US20070169378A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070169378A1
Application number: US11/650,665
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Sodeberg; Mike Mayberry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Boa Technology Inc
Priority date: 2006-01-06
Filing date: 2007-01-08
Publication date: 2007-07-26
Also published as: WO2007081822A3; WO2007081822A2

Abstract

Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism provides for both rough and fine adjustment of the closure system. The rough adjustment allows for rapid tightening of a loosened opening. The fine adjustment allows for final closure and incremental adjustment of the tension in the closure system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSBenefit Claim

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/756,633, filed Jan. 6, 2006.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0156517, published Jul. 20, 2006; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003-0204938, published Nov. 6, 2003; U.S. Patent Application No. 2002-0095750, published Jul. 25, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,558, issued Sep. 18, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,953, issued Mar. 20, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,599, issued Aug. 10, 1999; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/756,633, filed Jan. 6, 2006, in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to closure systems used in combination with any of a variety of applications including clothing and baggage, for example in a lacing system for footwear that provides rough and fine adjustments of the tightening pressure.

2. Description of the Related Art

There currently exist a number of mechanisms and methods for providing closure to openings on any of a variety of articles, including clothing and baggage. This includes traditional manual tie systems which require manual tying of the lace to secure the tightening pressure, pull type systems with sliding pressure clasps, and reel based tightening systems. A number of such reel based systems are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,253, filed Oct. 31, 2005, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, there remains a need for an improved closure system for use in a variety of applications, which enables rapid removal of slack, followed by customized adjustability of tension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide the ability to close any of a number of articles with a closure system having both rough and fine adjustments. The rough adjustment allows for rapid tightening of a loosened opening. The fine adjustment allows for incremental adjustment of the tension in the closure system.

In some embodiments, a lacing system includes a footwear member including first and second opposing sides configured to fit around a foot, at least a first and second opposing lace guides on the opposing first and second sides, a rotatable spool having at least one lace pathway extending through at least a portion thereof, and a lace guided by the guides and extending through the lace pathway through the spool. The lace may be pulled through the spool to permit a first stage tightening of the footwear and the spool may be rotated to permit a second stage tightening of the footwear. The lace pathway can extend completely through the spool.

In some embodiments, a closure system for an article having a first side and a second side includes at least a first lace guide on the first side and a second lace guide on the second side defining at least a portion of a lace path which extends between the first and second sides. The system further includes a lace guided by the guide members and extending between the first and second sides such that the lace extends completely through and is rotatable around a spool. The system also includes a control for winding the lace around the spool to draw the first side toward the second side, wherein the lace can be manually pulled through the spool when the spool is in a first position. The system can include multiple tightening mechanisms and multiple lacing zones.

In some embodiments, a method of tightening footwear is provided which includes providing footwear having a rotatable reel, a lace, and a lacing zone. The lace is pulled through the reel for a first distance to reduce the slack in the lace and the reel is rotated to tighten the lace in the lacing zone.

In some embodiments, a method of tightening footwear is provided which includes providing footwear having a mechanical tension adjuster, a lace, and a lacing zone, manually pulling the lace through the reel to reduce slack in the lace, and next actuating the mechanical tension adjuster to tighten the lace in the lacing zone.

Some embodiments provide a two stage tension adjustable closure system including an article having a lacing zone and carrying a rotatable spool having at least one lace pathway through at least a portion of the spool and wherein the spool is convertible between a first mode of operation in which the lace may be pulled through the lace pathway and a second mode of operation in which rotation of the spool winds lace around the spool. In some embodiments, the system is converted from the first mode to the second mode by rotating the spool.

In some embodiments, a footwear lacing system includes a footwear member having first and second opposing sides configured to fit around a foot and at least a first and second opposing lace guides on the opposing first and second sides. The system also includes a housing having a rotatable reel including at least one lace pathway and a lace guided by the guides and extending through the lace pathway through the housing such that when the system is tensioned, the housing is coupled to the guides by the tensioned lace and a section of the lace remains exposed and not under tension.

In some embodiments, a footwear lacing system includes a footwear member including first and second sides configured to fit around a foot, a first lace guide attached to the first side, a second lace guide attached to the second side, a tightening mechanism attached to the footwear and including a housing and a rotatable spool, wherein the spool includes at least one bore defining a lace pathway extending from a first side of the spool disposed near the guides through at least a portion of the spool to a second side of the spool disposed away from the guides, and a lace, wherein the lace extends between the first and second guides to define at least a portion of a lacing zone and the lace is adapted to extend through the bore in the spool of the tightening mechanism such that a portion extends from tightening mechanism outside the lacing zone and is adapted to be grasped by a user. In some embodiments, the lace is configured to be pulled through the spool without rotating the spool to permit a first stage tightening of the lacing zone and the spool is rotatable to permit a second stage tightening of the lacing zone. In some embodiments, the lacing system also includes a rotatable knob selectively engageable with the spool. In some embodiments, the knob is rotatable only in a first, lace tightening direction and in some embodiments, the knob is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and the spool is rotationally locked to the knob when the knob is in the engaged position.

In some embodiments, a tightening mechanism for use in a closure system includes a housing having an internal chamber, an entrance opening, and an exit opening, a spool configured to be disposed within the internal chamber of the housing and to be in communication with the entrance and exit openings, wherein the spool has an axis of rotation and includes two substantially parallel bores substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and extending through the spool from a first side of the spool to a second side of the spool, a control knob selectively engageable with the spool, wherein the knob has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool and is rotatable only in one direction when engaged with the spool and wherein the spool is rotatable about its own axis-in both directions when the knob is disengaged from the spool. In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism also includes an alignment portion spaced apart from the entrance opening of the housing. In some embodiments, the alignment portion is connected to the housing with elongated tubes and in some embodiments, the alignment portion and the housing are unitary. In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism also includes a lace extending through the bores in the spool such that a portion of the lace extends outwardly from the housing from both the entrance and exit openings. In some embodiments, rotation of the knob when engaged with the spool causes the lace to wind into the housing and onto the spool from both the entrance and exit openings. In some embodiments, an article is provided which incorporates the tightening mechanism wherein the article is one of footwear, shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, or sports equipment bindings.

In some embodiments, a two stage tension adjustable closure system includes a housing having an internal chamber, an entrance opening and an exit opening, a rotatable reel disposed within the internal chamber, a lace passing through the housing such that a portion extending from the entrance opening forms a lacing zone and a portion extending from the exit opening forms a free end configured to be grasped by a user and wherein the reel is convertible between a first mode of operation in which the reel does not rotate and the lace may be pulled by the free end through the housing to set a first tension on the lace in the lacing zone and a second mode of operation in which rotation of the reel winds lace around the reel. In some embodiments, an article is provided which incorporates the two stage tension adjustable closure system wherein the article is one of footwear, shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, or sports equipment bindings.

In some embodiments, a tightening mechanism includes a housing having an internal chamber, an entrance opening, and an exit opening, a spool is disposed in the internal chamber, wherein the spool has an axis of rotation and includes two substantially parallel bores substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and extending through the spool from a first side of the spool to a second side of the spool. The tightening mechanism may also include a control knob selectively engageable with the spool, wherein the knob has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool and is rotatable only in one direction when engaged with the spool and wherein the spool is rotatable about its own axis in both directions when the knob is disengaged from the spool. In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism further includes an alignment portion spaced apart from the entrance opening of the housing. In some embodiments, the alignment portion is connected to the housing with elongated tubes and, in some embodiments, the alignment portion and the housing are unitary. In some embodiments, a lace may extend through the bores in the spool such that a portion of the lace extends outwardly from the housing from both the entrance and exit openings. In some embodiments, rotation of the knob when engaged with the spool causes the lace to wind into the housing and onto the spool from both the entrance and exit openings. In some embodiments, an article is provided which incorporates the tightening mechanism wherein the article is one of footwear, shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, or sports equipment bindings.

In some embodiments, a lace system for constricting an article includes a housing having an internal chamber, an entrance opening and an exit opening, and a rotatable reel disposed in the internal chamber wherein a lace passes through the housing such that a portion of the lace extends from the entrance opening to form a lacing zone and a portion extends from the exit opening to form a free end configured to be grasped by a user and wherein the lace may be pulled by the free end through the housing to take up slack in the lace in the lacing zone without the need to rotate the reel and further tightening of the lace may subsequently be achieved by rotation of the reel to wind lace around the reel. In some embodiments, an article is provided which incorporates the lace system wherein the article is one of footwear, shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, or sports equipment bindings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the upper of a sport boot liner or sport boot including a closure system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the sport boot ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of an embodiment of a closure system;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side elevation views of one embodiment of a closure system;

FIGS. 5A through 5C are front perspective views of a portion of a closure system applying tension to a lace;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of a closure system.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a bag including a closure system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a bag including a closure system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the closure system disclosed herein may be used on any number of different articles including shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, and headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, and sports equipment bindings, etc. For convenience, a number of the figures included in this application illustrate a closure system on an inner boot liner as used, for example, in some types of snowboarding and skiing boots. In general, embodiments of the closure system disclosed herein can be used to close or secure, and are most commonly used to draw opposing sides or objects together. In addition to many other applications, drawing opposing sides together may serve to close an opening, such as the opening formed by the sides of a traditional running or sports shoe or it may serve to remove excess space such as when applied to a bag to compress its internal volume. In the instance of back packs, for example, the systems may assist in securing an outer accessory carrier or may be used to secure or close one or more internal cavity portions.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is disclosed one embodiment of aclosure system22. Theclosure system22 generally comprises atightening mechanism25, alace23, afirst side32 and asecond side34, and at least oneattachment point50 on one or both of the sides. Thelace23 may be fixedly or slidingly connected to the one or more attachment points50 depending on the application and the demands of theclosure system22. InFIG. 1, thelace23 is slidingly attached to three attachment points50 on each of the first and second sides as it is threaded through the boot. In the illustrated embodiment, thelace23 passes through thetightening mechanism25. As used herein, the terms lace and cable have the same meaning unless specified otherwise. Thelace23 is preferably a low friction lace that slides easily through theboot20 and automatically equilibrates tightening of theboot20 over the length of the lacing zone, which, in the case of a boot, generally extends along the ankle and foot. In the case of a shoe, the lacing zone would extend over the foot. In the case of a horse or motorcycle racing boot, the lacing zone may extend beyond the ankle and over a portion or all of a wearer's lower leg region and more.

Theboot20 includes an upper24 comprising atoe portion26, aheel portion28, and anankle portion29 that surrounds the wearer's ankle. Aninstep portion30 of the upper24 is interposed between thetoe portion26 and theankle portion29. Theinstep portion30 is configured to fit around the upper part of the arch of the medial side of the wearer's foot between the ankle and the toes.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of theboot20. As shown, the top of theboot20 may comprise two opposed closure edges or flaps32 and34 that partially cover atongue36. In some embodiments, a tongue is not included. Generally, thelace23 may be tensioned to draw the

flaps

32 and34 toward each other and tighten theboot20 around the foot, as is understood in the art. Although the inner edges of the

flaps

32 and34 are shown separated by a distance, it is understood that the

flaps

32 and34 could also be sized to overlap each other when theboot20 is tightened, such as is known with ski footwear. Thus, references herein to drawing opposing sides of footwear towards each other simply refers to bringing two portions toward each other. This reference is thus generic to footwear in which opposing edges remain spaced apart even when tight (e.g. tennis shoes), footwear in which opposing edges may overlap when tight (e.g. certain snow skiing boots), and footwear in which the opening of the footwear is not centered along the midline of the foot but rather disposed to the side such that one side is a canapy or other member covering the top of the foot and the other side is disposed on the side of the foot (e.g. certain cycling shoes). In each, tightening is accomplished by drawing opposing sides of the footwear towards each other.

Referring toFIG. 2, thetongue36 preferably extends rearwardly from thetoe portion26 toward theankle portion29 of theboot20. Thetongue36 may be provided with a low frictiontop surface37 to facilitate sliding of the

flaps

32 and34 andlace23 over the surface of thetongue36 when thelace23 is tightened. Thelow friction surface37 may be formed integrally with thetongue36 or applied thereto such as by adhesives, heat bonding, stitching, or the like. In one embodiment, thesurface37 is formed by adhering a flexible layer of nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene to the top surface of thetongue36. In other embodiments, thetongue36 includes one or more enclosed or partially open guiding members through which the lace may be threaded. Thetongue36 is preferably manufactured of a soft material, such as leather or insulated fabric.

The upper24 may be manufactured from any of a wide variety of materials known to those skilled in the art. In the case of a snow board boot, the upper24 may be manufactured from a soft leather or fabric material that conforms to the shape of the wearer's foot. For other types of boots or shoes, the upper24 may be manufactured of a hard or soft plastic. It is also contemplated that the upper24 could be manufactured from any of a variety of other known materials. For example, when used as an inner boot liner for snowboarding boots or other cold weather footwear, the upper24 may be manufactured of one or more soft, insulated materials, such as insulated fabrics.

As shown inFIG. 2, thelace23 may be threaded in a crossing pattern along the midline of the foot between two generally parallel rows of sliding attachment points or guides50 located on the

flaps

32 and34. Theguides50 may be attached to the

flaps

32 and34 or to other spaced apart portions of the shoe through any of a variety of ways, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, theguides50 are sewn directly onto the surface of the

flap

32 or34 or opposing sides of the upper24. Stitching theguide50 directly to the

flap

32 or34 may advantageously permit optimal control over the force distribution along the length of theguide50. For example, when thelace23 is under relatively high levels of tension, theguide50 may tend to want to bend and to possibly even kink. Bending of theguide member50 under tension may increase friction between theguide member50 and thelace23 and severe bending or kinking of theguide member50 may undesirably interfere with the intended operation of the closure system. Thus, the attachment mechanism for attaching theguide member50 to the shoe may provide sufficient support of the guide member to resist bending and/or kinking. Sufficient support is particularly desirable on the inside radius of any curved portions.

In other embodiments, theguides50 each consist of a guide surface and a strip of material looped around the top and bottom edges of the

flaps

32 and34 so as to define a space in which guide surface is positioned. The material may be any of, or a combination of, a variety of materials including leather, synthetic fibers, plastic, etc. In some embodiments, the strip of material is looped and attached to either the top or the bottom edges of the

flaps

32 and34. Thelace23 slides through theguides50 during tightening and untightening of thelace23, as described more fully below. In still other embodiments, some or all of theguides50 may be sewn into the upper24 such that only theends49 are exposed.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are threeguides50 on each

flap

32,34 although the number ofguides50 may vary. In some embodiments, one, two, four, five or six ormore guides50 may be desirable on each side of the boot. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to include different numbers ofguides50 on each flap. This might be particularly advantageous when thetightening mechanism25 is positioned on one side of the opening to be secured, such as on a bicycle shoe or a running shoe.

In the illustrated embodiment, theguides50 each have first and second openings or ends49,51 separated by a generally U-shape guide surface. The linear distance or length between the

openings

49 and51 may be varied to adjust the distribution of the closing pressure that thelace23 applies to the upper24 when thelace23 is under tension. In addition, the length need not be the same for allguide members50 on a particular shoe. For example, the length may be shortened near theankle portion29 to increase the closing pressure that thelace23 applies to the ankles of the wearer. In general, the length ofguide members50 will fall within the range of from about ½″ to about 3″, and, in some embodiments, within the range of from about ¼″ to about4″. In one snowboard application, a length within the range of from about 1½″ to about 2½″ is preferred. Different specific length combinations can be readily optimized for a particular boot design through routine experimentation by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. In addition, it may be advantageous to incorporate C, ellipse, or sinusoidal-shaped lace pathways onguide members50 depending on the application or the location of the guide member. For example, in one snowboarding application, a C-shapedguide member50 is used on each of the medial and lateral sides in thelower ankle portion29 and/or upper instep portion of the boot. In some applications, it may be advantageous to incorporate pulleys or other rotating guide surfaces in some or all of the guides to facilitate the movement of the lace therethrough.

In certain boot designs, it may be possible during the tightening process for an opposing pair of lace guides to “bottom out” and come in contact with each other before that portion of the boot is suitably tightened. Further tightening of the system will not produce further tightening of thefootwear20 at that point. Rather, other portions of the boot which may already be sized appropriately would continue to tighten. As such, it may also be desirable to include adjustable guides which can be moved to accommodate the need for greater tightening in certain regions.

As shown inFIG. 3, in some embodiments thelace23 may extend around theankle portion29 through anupper guide member52. Aninternal guide member52 preferably extends through the ankle region of the upper around either side of theankle portion29 to thetightening mechanism25. Theguide member52 may be a channel completely enclosed within the upper24 (as shown), may be an external guide, or may be a combination of the two. As shown, thetightening mechanism25 may be located in a position other than on thetongue36 as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. InFIG. 3, thetightening mechanism25 is located on the heel side of theankle portion29 of the boot.

Alternatively, thetightening mechanism25 may be positioned on the medial side or lateral side of thefootwear20. As a further alternative, thetightening mechanism25 may be positioned in thetoe region26 of thefootwear20. In general, the location of thetightening mechanism25 will depend upon the requirements imposed by the intended use of thefootwear20, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

In general, each of the

guide members

50 and52 defines alumen54 and a pair of

openings

49,51 that communicate with opposite ends of thelumen54. The

openings

49 and51 function as inlets/outlets for thelace23.Lumen54 is may be either semi-enclosed or entirely enclosed and may provide a guide surface along which lace23 may slide.Lumen54 may be configured to minimize the friction betweenlace23 and the guide surfaces of thelumen54 contacting the lace.

In some embodiments, such as in bicycling shoes or rock climbing shoes, it may be advantageous not to include a traditional tongue portion as shown in the figures. In these applications and other embodiments, the opening may not be centered along the midline of the shoe. In such a case, the tightening mechanism may be attached to the shoe or boot on one side of the opening or the other rather than in the middle of the opening.

In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to incorporate one or more of the tighteningmechanisms25 disclosed herein to achieve multiple lacing zones. For example, the disclosed tighteningmechanisms25 could be used in the multiple lacing zone applications disclosed in the patent and patent applications previously incorporated herein in their entireties. Similarly, the dynamic fit closure system that is achieved with thetightening mechanism25 and other associated parts discussed herein may benefit from an expansion limiting strap, also disclosed in the patents and patent applications incorporated herein in their entireties.

Thelace23 may be formed from any of a wide variety of polymeric or metal materials or combinations thereof, which exhibit sufficient axial strength and bendability for the present application. For example, any of a wide variety of solid core wires, solid core polymers, or multi-filament wires or polymers, which may be woven, braided, twisted or otherwise oriented can be used. A solid or multi-filament metal core can be provided with a polymeric coating, such as PTFE or others known in the art, to reduce friction. Apolyethylene lace23 may be used to provide kink resistance and high tensile strength. A high molecular weight polyethylene such as Spectra® made by Honeywell International Inc. may be used to provide aneffective lace23.

In one embodiment, thelace23 comprises a stranded cable, such as a7 strand by7 strand cable manufactured of stainless steel. In order to reduce friction between thelace23 and the

guide members

50,52 through which thelace23 slides, the outer surface of thelace23 is preferably coated with a lubricous material, such as nylon or Teflon. In a one embodiment, the diameter of thelace23 ranges from 0.024 inches to 0.060 inches. In some embodiments, the diameter is approximately 0.027 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter is approximately 0.0312 inches. Thelace23 is desirably strong enough to withstand loads of at least 40 pounds. In some embodiments, thelace23 is strong enough to withstand loads of at least about 90 pounds. In certain embodiments the lace is rated at least about 100 pounds up to as high as 200 pounds or more. Alace23 of at least five feet in length is suitable for most footwear sizes, although smaller or larger lengths could be used depending upon the lacing system design. In the case of the a stranded metallic cable, it is beneficial to secure the ends of the strands. For example, the ends can be welded at each end of the lace. In some embodiments, the ends of the lace are rounded.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, in one embodiment, tighteningmechanism25 includes a control mechanism, forexample knob70, in an engaged position (FIG. 4A) and a disengaged position (FIG. 4B). In the engaged position, manipulation of theknob70 applies incremental tension to thelace23, causing theclosure system22 to tighten in its fine adjustment mode. In the disengaged position, manipulation of theknob70 generally has no effect on thelace23, allowing thelace23 to be manually pulled to unwind thereel82. Once returned to the engaged position, rotation of theknob70 may then apply additional tension to thelace23. In some embodiments, theknob70 is only rotatable in a first, lace tightening direction.

In some embodiments, theknob70 is manipulated into the disengaged position by pulling theknob70 away from tighteningmechanism25. In some embodiments, theknob70 is held in the disengaged position, the engaged position, or both positions. In some embodiments, theknob70 is held by friction, and in one embodiment, is held using detents. In some embodiments, movement of theknob70 from either, or both, the engaged position or the disengaged position results in an audible confirmation that theknob70 has been moved. In some embodiment, theknob70 clicks into and out of the positions.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5A through 5C, one embodiment includes ahousing80 and an internal rotation member orreel82. Thehousing80 includes at least one entrance opening orhole84 and at least one exit opening orhole86 and amain chamber88. In some embodiments, twoentrance holes84 and twoexit holes86 are included to assist in preventing thelace23 from tangling when two ends of the lace or two laces are passed through thehousing80. Thereel82 may be positioned inside themain chamber88. Thereel82 may include aspool90 for winding thelace23. In one embodiment, thespool90 includes first andsecond bores92 defining first and second lace pathways extending transversely through the spool from a first side of the spool through at least a portion of the spool to a second side of the spool. Two bores92 may be beneficial when two ends of the lace or two laces are passed through thespool90. In some embodiments,spool90 includes asingle bore90. In some embodiments,3 ormore bores90 are incorporated and in some embodiments, thespool90 does not include abore90. In the illustrated embodiment, thelace23 passes through the first andsecond bores92 as it passes through thetightening mechanism25. Thebores92 may be fully or partially enclosed within thespool90. In the illustrated embodiment, thebores92 are fully enclosed and run generally on a single plane through the approximate vertical center of thespool90 and are positioned approximately equidistant from the central axis of thespool90. In some embodiments, thebores92 do not run through the center of thespool90, but are still enclosed by thespool90. In some embodiments, thebores92 extend across the top or the bottom of thespool90 and are not fully enclosed. In some embodiments, thebores92 extend in approximately the same plane through the spool.90. In other embodiments, thebores92 are positioned in different planes. In some embodiments in which only one end of thelace23 passes through thetightening mechanism25, only onebore92 is required.

When thespool90 is in a first, rough adjust position (seeFIG. 5A), thebores92 are generally aligned with the exit holes86 of thehousing80 and thelace23 passes from the lacing zone, through thespool90, and through the exit holes86 of thehousing80. With thebores92 generally aligned with the exit holes86 and entrance holes84 of the housing, friction is minimized such that thelace23 may be freely pulled through thetightening mechanism25 to remove slack in thelace23 and create first, rough tension on thelace23. Pullingslack lace23 through thetightening mechanism25 when thespool90 is in the first position provides the rough adjustment of the illustratedclosure system22. Thespool90 can be in the first, rough adjustment position shown inFIG. 5A when thecontrol mechanism70 is in either the disengaged or the engaged positions illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B. As such, a rough adjustment of the tension on thelace23 can be achieved independently from rotation of thespool90 or theknob70. This allows for rapid taking in of slack in thelace23 prior to a more finite tensioning of the lace achieved by manipulating thetightening mechanism25.

To facilitate fine adjustment or leveraged tension of thelace23, theknob70 is moved to the engaged position such as by pushing theknob70 toward thehousing80. Once in the engaged position, additional tension is placed on the lace in one embodiment by rotating theknob70 to rotate thereel82. Theknob70 is manipulated, preferably by rotation, to windlace23 onto thespool90 of thereel82. As theknob70 is manipulated,lace23 passing through thereel82 will wind around-thespool90 from both directions. Thus, referring toFIG. 5B, it will be understood that as thespool90 rotates, thelace23 will begin to bend at the point that it exits thespool90. This causes an incremental increase in friction between thelace23 and thespool90. Additional friction is placed on the lace at the point it enters thespool90. At a certain angle, the friction becomes too great for thelace23 to be pulled through thespool90, effectively locking the lace into thetightening mechanism25.

Referring toFIG. 5C, it will be understood that further rotation of thereel82 will cause thelace23 to continue winding around thespool90. This will place increased tension across the lacing zone of thefootwear20 as well as wind in the free ends of thelace23. In many applications, after the desired tension has been achieved across the lacing zone, the free ends of thelace23 will remain beyond the opposing side of thehousing80. These free ends may be tucked into theupper portion24 of thefootwear20, or otherwise secured such as through the use of any of a variety of clips or fasteners. A ratchet connected to thereel82 or thespool90 prevents undesired reverse rotation of thespool90 until theknob70 is manipulated into the disengaged position. Suitable reel and ratchet systems are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,253 which has herein previously been incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Thus, the embodiments disclosed herein provide a structure and method for enabling rapid removal ofslack lace23 with subsequent fine tuning of the tension in thelace23. Thetightening mechanism25, including thereel82 and/or thespool90, may be provided with visual and/or tactile indicia so the user can readily determine when thespool90 is in the rough adjust configuration illustrated inFIG. 5A. In this configuration, the wearer may readily grasp the free ends21,27 of thelace23 which extend through the upper portion of thereel82 and may pull on thelace23 until the desired rough adjustment tightening has been achieved. Rough adjustment of thelace23 in such a manner does not require the spool to take up slack. Once the desired rough adjustment has been achieved, thereel23 may be rotated as illustrated inFIGS. 5B and 5C until the desired fine adjustment has been achieved. As used herein, fine adjustment also may be considered to be a tensioning phase, in which tension on the lacing zone is accomplished by rotation of thereel82 orknob70.

Embodiments of the invention may further be considered to include a first adjustment phase in which manual adjustment is accomplished by manually pulling on thelace23 which extends through thereel82 when thereel82 is in a configuration such as that illustrated inFIG. 5A. Once the desired manual adjustment has been achieved, the system may be mechanically adjusted by rotating theknob70. The mechanical adjustment phase can produce a higher level of tension than can conveniently be accomplished by the manual adjustment phase. In the mechanical adjustment mode, thespool90 may be configured to rotate once per rotation of theknob70, such as in an embodiment having no gearing. Alternatively, one or more gears or a gear train may be utilized to provide improved leverage, such that a single revolution of theknob70 will produce less than one revolution of thespool90, as is understood by those of skill in the art. A variety of leveragedmechanical adjustment reels82 are disclosed, for example, in the patents and patent applications previously incorporated herein by reference in there entireties and otherwise known to those of skill in the art.

To release theclosure system22, theknob70 is manipulated into the disengaged position, such as by pulling theknob70 away from thehousing80 or manipulating other disengagement controls (not shown), at which point thereel82 is free to rotate.Lace23 is unwound from thereel82 by either pulling on theslack lace23 extending from the exit holes86 of thehousing80 or by pulling on thelace23 extending downward from the entrance holes84 of thehousing80. In some embodiments, theclosure system22 is loosened by pulling thetongue36 of theboot20 away from the internal cavity of theankle portion29 of theboot20, or by pulling one or both of the two

sides

52,54 of the upper24 away from each other. In still other embodiments, an automatic winding mechanism may be included in thehousing80 to partially wind some of the loosenedlace23 back onto thespool90 when thetongue36 or the sides of the

boot

52,54 are released.

Generally, the free ends21,27 oflace23 are threaded through thehousing80 of thetightening mechanism25. As illustrated, the ends21,27 may pass through the exit holes86 and away from theguides50 of theboot20. In such an embodiment, the ends21,27 are pulled to rough tighten theclosure system22. In some embodiments, the ends21,27 pass through thetightening mechanism25 and are secured, either to each other, to theboot20, or to both. In such an instance, thelace23 may be pulled away from thetightening mechanism25 at some intermediate point along thelace23 rather than from the

ends

21,27. The free ends21,27 may be connected together to form a loop, such as by stitching, knoting, adhesives, clips, or the like. They may further be provided with a grip such as a “T” shaped or looped handle to facilitate grasping and pulling during the rough adjust phase.

It is generally advantageous to minimize the depth (thickness along the axis of rotation) of thetightening mechanism25 to allow for a low profile. In many applications, such as when thetightening mechanism25 is engaged and disengaged by push-pulling theknob70, theknob70 of thetightening mechanism25 remains accessible even when in the engaged position. In some applications, such as when the tighteningsystem22 is used on an inner boot liner, as shown, it is advantageous to locate theknob70 spaced apart in the vertical as worn direction from thenearest guide members50. In such an application, theguide members50 on theinner boot liner20 are located within or at least partially covered by the outer boot upper (not shown), but theknob70 on theinner liner20 may be located above the outer boot upper. Thus, theknob70 on theinner liner20 is accessible even when the outer boot has been closed. In still other embodiments, a hole or opening is incorporated in the upper of the outer boot to allow access to thecontrol knob70 of thetightening mechanism25 attached to theinner liner20.

However, if the entrance holes84 of thehousing80 of thetightening mechanism25 are vertically displaced from plane A defined by the upper exit holes49 of the upper guide50 (seeFIG. 2), tension in the tightening thesystem22 may encourage thehousing80 entrance holes84 into alignment with the upper exit holes49 in plane A. If thetightening mechanism25

housing

80 is mounted to a relatively rigid material, such as a plastic upper housing in a ski boot application, such force is absorbed by the upper. However, when thehousing80 is mounted to a flexible material, such as the case when it is mounted to a relatively flexibleinner boot20, the force drawing the housing downward may pull the liner down relative to the boot.

To reduce the downward force, thehousing80 may include a downwardly extendingalignment portion94 having extended entrance holes96 into which thelace23 is threaded prior to entering into themain chamber88 of thehousing80 through the housing entrance holes84 (seeFIG. 6). As shown inFIG. 2, thealignment portion94 allows for thelace23 to enter into thetightening mechanism25 from a generally lateral direction, minimizing the downward force on thetongue36 or other portion of theboot20 to which thetightening mechanism25 is attached.

Thealignment portion94 may be integrally molded with thehousing80 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, thetightening mechanism25 may include aseparate alignment portion94, such as shown inFIG. 6, withtubular members98 positioning the alignment portion94 a distance away from themain chamber88 of thehousing80. Thetubular members98 may be integrally formed or molded with thehousing80, thealignment portion94, or both, as shown inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2,tubular member98 may be an open channel and in some embodiments,tubular member98 is partially or fully enclosed.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown aclosure system122 configured for use on a bag, such aspack120.Closure system122 works in a similar fashion asclosure system22 by providing a closure system having both rough and fine adjustment of the compressive forces. In some embodiments,closure system122 includes at least onetightening mechanism125, at least onelace123 and at least oneguide150. The lacing zone extends between the first and the second sides of thepack120. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, theclosure system122 is used to reduce excess space in thepack120 by compressing the volume of thepack120 on the front of thepack120. As tension is applied to thelace123, the sides of thepack120 are drawn toward each other on the front of thepack120. In some embodiments, thelace123 can be routed through central guidingmembers171 to provide a low friction surface and to prevent thelace123 from rubbing against itself as it crosses on the surface of thepack120. In some embodiments, central guidingmembers171 are attached to the surface of thepack120 by stitching, adhesive, or the like. In other embodiments, central guidingmembers171 are free floating. In some embodiments, thecentral guiding members171 allow thelace123 to travel from one side of the pack through the guidingmember171 toward the other side of the pack to form a crossing pattern. In other embodiments, thelace123 travels from one side of the pack, through the guidingmember171, and back to the originating side of the pack to form an undulating lace pattern.

InFIG. 8 theclosure system122 is configured for use on the side of thepack120. In some embodiments, asecond closure system122 is included on the other side of thepack120. As tension is applied to thelace123, the front and the back of thepack120 are drawn toward each other to reduce the loose internal volume of thepack120. Thelace123 can again be routed through central guidingmembers171 to provide a low friction surface and to prevent thelace123 from rubbing against itself as it crosses on the surface ofback pack120. In some embodiments, central guidingmembers171 are attached to the surface of thepack120 by stitching, adhesive, or the like. In other embodiments, central guidingmembers171 are free floating. In some embodiments, thecentral guiding members171 allow thelace123 to travel from the front of the pack through the guidingmember171 toward the back of the pack to form a crossing pattern. In other embodiments, thelace123 travels from the front of the pack, through the guidingmember171, and back to the front of the pack to form an undulating lace pattern. Theclosure system122 on the front of the pack shown inFIG. 7 can be used alone, or in combination with one or more of the side mounted systems shown inFIG. 8.

In addition to back packs, theclosure system122 can be used on other types of bags including, but not limited to, baggage, briefcases, gym bags, luggage, and fanny packs to provide rough and fine adjustment of the closing pressure imparted by the system. In addition to reducing the internal volume of the bag, the closure system can also provide a convenient external location for storage of additional equipment or articles.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A footwear lacing system, comprising:

a footwear member including first and second sides configured to fit around a foot;

a first lace guide attached to the first side;

a second lace guide attached to the second side;

a tightening mechanism attached to the footwear and including a housing and a rotatable spool, wherein the spool includes at least one bore defining a lace pathway extending from a first side of the spool disposed near the guides through at least a portion of the spool to a second side of the spool disposed away from the guides; and

a lace, wherein the lace extends between the first and second guides to define at least a portion of a lacing zone and the lace being adapted to extend through the bore in the spool of the tightening mechanism and including a portion extending from tightening mechanism outside the lacing zone adapted to be grasped by a user and wherein the lace is configured to be pulled through the spool without rotating the spool to permit a first stage tightening of the lacing zone and the spool being rotatable to permit a second stage tightening of the lacing zone.

2. A footwear lacing system as inclaim 1, further comprising a rotatable knob selectively engageable with the spool.

3. A footwear lacing system as inclaim 2, wherein the knob is rotatable only in a first, lace tightening direction.

4. A footwear lacing system as inclaim 3, wherein the knob is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and the spool is rotationally locked to the knob when the knob is in the engaged position.

5. A footwear lacing system as inclaim 4, wherein the knob has an axis of rotation and the knob is moveable between the engaged position and the disengaged position by moving the knob along the axis of rotation.

6. A footwear lacing system as inclaim 1, wherein the lace pathway extends across the top of the spool and is partially enclosed.

7. A footwear lacing system as inclaim 1, wherein the lace pathway is fully enclosed by the spool.

8. A tightening mechanism, comprising:

a housing having an internal chamber, an entrance opening, and an exit opening;

a spool disposed in the internal chamber,

wherein the spool has an axis of rotation and includes two substantially parallel bores substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and extending through the spool from a first side of the spool to a second side of the spool;

a control knob selectively engageable with the spool,

wherein the knob has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool and is rotatable only in one direction when engaged with the spool and wherein the spool is rotatable about its own axis in both directions when the knob is disengaged from the spool.

9. A tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 8, further comprising an alignment portion spaced apart from the entrance opening of the housing.

10. A tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the alignment portion is connected to the housing with elongated tubes.

11. A tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the alignment portion and the housing are unitary.

12. A tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 8, further comprising a lace extending through the bores in the spool such that a portion of the lace extends outwardly from the housing from both the entrance and exit openings.

13. A tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 12, wherein rotation of the knob when engaged with the spool causes the lace to wind into the housing and onto the spool from both the entrance and exit openings.

14. An article incorporating a tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 8.

15. An article as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the article is one of footwear, shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, or sports equipment bindings.

16. A closure system incorporating the tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 8.

17. A closure system as claimed inclaim 16, further comprising at least two lace guides and a lace; and

wherein the lace couples the lace guides to the tightening mechanism and is configured to extend through the tightening mechanism and is configured to be manually pulled through the tightening mechanism without rotating the spool in a first stage of tightening and the spool is rotated to wind the lace thereon in a second stage of tightening.

18. The closure system ofclaim 17, wherein the tightening mechanism further comprises a control selectively coupled to the spool.

19. The closure system ofclaim 18, wherein the control has an axis and is rotatable about the axis.

20. The closure system ofclaim 19, wherein the control is movable along the axis.

21. The closure system ofclaim 17, wherein the tightening mechanism further comprises an alignment portion spaced apart from the entrance opening of the housing.

22. The closure system ofclaim 21, wherein the alignment portion is connected to the housing with elongated tubes.

23. The closure system ofclaim 21, wherein the alignment portion and the housing are unitary.

24. An article incorporating a closure system as claimed inclaim 17.

25. An article as claimed inclaim 24, wherein the article is one of footwear, shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, or sports equipment bindings.

26. A lace system for constricting an artical, comprising:

a housing having an internal chamber, an entrance opening and an exit opening;

a rotatable reel disposed in the internal chamber;

a lace passing through the housing such that a portion of the lace extends from the entrance opening to form a lacing zone and a portion extends from the exit opening to form a free end configured to be grasped by a user;

wherein the lace may be pulled by the free end through the housing to take up slack in the lace in the lacing zone without the need to rotate the reel and further tightening of the lace may subsequently be achieved by rotation of the reel to wind lace around the reel.

27. An article incorporating a tightening mechanism as claimed inclaim 26.

28. An article as claimed inclaim 27, wherein the article is one of footwear, shoes, boots, sandals, pants, belts, jackets, vests, gloves, headwear, baggage, briefcases, back packs, or sports equipment bindings.