material.

[0038]Regarding forming a pre-curve in the lace guide 100, the lace guide 100 may have a curved construction so that prior to tensioning or application of any load via the tension member, a top or upper end of the loop 108 has a curve that mimics, follows, or replicates a natural curve of the lace guide 100 under load. Stated differently, the loop 108 may be formed or constructed with a curvature that mimics, follows, or replicates a curve that is induced or formed in the lace guide 100 upon tensioning or application of a load via the tension member. With the formed or constructed curvature in the loop 108, the loop easily curves upon the application of any load or tension via the tension member. Stated differently, the curvature in the loop 108 occurs while the loop 108 and lace guide 100 are in a relaxed state. The formed or constructed curvature in the loop 108 results in opposing ends 116 of the loop 108 extending longitudinally farther than a center 114 of the loop 108 from a bottom end 110 of the lace guide 100. The formed or constructed curvature in the loop 108 may function as a starting point for additional curvature of the lace guide 100 under load.

[0039]The formed or constructed curvature in the lace guide 100 results in the opening of the channel 112 being greater at the opposing ends 116 than in the center 114 of the loop 108. Stated differently, if a cross section of the loop 108 were taken orthogonally through the main body 102 and into the guide illustrated in FIG. 1B, an area of the opening of the channel 112 would be greater as the cross section approached each end 116 and would be less as the cross section approached the center 114 of the loop 108. The formed or constructed curvature in the loop 108 reduces pressure at the opposing ends 116 as tension builds via tensioning of the tension member, which in turn reduces friction or drag through the channel 112. The reduced friction or drag of the channel increases the operable life of the lace guide 100 and tension member. In one embodiment, the pre-curve in the lace guide 100 may be formed by gripping the bottom end 110 of the folded webbing loop 108 and pulling the opposing ends 116 away from the bottom end 110 with a tool (not shown) having a negative of the curvature that is desired to be formed or induced in the loop 108. The tool may be a curved wire, rod, or material piece that is inserted through the channel 112. As the opposing ends 116 are pulled away from the bottom end 110 of the loop 108, the bottom end 110 may be attached together, such as via ultrasonic welding, mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, and the like. In some instances, ultrasonic welding may be preferred because the welded material may aid in the loop 108 maintaining the induced curve when the tool is removed and as the material relaxes.

[0040]As illustrated in FIG. 1D, an angle θ of the pre-curve that is induced or formed in the loop 108 may be between 40 degrees and 80 degrees when measured along a line 118 that is tangential to one of the opposing ends 116 and a line 119 that is parallel to a side or edge of the loop 108. The pre-curve in the loop 108 is more commonly between 45 degrees and 75 degrees, and most commonly between 50 degrees and 70 degrees when measured between lines 118 and 119. In a specific embodiment, the pre-curve in the loop 108 is approximately 60 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees. FIG. 1C illustrates a lace guide 100 that has a substantially greater pre-curve in comparison with the lace guide of FIG. 1B.

[0041]In forming the pre-curve, a curvature significantly greater than the intended induced curvature may be applied to the loop 108 and then the bottom end 110 may be attached together. After the tension in the loop 108 is released, the loop 108 will relax significantly and thereby form the intended curvature. For example, an angle θ of 20 degrees may be induced in the guide during formation of the curvature to form an induced angle θ of curvature of around 50 degrees after relaxation. The significantly greater angle that is used in forming the curvature may enable the loop 108 to more easily return to near this angle during tensioning of the tension member.

[0042]Regarding adding a shim 200 to the lace guide 100, FIG. 2A illustrates a shim 200 that may be positioned within the channel 112 of the loop 108 to help maintain the channel in an open configuration. Stated differently, the shim 200 may help prevent the opening of the channel 112 from collapsing as the tension member is tensioned. Frictional drag between the tension member and lace guide 100 may be reduced by maintaining the channel 112 in a more open configuration, which prevents or impedes the lace guide 100 from pinching the tension member under tension. The shim 200 is positioned away from a top end of the loop 108 and closer to the bottom end 110 of the loop 108. The shim 200 typically is positioned within the channel 112 so that the shim 200 does not contact the tension member under tension, although in some instances a minor degree or amount of contact may occur.

[0043]The shim 200 includes a main body 202 that may have a generally T-shaped configuration or orientation. Specifically, the main body 202 includes a thin flange 204 that extends distally from a laterally extending top end. The flange 204 is thin so that the flange 204 can be inserted between the folded material of the lace guide's main body 102. The thin section is positioned in the bottom end 110 of the loop and the thin profile negligibly or minimally increases a thickness of the bottom end 110. The flange 204 allows for easy installation and improved aesthetics of an article the lace guide 100 is attached to. The thin flange 204 also reduces pressure points when attached to footwear. The thin material of the flange 204 may enable easy attachment, such as via a mechanical fastener, sewing, and the like. The flange 204 and/or laterally extending top end may be constructed or composed of a rigid material, such as a polymer, or a softer material a textile or non-woven material.

[0044]The top end of the shim 200 extends laterally outward from opposing sides of the flange 204. The top end includes a central portion 206 and two lateral arms or extensions 208. In some instances, the lateral arms 208 may curve away from the central portion 206 of the shim 200 so that a top edge of the shim 200 is slightly curved. The lateral arms 208 may curve away from the central portion 206 in a manner that is opposite the curvature of the curved loop 108. Specifically, the lateral arms 208 may curve towards the bottom end 110 of the lace guide 100 whereas the opposing ends 116 of the loop 108 curve away from the bottom end 110. In addition, a thickness of the top end of the shim 200 may taper or decrease as the arms 208 extend laterally outward. Stated differently, the top end of the shim 200 may be thickest in the central portion 206 and thinner in the lateral most sections of the lateral arms 208.

[0045]In some instances, a lateral width of the top end may correspond to the lateral width of the loop 108 so that the loop 108 and top end of the shim 200 have approximately the same lateral width. In other instances, the top end of the shim 200 may be laterally shorter than the loop 108 so that the lateral most ends of the lateral arms 208 are recessed from the lateral ends of the loop 108. A laterally shorter top end of the shim 200 may help ensure that the shim 200 remains covered and concealed as the lace guide 100 is tensioned via the tension member. Tapering of the lateral arms 208 may shorten a path of the loop 108 over the shim 200, which may make the path of the loop 108 over the shim 200 longer in the central portion 206 and shorter at the lateral arms 208. This may create a more natural curvature of the loop 108 under load and allow for the material of the lace guide 100 (e.g., the loop 108) to slide and move over the shim 200 more easily. The tapering lateral arms 208 may also facilitate in forming the more natural curvature of the loop 108 as described herein by minimizing contact between the opposing ends 116 of the loop 108 and the lateral arms 208, which may otherwise impede the formation of the curvature. The shim 200 is typically secured within the channel 112 behind or within the termination of the loop 108—i.e., within or near the bottom end 110.

[0046]Referring now to FIGS. 3A-B, illustrated is a lace guide 300 that is designed for easy attachment to an article. The lace guide 300 typically has a low profile such that the guide minimally extends or protrudes above a surface of the article, which may be preferred for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. For example, low profile lace guides may be preferred in performance shoes, in which a goal of the shoe is to minimize weight and/or an overall size of the shoe. Low profile guides may also be preferred in instances where minimal contact with surrounding objects is desired.

[0047]The lace guide 300 is formed of both polymer components and textile or fabric components. The hybrid polymer and textile material construction enables a textile aesthetic on the article in combination with the performance of a polymer guide. Specifically, the lace guide 300 includes a polymer guide body 302 (hereinafter polymer body 302) and a textile or woven fabric flange 304 (hereinafter textile flange 304). The textile flange 304 is typically formed of a woven fabric material that is soft, compliant, and flexible in comparison with the polymer body 302. In some embodiments, the textile flange 304 may be formed of a compliant polymer material, such as a thin plastic strip. The textile flange 304 extends distally from a distal or bottom end of the polymer body 302. The textile flange 304 is substantially thinner than the polymer body 302 and typically has a uniform thickness, although in some instances a thickness of the textile flange 304 may taper toward a distal most edge of the flange 304.

[0048]The textile flange 304 may have a lateral width that corresponds to a lateral width of the polymer body 302 as illustrated in FIG. 3A. In such instances, the width of the polymer body 302 and textile flange 304 may be approximately the same. In other instances, a width of the textile flange 304 may be less than the width of the polymer body 302. The textile flange 304 may have a roughly rectangular shape or the distal end of the textile flange 304 may be rounded as desired. The textile flange 304 may be attached to a tapered region or end of the polymer body 302. The textile flange 304 enables the lace guide 300 to be easily attached to an article via stitching, heat welding, adhesive bonding, and the like.

[0049]The flexibility of the textile flange 304 ensures that the polymer body 302 remains oriented with a lace direction of pull of the tension member. For example, as lateral or rotational forces are imparted on the polymer body 302, the textile flange 304 is able to move, rotate, and pivot to a degree, which enables the polymer body 302 to face a direction of pull of the tension member. As such, pressure points that would be induced in the lace guide 300 due to slight misalignment of the lace guide 300 about the article are minimized or eliminated, which greatly reduces unnecessary wear on the lace guide. The compliance of the textile flange 304 enables the polymer body 302 to self-orient to a direction of pull of the tension member, which eases coupling of the lace guide 300 to an article by increasing an orientational tolerance of the guide about the article. The compliance further facilitates in formation of a lace path about the article.

[0050]The polymer body 302 is formed of a polymer material and is relatively rigid in comparison with the textile flange 304. The polymer body is a solid material that includes a through hole or channel 306 (hereinafter channel 306) within which the tension member is positioned. The channel 306 functions as a guide to direct or route the tension member about a path of the article. The polymer body 302 has a thin profile to minimize how far the polymer body 302 extends above the article. Specifically, the polymer material that is positioned above and below the channel 306 is thin as illustrated in FIG. 3B, which reduces an overall height or thickness of the polymer body 302. The polymer material in front of the channel 306—i.e., the material that is positioned on an opposite side of the channel 306 from the textile flange 304—is relatively thick in comparison. The thicker front end of the polymer body 302 ensure that the lace guide 300 is able to withstand loads or tensile forces that are exerted on the guide from the tension member.

[0051]The lateral width of the polymer body 302 is typically greater than a length of the polymer body as measured from a front of the polymer body 302 to the textile flange 304. In some instances, the lateral width may be between 1.5 and 4 times greater than the length and more commonly between 2 and 3 times greater. A top and bottom surface of the polymer body 302 may have a slight curvature as shown in the side view of FIG. 3B. The slight curvature may correspond to a curvature of the article, such as a shoe, about which the lace guide 300 is attached.

[0052]In attaching the textile flange 304 to the polymer body 302, the polymer body 302 is typically integrally formed with the textile flange 304. For example, the polymer material of the polymer body 302 may be directly injected onto the textile flange 304 so that a proximal end of the textile flange 304 is integrated or positioned within the polymer body 302. In such instances, the textile flange 304 may be positioned within a mold of the polymer body 302 so that the textile flange 304 is positioned near an upper portion or region of a tapered distal end of the polymer body 302. This configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-B. In other instances, the textile flange 304 may be positioned near a lower portion or region of the tapered distal end of the polymer body 302 or may be positioned roughly centrally between the upper and lower portions of the tapered distal end. Additional details of directly injecting polymer bodies onto textile fabric is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,543,630, entitled “Reel Based Closure System Employing a Friction Based Tension Mechanism”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0053]In coupling the lace guide 300 with an article, the lace guide 300 could be attached to the article directly or as part of a sub assembly. For example, the lace guide 300 may be attached directly to a shoe or may be attached to webbing, paneling, or straps that are subsequently attached to the shoe.

[0054]Referring now to FIGS. 4A-D, illustrated is another embodiment of a lace guide 400 that may be attached to an article to route or direct a tension member about the article. Similar to the lace guide 300 previously described, the lace guide 400 of FIGS. 4A-C typically has a low profile so that the guide minimally extends or protrudes above a surface of the article, which may be preferred for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. The lace guide 400 is designed for use with a textile or fabric component, but unlike the previously described guide, the lace guide 400 is not permanently attached or affixed to a textile flange. Rather, the lace guide 400 is designed to be attached to a separate webbing material 420, which may be similar to the textile flange 304 or may be a separate strip of woven or polymer material. The lace guide 400 attaches to the webbing 420 in a stitch-less manner, which means that the lace guide 400 is not stitched to the webbing 420. Rather, as illustrated in FIG. 4D, the webbing 420 is routed or wrapped over a top surface of the lace guide 400 and inserted through a webbing slot or channel 408 (hereinafter webbing slot 408). With the webbing 420 routed or wrapped over the top surface of the lace guide 400, the lace guide is positioned within a loop 422 formed by the webbing 420. Because the webbing 420 is not permanently affixed to the lace guide 400, the lace guide 400 is movable relative to the webbing 420 to some degree.

[0055]The use of the webbing 420 enables the lace guide 400 and webbing subassembly to exhibit the same compliance benefits previously described. Specifically, the lace guide 400 and webbing subassembly are able to move, rotate, and pivot in response to lateral or rotational forces. The compliance of the subassembly further enables the lace guide 400 to self-orient to a direction of pull of the tension member and facilitates in formation of a lace path about the article.

[0056]The lace guide 400 includes a main body 402 that has a slight curvature. Specifically, a front or proximal end of the main body tapers so that the main body curves and narrows toward the front or proximal end of the main body 402. The curved configuration may correspond to a shape of the article to which the lace guide 400 is attached. Ribs or small protrusions 410 (hereinafter ribs 410) are formed on opposing sides of the main body 402. The ribs 410 are thin sections of material that extend around a majority of the periphery of the main body on the opposing sides. FIG. 4A illustrates the ribs 410 extending along the top surface of the main body 402, but the ribs 410 typically also extend along the bottom or lower surface of the main body 402 in a similar manner. The ribs 410 function as barriers or borders that confine or enclose the webbing 420 along the top and bottom surface of the main body 402. Specifically, as the webbing 420 is folded or wrapped over the main body 402, the ribs 410 function as barriers or walls on the opposing sides of the main body 402, which helps prevent the webbing 420 from sliding or moving lateral off the main body 402.

[0057]The webbing slot 408 is defined by or formed between a bottom bar 412 and one or more teeth 404. The lace guide 400 commonly includes a plurality of teeth 404, such as the five teeth that are illustrated in FIG. 4B, although the lace guide 400 may include more or fewer teeth as desired. The bottom bar 412 extends between opposing sides of the lace guide 400 and includes an opening toward the main body 402 to allow the webbing 420 to be inserted through the webbing slot 408 and atop the bottom bar 412. The teeth 404 are positioned above the bottom bar 412. The teeth 404 are sandwiched between the webbing 420 as illustrated in FIG. 4D. Specifically, the teeth 404 are positioned underneath a portion of the webbing 420 that is wrapped over the main body 402 and above a portion of the webbing 420 that is inserted through the webbing slot 408. The teeth 404 are designed to bite or grip into the webbing 420 to reduce relative rotation of the lace guide 400 within the webbing loop 422. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the teeth 404 may extend farther distally than the bottom bar 412 to prevent the lace guide 400 from becoming stuck in a near perpendicular orientation on the article during use. A near perpendicular orientation may result in the lace guide 400 not being oriented with a direction of pull of the tension member, which may negatively affect closure and/or tightening of the article.

[0058]In attaching the lace guide 400 and webbing 420 to an article, such as a shoe, one end of the webbing 420 may be attached to the article, the webbing material may be inserted through the webbing slot 408 and wrapped or looped around the main body 402 (or vice versa). The opposite end of the webbing 420 may then be attached 424 to the article, such as via stitching, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, and the like. With the opposing ends of the webbing 420 attached to the article, the webbing forms a closed loop around the lace guide 400. In coupling the webbing 420 to the article, the lace guide 400 is not stitched or attached directly to either the article or webbing 420. Rather, the lace guide 400 is coupled to the article due to the close loop 422 formed around the lace guide. The webbing 420 is typically attached 424 to the article near the distal end of the lace guide 400 to ensure that the lace guide 400 is not able to move or slide out of the closed loop 422. The lace guide 400 and webbing 420 may be attached directly to the article or attached to a subassembly, such as a strap, panel, and the like, that is in turn attached to the article.

[0059]While the lace guide 400 may be used with a variety of webbing 420, a specific application of the lace guide 400 may be for webbing 420 having a thickness of between 0.8-1.3 mm. The webbing slot 408, bottom bar 412, and teeth 404 may be particularly suited for engaging the webbing 420 and preventing rotation of the lace guide 400 in the webbing loop 422 when webbing having a thickness of between 0.8-1.3 mm is employed. In such instances, the webbing 420 may be stitched or attached 424 within 4 mm from the distal end of the lace guide 400 to ensure a proper coupling of the lace guide 400 to the article.

[0060]While several embodiments and arrangements of various components are described herein, it should be understood that the various components and/or combination of components described in the various embodiments may be modified, rearranged, changed, adjusted, and the like. For example, the arrangement of components in any of the described embodiments may be adjusted or rearranged and/or the various described components may be employed in any of the embodiments in which they are not currently described or employed. As such, it should be realized that the various embodiments are not limited to the specific arrangement and/or component structures described herein.

[0061]In addition, it is to be understood that any workable combination of the features and elements disclosed herein is also considered to be disclosed. Additionally, any time a feature is not discussed with regard in an embodiment in this disclosure, a person of skill in the art is hereby put on notice that some embodiments of the invention may implicitly and specifically exclude such features, thereby providing support for negative claim limitations.

[0062]Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elements have not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0063]Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller range between any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neither or both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included.

[0064]As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includes a plurality of such processes and reference to “the device” includes reference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0065]Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and “includes” when used in this specification and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.