Articles, such as shoes, boots, and other footwear, employ various mechanism that are designed to close and tighten the article. Some articles include materials that are relatively rigid and somewhat difficult to close and tighten. For example, ski boots, such as alpine ski boots, typically have exterior shells that are made of rigid materials, such as various rigid polymers. The exterior shells are often difficult to close about a user's leg and foot due to the rigid polymer materials that are employed. It is also often difficult to make the ski boot comfortable due to the rigid materials that are employed. A proper balance between comfort and fit is desired in ski boots, but may be difficult to achieve due the use of rigid materials and other design constraints. Conventional closure devices that are employed to close ski boots often tighten the ski boot in relatively large increments or steps, which may add a degree of complexity in achieving a proper balance between fit and comfort. Other articles, such as shoes, may include relatively soft materials that are significantly easier to close. Improved devices and mechanisms for closing various articles are desired.
In one embodiment, a tightening device for tightening a ski boot includes an elongate panel, a tensioning mechanism, and one or more guide members. The elongate panel has a proximal end and a distal end and is positionable about a shell of the ski boot between opposing sides of the shell. The tensioning mechanism is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate panel. A tension member is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. The one or more guide members is coupled with the elongate panel between the proximal end and the distal end. The tension member is coupled with the one or more guide members so that the tension member is routed between the opposing sides of the shell and along a portion of the elongate panel. The elongate panel is not attached to the shell other than via the tension member.
In some embodiments, the shell includes a first guide member that is positioned on a first side of the shell and a second guide member that is positioned on a second side of the shell opposite the first side. In such embodiments, the one or more guide members directs the tension member between the first guide member and the second guide member. The one or more guide members may be a unitary guide having four lace ports through which the tension member is inserted, or the one or more guide members may include two or more guide members that are separated by a gap along a longitudinal length of the elongate panel. The elongate panel may also include a third guide that is positioned at the distal end of the elongate panel. The tension member may be routed through the third guide transversely to the longitudinal length of the elongate panel. The tension member may be routed longitudinally along a center portion of the elongate panel. The one or more guide members may route the tension member so that two sections of the tension member are routed parallel along the center portion of the elongate panel. Opposing ends of the tension member may be coupled with the tensioning mechanism.
In another embodiment, a tightening device for tightening an article includes an elongate panel, a tensioning mechanism, and one or more guide members. The elongate panel has a proximal end and a distal end and is positionable about the article. The tensioning mechanism is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate panel and a tension member is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. The one or more guide members is coupled with the elongate panel between the proximal end and the distal end. The tension member is operable with the one or more guide members so that the tension member is routed about the article and along a portion of the elongate panel. The tensioning mechanism typically includes a spool about which the tension member is windable and a rotatable knob that is operably coupled with the spool so as to rotate the spool in a tightening direction and thereby wind the tension member about the spool.
According to another embodiment, a method of coupling a tightening device with a shell of a ski boot including providing the tightening device, positioning the tightening device between opposing sides of the shell, attaching the tension member to a first guide on a first side of the shell, and attaching the tension member to a second guide on a second side of the shell. The tightening device includes an elongate panel having a proximal end and a distal end, a tensioning mechanism coupled with the proximal end of the elongate panel, a tension member that is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism, and at least one guide member that is coupled with the elongate panel between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongate panel is not attached to the shell other than via the tension member.
According to another embodiment, a releasable guide for directing a tension member about an article includes a base member, a guide member, and a spring member. The releasable guide is operable with the tension member to route or guide the tension member about the article. The base member is fixedly attachable to the article and includes a proximal end and a distal end. The guide member is engageable with the base member and is disengageable therefrom such that tension on the tension member is quickly adjustable via engagement or disengagement of the guide member and base member. The guide member has an inner channel, an exterior surface, and a lace channel disposed between the inner channel and the exterior surface. The inner channel has a shape corresponding to a shape of the base member's distal end to enable mating engagement of the guide member's inner channel with the base member's distal end. The spring member is operably coupled with the guide member and is configured to contact the base member when the guide member engages the base member. The spring member at least partially separates the guide member's inner channel and the base member's distal end until a sufficient tension force is imparted on the tension member.
The inner channel of the guide member is shaped and sized so that the guide member is slidable into engagement with the base member's distal end and is pivotable over the distal end of the base member to disengage the guide member and base member. The guide member's inner channel includes a recess within with the spring member is deflactable. The guide member's distal end may be coupled with a strap that is configured to enable disengagement of the guide member and base member. The spring member is positioned within the guide member's inner channel. The base member may include a lip or flange that extends outward from a main body of the base member and that extends at least partially around a perimeter of the main body. The lip or flange may matingly engage with an upper surface of the guide member's inner channel. The spring member may extend at least partially around an exterior of the guide member. When the guide member's inner channel is partially separated from the base member's distal end via the spring member, the guide member is pivotable out of engagement with the base member.
According to another embodiment, a guide for directing a tension member about an article includes a base member that is fixedly attachable to the article, a guide member that is engageable with the base member and disengageable therefrom to enable quick adjustment of a tension of the tension member, and a spring member that is operably coupled with the guide member and that is configured to contact the base member to at least partially separate the guide member and base member until a sufficient tension force is imparted on the tension member.
The guide member may include an inner channel that is shape and sized to correspond to a shape and size of a distal end of the base member to enable mating engagement of the guide member and base member. The guide member may also include a lace channel through which the tension member is positioned. The guide member may be slidable into engagement with the base member and is pivotable proximally over the base member. The guide member may include a recess within with the spring member is deflactable. The guide member may be coupled with a strap that is configured to enable disengagement of the guide member and base member. The base member may include a lip or flange that extends outward from a main body of the base member and that extends at least partially around a perimeter of the main body. The lip or flange may matingly engage an upper surface of the guide member. The guide member may be pivotable out of engagement with the base member only when the guide member is partially separated from the base member via the spring member.
According to another embodiment, a method of coupling a guide with a ski boot includes providing a guide, fixedly attaching a base member of the guide to the ski boot, and engaging a guide member with the base member. The guide may include the base member, the a guide member, and a spring member that is operably coupled with the guide member and that is configured to contact the base member to at least partially separate the guide member and base member until a sufficient tension force is imparted on the tension member. Engaging the guide member with the base member may include sliding the guide member into engagement with the base member. In some embodiments, the method may also include disengaging the guide member from the base member. Disengaging the guide member from the base member may include pivoting the guide member proximally over the base member.
The present invention is described in conjunction with the appended figures:
In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the letter suffix.
The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
The embodiments herein describe reel based closure devices that are attached to alpine or ski boots and that are operable to tension at least a portion of the alpine/ski boot. For ease in describing the embodiments, the boots will be generally referred to as ski boots, although it should be understood that the term is intended to broadly cover any alpine or ski type boot. In particular, the reel based closure devices are typically attached to the exterior of the ski boot, such as the shell, and are used to tighten the exterior of the ski boot about a user's leg and/or foot. The reel based closure devices (hereinafter reel based device or reel system) are configured to tension a lace or tension member that is guided about the ski boot via one or more guide members, which may be rigid components that are made of plastic or other materials, or which may be flexible and soft components that are made of fabric materials.
The reel based devices typically include a knob or dial that may be grasped and rotated by a user. The knob or dial is commonly coupled with a spool around which the tension member or lace is wound in response to rotation of the knob or dial in a tightening direction. Rotation of the tension member or lace around the spool tensions the tension member or lace, which tightens the ski boot about a user's foot by constricting the shell and any internal components (i.e., a liner, etc.) about the user's foot. Exemplary reel based devices are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/297,047 filed Jun. 5, 2017, and entitled “Integrated Closure Device Components and Methods”, and in U.S. Pat. No. 9,259,056, filed Jun. 21, 2013, and entitled “Reel Based Lacing System”, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The reel based devices described herein may replace traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems that are currently used on ski boots to tighten the ski boot about a user's foot. The reel based devices are significantly easier to operate than traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems. As such, user's may greatly prefer to use the reel based devices in tightening a ski boot. In addition, the reel based devices offer significantly more incremental degrees of tightening and loosening of the ski boot in comparison with traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems. For example, traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems often include a limited number of tightening segments (e.g., teeth, steps, racks, and the like) that are used in tightening the ski boot. For example, traditional buckles often employ 5 to 10 teeth on a rack within which an engagement pin is positioned to tighten the ski boot. The engagement pin is moved proximally or distally about the rack and positioned within a proximal or distal tooth in order to increase or decrease the tightness of the ski boot about the foot. The limited number of tightening segments (e.g., teeth) results in the ski boot being tightened or loosened by greater amounts or degrees and thus, it may be difficult to achieve a desired and comfortable fit.
In contrast, the reel based devices are capable of tightening and/or loosening the ski boot by significantly smaller incremental amounts or degrees. For example, if a minor increase in tightness is desired, the knob of the reel based device may be rotated by a quarter turn or even an eighth of a turn to slightly increase the tension in the tension member. The slight increase in the tension member's tension normally results in a slight increase in the tightness or constriction of the ski boot about the user's foot. This incremental adjustment of the ski boot's tightness may allow a desired and comfortable fit of the ski boot about the foot to be easily achieved.
Referring to
The tension member 110 is operably coupled with straps, 106a and 106b, that traverse from the rear surface of the ski boot 100 to a front panel 104. The front panel 104 may be made of a fabric or woven material, or may be made of a more rigid material, such as various plastics, such as those used in forming the shell of the ski boot 100. The front panel 104 may be attached to a front surface of the cuff via mechanical fasteners (e.g., rivets and the like), adhesive bonding, RF or sonic welding, or via any other method known in the art. The straps, 106a and 106b, may likewise be made of a fabric or woven material, or may be made of a more rigid material, such as from various plastics.
The straps include an upper strap 106a and a lower strap 106b. Although the straps, 106a and 106b, are illustrated on a single sides of the ski boot 100, in some embodiments a similarly arranged pair of straps is positioned on an opposite sides of the ski boot 100 (see
Tensioning of the tension member 110 via operation of the reel based device 102 causes the straps, 106a and 106b, to be tensioned and pulled toward the rear surface of the ski boot's cuff, which in turn tensions the front panel 104 and causes the front panel 104 to be pulled rearward toward the reel based device 102. This tensioning cause the cuff to close and constrict about a user's leg that is positioned within the ski boot 100. The reel based device 102 of
The distal ends of the straps, 106a and 106b, are also illustrated.
A pair of upper guides 124 are positioned on opposite sides of the centrally positioned upper guide member (not numbered). The upper guides 124 route or direct the tension member 110 between the looped ends 120 of the upper strap 106a and the centrally positioned upper guide member. In some embodiments, an additional guide member 122 may be attached to the looped end 120 of the upper straps 106a. The use of the additional guide member 122 may cause a greater tension to be applied to the upper strap 106a in relation to the lower strap 106b since the tension member 110 essentially tensions the upper straps 106a twice. The use of the additional guide member 122 may also increase the rearward force that is applied to the upper strap 106a and/or lower strap 106b.
In some embodiments, the upper and lower straps, 106a and 106b, may be arranged so that they are separate from one another and independently tensionable. In other embodiments, the upper and lower straps, 106a and 106b, may be connected and essentially uniformly tensioned. As illustrated in
A first reel based device 202 is positioned on a side of the ski boot's cuff. The first reel based device 202 is coupled with a tension member 206 that is routed from the side of the cuff and toward the front of the ski boot 200. The tension member 206 is routed through a guide member 204 that is positioned on a distal end of a first panel 208, which is typically part of the ski boot's shell or cuff and made of the same relatively rigid plastic material. The tension member 206 is routed or directed from the guide member 204 and to a guide member (not numbered) that is positioned near the cuff adjuster (not numbered) or ankle portion of the ski boot 200. The tension member 206 is routed from this guide member to one or more guide members (not numbered) that are positioned on a second panel 210, which is also typically part of the ski boot's shell or cuff and made of the same rigid plastic material. A distal end of the tension member 206 terminates at a guide member that is positioned on the second panel 210 as illustrated. An additional pass through guide member (not numbered) may be positioned on a distal end of the second panel 210 in order to ensure that the tension member 206 remains positioned atop the second panel 210 rather than sliding or migrating off the second panel 210.
Tensioning of the tension member 206 via operation of the reel based device 202 tensions the first panel 208 and the second panel 210, which are wrapped around the front portion of the cuff. Tensioning of the first and second panels, 208 and 210, causes the cuff to constrict about the user's leg. In some embodiments, a single panel is used instead of the first panel 208 and the second panel 210. The single panel may be roughly equivalent to the first and second panels, 208 and 210, or may be smaller than the two panels. In other embodiments, three or more panels may be used instead of the first panel 208 and the second panel 210. A single panel or multiple panels may likewise be used in any of the other embodiments described herein.
A second reel based device 220 is attached to a side of the ski boot's lower shell. The second reel based device 220 is operably coupled with a second tension member 222 so that operation of the second reel based device 220 tensions the second tension member 222. The second tension member 222 is routed or directed across the lower shell of the ski boot 200 via a plurality of guide member 224. The second tension member 222 may form a Z pattern or configuration across the front upper surface of the lower shell as illustrated and a distal end of the second tension member 222 may terminate at a distally most positioned guide member.
Operation of the second reel based device 220 causes the second tension member 222 to be tensioned, which causes the lower shell to be constricted and tightened about a user's foot by pulling opposing sides of the lower shell toward one another. The second reel based device 220 is operable independently of the first reel based device 202, which allows the lower shell to be tightened independently of the cuff.
The first and second reel based devices, 202 and 220, may replace traditional buckles or other tightening mechanisms so that the ski boot 200 is free of buckles or other tightening mechanisms. In other embodiments, the first and/or second reel based devices, 202 and 220, may be used in cooperation with buckles or other tightening mechanisms.
The ski boot 300 includes a pair of traditional or conventional buckles that are positioned on the lower shell of the ski boot 300. The buckles are used in a conventional manner to tighten or constrict the lower shell about the user's foot. In this manner, the reel based device 302 is used to tighten the cuff while the buckles are used to tighten the lower shell.
The distal end of the second strap 504 may be slidingly disposed within the interior channel of the first strap 510 so that the second strap 504 is able to slide proximally and distally within the interior channel of the first strap 510. The reel based device 502 is operable to tension the tension member 506, which causes the second strap 504 to be tensioned and to slide distally or rearward within the interior channel of the first strap 510. Distal or rearward sliding of the second strap 504 within or relative to the first strap 510 causes the second strap 504 to be pulled against the front upper portion of the cuff, which causes the cuff to be constrict inward against the user's leg and/or prevents the cuff from opening as the user flexes and bends during use of the ski boot 500. The use of the reel based device 502 on the power strap 500 of
The tension member 606 is shown as being routed under the cuff 620 between the reel based device 602 and the first panel 608. In other embodiments the tension member 606 may be routed elsewhere under the cuff or multiple portions of the tension member 606 may be routed under the cuff. For example, a section of the tension member between the first panel 608 and the second panel 610 may be routed under the cuff to minimize the appearance of the tension member 606 above the cuff. In such embodiments, the guide member that is positioned near the ankle or cuff adjuster may be positioned under the surface of the cuff.
The first reel based device 702, the second reel based device 704, and the third reel based device 706 are each independently operably to independently tighten the respective portions of the ski boot 700. The independent tightening of the different portions of the ski boot 700 allows a customized fit and feel of the ski boot 700 to be achieved. In addition, the minor incremental adjustment that is enabled by the reel based devices (702, 704, and 706) enables an increased customized fit and feel of the ski boot 700 to be achieved.
While
While the guide member 904 is illustrated as being positioned on the first panel 910, in other embodiments the guide member 904 may be positioned elsewhere, such as on the second panel 912, on one or more portions of the lower shell, and the like. An exemplary embodiment of a guide member with an open back or channel is further described in the '056 patent that is incorporated by reference herein.
In image A, the tension member 1008 is illustrated as being coupled with the reel based device 1002 and with first and second panels, 1004 and 1006. A substantial amount of slack exists in the tension member 1008. In image B, the user has inserted their foot within the ski boot 1000 and the tension member 1008 has been automatically wound by the reel based device 1002 to eliminate the slack in the tension member 1008. The automatic winding of the tension member 1008 by the reel based device 1002 pulls the first panel 1004 and the second panel 1006 into engagement with a front portion of the cuff and may initially tighten the ski boot 1000 about the user's leg. In some embodiments, the reel based device 1002 may include a spiral spring, or any other mechanism, that is configured to cause the spool to automatically rotate within the reel based device 1002 and thereby automatically wind or tension the tension member 1008. An exemplary embodiment of a mechanism that is configured to automatically rotate a spool and tension a tension member is further described in the '253 patent application, which is incorporated by reference herein.
In image C, after the tension member 1008 is automatically wound or tensioned via the reel based device 1002, the reel based device 1002 may be operated to further tension the tension member 1008 and thereby further tighten the ski boot 1000 about the user's leg. While the reel based device 1002 is illustrated as being positioned on the cuff, in other embodiments the reel based device 1002 may be positioned elsewhere, such as on the lower shell and the like.
The guides 1106 commonly include a tab or grip surface that extends away from the guide base 1104. The tab or grip surface enables the user to easily grasp the guide 1106 and pull the guide 1106 away from the guide base 1104 or align the guide 1106 with the guide base 1104 during attachment of the two components. While the tab is illustrated as a relatively large protruding component, the tab may have essentially any size or shape that is conducive to allowing the tab to be gripped and pulled by the user. For example, the size and shape of the tab may be selected to optimize the size of the grip surface while minimizing the chance of the tab catching or snagging on surrounding objects. Additional configurations of the tab are provided in
The upper reel based device 1102 is typically centrally positioned between the guides 1106 so that an upper portion of the tension member 1108 exits the upper reel based device 1102 and immediately traverse to an upper guide 1106 and so that a lower portion of the tension member 1108 exits the upper reel based device 1102 and immediately traverses to a lower guide 1106. These portions of the tension member 1108 form or define a central path of the tension member about the upper cuff. The tension member 1108 is slidably positioned within the upper and lower guides 1106 so that as the tension member 1108 is tensioned via the upper reel based device 1102, the tension member 1108 slides within a channel of the respective guides 1106. The tension member 1108 is routed via the guides 1106 back toward the upper reel based device 1102. The tension member 1108 may be fixedly secured to the upper cuff of the ski boot 1100 near the upper reel based device 1102, or more commonly, the tension member 1108 is routed around the upper reel based device 1102 via tubing that is positioned under the exterior surface of the upper cuff (see
The path or configuration of the tension member 1108 ensures that the tension applied to the upper cuff is essentially even or uniform, which helps ensure that the force that is exerted on the user's leg via the upper cuff is roughly uniform. The ski boot 1100 may include additional guides 1106 and guide bases 1104 as desired. In such instances, the upper reel based device 1102 is typically positioned so that it is central relative to the guides 1106 and guide bases 1104. In other instances, the upper reel based device 1102 may be offset in relation to the guides 1106 and guide bases 1104, such as by being positioned nearer to an upper end of the tension member path or nearer to a lower end of the tension member path (see
The lower reel based device 1122 is attached to a lower tension member 1128 in a manner that allows the tension member to be tightened by an operation of the lower reel based device 1122, and more specifically a rotation of a knob of the lower reel based device 1122 in a tightening direction. The tension member 1128 is covered and concealed by the lower cuff 1130 and by a lower panel 1114 that is wrapped at least partially around the lower cuff 1130. The lower reel based device 1122 is attached to the exterior of the lower cuff 1130 so that it is accessible to the user. A proximal portion of the tension member 1128 that is immediately adjacent the lower reel based device 1122 may be positioned atop the exterior of the lower cuff 1130, or may be routed immediately under the lower cuff 1130 as it exits the lower reel based device 1122.
In some embodiments, the first guide 1126 is attached to the lower panel 1114 so that tensioning of the tension member 1128 causes the lower panel 1114 to wrap more securely around or about the lower cuff 1130. In other embodiments, the first guide 1126 and/or second guide 1124 is freely positioned within the ski boot 1100 so that the first guide 1126 and/or second guide 1124 sit atop a liner of the ski boot. In such embodiments, tensioning of the tension member 1128 causes the ski boot's liner to constrict about the user's leg. The first guide 1126 and/or the second guide 1124 may be formed of a strip of fabric or other flexible material. The guide may be formed by folding, wrapping, or bending the strip of fabric to form a loop within which the tension member 1128 is positioned as illustrated in
While the tension member 1108 is illustrated as being positioned atop the upper cuff, in some instances the tension member 1108 may be routed underneath the upper cuff in a manner similar to the routing of the tension member 1128 under the lower cuff. Tubing or other lace routing means may be used to route the tension member 1108 under the upper cuff. In such embodiments, the tension member 1108 may be routed to a position near the guides 1106 in order to allow the user to employ the guides as described herein. Routing the tension member 1108 under the upper cuff allows the upper cuff to remain visually appealing and also aids in protecting the tension member 1108 from unwanted contact with nearby objects. In addition, the tension members described herein may be made of various materials, but are typically made of materials that are capable of withstanding substantial tension loads. In a specific embodiment, the tension member is made of a textile based material or a steel based material.
The lower reel based device 1122 is positioned on the exterior of the lower cuff 1130 as in
In other embodiments, the tension member 1108 may be configured to connect directly to the lace ports 1107 rather than being inserted through the lace ports. In such embodiments, the tension member 1108 may be terminate at the ends of the lace ports 1107 so that the tension member 1108 is not wrapped or positioned around the guide base 1104. The lace ports 1107 may be flexible elastic like material that is able to strength or flex as the guide 1106a is pulled away from the guide base 1104. The flexible or stretchable lace ports 1107 allow the guide 1106a to compensate for differences in the tension exerted on an upper and lower portion of the guide 1106a. The tension member 1108 may be attached to the ends of the lace ports 1107 by forming a knot in the tension member 1108 and attaching the knot to the ends of the lace ports 1107.
The distal guides may be used in place of the tubing 1109 that routes the tension member 1108. In such embodiments, the tension member 1108 is typically designed to terminate at the distal guides. The distal guides may be configured to allow the tension member 1108 to be detached from the guide. For example, the distal guides may include a base member 1115 and a removable cap 1116 that attaches to the base member 1115. The tension member 1108 may be attached to a middle pad 1117 that is designed to be positioned between the base member 1115 and the cap 1116. The cap 1116 may be fastened to the base member 1115 with the middle pad 1117 sandwiched between these components. If the user desires to remove the tension member 1108, such as for replacement and/or inspection, the user need simply remove the cap 1116 and the middle pad 1117 from the base member 1115. The cap 1116 may be fastened to the base member 1115 via a mechanical fasteners, adhesive bond, and/or using any other known coupling technique.
In the illustrated embodiment, the upper reel based device 1102 is positioned on an upper end of the lace path rather than being disposed centrally between the tension member 1108. The tension member 1128 in the lower cuff is also partially routed under the lower cuff via tubing 1160 or a guide that is positioned under the lower cuff.
The reel based device, or reel based devices, is cooperatively designed to allow the front panel 1170 to be removed from the ski boot. For example, the upper reel based device 1102 may be secured to a top end of the front panel 1170 or may be positioned within a hole or aperture within the front panel 1170. The upper tension member 1108 is routed about the upper cuff and the front panel 1170 via guides 1106 that are detachable from a guide base 1104 that is attached to the upper cuff as previously described. The tension member 1108 is also routed within grooves 1172 or slots that are positioned along the front panel 1170. In some embodiments, the tubing or tension member channels or ports may be formed within the grooves or attached or secured within the grooves. The tubing, channels, or ports may cover and conceal the tension member to protect the tension member 1108 from contact with external objects that may abrade, wear, or sever the tension member 1108. Detaching the guides 1106 from the guide bases 1104 allows the front panel 1170 to be detached from the upper cuff of the ski boot. Since the upper reel based device 1102 is typically coupled with the front panel 1170, detaching the guides 1106 from the guide bases 1104 allows the front panel 1170 to be removed from the upper cuff.
The front panel 1170 may likewise be detached from the lower cuff of the ski boot. For example, the lower tension member 1128 may similarly be routed via guides 1106 that are detachable from a corresponding guide base 1104 (not shown). In other embodiments, the tension member 1128 may be loosened sufficiently to allow the tension member 1128 to be removed from the front panel 1170. The lower reel based device 1122 may likewise be attached to the front panel 1170 or positioned within a hole or aperture within the front panel 1170 to enable the front panel to be removed from the lower cuff.
The front panel 1170 may be removed for inspection, replacement, and/or for any other reason. The ski boot may include one or more straps that aid in maintaining a desired tightness of the ski boot's upper cuff about a user's foot. For example,
To attach and secure the reel based device 1200 to the base member 1202, the base member 1202 is designed so that the reel based device 1200 may be partially rotated (typically counterclockwise) relative to the base member 1202. Rotation of the reel based device 1200 relative to the base member 1202 causes the coupling boss 1220 to rotate from the first space 1242 into a second space 1241 of the slots 1240. The position of the coupling boss 1220 within the second space 1241 of the slot 1240 is shown in
As shown in
To uncouple the reel based device 1200 from the base member 1202, a tool, such as a screwdriver, is used to decouple the tooth 1204 from the recess 1222 of the coupling boss 1220. Specifically, as shown in
With the indicators, 1208 and 1206, aligned, the tool (e.g., screwdriver) may be inserted within a recess or groove 1211 on the base member 1202 and within a corresponding recess or groove 1213 on the reel based device 1200. The grooves, 1211 and 1213, are specifically designed for use with a flat head screwdriver in which opposing ends of the screwdriver's head are positioned within each groove. The grooves, 1211 and 1213, are circumferentially offset slightly, which results in the head of the screwdriver being angled in relation to a circumference of the base member's exterior wall. Rotation of the screwdriver (typically counterclockwise) results in the screwdriver's head transitioning from the angled orientation relative to the circumference of the base member's exterior wall, to a position in which the screwdriver's head is diametrically aligned with the circumference of the base member's exterior wall, and further to a position in which the screwdriver's head is again angled relative to the circumference of the base member's exterior wall, but in which the screwdriver's head faces in an opposite direction. The movement of the screwdriver's head in relation to the base member 1202 and reel based device 1200 imparts a lever force on the exterior wall of the base member 1202, which causes the exterior wall in the immediate vicinity of the screwdriver to flex, move, or distort slightly radially outward. The slight radially outward flexing, moving, or distorting of the exterior wall causes the tooth 1204 to move out of the recess 1222 of the coupling boss 1220, which unlocks the coupling boss from the second space 1241 of the slot 1240. Rotation of the screwdriver further causes the reel based device 1200 to counter rotate relative to the base member 1202, which causes the coupling boss 1220 to rotate back into the first space 1242 of the slot 1240 as illustrated in
As shown in
Referring now to
The guide member 1320 includes a channel 1324 through which the tension member (not shown) is slidingly inserted. The channel 1324 extends entirely through the guide member 1320 between opposing sides of the guide member 1320. The channel 1324 may be entirely enclosed by the guide member's wall or material, or the channel 1324 may include one or more open sections that allow the tension member to be exposed to the surrounding environment. The one or more open sections of the channel 1324 may aid in removing dirt and debris from within the channel 1324. In ski boot applications, removal of the guide member 1320 from the attachment post 1310 greatly facilitates in donning and doffing of the ski boot. For convenience in describing the releasable guide 1300, the article will be referred to hereinafter as a ski boot, although it should be realized that the releasable guide 1300 may be used with various other articles as desired.
The guide member 1320 typically includes a strap or tether (not shown) that extends from a distal end of the guide member 1320. The strap or tether is graspable by a user and assists in removing the guide member 1320 from the attachment post 1310. The strap or tether is designed to be easily grasped even when the user is wearing gloves.
As illustrated in
The proximal end of the attachment post 1310 has a pair or ribs or walls that angle outward from a main body in a V-shaped manner. The angled or V-shaped ribs or walls engage with proximal ends of the guide member 1320 when the guide member 1320 is coupled with the attachment post 1310 and a tension member (not shown) is tensioned. The angled or V-shaped ribs or walls are able to hold the guide member 1320 in position even when the guide member 1320 is damaged. The angled or V-shaped ribs or walls assist in releasing the guide member 1320 when the guide member 1320 is not under tension. The main body of the attachment post 1310 extends laterally from the V-shaped ribs or walls and terminates at the distal end of the attachment post 1310. The overall shape of the attachment post 1310 minimizes snow pack that could interfere with engagement of the guide member 1320 and attachment post 1310.
The distal end of the attachment post 1310 is shaped and sized to facilitate in coupling of the guide member 1320 and the attachment post 1310. Specifically, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The U-shaped inner channel of the guide member 1320 is defined by two roughly linear or straight sections and a curved section that extends between the two roughly linear or straight sections. When coupled with the attachment post 1310, the two roughly linear or straight sections of the guide member 1320 align and extend along the main body of the attachment post 1310 while the curved section aligns with and extends along the distal end of the attachment post 1310. As illustrated in
A gap between the two roughly linear or straight sections of the U-shaped inner channel is slightly wider than a width of the attachment post's main body, which allows the guide member 1320 to be easily coupled with the attachment post 1310 by pressing the guide member 1320 downward onto the attachment post 1310 or by sliding the guide member's U-shaped inner channel into engagement with the attachment post's main body and distal end. Specifically, in a first mode of coupling, the guide member 1320 may be positioned above the attachment post 1310 and the U-shaped inner channel may be aligned with the main body and distal end of the attachment post 1310. The guide member 1320 may then be pressed downward about the attachment post 1310 so that the U-shaped inner channel is positioned around the attachment post's main body and distal end. The wider U-shaped inner channel allows the attachment post's main body and distal end to slide upward and through the U-shaped inner channel as the guide member 1320 is moved downward relative to the attachment post 1310. In a second mode of coupling, the guide member 1320 is vertically aligned with the attachment post 1310 and is positioned laterally outward and away from the attachment post 1310. The U-shaped inner channel is aligned with the main body and distal end. The guide member is then moved laterally toward the attachment post so that the attachment post's main body and distal end slide through the guide member's U-shaped inner channel until the U-shaped inner channel is positioned around the main body and distal end.
The wider U-shaped inner channel also facilitates in decoupling of the guide member 1320 and attachment post 1310. Decoupling or detachment of the guide member 1320 and attachment post 1310 occurs in an opposite manner to the coupling process described supra. Specifically, the guide member 1320 is slid laterally away from the attachment post 1310 or the guide member 1320 is pulled upward relative to the attachment post 1310. One difference from the coupling and decoupling processes, however, is that when the guide member 1320 is pulled upward, the guide member 1320 is typically pulled at an angle relative to the attachment post 1310. For example, the guide member 1320 commonly includes a strap (not shown) that is positioned through a slot on a distal end 1321 of the guide member 1320. The strap is designed to be grasped and pulled by a user to allow the user to easily detach the guide member 1320 from the attachment post 1310. When the strap is pulled upward by the user, the distal end 1321 of the guide member 1320 is pulled upward while a proximal end of the guide member 1320 remains engaged with the attachment post 1310, which causes the guide member 1320 to pivot about its proximal end. Additional upward movement of the guide member 1320, via the strap, causes the attachment post to be removed from within the guide member's U-shaped inner channel, thereby uncoupling the two components.
To secure the guide member 1320 about the attachment post 1310, the guide member 1320 includes a coupling component, which in the illustrated embodiment is a generally U-shaped wire spring 1326 (hereinafter coupling spring 1326). The coupling spring 1326 is configured to engage with the lip or flange 1312 of the attachment post 1310 to secure the guide member 1320 about the attachment post 1310. In some embodiments, the coupling spring 1326 is positioned so that it extends roughly around a perimeter of the guide member 1320 and along the U-shaped inner channel. The guide member 1320 may have a spring recess or channel 1328 within which the coupling spring 1326 is positioned to secure the coupling spring 1326 to the guide member 1320. The guide member 1320 may include one or more tabs 1329 that overhang, or are positioned atop, the spring channel 1328 to secure the coupling spring 1326 within the channel 1328. To position the coupling spring 1326 within the channel 1328, the coupling spring 1326 may be elastically stretched or bent so that the coupling spring 1326 deflects around one or more features of the guide member 1320, such as the overhanging tabs 1329. The coupling spring 1326 may return to an un-deflected state when it is positioned within the channel, which may secure or lock the coupling spring 1326 within the channel.
An outer portion of the coupling spring 1326 that extends along the guide member 1320 may reinforce and stabilize an inner portion of the coupling spring 1326 that extends along the U-shaped inner channel. As illustrated in
Specifically, as illustrated in
In addition to the guide member 1320 being slid into the position illustrated in
The opposing spring ends of the coupling spring 1326 secure the guide member 1320 about the attachment post 1310 when the guide member 1320 occupies the position illustrated in
The curved section 1326a of the coupling spring's inner portion engages with the attachment post's distal end and biases the guide member 1320 toward a desired orientation or position with respect to the attachment post 1310. The desired orientation or position of the guide member 1320 is illustrated in
The curved section 1326a of the coupling spring's opposing spring ends bias the guide member 1320 so that when tension is not applied to the guide member 1320 via the tension member, the guide member 1320 occupies or returns to the orientation illustrated in
The coupling spring's opposing spring ends are configured to bias the guide member 1320 toward the orientation illustrated in
As described supra, the configuration illustrated in
While the guide member 1320 is illustrated having a relatively square or rectangular profile, it should be realized that the guide member 1320 may have various other profiles, such as circular, oval, polygon, and the like. Similarly, while the profile of the attachment post's main body and distal end are illustrated as having linear sides and a curved distal end, the profile of the main body and distal end may also be varied. For example, the opposing sides of the main body could be angled outward or have a curvilinear profile. In such embodiments, the shape and size of the U-shaped inner channel would typically be varied to mirror or match the shape and size of the attachment post's main body and distal end. In addition, although not shown, in some embodiments a second attachment post may be configured to couple with the guide member 1320 when the guide member 1320 is detached from the attachment post 1310. The second attachment post may function as a storage member to stow the guide member 1320 in an untensioned or fully released position. The second attachment post may be located relatively close to the tightening mechanism, such as a near a reel based closure device.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to make a ski boot that is adaptable to different components that may be attached to the ski boot. Such an adaptable ski boot may be achieved in several ways. For example, the ski boot may include one or more attachment components or features that are built into the ski boot. For example, the ski boot may include one or more apertures or inserts that allow an external component, such as a reel based closure device or tension member guide, to be easily coupled to the ski boot. The external component could be snapped into the aperture or fixed to the insert. The external component could be a universal component that is attachable to components of reel based lacing systems (e.g., reel based closure device, tension member guide, etc.) and that is attachable to conventional ski boot closure systems, such as common ski boot buckles. The external component could be rubber or a ridged plastic material. The external component could be cut or molded into the ski boot.
In other embodiments, the external component could be a component that is separate from the ski boot and that is attachable to the ski boot. The external component could be designed so that it does not affect a stiffness of the ski boot like. In some embodiments, the external component could be a base member that is designed to couple with a corresponding base member or bayonet or a reel based closure device or guide member. The base member could be bolted to the ski boot and then the external component could be snapped or coupled to the base member. In some embodiments, the base member could be designed to release from the external component upon an impact of the external component.
In another embodiment, the base member that is positioned under the shell may be inserted through a single aperture or hole that is formed in the ski boot shell. The base member may have a cylindrical wall that is insertable through the aperture or hole. The bayonet or base member that is positioned atop the shell may couple with the cylindrical wall of the base member via one or more snaps, clips, tabs, or other features that quickly and securely engage with slots or apertures of the cylindrical wall, or vice versa. Alternatively, the bayonet or base member may be threaded onto the cylindrical wall of the base member, or other attachment means may be employed. The bayonet or base member that is positioned atop the sell may removably attach to a housing of the external component, such as the housing of a reel based closure device or the attachment post 1310 of a releasable guide 1300.
In other embodiments, a panel may be attached to the boot shell. The panel may provide for attachment of other components, such as the components of a reel based lacing system (e.g., reel based closure device, tension member guide, tubing, etc.). In this manner, the panel may function to bridge existing ski boot shells with components or other closure systems and as such, the panel may allow retrofitting of traditional ski boots with other closure system components. Alternatively, the ski boot may be specifically designed and manufactured to function with a panel. The panel could be made of a rigid or more flexible material, such as various fabrics. A flexible material would not change the stiffness of the boot. The panel could also conceal tubing for routing of the tension member.
The shell illustrated in
In some embodiments, the base member or other attachment feature may be molded into the panel, such as by inserting molding the components into the panel. The panel attachment means could align with existing buckle holes on the ski boot.
In some embodiments, it may be preferable to adjust a liner of the ski boot.
A distal end of each strap includes a lace guide, such as a looped section of fabric, that is configured to guide or route the tension member through the distal end of the strap. The ski boot liner similarly includes lace guides that guide or route the tension member from near the ski boot liner's heel and/or bottom end to the one or more straps. The tension member may be routed along a single side of the ski boot liner as illustrated in
Tensioning the tension member pulls the one or more straps, which causes the ski boot liner to exert a downward and typically rearward force on the user's foot. In this manner, the reel based closure device may more firmly secure an instep of the ski boot liner against the foot. The reel based closure device enables a user to adjust the liner while skiing. In some embodiments, the ski boot may be configured to accommodate the reel based closure device so that the reel based closure device is accessible to the user through the ski boot's outer shell. In other embodiments, the reel based closure device may be operably coupled with a tightening device of the ski boot's outer shell so that tightening the outer shell simultaneously causes tightening of the ski boot liner.
In some embodiments, a tightening system or device may be specially configured for tightening alpine or ski boots, or other articles that include relatively rigid shells or outer materials. For ease in describing the embodiments below, the tightening system or device (hereinafter tightening device) will be generally described as being used with ski boots, although it should be understood that the tightening systems may be used to tighten other articles. The tightening device include a panel that is coupled with a reel based closure device. The reel based closure device is configured to tension a lace or tension member that is guided about the ski boot via one or more guide members, which may be rigid components that are made of plastic or other materials, or which may be flexible and soft components that are made of fabric materials.
Referring to
The reel based closure device 1410 is attached to the upper end of the body portion 1402. In some embodiments, the elongate panel 1400 may include a bayonet or housing located at the upper end that allows the reel based closure device 1410 to be removably coupled with the elongate panel 1400. A tension member 1412 is attached to the reel based closure device 1410. The tension member 1412 is tensionable by the reel based closure device 1410 as described in the applications incorporated by reference herein. The elongate panel 1400 includes at least one guide member 1404 that is attached to the body portion 1402 and that is configured to route or guide the tension member along a lace path. The elongate panel 1400 is illustrated as including two guide member 1404 in the illustrated embodiments, although more or fewer guide member 1404 may be employed.
Each guide member 1404 is typically designed so that the tension member 1412 is routed from one side of the elongate panel 1400, along a longitudinal length of the elongate panel 1400, and toward another guide member 1404 as illustrated in
The elongate panels described herein may be formed of plastic members made of a relatively low friction material so as to create a lower friction surface upon which the tension member slides. This may allow the tension member to more easily facilitate in closing the longitudinal slit or opening of the ski boot. The elongate panels are generally free-floating within the longitudinal slit or opening of the ski boot. In other embodiments, the elongate panels may be fixedly fastened to the ski boot, such as at a distal end of the longitudinal slit or opening. The elongate panels may be attached to the ski boot by sewing, adhesively bonding, welding, mechanically fastening, etc., the elongate panel to the ski boot's shell.
While several embodiments and arrangements of various components are described herein, it should be understood that the various components and/or combination of components described in the various embodiments may be modified, rearranged, changed, adjusted, and the like. For example, the arrangement of components in any of the described embodiments may be adjusted or rearranged and/or the various described components may be employed in any of the embodiments in which they are not currently described or employed. As such, it should be realized that the various embodiments are not limited to the specific arrangement and/or component structures described herein.
In addition, it is to be understood that any workable combination of the features and elements disclosed herein is also considered to be disclosed. Additionally, any time a feature is not discussed with regard in an embodiment in this disclosure, a person of skill in the art is hereby put on notice that some embodiments of the invention may implicitly and specifically exclude such features, thereby providing support for negative claim limitations.
Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elements have not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller range between any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neither or both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includes a plurality of such processes and reference to “the device” includes reference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.
Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and “includes” when used in this specification and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.
This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/955,745, filed Dec. 31, 2019, entitled “Reel Based Closure Devices for Tightening a Ski Boot” and Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63/004,363, filed Apr. 2, 2020, entitled “Tightening System for Ski Boots.” The entire disclosure of both of the aforementioned Provisional U.S. patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63004363 | Apr 2020 | US | |
62955745 | Dec 2019 | US |