Tightening mechanisms and applications including the same

#Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to articles (e.g., shoes, boots, braces, and other wearable articles) that use tightening systems (e.g., lacing systems).

#Although various lacing systems are available for use in connection with various wearable articles, existing lacing systems suffer from various drawbacks. For example, some lacing systems include an exposed lace tightening mechanism, which can be visually unappealing. Also, during contact sports and some other uses, the exposed lace tightening mechanism can be damaged or unintentionally actuated (e.g., loosened). Accordingly, there persists a need for lacing systems that include a concealed or protected lace tightening mechanism.

#Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an article that includes a base material and a tightening mechanism coupled to the base material. The tightening mechanism can include a rotatable knob, and rotation of the knob in a tightening direction can tighten the article. The article can include a concealing portion that can extend upward from the base material and can at least partially radially surround the tightening mechanism. At least a portion of the rotatable knob can be rearward or inward of an outer surface of the concealing portion. In some embodiments, a majority of the rotatable knob can be rearward or inward of the outer surface of the concealing portion. In some embodiments, substantially the entire rotatable knob can be rearward or inward of the outer surface of the concealing portion. In some embodiments, a top surface of the rotatable knob can be substantially flush with the outer surface of the concealing portion.

#Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the inventions.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a shoe that includes a reel-based tightening system

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the shoe of FIG. 1 with the concealing portion of the shoe in a first or uncompressed position.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a shoe 100 that includes a reel-based tightening system. Although many embodiments are discussed herein as relating to shoes or other footwear, the embodiments disclosed herein can also related to other types of wearable articles, and to other objects that can be tightened and/or loosened (e.g., boots, hats, belts, sandals, gloves, braces, backpacks, snowboard bindings). The shoe 100 of FIG. 1 can include a first portion 102a and a second portion 102b that can be drawn towards each other to tighten the shoe 100 and can be moved away from each other to loosen the shoe 100. The first and second portions 102a and 102b can be spaced apart forming a gap 104 therebetween, or, in some embodiments, the first and second portions 102a and 102b can touch or overlap. A tension member, such as a lace 106, can extend between the first and second portions 102a and 102b so that increased tension on the lace 106 can cause the first and second portions 102a and 102b to be drawn together, and so that reducing tension on the lace 106 can cause the first and second portions 102a and 102b to move apart from each other. The lace 106 can be coupled to a tightening mechanism 108 that is configured to adjust the tension on the lace 106 for tightening and/or loosening the shoe 100. The shoe 100 can include one or more lace guides 110 configured to direct the lace 106 along a lace path between the first and second portions 102a and 102b of the shoe 100. Although many embodiments are disclosed as using a lace 106, other tensioning members (e.g., a strap) can be used for the various embodiments disclosed herein.

#The tightening mechanism 108 can be mounted onto the heel portion of the shoe 100, as shown in FIG. 1, or to various other portions of the shoe 100, such as, for example, to the tongue or to a side portion of the shoe 100. The shoe can also include one or more lace channels 112 configured to direct the lace 106 to the tightening mechanism 108, and the lace channels 112 can be positioned at least partially under an outer layer of the shoe 100 so that the lace channels 112 are at least partially hidden from view.

#The tightening mechanism 108 can be at least partially concealed or protected by a concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 that at least partially surrounds the tightening mechanism 108. In come embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can include a compressible area that allows the concealing portion 114 to be transitioned between a first, uncompressed position, as shown in FIG. 2, to a second, compressed position, as shown in FIG. 3A. The concealing portion 114 can be compressible around substantially the full circumference of the tightening mechanism 108, or at only certain portions around the tightening mechanism. 108. For example, in some embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can be compressible on right and left sides (e.g., at 3- and 9-o'clock) of the tightening mechanism 108 and can be substantially incompressible at the areas below and/or above (e.g., at 6- and 12-o'clock) the tightening mechanism 108 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C). In other embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can be compressible at the areas below and/or above (e.g., at 6- and 12-o'clock) the tightening mechanism 108 and can be substantially incompressible on right and left sides (e.g., at 3- and 9-o'clock) of the tightening mechanism 108. In the uncompressed position shown in FIG. 2, the concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 can surround at least a portion of the tightening mechanism 108 to at least partially hide the tightening mechanism 108 from view, which can improve the visual appearance of the shoe 100. For example, for certain types of wearable articles (e.g., some golf shoes, running shoes, and casual shoes), the presence of an exposed tightening mechanism 108 can appear bulky or otherwise be inconsistent with the style of the article. Also, in some embodiments, the undesirable look of an exposed tightening mechanism 108 is further compounded on smaller sized shoes. By at least partially concealing the tightening mechanism 108, the concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 can increase the aesthetic appeal of the shoe 100.