Fastening device and lace tightening and releasing method

Abstract

A fastening device includes a case, a spool, a plurality of ratchet teeth, an incremental releasing set and a knob. The incremental releasing set includes a ratchet arm and an operated portion, the ratchet arm is selectively engaged with at least one of the ratchet teeth, and the operated portion is linked with the ratchet arm. The knob is disposed at the case. The ratchet arm is engaged with at least one of the ratchet teeth to prohibit the spool from rotating in a releasing direction, and as the knob is rotated in a tightening direction, the ratchet arm is disengaged from at least one of the ratchet teeth to allow the spool to tighten the lace; as the operated portion is operated, the ratchet arm is disengaged from at least one of the ratchet teeth, such that allows the lace to be incrementally released.

1 . A fastening device, comprising:
 a case, comprising an inner space;   a spool, disposed in the inner space and configured for a lace to be wound therearound;   a plurality of ratchet teeth, located in the inner space;   an incremental releasing set, comprising:
 a ratchet arm, selectively engaged with at least one of the ratchet teeth; and 
 an operated portion, linked with the ratchet arm; and 
   a knob, disposed at the case;   wherein, the ratchet arm is engaged with at least one of the ratchet teeth to prohibit the spool from rotating in a releasing direction, and as the knob is rotated in a tightening direction, the ratchet arm is disengaged from at least one of the ratchet teeth to allow the spool to tighten the lace; as the operated portion is operated, the ratchet arm is disengaged from at least one of the ratchet teeth, such that allows the lace to be incrementally released.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a ratchet gear, disposed in the inner space and selectively coupled to the spool, the ratchet teeth being located at the ratchet gear.   
     
     
         3 . The fastening device of  claim 2 , wherein the ratchet gear is selectively coupled to the spool, and the knob is operated to release a coupling between the ratchet gear and the spool, thereby allowing the lace to be fully released. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening device of  claim 3 , wherein the knob comprises at least one guiding track, the ratchet gear comprises at least one guiding portion coupled with the at least one guiding track, and the knob is rotated in the releasing direction such that the ratchet gear is guided by the at least one guiding track so as to be lifted, thereby releasing the coupling between the ratchet gear and the spool. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening device of  claim 3 , wherein the ratchet gear comprises an outer annular portion and an elevating portion, the ratchet teeth are located at the outer annular portion, the elevating portion is engaged with the outer annular portion and comprises a screw hole, the knob comprises a screw bar coupled to the screw hole, and the knob is rotated in the releasing direction to allow the elevating portion to be lifted, thereby releasing the coupling between the ratchet gear and the spool. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein the incremental releasing set further comprises a stopping portion, the stopping portion is arranged with the ratchet arm in an interval, and as the ratchet arm is engaged with at least one of the ratchet teeth, the stopping portion is not engaged with any one of the ratchet teeth; as the operated portion is operated to allow the ratchet arm to disengage from at least one of the ratchet teeth, the stopping portion is engaged with at least another one of the ratchet teeth, thereby stopping the spool. 
     
     
         7 . The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein the operated portion exposes from the case. 
     
     
         8 . The fastening device of  claim 7 , wherein the case comprises:
 an annular wall, comprising an opening; and   a pivoting base, protruding radially and outward from the annular wall;   wherein, the ratchet arm and the operated portion are connected integrally and are pivoted at the pivoting base, and the ratchet arm extends into the inner space from the opening to engage with at least one of the ratchet teeth.   
     
     
         9 . The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein the incremental releasing set further comprises an elastic element, and the elastic element stores an energy as the ratchet arm is disengaged from at least one of the ratchet teeth. 
     
     
         10 . A lace tightening and releasing method, comprising:
 a fastening step, a fastening device disposed at an article being operated, the fastening device comprising a case, a spool, a plurality of ratchet teeth, a ratchet arm and a knob, the spool being coupled to a lace and located within the case, wherein as the knob is rotated in a tightening direction, the ratchet arm is disengaged from at least one of the ratchet teeth to allow the spool to fasten the lace;   an incremental releasing step, an operated portion of the fastening device being operated, the ratchet arm being disengaged from at least one of the ratchet teeth to engage with at least another one of the ratchet teeth, thereby allowing the spool to rotate in a releasing direction to release one segment of the lace; and   a full releasing step, the knob being operated to allow the ratchet arm of the fastening device not to prohibit the spool from rotating in the releasing direction, thereby allowing the lace to be freely released.