Reel based closure devices for tightening a ski boot

Abstract

A differentially tightenable ski boot includes a lower shell and an upper cuff that is pivotally coupled with the lower shell. The ski boot includes a first tightening system that is coupled with the lower shell and a second tightening system that is coupled with the upper cuff. Each tightening system includes a reel based closure device, a tension member that is operably coupled with the reel based closure device, and at least one guide member that routes or directs the tension member along a path about the lower shell or upper cuff. The first tightening system and the second tightening system are operable independently of each other to independently and differentially tightening the lower shell and the upper cuff.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A closure system for alpine boots comprising:
 an alpine boot including:
 an upper portion or cuff that is positionable about a wearer's leg; and 
 a lower portion that is positionable over a wearer's foot; 
   a first closure system including:
 a first reel based closure device that is coupled with the boot; 
 a first tension member that is operationally coupled with the first reel based closure device; and 
 at least one first guide member that is coupled with the boot and that is configured to route or guide the first tension member along a first path about the boot; 
   a second closure system including:
 a second reel based closure device that is coupled with the boot; 
 a second tension member that is operationally coupled with the second reel based closure device; and 
 a second guide member that is coupled with the boot and that is configured to route or guide the second tension member along a second path about the boot; and 
   a third closure system including:
 a third reel based closure device that is coupled with the boot; 
 a third tension member that is operationally coupled with the third reel based closure device; and 
 a third guide member that is coupled with the boot and that is configured to route or guide the third tension member along a third path about the boot; 
   wherein the first reel based closure device, the second reel based closure device, and the third reel based closure device are independently operably to independently tighten respective portions of the boot.   
     
     
         3 . The closure system of  claim 2 , wherein the first reel based closure device is coupled with the boot's cuff and is configured to tighten the cuff. 
     
     
         4 . The closure system of  claim 3 , wherein the second reel based closure device is coupled with the boot's lower portion and is configured to tighten the lower portion. 
     
     
         5 . The closure system of  claim 4 , wherein the third reel based closure device is coupled with a liner of the boot and is configured to tighten the liner. 
     
     
         6 . The closure system of  claim 5 , wherein the third guide member is coupled with the liner and is configured to route or guide the third tension member along a path about the liner. 
     
     
         7 . The closure system of  claim 4 , wherein the third reel based closure device is coupled with the boot's cuff. 
     
     
         8 . The closure system of  claim 7 , wherein the third reel based closure device is coupled with a strap of the cuff. 
     
     
         9 . The closure system of  claim 2 , wherein the first reel based closure device, the second reel based closure device, and the third reel based closure device are incrementally adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . A closure system for a boot comprising:
 a boot including:
 an upper portion or cuff that is positionable about a leg of a wearer; and 
 a lower portion that is positionable over a foot of the wearer; 
   a first reel based closure device coupled with the boot, the first reel based closure device being operable to effect closure or tightening of a first portion of the boot;   a second reel based closure device coupled with the boot, the second reel based closure device being operable to effect closure or tightening of a second portion of the boot; and   a third reel based closure device coupled with the boot, the third reel based closure device being operable to effect closure or tightening of a third portion of the boot;   wherein the first reel based closure device, the second reel based closure device, and the third reel based closure device are independently operable to effect closure or tightening of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the boot.   
     
     
         11 . The closure system of  claim 10 , further comprising a first tension member that is operationally coupled with the first reel based closure device and at least one first guide member that is configured to route or guide the first tension member along a path about the first portion of the boot. 
     
     
         12 . The closure system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second tension member that is operationally coupled with the second reel based closure device and at least one second guide member that is configured to route or guide the second tension member along a path about the second portion of the boot. 
     
     
         13 . The closure system of  claim 12 , further comprising a third tension member that is operationally coupled with the third reel based closure device and at least one third guide member that is configured to route or guide the third tension member along a path about the third portion of the boot. 
     
     
         14 . The closure system of  claim 10 , wherein the first reel based closure device is coupled with the boot's cuff and is configured to tighten the cuff. 
     
     
         15 . The closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the second reel based closure device is coupled with the boot's lower portion and is configured to tighten the lower portion. 
     
     
         16 . The closure system of  claim 15 , wherein the third reel based closure device is coupled with a liner of the boot and is configured to tighten the liner. 
     
     
         17 . The closure system of  claim 15 , wherein the third reel based closure device is coupled with the boot's cuff. 
     
     
         18 . The closure system of  claim 17 , wherein the third reel based closure device is coupled with a strap of the cuff. 
     
     
         19 . A method of configuring a boot with a closure system, the method comprising:
 providing a boot that includes:
 an upper portion or cuff that is positionable about a leg of a wearer; and 
 a lower portion that is positionable over a foot of the wearer; 
   coupling a first reel based closure device with the boot so that the first reel based closure device is operable to effect closure or tightening of a first portion of the boot;   coupling a second reel based closure device with the boot so that the second reel based closure device is operable to effect closure or tightening of a second portion of the boot; and   coupling a third reel based closure device with the boot so that the third reel based closure device is operable to effect closure or tightening of a third portion of the boot;   wherein the first reel based closure device, the second reel based closure device, and the third reel based closure device are independently operable to effect closure or tightening of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the boot.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein coupling the first reel based closure device with the boot comprising coupling the first reel based closure device with the boot's cuff. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein coupling the second reel based closure device with the boot comprising coupling the second reel based closure device with the boot's lower portion.