Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
  • A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
  • A43C11/16—Fastenings secured by wire, bolts, or the like
  • A43C11/165—Fastenings secured by wire, bolts, or the like characterised by a spool, reel or pulley for winding up cables, laces or straps by rotation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
  • A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
  • A43B5/0427—Ski or like boots characterised by type or construction details
  • A43B5/0435—Adjustment of the boot to the foot
  • A43B5/0443—Adjustment of the boot to the foot to the instep of the foot, e.g. metatarsals; Metatarsal clamping devices
  • A43B5/0447—Adjustment of the boot to the foot to the instep of the foot, e.g. metatarsals; Metatarsal clamping devices actuated by flexible means, e.g. cables, straps

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a reel-based tightening device adapted to be applied to sports articles, in particular sports footwear, such as for example ski boots or cycling shoes, further being suitable to be applied to backpacks or clothing items.
• a reel-based tightening device is used in tightening assemblies adapted to controllably approach/release a pair of flaps by gradually winding and releasing at least one traction element, such as a cable, further allowing quick release thereof.
• Tightening assemblies which allow the releasable tightening of a traction cable have long been known and used to obtain the controlled fastening of a pair of flaps, whether of sports footwear or other articles.
• Such systems substantially comprise at least one traction cable, which can be constrained with a first end portion to a flap of said pair of flaps, and a reel-based tightening device configured to tighten a second end portion of said traction cable.
• the reel-based tightening device comprises a hollow containment casing inside which there is housed a winding mechanism provided with a reel with which there is associated the second end portion of said traction cable.
• the spool is operatively connected to a knob through which the user can drive it in rotation, to wind/unwind the cable around it.
• the device described in the document mentioned above comprises a spool on which there is wound/unwound a traction cable which is mounted in a rotatable but axially fixed manner in a housing, a drive shaft integrally joined with a knob and operatively connected to the spool by means of a gear train and a releasable locking device to lock the rotary position progressively achieved by the by the drive shaft.
• the drive shaft is displaced in the housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof against the force of a spring so as to be disengaged from the spool, freeing the rotation of the latter and therefore allowing the quick release of the traction cable.
• the document EP0297342 shows a reel-based tightening device wherein the quick release of the cable is carried out through a lever element having at one end a button which can be actuated by the user and on the other a tab adapted to disengage a locking pawl so as to obtain the quick release of the cable.
• the reel-based fastening devices described above integrate the free release function of the traction cable which allows the quick moving away of the flaps. However, in such devices this function is allowed only until the user keeps actuated the release means, which may be the knob or an external lever, and this may be rather uncomfortable in some cases.
• the main task of the subject matter of the present invention is to provide an alternative to the reel-based fastening devices of the prior art incorporating the function of quick release of the traction cable.
• an object of the present invention to provide a reel-based tightening device that is more practical for the user, enabling an easy quick release function of the traction cable.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide a reel-based tightening device that is more compact, that is provided with a recessed profile with respect to the prior art devices.
• Another object of the present invention to provide a reel-based tightening device that is strong, and which - in an embodiment - is even safer, therefore being capable of preventing the inadvertent release of the cable due to impacts when performing sports activities or an involuntary actuation of the release means.
• an object of the present invention is to provide a reel-based tightening device that can be obtained by using means and components that are readily available, and which can be obtained using usual and known plants, machines and equipment.
• the present invention relates to a tightening device 1, 1' adapted to be incorporated in a tightening assembly which can be associated with a sports article provided with a pair of flaps L1, L2 which can be superimposed or approached to attain the releasable and adjustable fastening thereof.
• FIG. 1 a tightening device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown applied to a sports article 100, suitably represented by a ski boot.
• Said ski boot 100 comprises a shell 101 adapted to receive the foot of a user and essentially formed by a sole S, essentially defining a plane for supporting the foot, from which there depart, on opposite longitudinal sides, a first and a second flap L1, L2 adapted to be arranged respectively on the outer part and on the inner part of the foot, extending between a tip P, located in an area proximal to the tip of the foot, and a heel T, located at an area proximal to the heel, involving the lateral regions of the foot up to about the malleoli area, and being faced or superimposed preferably in the upper area of the foot.
• the boot 100 may further comprise a cuff 102, adapted to wrap around at least at the rear part the lower part of the leg of the user, said cuff 102 being preferably articulated to the shell 101 around suitable hinge means C, which define a rotation axis essentially horizontal and parallel to the plane defined by the sole S.
• a tightening device 1, 1' is adapted to be incorporated in a tightening assembly 200 which further comprises at least one traction element 10, essentially formed by a cable or a stranded wire that is flexible and essentially inextensible, preferably metallic.
• Said reel-based tightening device 1, 1' can therefore be constrained to one of the flaps of said pair of flaps L1.
• L2 and it is adapted to gradually tension a first end portion 11 of said cable 10, the latter being suitable to be anchored with the opposite end 12, for example through a cable lug 2, preferably to the other flap of said pair of flaps L1, L2.
• said reel-based tightening device 1, 1' is incorporated in a tightening assembly 200 further comprising suitable guide means 4 suitably arranged on the flaps L1, L2, and possibly also a lever tightening device 3 which can be constrained to one of the flaps of said pair of flaps L1, L2, and arranged and configured to cooperate with an intermediate portion of said traction cable 10, as described in the patent Italian application No. 102023000012099 of the Applicant in question.
• the tightening device 1, 1' according to the present invention is shown applied to a flap of the pair of flaps L1, L2 which form the shell 101 of the boot 100; clearly, to a man skilled in the art it will be clear that the same tightening assembly 200 may be equally applied also to a pair of flaps for example arranged at the cuff 102, same case applying to any other portion of the upper of a footwear, or a sports article in which there is the need to releasably tighten a pair of flaps facing each other around the foot of the user.
• a tightening device 1, 1' comprises a housing case 24 defining a housing seat 24A; a spool 21 housed rotatable around a first rotation axis X-X in said housing seat 24A and provided with an annular groove 21A to allow the winding of a traction cable 10, a knob assembly 22 rotatably mounted on said housing case 24 around a second rotation axis Y-Y essentially parallel to said first rotation axis X-X and operatively connected to said spool 21 through drive means 30; locking means 40 configured to lock the rotary position progressively achieved by the spool 21 by rotating the knob assembly 22 so as to obtain the gradual winding and unwinding of the cable 10 around said spool 21; and selective release means which can be actuated by a user so as to free the rotation of said spool 21 and allow the quick release of the cable 10.
• the selective release means are adapted to selectively cooperate with said locking means 40, being movable between a first position, neutral with respect to said locking means 40, wherein they allow the progressive locking of the rotary position of the spool 21 together with said knob assembly 22, allowing the gradual and controlled winding/unwinding of the cable 10, and a second position, wherein they disable said locking means 40 so as to free the rotation of said spool 21 together with said knob assembly 22 and allow the quick release of the cable 10.
• retaining means 60, 60' for keeping said selective release means in said selective release means stably in said second position.
• said retaining means 60, 60' comprise an elastically deformable element adapted to counter the movement of said selective release means at least from said second position to said first position.
• Said device 1 comprises a housing case 24, preferably made of polymeric material, within which there is housed a winding mechanism comprising a spool 21 with which there can be associated said first end portion 11 of said traction cable 10.
• Said spool 21 essentially consists of a pulley provided with a circumferential groove 21A, and it is arranged in an axially non-removable fashion and pivoted idle around a first rotation axis X-X within a housing seat 24A defined by the housing case 24, which advantageously has a through side opening adapted to allow, in use, the slidable through passing of the first end portion 11 of the cable 10, to allow the operation of the device 1.
• said reel-based tightening device 1 comprises a mounting base 23, preferably made of metal, adapted to be arranged, in use, on the outer surface of the flap of the footwear 100 and advantageously shaped at the lower part so as to essentially copy the curvature thereof.
• Said mounting base 23 is adapted to support, on the upper surface thereof, the winding mechanism of the device 1 and allow the fixing thereof to the footwear 100 through fastening means (not shown).
• Said device 1 further comprises a knob assembly 22, advantageously mounted on the top opening of said housing case 24 so as to be rotatable around a second rotation axis Y-Y essentially parallel to said first axis X-X.
• Said knob assembly 22 is operatively connected to said spool 21 through drive means 30 so as to allow the user to drive the spool 21 in rotation around said first rotation axis X-X at least in a first rotation direction, or winding direction, so that said cable 10 is wound around the spool 21, therefore obtaining a progressive approaching of the flaps L1, L2 and therefore the desired tightening action thereof, and possibly also in the opposite rotation direction, or unwinding direction, so as to obtain the unwinding of the cable 10 from the spool 21 and therefore allow the moving away of the two flaps L1, L2.
• said knob assembly 22 comprises a control portion 22A, essentially annular-shaped to define a central seat 220, a covering element 22B, that is axially non-removable, adapted to be partially introduced into said central seat 220 and arranged to close the top opening thereof, and a ring nut 22C that is centrally drilled for engagement with said drive means 30 and meshed with said control portion 22A.
• said ring nut 22C is provided, on the outer lateral surface 221, with a helical threading adapted to be engaged with a helical counter-threading obtained on the inner surface of the central seat 220 of the control portion 22A.
• Said control portion 22A is advantageously configured to be movable along said second axis Y-Y with respect to the housing 24 in a guided fashion by the helical threading of the ring nut 22C and countering against the first elastic means 25, such as for example a compression spring housed in said central seat 220.
• Said drive means 30 are preferably formed by a pinion 31, provided with a stem 31A splined with a first end 31B to said knob assembly 22, and associated, with the opposite end, with said spool 21, by engaging a gear teeth system 31C with a circumferential tooth 21B provided on an upper surface thereof, so that the rotations imparted by the use on the knob assembly 22 are transferred, with suitable reduction ratios, to the spool 21.
• said pinion 31 is splined with said first end 31B to said covering element 22B and its stem 31A is engaged in the central hole 222, suitably shaped, of said ring nut 22C.
• said device 1 further comprises locking means 40 configured to lock the progressive rotary position of the spool 21 so as to maintain the tensioning condition of the cable 10 achieved progressively, both in the winding direction and in the unwinding direction, therefore enabling to carry out a controlled and continuous fine adjustment of the closure of the flaps L1, L2 of the footwear 100.
• Said locking means 40 advantageously comprise a flange 41 rotatable integrally joined with the knob assembly 22, and a pawl 42, fixed to said casing 24 so as to be able to rotate/oscillate around a third rotation axis R-R that is essentially perpendicular to said first rotation axis X-X countering against second elastic means 46, such as for example a compression spring.
• Said pawl 42 is conveniently provided with an engagement tooth 43 adapted to be engaged with a radial toothing 41A obtained in said flange 41 to lock the rotary position progressively reached by said spool 21.
• said pawl 42 advantageously comprises an articulation portion 42A arranged at a first end thereof, through which it is articulated to the casing 24 so as to oscillate around the third rotation axis R-R so as to allow the engagement tooth 43 to surmount in succession the teeth of the radial toothing 41A of the flange 41, and it is provided, preferably at a second 42B, with a first abutment portion 44, which rises from the surface of the pawl 42, and it is configured to interact with an edge portion 220A of said control portion 22A in the step for unwinding the cable 10, as explained in greater detail below.
• said flange 41 is mounted on said ring nut 22C, preferably with said toothing 41A faced downwards, that is towards the spool 21, and the engagement tooth 43 is obtained on the upper surface of the pawl 42 in an intermediate portion between the two ends 42A, 42B, said second elastic means 46 being arranged to elastically push said engagement tooth 43 to the engagement with said toothing 41A.
• the rotation of the knob assembly 22 actuated by the user through the control portion 22A induces the integral rotation of the flange 41; the engagement tooth 43 of the pawl 42 slides along the back of the teeth of the toothing 41A, causing the oscillation of the pawl 42 around its rotation axis R-R thereof countering against the action of said second elastic means 46 which, once the tooth has been overcome, elastically returns it to the subsequent seat between adjacent seats; in this manner, advantageously, the engagement tooth 43 overcomes with a reciprocating motion the succession of teeth of the toothing 41A of the flange 41, maintaining the position achieved through the temporary engagement of one of the teeth thereof.
• each rotation of the knob assembly 22 causes a roto-translating reciprocating motion between an initial position and a lowered position of the control portion 22A along the helical threading of the ring nut 22C, approaching and moving away with respect to the spool 21; in the descending stroke, the edge surface 220A of said control portion 22A impacts against the first abutment portion 44 of the pawl 42, causing an oscillation of the latter around the third axis R-R, which has the effect of temporarily moving away the engagement tooth 43 of the toothing 41A, therefore allowing the rotation of the flange 41.
• the rotary movement imparted by the user on the knob assembly 22 through the control portion 22A, both in the winding direction and in the unwinding direction of the cable 10, allows the engagement tooth 43 to surmount in succession, with reciprocating oscillations of the pawl 42, the teeth of the toothing 41A, then maintaining the position achieved through the temporary engagement of one of the teeth thereof.
• said device 1 further comprises selective release means which can be actuated by a user so as to free the rotation of said spool 21 and therefore allow the quick release of the cable.
• said selective release means are adapted to selectively cooperate with said locking means 40, being movable between a first position, neutral with respect to said locking means 40, wherein they allow the progressive locking of the rotary position of the spool 21 allowing the gradual and controlled winding/unwinding of the cable 10, and a second release position in which they disable said locking means 40 to free the rotation of said spool 21 and allow the quick release of the cable 10.
• said device 1 further comprises retaining means adapted to stably maintain said selective release means in the release position, so that the quick release of the cable 10 can continue independently even when the user stops the action thereof thereon.
• the knob assembly 22 irrespective of the position taken by said selective release means, the knob assembly 22 remains operatively connected, through the drive means 30, to the spool 21, rotating integrally joined therewith.
• said selective release means are essentially formed by the control portion 22A, which can be moved along said second axis Y-Y through a pressure applied by the user, from the first position (shown in FIG. 4A ), distal from said spool 21 and with the top surface preferably flush with the covering element 22B, to the second position (shown in FIG. 4B ), proximal to said spool 21; the reverse movement occurs through an axial traction action of the control portion 22A carried out by the user along said second axis Y-Y.
• said retaining means 60 which, in this first embodiment, preferably comprise a retaining tooth 61 integrally joined with said control portion 22A and advantageously formed by a circumferential edge protruding into the central seat 220 thereof, and an elastically deformable element 62, preferably formed by an elastic ring having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the retaining tooth 61 and arranged trapped between said covering element 22B and said ring nut 22C.
• said elastically deformable element 62 is configured so that, when said control portion 22A is in the first position, distal with respect to the spool 21, and during the actuation thereof by the user aimed at obtaining the gradual winding/unwinding of the cable 10, it does not interfere with the retaining tooth 61.
• the user When the user desires to obtain the quick release of the cable 10, the user acts by applying an axial pressure on the knob assembly 22: such pressure induces the control portion 22A, initially arranged in the first position, to be screwed on the ring nut 22C roto-translating approaching the spool 21 and coming into contact, in the descending stroke thereof, with the first abutment portion 44 of the pawl 42, causing a rotation around said third rotation axis R-R of a degree such to disengage and move away said engagement tooth 43 from the radial toothing 41A of said flange 41.
• the user When passing from the first position to the second position, the user must impart on the control portion 22A an evenly distributed pressure, such to cause a descending stroke of greater degree with respect to the one travelled to obtain the gradual unwinding of the cable 10, so as to allow the retaining tooth 61 to deform the ring 62 exerting a radial pressure thereon, until it overcomes it; subsequently, the ring 62 elastically returns to the previous condition, therefore counteracting the reverse movement of the control portion 22A, which is therefore maintained in the second position even when the user interrupts the pressure action thereon.
• Such operation can be carried out by the user, axially driving the control portion 22A moving away from the spool 21; such movement causes a reverse roto-translation of the control portion 22A with respect to the ring nut 22C, forcing the retaining tooth 61 beyond the elastic ring 62.
• FIG. 5 shows a device 1 according to a variant embodiment, comprising safety means 50 adapted to selectively cooperate with said locking means 40 to prevent them from being inadvertently disabled due to impacts.
• said safety means 50 can be moved between a neutral position, in which they do not interact with the locking means 40, and a safety position, set once there has been defined the desired tightening degree of he footwear 100, in which they prevent the pawl 42 from oscillating, maintaining the tooth 43 firmly engaged with the toothing 41A of the flange 41.
• said safety means 50 are formed by a stiff arm 51 arranged in a specific side opening 26 obtained on said housing 24 so that a first end portion 51A thereof protrudes externally.
• Said arm 51 is articulated at the second end portion 51B to said housing 24 around a fourth rotation axis Z-Z, essentially parallel to said first rotation axis X-X and preferably defined by a pin 52.
• the second end 51B of the arm 51 is advantageously provided with a safety appendage 53, and said arm 51 can be rotatably moved by the user between a neutral position, in which said safety appendage 53 does not interact with said locking means 40, and a safety position, shown in FIG. 7 , wherein said safety appendage 53 cooperates with an abutment portion 45 (shown in FIG. 6 ) conveniently protruding from the second end 42B of said pawl 42 below said abutment portion 44, being inserted beneath it, to prevent the oscillation thereof around said third rotation axis R-R.
• said stiff arm 51 further comprises a grub screw 55 and an elastically deformable element 56, such as a compression spring, which elastically pushes said grub screw 55 to engage a first and a second engagement hole 27, 28 suitably obtained in the housing case 24 at the side opening 26, to elastically retain said arm 51 respectively in the neutral position and in the safety position.
• an elastically deformable element 56 such as a compression spring
• FIG. 8 shows a tightening device 1' according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• said change therein lies in the fact that said selective release means 50' are formed by a selector comprising a stiff arm 51 arranged in a specific side opening 26 obtained on said housing 24 so that a first end portion 51A thereof protrudes externally.
• Said arm 51 is articulated at the second end portion 51B to said housing 24 around a fourth rotation axis Z-Z, essentially parallel to said first rotation axis X-X and preferably defined by a pin 52.
• At least one release appendage 54 configured to selectively cooperate with a second abutment portion 44' conveniently protruding from the second end 42B of said pawl 42, below said first abutment portion 44, as better observed in FIG. 9 .
• Said selector 50' is therefore arranged and configured so that it can be moved by the user, acting on the first end 51A of the arm 51, by rotating in a direction of rotation shown in FIG. 8 by arrow B around said fourth axis Z-Z, between a first position, in which said release appendage 54 does not interact with the locking means 40, therefore allowing the controlled and progressive winding/unwinding of the cable 10 around the spool 21, and a second release position shown in figures 9 , 11A and 11B , in which said release appendage 54 disables said locking means 40 so as to free the rotation of the spool 21 and therefore allow the quick release of the cable 10.
• said release appendage 54 is advantageously cam-shaped or inclined, and configured so as to lie, when said selector 50' is in the release position, on the second abutment portion 44' of the pawl 42, so as to cause the rotation of the latter around said third rotation axis R-R and involve the disengagement of the engagement tooth 43 from the radial toothing 41A of the flange 41.
• the retaining means 60' of said device 1' are configured stably keep the selector 50 in the release position and comprise a retaining grub screw 61' mounted on said arm 51 and associated with an elastically deformable element 62', such as a compression spring, which elastically pushes it to engage a first engagement hole 65 suitably provided in the housing case 24 at the side opening 26.
• a second engagement hole 66 may be provided for at the side opening 26 of the casing 24 and arranged to receive the grub screw 61', pushed by the spring 62', when said selector 50' takes the first position.
• said selector 50' may be moved by the user, by rotating in a second direction of rotation shown in FIG. 8 of arrow C, around said fourth rotation axis Z-Z, until it reaches a safety position in which, once the desired tightening degree has been reached, it interacts with said locking means 40 so as to prevent them from being inadvertently disabled due to impacts.
• said selector 50' advantageously has a safety appendage 53, protruding from the second end portion 51B of the arm 51 below and laterally with respect to said release appendage 54, and configured so that, when said selector 50' is rotatably moved in the safety position, shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B , it is arranged at said second abutment portion 44' of the pawl 42, being inserted beneath it as shown in FIG. 10 , preventing the rotation of the latter around the third rotation axis R-R and therefore the disengagement of the tooth 43 from the toothing 41A.
• said casing 24 may have, at said side opening 26, a third engagement hole 67 suitably arranged to receive said locking grub screw 61' pushed by the spring 62' when said selector 50' reaches the safety position.
• the reel-based tightening device is rather practical given that it comprises selective release means which can be actuated by the user and retaining means configured so as to allow that the quick release of the cable can continue independently even when the user stops the action thereon.
• a reel-based tightening device is rather strong and compact, that is provided with a recessed profile with respect to the prior art devices.
• a reel-based tightening device that is even safer, incorporating safety means which can be actuated by the user and configured to prevent the inadvertent release of the cable due to impacts when performing sports activities or an involuntary actuation of the release means.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

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Citations (6)

• 2025
  • 2025-03-04 US US19/069,696 patent/US20250295201A1/en active Pending
  • 2025-03-05 EP EP25161953.2A patent/EP4620344A1/fr active Pending

Patent Citations (6)

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