US 11,717,056 B2
Closure devices including incremental release mechanisms and methods therefor
Christopher Converse, Boulder, CO (US); Eric Irwin, Denver, CO (US); Randon Kruse, Denver, CO (US); Mark Soderberg, Conifer, CO (US); and Aaron Venturini, Littleton, CO (US)
Assigned to BOA TECHNOLOGY, INC., Denver, CO (US)
Filed by BOA TECHNOLOGY INC., Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Mar. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/197,668.
Application 17/197,668 is a continuation of application No. 16/367,029, filed on Mar. 27, 2019, granted, now 10,959,492.
Application 16/367,029 is a continuation of application No. 15/478,091, filed on Apr. 3, 2017, granted, now 10,251,451, issued on Apr. 9, 2019.
Application 15/478,091 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/328,521, filed on Jul. 10, 2014, granted, now 9,706,814, issued on Jul. 18, 2017.
Application 14/328,521 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/198,419, filed on Mar. 5, 2014, granted, now 9,610,185, issued on Apr. 4, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/869,377, filed on Aug. 23, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/844,788, filed on Jul. 10, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/772,935, filed on Mar. 5, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2021/0259366 A1, Aug. 26, 2021
Int. Cl. A43C 11/16 (2006.01); A43C 11/00 (2006.01); A43C 11/12 (2006.01); A43C 11/14 (2006.01); A61F 5/01 (2006.01); A61C 7/02 (2006.01); A61F 5/02 (2006.01); F16G 11/12 (2006.01); A43C 3/00 (2006.01); A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A43B 3/38 (2022.01)
CPC A43C 11/165 (2013.01) [A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A43B 3/38 (2022.01); A43C 3/00 (2013.01); A43C 11/00 (2013.01); A43C 11/12 (2013.01); A43C 11/1406 (2013.01); A61C 7/026 (2013.01); A61F 5/0104 (2013.01); A61F 5/0118 (2013.01); A61F 5/0123 (2013.01); A61F 5/028 (2013.01); F16G 11/12 (2013.01); Y10T 24/2183 (2015.01)] 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reel based closure system for tightening an article comprising:
a housing having an interior region,
a spool positioned within the interior region and rotatable relative thereto, the spool having a channel about which a tension member is wound as the spool is rotated in a first direction within the housing's interior region and about which the tension member is unwound as the spool is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction;
a knob that is coupled with the housing so as to be rotatable relative thereto;
a pawl disc that is operably coupled with the knob and spool, the pawl disc including a central annular body having a central aperture and a plurality of pawls that extend outward from the central annular body so as to engage teeth and thereby allow the pawl disc and spool to rotate in the first direction in response to a rotation of the knob in the first direction and to prevent rotation of the pawl disc and spool in the second direction, thereby enabling a one way ratchet motion of the spool within the interior region of the housing; and
a knob core that is positioned axially below the pawl disc and that is configured to accommodate and support the pawl disc, the knob core being operably coupled with the knob and pawl disc so that as the knob is rotated in the first direction, rotational forces are transferred from the knob to the pawl disc via the knob core.