Single-reel zonal lacing system for winter sports boots

Abstract

A single-reel zonal lacing system comprises a reel mechanism fixed to the upper, for example, the cuff or the tongue, and a separate cable for each zone. In a two-zone embodiment, a first cable engages the reel and extends across the elongate opening at least twice, and engages a multi-position retainer at an intermediate location. A second cable engages the reel and also extends across the elongate opening in at least two places. The cables are configured to be tensioned by the reel mechanism, and the effective length of the first cable is determined in part by the selected engagement position on the multi-position retainer, such that the relative tension in two zones may be adjusted. In one embodiment, only one end of the cables engage the reel mechanism, and the opposite end is anchored to the upper. In another embodiment, both ends of the cables engage the reel mechanism.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A single-reel zonal lacing system for a sports boot having an upper comprising a foot portion, a cuff, and a tongue disposed in an elongate opening defined by the upper, the lacing system comprising:
 a reel mechanism attached to the upper;   a first multi-position retainer fixed to the upper;   a first cable having a proximal end attached to the reel mechanism such that the reel mechanism is operable to adjust the tension in the first cable, and an intermediate portion configured to engage the first multi-position retainer at any one of a plurality of user-selectable positions;   a second cable having a proximal end attached to the reel mechanism such that the reel mechanism is operable to adjust the tension in the second cable;   wherein the first cable extends across a first portion of the elongate opening and engages the upper such that tensioning the first cable with the reel mechanism urges the first portion of the elongate opening towards a closed position; and   wherein the second cable extends across a second portion of the elongate opening and engages the upper such that tensioning the second cable with the reel mechanism urges the second portion of the elongate opening towards the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the elongate opening is in the foot portion of the upper, and the second portion of the elongate opening is in the cuff of the upper. 
     
     
         3 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable has a distal end that is anchored to the upper away from the reel mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable has a distal end that is attached to the reel mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first multi-position retainer comprises a rack having a plurality of shaped posts. 
     
     
         6 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 5 , wherein the first cable further comprises an engagement tab that is configured to selectably engage any one of the plurality of shaped posts. 
     
     
         7 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first multi-position retainer comprises a plurality of spaced-apart retainers. 
     
     
         8 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second multi-position retainer that is fixed to the upper opposite the first multi-position retainer. 
     
     
         9 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable has a distal end anchored to the upper on a first side of the elongate opening, extends across the elongate opening a first time, slidably engage a guide fixed to the upper on the second side of the elongate opening, extends across the elongate opening a second time, engages the multi-position retainer on the first side of the elongate opening. 
     
     
         10 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable has a distal end that engages the reel mechanism, extends from the distal end to selectively engage a first multi-position retainer on a first side of the elongate opening, extends across the elongate opening a first time, slidably engages a first guide on a second side of the elongate opening, extends across the elongate opening a second time, engages a second guide on the first side of the elongate opening; extends across the elongate opening a third time, and engages a second multi-position retainer on the second side of the elongate opening. 
     
     
         11 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the reel mechanism is fixed to the cuff. 
     
     
         12 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , wherein the reel mechanism is fixed to the tongue. 
     
     
         13 . The single-reel zonal lacing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of lace keepers fixed to the tongue. 
     
     
         14 . A sports boot comprising:
 a sole fixed to an upper comprising a foot portion, a cuff, and a tongue disposed along an elongate opening defined by the upper;   a single-reel zonal lacing system fixed to the upper the zonal lacing system comprising:   a locking reel mechanism;   a first multi-position retainer fixed to the upper on a first side of the elongate opening;   a first cable having a first portion reelably attached to the locking reel mechanism such that the locking reel mechanism is configured to reel in the first cable to change an operable length of the first cable, and a second portion configured to engage the first multi-position retainer at any one of a plurality of user-selectable positions;   a second cable having a first portion reelably attached to the locking reel mechanism such that the locking reel mechanism is configured to reel in the second cable to change an operable length of the second cable;   wherein the first cable extends across a first portion of the elongate opening and engages the upper such that tensioning the first cable with the locking reel mechanism urges the first portion of the elongate opening towards a closed position; and   wherein the second cable extends across a second portion of the elongate opening and engages the upper such that tensioning the second cable with the locking reel mechanism urges the second portion of the elongate opening towards the closed position.   
     
     
         15 . The sports boot of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the elongate opening is in the foot portion of the upper. 
     
     
         16 . The sports boot of  claim 15 , wherein the second portion of the elongate opening is in the cuff of the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The sports boot of  claim 14 , wherein the first cable has a distal end that is anchored to the upper away from the reel mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The sport boot of  claim 14 , wherein the first cable has a distal end that is attached to the reel mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The sports boot of  claim 14 , wherein the first multi-position retainer comprises a rack having a plurality of shaped posts. 
     
     
         20 . The sports boot of  claim 14 , wherein the first multi-position retainer comprises a plurality of spaced-apart retainers. 
     
     
         21 . The sports boot of  claim 20 , further comprising a second multi-position retainer that is fixed to the upper opposite the first multi-position retainer.