Patent Application
20080060167
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to closure systems used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example in a low-friction lacing system for footwear that provides equilibrated tightening pressure across a wearer's foot.
2. Description of the Related Art
There currently exist a number of mechanisms and methods for tightening a shoe or boot around a wearer's foot. A traditional method comprises threading a lace in a zig-zag pattern through eyelets that run in two parallel rows attached to opposite sides of the shoe. The shoe is tightened by first tensioning opposite ends of the threaded lace to pull the two rows of eyelets towards the midline of the foot and then tying the ends in a knot to maintain the tension. A number of drawbacks are associated with this type of lacing system. First, laces do not adequately distribute the tightening force along the length of the threaded zone, due to friction between the lace and the eyelets, so that portions of the lace are slack and other portions are in tension. Consequently, the higher tensioned portions of the shoe are tighter around certain sections of the foot, particularly the ankle portions which are closer to the lace ends. This is uncomfortable and can adversely affect performance in some sports.
Another drawback associated with conventional laces is that it is often difficult to untighten or redistribute tension on the lace, as the wearer must loosen the lace from each of the many eyelets through which the laces are threaded. The lace is not easily released by simply untightening the knot. The friction between the lace and the eyelets often maintains the toe portions and sometimes much of the foot in tension even when the knot is released. Consequently, the user must often loosen the lace individually from each of the eyelets. This is especially tedious if the number of eyelets is high, such as in ice-skating boots or other specialized high performance footwear.
Another tightening mechanism comprises buckles which clamp together to tighten the shoe around the wearer's foot. Typically, three to four or more buckles are positioned over the upper portion of the shoe. The buckles may be quickly clamped together and drawn apart to tighten and loosen the shoe around the wearer's foot. Although buckles may be easily and quickly tightened and untightened, they also have certain drawbacks. Specifically, buckles isolate the closure pressure across three or four points along the wearer's foot corresponding to the locations of the buckles. This is undesirable in many circumstances, such as for the use of sport boots where the wearer desires a force line that is evenly distributed along the length of the foot. Another drawback of buckles is that they are typically only useful for hard plastic or other rigid material boots. Buckles are not as practical for use with softer boots, such as ice skates or snowboard boots.
There is therefore a need for a tightening system for footwear that does not suffer from the aforementioned drawbacks. Such a system should automatically distribute lateral tightening forces along the length of the wearer's ankle and foot. The tightness of the shoe should desirably be easy to loosen and incrementally adjust. The tightening system should close tightly and should not loosen up with continued use.
There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a footwear lacing system. The system comprises a footwear member including first and second opposing sides configured to fit around a foot. A plurality of lace guide members are positioned on the opposing sides. A lace is guided by the guide members, the lace being rotationally connected to a spool that is rotatable in a winding direction and an unwinding direction. A tightening mechanism is attached to the footwear member, and coupled to the spool, the tightening mechanism including a control for winding the lace around the spool to place tension on the lace thereby pulling the opposing sides towards each other. A safety device is moveable between a secure position in which the spool is unable to rotate in an unwinding direction, and a releasing position in which the spool is free to rotate in an unwinding direction.
In one embodiment, the lace is slideably positioned around the guide members to provide a dynamic fit in response to movement of the foot within the footwear. The guide members may have a substantially C-shaped cross section.
Additionally, the tightening mechanism is a rotatable reel that is configured to receive the lace. In accordance with one embodiment, a knob rotates the spool and thereby winds the lace about the spool. In some embodiments, rotating the knob in an unwinding direction releases the spool and allows the lace to unwind. A safety device can be attached, such as a lever, that selectively allows the knob to rotate in an unwinding direction to release the spool. Alternatively, the safety device can be a rotatable release that is rotated separately from the knob to release the spool.
In certain embodiments, the footwear lacing system is attached to footwear having a first opposing side configured to extend from one side of the shoe, across the upper midline of the shoe, and to the opposing side of the shoe. As such, the reel can be mounted to the first opposing side.
In one embodiment, the lace is formed of a polymeric fiber.
According to another aspect of the footwear lacing system, a closure system for footwear having an upper with a lateral side and a medial side, the closure system comprising at least a first lace guide attached to the lateral side of the upper, at least a second lace guide attached to the medial side of the upper, and each of the first and second lace guides comprising a lace pathway, a lace slideably extending along the lace pathway of each of the first and second lace guides. Additionally, a tightening reel of the footwear for retracting the lace and thereby advancing the first lace guide towards the second lace guide to tighten the footwear is positioned on the footwear, and a lock is moveable between a coupled position and an uncoupled position wherein the lock allows the reel to be only rotatable in a forward direction when the lock is engaged, and allows the reel to be rotatable in a reverse direction when the lock is disengaged.
An embodiment also includes a closed loop lace wherein the lace is permanently mounted in the reel. Accordingly, each of the at least first and second lace guides comprise an open channel to receive the closed loop lace.
According to another embodiment of the footwear lacing system, a spool and lace unit is provided for use in conjunction with a footwear lacing system comprises a spool having ratchet teeth disposed on its periphery configured to interact with a pawl for inhibiting relative rotation of the spool in at least one direction, and a lace securely attached to the spool. Optionally, the lace can be formed of a lubricious polymer having a relatively low elasticity and high tensile strength. Alternatively, the lace can be formed of a multi-strand polymeric cable. Alternatively, the lace can be formed of a multi-strand metallic cable, preferably with a lubricious polymer casing.
FIGS. 37A-C are schematic illustrations of embodiments of a lacing system configured to double-up laces in desired sections.
Referring to
The boot 20 includes an upper 24 comprising a toe portion 26, a heel portion 28, and an ankle portion 29 that surrounds the wearer's ankle. An instep portion 30 of the upper 24 is interposed between the toe portion 26 and the ankle portion 29. The instep portion 30 is configured to fit around the upper part of the arch of the medial side of the wearer's foot between the ankle and the toes. A blade 31 (shown in phantom lines) extends downward from the bottom of the boot 20 in an ice-skating embodiment.
Referring to
The upper 24 may be manufactured from any from a wide variety of materials known to those skilled in the art. In the case of a snow board boot, the upper 24 is preferably manufactured from a soft leather material that conforms to the shape of the wearer's foot. For other types of boots or shoes, the upper 24 may be manufactured of a hard or soft plastic. It is also contemplated that the upper 24 could be manufactured from any of a variety of other known materials.
As shown in
In certain boot designs, it may be possible during the tightening process for an opposing pair of lace guides to “bottom out” and come in contact with each other before that portion of the boot is suitably tightened. Further tightening of the system will not produce further tightening at that point. Rather, other portions of the boot which may already be sized appropriately would continue to tighten. In the embodiment illustrated in
One embodiment of the adjustable side retaining member 40 may be readily constructed, that will appear similar to the structure disclosed in
The guides 50 may be attached to the flaps 32 and 34 or to other spaced apart portions of the shoe through any of a variety of manners, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. For example, the retaining members 40 can be deleted and the guide 50 sewn directly onto the surface of the flap 32 or 34 or opposing sides of the upper. Stitching the guide 50 directly to the flap 32 or 34 may advantageously permit optimal control over the force distribution along the length of the guide 50. For example, when the lace 23 is under relatively high levels of tension, the guide 50 may tend to want to bend and to possibly even kink near the curved transition in between longitudinal portion 51 and transverse portion 53 as will be discussed. Bending of the guide member under tension may increase friction between the guide member and the lace 23, and, severe bending or kinking of the guide member 50 may undesirably interfere with the intended operation of the lacing system. Thus, the attachment mechanism for attaching the guide member 50 to the shoe preferably provides sufficient support of the guide member to resist bending and/or kinking. Sufficient support is particularly desirable on the inside radius of any curved portions particularly near the ends of the guide member 50.
As shown in
Thus, although the guides 50 are illustrated as relatively thin walled tubular structures, any of a variety of guide structures may be utilized as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. For example, either permanent (stitched, glued, etc.) or user removable (Velcro, etc.) flaps 40 may be utilized to hold down any of a variety of guide structures. In one embodiment, the guide 50 is a molded block having a lumen extending therethrough. Modifications of the forgoing may also be accomplished, such as by extending the length of the lace pathway in a structure such as that illustrated in
In general, each of the guide members 50 and 52 defines a pair of openings 49 that communicate with opposite ends of the lumen 54. The openings 49 function as inlets/outlets for the lace 23. The openings desirably are at least as wide as the cross-section of the lumen 54.
As may be best seen in
The stop may be constructed in any of a variety of ways, such that it may be removably positioned between the top guide 52 and side guide 50 to limit relative tightening movement. In one embodiment, the stop comprises a tubular sleeve having an axial slot extending through the wall, along the length thereof The tubular sleeve may be positioned on the boot by advancing the slot over the lace 23, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art. A selection of lengths may be provided, such as ½ inch, 1 inch, 1-½ inch, and every half inch increment, on up to 3 or 4 inches or more, depending upon the position of the reel on the boot and other design features of a particular embodiment of the boot. Increments of ¼ inch may also be utilized, if desired.
In use, a dynamic spacer such as that shown in
The stops 920 are generally carried by the first and second compression bands 902, 904. With reference to
Adjacent to their proximal ends 932, 934, the compression bands 902, 904 can also include attachment holes 936 configured to be secured to the stops 920. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 30 and, the stops 920 can be secured to the compression straps 902, 904 by fasteners 926 which can extend through the stops 920, through slots in the top cover 908, through the fastener holes 936 in the compression bands 902, 904 and through slots in the bottom cover 906. In some embodiments, the fasteners 926 can also comprise a retaining member positioned below the bottom cover 906 to retain the fastener in the spacer. The fasteners can be rivets, screws, bolts, pins, or any other suitable devices. Similarly, the retaining members can be crimped rivet ends, washers, nuts, or any other suitable device.
In the illustrated embodiment, the knob 940 also includes a shaft 950 extending from its underside and including a drive gear 952 configured to engage the teeth 924 of each of the first 902 and second 904 compression bands. The gear 952 can be any suitable type as desired. The number and/or a spacing of teeth provided on the gear can be varied depending on a degree of mechanical advantage desired. In alternative embodiments, additional gears can also be provided in order to provide additional mechanical advantage to the drive mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, a substantial mechanical advantage may be desirable in order to allow a wearer to more easily loosen a section of a footwear item by turning the knob 940 and driving the stops 920 further apart.
In some embodiments, the shaft 950 is of sufficient length that the distal end 954 of the shaft 950 extends through a central aperture 960 in the bottom cover 906 when the dynamic spacer 900 is assembled. A spring washer 962 can be secured to the distal end 954 of the shaft 950 after the shaft 950 has been inserted through the central aperture 960 in the bottom cover 906. The spring washer 962 is generally configured to bias the knob 940 downward along the axis of the shaft 950, thereby maintaining the ratchet teeth 942, 944 in engagement with one another. In some embodiments, the spring washer 962 can also be configured to allow a degree of upward motion of the knob 940 in order to allow the face ratchet teeth 942 to disengage, thereby allowing the stops 920 to move laterally inward.
In some embodiments, the top cover 908 and bottom cover 906 include rails 964 configured to retain and guide the first and second compression bands 902, 904 along a desired path. A material of the compression bands 902, 904 and a space between the top and bottom covers 906, 908 are generally selected to prevent the compression bands from buckling under the compressive force that will be applied by the footwear flap edges engaging the stops 920.
The dynamic spacer 900 can be secured to a footwear item by attaching the bottom and/or top covers 906, 908 to a portion of a footwear item by any suitable means, such as rivets, adhesives, stitches, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, the dynamic spacer 900 can be configured to releasably attach to portions of a footwear item. For example, in some embodiments, a tongue of a boot may comprise a plurality of attachment locations for a dynamic spacer, such as at an upper section, an instep section, a toe section, etc. A dynamic spacer can then be removed from any of the attachment locations and moved to another of the attachment locations for a different fit. In still further embodiments, a dynamic spacer need not be attached to any portion of a footwear item. For example, a dynamic spacer can simply be held in place by friction created by a compressive force between the flaps of the footwear.
In alternative embodiments, other drive mechanisms can also be provided. For example, a rack-and-pinion type drive gear and teeth can be oriented such that a rotational axis of the drive gear is positioned perpendicular to the orientation of the illustrated embodiments. In still further embodiments, other mechanical transmission elements, such as worm screws, cable/pulley arrangements, or lockable sliding elements, can alternatively be used to provide an adjustable position between the stops 920.
In
Any of a variety of flexible tubular sleeves may be utilized, such as a spring coil with or without a polymeric jacket similar to that used currently on bicycle brake and shift cables. The use of a flexible but axially noncompressible sleeve for surrounding the lace 23 between the reel and the tie down at the end 55 isolates the tightening system from movement of portions of the boot, which may include hinges or flexibility points as is understood in the art. The tie down may comprise any of a variety of structures including grommets, rivets, staples, stitched or adhesively bonded eyelets, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.
In the illustrated embodiment, the side guide members 50 each have a generally U-shape that opens towards the midline of the shoe. Preferably, each of the side guide members 50 comprise a longitudinal portion 51 and two inclined or transverse portions 53 extending therefrom. The length of the longitudinal portion 51 may be varied to adjust the distribution of the closing pressure that the lace 23 applies to the upper 24 when the lace 23 is under tension. In addition, the length of the longitudinal portion 51 need not be the same for all guide members 50 on a particular shoe. For example, the longitudinal portion 51 may be shortened near the ankle portion 29 to increase the closing pressure that the lace 23 applies to the ankles of the wearer. In general, the length of the longitudinal portion 51 will fall within the range of from about ½″ to about 3″, and, in some embodiments, within the range of from about ¼″ to about 4″. In one snowboard application, the longitudinal portion 51 had a length of about 2″. The length of the transverse portion 53 is generally within the range of from about ⅛″ to about 1″. In one snowboard embodiment, the length of transverse portion 53 was about ½″. Different specific length combinations can be readily optimized for a particular boot design through routine experimentation by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.
In between the longitudinal portion 51 and transverse portion 53 is a curved transition. Preferably, the transition has a substantially uniform radius throughout, or smooth progressive curve without any abrupt edges or sharp changes in radius. This construction provides a smooth surface over which the lace 23 can slide, as it rounds the corner. The transverse section 53 can in some embodiments be deleted, as long as a rounded cornering surface is provided to facilitate sliding of the lace 23. In an embodiment which has a transverse section 53 and a radiused transition, with a guide member 50 having an outside diameter of 0.090″ and a lace 23 having an outside diameter of 0.027″, the radius of the transition is preferably greater than about 0.1″, and generally within the range of from about 0.125″ to about 0.4″.
Referring to
As an alternative to the previously described tubular guide members, the guide members 50 and/or 52 comprise an open channel having, for example, a semicircular or “U” shaped cross section. The guide channel is preferably mounted on the boot such that the channel opening faces away from the midline of the boot, so that a lace under tension will be retained therein. One or more retention strips, stitches or flaps may be provided for “closing” the open side of the channel, to prevent the lace from escaping when tension on the lace is released. The axial length of the channel can be preformed in a generally U configuration like the illustrated tubular embodiment, and may be continuous or segmented as described in connection with the tubular embodiment.
Several guide channels may be molded as a single piece, such as several guide channels molded to a common backing support strip which can be adhered or stitched to the shoe. Thus, a right lace retainer strip and a left lace retainer strip can be secured to opposing portions of the top or sides of the shoe to provide a right set of guide channels and a left set of guide channels.
With reference to
Referring to
The lace 23 may be formed from any of a wide variety of polymeric or metal materials or combinations thereof, which exhibit sufficient axial strength and bendability for the present application. For example, any of a wide variety of solid core wires, solid core polymers, or multi-filament wires or polymers, which may be woven, braided, twisted or otherwise oriented can be used. A solid or multi-filament metal core can be provided with a polymeric coating, such as PTFE or others known in the art, to reduce friction. In one embodiment, the lace 23 comprises a stranded cable, such as a 7 strand by 7 strand cable manufactured of stainless steel. In order to reduce friction between the lace 23 and the guide members 50, 52 through which the lace 23 slides, the outer surface of the lace 23 is preferably coated with a lubricous material, such as nylon or Teflon. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the lace 23 ranges from 0.024 inches to 0.060 inches and is preferably 0.027 inches. The lace 23 is desirably strong enough to withstand loads of at least 40 pounds and preferably at least about 90 pounds. In certain embodiments the lace is rated at least about 100 pounds up to as high as 200 pounds or more. A lace 23 of at least five feet in length is suitable for most footwear sizes, although smaller or larger lengths could be used depending upon the lacing system design.
The lace 23 may be formed by cutting a piece of cable to the desired length. If the lace 23 comprises a braided or stranded cable, there may be a tendency for the individual strands to separate at the ends or tips of the lace 23, thereby making it difficult to thread the lace 23 through the openings in the guide members 50, 52. As the lace 23 is fed through the guide members, the strands of the lace 23 easily catch on the curved surfaces within the lace guide members. The use of a metallic lace, in which the ends of the strands are typically extremely sharp, also increases the likelihood of the cable catching on the guide members during threading. As the tips of the strands catch on the guide members and/or the tightening mechanism, the strands separate, making it difficult or impossible for the user to continue to thread the lace 23 through the tiny holes in the guide members and/or the tightening mechanism. Unfortunately, unstranding of the cable is a problem unique to the present replaceable-lace system, where the user may be required to periodically thread the lace through the lace guide members and into the corresponding tightening mechanism.
One solution to this problem is to provide the tips or ends 59 of the lace 23 with a sealed or bonded region 61 wherein the individual strands are retained together to prevent separation of the strands from one another. For clarity of illustration, the bonded region 61 is shown having an elongate length. However, the bonded region 61 may also be a bead located at just the extreme tip of the lace 23 and, in one embodiment, could be a bonded tip surface as short as 0.002 inch or less.
After the 7×7 multistrand stainless steel cable described above has been tightened and untightened a number of times, the cable tends to kink or take a set. Kink resistance of the cable may be improved by making the cable out of a nickel titanium alloy such as nitinol. Other materials may provide desirable kink resistance, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. In one particular embodiment, a 1×7 multi-strand cable may be constructed having seven nitinol strands, each with a diameter within the range of from about 0.005 inches to about 0.015 inches woven together. In one embodiment, the strand has a diameter of about 0.010 inches, and a 1×7 cable made with that strand has an outside diameter (“OD”) of about 0.030 inches. The diameter of the nitinol strands may be larger than a corresponding stainless steel embodiment due to the increased flexibility of nitinol, and a 1×7 construction and in certain embodiments a 1×3 construction may be utilized.
In a 1×3 construction, three strands of nitinol, each having a diameter within the range of from about 0.007 inches to about 0.025 inches, preferably about 0.015 inches are drawn and then swaged to smooth the outside. A drawn multistrand cable will have a nonround cross-section, and swaging and/or drawing makes the cross-section approximately round. Swaging and/or drawing also closes the interior space between the strands, and improves the crush resistance of the cable. Any of a variety of additives or coatings may also be utilized, such as additives to fill the interstitial space between the strands and also to add lubricity to the cable. Additives such as adhesives may help hold the strands together as well as improve the crush resistance of the cable. Suitable coatings include, among others, PTFE, as will be understood in the art.
In an alternate construction, the lace or cable comprises a single strand element. In one application, a single strand of a nickel titanium alloy wire such as nitinol is utilized. Advantages of the single strand nitinol wire include both the physical properties of nitinol, as well as a smooth outside diameter which reduces friction through the system. In addition, durability of the single strand wire may exceed that of a multi strand since the single strand wire does not crush and good tensile strength or load bearing capacity can be achieved using a small OD single strand wire compared to a multi strand braided cable. Compared to other metals and alloys, nitinol alloys are extremely flexible. This is useful since the nitinol laces are able to navigate fairly tight radii curves in the lace guides and also in the small reel. Stainless steel or other materials tend to kink or take a set if a single strand was used, so those materials are generally most useful in the form of a stranded cable. However, stranded cables have the disadvantage that they can crush in the spool when the lace is wound on top of itself In addition, the stranded cables are not as strong for a given diameter as a monofilament wire because of the spaces in between the strands. Strand packing patterns in multistrand wire and the resulting interstitial spaces are well understood in the art. For a given amount of tensile strength, the multistrand cables therefore present a larger bulk than a single filament wire. Since the reel is preferably minimized in size the strongest lace for a given diameter is preferred. In addition, the stranded texture of multistrand wires create more friction in the lace guides and in the spool. The smooth exterior surface of a single strand creates a lower friction environment, better facilitating tightening, loosening and load distribution in the dynamic fit of the present invention.
Single strand nitinol wires having diameters within the range of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.040 inches may be utilized, depending upon the boot design and intended performance. In general, diameters which are too small may lack sufficient load capacity and diameters which are too large may lack sufficient flexibility to be conveniently threaded through the system. The optimal diameter can be determined for a given lacing system design through routine experimentation by those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. In many boot embodiments, single strand nitinol wire having a diameter within the range of from about 0.025 inches to about 0.035 inches may be desirable. In one embodiment, single strand wire having a diameter of about 0.030 inches is utilized.
The lace may be made from wire stock, shear cut or otherwise severed to the appropriate length. In the case of shear cutting, a sharpened end may result. This sharpened end is preferably removed such as by deburring, grinding, and/or adding a solder ball or other technique for producing a blunt tip. In one embodiment, the wire is ground or coined into a tapered configuration over a length of from about ½ inch to about 4 inches and, in one embodiment, no more than about 2 inches. The terminal ball or anchor is preferably also provided as discussed below. Tapering the end of the nitinol wire facilitates feeding the wire through the lace guides and into the spool due to the increased lateral flexibility of the reduced cross section.
Provision of an enlarged cross sectional area structure at the end of the wire, such as by welding, swaging, coining operations or the use of a melt or solder ball, may be desirable in helping to retain the lace end within the reel as well as facilitating feeding the lace end through the lace guides and into the reel. In one embodiment of the reel, discussed elsewhere herein, the lace end is retained within the reel under compression by a set screw. While set screws may provide sufficient retention in the case of a multi strand wire, set screw compression on a single stand cable may not produce sufficient retention force because of the relative crush resistance of the single strand. The use of a solder ball or other enlarged cross sectional area structure at the end of the lace can provide an interference fit behind the set screw, to assist retention within the reel.
In one example, a 0.030 inch diameter single strand lace is provided with a terminal ball having a diameter within the range of from about 0.035 inches to about 0.040 inches. In addition to or as an alternative to the terminal ball or anchor, a slight angle or curve may be provided in the tip of the lace. This angle may be within the range of from about 5° to about 25°, and, in one embodiment about 15°. The angle includes approximately the distal ⅛ inch of the lace. This construction allows the lace to follow tight curves better, and may be combined with a rounded or blunted distal end which may assist navigation and locking within the reel. In one example, a single strand wire having a diameter of about 0.030 inches is provided with a terminal anchor having a diameter of at least about 0.035 inches. Just proximal to the anchor, the lace is ground to a diameter of about 0.020 inches, which tapers over a distance of about an inch in the proximal direction up to the full 0.030 inches. Although the term “diameter” is utilized to describe the terminal anchor, Applicant contemplates nonround anchors such that a true diameter is not present. In a noncircular cross-section embodiment, the closest approximation of the diameter is utilized for the present purposes.
As an alternative terminal anchor on the lace, a molded piece of plastic or other material may be provided on the end of each single strand. In a further variation, each cable end is provided with a detachable threading guide. The threading guide may be made from any of a variety of relatively stiff plastics like nylon, and be tapered to be easily travel around the corners of the lace guides. After the lace is threaded through the lace guides, the threading guide may be removed from the lace and discarded, and the lace may be then installed into the reel.
The terminal anchor on the lace may also be configured to interfit with any of a variety of connectors on the reel. Although set screws are a convenient mode of connection, the reel may be provided with a releasable mechanism to releasably receive the larger shaped end of the lace which snaps into place and is not removable from the reel unless it is released by an affirmative effort such as the release of a lock or a lateral movement of the lace within a channel. Any of a variety of releasable interference fits may be utilized between the lace and the reel, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.
As shown in
Any of a variety of spool or reel designs can be utilized in the context of the present invention, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.
Depending upon the gearing ratio and desired performance, one end of the lace can be fixed to a guide or other portion of the boot and the other end is wound around the spool. Alternatively, both ends of the lace can be fixed to the boot, such as near the toe region and a middle section of the lace is attached to the spool.
Any of a variety of attachment structures for attaching the ends of the lace to the spool can be used. In addition to the illustrated embodiment, the lace may conveniently be attached to the spool by threading the lace through an aperture and providing a transversely oriented set screw so that the set screw can be tightened against the lace and to attach the lace to the spool. The use of set screws or other releasable clamping structures facilitates disassembly and reassembly of the device, and replacement of the lace as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the lace may be rotationally coupled to the spool either at the lace ends, or at a point on the lace that is spaced apart from the ends. In addition, the attachment may either be such that the user can remove the lace with or without special tools, or such that the user is not intended to be able to remove the lace from the spool. Although the device is disclosed primarily in the context of a design in which the lace ends are attached to the spool, the lace ends may alternatively be attached elsewhere on the footwear. In this design, an intermediate point on the lace is connected to the spool such as by adhesives, welding, interference fit or other attachment technique. In one design the lace extends through an aperture which extends through a portion of the spool, such that upon rotation of the spool, the lace is wound around the spool. The lace ends may also be attached to each other, to form a continuous lace loop.
It is contemplated that a limit on the expansion of portions of the boot due to the sliding of the lace 23 could be accomplished such as through one or more straps that extend transversely across the boot 20 at locations where an expansion limit or increased tightness or support are desired. For instance, a strap could extend across the instep portion 30 from one side of the boot 20 to another side of the boot. A second or lone strap could also extend around the ankle portion 29.
With reference to
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the limit strap 220 defines an expansion limiting plane which extends generally horizontally and transverse to the wearer's ankle or lower leg. The inside diameter or cross section of the footwear thus cannot exceed a certain value in the expansion limiting plane, despite forces imparted by the wearer and the otherwise dynamic fit. The illustrated location tends to limit the dynamic opening of the top of the boot as the wearer bends forward at the ankle. The function of the limit strap 220 may be accomplished by one or more straps, wires, laces or other structures which encircle the ankle, or which are coupled to other boot components such that the limit strap in combination with the adjacent boot components provide an expansion limiting plane. In one embodiment the expansion limiting strap surrounds the ankle as illustrated in
In an alternative design, the expansion limiting plane is positioned in a generally vertical orientation, such as by positioning the limit strap 220 across the top of the foot anterior of the ankle, to achieve a different limit on dynamic fit. In this location, the expansion limiting strap 220 may encircle the foot inside or outside of the adjacent shoe components, or may connect to the sole or other component of the shoe to provide the same net force effect as though the strap encircled the foot.
The limit strap 220 may also create a force limiting plane which resides at an angle in between the vertical and horizontal embodiments discussed above, such as in an embodiment where the force limiting plane inclines upwardly from the posterior to the anterior within the range of from about 25° to about 75° from the plane on which the sole of the boot resides. Positioning the limit strap 220 along an inclined force limiting plane which extends approximately through the ankle can conveniently provide both a limit on upward movement of the foot within the boot, as well as provide a controllable limit on the anterior flexing of the leg at the ankle with respect to the boot.
The strap 220 preferably includes a fastener 222 that could be used to adjust and maintain the tightness of the strap 220. Preferably, the fastener 222 is capable of quick attachment and release, so that the wearer can adjust the limit strap 220 without complication. Any of a variety of fasteners such as corresponding hook and loop (e.g., Velcro) surfaces, snaps, clamps, cam locks, laces with knots and the like may be utilized, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.
The strap 220 is particularly useful in the present low-friction system. Because the lace 23 slides easily through the guide members, the tension in the lace may suddenly release if the lace is severed or the reel fails. This would cause the boot to suddenly and completely open which could cause injury to the wearer of the boot, especially if they were involved in an active sport at the time of failure. This problem is not present in traditional lacing systems, where the relatively high friction in the lace, combined with the tendency of the lace to wedge with the traditional eyelets on the shoe, eliminates the possibility of the lace suddenly and completely loosening.
The low-friction characteristics of the present system also provides the shoe with a dynamic fit around the wearer's foot. The wearer's foot tends to constantly move and change orientation during use, especially during active sports. This shifting causes the tongue and flaps of the shoe to shift in response to the movement of the foot. This is facilitated by the low-friction lacing system, which easily equilibrates the tension in the lace in response to shifting of the wearer's foot. The strap 220 allows the user to regulate the amount of dynamic fit provided by the boot by establishing an outer limit on the expansion which would otherwise have occurred due to the tension balancing automatically accomplished by the readjustment of the lace throughout the lace guide system.
For example, if the wearer of the boot in
Similar straps are commonly used in conjunction with traditional lacing systems but for entirely different reasons. They are used to provide additional closure force and leverage to supplement shoelaces but are not needed for safety and are not used to regulate dynamic fit.
The footwear lacing system 22 described herein advantageously allows a user to incrementally tighten the boot 20 around the user's foot. The low friction lace 23 combined with the low friction guide members 50, 52 produce easy sliding of lace 23 within the guide members 50 and 52. The low friction tongue 36 facilitates opening and closure of the flaps 32 and 34 as the lace is tightened. The lace 23 equilibrates tension along its length so that the lacing system 23 provides an even distribution of tightening pressure across the foot. The tightening pressure may be incrementally adjusted by turning the knob on the tightening mechanism 25. A user may quickly untighten the boot 20 by simply turning or lifting or pressing the knob or operating any alternative release mechanism to automatically release the lace 23 from the tightening mechanism 25.
As illustrated in
The anti-abrasion member 224 may alternatively take the form of a knife edge or apex for minimizing the contact area between the lace 23 and the anti-abrasion member 224. For example, at a crossing point where lace 23 crosses tongue 36, an axially extending (e.g., along the midline of the foot or ankle) ridge or edge may be provided in-between the boot tongue 36 and the lace 23. This anti-abrasion member 224 is preferably molded or otherwise formed from a lubricious plastic such as PTFE, or other material as can be determined through routine experimentation. The lace 23 crosses the apex so that crossing friction would be limited to a small contact area and over a lubricious surface rather than along the softer tongue material or through the length of a channel or lumen as in previous embodiments. Tapered sides of the anti-abrasion member 224 would ensure that the anti-abrasion member 224 stayed reasonably flexible as well as help distribute the downward load evenly laterally across the foot. The length along the midline of the foot would vary depending upon the boot design. It may be as short as one inch long or less and placed on the tongue just where the one or more lace crossings are, or it may extend along the entire length of the tongue with the raised ridge or crossing edge more prominent in the areas where the lace crosses and less prominent where more flexibility is desired. The anti-abrasion member 224 may be formed integrally with or attached to the tongue or could float on top of the tongue as in previously described disks.
In one embodiment, the anti-abrasion member 224 is fixedly mounted on the tongue 36 using any of a wide variety of well known fasteners, such as rivets, screws, snaps, stitching, glue, etc. In another embodiment, the anti-abrasion member 224 is not attached to the tongue 36, but rather freely floats atop the tongue 36 and is held in place through its engagement with the lace 23. Alternatively, the anti-abrasion member 224 is integrally formed with the tongue 36, such as by threading a first portion of the lace 23 through the tongue, and the second, crossing portion of lace 23 over the outside surface of the tongue.
Alternatively, one or more of the sections of lace 23 which extend between the flaps 32 and 34 may slideably extend through a tubular protective sleeve. Referring to
The tubular protective element may comprise any of a variety of tubular structures. Lengths of polymeric or metal tubing may be utilized. However, such tubular supports generally have a fixed axial length. Since the distance between the opposing flaps 32 and 34 will vary depending upon the size of the wearer's foot, the protective tubular sleeves should not be of such a great length that will inhibit tightening of the lacing system. The tubular protective sheaths may also have a variable axial length, to accommodate tightening and loosening of the lacing system. This may be accomplished, for example, by providing a tubular protective sheath which includes a slightly stretched spring coil wall. During tightening of the system, when each of the opposing flaps 32 and 34 are brought towards each other, the axial length of the spring guide may be compressed to accommodate various sizes. A further alternative comprises a tubular bellows-like structure having alternating smaller-diameter and larger-diameter sections, that may also be axially compressed or stretched to accommodate varying foot sizes. A variety of specific accordion structures, having pleats or other folds, will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. As a further alternative, a telescoping tubular sleeve may be utilized. In this embodiment, at least a first tubular sleeve having a first diameter is carried by the lace 23. At least a second tubular sleeve having a second, greater diameter is also carried by the lace 23. The first tubular sleeve is axially slideably advanceable within the second tubular sleeve. Two or three or four or more telescoping tubes may be provided, for allowing the axial adjustability described above.
Preferably, each set of stitches 154 forms a pattern that closely matches the shape of the respective guide members so that the guide members 50, 52 fit snug within the flaps 32, 34. The stitches 154 thereby inhibit deformation of the guide members 50, 52, particularly the internal radius thereof, when the lace is tightened. Advantageously, the stitches 154 also function as anchors that inhibit the guide members 50, 52 from moving or shifting relative to the flaps 32, 34 during tightening of the lace.
The gap 156 may be partially or entirely filled with a material, such as glue, that is configured to stabilize the position of the guide members 50, 52 relative to the flaps 32, 34. The material is selected to further inhibit the guide members 50, 52 from moving within the gap 156. The guide members may also be equipped with anchoring members, such as tabs of various shape, that are disposed at various locations thereon and that are configured to further inhibit the guide members 50, 52 from moving or deforming relative to the flap 32. The anchoring members may also comprise notches or grooves on the guide members 50, 52 that generate friction when the guide members 50, 52 begin to move and thereby inhibit further movement. The grooves may be formed using various methods, such as sanding, sandblasting, etching, etc. Axial movement of the guide tubes 50 or 52 may also be limited through the use of any of a variety of guide tube stops (not shown). The guide tube stop includes a tubular body having an opening which provides access to a central lumen extending therethrough. The stop may also be provided with one or more fastening tabs for sewing or gluing to the shoe, as has been discussed. Tabs, once stitched or otherwise secured into place, resist axial movement of the device along its longitudinal pathway.
With reference to
A pair of lace exit holes 262 extend through a side surface of the lace guide member 250 and communicate with the lumen 252. The lace exit holes 262 may have an oblong shape to allow the lace 23 to exit therefrom at a variety of exit angles.
With reference to
With respect to
The lace guide member 250 may be secured to the flaps 32, 34, for example, by stitching a thread through the flap 32, 34 and through the lace guide member 250 to form a stitch pattern 251. The thread is preferably stitched through the reduced thickness regions of the flange portion 260 and the elongate slot 265. Preferably, the flaps 32, 34 are cut so that the main portion 254 of the guide member 250 is exposed on the flap 32, 34 when the lace guide member 250 is mounted thereon.
With respect to
As mentioned, a series of upper and lower offset channels 264a,b extend through the lace guide member 250 and communicate with the lumen 252. The offset arrangement of the channels advantageously facilitates manufacturing of the guide members 250 as a single structure, such as by using shut-offs in an injection mold process.
The shape of the lumen may be approximately defined by an ellipse. In one embodiment, the ellipse has a major axis of about 0.970 inches and a minor axis of about 0.351 inches.
The closure system includes a rotatable spool for receiving a lace. The spool is rotatable in a first direction to take up lace and a second direction to release lace. A knob is connected to the spool such that the spool can be rotated in the first direction to take up lace only in response to rotation of the knob. A releasable lock is provided for preventing rotation of the spool in the second direction. One convenient lock mechanism is released by pulling the knob axially away from the boot, thereby enabling the spool to rotate in the second direction to unwind lace. However, the spool rotates in the second direction only in response to traction on the lace. The spool is not rotatable in the second direction in response to rotation of the knob. This prevents tangling of the lace in or around the spool, which could occur if reverse rotation on the knob could cause the lace to loosen in the absence of a commensurate traction on the lace.
In the foregoing embodiments, the wearer must pull a sufficient length of cable from the spool to enable the wearer's foot to enter or exit the footwear. The resulting slack cable requires a number of turns of the reel to wind in before the boot begins to tighten. An optional feature in accordance with the present invention is the provision of a spring drive or bias within the spool that automatically winds in the slack cable, similar to the mechanism in a self biased automatically winding tape measure. The spring bias in the spool is generally not sufficiently strong to tighten the boot but is sufficient to wind in the slack. The wearer would then engage the knob and manually tighten the system to the desired tension.
The self winding spring may also be utilized to limit the amount of cable which can be accepted by the spool. This may be accomplished by calibrating the length of the spring so that following engagement of the knob and tightening of the boot, the knob can only be rotated a preset additional number of turns before the spring bottoms out and the knob is no longer able to be turned. This limits how much lace cable could be wound onto the spool. Without a limit such as this, if a cable is used which is too long, the wearer may accidentally wind in the lace cable until it jams tightly against the reel housing and cannot be pulled back out.
The knob assembly 634 generally comprises a knob 622 and a drive gear 642 configured to rotationally couple the knob 622 to a drive shaft 644 which extends through substantially the entire winder 600. In alternative embodiments, the knob assembly 634 can include any of the other devices described above, or any other suitable one-way rotating device.
With reference to
A transverse surface 656 generally separates the upper portion of the housing 640 from the spool cavity 650. A central aperture 658 in the transverse surface allows the drive shaft 644 to extend from the knob 622, through the housing 640 and through the spool assembly 632. In some embodiments, set-screw apertures 660 and/or a winding pin aperture 662 can also extend through the housing 640 as will be further described below. The housing 640 also typically includes a pair of lace entry holes 664 through which laces can extend.
As discussed above, a gear train can be provided between the knob 622 and the spool 610 in order to allow a user to apply an torsional force to a spool 610 that is greater than the force applied to the knob. In the embodiment of
With reference to
The bushing 674 comprises an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the spool central aperture 676. The bushing 674 also comprises an inner aperture 694 configured to engage the drive shaft 644 such that the bushing 674 remains rotationally stationary relative to the drive shaft throughout operation of the device. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive shaft 644 comprises an hexagonal shape, and the bushing 674 comprises a corresponding hexagonal shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the sun gear 670 also comprises an hexagonal aperture 702 configured to rotationally couple the sun gear 670 to the drive shaft 644. Alternatively or in addition, the sun gear 670 and/or the bushing 674 can be secured to the drive shaft 644 by a press fit, keys, set screws, adhesives, or other suitable means. In other embodiments, the drive shaft 644, bushing 674 and/or sun gear 670 can comprise other cross-sectional shapes for rotationally coupling the elements.
In an assembled condition, the bushing 674 is positioned within the spool aperture 676, the drive shaft 644 extends through the central aperture 694 of the bushing 674 and through the sun gear 670. In some embodiments, the planetary gears 654 can be secured to axles 704 rigidly mounted to the transmission section 682 of the spool 610. The planetary gears 654, when assembled on the spool 610, generally extend radially outwards from the perimeter of the spool 610 such that they may engage the ring gear 652 in the housing 640. In some embodiments, the spool transmission section 682 comprises walls 706 with apertures located to allow the planetary gears 654 to extend therethrough. If desired, a plate 710 can be positioned between the planetary gears 654 and the spring assembly 630 in order to prevent interference between the moving parts.
The spring assembly 630 generally comprises a coil spring 712, a spring boss 714, and a backing plate 716. In some embodiments, a washer/plate 718 can also be provided within the spring assembly 630 between the coil spring 718 and the spring boss 714 in order to prevent the spring 712 from undesirably hanging up on any protrusions of the spring boss 714.
With particular reference to
The spring boss 714 comprises a pair of posts 730 extending upwards from the backplate 716. The posts 730 are generally crescent shaped and configured to engage the hooked interior end 722 of the spring 712 in only one rotational direction. Each post 730 comprises a curved end 736 configured to receive the hooked spring end 722 as the spring rotates counter-clockwise relative to the backplate 716. Each post 730 also comprises a flat end 738 configured to deflect the hooked spring end 722 as the spring 712 rotates clockwise relative to the backplate 716. In the illustrated embodiment, the posts 714 and spring 712 are oriented such that a clockwise rotation of the spring 712 relative to the spring boss 714 and backplate 716 will allow the spring to “skip” from one post 714 to the other without resisting such rotation. On the other hand, a counter-clockwise rotation of the spring 712 will cause the hooked end 722 to engage one of the posts 714, thereby holding the interior end 722 of the spring stationary relative to the outer portions of the spring 712. Continued rotation of the outer portions of the spring will deflect the spring, thereby biasing it in the clockwise winding direction.
The space 732 between the posts 730 of the spring boss 714 is generally sized and configured to receive the distal end of the drive shaft, which in some embodiments as shown in
Embodiments of methods for assembling a self-coiling lace winder 600 will now be described with reference to
In some embodiments, once the spool assembly 632 and the spring assembly 630 are assembled and placed in the housing 640, the spring 712 can be tensioned prior to attaching the laces. In one embodiment, with reference to
In one embodiment, the winding pin hole 690 in the spool is aligned relative to the winding pin aperture 662 in the housing such that the set screw holes 678 and the lacing sight holes 692 in the spool 610 will be aligned with corresponding apertures 660 in the housing 640 when the winding pin 742 is inserted (also see
Once the spring 712 has been tensioned and a winding pin 742 has been inserted, the laces 23 can be installed in the spool using any suitable means provided. In the embodiment illustrated in the embodiments of
Once the laces 23 are secured, the winding pin 742 can be removed, thereby allowing the spring to wind up any slack in the laces. The knob 622 can then be attached to the housing 640, such as by securing a screw 750 to the drive shaft 644. A user can then tighten the laces 23 using the knob 622 as desired.
In alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to pre-tension the spring 712 after installing the laces 23 in the spool 610. For example, if an end user desires to change the laces in his/her footwear, the old laces 23 can be removed by removing the knob 622, loosening the set screws 672 and pulling out the laces 23. New laces can then be inserted through the lace entry holes 684 and secured to the spool with the set screws 672, and re-install the knob 622 as described above. In order to tension the spring 712, a user can then simply wind the lace by rotating the knob 622 in the winding direction until the laces are fully tightened (typically without a foot in the footwear). The spring will not resist such forward winding, since the spring boss 714 will allow the spring 712 to freely rotate in the forward direction as described above. In one preferred embodiment, the user tightens the laces as much as possible without a foot in the footwear. Once the laces are fully tightened, the knob can be released, such as by pulling outwards on the knob as described above, and the laces can be pulled out. As the spool rotates in an unwinding direction, the hooked inner end 722 of the spring 712 engages the spring boss 714, and the spring deflects, thereby again biasing the spool 610 in a winding direction.
In an alternative embodiment, a lace winder can be particularly useful for lightweight running shoes which do not require the laces to be very tight. Some existing lightweight running shoes employ elastic laces, however such systems are difficult, if not impossible, to lock once a desired lace tension is achieved. Thus, an embodiment of a lightweight spring-biased automatically winding lacing device can be provided by eliminating the knob assembly 634, gears 654, 670 and other components associated with the manual tightening mechanism. In such an embodiment, the spool 610 can be greatly simplified by eliminating the transmission section 682, the housing 640 can be substantially reduced in size and complexity by eliminating the ring gear section 652 and the ratchet teeth 646. A simplified spool can then be directly connected to a spring assembly 630, and a simple locking mechanism can be provided to prevent unwinding of the laces during walking or running.
Therefore, a right reel and a left reel can be configured for opposite directional rotation to allow a user to more naturally grip and manipulate the reel. It is currently believed that an overhand motion, e.g. a clockwise rotation with a person's right hand, is a more natural motion and can provide a greater torque to tighten the reel. Therefore, by configuring a right and left reel for opposite rotation, each reel is configured to be tightened with an overhand motion by tightening the right reel with the right hand, and tightening the left reel with the left hand.
Alternatively, the guide members 490 may comprise a lace guide defining an open channel having, for example, a semicircular, “C” shaped, or “U” shaped cross section. The guide member 490 is preferably mounted on the boot or shoe such that the channel opening faces away from the midline of the boot, so that a lace under tension will be retained therein. One or more retention strips, stitches or flaps may be provided for “closing” the channel opening to prevent the lace from escaping when tension on the lace is released. The axial length of the channel can be preformed in a generally U configuration. Moreover, practically any axial configuration of the guide member 490 is possible, and is mainly dictated by fashion, and only partly by function.
Several guide members 490 may be molded as a single piece, such as several lace guides 491 molded to a common backing support strip which can be adhered or stitched to the shoe. Thus, a right lace guide member and a left lace guide member can be secured to opposing portions of the top or sides of the shoe to provide a right set of guide channels 492 and a left set of guide channels 492. When referring to “right” and “left” guide members, this should not be construed as suggesting a mounting location of the retainer strips. For example, the guide members 490 can be located on a single side of the shoe, such as in a shoe having a vamp that extends generally from one side of the shoe, across the midline of the foot, and is secured by laces on the opposing side of the shoe. In this type of shoe, the guide members 490 are actually disposed vertically with respect to one another, and hence, a left and right guide member merely refers to the fact that the guide members 490 have openings that face one another, as illustrated in
Notably, this particular embodiment has a lace path that forms an acute angle a as it enters the outer housing. As discussed above, a lace guide member can be integrally formed into the outer housing to direct the lace to approach and interact with the reel from substantially diametrical directions. Thus, the summation of tension forces applied to the reel are substantially cancelled.
For example, the opposing guide members 490 can be spaced a greater distance apart to allow a greater range of tightening. More specifically, by further separating the opposing guide members 490, there is a greater distance that can be used to effectuate tightening before the guide members 490 bottom out. This embodiment offers the additional advantage of extending the lace 23 over a substantially planar portion of the shoe, rather than across a portion of the shoe having a convex curvature thereto.
The connection 512 may be a permanent connection or may be releasable to allow the lace to be removed and replaced as necessary. The connection is preferably a suitable releasable mechanical connection, such as a clip, clamp, or screw, for example. Other types of mechanical connections, adhesive bonding, or chemical bonding may also be used to attach a lace end to the shoe.
While the illustrated embodiment shows the reel 498 attached to the lateral quarter panel 502, it should be apparent that the reel 498 could readily be attached to the vamp 506 and still provide the beneficial features disclosed herein. Additionally, the lace could optionally be attached to the shoe on the lateral quarter panel 502 rather than the vamp 506. The reel 498 and lace could be attached to a common portion of the shoe, or may be attached to different portions of the shoe, as illustrated. In any case, as the lace is tightened around the spool, the lace tension draws the guide members toward each other and tightens the footwear around a wearer's foot.
A shoe is typically curved across the midline to accommodate the dorsal anatomy of a human foot. Therefore, in an embodiment in which the laces zigzag across the midline of the shoe, the further the lace guides 490 are spaced, the closer the laces 23 are to the sole 510 of the shoe. Consequently, as the laces 23 tighten, a straight line between the lace guides 490 is obstructed by the midline of the shoe, which can result in a substantial pressure to the tongue of the shoe and further result in discomfort to the wearer and increased chaffing and wearing of the tongue. Therefore, by locating the laces 23 across a substantially flat surface on either the lateral or medial portion of the shoe, as illustrated, the laces 23 can be increasingly tightened without imparting pressure to other portions of the shoe.
It is contemplated that some embodiments of the lacing system 22 discussed herein will be incorporated into athletic footwear and other sports gear that is prone to impact. Such examples include bicycle shoes, ski or snowboard boots, and protective athletic equipment, among others. Accordingly, it is preferable to protect the reel from inadvertent releasing of the spool and lace by impact with external objects.
The shield 514 may be integrally formed with the mounting flange 406, such as during molding, or may be formed as a separate piece and subsequently attached to the lacing system 22 such as by adhesives or other suitable bonding techniques. It is preferable that the shield 514 is formed of a material exhibiting a sufficient hardness to withstand repeated impacts without plastically deforming or showing undue signs of wear.
Another embodiment of a protective element is shown in
The lip 517 can be integrally molded with the mounting flange, or can be a separate piece. In addition, the lip 517 can take on various shapes and dimensions to satisfy aesthetic tastes while still providing the protective function it has been designed for. For example, it can be formed with various draft angles, heights, bottom fillets, of varying materials and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the lip 517 extends substantially around the entire circumference of the knob 498, except at holds 521 where the lip 517 recedes sufficiently to allow a user to grasp a large portion of the knob's height to be able to displace the knob axially by lifting it away from the housing. The illustrated embodiment additionally shows that the lip 517 extends outward to protect a substantial portion of the knob's height. While the lip 517 is illustrated as extending around a particular portion of the knob's circumference, it can of course extend around more or less of the knob's circumference. Certain preferred embodiments integrate a continuous shield 514 extending around between a quarter and a half of the knob circumference, while other embodiments incorporate a shield 514 comprising one or more discrete portions that combine to cover any appropriate range about the circumference of the knob. Of course, other protective elements or shields 514 could be incorporated to protect the reel, such as a protective covering or cap to cover the reel, a cage structure that fits over the reel, and the like.
One embodiment of multi-zone lacing system 800 is preferably a dual loop tightening system in which a first tightening loop has a first lace 23a having a first length and a second tightening loop has a second lace 23b having a second length. In some embodiments, first lace 23a and second lace 23b have equal lengths. In other embodiments, the length of second lace 23b is preferably in the range of from about 100% to about 150% of the length of first lace 23a. In some embodiments, the length of second lace 23b is preferably at least 110% of the length of first lace 23a. In still other embodiments, the length of second lace 23b is preferably at least 125% of the length of first lace 23a. In alternative embodiments, the lengths of first 23a and second 23b laces are reversed. First loop preferably has a lock 802 such as a reel located on a tongue of the footwear and second loop has a lock 804 such as a reel on the side or rear of the footwear. Alternatively, locks 802, 804 may be located elsewhere on the footwear, including both located on a tongue or both on the sides or rear of the footwear.
The multi-zone lacing system 800 schematically shown in
In the embodiment of
As shown in
Central abrasion preventing guides 846, 848 can also be provided between lateral pairs of lace guides to prevent the laces from abrading one another and to keep the laces from tangling with one another. In alternative embodiments, any of the lace guides in the multi-zone lacing system of
In the illustrated embodiment, the third lacing zone advantageously employs a pair of “double-decker” lace guides 832, 834 configured to guide both the first lace and the second lace along an overlapping path while holding the laces 23a, 23b apart in order to prevent their abrading one another. The lower section of the first lace 23a, and a portion of the second lace 23b are shown extending through a double-decker lace guide 834 and a double-decker pass-through lace guide 832.
In some embodiments, the attachment sections 844 of each of the double-decker lace guide 834, and the double-decker pass-through lace guide 832 can be secured to a strap (not shown) which can extend to a position adjacent the heel of a footwear item, thereby providing additional heal hold-down ability.
The abrasion preventing guides 846 in the illustrated multi-zone lacing system generally include three conduits for supporting the laces 23a, 23b. As shown, each abrasion preventing guide 846 comprises two crossing diagonal conduits 870 and one linear conduit 872 to support the first and second laces 23a, 23b in a substantially frictionless and non-interfering manner. In alternative embodiments, the functions of the abrasion preventing guides 846 can be divided among a plurality of separate guides as desired. In further alternative embodiments, any or all of the conduits can be replaced by loops of fabric or other material or straps attached to the footwear or other lace guides. In some embodiments, the double-decker lace guide 834 and the double-decker pass-through lace guide 832 can be attached to one another by a flexible strap with passages through portions of the strap for receiving the first and second laces. Such a strap can be configured to distribute a compressive force throughout the ankle region of the footwear. In some embodiments, such a strap can be made of neoprene or other durable elastic material.
Each of the lace guides is generally configured to be secured to an item of footwear by any suitable means. For example, the lace guides may be secured to a footwear item by stitches, adhesives, rivets, threaded or other mechanical fasteners, or the lace guides can be integrally formed with portions of a footwear item.
As with the other lace guides described herein, the slotted 1014 and hooked 1012 lace guides can be made of any suitable material, and can be attached to a footwear item in any desired manner. Similarly, many embodiments of lace tightening mechanisms are described herein which can be used with the doubling lace guide system of
In some embodiments, a plurality of pairs of doubling lace guides can be provided on a footwear item so as to provide a user with the option of doubling up laces in a number of sections of the footwear. In other embodiments, the tightening mechanism 1000 can include a hook extending from a portion thereof in order to provide further versatility.
As discussed above, the lace 23 is preferably a highly lubricious cable or fiber having a low modulus of elasticity and a high tensile strength. While any suitable lace may be used, certain preferred embodiments utilize a lace formed from extended chain, high modulus polyethylene fibers. One example of a suitable lace material is sold under the trade name SPECTRA™, manufactured by Honeywell of Morris Township, N.J. The extended chain, high modulus polyethylene fibers advantageously have a high strength to weight ratio, are cut resistant, and have very low elasticity. One preferred lace made of this material is tightly woven. The tight weave provides added stiffness to the completed lace. The additional stiffness provided by the weave offers enhanced pushability, such that the lace is easily threaded through the lace guides, and into the reel and spool.
The lace made of high modulus polyethylene fibers is additionally preferred for its strength to diameter ratio. A small lace diameter allows for a small reel. In some embodiments, the lace has a diameter within the range of from about 0.010″ to about 0.050″, or preferably from about 0.020″ to about 0.030″, and in one embodiment, has a diameter of 0.025″. Of course, other types of laces, including those formed of textile, polymeric, or metallic materials, may be suitable for use with the present footwear lacing system as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art in light of the disclosure herein.
Another preferred lace is formed of a high modulus polyethylene fiber, nylon or other synthetic material and has a rectangular cross-section. This cross-sectional shape can be formed by weaving the lace material as a flat ribbon, a tube, or other suitable configuration. In any case the lace will substantially flatten and present a larger surface area than a cable or other similar lace and will thereby reduce wear and abrasion against the lace guides and other footwear hardware. In addition, there is a sufficient amount of cross-sectional material to provide an adequate tension strength, while still allowing the lace to maintain a sufficiently thin profile to be efficiently wound around a spool. The thin profile of the lace advantageously allows the spool to remain small while still providing the capacity to receive a sufficient length of lace. Of course, the laces disclosed herein are only exemplary of any of a wide number of different types and configurations of laces that are suitable to be used with the lacing system described herein.
With reference to
In a first, also referred to herein as a coupled or an engaged position (shown in
Outer housing 1203 of base member 1202 is generally a hollow cylinder having a substantially vertical wall 1210. Housing wall 1210 may include a minimal taper outward toward flange 1204 from the upper most surface 1332 of housing 1203 the base of housing 1203. Housing 1203 preferably includes sloped teeth 1224 formed onto its upper most surface 1332 such as those found on a ratchet, as has been described herein above. These base member teeth 1224 may be formed during the molding process, or may be cut into the housing after the molding process, and each defines a sloped portion 1226 and a substantially vertical portion 1228. In one embodiment, vertical portion 1228 may include a back cut vertical portion 1228 in which it is less than vertical, as described below.
In one embodiment, the sloped portion 1226 of each tooth 1224 allows relative clockwise rotation of a cooperating control member, e.g. knob assembly 1300, while inhibiting relative counterclockwise rotation of the control member. Of course, the teeth direction could be reversed as desired. The number and spacing of teeth 1224 controls the fineness of adjustment possible, and the specific number and spacing can be designed to suit the intended purpose by one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. However, in many applications, it is desirable to have a fine adjustment of the lace tension, and the inventors have found that approximately 20 to 40 teeth are sufficient to provide an adequately fine adjustment of the lace tension.
Base member 1202 additionally contains a pair of lace entry holes 1214 for allowing each end of a lace to enter therein and pass through internal lace openings 1230. Lace entry holes 1214 and internal lace openings 1230 preferably define elongated lace pathways that correspond to the annular groove of spool 1240. Preferably, lace entry holes 1214 are disposed on vertical wall 1210 of housing 1203 directly opposed from each other. As discussed above, base member 1202 lace entry holes 1214 may be made more robust by the addition of higher durometer materials either as inserts or coatings to reduce the wear caused by the laces abrading against the base member 1202 entry holes 1214. Additionally, the site of the entry hole can be rounded or chamfered to provide a larger area of contact with the lace to further reduce the pressure abrasion effects of the lace rubbing on the base unit. In the illustrated embodiment, base member 1202 includes lace opening extensions 1212 including rounded entry hole edges 1216 to provide additional strength to the housing 1203 in the area of the lace entry holes 1214.
It is preferable that the inner bottom surface 1220 of the base member 1202 is highly lubricious to allow mating components an efficient sliding engagement therewith. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a washer or bushing (not shown) is disposed within the cylindrical housing portion 1203 of the base member 1202, and may be formed of any suitable lubricious polymer, such as PTFE, for example, or may be formed of a lubricious metal. Alternatively, the inner bottom surface 1220 of the base member 1202 may be coated with any of a number of coatings (not shown) designed to reduce its coefficient of friction and thereby allow any components sharing surface contact therewith to easily slide. One advantage of the illustrated embodiment is the reduction in separate movable components required to manufacture tightening mechanism 1200. Fewer parts reduces the cost of manufacture and preferably results in lighter weight mechanisms. Overall, tightening mechanism 1200 is small and compact with few moving parts. Light weight and fewer moving parts also reduce the frictional forces generated on the components within lacing device 1200 during use.
An inner surface 1218 of housing 1203 is preferably substantially smooth to facilitate winding of the lace about the spool residing within housing 1203 during operation. When spool 1240 is inserted into housing 1203, inner surface 1218 cooperates with annular groove 1256 to hold the wound lace. Preferably, the material selected for inner surface 1218 is adapted to reduce the friction imparted upon the lace if the lace rubs against the surface when the lace is wound into or released from housing 1203.
With additional reference to
In one preferred embodiment, bottom surface 1254 of upper flange 1253 and upper surface 1244 of lower flange 1242 are both angled relative to the horizontal axis of spool 1240. As shown in
Preferably, the periphery of an upper surface 1260 of upper flange 1253 is configured to include sloped teeth 1262. Sloped teeth 1262 may be formed during the molding process, if spool 1240 is molded, or may be subsequently cut therein, and each defines a sloped portion 1264 and a substantially vertical portion 1266 as measured from upper surface 1260. Vertical portion 1266 is preferably back cut such that it is slightly less than vertical, preferably in the range of zero (0) and twenty (20) degrees less than ninety (90) degrees. More preferably, it is angled between one (1) and five (5) degrees less than vertical. Most preferably, it is angled about three (3) degrees less than vertical. In one embodiment, vertical portion 1266 of each tooth 1262 cooperates with teeth formed on a control member, e.g. knob teeth 1308, causing relative counter-clockwise rotation of spool 1240 upon counter-clockwise rotation of the cooperating control member, thereby winding the lace about the cylindrical wall 1252 of spool 1240. Of course, the teeth direction could be reversed as desired. The slight angle less than vertical, or back cut, is preferable as it increases the strength of the mating relationship between spool teeth 1262 and the control member. As lace tension increases, spool 1240 and knob 1300 may tend to disengage. Back cutting the vertical portion of the teeth helps prevent unintended disengagement.
Advantageously, spool 1240 is dimensioned to reduce the overall size of tightening mechanism 1200. Adjustments may be made with the ratio of the diameter of cylindrical wall 1252 of spool 1240 and the diameter of control knob 1300 to affect the torque that may be generated within tightening mechanism 1200 during winding. As lace 23 is wound about spool 1240, its effective diameter will increase and the torque generated by rotating knob 1300 will decrease. Preferably, torque will be maximized while maintaining the compact size of the lace lock 1200. For purposes of non-circular cross-sections, the diameter as used herein refers to the diameter of the best fit circle which encloses the cross-section in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation.
In many embodiments of the present invention, the knob 1300 will have an outside diameter of at least about 0.5 inches, often at least about 0.75 inches, and, in one embodiment, at least about 1.0 inches. The outside diameter of the knob 1300 will generally be less than about 2 inches, and preferably less than about 1.5 inches.
The cylindrical wall 1252 defines the base of the spool, and has a diameter of generally less than about 0.75 inches, often no more than about 0.5 inches, and, in one embodiment, the diameter of the cylindrical wall 1252 is approximately 0.25 inches.
The depth of the annular groove 1256 is generally less than a ½ inch, often less than ⅜ of an inch, and, in certain embodiments, is no more than about a ¼ inch. In one embodiment, the depth is approximately 3/16 of an inch. The width of the annular groove 1256 at about the opening thereof is generally no greater than about 0.25 inches, and, in one embodiment, is no more than about 0.13 inches.
The knob 1300 generally has a diameter of at least about 300%, and preferably at least about 400% of the diameter of the cylindrical wall 1252.
The lace for cooperating with the forgoing cylindrical wall 1252 is generally small enough in diameter that the annular groove 1256 can hold at least about 14 inches, preferably at least about 18 inches, in certain embodiments at least about 22 inches, and, in one embodiment, approximately 24 inches or more of length, excluding attachment ends of the lace. At the fully wound end of the winding cycle, the outside diameter of the cylindrical stack of wound lace is less than 100% of the diameter of the knob 1300, and, preferably, is less than about 75% of the diameter of the knob 1300. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the fully wound up lace is less than about 65% of the diameter of the knob 1300.
By maintaining the maximum effective spool diameter less than about 75% of the diameter of the knob 1300 even when the spool is at its fully wound maximum, maintains sufficient leverage so that gearing or other leverage enhancing structures are not necessary. As used herein, the term effective spool diameter refers to the outside diameter of the windings of lace around the cylindrical wall 1252, which, as will be understood by those of skill in the art, increases as additional lace is wound around the cylindrical wall 1252.
In one embodiment, approximately 24 inches of lace will be received by 15 revolutions about the cylindrical wall 1252. Generally, at least about 10 revolutions, often at least about 12 revolutions, and, preferably, at least about 15 revolutions of the lace around the cylindrical wall 1252 will still result in an effective spool diameter of no greater than about 65% or about 75% of the diameter of the knob 1301.
In general, laces having an outside diameter of less than about 0.060 inches, and often less than about 0.045 inches will be used. In certain preferred embodiments, lace diameters of less than about 0.035 will be used.
Side edge 1258 of upper flange 1253 and side edge 1248 of lower flange 1242 are adapted to slidingly engage the inner wall surface 1218 of the housing 1203 of the base member 1202. Sliding engagement with the inner wall surface 1218 helps stabilize spool 1240 inside housing 1203. Similarly, inner side walls 1288 of axial opening 1286 of spool 1240 slidingly engage the axial body 1370 of axial pin 1360 to stabilize spool 1240 during use of lacing device 1200. Lower surface 1246 of lower flange 1242 may be configured for efficient sliding engagement with inner bottom surface 1220 of base member 1202. In
As illustrated in
As described in detail above, spool 1240 may include one or more annular grooves 1256 that are configured to receive lace 23. Preferably, the ends of lace 23 are connected to spool 1240, either fixedly or removeably, in any one of a number of suitable attachment methods, including using set screws, crimps, or adhesives. In a preferred embodiment shown in
Lace 23 is preferably secured to spool 1240 by threading lace 23 through one of the lace holes 1214 in base member 1202. Lace 23 exits internal lace opening 1230 of housing 1203 and is directed toward spool 1240. Lace 23 is then passed through lace gap 1250 and upwards through entrance hole 1280 in upper flange 1253. Next, lace 23 is passed downward through loop hole 1282a and back upwards through loop hole 1282b. A portion of lace 23 therefore forms a loop disposed above upper flange 1253 and between entrance hole 1280 and loop hole 1282a. The end of lace 23 is passed through the loop and tension is placed on the portion of lace 23 extending downwards from entrance hole 1280 to tighten the resulting knot 1292. Preferably, knot 1292 is positioned such that it rests within knot cavity 1278 by passing the end of lace 23 through the loop from outside inwards, as shown in
Although the above method of securing lace 23 to spool 1240 is preferred, other means for attaching the lace are also envisioned by the inventors. The method for attaching lace 23 to spool 1240 as described above is advantageous as it allows for a simple, secure connection to spool 1240 without requiring additional connection components. This saves weight and decreases the assembly time required to manufacture footwear incorporating a tightening mechanism 1200 as described herein. Further, this type of connection allows for simplified and easy replacement of lace 23 when it has become worn.
Referring now to
Knob assembly 1300 preferably includes a knob 1301, a spring member 1340, and a cap member 1350. As shown in
An outer engagement surface 1319 of knob 1301 is preferably formed with knurls 1318 or some other friction enhancing feature. In preferred embodiments, the outer engagement surface 1317 is made of a softer material that the rest of knob 1301 to increase the tactile feel of knob 1301 and to ease the manipulation of the lacing device 1200 to apply tension to lace 23.
As shown in
In a preferred embodiment, axial pin 1360 secures knob assembly 1300, spool 1240, and base member 1202. Axial pin 1360 is preferably made of a metallic or other material of sufficient strength to withstand the forces imparted on tightening mechanism 1200. Axial pin 1360 also preferably includes a multitude of regions with varying diameters, including a cap 1364 having an upper surface 1363, an upper side engagement surface 1364, a lower side engagement surface 1366, and a lower surface 1367. Upper side engagement surface 1364 preferably tapers outward from upper surface 1363 toward lower side engagement surface 1366. Lower side engagement surface 1366 preferably tapers inward from upper side engagement surface 1364 toward lower surface 1367. Preferably, the diameter of axial pin 1360 is largest along the circumference of the intersection of upper and lower side engagement surfaces 1364 and 1366. The diameter of upper surface 1363 is preferably greater than the diameter of lower surface 1367.
Upper surface 1363 of cap 1350 also preferably includes one or more engagement holes 1374 for rotating pin 1360 into threaded engagement with base member 1202. In other embodiments, a singe, centrally located engagement hole is used with a non-circular opening as will be understood by those of skill in the art. Upper surface 1363 may also include indicia 1376. In alternative embodiments, indicia 1376 is not included.
Disposed adjacent and just below cap 1362 is upper sleeve 1368. The diameter of upper sleeve 1368 is preferably smaller than the diameter of lower surface 1367. Pin body 1370 is preferably disposed adjacent and just below upper sleeve 1368. The diameter of pin body 1370 is preferably smaller than the diameter of upper sleeve 1360. Finally, threaded extension 1372 preferably extends downward from the lower surface of pin body 1370. Though extension 1372 is preferably threaded, other mating or engagement means may be used to couple pin 1360 to base 1202.
Axial pin 1360 includes multiple diameters to correspond to the varying internal diameters of the axial openings in knob 1300, spool 1240, and base member 1202, respectively. Corresponding diameters of these components helps stabilize the tightening mechanism 1200. Pin body 1370 is adapted to slidingly engage with inner side wall 1288 of seal opening 1286 of spool 1240. Upper sleeve 1368 is adapted to slidingly engage with inner wall 1330 of axial opening 1316 of knob 1301. Threaded extension 1372 couples with insert 1223 of base member 1202 to secure axial pin 1360 to base member 1202. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, axial pin 1360 may be permanently or removably attached to base member 1202. For example, an adhesive may be used, either alone or in combination with threads.
Advantageously, the diameter of upper sleeve 1368 of axial pin 1360 is larger than the inner diameter of axial opening 1286 of spool 1240. As such, upper sleeve 1368 of axial pin 1360 serves as an upper restraint for movement of spool 1240 along axis A, as can be seen in
In a preferred embodiment, spring engagement arms 1342 engage upper side engagement surfaces 1364 of cap 1362 in the uncoupled position and engage lower side engagement surface 1366 in the coupled position. In the coupled position, arms 1342 engage lower side engagement surface 1366 to bias knob 1300 in the coupled position. In the uncoupled position, arms 1342 engage upper side engagement surface 1364 to bias knob 1300 in the uncoupled position. Although spring 1340 biases knob 1300 in the coupled and the uncoupled positions in this embodiment, other options are available as will be understood by one of skill in the art. For example, knob 1300 could be biased only in the engaged position, such that it can be pulled out to disengage spool 1240, however, as soon as it is released it slides back into the engaged position.
In a preferred embodiment, knob 1300 will be biased in each of the coupled and the uncoupled positions such that the user is required to either push the knob in or pull the knob out against the bias to engage or disengage, respectively, the tightening mechanism 1200. Advantageously, engaging and disengaging tightening mechanism 1200 is accompanied by a “click” or other sound to indicate that it has changed positions. Tightening mechanism 1200 may also include visual indicia that the mechanism is disengaged, such as a colored block that is exposed from under the knob when in the disengaged position. Audible and visual indications that the mechanism is engaged or disengaged contribute to the user friendliness of the lacing systems described herein.
Tightening mechanism 1200 may be removably or securely mounted to a variety of locations on footwear, including the front, back, top, or sides. Base member 1202 illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Base member 1202 illustrated in
Lacing system 22 preferably includes tongue guides 1380, shown in greater detail in
As with the other components of lacing systems described herein, the tightening mechanism 1200, the tongue guides, and the other lace guides described above in connection with tightening mechanism 1200 can be made of any suitable material, and can be attached to footwear in any suitable manner. The various component parts of the lacing system may be used in part or in whole with other components or systems described herein. As discussed above, lace 23 may be formed from any of a wide variety of polymeric or metal materials or combinations thereof, which exhibit sufficient axial strength and suppleness for the present application. In one preferred embodiments, lace 23 comprises a stranded cable, such as a 7 strand by 7 strand cable manufactured of stainless steel. In order to reduce friction between lace 23 and the guide members through which lace 23 slides, the outer surface of the lace 23 is preferably coated with a lubricous material, such as nylon or Teflon. The coating also binds the threads of the stranded cable to ease insertion of the lace into the lace guides of the system and attachment of the lace to the gear mechanism within lacing device 1200. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of lace 23 is in the range of from about 0.024 inches to about 0.060 inches inclusive of the coating of lubricous material. More preferably, the diameter of lace 23 is in the range of from about 0.028 to about 0.035. In one embodiment, lace 23 is preferably approximately 0.032 inches in diameter. A lace 23 of at least five feet in length is suitable for most footwear sizes, although smaller or larger lengths could be used depending upon the lacing system design. For example, lacing systems for use with running shoes may preferably use lace 23 in the range from about 15 inches to about 30 inches.
With reference to
In many embodiments, the spool assembly 1480 is off axis from the knob assembly 1550. This allows for a mechanically geared tightening mechanism 1400 which maintains a low profile relative to the surrounding mounting surface.
Bayonet 1402 may include a mounting flange 1404 useful for mounting tightening mechanism 1400 to the outside structure of an article of footwear. Preferably, flange 1404 extends circumferentially around inner and outer sections 1412 and 1414. In alternative embodiments, flange 1404 extends only partially around the circumference of sections 1412 and 1414 and may comprise one or more distinct portions. Though flange 1404 is shown with an ovular shape, it may also be rectangular, circular, square, or any of a number of other regular or irregular shapes. Flange 1404 may be similar to flange 1204 disclosed herein above.
Mechanism 1400 may be mounted on the outer surface of the footwear or underneath some or all of the outer structure of the footwear by means of stitching, hook and loop fasteners, rivets, or the like. Though tightening mechanism 1400 need not be manufactured in various components, it may be advantageous to do so. For example, portions of tightening mechanism 1400 may be manufactured at various locations and later brought together to form the completed mechanism. In one instance, bayonet 1402 may be fixed to the footwear independent from the rest of tightening mechanism 1400. The footwear with bayonet 1402 may then be transported to one or more locations where the rest of tightening mechanism 1400 is installed. In addition, modularity allows a user of an article incorporating mechanism 1400 to replace individual components when needed.
As with other embodiments disclosed herein, tightening mechanism 1400 may be mounted in a number of different positions on the footwear, including, but not limited to, on the tongue, on the ankle portion in the case of a high top such as a hiking boot or a snow board boot, on the instep of the footwear, or on the rear of the footwear. If the footwear includes an inner boot, tightening mechanism may be mounted thereon rather than on the surface of the footwear. If the footwear includes a canopy or other covering across the instep area, the mechanism 1400 may be mounted thereon or adjacent thereto. Embodiments of tightening mechanism 1400 may be used with some or all of the various lacing components disclosed herein above. For example, tightening mechanism could be used with the multi-zone lacing system 800 shown in
Referring now to
In a preferred embodiment, lace holes mounted on the rear or inside of bayonet 1402 facilitate lace guides disposed inside the structure of the footwear. For cosmetic or structural reasons, it may be valuable to have the lace 23 completely hidden from the surface of the footwear. As will be understood, lace entry holes 1410 could easily be located at various other positions on inner section 1412 with similar effects.
In a first, also referred to herein as a coupled or an engaged position (shown in
Referring now to
The cylindrical wall 1481 has a diameter of generally less than about 0.75 inches, often no more than about 0.5 inches, and, in one embodiment, the diameter of the cylindrical wall 1481 is approximately 0.4 inches.
The depth of the annular groove 1483 is generally less than a ½ inch, often less than ⅜ of an inch, and, in certain embodiments, is no more than about a ¼ inch. In one embodiment, the depth is approximately 3/16 of an inch. The width of the annular groove 1483 at about the opening thereof is generally no greater than about 0.25 inches, and, in one embodiment, is no more than about 0.13 inches.
Spool assembly 1480 preferably includes spool 1482 and main gear 1486. Main gear 1486 and spool 1482 are shown manufactured separately and later mechanically attached. Inner attachment teeth 1490 are configured to matingly engage with spool teeth 1491 to secure main gear 1486 to spool 1482. In alternative embodiments, main gear 1486 and spool 1482 are manufactured from the same piece. Spool assembly 1480 may comprise a metal. Alternatively, it may comprise a nylon or other rigid polymeric material, a ceramic, or any combination thereof
Spool screw holes 1498 are located in spool cavity 1495. Access to holes 1498 is facilitated by access hole 1496 and cover 1490. As such, lace 23 can be released from spool 1482 without fully disassembling housing 1450. Rather, removal of knob assembly 1550 permits access to access hole 1496. In some embodiments, knob 1560 is sized to allow access to access hole 1496 without removal of knob assembly 1550.
Knob assembly 1550 (
As shown in
Main gear 1486 includes gear teeth 1496 for engagement with pinion gear teeth 1556. The ratio of the main gear to the pinion gear is a factor in determining the amount of mechanical advantage achieved by tightening mechanism 1400. In some embodiments, this gear ratio will be greater than about 1 to 1, often at least about about 2 to 1, in one embodiment at least about 3 to 1, and can be up to between about 4 to 1 or about 6 to 1. In many embodiments of the present invention, main gear 1486 will have an outside diameter of at least about 0.5 inches, often at least about 0.75 inches, and, in one embodiment, at least about 1.0 inches. The outside diameter of main gear 1486 will generally be less than about 2 inches, and preferably less than about 1.5 inches. In many embodiments, the pinion gear 1552 with have an outside diameter of at least about ¼ inches, often at least about 0.5 inches, and, in one embodiment, at least about ⅜ inches. The outside diameter of pinion gear 1552 will generally be less than about 1.0 inches, and preferably less than about 0.4 inches.
In many embodiments of the present invention, the knob 1560 will have an outside diameter of at least about 0.75 inches, often at least about 1.0 inches, and, in one embodiment, at least about 1.5 inches. The outside diameter of the knob 1560 will generally be less than about 2.25 inches, and preferably less than about 1.75 inches.
The lace for cooperating with the forgoing cylindrical wall 1481 is generally small enough in diameter that the annular groove 1483 can hold at least about 14 inches, preferably at least about 18 inches, in certain embodiments at least about 22 inches, and, in one embodiment, approximately 24 inches or more of length, excluding attachment ends of the lace. At the fully wound end of the winding cycle, the outside diameter of the cylindrical stack of wound lace is less than about 100% of the diameter of the knob 1560, and, preferably, is less than about 75% of the diameter of the knob 1560. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the fully wound up lace is less than about 65% of the diameter of the knob 1560.
Mechanical advantage is achieved by a combination of gear ratio and the effective spool diameter to knob ratio. This combination of ratios results in larger mechanical advantage than either alone while maintaining a compact package. In some embodiments of the present invention, the combined ratios will be greater than 1.5 to 1, in one embodiment at least about 2 to 1, in another about 3 to 1, and in another about 4 to 1. The rations are generally less than about 7 to 1 and are often less than about 4.5 to 1. [
The maximum effective spool diameter less than about 75% of the diameter of the knob 1300 even when the spool is at its fully wound maximum, maintains sufficient leverage so that gearing or other leverage enhancing structures are not necessary. As used herein, the term effective spool diameter refers to the outside diameter of the windings of lace around the cylindrical wall 1252, which, as will be understood by those of skill in the art, increases as additional lace is wound around the cylindrical wall 1252.
In one embodiment, approximately 24 inches of lace will be received by 15 revolutions about the cylindrical wall 1252. Generally, at least about 10 revolutions, often at least about 12 revolutions, and, preferably, at least about 15 revolutions of the lace around the cylindrical wall 1252 will still result in an effective spool diameter of no greater than about 65% or about 75% of the diameter of the knob 1301.
In general, laces having an outside diameter of less than about 0.060 inches, and often less than about 0.045 inches will be used. In certain preferred embodiments, lace diameters of less than about 0.035 will be used.
In the non-engaged or disengaged position, shaft cap 1457 engages flange 1466 to secure knob assembly 1550 in the disengaged position. Pushing knob 1560 back towards housing assembly 1450 disengages flange 1466 and knob assembly 1550 re-engages with housing assembly 1450. In some embodiments, pawls 1562 remain engaged with housing teeth 1494 to prevent rotation of the knob 1560 in the reverse direction even in the disengaged position. However, pinion gear 1552 becomes disengaged from the main gear 1486 in the disengaged position, allowing free rotation of spool assembly 1480.
Though discussed in terms of footwear, which includes, but is not limited to, ski boots, snow boots, ice skates, horseback riding boots, hiking shoes, running shoes, athletic shoes, specialty shoes, and training shoes, the closure systems disclosed herein may also provide efficient and effective closure options in a number of various different applications. Such applications may include use in closure or attachment systems on back packs and other articles for transport or carrying, belts, waistlines and/or cuffs of pants and jackets, neck straps and headbands for helmets, gloves, bindings for watersports, snow sports, and other extreme sports, or in any situation where a system for drawing two objects together is advantageous.
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,253, filed Oct. 31, 2005, pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/459,843, filed Jun. 12, 2003, pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/993,296, filed Nov. 14, 2001, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/956,601, filed on Sep. 18, 2001, abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/388,756, filed Sep. 2, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,558, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/337,763, filed on Jun. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,953, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/917,056, filed Aug. 22, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,599. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/623,341, filed Oct. 29, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/704,831, filed Aug. 2, 2005. Incorporate by Reference This application hereby incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,253, filed Oct. 31, 2005; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/459,843 filed Jun. 12, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/993,296 filed Nov. 14, 2001; Ser. No. 09/956,601 filed on Sep. 18, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,558, issued Sep. 18, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,953, issued Mar. 20, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,599, issued Aug. 10, 1999; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/623,341, filed Oct. 29, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/704,831, filed Aug. 2, 2005, in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11263253 | Oct 2005 | US |
| Child | 11841872 | Aug 2007 | US |
| Parent | 09388756 | Sep 1999 | US |
| Child | 09956601 | Sep 2001 | US |
| Parent | 08917056 | Aug 1997 | US |
| Child | 09337763 | Jun 1999 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10459843 | Jun 2003 | US |
| Child | 11263253 | Oct 2005 | US |
| Parent | 09993296 | Nov 2001 | US |
| Child | 10459843 | Jun 2003 | US |
| Parent | 09956601 | Sep 2001 | US |
| Child | 09993296 | Nov 2001 | US |
| Parent | 09337763 | Jun 1999 | US |
| Child | 09388756 | Sep 1999 | US |
