US20070000105A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070000105A1
Application number: US11/450,897
Authority: US
Inventors: Dodd Grande; Mark Williams; John Svensson
Original assignee: K2 Corp
Current assignee: K2 Corp
Priority date: 2005-06-14
Filing date: 2006-06-08
Publication date: 2007-01-04
Also published as: CN101242752A; DE112006001579T5; WO2006138170A1

Abstract

A lace locker (100, 200) is disclosed having a housing (110, 210) that may include an attachment flange (112, 212), and a cam lever (120, 220) pivotably attached to the housing, such that the cam lever is movable between a locking position and a release position. The lace locker receives a lace (96) that extends between a toothed cam portion (123, 223) of the cam lever and a front wall (114, 214) of the housing, such that in the locking position the lace locker clampingly engages the lace. A lever portion (122, 222) of the lace locker includes an aperture adapted to accommodate the lace. A biasing member such as a spring (230) may optionally be included to bias the lace locker toward the locking position. A cooperative lever tab (241) and housing aperture (243) may be provided to temporarily latch the lace locker in the release position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/690,820, filed Jun. 14, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to lacing systems and, in particular, to lace lockers for facilitating tensioning and de-tensioning lacing systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In-line skates, quad skates, ice skates, snowboard boots, ski boots, and other sporting footwear often include a high-back boot upper that attaches to a boot sole, and receives the user's foot, thereby securing the skate or other footwear to the user. An opening or vamp is typically provided near the front of the upper to facilitate putting on and taking off the boot. Various mechanisms for securing the boot upper about the user's foot are known and commonly practiced in the art. For example, skates, such as in-line skates, frequently include both a lace-type fastening system and a strap-type fastener. The lace-type fastening system allows the user to tighten the upper along at least a portion of the length of the vamp, providing a secure and comfortable fit for the user. Additionally, one or more strap assemblies—typically having oppositely-disposed straps attached on either side of the vamp and employing an adjustable buckling mechanism—provide a strong and secure attachment. Strap assemblies are typically located near the top of the upper, providing a binding force about the user's ankle. Often a second strap assembly is provided that extends generally over the user's instep. The strap-type fastener is typically much sturdier than the lace system and, therefore, provides a more robust connection that is able to withstand the stresses of even a very rigorous skater's activity, while also protecting the lace from excessive stresses.

Donning such boots and skates, however, can be tedious and inconvenient for the user due to the multiple securement mechanisms. The inconvenience is particularly undesirable in sporting activities when the user may be burdened with other gear, such as padding, safety equipment, backpacks, and the like, that makes reaching down to the skates more difficult. Also, if the user attempts to fasten or adjust the laces and/or straps while standing upright on the skates, fastening these securement mechanisms may be even more problematic due to the skater's need to maintain balance.

Mechanisms that alleviate the need to physically tie the laces are known, including, for example, devices often referred to as lace fasteners or lace lockers. Lace lockers typically provide a lace-clamping mechanism that may be slidably disposed on the laces, and is adapted to releasably hold the laces in a tightened configuration. An example of a lace locker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,593 to Leick. Leick discloses a lace locker having a circular locking member slidably disposed in a converging cavity of a body that is adapted to receive a lace. When the locking member is near the narrow end of the cavity, it clampingly engages the laces. When the locking member is near the wider end of the cavity, the locking member releases the lace, permitting the lace locker to slide along the length of the lace (or the lace to slide through the lace locker). The locking member is biased toward the locking position, i.e., toward the narrow end of the cavity, and a “pusher” button is attached to the locking member, permitting the user to move the locking member against the biasing force to release the lace.

Another lace locker mechanism, operating on similar principles, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,867 to Azam. Azam discloses a device similar to that disclosed by Leick but having a release mechanism that locks the lace locker in the unlocked position to facilitate disengagement or loosening of the lace.

Generally, prior art lace lockers require two hands to engage and/or disengage the lace locker. For example, in a slidable lace locker a user must grasp the lace in one hand and grasp the lace locker with the other hand to push the lace locker along a portion of the length of the lace. Similarly, to remove a boot equipped with such lace lockers, the user must first loosen the lace locker and then typically pull outwardly on the tongue of the boot. Another disadvantage of prior art lace lockers is that the lace locker must be positioned generally at the top of the uppermost lace keeper to hold the lace in the tightened position. This may be inconvenient in boots that also have a strap-type fastener because the lace locker may interfere with the desired location of the strap and/or buckle. Interference between the strap and the lace locker may also result in damage to either or both of these devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for releasably securing a lace is disclosed, that is particularly, though not exclusively, suitable for using in athletic footwear, such as skates and the like. The disclosed lace locker may be conveniently secured to a boot tongue, for example, and provides a quick and simple means for the user to tension a lace, and/or to selectively release the lace tension.

In the currently preferred embodiment, a lace locker includes a housing that pivotably supports an activation mechanism such as a cam lever. The cam lever includes a lever portion that extends out of the housing, and is engaged by the user to release the lace locker, that is, to move the lace locker form the locking position to the release position. The lever portion includes an aperture therethrough, adapted to accommodate the lace. The cam lever also includes a cam portion, that may be toothed. The cam portion is disposed adjacent a wall portion of the housing, defining a channel therebetween that is adapted to receive the lace. When the cam lever is in the locking position, a lace in the channel is clamping engaged between the cam portion and the housing wall portion. A biasing element, such as a spring, may bias the cam lever towards the locking position.

The disclosed lace locker includes an attachment flange, that may be used to attach the lace locker, for example to the tongue of a sports boot. To tighten the lace, the user simply pulls upwardly on the lace. Upon releasing the lace, the tension in the lace will tend to further hold the lace locker toward the locking position. To release tension in the lace, the user simply pushes upwardly on the lever portion of the cam lever, to move the lace locker towards the release position. In one embodiment of the invention, a latching mechanism is provided to optionally allow the user to temporarily latch the lace locker in the release position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a lace locker according to the present invention, attached to the upper portion of a tongue of a sports boot;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the lace locker shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2A showing the lace locker in the locking position,FIG. 2B showing the lace locker in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the lace locker shown inFIGS. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a lace locker according to the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a front perspective exploded view of the lace locker shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a back perspective exploded view of the lace locker shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of the lace locker ofFIG. 4 in the locking position and installed on a boot tongue; and

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of the lace locker ofFIG. 4 in the release position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows alace locker100 made in accordance with the present invention, and mounted near the upper end of atongue92 on asports boot90, for example an inline skate boot. Theboot90 includes an elongate slot orvamp98 that is biased to a closed position by aconventional lace96. Aconventional strap assembly94 is also provided, generally about the ankle portion of theboot90. Thelace locker100 is preferably attached to thetongue92, and above thestrap assembly94. As discussed in more detail below, thelace locker100 allows the user to easily tension thelace96, by simply pulling upwardly on thelace96.

Refer now toFIGS. 2A and 2B, showing thelace locker100 in isolation, and with thelace96 disposed therethrough.FIG. 2A shows thelace locker100 in the closed or locking position, andFIG. 2B shows thelace locker100 in the open or release position. Thelace locker100 includes a body orhousing110 that may including aperipheral flange112 to facilitate attaching thehousing110 to theboot90. Thehousing110 includes afront wall portion114 that is disposed forwardly from theflange112.

An actuator that is preferably in the form of a lever-mounted cam, hereinafter referred to as acam lever120, is pivotably disposed substantially in thehousing110. Thecam lever120 includes alever portion122 that extends from an aperture in thehousing110 and is accessible to the user such that the user can push upwardly on thelever portion122 to pivot thecam lever120 from the locking position shown inFIG. 2A to the release position shown inFIG. 2B.

Refer now toFIG. 3, which shows a partially cross-sectioned side view of thelace locker100, with thecam lever120 in the locking position. It can now be seen that thecam lever120 includes thelever portion122 and an attached orintegral cam portion123. In this embodiment thecam portion123 is integral with thelever portion122. Thelever portion122 includes a cutout oraperture121 therethrough. Thelace96 is clampingly engaged between thecam portion123 of thecam lever120 and thefront wall114 of thehousing110, and extends upwardly through the cutout oraperture121 in thelever portion122 of thecam lever120. Thecam portion123 of thecam lever120 may also include outwardly-extendingteeth124 that are positioned to engage thelace96 when thecam lever120 is in the locking position. Theteeth124 are positioned on thecam portion123 above the pivot point of thecam lever120, such that when thelace96 is in tension during use, thelace96 will produce a generally downward force on theteeth124 of thecam lever120, thereby urging thecam lever120 towards the locking position, and improving the clamping engagement of thelace96.

In this embodiment, thehousing110 includes a pair of oppositely disposed rearward walls131 (one visible inFIG. 3). Thecam portion123 of thecam lever120 has atransverse aperture133 therethrough, at the pivot point for thecam lever120. Apivot pin135 extends through the cam levertransverse aperture133 and through oppositely disposed, apertures (not visible) in therearward walls131, to pivotably attach thecam lever120 to thehousing110. Although not shown inFIGS. 1-3, it is contemplated that a spring or other biasing device may optionally be provided to bias thecam lever120, preferably towards the locking position.

Theflange112 of thelace locker100 provides a surface to facilitate very secure attachment of thelace locker100 to the boot, for example to the tongue or other portion of the boot upper. Theflange112 may, for example, be sewn to the boot, and/or may be disposed underneath an outer layer of the boot. An adhesive or other fixative may be used to fix thelace locker100 to the boot. It is also contemplated that thelace locker100 may alternatively be removably attached to the boot, for example by providing thelace locker100 with a releasable engagement mechanism, such as a hook or the like that engages a corresponding engagement mechanism (not shown) on the boot.

A perspective view of another embodiment of alace locker200 in accordance with the present invention is shown inFIG. 4. An exploded three-quarter front view of thelace locker200 is shown inFIG. 5A, and an exploded, three-quarter rear view of thelace locker200 is shown inFIG. 5B. Referring now to all three views, thelace locker200 includes ahousing210 having aperipheral flange212, a rear wall portion213 (FIG. 5B), and afront wall portion214. Alower aperture257 is provided generally below and behind thefront wall portion214, to accommodate the lace (not shown). Acap240 is attached to the back side of thehousing210, for example withcooperative tabs250 on therear wall portion213 and recesses251 in thecap240. Other attachment mechanisms are known in the art and contemplated by the present invention. Thecap240, cooperatively with thehousing210 define a partially closed volume, with aforward aperture218. Acam lever220, having alever portion222 and acam portion223, is pivotably disposed in the defined volume, such that thelever portion222 extends through theforward aperture218 in thehousing210, and is engageable by the user for pivoting thecam lever220, usually from the lower locking position to the upper release position. Thecam portion223 of thecam lever220 preferably includes a plurality of outwardlydisposed teeth224, that may extend transversely across the length of thecam portion223.

A pair of oppositely-disposedposts226 on thecam lever220 are sized and positioned to be inserted intocorresponding apertures216 in therear wall portion213 of thehousing210, such that thecam lever220 is pivotably retained therein. An optional biasing member such as aspring230 is attached to thecam lever220 and biases thecam lever220 toward the locking position. Thelever portion222 of thecam lever220 includes anaperture228 therethrough to accommodate a lace (not shown).

Thecap240 in the disclosed embodiment includes one or more cutouts orapertures255 to accommodate thespring230. It will be appreciated that theflange portion212 may be used to facilitate attaching thelace locker200 to a boot or other footwear, for example using any of the methods described above.

Refer now toFIGS. 6A and 6B, showing a side view of thelace locker200, wherein thehousing210 andcap240 are shown in cross-section. Thelace locker200 is attached to aboot tongue92 withstitches91 that extend through theflange212, although other attachment methods are clearly suitable, as are well-known in the art. Thecam lever220 is shown in the lower, locking position inFIG. 6A and in the upper, release position inFIG. 6B.

Thespring230 is positioned with one leg extending through thecutout255 in thecap240, and the opposite end engaged in anaperture225 in thecam lever220, and a coiled portion disposed about thepost226, such that thespring230 biases thecam lever220 towards the locking position. In the locking position theteeth224 clampingly engage thelace96 between thecam portion223 of thecam lever220 and the inside surface of thefront wall214.

Thecam lever220 also includes anoptional tab portion241, that may be integrally formed, and that is positioned, sized and shaped to engage acorresponding aperture243 in thehousing210, whereby thecam lever220 can be temporarily locked or retained in the open position. To release thecam lever220, i.e. to return to the lace locking position, the user simply pushed downwardly on thelever portion222.

Referring still toFIGS. 6A and 6B, is can be seen that thelace96 enter thelace locker220 through alower aperture257 in thehousing210, and extend upwardly between the inside surface of thefront wall portion210 and thecam portion223 of thecam lever220, wherein thelace96 are lockingly engageable by thecam lever220. Thelace96 extends upwardly through theaperture228 through thelever portion222, for easy access by the user.

In the preferred embodiment, thelace locker200 is located on the tongue of a skate boot above the buckle strap (seeFIG. 1), thereby allowing easy access and use of thelace locker200. The tension in thelace96 can be relieved by simply pushing upwardly on thelever portion222, to move thecam lever220 from the locking position to the release position. This allows easy and ergonomic release—for example, allowing the user to simply push upwardly on thecam lever220 while grasping the tongue and pulling generally upwardly and forwardly to pull slack into the lacing system for easy release and removal of the boot. It is contemplated that thelace locker200 may advantageously combined with a handle or strap (not shown) at the top of the tongue. It will be appreciated that, in the preferred embodiment, thelace locker200 will automatically re-engage the lace when thecam lever220 is released rather than requiring the user to manually move thecam lever220 to the locking position. If it is desired to loosen the lace slightly, the user can simply push upwardly momentarily on thecam lever220. It will also be appreciated that thelace locker200 has an ergonomic shape that is easy and intuitive to operate. Moreover, thecam lever220 is self-locking—that is, the tension in the lace tends to pull the locking mechanism into the locking position.

It will also be appreciated that although the present invention includes anaperture228 in thelever portion222 of thecam lever220 to accommodate thelace96; alternatively, thecam lever220 may alternatively be bifurcated, e.g. L-shaped or U-shaped, to accommodate the lace or the lace may be directed around thecam lever220. It is also contemplated that thelace locker200 mechanism could alternatively be rotated at an angle, such as ninety degrees (90°), from the orientation shown. Thelace locker200 may be utilized with inline skates, conventional skates, snowboard boots, ski boots, backpacks or other containers, or other sporting and non-sporting equipment.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A lace locker adapted to selectively engage a lace, the lace locker comprising:

a housing adapted to receive a lace therethrough, the housing having a front wall and a back wall;

a cam lever pivotably attached to the back wall, the cam lever having a cam portion disposed substantially within the housing and a lever portion extending out from the housing;

wherein the cam lever is movable between a locking position in which the received lace is frictionally retained between the cam portion of the cam lever and the housing front wall, and a release position in which the received lace is not retained by the cam portion, by pushing upwardly on the lever portion.

2. The lace locker ofclaim 1, wherein the cam portion of the cam lever further comprises an outwardly-disposed tooth that engages the lace when the cam lever is in the locking position.

3. The lace locker ofclaim 1, wherein the lace locker further comprises a peripheral flange.

4. The lace locker ofclaim 3, wherein the lever portion of the lever cam is oriented away from the flange, and further wherein displacing the lever portion generally upwardly pivots the cam lever such that the cam portion moves away from the front wall.

5. The lace locker ofclaim 4, wherein the lever portion further comprises an aperture that is adapted to accommodate the lace.

6. The lace locker ofclaim 1, further comprising a biasing member that engages the cam lever such that the cam lever is biased toward the locking position.

7. The lace locker ofclaim 6, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring.

8. The lace locker ofclaim 1, wherein the lace locker is oriented such that tension in the received lace biases the cam lever towards the locking position.

9. The lace locker ofclaim 1, wherein the lace locker comprises a separable front flange portion having an aperture therethrough and a cap portion that attaches to the front flange portion to define the housing, and further wherein the cam lever includes outwardly disposed posts to facilitate pivotable mounting to the housing.

10. The lace locker ofclaim 1, wherein the cam lever further comprises a tab portion, and the housing further comprises an aperture that is sized and positioned to frictionally receive the tab portion of the cam lever when the cam lever is moved to the release position.

11. A device for securing a lace, the device comprising:

a housing adapted to be attached to a boot, the housing having a wall portion;

a cam lever pivotably attached to the housing, the cam lever having a lever portion and a toothed cam portion, the toothed cam portion being disposed opposite the housing wall portion defining a channel therebetween that is adapted to accommodate the lace;

wherein the cam lever is movable between a first position that clampingly secures the lace between the toothed cam portion of the cam lever and the wall portion of the housing, and a second position wherein the lace is not clampingly secured.

12. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the toothed cam portion is movable away from the wall portion of the housing toward the second position by pushing upwardly on the lever portion.

13. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the lever portion further comprises an aperture that is adapted to accommodate the lace.

14. The device ofclaim 11, further comprising a biasing member that engages the cam lever such that the cam lever is biased toward the first position.

15. The device ofclaim 14, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring.

16. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the housing is oriented such that tension in the received lace biases the cam lever towards the locking position.

17. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the housing comprises a front flange portion having an aperture therethrough and a cap portion that attaches to the front flange portion.

18. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the cam lever further comprises a tab portion, and the housing further comprises an aperture that is sized and positioned to frictionally receive the tab portion of the cam lever when the cam lever is moved to the release position.