Abstract: A lacing system for tightening an article includes a first guide that is coupled with the article and positioned within a first zone of the article and a second guide that is coupled with the article and positioned within a second zone of the article with at least a portion of the second zone being different than the first zone. A first tension member is guided by the first guide within the first zone and a second tension member is guided by the second guide within the second zone. Tensioning of the first tension member or second tension member causes tightening of the respective zone of the article. A tensioning mechanism is also coupled with the article and with the first and second tension members. The tensioning mechanism is configured to tension the first and second tension members to tighten the first and second zones of the article.

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.

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.

Abstract: A lacing system for tightening an article includes a first guide that is coupled with the article and positioned within a first zone of the article and a second guide that is coupled with the article and positioned within a second zone of the article with at least a portion of the second zone being different than the first zone. A first tension member is guided by the first guide within the first zone and a second tension member is guided by the second guide within the second zone. Tensioning of the first tension member or second tension member causes tightening of the respective zone of the article. A tensioning mechanism is also coupled with the article and with the first and second tension members. The tensioning mechanism is configured to tension the first and second tension members to tighten the first and second zones of the article.

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.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a brace may include a motorized tensioning device, a tensioning member operationally coupled with the motorized tensioning device to tighten the brace about the limb, and a control unit communicatively coupled with the motorized tensioning device to control adjustment of a tension of the tensioning member. A method for providing therapy with the brace fitted about a limb may include communicating a first instruction from the control unit to the motorized tensioning device to adjust the tension of the tensioning member according to a therapeutic regimen that is designed to aid in recovery of the limb via repetitive movement of the limb.

Abstract: A device for tightening an article about a limb includes a tension member that is guided about the article and that is tensionable to close or tighten the article about the limb. The device also includes a tightening mechanism that is configured to tension the tension member to close or tighten the article and that is further configured to maintain the tension of the tension member so that the article remains closed or tightened about the limb. The device further includes a tension limiting mechanism that prevents loosening of the tension member's tension beyond a determined threshold so that the article remains closed or tightened about the limb.

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.

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.

Abstract: A reel-based mechanism for tightening footwear includes a tension member and a plurality of guide members that are positioned about an opening of the footwear. The plurality of guide members guide or direct the tension member about a path along the footwear. The reel-based mechanism further includes a tightening mechanism that is operationally coupled with the tension member to effect tensioning of the tension member and tightening of the footwear upon operation of the tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism performs one or more secondary functions that are not related to tightening of the footwear.

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.

Abstract: A tensioning system for medical braces and devices is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening, and full loosening of the tensioning member.

Abstract: Lacing systems are disclosed for use with footwear or other articles. The lacing system can comprises flexible webbing lace guides. In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, 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.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a tension member that is guided or directed about a path of the footwear via one or more guides that are coupled to the footwear. A tightening mechanism is operationally coupled with the tension member to effect a first tensioning of the tension member and a first tightening of the footwear upon operation of the tightening mechanism. A tension adjustment component is positioned along the path of the tension member and is also operationally coupled with the tension member to effect a second tensioning of the tension member and a second tightening of the footwear upon a movement of the tension adjustment component between a first position and a second position. The tension adjustment component effects the second tensioning of the tension member and the second tightening of the footwear without requiring operation of or interaction with the tightening mechanism.

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.

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.

Abstract: Lacing systems are disclosed for use with footwear or other articles. The lacing system can comprises flexible webbing lace guides. In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, 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.

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.

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.