Patent ID: 9138030
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: A41F,A43C,A45C,A45F,A61F,A63B,A63C,B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A reel for use with a lacing system for tightening an article comprising: a housing having an interior region; a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing and rotatable relative thereto; a knob rotatable relative to the housing and operably coupled with the spool, the knob being rotatable in a first direction relative to the housing to cause a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the interior region of the housing by selective engagement of an arm with a depression, wherein engagement of the arm with the depression substantially impedes the spool from rotating in a second direction within the interior region of the housing, and wherein incremental rotation of the spool in the first direction incrementally winds a tension member about the spool; an incremental release mechanism that is operable to allow the spool to incrementally rotate in the second direction within the interior region of the housing by selective disengagement of the arm from the depression, wherein incremental rotation of the spool in the second direction incrementally unwinds the tension member from about the spool; and a full release mechanism that is configured upon actuation to fully disengage the arm from the depression to allow the spool to freely rotate in the second direction within the interior region of the housing and thereby enable full unwinding of the tension member from about the spool.