Patents Assigned to BOA Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12144401
    Abstract: A lace tensioning device includes a housing component having an interior region, a first aperture, and a second aperture, and a spool component that is rotatably positionable within the interior region of the housing component. The spool component has a central cylindrical member and a lumen that extends through the central cylindrical portion. The spool component is rotatable within the interior region of the housing component to align one end of the lumen with the first aperture and to align an opposite end of the lumen with the second aperture to enable a lace to be inserted through the first aperture, the lumen, and the second aperture so that opposing ends of the lace are positioned exterior to the housing component. A knot may then be tied in the lace and the lace retracted to couple the lace with the housing component and spool component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Randon Kruse, Thomas Pollack
  • Publication number: 20240375910
    Abstract: A reel based closure device for tensioning a tension member is described herein. The reel based closure device includes a housing that defines a vertical axis, a plurality of teeth operably coupled with the housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, and an engagement member comprising one or more teeth that engage with the plurality of teeth during a rotation of the spool. A dial or knob is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the dial or knob effects the rotation of the spool to wind the tension member about the spool. A length of each tooth that is operably coupled with the housing is substantially longer than a length of each tooth of the engagement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Pollack, Randon Kruse, Eric Irwin, Daniel Hipwood, Mark Clementi, Brendan Hoskens, Erik Suomi, Charles Clayton Corbett, Geoff Gloceri, Ryan Wesson, Eric Whewell, Jeffrey Gay, Taylor James DiTallo, Cody Henderson, Erik Anders Swanson, Tyler Ziebelman, John Coe, Stephen Evans
  • Patent number: 12127632
    Abstract: A shoe may include a sole and an upper. The upper may have a medial side and a lateral side that each have an edge positioned on opposing side of the shoe's tongue. The upper's medial side and/or the upper's lateral side may include stiffened regions and flexible regions with each stiffened region being disposed between two flexible regions so that the stiffened regions are moveable relative to one another upon tensioning of the medial and lateral sides of the upper. The opposing edges of the upper's medial and lateral sides may be substantially linear or straight prior to tensioning of the upper's medial and lateral sides and may be substantially uneven or nonlinear subsequent to tensioning of the upper's medial and lateral sides due to relative movement of the stiffened regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Soderberg, Kristopher Lovett, Clark Morgan
  • Publication number: 20240349845
    Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Pollack, Eric Whewell, Randon Kruse, Mark Clementi, Josef Duller, Brendan Hoskens, David Roland, Mark Soderberg
  • Publication number: 20240335008
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Publication number: 20240286866
    Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and a rotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. The knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The knob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in an opposite direction within the housing and thereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotation control component is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randon George Kruse, Josef Duller, Charles Clay Corbett, Ryan Vogt
  • Patent number: 12042018
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Publication number: 20240138529
    Abstract: A lace tensioning device includes a housing component having an interior region, a first aperture, and a second aperture, and a spool component that is rotatably positionable within the interior region of the housing component. The spool component has a central cylindrical member and a lumen that extends through the central cylindrical portion. The spool component is rotatable within the interior region of the housing component to align one end of the lumen with the first aperture and to align an opposite end of the lumen with the second aperture to enable a lace to be inserted through the first aperture, the lumen, and the second aperture so that opposing ends of the lace are positioned exterior to the housing component. A knot may then be tied in the lace and the lace retracted to couple the lace with the housing component and spool component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Randon Kruse, Thomas Pollack
  • Publication number: 20240099428
    Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Michael Joseph Nickel, Sean Cavanagh, James Paul Goodman
  • Publication number: 20240074541
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Converse, Eric Irwin, Randon Kruse, Mark Soderberg, Aaron Venturini
  • Patent number: 11919740
    Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and a rotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. The knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The knob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in an opposite direction within the housing and thereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotation control component is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randon George Kruse, Josef Duller, Charles Clay Corbett, Ryan Vogt
  • Patent number: 11903451
    Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Pollack, Eric Whewell, Randon Kruse, Mark Clementi, Josef Duller, Brendan Hoskens, David Roland, Mark Soderberg
  • Patent number: 11877943
    Abstract: A closure system for braces, protective wear and similar articles is disclosed. The closure system includes a plurality of opposing lace guide members and a tightening mechanism. The closure system further includes a lace extending through the guide members and coupled to the tightening mechanism. In some embodiments, a quick release apparatus is included to facilitate opening of the closure system. The tightening mechanism in some embodiments includes a control for winding the lace into a housing to place tension on the lace thereby tightening the closure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Hammerslag, James Capra
  • Publication number: 20240008586
    Abstract: An exemplary ski boot as described herein includes an outer shell, at least one guide member, a tensioning mechanism, and a tension member that is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. The tensioning mechanism and the at least one guide member are coupled with the outer shell and the at least one guide member is operably coupled with the tension member to route or direct the tension member along a lace path about the ski boot's outer shell. The lace path includes an upper end, a lower end, and a midpoint positioned between the upper end and lower end. The tensioning mechanism is positioned near the midpoint of the lace path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Manzato, Zachary Hamilton Jensen, Isabella Oberhauser
  • Publication number: 20240000196
    Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a shoe or boot, includes a sole, an upper, and one or more guides that are coupled or attached with the upper. The one or more guides are configured and arranged to route or direct a tension member along a path about the footwear. The footwear also includes a panel having a fixed end that is attached to a first side of the upper and a free end that is positioned opposite the fixed end. The panel extends from the first side of the upper toward a second side of the upper. The panel is positionable over at least one guide of the one or more guides to cover and conceal the at least one guide from external view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Stepanian, Matt Zwiesler, Melissa Norrish, Hannah McDermott, Andrea Kilness, Kevin Chen, Anna Hetman
  • Publication number: 20230413950
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher C. Lovett, Christopher H. Converse, Clark Morgan, Michael J. Nickel
  • Patent number: D1044257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Ziebelman, Brendan Lee
  • Patent number: D1048696
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Swanson
  • Patent number: D1049606
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Evans, Maxwell Weiland, Marco Armiraglio, Alessandro Manzato, Brendan Hoskens
  • Patent number: D1052251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan Hoskens