Reel Based Closure Devices for Tightening a Ski Boot

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/778,830 filed on Jan. 31, 2020, entitled “REEL BASED CLOSURE DEVICES FOR TIGHTENING A SKI BOOT,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/800,222 filed on Feb. 1, 2019, entitled “REEL BASED CLOSURE DEVICES FOR TIGHTENING A SKI BOOT,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Snow skiing, including alpine skiing, nordic skiing and telemark skiing, is a popular winter recreational activity or sport around the world. Equipment that is used in skiing includes boots, skis and bindings that attach the boots to the skis. Ski boots, such as alpine ski boots, typically have exterior shells that are made of rigid materials, such as various rigid polymers. The exterior shells are often difficult to close about a user's leg and foot due to the rigid polymer materials that are employed. It is also often difficult to make the ski boot comfortable due to the rigid materials that are employed. A proper balance between comfort and fit is desired in ski boots, but may be difficult to achieve due the use of rigid materials and other design constraints. Conventional closure devices that are employed to close ski boots often tighten the ski boot in relatively large increments or steps, which may add a degree of complexity in achieving a proper balance between fit and comfort.

The embodiments herein describe are directed to various configurations of ski boots. According to a first aspect, the ski boot may include multiple tightening systems that are configured to tighten different portions of the ski boot. For example, the ski boot may include a rigid exterior shell having a lower shell that is configured to couple with a ski binding and an upper cuff that is pivotally coupled with the lower shell. The lower shell may be configured to accommodate a foot and the upper cuff may be configured to accommodate a lower leg. A first tightening system may be coupled with the lower shell and a second tightening system may be coupled with the upper cuff. The first tightening system may include a first reel based closure device and a first tension member that is operably coupled with the first reel based closure device so that an operation of the first reel based closure device effects tightening of the first tension member. The first tightening system may also include a plurality of first guide members that are positioned about the lower shell to route or direct the first tension member along a path about the lower shell. The second tightening system may include a second reel based closure device and a second tension member that is operably coupled with the second reel based closure device so that an operation of the second reel based closure device effects tightening of the second tension member. The second tightening system may also include a plurality of second guide members that are positioned about the upper cuff to route or direct the second tension member along a path about the upper cuff. The first tightening system and the second tightening system may be operable independently of each other so as to independently and differentially tightening the lower shell and the upper cuff.

The plurality of first guide members and/or the plurality of second guide members may include a guide member that allows the respective tension member to be uncoupled from the lower shell and/or upper cuff to enable rapid loosening of a tension in the respective tension member. In some embodiments, the guide member may include an open channel within which the respective tension member is positioned. The open channel may be configured so the respective tension member is removable from the open channel to uncouple the tension member from the lower shell and/or upper cuff.

In other embodiments, the guide member may include a base member that is fixedly secured to the lower shell and/or upper cuff and a guide body that is removably attachable to the base member to couple the guide body with the lower shell and/or upper cuff. The guide body may have a channel through which the tension member is slidably positioned. A proximal end of the guide body may have a shape that corresponds to a shape of a channel of the base member, which enables mating engagement of the proximal end of the guide body within the base member's channel. The guide body may include a strap or handle that is graspable by a user to facilitate in detaching the guide body from the base member. The guide body may include four openings through which the tension member is inserted. The guide body may also include a first lace channel and a second lace channel through which the tension member is routed. The first lace channel may be separate from the second lace channel. In some embodiments, the plurality of first guide members or the plurality of second guide members may include a pair of guide members, in which each guide member has a base member and guide body as described in this paragraph.

In some embodiments, the ski boot may include a third tightening system that is coupled with a liner of the ski boot. The third tightening system may be configured to effect tightening of the ski boot liner. The third tightening system may include a third reel based closure device and a third tension member that is operably coupled with the third reel based closure device so that an operation of the third reel based closure device effects tightening of the third tension member. The third tightening system may also include a plurality of third guide members that are positioned about the liner to route or direct the third tension member along a path about the liner. The third reel based closure device may be operable independently of the first reel based closure device and the second reel based closure device to independently and differentially tightening the liner.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first guide members and/or the plurality of second guide members include one or more guides that are attached to a strap or panel that extends over an opening of the lower shell and/or upper cuff. In such embodiments, tensioning of the first tension member and/or the second tension member may pull the strap or panel over the opening of the lower shell and/or upper cuff to constrict the foot or lower leg within the lower shell and/or upper cuff. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first tension member and/or the second tension member may be routed under the lower shell and/or upper cuff. In a specific embodiment, all or essentially all of the first tension member and/or the second tension member may be routed under the lower shell and/or upper cuff. For example, all of the first tension member and/or the second tension member may be routed under the lower shell and/or upper cuff except a portion of the first tension member and/or the second tension member that is immediately adjacent the first reel based closure device and/or second reel based closure device.

In some embodiments, a portion of the first tension member and/or the second tension member is routed around the first reel based closure device and/or the second reel based closure device. In some embodiments, the ski boot may include a strap that encircles the upper cuff and that is adjustable to tighten the ski boot about the user's lower leg. In some embodiments, the first reel based closure device and/or the second reel based closure device may be configured to automatically wind or tension the first tension member and/or the second tension member to enable rapid tensioning of the first tension member and/or the second tension member. In some embodiments, the first reel based closure device and/or the second reel based closure device may be positioned on a panel member that is removably coupled with a front portion of the lower shell and upper cuff.

According to another aspect, a method of making a ski boot may include providing a ski boot that includes a lower shell that is configured to couple with a ski binding and an upper cuff that is pivotally coupled with the lower shell. The lower shell may be configured to accommodate a user's foot and the upper cuff may be configured to accommodate a user's lower leg. The method may also include coupling a first tightening system with the lower shell and coupling a second tightening system with the upper cuff. The first tightening system may include a first reel based closure device and a first tension member that is operably coupled with the first reel based closure device so that an operation of the first reel based closure device effects tightening of the first tension member. The first tighten system may also include a plurality of first guide members that are positioned about the lower shell to route or direct the first tension member along a path about the lower shell. The second tightening system may similarly include a second reel based closure device and a second tension member that is operably coupled with the second reel based closure device so that an operation of the second reel based closure device effects tightening of the second tension member. The second tightening system may also include a plurality of second guide members that are positioned about the upper cuff to route or direct the second tension member along a path about the upper cuff. The first tightening system and the second tightening system may be operable independently of each other so as to independently and differentially tightening the lower shell and the upper cuff.

The plurality of first guide members and/or the plurality of second guide members may include a guide member that allows the first tension member and/or the second tension member to be uncoupled from the lower shell and/or upper cuff to enable rapid loosening of a tension in the first tension member and/or the second tension member. At least a portion of the first tension member and/or the second tension member may be routed under the lower shell or upper cuff.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the letter suffix.

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments herein describe reel based closure devices that are attached to alpine or ski boots and that are operable to tension at least a portion of the alpine/ski boot. For case in describing the embodiments, the boots will be generally referred to as ski boots, although it should be understood that the term is intended to broadly cover any alpine or ski type boot. In particular, the reel based closure devices are typically attached to the exterior of the ski boot, such as the shell, and are used to tighten the exterior of the ski boot about a user's leg and/or foot. The ski boot's exterior is typically made of a rigid material, such as various rigid polymers or plastic materials. The ski boot's rigid exterior shell typically includes multiple parts, such as a lower shell that couples with a ski binding and an upper shell or cuff that is pivotally coupled with the lower shell via a hinge point or cuff adjustment. In many instances, a position or angle of the upper cuff may be adjusted relative to the lower shell via manipulation of the hinge point or cuff adjusment. The lower shell is designed to accommodate a user's foot while the upper cuff is designed to accommodate the user's lower leg.

The reel based closure devices (hereinafter reel based device or reel system) are configured to tension a lace or tension member that is guided about the ski boot via one or more guide members, which may be rigid components that are made of plastic or other materials, or which may be flexible and soft components that are made of fabric materials.

The reel based devices typically include a knob or dial that may be grasped and rotated by a user. The knob or dial is commonly coupled with a spool around which the tension member or lace is wound in response to rotation of the knob or dial in a tightening direction. Rotation of the tension member or lace around the spool tensions the tension member or lace, which tightens the ski boot about a user's foot by constricting the shell and any internal components (i.e., a liner, etc.) about the user's foot. Exemplary reel based devices are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/297,047 filed Jun. 5, 2017, and entitled “Integrated Closure Device Components and Methods”, and in U.S. Pat. No. 9,259,056, filed Jun. 21, 2013, and entitled “Reel Based Lacing System”, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The reel based devices described herein may replace traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems that are currently used on ski boots to tighten the ski boot about a user's foot. The reel based devices are significantly easier to operate than traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems. As such, user's may greatly prefer to use the reel based devices in tightening a ski boot. In addition, the reel based devices offer significantly more incremental degrees of tightening and loosening of the ski boot in comparison with traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems. For example, traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems often include a limited number of tightening segments (e.g., teeth, steps, racks, and the like) that are used in tightening the ski boot. For example, traditional buckles often employtoteeth on a rack within which an engagement pin is positioned to tighten the ski boot. The engagement pin is moved proximally or distally about the rack and positioned within a proximal or distal tooth in order to increase or decrease the tightness of the ski boot about the foot. The limited number of tightening segments (e.g., teeth) results in the ski boot being tightened or loosened by greater amounts or degrees and thus, it may be difficult to achieve a desired and comfortable fit.

In contrast, the reel based devices are capable of tightening and/or loosening the ski boot by significantly smaller incremental amounts or degrees. For example, if a minor increase in tightness is desired, the knob of the reel based device may be rotated by a quarter turn or even an eighth of a turn to slightly increase the tension in the tension member. The slight increase in the tension member's tension normally results in a slight increase in the tightness or constriction of the ski boot about the user's foot. This incremental adjustment of the ski boot's tightness may allow a desired and comfortable fit of the ski boot about the foot to be easily achieved.

Referring to, illustrated is a ski bootthat includes a reel based devicethat is used to constrict the ski bootabout a user's leg. The reel based deviceis attached to a rear surface of the ski boot's upper shell or cuff via mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, RF or sonic welding, and the like. The reel based deviceis operably coupled with a tension memberthat is guided about the rear surface of the skit bootvia a plurality of guide membersthat are also attached to the upper shell or cuff via mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, RF or sonic welding, and the like. The guide memberallows the tension memberto slide and shift about the rear surface of the ski boot, which allows tension in the tension memberto be equalized or normalized, which prevents stress or tension concentrations within the tension member.

The tension memberis operably coupled with straps,and, that traverse from the rear surface of the ski bootto a front panel. The front panelmay be made of a fabric or woven material, or may be made of a more rigid material, such as various plastics, such as those used in forming the rigid exterior shell of the ski boot. The front panelmay be attached to a front surface of the cuff via mechanical fasteners (e.g., rivets and the like), adhesive bonding, RF or sonic welding, or via any other method known in the art. The straps,and, may likewise be made of a fabric or woven material, or may be made of a more rigid material, such as from various plastics.

The straps include an upper strapand a lower strap. Although the straps,and, are illustrated on a single sides of the ski boot, in some embodiments a similarly arranged pair of straps is positioned on an opposite sides of the ski boot(see). The pair of straps on the opposite side of the ski bootmay likewise be operably coupled with the tension memberand the front panel. A distal end of the straps,and, is looped and includes a guide member through which the tension memberis slidably positioned. The guide member of the straps,and, may be a rigid plastic material that is configured to minimize friction to enable the tension memberto easily slide within the guide member and about the straps,and

Tensioning of the tension membervia operation of the reel based devicecauses the straps,and, to be tensioned and pulled toward the rear surface of the ski boot's cuff, which in turn tensions the front paneland causes the front panelto be pulled rearward toward the reel based device. This tensioning cause the cuff to close and constrict about a user's leg that is positioned within the ski boot. The reel based deviceofmay be used to replace traditional buckles and/or other tightening systems, or may be used in combination with these components. The reel based devicemay also be used to loosen or decrease the tension in the tension member, which loosens the ski bootabout the user's leg and allows the cuff to be opened so that the user may remove their foot.

illustrates a rear view of the ski bootof.illustrates an arrangement of the reel based deviceabout the rear surface of the ski boot's cuff. The coupling of the reel based deviceand tension memberis illustrated, along with the routing of the tension memberabout the rear surface of the ski bootand through the various guide members. The guide members include a lower guide memberthat is positioned below the reel based device. The lower guide memberdirects or routes the tension memberbetween opposing sides of the ski boot. A centrally positioned upper guide member (not numbered) may similarly be positioned above the reel based deviceand used to route or direct the lace between opposing sides of the ski boot.

The distal ends of the straps,and, are also illustrated.shows that the ski bootmay include pairs of straps,and, on both sides of the ski bootas briefly described above. The distal ends of the straps,and, are loopedwith a guide member (not numbered) positioned within the looped ends. The guide members of the looped endsguide or route the tension memberbetween the upper and lower portions of the reel based device. As described above, tensioning of the tension membercauses the straps,and, to be tensioned and pulled toward the reel based device, which pulls the front panelrearward and constricts the ski bootabout the user's legs.

A pair of upper guidesare positioned on opposite sides of the centrally positioned upper guide member (not numbered). The upper guidesroute or direct the tension memberbetween the looped endsof the upper strapand the centrally positioned upper guide member. In some embodiments, an additional guide membermay be attached to the looped endof the upper straps. The use of the additional guide membermay cause a greater tension to be applied to the upper strapin relation to the lower strapsince the tension memberessentially tensions the upper strapstwice. The use of the additional guide membermay also increase the rearward force that is applied to the upper strapand/or lower strap

In some embodiments, the upper and lower straps,and, may be arranged so that they are separate from one another and independently tensionable. In other embodiments, the upper and lower straps,and, may be connected and essentially uniformly tensioned. As illustrated in, the tension membermay be routed from the reel based device, through the additional guides, through the centrally positioned upper guide member and the upper guides, and then through the looped endsto the lower guide member. The illustrated tension member and guide member arrangement has been found to be particularly useful in tensioning the straps,and, and front panel.

illustrate another arrangement of a reel based device about a ski boot. Specifically,illustrate the use of two separate tightening systems with one of the tightening systems positioned on the cuff and the other tightening system positioned on the lower shell. Each tightening system includes a reel based closure device, a tension member, and one or more guide members that guide, direct, or route the tension member along a path about the cuff or shell. In some embodiments, one or both tightening systems may include a plurality of guide member that guide, direct, or route the tension member along the path about the cuff or shell. The reel based devices are independently operable to independently and/or differentially tighten the cuff and lower shell as desired.illustrates a side perspective view of the ski bootwhileillustrates a front perspective view of the ski boot.

Additional embodiments of ski boots that employ dual or multiple tightening systems are illustrated inand are described herein in relation to those figures. Each of these figures may describe various and/or different aspects or features of dual or multiple tightening systems, however, it should be recognized that the various and/or different aspects or features of the dual or multiple tightening systems may be combined and used in any desired combination on a ski boot to achieve a desired fit and/or functionality. As such, it should be recognized that the descriptions ofare interrelated rather than being independent and isolated. It should be further understood that the description is meant to encompass a claim or claims that include any combination of the aspects and features described herein.

Referring again to, a first reel based deviceis positioned on a side of the ski boot's cuff. The first reel based deviceis coupled with a tension memberthat is routed from the side of the cuff and toward the front of the ski boot. The tension memberis routed through a guide memberthat is positioned on a distal end of a first panel, which is typically part of the ski boot's shell or cuff and made of the same relatively rigid plastic material. The tension memberis routed or directed from the guide memberand to a guide member (not numbered) that is positioned near the cuff adjuster (not numbered) or ankle portion of the ski boot. The tension memberis routed from this guide member to one or more guide members (not numbered) that are positioned on a second panel, which is also typically part of the ski boot's shell or cuff and made of the same rigid plastic material. A distal end of the tension memberterminates at a guide member that is positioned on the second panelas illustrated. An additional pass through guide member (not numbered) may be positioned on a distal end of the second panelin order to ensure that the tension memberremains positioned atop the second panelrather than sliding or migrating off the second panel.

Tensioning of the tension membervia operation of the reel based devicetensions the first paneland the second panel, which are wrapped around the front portion of the cuff. Tensioning of the first and second panels,and, causes the cuff to constrict about the user's leg. In some embodiments, a single panel is used instead of the first paneland the second panel. The single panel may be roughly equivalent to the first and second panels,and, or may be smaller than the two panels. In other embodiments, three or more panels may be used instead of the first paneland the second panel. A single panel or multiple panels may likewise be used in any of the other embodiments described herein.

A second reel based deviceis attached to a side of the ski boot's lower shell. The second reel based deviceis operably coupled with a second tension memberso that operation of the second reel based devicetensions the second tension member. The second tension memberis routed or directed across the lower shell of the ski bootvia a plurality of guide member. The second tension membermay form a Z pattern or configuration across the front upper surface of the lower shell as illustrated and a distal end of the second tension membermay terminate at a distally most positioned guide member.

Operation of the second reel based devicecauses the second tension memberto be tensioned, which causes the lower shell to be constricted and tightened about a user's foot by pulling opposing sides of the lower shell toward one another. The second reel based deviceis operable independently of the first reel based device, which allows the lower shell to be tightened independently of the cuff.

The first and second reel based devices,and, may replace traditional buckles or other tightening mechanisms so that the ski bootis free of buckles or other tightening mechanisms. In other embodiments, the first and/or second reel based devices,and, may be used in cooperation with buckles or other tightening mechanisms.illustrate examples in which reel based devices are used in cooperation with a buckle system. In, a reel based deviceis attached to the cuff of the ski boot. The reel based deviceis operably attached to a tension memberthat is guided or routed about a first paneland a second panelvia a plurality of guide members. The reel based device, the tension member, the guide members, and the first and second panels,and, have an arrangement about the upper cuff that is similar to that illustrated in. The reel based deviceis operable to tighten the cuff as described in relation to.

The ski bootincludes a pair of traditional or conventional buckles that are positioned on the lower shell of the ski boot. The buckles are used in a conventional manner to tighten or constrict the lower shell about the user's foot. In this manner, the reel based deviceis used to tighten the cuff while the buckles are used to tighten the lower shell.

illustrates a ski bootthat includes a reel based devicethat is attached to the lower shell of the ski boot. The reel based deviceis operably attached to a tension memberthat is routed about the lower shell, via guide members, as illustrated inand described in relation thereto. The reel based deviceis operable to constrict and tighten the lower shell about the user's foot as previously described. The ski boot includes a pair of traditional or conventional buckles that are positioned on the cuff of the ski boot. The buckles are used in a conventional manner to tighten or constrict the cuff of the ski bootabout the user's leg. In this manner, the reel based deviceis used to tighten the lower shell while the buckles are used to tighten the cuff. In some embodiments, the ski bootmay also include a strap (i.e., power strap) that is positioned around the top of the cuff. The strap may include hook and loop fastener materials that enable the strap to be tensioned and coupled about the top portion of the cuff.

illustrates an embodiment in which a reel based deviceis used to tension a strap or power strap about the top portion of a cuff of a ski boot. The ski bootmay include conventional buckles or other tightening mechanisms that are positioned about the cuff and lower shell and that are operable in a conventional manner to tighten these portions of the ski bootabout the user's foot and leg. The reel based devicemay be positioned on a rear surface of the top portion of the cuff and may be operably coupled with a tension member. The tension membermay be disposed within an interior channel of a first or rear strap. The tension membermay be routed through a guide memberthat is positioned on a distal end of a second or front strap. In some embodiments, the guide membermay be a pair of fabric loops that cooperate to guide or route the tension memberabout the distal end of the second strap.

The distal end of the second strapmay be slidingly disposed within the interior channel of the first strapso that the second strapis able to slide proximally and distally within the interior channel of the first strap. The reel based deviceis operable to tension the tension member, which causes the second strapto be tensioned and to slide distally or rearward within the interior channel of the first strap. Distal or rearward sliding of the second strapwithin or relative to the first strapcauses the second strapto be pulled against the front upper portion of the cuff, which causes the cuff to constrict inward against the user's leg and/or prevents the cuff from opening as the user flexes and bends during use of the ski boot. The use of the reel based deviceon the power strapofmay render the power strap more easy to use in comparison with conventional straps. In addition, although the power strap ofis illustrated as being used with conventional buckles or tightening mechanisms on the lower shell and cuff of the ski boot, it should be realized that the power strap may be employed on any of the embodiments herein and thus, may be used on ski boots where a reel based device is employed on the cuff and/or shell.

illustrates another embodiment of a ski bootthat employs a reel based device. The ski bootofis similar to the ski bootofin that a tension memberis routed about a first paneland a second panelvia multiple guide members. The ski bootofdiffers from the previous embodiment, however, in that the reel based deviceis positioned on a rear surface of the ski boot's cuff and further differs in that a portion of the tension memberis routed under a surface of the cuff. The tension membermay be routed under the cuffvia one or more sections of tubing that are positioned under the ski boot's shell. In other embodiments, the inner surface of the cuffmay form a channel or slot within which the tension memberis positioned and routed. Routing of the tension memberunder the cuffprevents or minimizes interference of the tension memberwith surrounding objects and/or may provide a visually pleasing appearance that user's prefer.

The tension memberis shown as being routed under the cuffbetween the reel based deviceand the first panel. In other embodiments the tension membermay be routed elsewhere under the cuff or multiple portions of the tension membermay be routed under the cuff. For example, a section of the tension member between the first paneland the second panelmay be routed under the cuff to minimize the appearance of the tension memberabove the cuff. In such embodiments, the guide member that is positioned near the ankle or cuff adjuster may be positioned under the surface of the cuff.

illustrates that multiple reel based devices may be employed to tighten different portions of a ski boot. Specifically, a first reel based devicemay be coupled with the ski boot's cuff to tighten a first portion A of the ski boot. The first portion A of the ski boot that is affected by the first reel based device is illustrated by the cross-hatchings immediately adjacent the first reel based device. A second reel based devicemay similarly be coupled with the ski boot's lower shell to tighten a second portion B of the ski boot. The second portion B of the ski bootthat is affected by the second reel based deviceis illustrated by the cross-hatchings immediately adjacent the second reel based device. A tightening system (e.g., third reel based device) may be coupled with the ski boot's liner, or an upper portion of the cuff (e.g., a power strap) to tighten a third portion C of the ski boot. The third portion C of the ski boot that is affected by the third reel based deviceis illustrated by the cross-hatchings immediately adjacent the third reel based device. The third tightening system coupled may be configured to effect tightening of the liner. The third tightening system may include the third reel based device, a tension member (not shown) that is operably coupled with the third reel based device, and one or more guide members (not shown) that are positioned about the liner to route or direct the tension member along a path about the liner. Operation of the third reel based devicemay effect tightening of the tension member, and thereby tightening of the liner.

The first reel based device, the second reel based device, and the third reel based deviceare each independently operably to independently tighten the respective portions of the ski boot. The independent tightening of the different portions of the ski bootallows a customized fit and feel of the ski bootto be achieved. In addition, the minor incremental adjustment that is enabled by the reel based devices (,, and) enables an increased customized fit and feel of the ski bootto be achieved.

illustrate reel based devices that are removable from the ski boot. Specifically,illustrates a ski boot that includes a base memberthat enables the reel based deviceto be detached and removed from the ski boot. The reel based devicemay comprise a housing, a knob, a spool, and a pawl mechanism or other friction holding mechanism, such as those describe in the '047 patent application and the '056 patent that are incorporated by reference herein. The base memberincludes features that enable the reel based deviceto be quickly and easily removed from the ski boot. Exemplary embodiments of base members (also called bayonets) that are detachable from reel based devices are further described in the '047 patent application and in U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,181, filed Oct. 13, 2011, entitled “Reel-Based Lacing System”, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,253, filed Oct. 31, 2005, entitled “Reel Based Closure System,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

illustrates that the base membermay be integrally formed with the lower shellof the ski boot, such as by insert molding the base memberwithin the lower shell.illustrates a base memberthat is fixedly secured to the lower shellof the ski boot after the lower shell is separately formed. The base membermay be mechanically fastened to the lower shellvia rivetsor via any other mechanical fastener. In other embodiments, the base membermay be adhesively bonded with the lower shell, RF or sonically welded with the lower shell, or attached via any other means.

Whileillustrate the base members,and, attached to the ski boot's lower shell, it should be realized that the base members,and, may be positioned anywhere else on the ski boot's shell, such as on the cuff, on a rear surface of the cuff or lower shell, on the front surface of the cuff or lower shell, and the like.

illustrates a gross or macro adjustment method that may be employed to allow a ski boot's shell to be quickly and easily opened. Specifically, the ski bootincludes a guide memberthat is designed to allow the tension memberto be quickly uncoupled from the guide member, which allows the first and/or second panels,and, to be opened to loosen the ski boot about the user's foot. The guide memberenables rapid loosening of a tension in the tension member. The guide memberincludes an open channel or back (not shown) that allows the tension memberto be inserted within and removed from the channel in order to couple and uncouple the tension memberfrom the guide member.

illustrates a sequence beginning with image A in which the tension memberis initially coupled with the guide memberand in which the first and second panels,and, are positioned across the front portion of the cuff. In image B the tension memberis removed from the guide memberby removing the tension memberfrom the guide member's open channel. In image C the first and second panels,and, are pulled away from the front portion of the cuff, which causes the tension memberto be pulled toward the reel based device. The sequence illustrated in images A-C show how the tension membermay be removed from the guide memberto loosen the ski bootabout the foot. The process can be performed in reverse to attach or couple the tension memberwith the guide memberand thereby initially tighten the ski bootabout the foot.

While the guide memberis illustrated as being positioned on the first panel, in other embodiments the guide membermay be positioned elsewhere, such as on the second panel, on one or more portions of the lower shell, on a combination of the lower shell and upper cuff, and the like. An exemplary embodiment of a guide member with an open back or channel is further described in the '056 patent that is incorporated by reference herein.

illustrates a reel based devicethat is designed to automatically wind or tension a portion of the tension memberin order to eliminate slack in the system and thereby enable rapid tensioning of the tension member. The term “slack” refers to the tension member being essentially un-tensioned, or having a tension that is less than a given minimal threshold. Slack in the system may occur after the cuff of the ski bootis pulled open to allow a user to remove their foot or after the user inserts their foot in the ski bootand releases the cuff.

In image A, the tension memberis illustrated as being coupled with the reel based deviceand with first and second panels,and. A substantial amount of slack exists in the tension member. In image B, the user has inserted their foot within the ski bootand the tension memberhas been automatically wound by the reel based deviceto eliminate the slack in the tension member. The automatic winding of the tension memberby the reel based devicepulls the first paneland the second panelinto engagement with a front portion of the cuff and may initially tighten the ski bootabout the user's leg. In some embodiments, the reel based devicemay include a spiral spring, or any other mechanism, that is configured to cause the spool to automatically rotate within the reel based deviceand thereby automatically wind or tension the tension member. An exemplary embodiment of a mechanism that is configured to automatically rotate a spool and tension a tension member is further described in the '253 patent application, which is incorporated by reference herein.

In image C, after the tension memberis automatically wound or tensioned via the reel based device, the reel based devicemay be operated to further tension the tension memberand thereby further tighten the ski bootabout the user's leg. While the reel based deviceis illustrated as being positioned on the cuff, in other embodiments the reel based devicemay be positioned elsewhere, such as on the lower shell and the like.

illustrate another embodiment of a reel based device that is attached to a ski boot. The figures illustrate a specific lacing pattern that has been found to be effective in closing and tightening an upper and lower cuff of the ski boot. The system includes an upper reel based devicethat is designed to close and tighten an upper cuff about a user's leg, and further includes a lower reel based devicethat is designed to close and tighten a lower cuff about the user's leg. The upper reel based deviceis attached to an upper tension memberin a manner that allows the tension member to be tightened by an operation of the upper reel based device, and more specifically a rotation of a knob of the upper reel based devicein a tightening direction. The tension memberis coupled with a pair of guide bodies or guides(hereinafter guides) that are configured to be releasably attached with corresponding base members or guide bases(hereinafter guide bases) that are fixedly secured or attached to an upper panelthat is wrapped partially around the upper cuff. The guidesand guide basesare similar to those illustrated inand are designed to allow a user to grasp and remove the guidesfrom the guide basesin order to allow tension in the tension memberto be quickly released and thereby allow the user to quickly don or doff the ski boot. In some embodiments, one of the guidesmay be releasable from the guide basewhile the other guide is fixedly secured or attached to the guide base. In such instances, the non-removable guide and guide base are typically integrated so that the guide is a single component that is attached to the ski boot. The guide basesare typically fixed or anchored to the upper cuff. To anchor the guide basesto the upper cuff, the guide basescould be attached via a mechanical fastener, such as a rivet or screw, or could be molded directly into the material of the upper cuff. In some embodiments, the guidesinclude a magnet and the guide basesinclude an oppositely polarized magnet. The magnets assist in placement of the guideswithin the guide bases.