Device for locking flexible strands

Abstract

A locking device for at least one strand, including a first portion and a second portion. The device includes an articulation which connects the portions to one another, the first portion having a first locking zone and a first biasing zone, the second portion having a second locking zone and a second biasing zone, the articulation enabling the locking zones to come relatively closer together when the biasing zones move away from one another, and vice versa, the locking device further including a primary guide which retains each strand between the locking zones, as well as an elastic mechanism which biases the locking zones toward one another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 09.00377, filed on Jan. 29, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to a mechanical device for locking flexible strands, such as cords, threads, laces, other filiform elements, and any other product having the same or similar attribute(s).[0004]The invention relates, according to particular embodiments, to the locking or blocking of laces for articles of footwear, or laces for other clothing or storage articles.[0005]In more particular embodiments, the invention relates to the field of sports, and in particular to walking shoes, running shoes, hiking shoes, cycling shoes, cross-country ski shoes or boots, snowboard boots, alpine and other ski boots, and the like. The invention relates to any article that requires closing or tightening, s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]In view of the foregoing, the invention is directed to an improved locking device that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, the invention facilitates the unlocking operation of a locking device. Similarly, the invention improves upon the reverse operation, i.e., that of locking each strand. In other words, the locking and unlocking operations are made easier and faster.

[0022]The locking device according to the invention is therefore comparable to a clamp that tightens and locks each strand reversibly between the first and second locking zones. The elastic mechanism makes the action of the device constant. The elastic mechanism is used to initiate the locking, which is amplified by the action of each strand on a biasing zone. A mere relative coming closer together of the two biasing zones, obtained for example by a mere grip between the forefinger and the thumb, is sufficient to stop the locking. This handling, carried out against the action of the elastic mechanism, is both simple and fast. The unlocking is thus undertaken in a very simple manner, even for a child, by simply pressing / pinching the biasing zones, the locking occurring automatically as soon as the elastic mechanism is relaxed. Bringing the biasing zones closer together implies a relative spacing apart of the locking zones. As is described below, the invention provides that an increase in the tension of the strands amplifies the locking effect. For example, on an article of footwear, such as a shoe or a boot, the strands which tighten the upper are arranged so as to bias the biasing zones in the direction to space them apart. Thus, an exceptional stress on the upper increases the tightening of the strands.

[0024]Any number of strands, i.e., one or more, can be used. Consequently, the locking device multiplies the arrangement possibilities for managing the tightening of the articles involved. For example, the lacing system of an article of footwear can include one or more strands of a lace, each strand having a specific path.

Problems solved by technology

The unlocking operation is not always easy to carry out, in particular for young children.

To retain the body while moving the pushing member can be a challenge for young children.

This operation is all the more difficult as the size of the device is reduced.

Moreover, the device is often housed in a small and difficult-to-reach area.

As a result, the device is more difficult to reach, which contributes to the difficulty of actuating the pushing member.

Finally, the unlocking operation is even more difficult when the user is wearing gloves, as they hinder the handling of the device.

A difference in tension between two strands does not prevent the locking of one of them.

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