Reel based closure system
AssigneeBoa Technology Inc.
InventorsGary R. Hammerslag, Mike Mayberry, Mark Soderberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.
Claims13
Footwear configured to engage an instep, ankle, and lower shin regions of a user, comprising:
- an upper with first and second sides separated by an elongated lacing zone configured to draw the first and second sides toward each other, said lacing zone including first, second, and third sections, said third section adapted to apply tension to the ankle region of a user;
- a first lace configured to apply tension to the first section of the lacing zone;
- a second lace configured to apply tension to the second section of the lacing zone, the second lace being independent of the first lace;
- wherein said third section is configured to be held under the tension of the tighter of the two laces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.