Patent ID: 7591050

Claim:
A footwear lacing system, comprising: a footwear member including first and second opposing sides configured to fit around a foot; a plurality of lace guide members positioned on the first and second opposing sides; a lace guided by the guide members, the lace linked to a spool that is rotatable in a winding direction and an unwinding direction; a tightening mechanism attached to the footwear member and coupled to the spool, the tightening mechanism including a control for winding the lace around the spool to place tension on the lace thereby pulling the opposing sides towards each other; and a safety device selectively moveable between a first secure position in which the spool is inhibited from rotating in an unwinding direction, and a second releasing position in which the spool is free to rotate in an unwinding direction; wherein the control comprises a rotatable knob for winding the lace around the spool, and the safety device is moved to its second releasing position by manipulating the knob.