Methods and devices for retrofitting footwear to include a reel based closure system
AssigneeBoa Technology Inc.
InventorsKristopher C. Lovett, Christopher H. Converse, Clark Morgan, Michael J. Nickel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.
Claims20
A footwear tensioning system that is configured for removably coupling with footwear, the footwear tensioning system comprising:
- a frame that is separate from the footwear and that is configured for positioning over at least a portion of the footwear, the frame including:
- a first side portion that is configured for positioning on a medial side of the footwear;
- and
- a second side portion that is configured for positioning on a lateral side of the footwear;
- a tension member that is coupled with the first side portion and the second side portion so that the tension member is routed between the first side portion and the second side portion;
- and
- a tensioning mechanism that is directly attached to the frame and that is coupled with the tension member, the tensioning mechanism being operable to tension the tension member for tightening the first side portion about the medial side of the footwear and for tightening the second side portion about the lateral side of the footwear in order to tighten the footwear about a user's foot.
A footwear tensioning system that is configured for removably coupling with footwear, the footwear tensioning system comprising:
- a frame that is separate from the footwear and that is configured for positioning over and about at least a portion of the footwear, the frame including:
- a bottom portion that is configured for positioning about a bottom surface of a sole of the footwear;
- and
- opposing side portions that are configured for positioning on opposite sides of the footwear, the opposing side portions being attached to the bottom portion of the frame;
- a tension member that is coupled with the opposing side portions via one or more guides that are configured for guiding or directing the tension member about a lace path and for routing the tension member about a portion of an upper of the footwear;
- and
- a tensioning mechanism that is directly attached to the frame and that is coupled with the tension member, the tensioning mechanism being operable to tension the tension member for tightening the frame about the at least a portion of the footwear and for securing the frame to the footwear.
A method for removably coupling a footwear tensioning system with footwear, the method comprising:
- providing a footwear tensioning system that includes a frame, a tension member, and a tensioning mechanism, wherein the frame is separate from the footwear and the frame includes a bottom portion and opposing side portions that are attached to the bottom portion, wherein the tension member is coupled with the opposing side portions of the frame, wherein the tension mechanism is directly attached to the frame, and wherein the tensioning mechanism is operationally coupled with the tension member in order to tension the tension member;
- and
- positioning the frame over and about at least a portion of the footwear so that the bottom portion of the frame is positioned about a bottom surface of a sole of the footwear and the opposing side portions of the frame are positioned on opposite sides of the footwear with the tension member routed about a portion of an upper of the footwear;
- wherein tensioning of the tension member tightens the frame about the at least a portion of the footwear and thereby secures the frame to the footwear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.