CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional

Application Serial No. 63/303,146 filed January 26, 2022, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an improved rotary closure and a method of assembling the improved rotary closure.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Previous efforts in rotary closure systems include spring elements that control the direction of rotation of a spool; however, many of these spring elements have multiple moving components that tend to become jammed. For instance, some include a pawl member component that is coupled with a body of the spring element during assembly and is independently pivotable relative to the body of the spring element. Unfortunately, the pawl member of the spring can become disengaged, jammed, or otherwise malfunction within the rotary closure.

[0004] It is with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a perspective view of a rotary closure;

[0006] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an exploded view of various components of the rotary closure of FIG. 1 ;

[0007] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a sectioned view of the rotary closure of FIG. 1 ;

[0008] FIG. 4A is an illustration showing a spring component and a spool component coupled within a housing with a cam component shown in phantom of the rotary closure of FIG. 1 ;

[0009] FIG. 4B is an illustration showing the spool component coupled within the housing with the cam component of the rotary closure of FIG. 1 ;

[0010] FIG. 5A is an illustration showing the cam component of FIG. 4 in a spool winding state, with the cam component in phantom;

[0011] FIG. 5B is an illustration showing the cam component of FIG. 4 in a spool release state, with the cam component in phantom;

[0012] FIG. 6A is an illustration showing the spring component of FIG. 4 in a spool winding state with the cam component removed;

[0013] FIG. 6B is an illustration showing the spring component of FIG. 4 in a spool release state with the cam component removed;

[0014] FIGS. 7A-7C are illustrations showing respective top perspective, side, and below perspective views of the spool component of FIG. 4;

[0015] FIGS. 8A-8C are illustrations showing respective perspective, top and bottom views of the housing component of FIG. 4;

[0016] FIGS. 9A-9D are illustrations showing respective first top perspective, second top perspective (rotated relative to the first perspective view), below perspective, and top views of the spring component of FIG. 4;

[0017] FIGS. 10A-10C are illustrations showing respective top perspective, side, and below perspective views of the cam component of FIG. 4;

[0018] FIGS. 11A and 11 B are illustrations showing respective perspective and top views of the flange component of the rotary closure of FIG. 1 ; and [0019] FIGS. 12A and 12B are respective illustrations showing the dial of the rotary closure of FIG. 1 in an assembled state and with a cover element removed.

[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings. The headings used in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Various embodiments of an improved rotary closure that includes a cam-actuated spool control mechanism for tensioning a tensioning element are disclosed herein. In particular, the improved rotary closure includes a spool disposed between a housing and a dial that includes a cam component, and an improved spring component between the spool and the housing that controls the direction of rotation of the spool. The spring component, in association with the cam component, is operable to assume a first “spool winding” state or a second “spool release” state which control the direction of rotation of the spool. In particular, in the first “spool winding” state of the rotary closure in which the cam component allows the spring component to relax, the spring component contacts the spool and restricts the direction of rotation of the spool to a first rotational direction about a common center axis. In the second “spool release” state of the rotary closure in which the cam component tensions the spring component, the spring component disengages from the spool and consequently enables the spool to rotate about the common center axis in a second rotational direction. The spring component includes a pair of integral pawl springs each terminating in a respective pawl member that engages the spool when in the first default state and disengages from the spool when in the second tensioned state to control the direction of rotation of the spool. Each pawl member of the spring includes a respective cam follower that operates within a respective cam path provided by the cam component. The cam followers and cam paths collectively control the radial position of each associated pawl member relative to the common center axis to control the state of the spring and consequently control a direction of rotation of the spool. In a further aspect, the spring component, spool, and housing engage one another such that a collective height of the spool, the spring component, and the housing when coupled together is substantially equal to a height of the spool, thereby enabling a low-form factor of the rotary closure.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-6B, a rotary closure 100 is illustrated defining a spool 102 coaxially disposed between a housing 104 and a dial 106. The dial 106 includes a cam component 160 configured for tensioning a tensioning element (not shown) around the spool 102. Rotation of the spool 102 in a first or second rotational direction Q or R about a common center axis A is controlled by a spring component 108 that includes an integral pawl spring 184 (FIGS. 6A and 6B). The pawl spring 184 operates with the cam component 160 to force the spool 102 to rotate in the first direction Q when the cam component 160 is rotated in the first direction Q, and also to release the spool 102, thereby allowing the spool 102 to rotate in the second direction R when the cam component 160 is rotated in the second direction R.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2-4B, the rotary closure 100 latches together by coaxial insertion of the spool 102 into the housing 104, engagement of the spring component 108 with the spool 102 on top of the housing 104, and engagement of the cam component 160 with the housing 104 and the spool 102 along the common central axis A. The cam component 160 defines a latching extension 161 that aligns with the common central axis A and engages the spool 102 to latch the cam component 160, the spring component 108, the housing 104, and the spool 102 together. Further, the cam component 160 includes a plurality of side tangs 164 (FIG. 10C) that engage the housing 104 to couple the housing 104 with the spool 102, the spring component 108 and the cam component 160.

[0024] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the spring component 108 and the housing 104 engage the spool 102 such that a collective height of the spool 102, the spring component 108, and the housing 104 when coupled together is substantially equal to a height of the spool 102. This arrangement enables selection of a “taller” spool 102 (e.g., having increased capacity with respect to previous designs) while still enabling a low-profile form of the rotary closure 100. As further shown in the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the spring component 108 engages a top of the spool 102 and the housing 104 encapsulates the spool 102 while providing access to (e.g., not occluding) a bottom of the spool 102 as shown.

[0025] The rotary closure 100 further includes the dial 106 that engages or is otherwise integrally formed with the cam component 160 and provides a gripping surface to enable a user to rotate the cam component 160. Further, the rotary closure 100 includes a flange 110 that engages the housing 104 and protects the spool 102, housing 104, and latching extension 161. The flange 110 also connects the rotary closure 100 to items to be tensioned, such as a lacing element of a shoe (not shown). [0026] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the rotation of the cam component 160 of the rotary closure 100 in the first direction Q causes the pawl spring 184 of the spring component 108 to engage the spool 102 and consequently rotate the spool 102 in the first direction Q. In a first “spool winding” state of the pawl spring 184, and also when the rotary closure 100 is at rest, the pawl spring 184 prevents back-rotation of the spool 102 in the second direction R. Conversely, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, rotation of the cam component 160 of the rotary closure 100 in the second direction R causes the pawl spring 184 to release the spool 102 and consequently enables the spool 102 to rotate freely in the second direction R. The rotation of the cam component 160 tensions the pawl spring 184 into a second “spool release” state, actuating a pawl member 185 of the pawl spring 184 away from the common center axis A and releasing the spool 102. In particular, the cam component 160 includes a cam path 163 that forces a cam follower 186 of the pawl spring 184 radially outward to allow disengagement of the pawl member 185 of the spring component 108 from the spool 102. In addition, the spring component 108 also includes a catch spring 187 in operative engagement with the housing 104 to prevent back-rotation of the spring component 108 in the second direction R within the housing 104.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, the spool 102 controls the operation of a tensioning element (not shown) such as a cable or wire, used to tension a lacing element of a shoe (not shown) or other item by operation of the rotary closure 100. The spool 102 is seated within an open spool passage 146 of the housing 104 (as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 8A-8C). In some embodiments, the spool 102 includes a spool body 120 forming a spool base 122 and a spool flange 123 that collectively define a spool channel 134 for receipt of the tensioning element or lacing element. The spool 102 further defines an extension 125 that extends axially from the spool flange 123. The extension 125 forms a plurality of curved teeth 126 that collectively form a plurality of recesses in juxtaposition between respective ridges formed circumferentially around the extension 125. The curved teeth 126 are configured for removeable engagement with the pawl spring 184 of the spring component 108 for turning the spool 102 in the first direction Q, essentially “catching” the spool 102 and forcing the spool 102 to rotate in the rotational direction A along with the cam component 160. The spool 102 defines a distal-most keyway 130 running axially through the spool body 120. As shown in FIG. 7C, the distal-most keyway 130 is formed axially through the spool body 120 to permit passage of the latching extension 161 (FIG. 3). The distal-most keyway 130 defines a spool shoulder 131 at the spool base 122 for engagement with a latching element 171 of the latching extension 161 such that as the latching extension 161 of the cam component 160 is inserted through the distal-most keyway 130 and the latching element 171 engages with the spool shoulder 131. As further shown, the spool 102 defines one or more windows 132 formed through the spool body 120. Structurally, the one or more windows 132 are configured to allow passage of a tensioning element to secure the tensioning element to the spool body 120 of the spool 102 while the tensioning element is being wound around the spool 102 during operation of the rotary closure 100. As shown, the spool flange 123 of the spool 102 further includes a centering ridge 124 that enables vertical alignment of the spool 102 within the housing 104.

[0028] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate the housing 104 for the rotary closure 100. In some embodiments, the housing 104 forms a generally circular body defining an open configuration for receipt and rotation of the spool 102. The circular body defines a circular inner wall 142 formed coaxially within a circular outer wall 143. As shown, the circular outer wall 143 defines a circumferential flange 144 configured for engagement with the cam component 160 and a plurality of teeth 145 configured for engagement with a catch spring 187 of the spring component 108. The circular inner wall 142 forms a housing channel 141 between the circular outer wall 143 and the circular inner wall 142 and an open spool passage 146 defined though the center of the housing 104 such that the diameter of the open spool passage 146 allows free rotation of the spool 102 within the open spool passage 146. The inner wall 142 further includes an inner flange 147 that engages the centering ridge 124 of the spool 102. As further shown, the open spool passage 146 partially encapsulates the spool 102 and permits access to an underside of the spool 102 while the spool 102 is disposed within the housing 104. The teeth 145 of the housing 104 are configured to operatively engage the catch spring 187 of the spring component 108 (FIG. 9A) as the dial 106, spring component 108 and spool 102 are incrementally rotated in a first rotational direction Q as the tensioning elements are being tightened around the spool 102. Further, engagement of the catch spring 187 with the teeth 145 of the housing 104 prevents unintentional counter-rotation of the spring component 108 in a second rotational direction R within the housing 104, an operation which will be described in greater detail below.

[0029] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8C, the housing 104 defines a pair of opposing arcuate plateaus 150 formed on an underside of the housing channel 141. The pair of opposing arcuate plateaus 150 include a first arcuate plateau 150A and a second arcuate plateau 150B. The first arcuate plateau 150A defines a first shoulder 151A at a first end of the first arcuate plateau 150A and a second shoulder 151B defined at a second end of the first arcuate plateau 150A. Similarly, the second arcuate plateau 150B defines a third shoulder 151C at a first end of the second arcuate plateau 150B and a fourth shoulder 151D defined at a second end of the second arcuate plateau 150B. As shown, the first arcuate plateau 150A defines a first arch 152A between the first shoulder 151A and the second shoulder 151B that collectively a first closed slot 153A configured for engagement with a first retention member 117A of the flange 110 (FIG. 11A) during assembly of the rotary closure 100. Similarly, the second arcuate plateau 150B defines a second arch 152B between the third shoulder 151C and the fourth shoulder 151 D that collectively define a second closed slot 153B configured for engagement with a second retention member 117B of the flange 110 during assembly of the rotary closure 100.

[0030] The first and second arcuate plateaus 150A and 150B collectively define a first open slot 154A and a second open slot 154B configured for passage of one or more lacing (tensioning) elements (not shown). Specifically, the first shoulder 151 A of the first arcuate plateau 150A and the third shoulder 151C of the second arcuate plateau 150B collectively form the first open slot 154A. Similarly, the second shoulder 151 B of the first arcuate plateau 150A and the fourth shoulder 151 D of the second arcuate plateau 150B collectively form the second open slot 154B.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 9A-9D, the spring component 108 is configured to engage the spool 102 and is further operatively engaged with the cam component 160 to control rotation of the spool 102. As discussed above, the spring component 108 defines a generally circular spring body 180 defining a keyway 181 for insertion of the latching extension 161 of the cam component 160. Further, the spring component 108 defines the pawl spring 184 (in the embodiment shown, a pair of pawl springs 184) located interior to the circular spring body 180. The pawl spring 184 is configurable in two states: (1 ) the first default state of the pawl spring 184 which engages the spool 102 for rotating the spool 102 in the first direction Q and prevents back-rotation of the spool 102 in the second direction R; and (2) a second tensioned state in which the cam component 160 actuates the pawl spring 184 away from the common center axis A and releases the spool 102, allowing the spool 102 to rotate in the second direction R. As illustrated, the pawl spring 184 includes a cam follower 186 that extends from the pawl spring 184 and engages the cam path 163 of the cam component 160.

[0032] The pawl spring 184 includes the pawl member 185 at a distal portion of the pawl spring 184 in association with the cam follower 186. When the pawl spring 184 is in the first default state, the pawl spring 184 directly engages the curved teeth 126 of the extension 125 of the spool 102 to force rotation of the spool 102 in the first rotational direction Q and to prevent back-rotation of the spool 102 in the second rotational direction R. In the first default state, the cam follower 186 of the pawl spring 184 is located at the first “spool winding” portion 165 along the cam path 163 of the cam component 160.

[0033] The pawl spring 184 is also operable for disengagement from the curved teeth 126 of the extension 125 of the spool 102 in the second tensioned state. The pawl spring 184 is transitioned into the second tensioned state by counter-rotation of the cam component 160 in the second direction R. As the cam component 160 is rotated in the second direction R, the cam path 163 forces the cam follower 186 of the pawl spring 184 outward and away from the common center axis A and the spool 102. This action releases the spool 102 and enables the spool 102 to rotate freely within the housing 104 without influence from the pawl spring 184. As shown, in the tensioned state, the cam follower 186 of the pawl spring 184 is located at a second “spool release” portion 166 along the cam path 163 of the cam component 160. The spring body 180 of the spring component 108 defines a cam follower pocket 183 for each respective pawl spring 184 to tuck into as the pawl spring 184 is actuated away from the common center axis A. [0034] Additionally, the spring component 108 also includes a catch spring 187 (in the embodiment shown, a pair of catch springs 187) oriented along an outer edge 182 of the spring body 180 of the spring component 108. The catch spring 187 engages the housing 104 to prevent back-rotation of the spring component 108 in the second direction R. As shown, the catch spring 187 includes a plurality of tangs 188 that engage the plurality of teeth 145 of the housing 104 as the spring component 108 is rotated in the first direction Q but prevent counter-rotation in the second direction R. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9D, the catch spring 187 is oriented outward and away from the common center axis A, outside circle C which denotes the outer edge 182 of the spring body 180. When engaged within the housing channel 141 of the housing 104 and when rotated in the first direction Q, the catch spring 187 is forced inward towards the common center axis A by the teeth 145 of the housing 104, and then snaps back outward away from the common center axis A to engage the teeth 145 of the housing 104 at an advanced radial position along the housing channel 141 of the housing 104. The spring component 108, particularly the pawl spring 184 and the catch spring 187, are comprised of a material that tensions when deformed and returns to its original position when released. In a primary embodiment, the spring component 108 is comprised of a plastic material.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, the cam component 160 defines a generally circular shape having an inner face 162 that defines the cam path 163. The cam path 163 engages the cam follower 186 of the spring component 108 and controls the state of the pawl spring 184. The cam component 160 is rotatable by the dial 106 in the first direction Q or the opposite second direction R and can in some embodiments be a component of the dial 106 or integral with the dial 106. The cam path 163 includes a “spool winding” portion 165 that positions the cam follower 186 in the first default state of the pawl spring 184 in which the cam follower 186 and pawl spring 184 are positioned inward towards the common center axis A. When the cam follower 186 of the pawl spring 184 is within the “spool winding” portion 165 of the cam path 163, the pawl spring 184 engages the extension 125 of the spool 102. Rotation of the cam component 160 in the first rotational direction Q, while the cam follower 186 is within the “spool winding” portion 165 of the cam path 163, results in rotation of the spool 102 in the first rotational direction Q.

[0036] The cam path 163 further includes a “spool release” portion 166 that positions the cam follower 186 in the second tensioned state of the pawl spring 184 as a result of the cam component 160 rotating in the second rotational direction Q. While the cam follower 186 is positioned within the “spool release” portion 166 of the cam path 163, the cam follower 186 and pawl spring 184 are directed outward and away from the common center axis A. When the cam follower 186 of the pawl spring 184 is positioned within the “spool release” portion 166 of the cam path 163, the pawl spring 184 releases the extension 125 of the spool 102. The cam follower 186 can be returned to the “spool winding” portion 165 of the cam path 163 by releasing the cam component 160 and allowing the pawl spring 184 to de-tension back into the first default state in which the pawl spring 184 contacts the spool 102.

[0037] As further shown, the cam component 160 includes the latching extension 161 that extends from the inner face 162 of the cam component 160 and terminates in a latching element 171. The latching extension 161 aligns with common central axis A and engages the spool 102. The latching extension 161 is configured to latch components of the rotary closure 100 together, including the cam component 160, the spring component 108, the housing 104, and the spool 102 together. In particular, the bifurcated first and second legs 172 and 174 (FIG. 3) of the latching element 171 are inserted through the distal-most keyway 130 and engage with the spool shoulder 131 such that the first and second tangs 173 and 175 (FIG. 3) defined by the first and second leg 172 and 174 are pushed apart, thereby preventing disengagement of the spool 102 from the latching extension 161. Further, the cam component 160 includes the plurality of side tangs 164 that engage the housing 104. FIG. 12 shows the cam component 160 engaged with the housing 104.

[0038] In some embodiments, the cam component 160 is further configured to engage or otherwise be integral with or part of the dial 106. In the example shown, the dial 106 includes a gripping portion 178 that enables gripping and rotation of the cam component 160. In the example shown, the dial 106 can include a cover element 176 that couples with the cam component 160 to provide a smooth outer surface for the rotary closure 100.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 11 A and 11 B, in some embodiments the flange 110 is configured to couple the assembled components of the rotary closure 100 to a shoe by engagement with the housing 104. In some embodiments, the flange 110 defines a body 111 having a circular shape with a bowed cross section forming a housing receptacle 112 on one side that is configured to engage the housing 104 during assembly. The housing receptacle 112 forms a plurality of seats 113A-D to accept respective shoulders 151A-D (FIG. 8C) of the housing 104 and a central depression 114 to accommodate the latching element 171 of the latching extension 161. In some embodiments, the central depression 114 defines a ring 115 surrounding a central protrusion 116 within the central depression 114. The central protrusion 116 is configured to engage between the first leg 172 (FIG. 3) and the second leg 174 of the latching extension 161 to bias the first and second legs 172 and 174 apart and prevent the latching extension 161 from disengaging from the spool 102. The flange 110 further includes a first retention member 117A formed opposite a second retention member 117B configured to engage opposite sides of the housing 104 to the flange 110. In some embodiments, the first and second retention members 117A and 117B form first and second tang portions 118A and 118B, respectively, at the free ends thereof. The first and second tang portions 118A and 118B are configured to couple with the housing 104 in a snap fit engagement. In a further aspect, the flange 110 includes flange windows (e.g., a first flange window 119A and a second flange window 119B) that align with respective open slots of the housing 104 to provide access to the spool channel 134 when the spool 102, the housing 104, and the flange 110 are coupled together.

[0040] To tension the spool 102, the dial 106 including the cam component 160 is rotated in the first rotational direction Q. When the rotary closure 100 is at rest, the cam follower 186 of the spring component 108 rests within the “spool winding” portion 165 of the cam path 163. Upon rotation of the cam component 160 in the first rotational direction Q relative to the spring component 108, the cam follower 186 remains within the “spool winding” portion 165 of the cam path 163. With the cam follower 186 in the “spool winding” portion 165 of the cam path 163 as the cam component 160 rotates, the spring component 108 is concurrently rotated in the first rotational direction Q. As a result, the pawl spring 184 forces the spool 102 to rotate in the first rotational direction Q. The catch springs 187 incrementally engage with the plurality of teeth 145 of the housing 104 to prevent back-rotation of the spring component 108 in the second rotational direction R.

[0041] To de-tension the spool 102, the dial 106 including the cam component 160 is rotated in the second rotational direction R. Rotation of the cam component 160 relative to the spring component 108 positions the cam follower 186 of the spring component 108 within the “spool release” portion 166 of the cam path 163. With the cam follower 186 in the “spool release” portion 166 of the cam path 163 as the cam component 160 rotates, the pawl spring 184 is drawn outward and away from the common central axis A, thereby releasing the extension 125 of the spool 102 and enabling the spool 102 to de-tension and rotate freely in the second rotational direction R. The catch springs 187 engage the plurality of teeth 145 of the housing 104 to prevent back-rotation of the spring component 108 in the second rotational direction R.

[0042] It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.