Tensioning device

Abstract

A tensioning device is designed to reduce the size of an opening on an underlying device or garment. The tensioning device includes a knob, a spool to receive a tensioning element, and a housing having an annular wall extending from a base configured to receive the spool. The tensioning device includes the first locking profile designed to interlock with a second locking profile of the tensioning device for restricting rotation of the knob relative to the housing and maintaining tension in the tensioning element under load.

1 . A tensioning device comprising:
 a knob configured to adjust tension of a tensioning element, the knob including at least a first tab and a second tab;   a spool for winding a portion of the tensioning element about a first rotational axis; and   a housing configured to receive the spool and connected with the knob, the housing including an annular wall extending upward from a base and further including a set of teeth defining a first locking profile;   wherein the at least first tab and second tab of the knob are configured to displace the spool about the first rotational axis; and   wherein the first locking profile is configured to interlock with at least one second locking profile of the tensioning device and arranged to prevent rotation of the knob relative to the housing and further arranged to maintain tension in the tensioning element under load.   
     
     
         2 . The tensioning device of  claim 1 , further comprising a ratchet configured to incrementally adjust rotation of the spool about the first rotational axis, the ratchet including one or more levers connected by at least one resilient member, wherein each lever comprises one or more prongs defining the at least one second locking profile arranged to interlock with the set of teeth and a shoulder arranged to engage with the at least first tab and second tab. 
     
     
         3 . The tensioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the knob further includes at least a first elongated groove and a second elongated groove configured to engage with at least a first shaft and a second shaft of the spool arranged to incrementally shift the prongs between the set of teeth in a first direction about the first rotational axis. 
     
     
         4 . The tensioning device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least first shaft and second shaft are formed on an upper portion of the spool and are further formed offset and parallel to the first rotational axis. 
     
     
         5 . The tensioning device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least first tab and second tab are configured to engage with the shoulders of the ratchet for rotating the levers about the at least first shaft and second shaft of the spool to incrementally shift the prongs between teeth in a second direction about the first rotational axis. 
     
     
         6 . The tensioning device of any one of  claim 1 , wherein the teeth are radially formed along the annular wall. 
     
     
         7 . The tensioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one resilient member is curvilinearly formed, and wherein material stiffness of the at least one resilient member controls a force threshold required to displace the one or more prongs between teeth. 
     
     
         8 . The tensioning device of any one of  claim 1 , further comprising a range limiting member configured to permit rotation of the spool about the first rotation axis and restrict rotation of the spool in an opposite direction about the first rotation axis, the range limiting member including an arm arranged within a cavity of the spool and configured to engage with a gutter of the housing to restrict rotation of the spool in the opposite direction. 
     
     
         9 . A tensioning device comprising:
 a knob configured to adjust tension of a tensioning element, the knob including at least a first tab and a second tab;   a spool for winding a portion of the tensioning element about a first rotational axis;   a housing configured to receive the spool and connected with the knob, the housing including an annular wall extending upward from a base and further including a set of teeth defining a first locking profile; and   a ratchet for incrementally adjusting rotation of the spool about the first rotational axis, the ratchet being positioned between the knob and the spool;   wherein the at least a first tab and a second tab of the knob are configured to displace the spool about the first rotational axis; and   wherein the first locking profile is configured to interlock with at least one second locking profile of the tensioning device and arranged to prevent rotation of the knob relative to the housing and further arranged to maintain tension in the tensioning element under load.   
     
     
         10 . The tensioning device of  claim 9 , wherein the ratchet includes one or more levers connected by at least one resilient member. 
     
     
         11 . The tensioning device of  claim 10 , wherein each lever of the one or more levers comprises one or more prongs defining the at least one second locking profile arranged to interlock with the set of teeth and further comprises a shoulder arranged to engage with the at least first tab and second tab. 
     
     
         12 . The tensioning device of  claim 11 , wherein each of the at least first tab and second tab are configured to engage with shoulders of the ratchet and rotate the one or more levers about at least first shaft and second shaft of the spool to incrementally shift the one or more prongs between teeth in a second direction about the first rotational axis. 
     
     
         13 . The tensioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the knob further includes at least a first elongated groove and a second elongated groove configured to engage with the at least a first shaft and a second shaft of the spool and further configured to incrementally shift the one or more prongs between the set of teeth in a first direction about the first rotational axis. 
     
     
         14 . The tensioning device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least a first elongated groove and a second elongated groove form a space for the shoulders to freely move without touching the at least first tab and second tab of the knob when tightening the tensioning device. 
     
     
         15 . The tensioning device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one resilient member is formed between a prong-end of a first lever and a shoulder-end of a second lever of the one or more levers.