US 12,285,079 B2
Methods and devices for retrofitting footwear to include a reel based closure system
Kristopher C. Lovett, Denver, CO (US); Christopher H. Converse, Boulder, CO (US); Clark Morgan, Denver, CO (US); and Michael J. Nickel, Golden, CO (US)
Assigned to BOA Technology, Inc., Denver, CO (US)
Filed by BOA Technology, Inc., Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Jul. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/351,412.
Application 18/351,412 is a continuation of application No. 16/506,971, filed on Jul. 9, 2019.
Application 16/506,971 is a continuation of application No. 15/390,259, filed on Dec. 23, 2016, granted, now 10,342,294, issued on Jul. 9, 2019.
Application 15/390,259 is a continuation of application No. 14/242,629, filed on Apr. 1, 2014, granted, now 9,532,626, issued on Jan. 3, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/807,251, filed on Apr. 1, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2023/0413950 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. A43C 11/16 (2006.01); A43B 19/00 (2006.01); A43C 1/04 (2006.01); A43C 3/00 (2006.01); A43C 3/02 (2006.01); A43C 5/00 (2006.01); A43C 7/00 (2006.01); A43C 11/20 (2006.01); A43C 15/00 (2006.01); A43C 15/06 (2006.01)
CPC A43C 11/165 (2013.01) [A43B 19/005 (2013.01); A43C 1/04 (2013.01); A43C 3/00 (2013.01); A43C 3/02 (2013.01); A43C 5/00 (2013.01); A43C 7/00 (2013.01); A43C 11/20 (2013.01); A43C 15/00 (2013.01); A43C 15/061 (2013.01); Y10T 24/3739 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49826 (2015.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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.