Detachable automatic tightening shoe tightner

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a hands-free rotational shoestring tightening device (RSTD) configured to adjust a tension of a shoestring by rotating a wheel against the ground. In an illustrative example, the RSTD may include a base module permanently attached at a heel at a proximal end along a longitudinal axis of a shoe. The base module, for example, may include an opening at the proximal end of the shoe. The RSTD may include, for example, a roto component configured to releasably couple into the opening of the base module. The roto component may include a wheel. The roto component may include an axle shaft coupled through a hub of the wheel. In an assembled state, for example, the roto component is releasably locked within a cavity defined by the base module and the lock module. Various embodiments may advantageously provide replaceable parts of the roto component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hands-free shoestring tightening device comprising:
 a base module permanently attached at a heel at a proximal end along a longitudinal axis of the shoe, wherein the base module comprises an opening at the proximal end of the shoe;   an axle assembly configured to releasably couple into the opening of the base module, wherein the axle assembly comprises:
 a rotatable wheel; and, 
 an axle shaft coupled through a center of the rotatable wheel defining a rotational axis of the rotatable wheel, wherein the rotational axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and, 
   a lock module comprises a first engagement member configured to releasably engage a coupling feature of the base module, and a second engagement member configured engage to the axle assembly around the rotational axis, wherein, during assembly, the lock module is configured to slidably secure the base module and the axle assembly through the first engagement member and the second engagement member, and, in an assembled state,
 the axle assembly is coupled to the base module, 
 the first engagement member engages the base module, and, 
 the second engagement member engages the axle assembly, such that the axle assembly is releasably locked within a cavity defined by the base module and the lock module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hands-free shoestring tightening device of  claim 1 , wherein the axle assembly is configured to slide from the proximal end towards a distal end of the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The hands-free shoestring tightening device of  claim 1 , wherein the base module comprises an engagement collar extended from a top side of the opening towards a bottom, wherein the engagement collar is configured to engage the first engagement member, such that a forward force is exerted at the first engagement member towards a distal end of the shoe. 
     
     
         4 . The hands-free shoestring tightening device of  claim 3 , wherein the lock module comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw is releasably coupled jointly to form a bipartite clamp in the assembled state, wherein the bipartite clamp comprises a hook configured as the second engagement member to engage the axle assembly, such that a backward force is exerted at the second engagement member towards the proximal end of the shoe. 
     
     
         5 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 1 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a lumen configured to allow a shoelace of the shoe to pass through, wherein a length of the shoelace received along the axle shaft is directly proportional to an angular displacement of the axle shaft in a first direction, such that the shoelace is tightened when the rotatable wheel is rotated in the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 5 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a ratchet wheel such that the rotatable wheel is only allowed to be rotated in the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 1 , wherein the axle shaft comprises bearings. 
     
     
         8 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 1 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a unitary body, such that the axle shaft is modularly replaceable. 
     
     
         9 . The shoestring tightening device of the  claim 1 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a tapered eyelet at each end of the shaft, wherein a width of the eyelet is monotonically decreasing from a center of the axle shaft towards the peripheral of the axle shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A shoestring tightening device comprising:
 an axle assembly comprising an axle shaft configured to receive a shoelace of a shoe, and a rotatable wheel connected to the axle shaft configured to actuate rotation of the axle shaft; and,   a base module permanently attached at a heel at a proximal end along a longitudinal axis of the shoe, wherein the base module comprises:
 a top load cavity configured to receive configured to receive the axle assembly; and 
 a bottom opening to the top load cavity configured to expose the rotatable wheel at a bottom surface of the base module after the axle assembly is received within the top load cavity. 
   
     
     
         11 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 8 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a lumen configured to allow a shoelace of the shoe to pass through, wherein a length of the shoelace received along the axle shaft is directly proportional to an angular displacement of the axle shaft in a first direction, such that the shoelace is tightened when the rotatable wheel is rotated in the first direction. 
     
     
         12 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 9 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a ratchet wheel such that the rotatable wheel is only allowed to be rotated in the first direction. 
     
     
         13 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 8 , wherein the axle shaft comprises bearings. 
     
     
         14 . The shoestring tightening device of  claim 8 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a unitary body, such that the axle shaft is modularly replaceable. 
     
     
         15 . The shoestring tightening device of the  claim 8 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a tapered eyelet at each end of the shaft, wherein a width of the eyelet is monotonically decreasing from a center of the axle shaft towards the peripheral of the axle shaft. 
     
     
         16 . A hands-free shoestring tightening device comprising:
 a base module fixedly attached at a shoe's heel at a proximal end along a longitudinal axis of a shoe; and,   an axle assembly configured to releasably couple to the opening of the base module, wherein the axle assembly comprises:
 a rotatable wheel; 
 a first engagement member configured to engage a first coupling member of the base module and, 
 a lock module configured to release the first engagement member from the complimentary coupling member base module. 
   
     
     
         17 . The hands-free shoestring tightening device of  claim 16 , wherein the axel assembly further comprises a second engagement member configured to engage a second coupling member at the heel of the shoe. 
     
     
         18 . The hands-free shoestring tightening device of  claim 16 , wherein the axle assembly further comprises an axle shaft coupled through a center of the rotatable wheel defining a rotational axis of the rotatable wheel, wherein the rotational axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         19 . The hands-free shoestring tightening device of  claim 18 , wherein the axle shaft comprises a ratchet wheel such that the rotatable wheel is only allowed to be rotated in the first direction. 
     
     
         20 . The hands-free shoestring tightening device of  claim 16 , wherein the first engagement member is configured to engage the first coupling member via a snap-fit connection, wherein the snap-fit connection is achieved through complementary engaging features on the lock module and the base module.