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
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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.
Claims15
A reel based closure device for retrofitting a shoe to replace conventional shoelace of the shoe, the reel based closure device being operable to close and tighten the shoe about a foot, the reel based closure device comprising:
- a housing that defines an interior region and a central axis, the housing having a top end and a bottom end that is opposite the top end;
- a spool that is positioned within the interior region so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the housing, the spool having a channel about which a tension member is windable;
- a knob that is coupled with the top end of the housing and that is operably coupled with the spool, the knob being rotatable in a tightening direction relative to the housing to cause the tension member to be wound about the spool;
- and
- a pawl component that is operably coupled with the knob and operably coupled with the spool, the pawl component being configured to allow the spool to rotate in the tightening direction within the interior region of the housing while preventing rotation of the spool in a loosening direction,
- wherein the reel based closure device is affixable to the shoe by a wearer so that the reel based closure device is capable of closing and tightening the shoe and so that the reel based closure device replaces conventional shoelace of the shoe;
- wherein the bottom end of the housing includes an adhesive that adhesively bonds the bottom end of the housing to the shoe;
- and
- wherein the adhesive is a double sided tape that is positioned on the bottom end of the housing so as to cover the central axis of the housing.
A reel based closure device for retrofitting a shoe to replace conventional shoelace of the shoe, the reel based closure device comprising:
- a housing that defines an interior region and a central axis;
- a spool that is positioned within the interior region;
- a knob that is coupled with the housing and that is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the knob in a tightening direction causes a tension member to be wound about the spool;
- and
- a pawl component that is configured to allow the spool to rotate in the tightening direction while preventing rotation of the spool in a loosening direction,
- wherein the housing is configured to be affixed to the shoe by a wearer to replace conventional shoelace of the shoe;
- and
- wherein a bottom end of the housing includes a double sided tape that adhesively bonds the bottom end of the housing to the shoe, the double sided tape being applied directly below the central axis of the housing.
A method of retrofitting a shoe with a reel based closure device to replace conventional shoelace, the method comprising:
- providing the reel based closure device, the reel based closure device including:
- a housing having an interior region and a central axis;
- a spool positioned within the interior region;
- a knob that is coupled with the housing and that is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the knob in a tightening direction causes a tension member to be wound about the spool;
- and
- a pawl component that is configured to allow the spool to rotate in a tightening direction while preventing rotation of the spool in a loosening direction;
- and
- adhering the housing to the shoe to replace the conventional shoelace;
- wherein adhering the housing to the shoe comprises adhesively bonding a bottom end of the housing to the shoe via a double sided tape that is positioned on the bottom end of the housing directly below the central axis of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.