Patents Assigned to BOA Technology, Inc.
  • Reel based lacing system
    Patent number: 10123589
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Michael Joseph Nickel, Sean Cavanagh, James Paul Goodman
  • CLOSURE SYSTEM AND/OR SHOE CONFIGURATIONS FOR ENHANCING THE PERFORMANCE OF RUNNING SHOES
    Publication number: 20180310671
    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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Soderberg, Kristopher Lovett, Clark Morgan
  • LACING CONFIGURATIONS FOR FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20180295944
    Abstract: A lacing system for an article may include a tensioning mechanism, a plurality of guide members, and a lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routed along a lace path of the article via the plurality of guide members. The lace is routed along the lace path so that a first portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a top end of the lace path and so that a second portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a position that is adjacent a bottom end of the lace path. Tensioning of the lace, via the tensioning mechanism, causes the top end of the lace path and the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path to be initially tensioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kristopher Lovett
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR APPLYING A CONSTRICTIVE FORCE TO A LIMB
    Publication number: 20180271541
    Abstract: A device for applying a constrictive force about a limb includes a reel based device, a tension member, and a force application component. The reel based device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the housing, a load holding mechanism that enables the spool to rotate in a tightening direction within the housing and that prevents the spool from rotating in a loosening direction within the housing, and a knob that is coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the knob causes the spool to rotate in the tightening direction. The tension member is coupled with the spool so that as the spool rotates in the tightening direction, the tension member is wound about the spool. The force application component is coupled with the tension member so that as the tension member is wound about the spool, the force application component constricts about the limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: John Figueiredo, Bobby Dickensheets, Stefan Sporrer
  • Integrated closure device components and methods
    Patent number: 10076160
    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: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Randon Kruse, Thomas Pollack
  • REEL BASED CLOSURE SYSTEM EMPLOYING A FRICTION BASED TENSION MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20180257276
    Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured the spool to rotate in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Hipwood, Eric Irwin, Thomas Trudel, Mark Soderberg, Michael Nickel, Oronde Armstrong, Cody Henderson, Greg Langley, William Roushey, Thomas Pollack, Ashley Pickens, Ilya Minkin, Eric Whewell
  • Tightening mechanisms and applications including the same
    Patent number: 10070695
    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: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Tension limiting mechanisms for closure devices and methods therefor
    Patent number: 10039348
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing having an interior region and a spool positioned within the interior region and rotatable relative thereto. A tightening mechanism is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the interior region of the housing. A tension member is coupled with the spool and is configured to be tensioned upon rotation of the spool via the tightening mechanism. The device also includes a tension limiting mechanism that allows the tension member to be tensioned via the tightening mechanism until a tension threshold is achieved. After the tension threshold is achieved, further operation of the tightening mechanism does not substantially tension the tension member due to the tension limiting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Cavanagh, Michael Nickel, Jesse Cotterman, Eric Irwin, Brett Vladika, Randon Kruse, Mark Soderberg, Christopher Converse, Adam Auell
  • REEL BASED CLOSURE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180199672
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Hammerslag, Mark Soderberg, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Lacing configurations for footwear
    Patent number: 10004297
    Abstract: A lacing system for an article may include a tensioning mechanism, a plurality of guide members, and a lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routed along a lace path of the article via the plurality of guide members. The lace is routed along the lace path so that a first portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a top end of the lace path and so that a second portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a position that is adjacent a bottom end of the lace path. Tensioning of the lace, via the tensioning mechanism, causes the top end of the lace path and the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path to be initially tensioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kristopher Lovett
  • REEL BASED CLOSURE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180160775
    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: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Pollack, Eric Whewell, Randon Kruse, Mark Clementi, Josef Duller, Brendan Hoskens, David Roland, Mark Soderberg
  • GUIDES AND COMPONENTS FOR CLOSURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20180064212
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a component for attachment to an article includes an upper component that is made of a thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature and a flange member that is molded onto the upper component and made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature of the upper component. The flange member extends laterally from a bottom end of the upper component so that a bottom surface of the flange member is flush with or positioned axially below a bottom surface of the upper component. The melting temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer material enables the flange member to be directly coupled to the article via heat welding and the like without substantially affecting the upper component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher Lovett, Andrea Cavanagh, Robert Burns, Mark Soderberg, Mark Kerns, Michael Nickel, James Capra, Ilya Minkin, Brett Vladika, Sean Cavanagh, David Dickensheets
  • TENSION MEMBER GUIDES OF A LACING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180035759
    Abstract: A tension member guide that is configured to direct or route a tension member about a path of an article includes a cover member and a guide member that is partially covered by the cover member. The cover member is attachable to the article and includes a pair of slits or incisions. The guide member is folded along a longitudinal length to form a loop or channel within which the tension member may be inserted. The guide member is positioned in relation to the cover member so that opposing end portions of the loop or channel are inserted through the slits or incisions such that the opposing end portions are positioned on an opposite side of the cover member from a remainder of the guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Pollack, Kristopher Lovett, Thomas Trudel, Cody Henderson, Clark Morgan, Mark Soderberg, Anna Hetman
  • Methods and devices for providing automatic closure of prosthetics and orthotics
    Patent number: 9872790
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a lacing system for opening and closing an article includes a tensioning device having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, a first tension member that is coupled with the tensioning device and tensionable thereby, and a second tension member that is coupled with the tensioning device and tensionable thereby. The tensioning device is configured to: effect tensioning of the first tension member to close and tighten the article upon operation of the tensioning device in the first mode of operation and effect tensioning of the second tension member to loosen and open the article upon operation of the tensioning device in the second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: James Capra, Mark Soderberg, Aaron Venturini, Kristopher Lovett
  • Closure devices for seat cushions
    Patent number: 9872568
    Abstract: An adjustable seat back includes a frame having a perimeter and a cushioning material that is disposed at least partially within the frame's perimeter. The adjustable seat back also includes a tension member and a plurality of straps that are disposed over the frame with a distal end that is coupled with the cushioning material and a proximal end that is operationally coupled with the tension member. A reel based tightening mechanism is operably coupled with the tension member and configured to tension the tension member and thereby tension the plurality of straps. Tensioning of the plurality of straps effects adjustment of the cushioning material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: James Capra, Mark Dutton, Anna Hetman, Steven D. DuFresne
  • Reel based closure system
    Patent number: 9867430
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Hammerslag, Mark Soderberg, Christopher K. Holmes, Peter F. Costa, Bruce K. Johnson
  • Guides for lacing systems
    Patent number: 9854873
    Abstract: Lacing systems are disclosed for use with footwear or other articles. The lacing system can include flexible webbing lace guides. A lace guide can include a first lace guide element and a second lace guide element. The lace can pass through the first and second lace guides consecutively on the first side of the article before crossing to the opposing side of the article. The first and second lace guide elements can be angled towards each other to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide elements. The lace guide can have a central portion that is less flexible than the end portions so as to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide when tension is applied to the lace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kerns, Mark Soderberg, Adam Auell, Gary Hammerslag
  • REEL BASED CLOSURE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170354206
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Hammerslag, Michael Mayberry, Mark Soderberg
  • FAILURE COMPENSATING LACE TENSION DEVICES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170311682
    Abstract: A reel for tightening an article includes a housing and a spool positioned within the housing. A knob is coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about a central post of the spool. A load holding mechanism is coupled with the spool and the housing and includes a first friction element and a second friction element that are frictionally engageable to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from the spool's central post. Rotation of the knob in a first direction reduces frictional engagement of the friction elements to enable rotation of the spool in the first direction and tension in the tension member biases the spool toward rotation in the second direction which increases the frictional engagement of the friction elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Trudel, Eric Craig Irwin, Eric Whewell
  • CLOSURE DEVICES INCLUDING INCREMENTAL RELEASE MECHANISMS AND METHODS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20170303643
    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: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Converse, Eric Irwin, Randon Kruse, Mark Soderberg, Aaron Venturini