BACKGROUND

The present embodiments relate generally to articles of footwear, and in particular to systems for tensioning articles of footwear.

Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper may be formed from a variety of materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form a void within the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. The sole structure is secured to a lower portion of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In many articles of footwear, including athletic footwear styles, the sole structure often incorporates an insole, a midsole, and an outsole.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure, the upper including a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side spaced apart at a throat of the upper by a throat opening. The first side is comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer and has an interior cavity between the inner layer and the outer layer. The article includes a first set of strap members and a second set of strap members as well as a lower guide member disposed in the first side between the inner layer and the outer layer and proximate the sole structure. The article also includes a first upper guide member disposed in the first side between the inner layer and the outer layer and a second upper guide member disposed in the first side between the inner layer and the outer layer, where the first upper guide member is disposed closer to the throat opening than the lower guide member and where the second upper guide member is disposed closer to the throat opening than the lower guide member. The first set of strap members is each secured at one end to the second side and at an opposing end to the first upper guide member, and the second set of strap members is secured at one end to the second side and at an opposing end to the second upper guide member. The article includes a tensioning member routed from the lower guide member to the first upper guide member, and from the first upper guide member back to the lower guide member, the tensioning member being further routed along a set distance of the lower guide member and then up to the second upper guide member, and from the second upper guide member back to the lower guide member. At least one segment of the tensioning member is routed from the lower guide member to a location outside of the interior cavity. The first upper guide member has a first longitudinal position with respect to a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear and wherein the second upper guide member has a second longitudinal position with respect to the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the lower guide member extends from the first longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis to the second longitudinal position.

In another aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a first side and a second side, where the first side and the second side are spaced apart along a throat of the upper by a throat opening. The first side includes an inner layer and an outer layer and includes an interior cavity between the inner layer and the outer layer. The article includes a set of strap members, a lower guide member disposed in the first side between the inner layer and the outer layer and proximate the sole structure, and an upper guide member disposed in the first side between the inner layer and the outer layer. The upper guide member is disposed closer to the throat opening than the lower guide member. The set of strap members is secured at one end to the second side of the upper and at an opposing end to the upper guide member. The article also includes a tensioning member and a tensioning device including a motor and a reel coupled with the motor. At least one portion of the tensioning member is secured to the reel and can be wound on the reel using the motor. The tensioning member is routed along a path beginning at the reel of the tensioning device, and passing through the lower guide member and the upper guide member.

In another aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure, the upper including a first side and a second side, where the first side and the second side are spaced apart along a throat of the upper by a throat opening. The first side includes an inner layer and an outer layer and includes an interior cavity between the inner layer and the outer layer. The article includes a lace guide assembly disposed inside the interior cavity, where the lace guide assembly includes a lower guide member, a first upper guide member, and a second upper guide member. The first upper guide member and the second upper guide member are each attached to a plurality of straps for securing the throat opening. The article also includes a tensioning member routed into the interior cavity and through the lace guide assembly and then routed back out of the interior cavity. Applying tension to the tensioning member applies tension to each of the plurality of straps attached to the first guide member and the second guide member.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims.

