Reel-based tightening device

Abstract

A reel-based tightening device includes a housing case defining a housing seat, a spool housed rotatable around a first rotation axis in said housing seat and provided with annular groove to allow the winding of a traction cable, a knob assembly rotatably mounted on said housing case around a second rotation axis parallel to said first rotation axis and operatively connected to said spool through drive means, locking means configured to lock the rotary position progressively achieved by the spool by rotating the knob assembly so as to obtain the gradual winding and unwinding of the cable around said spool, and selective release means which can be actuated by a user so as to free the rotation of said spool and allow the quick release of the cable.

1 . Reel-based tightening device comprising:
 a housing case defining a housing seat,   a spool housed rotatable around a first rotation axis and in said housing seat and provided with an annular groove to allow winding of a traction cable,   a knob assembly rotatably mounted on said housing case around a second rotation axis parallel to said first rotation axis and operatively connected to said spool through drive means,   locking means configured to lock the rotary position progressively achieved by the spool by rotating the knob assembly so as to obtain the gradual winding and unwinding of the cable around said spool,   selective release means which can be actuated by a user to free the rotation of said spool and allow a quick release of the cable,   wherein said selective release means are adapted to selectively cooperate with said locking means being movable between a first position, neutral with respect to said locking means, wherein they allow the progressive locking of the rotary position of the spool together with said knob assembly allowing the gradual and controlled winding/unwinding of the cable, and a second position, wherein they disable said locking means to free the rotation of said spool together with said knob assembly and allow the quick release of the cable, retaining means being provided to stably retain said selective release means in said second position.   
     
     
         2 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprise an elastically deformable element adapted to elastically oppose the movement of said selective release means at least from said second position to said first position. 
     
     
         3 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive means comprise a pinion keyed with a first end to said knob assembly, and associated, with the opposite end, with said spool by engaging a gear teeth system with a circumferential toothing provided on an upper surface of said spool. 
     
     
         4 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 1 , wherein said locking means comprise a flange rotatable integrally joined with said knob assembly and a pawl fixed to said casing so as to be able to oscillate around a third rotation axis essentially perpendicular to said first rotation axis countering against second elastic means, said pawl being provided with an engagement tooth adapted to be engaged with a radial toothing obtained on said flange to lock the rotary position progressively reached by said spool, and with an abutment portion adapted to cooperate at least with said selective release means when said selective release means are in said second position. 
     
     
         5 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 4 , wherein said knob assembly comprises a control portion that is essentially annular-shaped, which is axially movable along said second rotation axis countering against first elastic means and defining a central seat, an axially non-removable covering element adapted to be partially introduced into said central seat and arranged to close the top opening thereof, and a ring nut centrally drilled for engagement with said drive means and meshed with said control portion. 
     
     
         6 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 4 , wherein said flange is mounted on said ring nut. 
     
     
         7 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 4 , further comprising safety means adapted to selectively cooperate with said locking means, being movable between a neutral position and a safety position in which they prevent the oscillation of said pawl around said third axis. 
     
     
         8 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 5 , wherein said selective release means are formed by the control portion of said knob assembly, which is axially movable along said second rotation axis between said first position, wherein it is distal from said spool, and said second position, wherein it is proximal to said spool, said control portion being configured to interact with a first abutment portion ( 44 ) of said pawl to cause a rotation of said pawl around said third rotation axis such to disengage said engagement tooth from said radial toothing of said flange. 
     
     
         9 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 8 , wherein said retaining means comprise a retaining tooth integrally joined with said control portion and projecting into the central seat, and an elastic ring arranged trapped between said covering element and said ring nut, said ring being adapted to deform elastically in a radial direction to allow said retaining tooth to pass through and to return elastically to the initial condition so as to counteract a reverse movement. 
     
     
         10 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 7 , wherein said safety means comprise an arm projecting with a first end portion laterally from said housing case and articulated with a second end portion in the housing seat around a fourth rotation axis, essentially parallel to said first rotation axis, said second end being provided with a safety appendage, said arm being suitable to be rotatably moved between a neutral position, wherein it does not interact with said locking means, and a safety position wherein said safety appendage cooperates with an abutment portion of said pawl to prevent the oscillation thereof around said third rotation axis. 
     
     
         11 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 4 , wherein said selective release means comprise an arm projecting with a first end portion laterally from said housing case and hinged at the second end portion in said housing seat around a fourth rotation axis, extending essentially parallel to said first rotation axis, so as to be rotatably movable between said first position and said second position, said second end portion of said arm having a release appendage configured to cooperate, when said arm is in said second position, with a second abutment portion of said pawl to cause a rotation of said pawl around said third rotation axis such to disengage said engagement tooth from said radial toothing of said flange. 
     
     
         12 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 11 , wherein said arm can be rotatably moved around said fourth axis also in a safety position, said second end portion of said arm being provided with a safety appendage configured to cooperate, when said arm is in the safety position, with said a second abutment portion of said pawl to prevent the oscillation of said pawl around said third rotation axis. 
     
     
         13 . Reel-based tightening device according to  claim 11 , wherein said retaining means comprise a retaining grub screw mounted on said arm and associated with a compression spring which elastically pushes it to engage a first engagement hole obtained in the housing case when said arm reaches said second position. 
     
     
         14 . Tightening assembly comprising a traction cable and a reel-based tightening device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . Sports article comprising a reel-based tightening device according to  claim 1 .