U.S. patent application number 11/191339 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for pull-cord and pulley lacing system.
Invention is credited to Trevor Alan Young.
Application Number | 20060021204 11/191339 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35730522 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060021204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Young; Trevor Alan |
February 2, 2006 |
Pull-cord and pulley lacing system
Abstract
A convenient lacing system including a drawing mechanism,
pulleys or some other form of low friction lace paths, an
attachment point, and a lace. The lace terminates at the attachment
point, and follows a path around the outside hemispheres of the
pulleys (or through the lace paths), criss-crossing between the two
rows of pulleys without the lace overlapping. The pulleys are
aligned generally in two rows on either side of an area to be drawn
together. A drawing mechanism is attached at the non-terminating
end of the path of the lace, and through use of a pull-cord draws
in the lace and tightens the item to which the system is attached
by drawing the pulleys (lace paths) closer together. The use of
pulleys allows the system to distribute tension evenly along the
path of the lace, and aids in the convenience of tightening.
Inventors: |
Young; Trevor Alan;
(Lincoln, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TREVOR A. YOUNG
16317 YOUNG'S FARM RD.
LINCOLN
DE
19960
US
|
Family ID: |
35730522 |
Appl. No.: |
11/191339 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60591536 |
Jul 28, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/712.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/165 20130101;
A43C 7/00 20130101; Y10T 24/3711 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/712.4 |
International
Class: |
A43C 7/00 20060101
A43C007/00 |
Claims
1. A lacing system used to secure items which can be tightened with
laces (shoes, boxing gloves, etc.) comprising: a plurality of
pulleys, affixed to the sides of an area to be drawn shut, in two
rows; an attachment point on the material of item at a point
located at the end of the path of the lace through the pulleys; a
cord (lace) having two ends, one end attaching to the attachment
point and the other to a drawing mechanism, said lace following a
path around the outward sides (from the area to be drawn shut) of
the pulleys and crossing back and forth across the closure area;
and a self-contained drawing mechanism, located at the end of path
of the lace opposite from the attachment point, operable by a
pull-cord to draw the lace into the drawing mechanism thereby
tightening the item to which the entire system is mounted (herein
referred to as simply the "item").
2. The lacing system of claim 1 wherein: the pulleys of the lacing
system can be interchanged with other types of low resistance lace
paths (eyelets, etc.)
3. The lacing system of claim 1 wherein: the lace repeatedly
crosses the area to be drawn together through as many pulleys are
used on a particular item, without the lace overlapping its own
path.
4. The lacing system of claim 1 wherein: the attachment point for
the terminating end of the lace may be of any type that is secure
and durable enough for its application.
5. The lacing system of claim 1 wherein: the pulleys act to balance
the tension along the lace path during tightening and use of the
item.
6. The lacing system of claim 1 wherein: the pulleys are mounted to
the item in such a manner as to be unhindered in rotational
movement.
7. The lacing system of claim 1 wherein: the drawing mechanism of
the lacing system comprises mechanical parts which draw the lace
into the drawing mechanism when a pull-cord (which is part of the
mechanism) is pulled outward from the drawing mechanism.
8. The lacing system as in claim 7 wherein: the pull-cord is
attached to a spring loaded reel.
9. The lacing system as in claim 8 wherein: the spring loaded reel
resists (compresses) when the pull-cord is pulled (unwinding itself
from the reel).
10. The lacing system as in claim 7 wherein: pulling the pull-cord
effects the turning of a draw pulley (to which the lace is attached
in the drawing mechanism).
11. The lacing system as in claim 10 wherein: the draw pulley is
held in position by the mechanical parts of the drawing mechanism
when the pull cord is released.
12. The lacing system as in claim 9 wherein: mechanical means allow
the spring loaded reel to draw the pull-cord back into the drawing
mechanism when the pull-cord is released by the user, free to
decompress independent of the rest of the drawing mechanism.
13. The lacing system as in claim 1 wherein: the drawing mechanism
of the lacing system has a release mechanism, allowing the tension
on the tightened lace to be released, freeing the lace.
14. The lacing system as in claim 13 wherein: the release mechanism
stays in the released position by mechanical means until the
pull-cord is again pulled.
15. The lacing system as in claim 14 wherein: mechanical means
cause the release mechanism to disengage when the pull-cord is
pulled, reconnecting the drawing mechanism, allowing the pull-cord
to effect the drawing of the lace by way of turning the draw
pulley.
16. The lacing system as in claim 1 wherein: all surfaces which
contact while moving are made of low resistance material (example:
shoe tongue and lace).
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Provisional Application No. 60/591,536
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCES TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to a convenient lace tightening
system for any thing that can be secured using laces (i.e. shoes,
boxing gloves, etc.).
[0005] The most common way to secure shoes and other laced objects
is using a cord which is run in a criss-cross fashion through a
series of holes on either side of an area designed to shorten the
distance between the adjascent areas, having the ends of the lace
exit two parallel holes at one end of the area. These ends are
pulled and tied together in some fashion to secure the tightened
lace, which in turn secures the item being laced to a desired level
of tightness. The main disadvantages of such a system are: the
crossing portions of the lace must be tightened individually to
affect the desired level of tightness at the area adjascent to each
hole in the lacing series; it is frequent that a laced object will
loosen with use and need to be untied, retightened and retied;
undoing the object's laces may be difficult after extended or
intense usage; and some objects, such as boxing gloves, require the
objects be held into a certain position while pulling and tying two
lace ends, which makes it hard to secure such object if only two
hands are available.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention consists of a series of pulleys, attached to
opposing sides of an area to be tightened in two rows, with an
attachment point for one end of a lace at the end of one of the
rows of pulleys (pulleys are interchangeable with extremely low
friction holes, but pulleys are preferred and are part of the
preferred embodiment of the invention). At the other end of one of
the rows of pulleys is a mechanism which pulls one end of the lace,
shortening it, thereby pulling the rows of pulleys toward each
other. The mechanism consists of a self-contained device having: an
initial pulley (hereafter known a "draw" pulley); a gear with
selectable attachment to the draw pulley (draw gear); spring loaded
teeth to allow the draw gear to turn in only one direction; a
spring loaded initial pulley which has a pull-cord attached to it,
and another gear affixed to one end of the initial pulley by a
slip-clutch mechanism (allowing the gear to only turn when the
pull-cord is pulled); a mechanism for separating the draw gear from
the draw pulley; and a return mechanism to reconnect the draw
pulley and gear.
[0007] The parts of the "draw" mechanism work in such a fashion as
to cause the lace to be pulled around the circumference of the draw
pulley when the pull-cord is pulled; the pull-cord is then returned
to its original position by the spring loaded initial pulley,
allowing the lace to be tightened further by pulling the pull-cord
again; the draw gear then holds the lace in position while
connected to the draw pulley; the lace is released by pushing a
button on the outside of the draw mechanism which separates the
draw gear and pulley; and finally the draw gear and pulley are
reconnected when the pull-cord is pulled again.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the lacing system with the
secondary (top) uppers of the shoe shown in transparency.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lacing system in the current
embodiment in the tensioned position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the initiating gear.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the draw gear.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the initiating assembly body
from the side.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the initiating axle from the
side.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the initiating assembly body.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the slip-clutch teeth at a
downward angle.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the locking teeth in the
drawing assembly at a downward angle.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the draw gear at a downward
angle.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the initiating gear at a
downward angle.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the draw axle at a side
angle.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the return spring at a side
angle.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a side view of a lace pulley.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a top view of a lace pulley.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a pulley axle and a clip
that fits on it.
[0024] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a loop end of the spiral
spring with its securing pin.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a plan view of the draw pulley with the lace
connected to it.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a side view of the case retaining rod and its
clips.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of the draw pulley with
the lace connected to it.
[0028] FIG. 21 is an angled perspective view of the bottom of the
return plate.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a plan view of the return guide.
[0030] FIG. 23 is an angled perspective view of the bottom of the
return guide.
[0031] FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of a locking tooth
spring.
[0032] FIG. 25 is a plan view of the initiating assembly body with
the pull-cord and spiral spring extending from it.
[0033] FIG. 26 is a side perspective view of the lacing system in
the loosened state of its current embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the drawing mechanism at a
downward angle (without release button or pull-cord).
[0035] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the drawing mechanism from
the lace end.
[0036] FIG. 29 is a plan view of the return mechanism without the
top section of the case, and without gears or draw pulley.
[0037] FIG. 30 is a plan view of the return mechanism without the
top section of the case, and without gears.
[0038] FIG. 31 is a plan view of the return mechanism without the
top section of the case.
[0039] FIG. 32 is a plan view of the return mechanism with only the
middle section of the case and the initiating assembly body.
[0040] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the top of the case from an
elevated angle.
[0041] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the under side of the top
of the case from an elevated angle.
[0042] FIG. 35 is a plan view of the bottom of the case with the
return mechanism.
[0043] FIG. 36 is a plan view of the bottom of the case without the
return mechanism.
[0044] FIG. 37 is an angled perspective view of the middle of the
case without most internal parts.
[0045] FIG. 38 is an angle perspective view of the middle of the
case with only the initiating assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed one embodiment of a
pull-cord actuated pulley lacing system as used on footwear to
tighten it to the user's foot (from herein, it should be understood
that the shoe helps illustrate the application of the invention for
the purpose of this patent application, and the shoe represents any
item to which the invention could be applied). When the pull-cord 3
is pulled, the drawing mechanism 36 pulls the lace 23, shortening
the lace length between the drawing mechanism and the attachment
point 40, in turn causing the pulleys 39 to draw closer to each
other (the lace is threaded around the outer sides of the
circumference of the pulleys). In the current embodiment the
pulleys 39 are attached to the upper of the shoe by way of axle
pins 19, the ends of which are attached to the main upper 41 (below
the pulleys) and secondary upper 42 of the shoe (clips 18 hold the
pulley on the shoe), allowing the pulleys 39 to turn on a plane
generally parallel with the surface of the uppers. The attachment
point 40 for one end of the lace 23 is located at the toe end of
the left row of pulleys from a wearer's point of view. The drawing
mechanism 36 is attached to the shoe upper 41 at the ankle end of
the right row of pulleys from the wearer's point of view.
Preferably, the shoe tongue, lace, and underside of uppers should
be made of low friction material to aid in smooth operation of the
lacing system (or in the case of other laced objects, any moving
surfaces that will touch during operation of the lacing system).
From herein "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the
bottom surface of the case, "horizontal" refers to a position or
direction parallel with the bottom surface of the case, "top"
refers to anything toward the top of the case, "bottom" refers to
anything toward the bottom of the case, and clock/counterclockwise
is referenced by a top view.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 32, 34, 36, and 37, the drawing mechanism
36 comprises a case, of as many pieces as needed for assembly or
maintenance purposes, which houses all internal parts of the
mechanism. There are three pieces in the present embodiment; the
cap 56, the body 54 and the bottom 55; these are held together by
rods 20 (FIG. 19) which fit in vertically aligned holes 59 (FIG.
33-37) in the three pieces, and clips 18 secure the ends of the
rods. The material the case is made of should be strong and light,
preferably plastic. The case 36 has two internal recessed pivot
points 62 (FIG. 34-36) for the initiating axle 34 (FIG. 6),
generally centered on the width of the case, on the bottom inside
surface and the top inside surface of the case. The initiating axle
34 holds the initiating parts in a fixed vertical position allowing
them to spin on a plane perpendicular to the length of the axle 34,
and is located in a position which holds the initiating parts
generally in the half of the case which is distant from the lace
end. In the current embodiment the initiating axle 34 is made of
stainless steel for its strength and low friction properties.
[0048] The case also has a hole 60 through its upper portion (cap,
FIG. 33, 34), generally centered on the half of the case at the
lace end, through which passes one end of the draw axle 35 (FIG.
12); the other end of the draw axle 35 is fixed in the center of
the return plate 25 (FIG. 21), which in turn is attached to the
case in such a manner as to not allow that end of the draw axle to
shift horizontally.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 37, the inside of the case is cut out in
the shape of two slightly overlapping cylinders, which hold the
initiating and drawing assemblies of the drawing mechanism in their
own cylinders. The top portions of the cylinders are cut to a
slightly larger diameter than the rest of the cylinders to
accommodate the gears, allowing the gear teeth to mesh together;
for the drawing gear 10 (FIG. 10), the bottom lip 58 (FIG. 37, 38)
of the slightly larger cutout performs the function of keeping the
gear in its position, vertically speaking, when the drawing pulley
50 (FIG. 18, 20) is separated from it. The cylindrical area for the
drawing assembly is deeper to accommodate the return mechanism.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 37, a hole 53 slightly larger in diameter
than the lace 23 passes through the lace end of the case 54,
positioned generally on the same plane as the draw pulley 50,
allowing the lace to pass through. This hole 53 is located in a
position on the with of the lace end of the case to allow the lace
23 to pass generally straight through to the side of initial
contact with the draw pulley 50.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 37 and 27, a hole 43 of slightly larger
diameter than the pull-cord 3 passes through the side of the case
on the plane of the contact area of the initiating pulley 51 (FIG.
5), generally located to allow the pull-cord 3 to remain almost
perfectly straight on a line with the area of initial contact with
the initiating pulley 51. Both the lace and the pull-cord holes
53,43 on the case are beveled inside and out to prevent excessive
friction and chafing. The pull-cord 3 is of sufficient length to
effect the drawing in of all slack on the lace 23, plus applying
tension to the lace, through the mechanical parts of the drawing
mechanism 36. The user end of the pull cord 3 terminates in a
handle 37 (FIG. 26), of any useful type, which aids in the gripping
and pulling of the pull-cord.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, the pull-cord 3 is attached to the
initiating pulley 51 on the contact (recessed) surface of the
pulley; in the current embodiment an offset hole is drilled through
the width of the contact area of the pulley on a path other than
that of the path of the initiating axle 34, and the pull-cord 3 is
looped through and tied. The body of the initiating assembly 12
(what actually turns on the initiating axle) is one piece with two
grooved areas; one for the pull cord 3, and one located just above
it (6) to accommodate the spiral return spring 4 (see FIG. 25). At
the very top of the initiating assembly 12 is a cylindrical area
with recesses 2 (FIG. 5) to accommodate the spring loaded teeth for
the slip-clutch gear mechanism (see FIG. 31), and said cylindrical
area fits vertically into the initiating gear 11 portion of the
slip clutch gear mechanism. The initiating gear 11 (FIG. 3) is
generally a ring with outer gear teeth which mesh with the gear
teeth of the drawing gear 10, and three equally spaced notches 8
(basically the shape of a right triangle) which grip the teeth 46
(FIG. 8) of the slip clutch assembly when the initiating assembly
12 is turning in a counter-clockwise motion (when the pull-cord is
being pulled).
[0053] The spiral spring 4 has eyelets 45 at both ends, through
which pass pins 44 to hold them in place (see FIG. 17). One end of
the spring 4 is attached to flat surface of the circumference
groove 6 above the initiating pulley portion of the body of the
initiating assembly 12, and the spring spirals out in a clockwise
direction (FIG. 25), with the other end of the spring attached to
the inside wall of the initiating side of the case. It is attached
to the case on the same plane as the spring groove 6 on the
initiating assembly 12 body, to allow the spring 4 to wind and
unwind on a level plane and prevent binding. When the pull-cord 3
is pulled, it unwinds from the initiating pulley 51 and turns the
initiating assembly 12 (including the initiating gear 11) in a
counterclockwise direction (when viewed from top). This in turn
compresses the spiral spring 4, which is wound the opposite way as
the pull-cord.
[0054] The slip clutch gear assembly consists of the previously
mentioned cylindrical top of the initiating assembly 12 body, three
generally rectangular clutch teeth 46 with rounded ends which fit
into the recesses in the top of the initiating assembly, small
springs 7 (FIG. 7) inset into the walls of the recesses, and the
initiating gear 11. The recesses for the clutch teeth 46 are
generally triangular, with flat areas at the back of the recesses.
The outer area of the recesses are much wider than the flat areas
at the back, allowing the clutch teeth to pivot and the outer ends
of the teeth to move from side to side. The recesses are situated
so that they point generally to the counterclockwise direction on
the circumference of the body, effectively making the clutch teeth
46 move in and out when they pivot from side to side. The springs 7
are inset into the walls on the counterclockwise side of the clutch
teeth 46, and push the teeth in the clockwise direction (as viewed
from the top). Referring to FIG. 31, when the body and clutch teeth
are turning in the counterclockwise direction (caused by pulling
the pull-cord), they slide along the inside of the initiating gear
11 until the ends of the teeth 46 lock themselves in the notches of
the initiating gear (by force of the springs 7). At this point
continued pulling of the pull-cord 3 causes the locked slip-clutch
gear assembly to turn the initiating gear 11, which in turn rotates
the draw gear 10 in the clockwise direction.
[0055] When pull-cord 3 is released, the loaded spiral spring 4
forces the initiating assembly to turn in the clockwise direction,
which causes the slip-clutch teeth to be pushed in by the inner
surface of the initiating gear 11 (the initiating gear is held in
place by the draw gear 10 and its locking teeth 47) in a continuous
and repeating fashion. The slipping of the gear 11 allows the
spiral spring 4 to decompress, turning the initiating assembly 12
clockwise, until the pull-cord 3 is drawn back in completely by the
initiating pulley.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 31, the drawing gear 10 is at the top of
the drawing assembly, and is on a horizontal plane with the slip
clutch gear 11 of the initiating assembly. The drawing gear has
trapezoidal holes 9 (FIG. 10), having vertically flat inside
surfaces, passing vertically through the gear body. The holes 9 are
positioned in a circular fashion, about half the radius of the gear
outward from the center. These holes mate with similarly shaped
raised areas on the top of the drawing pulley 50. On opposing sides
of the draw 10 gear are two recesses 63 (FIG. 29, 30), cut outward
from the gear and of the same height as the gear, which dogleg
sharply in the counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the top).
In these recesses are locking teeth 47 (FIG. 9), irregular shaped
devices that vaguely resemble the shape of a banana, which are
nearly the same vertical height as the vertical height of the draw
gear 10. Each locking tooth 47 has a hole 14 drilled vertically
through it about halfway along its length and width, through which
a pin 52 passes to provide a pivot point for each locking tooth.
The pins 52 in the locking teeth set into holes 61 in the bottom
and top surfaces of the recesses (the top surface being the bottom
surface of the cap, FIG. 34). The working end of each locking tooth
47 points into the teeth of the draw gear 10, pointing in a
generally clockwise direction. The spring end of each locking tooth
has a spring 49 (FIG. 24, 31) inserted between its side nearest the
draw gear 10 and the wall of the recess nearest the draw gear. This
configuration has the effect of allowing the draw gear 10 to turn
in the clockwise direction by pushing the protruding ends of the
locking teeth up as each gear tooth 47 slides past them,
compressing the springs 49 at the spring ends of the locking teeth;
the locking teeth point into the faces of the gear teeth, and
prevent the draw gear 10 from turning counterclockwise since the
points of the locking teeth are angled severely in a clockwise
direction.
[0057] The drawing pulley 50 is located just below the drawing gear
10, having six trapezoid-shaped raised areas 21 (FIG. 18, 20) which
fit into the holes of the drawing gear when the drawing pulley 50
is pushed up into the drawing gear 10 by the return plate 25. The
lace 23 is fastened to the contact surface of the draw pulley 50 by
way of a hole 24 drilled through the pulley (centered vertically on
the lace contact surface of the pulley, and drilled on the
horizontal plane of the motion of the pulley, but not through the
center where the draw axle 35 fits). In the current embodiment, the
end of the lace 23 (braided nylon cord) is melted so that it is
hard and of larger diameter than the lace; this keeps the lace from
pulling back through the hole 24, which is the same diameter as the
lace.
[0058] In the preferred embodiment, the draw axle 35 (FIG. 12) is a
smooth stainless steel shaft having a raised area 15 near its
vertical middle point. The raised area is disk shaped and about
twice the diameter of the draw axle 35; it is positioned between
the draw gear 10 and draw pulley 50 in the draw assembly, and fits
into beveled areas on the bottom and top of the axle holes of the
draw gear and pulley respectively (this allows the gear/pulley to
make full surface contact). When the release button 38 (FIG. 28,
located on the end of the draw axle 35 external to the case) is
pressed, the draw axle 35 is pushed downward through the draw gear
10 (which stays in position due to the lip 58 under it in the
case), and the draw axle disk 15 is pushed downward into the draw
pulley 50. This separates the previously locked draw pulley and
draw gear, allowing the draw pulley to turn freely and the lace to
loosen. Also, when the release button 38 is pushed, the bottom end
of the draw axle 35 pushes the return mechanism.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 13, 21, 22, 23, the return mechanism (part
of the drawing assembly) comprises: a return plate 25, a return
spring 64, a guide pin 28, and a return guide 65. The return plate
25, located below the draw pulley in the draw assembly, is a flat
disk 26 with a cylindrical extrusion 27 (herein referred to as the
nub) coming out of the bottom. The nub 27 has a guide pin hole
drilled through its diameter near the flat bottom of it,
intersecting the vertical draw axle hole, and on a plane parallel
to the flat upper surface of the piece. On the outside edge of the
disk portion of the return plate is a triangular extrusion 30 (as
viewed from the top of the return plate; herein known as the return
catch) with a raised surface, which moves
clockwise/counterclockwise depending on whether the draw pulley 50
is being locked to or released from the draw gear 10 (the raised
surface of the return catch 30 travels outside the circumference of
the draw pulley).
[0060] The guide pin 28 fits into the guide pin hole with both ends
of the guide pin extending past the outer surfaces of the nub 27 of
the return plate 25. This pin effectively guides the return plate
25 through the return guide 65, and also serves to prevent the draw
axle 35 from pushing completely through the return plate.
[0061] The return guide 65 is a cylinder with a hollow center
(matched in size to the nub 27 on the return plate 25) which is
attached to the bottom inside of the case and is centered on the
vertical path of the draw axle 35 (the return guide is secured to
the case with bolts 33). The return guide has two angled openings
31 through is walls on opposing sides of the guide, which are
angled left to right from top to bottom (when viewed from the
outside). The return plate nub 27 fits inside the return guide 65,
and the guide pin 28 fits through the angled openings 31 of the
return guide and through the guide pin holes on the return plate
nub 27, causing the return plate 28 to turn approximately
one-eighth turn as the nub 27 travels through the guide 65. The nub
travels vertically in the guide, and the guide pin keeps the nub
from completely leaving the inside of the return guide when the
return plate is pushed up by the compression spring 64 (return
spring).
[0062] The return spring 64 is a compression spring, having a
flattened top and bottom, the ends of said spring having a small
length of the spring wire material bent up on the top 16 and down
on the bottom 17 (spurs). The return spring 64 is of slightly
greater diameter than the return guide 65, and fits around the
return guide; the bottom of the return spring rests on the bottom
of the case. The spur 17 on the bottom points down and is inserted
into a round recess 57 (FIG. 36) in the bottom of the case 55. The
spur at the top 16 of the spring 64 is inserted into a small hole
29 drilled into the return plate disk 26 (the return spring top
rests against the bottom surface of the return plate disk), which
aids in pushing the return plate 25 into the locked position 66
(FIG. 35); a small amount of clockwise torsion is applied to the
spring 64--which is locked in place by the spurs 16, 17--during
assembly. The return spring 64 serves to push the return plate 25
upward, and also has the secondary function of helping turn the
return plate counterclockwise to the locked position 66 while it is
being compressed by the release button 38/draw axle 35. For
clarification, when the drawing assembly is unlocked, the return
mechanism is in the locked position, and vice versa.
[0063] Referring to the previous description of the functions of
the initiating assembly, when the pull-cord 3 is pulled, the
initiating gear 11 is turned counterclockwise. This, through their
meshed teeth, turns the draw gear 10 in a clockwise direction. The
draw gear turns the draw pulley 50, with which it locked, in a
clockwise direction. The draw pulley pulls in the lace 23,
tightening the shoe or other object to be laced. When the pull-cord
is released, the draw gear 10 maintains the draw pulley 50 and lace
23 in the tightened position by way of the locking teeth 47; it
remains this way until the release button 38 is pushed, or until
the pull-cord is pulled again for further tightening. To release
the tension on the lace, the release button 38 on top of the draw
axle 35 is pushed downward, which separates the draw pulley 50 from
the draw gear 10 by way of the aforementioned raised area 15 on the
draw axle, allowing the draw pulley to spin freely and release the
lace tension. When the draw axle 35 is pushed, the bottom end
pushes the return plate 25 downward through the return guide 65;
the return plate turns counterclockwise causing the return catch 30
on the outer edge of the return plate to press into the notched
area 5 (FIG. 38, 5) around the bottom part of the initiating pulley
51. Also the return spring 64 is compressed, and the return spring
helps turn the guide plate to the locked position 66 by way of
counterclockwise tension put on the spring. When in the locked
position, the guide pin 28 catches in small horizontal areas 32
(FIG. 23) at the bottom its travel through the angled cutouts 31 in
the return guide 65; These horizontal areas are in the top surfaces
of the cutouts, and make the cutouts resemble hockey sticks in
shape.
[0064] Once the return mechanism is locked, all drawn length of the
lace is free to be pulled out of the drawing mechanism 36. When the
pull-cord 3 is pulled again, the return catch 30 (which is pushed
against the notches 5 in the initiating pulley 51) turns the return
plate 25 clockwise, which moves the ends of the guide pin 28 out of
the locked position of the return guide 65. The return guide is
pushed upward by the return spring 64, turning clockwise further
through the return guide, and reapplying the counterclockwise
tension to the spring. The upward thrust return plate 25 pushes the
draw pulley 50 into the locked position with the draw gear 10. All
this happens as soon as the pull-cord 3 is pulled, and the
remaining pulling length of the pull-cord will affect the draw
pulley tightening the lace 23 again.
[0065] The method of attachment of the terminating end of the lace
is unimportant so long at it is a strong attachment. The type of
pulleys, placement of pulleys, and method of attaching the pulleys
to the shoe upper can vary insofar as the pulleys are unhindered in
turning, and the functionality of the pulleys is not compromised.
The placement, shape, configuration, and internal parts of the
drawing mechanism can also vary so long as the function remains the
same.
* * * * *