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.

1 . A locking device for at least one strand, said locking device comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion;   an articulation that connects the portions for movement relative 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 first and second locking zones to move closer together when the first and second biasing zones are moved away from one another;   a primary guide structured and arranged to retain each strand between the locking zones; and   an elastic mechanism structured and arranged to bias the locking zones toward one another.   
     
     
         2 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first locking zone is in an area of a first end of the first portion; and   the second locking zone is in an area of a first end of the second portion.   
     
     
         3 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the articulation includes a cap arranged on the first portion, the cap including a first rib, a second rib, a first journal projecting from the first rib, and a second journal projecting from the second rib;   the articulation includes a fork arranged on the second portion, the fork including a first wing, a second wing, a first cavity being arranged in the first wing to receive the first journal, and a second cavity being arranged in the second wing to receive the second journal.   
     
     
         4 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the axis of the articulation is perpendicular to the plane for passage of the strands.   
     
     
         5 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a slit structured and arranged as the primary guide of the locking device for each of the strands.   
     
     
         6 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the biasing zones includes a respective secondary guide.   
     
     
         7 . A locking device according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 each of the strands is maintained in one of the secondary guides.   
     
     
         8 . A locking device according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the primary guide and the secondary guides define the passage plane.   
     
     
         9 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elastic mechanism is structured and arranged to bias the biasing zones away from one another.   
     
     
         10 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elastic mechanism comprises at least one blade structured and arranged to bias the biasing zones in a direction away from one another.   
     
     
         11 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elastic mechanism comprises a first blade and a second blade, the first portion of the device carrying the first and second blades.   
     
     
         12 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elastic mechanism comprises a first blade projecting from the first portion, and a second blade projecting from the second portion.   
     
     
         13 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elastic mechanism comprises a single blade connecting the first and second portions to one another.   
     
     
         14 . A locking device according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first unitary part comprising the first portion, the first rib, the second rib, the first journal, the second journal, the first blade, the second blade and the first secondary guide; and   a second unitary part comprising the second portion, the first wing, the second wing, and the second secondary guide.   
     
     
         15 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first locking zone includes one or more teeth; and   the second locking zone includes one or more teeth.   
     
     
         16 . A locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the assembly of the portions is obtained by snap engagement.   
     
     
         17 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an outer sole;   an upper mounted on and attached to the outer sole;   said upper comprising a lateral quarter and a medial quarter;   at least one filiform element comprising at least one strand;   a plurality of guides mounted on said lateral and medial quarters to guide the at least one strand along a path to enable the lateral and medial quarters to be tightened; and   a locking device for the at least one strand, said locking device comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion; 
 an articulation that connects the portions for movement relative 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 first and second locking zones to move closer together when the first and second biasing zones are moved away from one another; 
 a primary guide structured and arranged to retain each strand between the locking zones; and 
 an elastic mechanism structured and arranged to bias the locking zones toward one another. 
   
     
     
         18 . A locking device for at least one strand, said locking device comprising:
 a first portion;   a second portion;   said first and second portions being structured and arranged to cooperate in movement one relative to another to comprise a clamp for selectively locking the at least one strand against movement along a length of the at least one strand, and (2) unlocking the at least one strand for movement along the length of the at least one strand; and   means for biasing the at least one strand in a direction of toward a locked state; and   means for facilitating application of a force opposing said biasing of the strands to bring the at least one strand to an unlocked state.