Since 1989, one of the most coveted pair of sneakers that no one has ever had the opportunity to wear, except for Marty McFly in “Back To The Future II“, still remains an elusive dream. That shoe was the Nike Air Mag. However, Tinker Hatfield and Nike may be in the works to make those dreams come true. Hatfield and his staff at Nike’s Innovative Kitchen have filed papers for a patent on an automatic lacing system. This news will surely generate 1.21 gigawatts of excitement. Continue reading for more information and images of Nike’s Automatic Lacing System patent submission.

Here is the abstract from the submitted patent papers:

An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.

Based on the drawings included in the patent, Hatfield and his team are staying true to the original Air Mag design. Laces? Where Nike is going, they don’t need laces.

• Article of Footwear with Lighting System

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-auto-lace-006.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

• Article of Footwear with Lighting System

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-auto-lace-005.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

• Article of Footwear with Lighting System

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-auto-lace-004.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

• Article of Footwear with Lighting System

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-auto-lace-003.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

• Article of Footwear with Lighting System

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-auto-lace-002.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

• nike-auto-lace-001

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-auto-lace-001.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

• Article of Footwear with Lighting System

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-auto-lace-007.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

• nike-back-to-the-future-sneakers

  http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nike-back-to-the-future-sneakers.jpg&w=650&h=440&q=100&a=t
  

The entire patent submission can be found via the World Intellectual Property Organization.