Fastening device

Abstract

A fastening device includes a case unit, a spool, a driving unit, a knob and a connecting unit. The case unit includes an annular wall surrounding an inner space, and a base detachably and directly coupled to the annular wall. The spool is located within the inner space. The driving unit is located within the inner space and selectively prohibits the spool from rotating in a loosening direction. The knob is disposed on the annular wall. The connecting unit is connected to at least one of the knob, the spool and the driving unit without passing through the base and restricted by at least one of the annular wall, the spool and the driving unit such that the annular wall, the spool, the driving unit and the knob are combined integrally.

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 tightening 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, such as 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 because of 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, a driving unit and a spring. The case includes holes configured for the lace to pass therethrough. Through the reaction force between the spring and the driving unit, the lace can be clamped between the driving 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 driving 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 to receive the lace, and the exposure of the lace may bring danger.

Therefore, some practitioners developed another kind of buckle which can be rotated to tighten 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 buckles is complex; as a result, the manufacturing cost is increased, and the buckle has assembly and repair difficulties.

Hence, the inner structure of the buckle is continuously improved by the practitioners, with a hope that the structure can be simplified while the securing capability thereof is remained, and the structure reliability thereof is increased to prevent shortenness of the life time.

Based on the aforementioned problems, how to simplify the structure of the fastening device, reduce the manufacturing cost and maintain the securing capability becomes a pursuit target for practitioners.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fastening device is provided. The fastening device includes a case unit, a spool, a driving unit, a knob and a connecting unit. The case unit includes an annular wall surrounding an inner space, an upper opening communicated with the inner space, a bottom opening opposite to the upper opening and communicated with the inner space, and a base detachably and directly coupled to the annular wall. The spool is located within the inner space. The driving unit is located within the inner space and selectively prohibits the spool from rotating in a loosening direction. The knob is disposed on the annular wall. The connecting unit is connected to at least one of the knob, the spool and the driving unit without passing through the base and restricted by at least one of the annular wall, the spool and the driving unit such that the annular wall, the spool, the driving unit and the knob are combined integrally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 exploded view of a fastening device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a fastening device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a fastening device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows one exploded view of a fastening device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows one exploded view of a fastening device according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows one exploded view of a fastening device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 shows another exploded view of the fastening device of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 32 taken along line 33-33;

FIG. 34 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 35 taken along line 36-36;

FIG. 37 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 40 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 shows an exploded view of a fastening device according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 44 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a knob of a fastening device according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 46 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a driving unit of the fastening device of FIG. 45.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiment will be described with the drawings. For clarity, some practical details will be described below. However, it should be noted that the present disclosure should not be limited by the practical details. That is, in some embodiment, the practical details are unnecessary. In addition, for simplifying the drawings, some conventional structures and elements will be simply illustrated, and repeated elements may be represented by the same labels.

In addition, 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 elements, or it can be indirectly disposed on, connected or coupled to the other elements, that is, intervening elements may 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 is no intervening element present. 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.

Please refer to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 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. 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. The fastening device 100 includes a case unit 200, a spool 300, a driving unit 400, a knob 500 and a connecting unit 600.

The case unit 200 has a radial direction (not shown) and an axial direction I1 and includes an annular wall 220. The annular wall 220 surrounds an inner space 240. The spool 300 is within the inner space 240 and includes an axial space 340. The axial space 340 includes a large-diameter segment 342 and a small-diameter segment 341, and the small-diameter segment 341 is connected to the large-diameter segment 342 along the axial direction I1. The driving unit 400 is disposed above the spool 300 along the axial direction I1, and the driving unit 400 selectively prohibits the spool 300 from rotating in a loosening direction A1. The knob 500 is disposed above the driving unit 400 along the axial direction I1, and the knob 500 is coupled to the driving unit 400. The connecting unit 600 is connected to the knob 500, and the connecting unit 600 is disposed within the axial space 340 and limited within the large-diameter segment 342.

Therefore, since the axial space 340 of the spool 300 includes the large-diameter segment 342 and the small-diameter segment 341, the connecting unit 600 can be limited within the large-diameter segment 342, and separation of the case unit 200, the spool 300, the driving unit 400 and the knob 500 during rotation can be avoided, thereby increasing the structure reliability. The detail of the fastening device 100 will be described hereafter.

The case unit 200 can further include a stop portion 250, and the stop portion 250 is located at the annular wall 220 and protrudes toward the inner space 240 along the radial direction. The spool 300 is located below the stop portion 250. The case unit 200 can further include a base 210, a plurality of mounting teeth 230 and an inner annular groove 260. The base 210 is configured for the annular wall 220 to be disposed thereon, and the annular wall 220 can be assembled with the base 210 through engagements. The mounting teeth 230 are disposed at the annular wall 220 and face toward the inner space 240, and the inner annular groove 260 is located at a lower end of the annular wall 220. The mounting teeth 230 are located on an upper end of the annular wall 220. The stop portion 250 has a convex ring structure and is adjacent to the mounting teeth 230. In other words, the inner annular groove 260 and the stop portion 250 can be formed by the variation of the inner-diameter of the annular wall 220.

The spool 300 includes a hollow shaft 380, an upper annular portion 360 and a lower annular portion 370. The upper annular portion 360 and the lower annular portion 370 protrude outwardly from the hollow shaft 380 along the radial direction, respectively, and the upper annular portion 360 is located above the lower annular portion 370 along the axial direction I1, thereby allowing an annular track 310 to be formed between the upper annular portion 360 and the lower annular portion 370. The annular track 310 can be configured for a lace (not shown) to be wound thereabout. The spool 300 can include a plurality of engaging teeth 320 located above the upper annular portion 360 along the axial direction I1, and an inner surface 350 of the hollow shaft 380 is closed to form the axial space 340. The large-diameter segment 342 and the lower-diameter segment 341 connected thereto can be formed by the variation of the inner-diameter of the hollow shaft 380, and the large-diameter segment 342 is located below the small-diameter segment 341. The inner surface 350 of the hollow shaft 380 can include an expanding region 351 and a perpendicular region 352, and both of the expanding region 351 and a perpendicular region 352 are located at the large-diameter segment 342. The spool 300 can further include a lower opening 330 connected to the axial space 340.

The driving unit 400 can include a ring body portion 440, a first retaining portion 410, a second retaining portion 420, three guiding portions 430, three pawl arms 450, three restricting portions 460, a plurality of meshing teeth 470, a central hole 480 and two protrusions 491 and 492. The central hole 480 is located at a center of the ring body portion 440, and each of the guiding portions 430 has a helical tooth structure protruding outwardly from the ring body portion 440 and is configured to couple to the knob 500. The first retaining portion 410 and the second retaining portion 420 include a free end 411 and a free end 421, respectively. The free ends 411 and 421 can be displaced radially by a force, and can be restored after removing the force. The protrusions 491 and 492 protrude inwardly from the ring body portion 440, and the two protrusions 491 and 492 are spaced apart from the two free ends 411 and 421. Each of the pawl arms 450 includes a distal end 452 and a proximal end 451. The proximal ends 451 are configured to connect to an outside of the ring body portion 440, and the distal ends 452 are configured to selectively engage with the mounting teeth 230. The three restricting portions 460 are located above the three pawl arms 450, respectively. The meshing teeth 470 are located at a lower side of the ring body portion 440, which can be selectively engaged with the engaging teeth 320 of the spool 300.

The knob 500 can include a guiding track 510, a boss 520, a through hole 530 and two positioning blocks 540. The guiding track 510 is located at an inner wall of the knob 500, and the boss 520 protrudes into the inner space 240 along the axial direction I1. The through hole 530 passes through the boss 520. The two positioning blocks 540 are disposed at an outside of the boss 520 along the radial direction. Please be noted that, only one position block 540 is shown in FIG. 3 owing to the view angle thereof, and it can be understood by a reader that, on the other side which cannot be seen, the other positioning block 540 is located.

The connecting unit 600 includes a first part set (not labeled) and a second part set (not labeled). The first part set is connected to the knob 500. The second part set is disposed within the axial space 340 to connect to the first part set, and the second part set is limited within the large-diameter segment 342. In the first embodiment, the first part set of the connecting unit 600 can include a screw bar 610. The second part set can include a connecting barrel 620, and the connecting barrel 620 includes a top portion 622 and a barrel body portion 621. The barrel body portion 621 is connected to the top portion 622. The barrel body portion 621 passes through the small-diameter segment 341 and is configured for the screw bar 610 to screw therewith, and the top portion 622 is limited within the large-diameter segment 342.

Precisely, when the spool 300 is put into the inner space 240 from the bottom of the annular wall 220, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper annular portion 360 and the lower annular portion 370 can be limited by the stop portion 250 and the inner annular groove 260, respectively, thereby avoiding the spool 300 from leaving from the upper side of the annular wall 220. The guiding portions 430 (shown in FIG. 3) are coupled to the guiding track 510 to connect the driving unit 400 to the knob 500. The boss 520 of the knob 500 protrudes into the central hole 480 (shown in FIG. 2) of the driving unit 400.

The connecting barrel 620 can be put from the lower opening 330 (shown in FIG. 3) into the axial space 340, and through the diameter relationship of the small-diameter segment 341, the large-diameter segment 342, the top portion 622 and the barrel body portion 621, the barrel body portion 621 can pass through the small-diameter segment 341 while the top portion 622 is limited within the large-diameter segment 342. Then, the screw bar 610 is fastened into the barrel body portion 621, and combination of the knob 500, the driving unit 400 and the spool 300 is completed. Because of the stop portion 250, after the screw bar 610 is fastened with the barrel body portion 621, the knob 500, the driving unit 400, the spool 300 and the annular wall 220 cannot separate from each other, thereby completing assembly. In other embodiments, the stop portion can be omitted; instead, the mounting teeth can protrude into the inner space to prevent the spool from leaving from the upper side of the annular wall. Moreover, only one of the stop portion and the inner annular groove is required to be disposed on the annular wall, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, the barrel body portion 621 can be engaged with the boss 520, thereby allowing the connecting barrel 620 and the knob 500 to move simultaneously. A shape of the outer wall of the barrel body portion 621 can coordinate with the inner wall of the through hole 530, which results in engagement between the barre body portion 621 and the boss 520. Moreover, the outer wall of the barrel body portion 621 and the inner wall of the through hole 530 are non-circular. When pulling the lace to rotate the spool 300 in a loosening direction A1, the spool 300 may rub against the second part set, and if the barrel body portion 621 of the second part set is engaged with the boss 520, rotation of the second part set caused by the friction from the spool 300 can be avoided, thereby avoiding it from separating from the first part set.

As shown in FIG. 4, the driving unit 400 is in the first position, and the engaging teeth 320 of the spool 300 are engaged with the meshing teeth 470 of the driving unit 400. The distal ends 452 (shown in FIG. 2) of each of the pawl arms 450 are engaged with the mounting teeth 230 in the loosening direction A1 (shown in FIG. 2) while disengaged from the mounting teeth 230 in a fastening direction A2 (shown in FIG. 2). The restricting portion 460 is not engaged with the mounting teeth 230 owing to that the location of the restricting portion 460 is lower than the mounting teeth 230. Hence, rotating the knob 500 in the fastening direction A2 can drive the driving unit 400 to allow the spool 300 to draw back the lace. When the knob 500 is immobile, the distal end 452 of each of the pawl arms 450 is abutted against the mounting teeth 230 to prevent rotation of the spool 300 in the loosening direction A1, thereby avoiding release of the lace.

On the contrary, rotating the knob 500 in a loosening direction A1 drives the driving unit 400 to move upward along the axial direction I1, such that the driving unit 400 is separated from the spool 300. To be more specific, when the driving unit 400 is in the first position, the guiding portions 430 are engaged with the guiding track 510 of the knob 500. One of the position blocks 540 is located between the free end 411 of the first retaining portion 410 and the protrusion 491, and the other one of the position blocks 540 is located between the free end 421 of the second retaining portion 420 and the protrusion 492. When the knob 500 is rotated in the loosening direction A1, the driving unit 400 cannot rotate simultaneously owing to the engagement between the pawl arms 450 and the mounting teeth 230, and therefore the two positioning blocks 540 press the two free ends 411 and 421, respectively, which allows the two free ends 411 and 421 to be displaced along the radial direction such that the knob 500 can rotate relative to the driving unit 400. The guiding portions 430 will be guided by the guiding track 510 to move upward relative to the guiding track 510 along the axial direction I1, allowing the driving unit 400 to switch to the second position. Hence, the aforementioned one of the positioning blocks 540 switches to a position between the free end 411 of the first retaining portion 410 and the protrusion 492, and the aforementioned the other one of the positioning blocks 540 switches to a position between the free end 421 of the second retaining portion 420 and the protrusion 491.

Hence, as shown in FIG. 5, when the driving unit 400 is in the second position, the meshing teeth 470 of the driving unit 400 will disengage from the engaging teeth 320 of the spool 300, and the spool 300 is not affected by the driving unit 400 and rotation in the loosening direction A1 is allowed; as a result, the lace can be released by pulling the lace itself.

Please refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a fastening device 100a according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100a of FIG. 6. The fastening device 100a includes a case unit (not labeled), a spool 300a, a driving unit 400a, a knob 500a and a connecting unit 600a. The structure and relation of the case unit, the spool 300a, the driving unit 400a and the knob 500a are similar to that of the case unit 200, the spool 300, the driving unit 400 and the knob 500 in the first embodiment, but the structure of the connecting unit 600a is different from the connecting unit 600 of the first embodiment.

The connecting unit 600a includes a first part set and a second part set 620a. The first part set includes a fastening barrel 610a. The second part set 620a includes a stop ring 621a and a screw bar 622a. The stop ring 621a is limited within the large-diameter segment (not labeled), and the screw bar 622a passes through the stop ring 621a and the small-diameter segment (not labeled) to screw with the fastening barrel 610a. The fastening barrel 610a can include a lower engaging portion 611a. The stop ring 621a includes an inner engaging groove 6211a, and the inner engaging groove 6211a is configured to engage with the lower engaging portion 611a. The knob 500a can include a boss (not labeled) protruding toward the inner space (not labeled) along the axial direction. The fastening barrel 610a can further include an upper engaging portion 612a connected to the lower engaging portion 611a, and the upper engaging portion 612a is engaged with the boss.

To be more specific, the stop ring 621a further includes a bottom portion 6213a and a body portion 6212a. The body portion 6212a is connected to the bottom portion 6213a, and the inner engaging groove 6211a is located at the body portion 6212a. The shape of the upper engaging portion 612a of the fastening barrel 610a fits the through hole (not labeled) of the boss, and the shape of the lower engaging portion 611a fits the inner engaging groove 6211a. Hence, when the fastening barrel 610a passes through the through hole, the upper engaging portion 612a is engaged with the boss, and the lower engaging portion 611a exposes from the boss to protrude toward the small-diameter segment.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the body portion 6212a of the stop ring 621a passes through the small-diameter segment, and the inner engaging groove 6211a is engaged with the lower engaging portion 611a. The bottom portion 6213a is remained in the large-diameter segment to be limited within the large-diameter segment, and the screw bar 622a can fasten into the fastening barrel 610a upward from a bottom side thereof along the axial direction, thereby completing combination of the knob 500a, the driving unit 400a, the spool 300a and the annular wall 220a. As pulling the lace to rotate the spool 300a in the loosening direction, the spool 300a may rub against the second part set 620a, and because the stop ring 621a of the second part set 620a is engaged with the boss through the fastening barrel 610a, rotation of the second part set 620a caused by the friction can be avoided, which also avoids separation between the first part set and the second part set 620a.

Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a fastening device 100b according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100b of FIG. 8. The fastening device 100b includes a case unit (not shown), a spool 300b, a driving unit 400b, a knob 500b and a connecting unit 600b. The structure and relation of the case unit, the spool 300b, the driving unit 400b and the knob 500b are similar to that of the case unit, the spool 300a, the driving unit 400a and the knob 500a in the second embodiment, but the structure of the connecting unit 600b is different from the connecting unit 600a of the second embodiment.

Precisely, the first part set of the connecting unit 600b includes a fastening barrel 610b, and the second part set 620b includes a stop ring 621b and a screw bar 622b. The structure of the fastening barrel 610b is identical to the fastening barrel 610a of the second embodiment, but the lower engaging portion is omitted while the length of the upper engaging portion along the axial direction is elongated to protrude into the small-diameter segment. The present disclosure includes the above but is not limited thereto. In the third embodiment, the stop ring 621b has a ring structure, and the fastening barrel 610b includes a lower end surface 611b. After the screw bar 622b is fastened into the fastening barrel 610b, the stop ring 621b is abutted against the lower end surface 611b, such that combination of the knob 500b, the driving unit 400b, the spool 300b and the annular wall 220b are completed. As pulling the lace to rotate the spool 300b in the loosening direction, the spool 300b may rub against the second part set 620b, and because the stop ring 621b is forced by the screw bar 622b to abut against the lower end surface 611b, the friction between the stop ring 621b, the screw bar 622b and the lower end surface 611b is larger than that between the spool 300b and the stop ring 621b; therefore, rotation of the second part set 620b caused by the friction can be avoided, which also avoids separation between the first part set and the second part set 620b.

Please refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. FIG. 10 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a fastening device 100c according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100c of FIG. 10.

The fastening device 100c includes a case unit (not shown), a spool 300c, a driving unit 400c, a knob 500c and a connecting unit 600c. The structure and relation of the case unit, the spool 300c, the driving unit 400c and the knob 500c are similar to that of the case unit, the spool 300b, the driving unit 400b and the knob 500b in the third embodiment, but the structure of the connecting unit 600c is different from the connecting unit 600b of the third embodiment.

Precisely, the first part set of the connecting unit 600c includes a fastening barrel 610c, and the second part set includes a screw bar 620c. The screw bar 620c includes a head portion 622c and a bar portion 621c, and the bar portion 621c is connected to the head portion 622c. The bar portion 621c inserts in the axial space to fasten the fastening barrel 610c, and the head portion 622c is limited within the large-diameter segment. In configuration, the diameter of the head portion 622c can be larger than the diameter of the small-diameter segment, and the diameter of the screw bar 620c is smaller than the large-diameter segment, such that the screw bar 620c can be limited within the large-diameter segment, thereby completing combination of the knob 500c, the driving unit 400c, the spool 300c and the annular wall 220c. As pulling the lace to rotate the spool 300c in the loosening direction, the spool 300c may rub against the second part set, and therefore the fastening force between the screw bar 620c and the fastening barrel 610c can be enlarged when fastening the screw bar 620c. For example, the teeth pitch thereof can be widened, or a glue can be dispended thereon, which avoids rotation of the second part set caused by friction and separation between the first part set and the second part set.

In other embodiments, the connecting unit can have a boss structure, which can be integrally connected to the knob and can protrude into the axial space, or it can be secured on the knob by adhesion of glue. The connecting unit can include a lower flange, and with the upper end connected to the knob and the lower flanged limited within the large-diameter segment, the combination of the knob, the driving unit, the spool and the annular wall can be completed.

Please refer to FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. FIG. 12 shows one exploded view of a fastening device 100d according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 13 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100d of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100d of FIG. 12. The fastening device 100d includes a case unit 200d, a spool 300d, a driving unit 400d, a knob 500d and a connecting unit 600d. The case unit 200d includes an annular wall 220d surrounding an inner space, an upper opening communicated with the inner space, a bottom opening opposite to the upper opening and communicated with the inner space, and a base 210d detachably and directly coupled to the annular wall 220d. The spool 300d is located within the inner space. The driving unit 400d is located within the inner space and selectively prohibits the spool 300d from rotating in a loosening direction. The knob 500d is disposed on the annular wall 220d. The connecting unit 600d is connected to at least one of the knob 500d, the spool 300d and the driving unit 400d without passing through the base 210d and is restricted by at least one of the annular wall 220d, the spool 300d and the driving unit 400d such that the annular wall 220d, the spool 300d, the driving unit 400d and the knob 500d are combined integrally.

Precisely, the case unit 200d can further include a first inner annular groove 270d located at a lower end of the annular wall 220d, and the connecting unit 600d can include a plate 621d received in the first inner annular groove 270d so as to be restricted by the annular wall 220d. The connecting unit 600d can further include a screw bar 610d and a shaft 622d, and the shaft 622d protrudes upwardly from the center of the plate 621d. The plate 621d is located below the spool 300d, and the shaft 622d is inserted into the axial space 340d of the spool 300d to connect to the boss 520d of the knob 500d. Than the screw bar 610d can screw into a channel of the shaft 622d. Because the plate 621d is received in the first inner annular groove 270d and is restricted by the annular wall 220d, as the screw bar 610d is fastened with the shaft 622d from the knob 500d, the knob 500d, the spool 300d and the driving unit 400d are combined with the annular wall 220d. The base 210d can be assembled with the annular wall 220d via engagement.

The case unit 200d can further include a second inner annular groove 260d located at the annular wall 220d and located above the first inner annular groove 270d. A lower annular portion 370d of the spool 300d is received in the second inner annular groove 260d. Through the configuration, the combination strength between the knob 500d, the annular wall 220d, the spool 300d and the driving unit 400d is increased. However, in other embodiments, the case unit can include only one of the first inner annular groove and the second inner annular groove, and the present disclosure will not be limited thereto. For example, the case unit can include only the second inner annular groove, and the spool is restricted by the annular wall. Consequently, because the plate is located below the spool, the annular wall, the spool, the driving unit and the knob are still combined integrally.

Please refer to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100e according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100e of FIG. 15. The fastening device 100e includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300e, a driving unit 400e, a knob 500e and a connecting unit 600e. The connecting unit 600e can include a post 610e, a plate 621e and a screw bar 623e. The post 610e is directly connected to an inner wall the knob 500e and protrudes into the axial space. The screw bar 623e screws the plate 621e to the post 610e.

To be more specific, the post 610e protrudes integrally from the inner wall of the 500e, and the post 610e is longer enough to protrude into the axial space of the spool 300e to touch the plate 621e. When the screw bar 623e is inserted into a hole of the plate 621e to screw into the post 610e, a head of the screw bar 623e is restricted by the plate 621e, and the plate 621e is abutted against an end surface of the post 610e.

Please refer to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100f according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100f of FIG. 17. The fastening device 100f includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300f, a driving unit 400f, a knob 500f and a connecting unit 600f. The connecting unit 600f includes a screw bar 610f, a plate 621f and a plug 624f. The screw bar 610f is connected to the knob 500f and is restricted by the driving unit 400f. Precisely, the screw bar 610f is screwed from a central hole of the driving unit 400f into a boss 520f of the knob 500f. A head of the screw bar 610f is restricted by the driving unit 400f. The plug 624f protrudes upwardly from the plate 621f and is inserted into the axial space of the spool 300f to couple to the driving unit 400f. To be more specific, the plug 624f is inserted into the central hole of the driving unit 400f, and three clamping arms 490f of the driving unit 400f are coupled to the plug 624f. When the knob 500f is pulled upwardly, the driving unit 400f is lifted and is positioned by the plug 624f.

Please refer to FIG. 19, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. FIG. 19 shows one exploded view of a fastening device 100g according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 20 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100g of FIG. 19, and FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100g of FIG. 19. The fastening device 100g includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300g, a driving unit 400g, a knob 500g and a connecting unit 600g. The connecting unit 600g includes a plate 621g, a screw bar 623g and a plug 624g. The plug 624g protrudes upwardly from the plate 621g. The screw bar 623g is inserted from the plate 621g and the plug 624g to screw into a boss 520g of the knob 500g. The plug 624g can be coupled to three clamping arms 530g protruding from the boss 520g. When the knob 500g is pulled up, the driving unit 400g is lifted and the knob 500f is positioned by the plug 624g.

Please refer to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23. FIG. 22 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100h according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100h of FIG. 22. The fastening device 100h includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300h, a driving unit 400h, a knob 500h and a connecting unit 600h. The connecting unit 600h includes a plate 621h, a plug 624h and a screw bar 623h. The plug 624h protrudes from the plate 621h. The plug 624h is inserted into the central hole of the driving unit 400h, and three clamping arms 490h of the driving unit 400h are coupled to the plug 624h. The screw bar 623h passes through the plate 621h and the plug 624h to screw to the boss 520h of the knob 500h, and a head of the screw bar 623h is restricted by the plate 621h. The knob 500h can further include a lower flange located at a bottom end of the boss 520h and is restricted by the driving unit 400h. When the knob 500h is pulled up, the driving unit 400h is lifted and is positioned by the plug 624h.

Please refer to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25. FIG. 24 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100j according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100j of FIG. 24. The fastening device 100j includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300j, a driving unit 400j, a knob 500j and a connecting unit 600j. The connecting unit 600j includes a screw bar 610j, a plate 621j, a plug 624j and three clamping projections 626j. The three clamping projections 626j protrude upwardly from the plate 621j. The plug 624j is inserted into the plate 621j to couple to the clamping protrusions 624j, and a top end surface of the plug 624j is abutted against the driving unit 400j. The screw bar 610j passes through the knob 500j to screw into the plug 624j, and the driving unit 400j is restricted between the knob 500j and the plug 624j. When the knob 500j is pulled up, the plug 624j is positioned by the clamping projections 626j.

Please refer to FIG. 26 and FIG. 27. FIG. 26 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100k according to an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100k of FIG. 26. The fastening device 100k is similar to the fastening device 100j, but the plug 624k is inserted into the boss 520k of the knob 500k, and a ledge of the plug 624k is abutted against the driving unit 400k.

Please refer to FIG. 28, FIG. 29 and FIG. 30. FIG. 28 shows one exploded view of a fastening device 100m according to a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 29 shows another exploded view of the fastening device 100m of FIG. 28, and FIG. 30 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100m of FIG. 28. The fastening device 100m includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300m, a driving unit 400m, a knob 500m and a connecting unit 600m. The connecting unit 600m includes a fastening barrel 610m, a stop ring 621m and a screw bar 622m. The driving unit 400m includes a central hole 480m which is shaped to fit the head of the fastening barrel 610m. The fastening barrel 610m is inserted downwardly into the axial space of the spool 300m, and the screw bar 622m passes through the stop ring 621m to screw into the fastening barrel 610m such that the stop ring 621m is abutted between the end surface of the fastening barrel 610m and the head portion of the screw bar 622m.

The spool 300m includes a plurality of engaging teeth 320m, and each of the engaging teeth 320m has a sloped segment. The driving unit 400m can further include three pawl arms 450m, three restricting blocks 420m and three restricting grooves 410m. Each of the pawl arms 450m corresponds to each of the restricting blocks 420m and is located therebelow. Each of the restricting blocks 420m includes a sloped surface 421m. Each of the restricting grooves 410m is adjacent to each of the restricting blocks 420m. When the pawl arm 450m is biased radially and inwardly, the pawl arm 450m is bended to allow a distal terminal of the pawl arm 450m to abut against the restricting block 420m to avoid over-bending of the pawl arm 450m.

As shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, the knob 500m includes three engaging arms 530m engaged with three engaging projections 460m of the driving unit 400m, respectively. The knob 500m further includes three positioning projections 550m inserting into three openings 470m of the driving unit 400m, respectively, and thus the driving unit 400m is coupled to the knob 500m. Moreover, the annular wall 220m includes three notches 261m located on the top surface of the annular wall 220m. Each of the notches 261m is adjacent to some of the mounting teeth 230m. The mounting tooth 230m which is near the notch 261m is cut and an inclined top surface is formed thereon. When the knob 500m is pulled upwardly, the driving unit 400m is lifted and the clamping arm 490m of the driving unit 400m is switched from the lower side of the positioning ring 390m of the spool 300m to the upper side of the positioning ring 390m. When the knob 500m is pressed downwardly and the driving unit 400m is lowered, the pawl arm 450m will engage with the mounting teeth 230m again. The pawl arm 450m will be biased radially and inwardly to go into the restricting groove 410m and will be guided by the notch 261m and the inclined top surfaces of the mounting teeth 230m to smoothly engage with the mounting teeth 230m. The sloped surface 421m of the restricting blocks 420m also facilitates smooth engagement between the mounting teeth 230m and the pawl arms 450m.

Please refer to FIG. 31, FIG. 32 and FIG. 33. FIG. 31 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100n according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100n of FIG. 31, and FIG. 33 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100n of FIG. 32 taken along line 33-33. The fastening device 100n includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300n, a driving unit 400n, a knob 500n and a connecting unit 600n. The connecting unit 600n includes a fastening barrel 610n, a stop ring 621n and a screw bar 622n. The fastening device 100n is similar to the fastening device 100m, but the annular wall 220n of the case unit can have a non-toothed upper portion 221n, and the gap between the non-toothed upper portion 221n and the driving unit 400n is used to accommodate the three engaging arms 530n. Moreover, the knob 500n can further include a plurality of abutting portions 540n, a top annular groove can be formed between the abutting portions 540n and the inner wall of knob 500n, and the non-toothed upper portion 221n can be inserted into the top annular groove. In addition, the abutting portions 540n are also shaped to fit the driving unit 400n. Through the configuration, the structure stability of the fastening device 100n can be increased.

Please refer to FIG. 34, FIG. 35 and FIG. 36. FIG. 34 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100p according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 35 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100p of FIG. 34, and FIG. 36 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100p of FIG. 35 taken along line 36-36. The fastening device 100p includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300p, a driving unit 400p, a knob 500p and a connecting unit 600p. The connecting unit 600p includes a fastening barrel 610p, a stop ring 621p and a screw bar 622p. The fastening device 100p is similar to the fastening device 100n, the annular wall 220p of the case unit has a non-toothed upper portion 221p, and the knob 500p can include a plurality of abutting portions 540p. However, a number of the abutting portions 540p and the shapes of the abutting portions 540p are different from those of the abutting portions 540n.

Please refer to FIG. 37 and FIG. 38. FIG. 37 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100r according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 38 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100r of FIG. 37. The fastening device 100r includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300r, a driving unit 400r, a knob 500r, a coupling member 800r, a ratchet gear 700r and a connecting unit (its reference numeral is omitted).

The annular wall 220r of the case unit can include four radial projections 222r. The coupling member 800r can include a coupling ring 820r correspondent to the radial projections 222r. The driving unit 400r is located below the spool 300r and includes three pawl arms 450r selectively engaged with the mounting teeth 710r of the ratchet gear 700r. The coupling member 800r further includes a plurality of the inner teeth 830r engaged with the engaging teeth 320r of the spool 300r. The coupling member 800r can pass through the spool 300r to allow a plurality of first coupling teeth 810r to engage with a plurality of second coupling teeth 410r of the driving unit 400r. The connecting unit is composed of the screw bar 610r. The screw bar 610r is inserted into the coupling member 800r to screw with the knob 500r, and a head of the screw bar 610r is restricted by the coupling member 800r. When the knob 500r is pulled up, the coupling member 800r is lifted and the inner teeth 830r are disengaged from the engaging teeth 320r; as a result, the spool 300r is not restricted and can rotate freely.

Please refer to FIG. 39 and FIG. 40. FIG. 39 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100q according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 40 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100q of FIG. 39. The fastening device 100q includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300q, a driving unit 400q, a knob 500q and a connecting unit 600q.

The driving unit 400q includes an engaging disc 410q and an inner gear 450q movable within the engaging disc 410q. The inner gear 450q can couple to the spool 300q. The knob 500q includes a screw post 510q engaged with the screw hole of the inner gear 450q. When the knob 500q is forced in the loosening direction, the inner gear 450q is lifted owing to the structure of the screw post 510q and the screw hole, and the inner gear 450q can be separated from the spool 300q. The connecting unit 600q includes a stop ring 621q and a screw bar 622q. The screw bar 622q passes through the stop ring 621q to screw into the screw post 510q such that the stop ring 621q is abutted between the end surface of the screw post 510q and the head portion of the screw bar 622q.

Please refer to FIG. 41 and FIG. 42. FIG. 41 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100t according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 42 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100t of FIG. 41. The fastening device 100t includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300t, a driving unit 400t, a knob 500t, a ratchet gear 700t and a connecting unit (its reference numeral is omitted). The driving unit 400t includes an engaging disc 410t, an inner gear 450t and a screw post 430t. The inner gear 450t is movable within the engaging disc 410t and is coupled to the spool 300t. The screw post 430t is coupled to the inner gear 450t. The engaging disc 410t and the ratchet gear 700t are located below the spool 300t. The case unit includes a base 210t and an annular wall 220t, and the base 210t is deep enough to receive the ratchet gear 700t and the engaging disc 410t. The connecting unit is composed of a screw bar 610t which can be inserted into the screw post 430t to screw with the boss 510t of the knob 500t. Hence, when the knob 500t is rotated in the loosening direction, the inner gear 450t will be guided by the screw post 430t to be lifted and will disengage from the engaging disc 410t.

Please refer to FIG. 43 and FIG. 44. FIG. 43 shows an exploded view of a fastening device 100s according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 44 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening device 100s of FIG. 43. The fastening device 100s includes a case unit (its reference numeral is omitted), a spool 300s, a driving unit 400s, a knob 500s, a ratchet gear 700s and a connecting unit (its reference numeral is omitted). The driving unit 400s includes a screw barrel 450s, an engaging disc 410s and a screw post 430s. The screw barrel 450s is integrally formed with the engaging disc 410s and protrudes upward from the engaging disc 410s into the axial space of the spool 300s. The screw post 430s is coupled to the screw barrel 450s. The connecting unit is composed of a screw bar 610s which can be inserted into the screw post 430s to screw with the boss 510s of the knob 500s. Hence, when the knob 500s is rotated in the loosening direction, the engaging disc 410s and the screw barrel 450s will be guided by the screw post 430s to be lowered and the engaging disc 410s will disengage from the spool 300s.

Please refer to FIG. 45 and FIG. 46. FIG. 45 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a knob 500u of a fastening device according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 46 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a driving unit 400u of the fastening device of FIG. 45. The fastening device of the nineteenth embodiment is similar to the fastening device 100m of the twelfth embodiment shown in FIGS. 28 to 30. The knob 500u can includes three engaging arms 530u engaged with at three engaging projections 460u of the driving unit 400u. The knob 500u further includes three positioning projections 550u inserting into three openings 470u of the driving unit 400u, respectively. Moreover, the knob 500u can further include three radial tabs 560u engaged with three radial grooves 480u of the driving unit 400u, respectively. Thus, the driving unit 400u is coupled to the knob 500u, and a rotating force of the knob 500u can be efficiently transmitted to the driving unit 400u.

Although the invention 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 invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the invention 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: an annular wall surrounding an inner space, the annular wall comprising an upper opening communicated with the inner space, and a bottom opening opposite to the upper opening and communicated with the inner space; anda base below the annular wall and detachably and directly coupled to the annular wall, the base being coupled to the annular wall by engagement such that the annular wall does not rotate relative to the base;a spool located within the inner space for a lace to be wound thereabout;a driving unit located within the inner space and selectively prohibiting the spool from rotating in a loosening direction;a knob disposed on the annular wall; anda connecting unit connected to the knob and axially restricted by the spool;wherein the knob is not moved along an axial direction to release the lace.

2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the case unit further comprises an inner annular groove located at the annular wall, and a lower annular portion of the spool is received in the inner annular groove.

3. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the connecting unit further comprises: a screw bar connected to the knob; anda connecting barrel, comprising a top portion and a barrel body portion, wherein the barrel body portion is connected to the top portion, the barrel body portion passes through a small-diameter segment of the spool and is screwed with the screw bar, the top portion is limited within a large-diameter segment of the spool.

4. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the spool comprises an upper annular portion and a lower annular portion for forming an annular track, and a diameter of the upper annular portion is smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening.