Integrated closure device components and methods
DCFirst Claim
1. A reel assembly for tightening an article comprising:
- a housing component having an interior region;
a spool component rotatably positioned within the interior region of the housing component, the spool component having an annular channel formed therein around which a tension member is gathered to tighten the article;
a drive component positioned axially above the spool component and operably coupled therewith to allow the spool component to rotate in a first direction within the housing component'"'"'s interior region while preventing rotation of the spool component in a second direction;
a tightening component rotatably coupled within the housing and positioned axially above the drive component and coupled therewith such that operation of the tightening component causes the spool component to rotate within the housing component'"'"'s interior region in the first direction to gather the tension member around the spool component'"'"'s annular channel and thereby tighten the article, wherein the tightening component includes one or more radially protruding flanges that couple with a coupling feature of the housing component consisting of a single annular ridge; and
a central boss positioned axially below the spool component, the central boss protruding axially upward into the interior region of the housing component and being coaxially aligned with an aperture of the spool such that the spool rotates around the central boss;
wherein the one or more radially protruding flanges of the tightening component is configured to snap together couple with the single annular ridge of the housing component to fasten the housing component, the spool component, the drive component, and the tightening component together.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to an embodiment, a method of assembling a reel includes coupling a drive component with a tightening component and coupling the tightening component with a top end of a housing. A spool component is then inserted within a bottom end of the housing so that the spool component is positioned within the housing'"'"'s interior region and faces a bottom surface of the drive component. An attachment component is then coupled with the bottom end of the housing. The attachment component includes a coupling member that couples with the drive component. Coupling of the coupling member with the drive component operationally couples the drive component and the spool component so that operation of the tightening component causes the spool component to rotate within the housing in a first direction while preventing rotation of the spool component in a second direction.
436 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A reel assembly for tightening an article comprising:
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a housing component having an interior region; a spool component rotatably positioned within the interior region of the housing component, the spool component having an annular channel formed therein around which a tension member is gathered to tighten the article; a drive component positioned axially above the spool component and operably coupled therewith to allow the spool component to rotate in a first direction within the housing component'"'"'s interior region while preventing rotation of the spool component in a second direction; a tightening component rotatably coupled within the housing and positioned axially above the drive component and coupled therewith such that operation of the tightening component causes the spool component to rotate within the housing component'"'"'s interior region in the first direction to gather the tension member around the spool component'"'"'s annular channel and thereby tighten the article, wherein the tightening component includes one or more radially protruding flanges that couple with a coupling feature of the housing component consisting of a single annular ridge; and a central boss positioned axially below the spool component, the central boss protruding axially upward into the interior region of the housing component and being coaxially aligned with an aperture of the spool such that the spool rotates around the central boss; wherein the one or more radially protruding flanges of the tightening component is configured to snap together couple with the single annular ridge of the housing component to fasten the housing component, the spool component, the drive component, and the tightening component together. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification