DEVICE FOR BLOCKING FLEXIBLE STRANDS

Abstract

A blocking device adapted to act on at least one lace or strand, the blocking device including a body, a first cavity defining a first pathway for the strand, the device including a first blocking member, a first guide for guiding the first blocking member relative to the body, and first elastic member to bias the first blocking member in a direction to press the strand against a surface of the pathway, the device functioning by cooperation of a first blocking member with the first pathway for blocking the strand by a wedging effect. The first cavity is open, so as to enable the strand to be inserted and disengaged in a direction other than that of the pathway.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings showing, according to a non-limiting embodiment, how the invention can be implemented, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a general front perspective view of a boot including, in particular, strands and a blocker according to the a particular embodiment of the invention, including first and second blocking devices;

FIG. 2 is a view of the sides of the free surfaces of two blocking devices associated with the boot;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blocking devices associated with the boot;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of a plane, parallel to a support surface of the blocking devices, along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the support surfaces of the blocking devices, along the line V-V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A blocking device comprising: a body;a cavity defining a pathway for the strand;a blocking member adapted to engage the strand while the strand is in said pathway;a blocking-member guide for guiding movement of said blocking member relative to said body;an elastic biaser for biasing said blocking member in a direction to press the strand against movement within said pathway with a wedging effect;said cavity being open to allow the strand to be inserted into the pathway and to be removed from the pathway other than in a direction along the pathway.

2. A blocker according to claim 1, wherein: said body has a height extending between a support surface, adapted to be mounted against an object, and a free surface;the body further comprises: a longitudinal ridge projecting in a direction from the support surface toward the free surface;an island;said cavity extends between said longitudinal ridge and said island;said cavity has a bottom above said support surface of said body.

3. A blocker according to claim 2, wherein: said blocking member comprises a sector housed in an open cavity of said island.

4. A blocker according to claim 3, wherein: said sector has teeth facing said pathway for engagement with the strand;said ridge has teeth, facing said pathway and opposite said sector, for engagement with the strand.

5. A blocker according to claim 3, wherein: said blocking-member guide comprises: a pin originating from said sector;a guideway housed in said open cavity of said island, said guideway receiving and guiding movement of said pin.

6. A blocker according to claim 3, wherein: said elastic biaser comprises a spring extending in said open cavity of said island between said ridge of said body and said sector.

7. A blocker according to claim 6, wherein: said spring and said sector are two distinct elements.

8. A blocker according to claim 6, wherein: said spring and said sector form a unitary one-piece element.

9. A blocker according to claim 2, further comprising: a keeper for guiding the strand.

10. A blocker according to claim 2, further comprising: a keeper for the strand, said keeper including an extension originating from said island and extending over the strand.

11. A blocker for blocking movement of at least one strand, said blocker comprising: a first blocking device and a second blocking device, each of said first and second blocking devices adapted to block movement of a respective length of said strand;said first blocking device comprising: a body;a first cavity defining a first pathway for the strand;a first blocking member adapted to engage the strand while the strand is in said first pathway;a first-blocking-member guide for guiding movement of said first blocking member relative to said body;a first elastic biaser for biasing said first blocking member in a direction to press the strand against movement within said first pathway with a wedging effect;said first cavity being open to allow the strand to be inserted into said pathway and to be removed from said pathway other than in a direction along said pathway.

12. A tightening device for an object, said tightening device comprising: a strand adapted to be connected to the object; anda blocking device for blocking movement of the strand relative to the object, said blocking device comprising: a body;a cavity defining a pathway for the strand;a blocking member adapted to engage the strand while the strand is in said pathway;a blocking-member guide for guiding movement of said blocking member relative to said body;an elastic biaser for biasing said blocking member in a direction to press the strand against movement within said pathway with a wedging effect;said cavity being open to allow the strand to be inserted into the pathway and to be removed from the pathway other than in a direction along the pathway.

13. An article of footwear comprising: an upper;a device for tightening said upper on a foot and/or a lower leg of a wearer, said device for tightening comprising: a lace connected to said upper; anda device for blocking movement of said lace relative to said upper, said blocking device comprising: a body;a cavity defining a pathway for the strand;a blocking member adapted to engage the strand while the strand is in said pathway;a blocking-member guide for guiding movement of said blocking member relative to said body;an elastic biaser for biasing said blocking member in a direction to press the strand against movement within said pathway with a wedging effect;said cavity being open to allow the strand to be inserted into the pathway and to be removed from the pathway other than in a direction along the pathway.

14. An article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein: said upper is a high upper having an upper edge adapted to extend above an ankle of a the wearer.