FASTENING DEVICE

Abstract

A fastening device includes a case unit including a receiving space, a spool located within the receiving space and configured for a lace to be wound therearound, and a knob covering on the case unit. The knob includes a main body made of a composite material, and a shield cover covering on the main body and made of a metal material. A rotation of the knob drives the spool to rotate in a tightening direction for tensioning the lace.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a fastening device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fastening device for securing an article through loosening or tensioning a lace.

Description of Related Art

In daily life, cords, such as a lace or a thread, are usually used to tighten articles. The most common tightening method is to use the cord to reciprocately pass through holes on the article, e.g., eyelets of a shoe, and then tie a knot to secure the article. But in this kind of tightening method, the knot is loosened easily owing to an external force. Not only does the knot need to be tied again, but also lots of inconveniences come owing to the insecurity of the articles.

In order to solve such problems, some practitioners developed a simple fastening mechanism including a case, an engaging unit and a spring. The case includes holes configured for the lace to pass therethrough. Through the reaction force between the spring and the engaging unit, the lace can be clamped between the engaging unit and the case so as to be fastened. The length of the lace can be changed by pressing the spring to change the position of the engaging unit. However, in such fastening mechanism, the restoring force of the spring is served as the securing force; thus, the lace is easily to be released owing to vibrations or an external force. In addition, the fastening mechanism has no space for receiving the lace, and the exposure of the lace may bring danger.

Therefore, some practitioners developed another kind of buckle which can be rotated to tension the lace, and the lace can be received inside the buckle. Through the interference between components inside the buckle, the length of the lace as well as the tightness can be adjusted. However, the structure of the buckle generally includes a case and a knob made of a metal material, which is heavy and has a high cost.

Based on the above-mentioned problems, how to solve the problems becomes a pursued target for practitioners.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fastening device includes a case unit including a receiving space, a spool located within the receiving space and configured for a lace to be wound therearound, and a knob covering on the case unit. The knob includes a main body made of a composite material, and a shield cover covering on the main body and made of a metal material. A rotation of the knob drives the spool to rotate in a tightening direction for tensioning the lace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows one exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows one exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 shows one exploded view of a knob of a fastening device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows another exploded view of the knob of the fastening device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows one exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows one exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 shows one exploded view of a fastening device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 shows one exploded view of a fastening device according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that when an element (or mechanism or module) is referred to as being “disposed on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly disposed on, connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly disposed on”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

In addition, the terms first, second, third, etc. are used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. Consequently, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component.

FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows one exploded view of the fastening device 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the fastening device 100 includes a case unit 200 including a receiving space 230, a spool 300 located within the receiving space 230 and configured for a lace (not shown) to be wound therearound, and a knob 500 covering on the case unit 200. The knob 500 includes a main body 510 and an outer annular portion 520 surrounding the main body 510. The main body 510 includes a top portion 516, and the top portion 516 is made of a composite material. The outer annular portion 520 is made of a metal material. A rotation of the knob 500 drives the spool 300 to rotate in a tightening direction R2 for tensioning the lace.

Therefore, through the configuration that the knob 500 includes the outer annular portion 520 and the main body 510, and the outer annular portion 520 is made of a metal material while the main body 510 is made of other materials, the weight as well as the cost can be reduced while the structural strength is remained. The details of the fastening device 100 will be described hereinafter.

The case unit 200 of the fastening device 100 can include an annular wall 210, a base 220 and a plurality of mounting teeth 240. The annular wall 210 defines the receiving space 230 and includes an upper opening (not labeled) and a lower opening (not labeled). The base 220 is detachably connected to the annular wall 210 to close the lower opening. The mounting teeth 240 are located at the annular wall 210 and face toward the receiving space 230. Moreover, each of the mounting teeth 240 can include a tip portion. The spool 300 can include an upper ring portion 320. A distance between two tip portions of two opposite mounting teeth 240 is smaller than a diameter of the upper ring portion 320, thereby preventing the spool 300 from leaving the receiving space 230 from an upper opening of the annular wall 210.

To be more specific, except for the upper ring portion 320, the spool 300 can further include a lower ring portion 330 and a plurality of second combining teeth 310. A winding track formed between the upper ring portion 320 and the lower ring portion 330 is configured for the lace to wind therearound. The second combining teeth 310 are located above the upper ring portion 320. Through the relation of the diameters, the mounting teeth 240 can restrict the upper ring portion 320 to prohibit the spool 300 from moving upward. A portion of the annular wall 210 adjacent to the mounting teeth 240 can protrude radially and inward to form an upper protruding flange 211. The distance between two root portions of two opposite mounting teeth 240 is smaller than or equal to an inner diameter of the upper protruding flange 211. In the first embodiment, the upper protruding flange 211 extends to the upper opening, the mounting teeth 240 are located at the upper protruding flange 211, and the distance between two root portions of two opposite mounting teeth 240 is equal to the inner diameter of the upper protruding flange 211. In addition, a height in an axial direction I1 (shown in FIG. 4) is larger than a height of each of the mounting teeth 240, and a part of the upper protruding flange 211 is not covered by the mounting teeth 240 such that the upper ring portion 320 can also be restricted by the upper protruding flange 211, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the annular wall 210 can further include a lower ring groove 212, and the lower ring groove 212 is located at a lower end of the annular wall 210. With the lower ring portion 330 of the spool 300 being received in the lower ring groove 212, preventing the spool 300 from leaving the receiving space 230 from the upper opening of the annular wall 210 can also be achieved. In other words, during manufacturing the annular wall 210, the inner diameter thereof can be verified to form the upper protruding flange 211 adjacent to the mounting teeth 240, the lower ring groove 212 near the base 220 and the middle section in the middle, and the diameters arranged in sequence, from large to small, are the lower ring groove 212, the middle section and the upper protruding flange 211. The distance between two tip portions of the two opposite mounting teeth 240 is smaller than the diameter of the upper protruding flange 211.

The case unit 200 can further include a snapping portion 250 (shown in FIG. 4), the main body 510 can further include a coupling portion 513, and the snapping portion 250 is coupled to the coupling portion 513 to connect the main body 510 to the case unit 200. The snapping portion 250 is located at an upper end of the annular wall 210 and has a groove structure. The coupling portion 513 is located at a lower end of the inner surface of the main body 510, and has a protrusion structure. Consequently, the snapping portion 250 can be coupled to the coupling portion 513 via a snap-fit engagement, and the main body 510 can cover on the annular wall 210 to close the upper opening.

The material of the outer annular portion 520 can be, for example, aluminum, copper, zinc or the alloy thereof, which can have an advantage of light weight. The composite material of the top portion 516 can be, for example, a carbon-fiber composite material, which can have advantages of light weight and high strength. In addition, the main body 510 can further include a cover portion 517 located between the case unit 200 and the top portion 516, and the cover portion 517 is made of plastic. In the first embodiment, although the cover portion 517 is illustrated as being separated from the top portion 516, in other embodiments, the cover portion and the top portion can be formed integrally using the dual-injecting process to allow the main body to be a one-piece element having different materials. The materials of the top portion and the cover portion are not limited to the above, and other non-metal materials or other composite materials can be used. The outer annular portion can also be made of other metal materials, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The outer annular portion 520 can include an upper restricting portion 523 (shown in FIG. 4) protruding inward from an upper edge of the outer annular portion 520 and being ring-shaped, and the top portion 516 is abutted between the upper restricting portion 523 and the cover portion 517. A thickness of the top portion 516 is uniform, and a distance H1 (shown in FIG. 4) between an upper surface of the top portion 516 and the upper edge of the outer annular portion 520 is larger than zero. In other words, as the top portion 516 and the cover portion 517 are assembled inside the outer annular portion 520, the top portion 516 is lower than the upper edge of the outer annular portion 520.

Moreover, the main body 510 can further include at least one radial engaging portion 511, the knob 500 can further include at least one radial coupling portion 521 located at the outer annular portion 520, and the at least one radial engaging portion 511 is coupled to the at least one radial coupling portion 521. In addition, the main body 510 can further include at least one axial rib 512, the knob 500 can further include at least one axial slot 522 located at the outer annular portion 520, and the at least one axial rib 512 is received in the at least one axial slot 522.

To be more specific, a number of the radial engaging portions 511 and a number of the axial ribs 512 are both three. Each of the three radial engaging portions 511 is staggered from each of the three radial coupling portions 521 and is arranged on the outer surface of the cover portion 517. A number of the axial slots 522 is three and the axial slots 522 are located at an inner surface of the outer annular portion 520. The inner surface of the outer annular portion 520 can be depressed to form an inner annular groove, and the three axial slots 522 are communicated with the inner annular groove and split the inner annular groove into three segments to form the three radial coupling portions 521 for cooperating with the three radial engaging portions 511.

Hence, the three radial engaging portions 511 are associated with the three radial coupling portions 521 to assemble the main body 510 and the outer annular portion 520. The cooperation between the axial rib 512 and the axial slot 522 can prevent rotation between the outer annular portion 520 and the cover portion 517, and can be favorable for transferring the operating force of the user. Furthermore, the outer annular portion 520 can include a plurality of anti-slip strips (not labeled) to increase the friction between the outer annular portion 520 and the user.

The fastening device 100 can further include an engaging unit 400 located above the spool 300. An operation of the knob 500, for example rotating the knob 500 in a loosening direction R1, allows the engaging unit 400 to be lifted along the axial direction I1 and to switch from a first position to a second position, and when the engaging unit 400 is in the first position, a rotation of the knob 500 drives the spool 300 to rotate in the tightening direction R2 for tensioning the lace. As the engaging unit 400 is located in the second position, the spool 300 is allowed to release the lace.

Precisely, the engaging unit 400 can include a ring body 410, three pawl arms 420, three stop portions 430 and three guiding portions 440. The ring body 410 includes a central hole 411 configured for the central post 514 of the main body 510 to insert thereinto. The three pawl arms 420 protrude from the ring body 410 and are spaced apart from each other. The three stop portions 430 are disposed at the three pawl arms 420, respectively. The three guiding portions 440 are configured for cooperated with the spiral track 515 of the main body 510.

The engaging unit 400 can further include a plurality of first combining teeth 450, and when the engaging unit 400 is located in the first position, the first combining teeth 450 are engaged with the second combining teeth 310. Each of the first combining teeth 450 is formed integrally with the ring body 410 and protrudes toward the spool 300. An outer tooth-facet 451 of each of the first combining teeth 450 is extended downward and integrally from an outer surface 412 of the ring body 410. In other words, the distance between two opposite outer tooth-facets 451 is equal to the outer diameter of the outer surface 412. Each of the first combining teeth 450 can further include a first longitudinal facet 452, and the first longitudinal facet 452 is substantially parallel to the axial direction I1. Each of the second combining teeth 310 can include a second longitudinal facet (not labeled) corresponding to the first longitudinal facet 452. When the engaging unit 400 is rotated in the tightening direction R2, the first longitudinal facet 452 pushes the second longitudinal facet of the spool 300, thereby favorable for transferring the rotary force of the engaging unit 400.

Furthermore, the fastening device 100 can further include a connecting unit 600 connected to the main body 510 of the knob 500 and being restricted by the spool 300. Precisely, the connecting unit 600 includes a stop plate 610 and a screw member 620. The stop plate 610 includes a through hole 611. The stop plate 610 inserts the central clearance hole (not labeled) of the spool 300, and the screw member 620 inserts upward into the through hole 611 of the stop plate 610 to fasten with the central post 514, thereby allowing the screw member 620 to be restricted by the stop plate 610 and allowing the stop plate 610 to be restricted by the spool 300.

FIG. 4 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging unit 400 is located in the first position, the first combining teeth 450 of the engaging unit 400 are engaged with the second combining teeth 310 of the spool 300, and the pawl arms 420 are engaged correspondingly with the mounting teeth 240. As the user holds the outer annular portion 520 to rotate the knob 500 in the tightening direction R2, the engaging unit 400 is allowed to be rotated simultaneously, and a distal end of the pawl arm 420 can be disengaged from the mounting teeth 240, thereby allowing the spool 300 to rotate in the tightening direction R2 for tensioning the lace. As the user stops exerting the force, the distal end of the pawl arm 420 is engaged with the mounting teeth 240 to prevent the spool 300 from rotating in the loosening direction R1, and the lace cannot be unwound.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 5, as the user is looking forward to release the lace, the user can hold the outer annular portion 520 to rotate the knob 500 in the loosening direction R1. Owing to the restriction that the distal end of the pawl arm 420 is engaged with the mounting teeth 240, the engaging unit 400 cannot rotate simultaneously, and the guiding portions 440 are guided by the spiral track 515 to allow the engaging unit 400 to be raised along the axial direction I1 and to be switched to the second position. Thus, the first combining teeth 450 of the engaging unit 400 are disengaged from the second combining teeth 310 of the spool 300, the spool 300 is not restricted, and pulling the lace can rotate the spool 300 in the loosening direction R1, thereby unwinding the lace. Moreover, the distal end of the pawl arm 420 can still be engaged with the mounting teeth 240, and since the first combining teeth 450 are disengaged from the second combining teeth 310 of the spool 300, the engaging unit 400 will not affect the spool 300. Furthermore, as the engaging unit 400 is in the second position, the stop portion 430 can be engaged with the mounting teeth 240, and as the user rotates the knob 500 in the tightening direction R2, the configuration is favorable for the engaging unit 400 to lower to the first position. Please be noted that, the stop portion 430 will not be engaged with the mounting teeth 240 when the engaging unit 400 is in the first position, and rotation of the spool 300 in the tightening direction R2 is not affected.

FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device 100a according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 shows one exploded view of the fastening device 100a of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100a of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100a of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100a of FIG. 6. The fastening device 100a of the second embodiment is similar to the fastening device 100 of the first embodiment and includes a knob 500a, an engaging unit 400a, a spool 300a, a connecting unit 600a, and a case unit (not labeled in the second embodiment). The different structures will be further specified, and the details of similar structures will not be repeated.

The knob 500a can include a main body 510a and a shield cover 520a. The main body 510a is a one piece element made of plastic or doped plastic. The shield cover 520a covers on the main body 510a and is made of metal. The shield cover 520a includes an outer annular portion 525a and a metal top portion 524a. In other words, the metal top portion 524a is integrally connected to the outer annular portion 525a to form the shield cover 520a covering on the main body 510a, and a cross section of the shield cover 520a is therefore an “n” shape which totally convers the main body 510a. Please be noted that, the outer annular portion 525a of the second embodiment is similar to the outer annular portion 520 of the first embodiment, but the outer annular portion 525a is integrally formed with the metal top portion 524a while the outer annular portion 520 is not integrally formed with a top portion. Therefore, the main body 510a also includes at least one radial engaging portion, the shield cover 520a includes at least one radial coupling portion located at the outer annular portion 525a, and the at least one radial coupling portion is coupled to the at least one radial engaging portion.

The connecting unit 600a can include a stop plate 610a, a screw member 620a and a screw sleeve 630a. The screw sleeve 630a is disposed in the central post of the main body 510a, and the screw member 620a passes through the stop plate 610a to fasten into the screw sleeve 630a. Since the central post protrudes downward from the inner top surface of the main body 510a, and the screw sleeve 630a is located inside the central post, the shield cover 520a can be assembled after the main body 510a, the engaging unit 400a and the spool 300a are assembled. The assembly is convenient, and the aesthetic is increased owing to that the connecting unit 600a is not exposed.

FIG. 11 shows one exploded view of a knob 500b of a fastening device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 shows another exploded view of the knob 500b of the fastening device of FIG. 11. In the third embodiment, the structures, except to the structure of the knob 500a, are similar to the second embodiment, and are thus not shown in the drawings. The knob 500b can include a main body 510b and a shield cover 520b. The shield cover 520b includes a metal top portion 524b and an outer annular portion 525b. The outer annular portion 525b includes a radial coupling portion 526b. The main body 510b can include a radial engaging portion 511b. The radial coupling portion 526b is different from the second embodiment and includes four restricting surfaces arranged in four sides thereof, and the radial coupling portion 526b is configured to receive the radial engaging portion 511b. Hence, as the shield cover 520b are assembled with the main body 510b, the four restricting surfaces of the radial coupling portion 526b can restrict the radial engaging portion 511b in the radial and axial direction, thereby preventing separation of the main body 510b and the shield cover 520b.

FIG. 13 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device 100c according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 shows one exploded view of the fastening device 100c of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100c of FIG. 13. The fastening device 100c includes a knob 500c, and the structure of the knob 500c is similar to the knob 500a of the second embodiment and includes a shield cover 520c made of metal and a main body 510c made of a composite material. In addition, the structure of the knob 500c and other components of the fastening device 100c are slightly different from the fastening device 100 of the first embodiment.

To be more specific, the fastening device 100c includes a spool 300c, an engaging unit 400c, a case unit (not labeled in the fourth embodiment) and a connecting unit 600c. The main body 510c can include a plurality of knob teeth 516c, and the engaging unit 400c can include a plurality of engaging teeth 460c and three pawl arms 420c. The engaging teeth 460c correspond to the knob teeth 516c, and the pawl arms 420c correspond to the mounting teeth 240c.

The spool 300c includes an upper boss and a driving hole 340c. The upper boss is located above the upper ring portion (not labeled in the fourth embodiment), and the driving hole 340c penetrating the upper boss and the upper ring portion is configured for the central post 514c of the knob 500c to insert therein, thereby allowing the knob 500c to rotate with the spool 300c.

The spool 300c can further include a flexible clamping portion 350c, and the flexible clamping portion 350c includes two clamping arms protruding downward from an intersection of the driving hole 340c and the upper ring portion to form a clamping space. The connecting unit 600c includes a screw member 620c and a positioning shaft 640c. The positioning shaft 640c inserts the clamping space and the driving hole 340c, and the positioning shaft 640c includes a positioning protrusion 641c coupled to the flexible clamping portion 350c. The screw member 620c inserts downward from the main body 510c and passes through the central post 514c to fasten into the positioning shaft 640c.

FIG. 16 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100c of FIG. 13. FIG. 17 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100c of FIG. 13. Please refer to FIGS. 16 and 17, the knob 500c can be pulled up along the axial direction I1 to switch from a fastening position to a releasing position. Precisely, in FIG. 16, the knob 500c is not pulled up and is in the fastening position, the pawl arm 420c corresponds to the mounting teeth 240c, and the engaging teeth 460c correspond to the knob teeth 516c. As the user holds the shield cover 520c to rotate the knob 500c in the tightening direction R2, the spool 300c can rotate in the tightening direction R2 to tension the lace. As the user stops forcing, the distal end of the pawl arm 420c is engaged with the mounting teeth 240c to prohibit the spool 300c from rotating in the loosening direction R1, and the lace cannot be released.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 17, the knob 500c is pulled up to the releasing position, only the knob 500c and the connecting unit 600c move along the axial direction I1, and the positioning protrusion 641c of the positioning shaft 640c is moved from the lower side of the protrusion of the flexible clamping portion 350c to the upper side of the protrusion. Although the spool 300c is still linked with the knob 500c, rotation of the spool 300c is not affected owing to the separation of the knob teeth 516c and the engaging teeth 460c, and the lace can be released.

FIG. 18 shows a three dimensional schematic view of a fastening device 100d according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 shows one exploded view of the fastening device 100d of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100d of FIG. 18. The fastening device 100d includes a knob 500d, an engaging unit 400d, a spool 300d, a transmission set 700d, a case unit 200d and a connecting unit (not labeled in the fifth embodiment). The case unit 200d includes a base 220d and an annular wall 210d. The base 220d includes an inner engaging surface 221d coordinating with the annular wall 210d. An inner diameter of the inner engaging surface 221d is D1 (shown in FIGS. 21 and 22), an outer diameter of the knob 500d is D2 (shown in FIGS. 21 and 22), and D2/D1 is greater than or equal to 0.1 and smaller than or equal to 0.99. In the fifth embodiment, D2/D1 is proximate 0.94. In other words, a small knob 500d can be made to coordinate with a large inner engaging surface 221d. In one embodiment, if the fastening device is used in the daily life, D2/D1 is ranged from 0.5 to 0.99, and if the fastening device is used in the industry filed or in the situation requiring a long lace, the size of the spool has to be increased for winding the long lace, and D2/D1 is ranged from 0.1 to 0.5.

The case unit 200d can further include a plurality of inner teeth 280d and a plurality of stopping teeth 260d. To be more specific, the case unit 200d can include a partition 270d, a central hole and a protruding ring. The partition 270d protrudes radially and inward from the annular wall 210d to separate the receiving space (not labeled in the fifth embodiment) into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The inner teeth 280d are disposed at the annular wall 210d and located at the lower chamber, and the spool 300d can be received in the lower chamber. The central hole penetrates the partition 270d and is communicated with the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The protruding ring protrudes upward from an intersection between the partition 270d and the central hole, and the stopping teeth 260d are located at the upper end of the inner surface of the protruding ring.

The engaging unit 400d includes a ring body (not labeled in the fifth embodiment), three guiding portions 440d, three stop portions 430d and a plurality of driving teeth 470d. The guiding portions 440d are coordinated with the spiral track (not labeled in the fifth embodiment) of the knob 500d, the structures and relationship thereof are similar with the guiding portions 440 and the spiral track 515 of the first embodiment, and the details will not be repeated. The ring body can include three suspending arms protruding downward, and each of the stop portions 430d can be located at each the suspending arms and corresponds to the stopping teeth 260d.

The transmission set 700d can include a sun gear 710d, a plurality of planetary gears 730d and a plate 720d. The sun gear 710d is driven by the driving teeth 470d of the engaging unit 400d. Each of the planetary gear 730d is pivotally disposed on each pivoted shaft of the spool 300d and is engaged with the sun gear 710d and the inner teeth 280d of the case unit 200d. The plate 720d is positioned on the planetary gears 730d and covers the planetary gears 730d.

The connecting unit can include a central shaft 650d and a screw member 620d. The central shaft 650d passes through the spool 300d and the sun gear 710d to enter the central post (not labeled in the fifth embodiment) of the knob 500d, and the screw member 620d passes through the central post downward to fasten with the central shaft 650d.

FIG. 21 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100d of FIG. 18. FIG. 22 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100d of FIG. 18. Please refer to FIGS. 21 and 22 with references of FIGS. 18 to 20. Rotating the knob 500d in a loosening direction R1 can cause the engaging unit 400d to switch from a first position to a second position along an axial direction I1. As shown in FIG. 21, the engaging unit 400d is in the first position, and the pawl arm 420d corresponds to the mounting teeth 240d. As the user rotates the knob 500d in the tightening direction R2, the sun gear 710d can be rotated, and the planetary gear 730d rotates relative to the inner teeth 280d to allow the spool 300d to rotate in the tightening direction R2 for tensioning the lace. As the user stops forcing, the distal end of the pawl arm 420d will be engaged with the mounting teeth 240d to prohibit the spool 300d from rotating in the loosening direction R1, and the lace cannot be released. Please be noted that, the stop portion 430d does not correspond to the stopping teeth 260d, and therefore rotation of the spool 300d in the tightening direction R2 is not affected.

In the contrast, as rotating the knob 500d in the loosening direction R1 to switch the engaging unit 400d to the second position, the driving teeth 470d are disengaged from the sun gear 710d, rotation of the spool 300d is not affected, and the lace can be released. Meanwhile, the stop portion 430d corresponds to the stopping teeth 260d, thereby favorable for the engaging unit 400d to lower to the first position.

FIG. 23 shows one exploded view of a fastening device 100e according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100e of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100e of FIG. 23. FIG. 26 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100e of FIG. 23. The fastening device 100e includes a knob 500e, an engaging unit 400e, a spool 300e, a transmission set 700e, a case unit 200e and a connecting unit (not labeled in the sixth embodiment). The case unit 200e can include a base 220e and an annular wall 210e, and the structure of the transmission set 700e is identical to the structure of the transmission set 700d in the fifth embodiment.

The knob 500e can be pulled upward or pressed downward along the axial direction I1 to be positioned in the fastening position of FIG. 25 or in the releasing position of FIG. 26. Hence, the spool 300e can include a flexible clamping portion 350e, and the connecting unit can include a screw member 620e, a screw sleeve 630e and a positioning sleeve 660e. During assembly, the positioning sleeve 660e is put into the central clearance hole of the spool 300e to allow the positioning protrusion 661e to couple to the flexible clamping portion 350e, and the screw member 620e inserts upward into the hole of the positioning sleeve 660e to fasten with the screw sleeve 630e located in the central post (not labeled in the sixth embodiment) of the knob 500e.

FIG. 27 shows one exploded view of a fastening device 100f according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 28 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100f of FIG. 27. FIG. 29 shows one cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100f of FIG. 27. FIG. 30 shows another cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100f of FIG. 27. The fastening device 100f includes a knob 500f, an engaging unit 400f, a spool 300f, a transmission set 700f, a case unit (not labeled in the seventh embodiment) and a connecting unit (not labeled in the seventh embodiment). The fastening device 100f is similar to the fastening device 100e of the sixth embodiment, and the knob 500f can be pulled upward or pressed downward along the axial direction I1 to be positioned in the fastening position of FIG. 29 or in the releasing position of FIG. 30. The difference is that the connecting unit includes a screw sleeve 630f and a positioning screw 670f. The positioning screw 670f includes a positioning protrusion 671f coupled to the flexible clamping portion 350f of the spool 300f, and other similar or identical structures will not be repeated.

Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure covers modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A fastening device, comprising: a case unit comprising a receiving space;a spool located within the receiving space and configured for a lace to be wound therearound; anda knob covering on the case unit and comprising: a main body made of a composite material; anda shield cover covering on the main body and made of a metal material;wherein a rotation of the knob drives the spool to rotate in a tightening direction for tensioning the lace.

2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises at least one radial engaging portion, the shield cover comprises at least one radial coupling portion and an outer annular portion, and the at least one radial coupling portion is located at the outer annular portion and is coupled to the at least one radial engaging portion.

3. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises at least one axial rib, the shield cover comprises at least one axial slot and an outer annular portion, and the at least one axial slot is located at the outer annular portion and is coupled to the at least one axial rib.

4. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the case unit further comprises a snapping portion, the main body further comprises a coupling portion, and the snapping portion is coupled to the coupling portion to connect the main body to the case unit.

5. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the shield cover comprises an outer annular portion and a metal top portion, the metal top portion is located above the main body, and the outer annular portion extends integrally from the metal top portion.

6. The fastening device of claim 5, further comprising a connecting unit connected to the main body of the knob and being restricted by the spool.

7. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the case unit further comprises a plurality of mounting teeth and an annular wall, each of the mounting teeth is located at the annular wall and comprises a tip portion, the spool comprises an upper ring portion, and a distance between the tip portions of two of the mounting teeth opposite thereto is smaller than a diameter of the upper ring portion.

8. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the case unit further comprises an annular wall, the annular wall comprises a lower ring groove, the spool comprises a lower ring portion, and the lower ring portion is received in the lower ring groove, thereby preventing the spool from leaving the receiving space from an upper opening of the annular wall.

9. The fastening device of claim 1, further comprising an engaging unit, wherein a rotation of the knob in a loosening direction allows the engaging unit to switch from a first position to a second position along an axial direction.