Article of footwear having a closure system

Abstract

An article of footwear has a closure mechanism includes a head cap, a rotating spool that defines a first rotational axis and is received in the head cap, a collector spool that defines a second rotational axis and includes an upper portion and a lower portion, a shaft between the upper portion and the lower portion, and a securing element on the lower portion of the collector spool. The securing element includes a pivot joint formed from a stem that extends away from the lower flange. The cylindrical stem is configured to be attached to the shaft of the upper portion so that the upper portion is configured to rotate relative to the lower portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear having a closure mechanism, comprising:
 a head cap;   a rotating spool that defines a first rotational axis and is received in the head cap;   a collector spool that defines a second rotational axis and includes an upper portion and a lower portion;   a shaft between the upper portion and the lower portion; and   a securing element on the lower portion of the collector spool, the securing element including a pivot joint formed from a stem that extends away from the lower flange,   wherein the cylindrical stem is configured to be attached to the shaft of the upper portion so that the upper portion is configured to rotate relative to the lower portion.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating spool includes a rod that has a first flange and a second flange that are disposed at opposing ends relative to an axial direction of the rod. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rotational axes are disposed perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion includes an upper flange and the lower portion includes a lower flange. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the upper flange includes a plurality of protrusions extending parallel to the second rotational axis. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions includes a beveled tip for engagement with the head cap. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein a lace is attached to a rod and wound around the rod when the rotating spool is rotated about the first rotational axis to tighten or loosen the lace. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the lower flange includes the securing element and extends therefrom as a U-shaped member. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein laces are threaded through the U-shaped member to mount the collector spool to the article of footwear. 
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear having a closure mechanism, comprising:
 a collector spool that defines a rotational axis and includes an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the collector spool includes a shaft that connects the upper portion to the lower portion and the upper portion includes an upper flange and the lower portion includes a lower flange;   a pivot joint on the lower portion so that the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be rotated relative to another about the pivot joint; and   a securing element on the lower portion of the collector spool.   
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the lower flange includes a pivot joint that extends coaxially relative to the rotational axis. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to rotate relative to one another about the pivot point and the rotational axis so that a lace can be wound around the shaft of the collector spool. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the securing element includes a panel that is coupled to the lower flange at a hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the panel is rectangular shaped and includes a plurality of rivets that allow a lace to be wrapped or wound around. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein a locking mechanism is provided on the lower flange to secure the panel. 
     
     
         16 . An article of footwear having a closure mechanism, comprising:
 a head cap;   a rotating spool that defines a first rotational axis and is received in the head cap; the rotating spool includes a rod with a first flange and a second flange disposed at opposing ends relative to an axial direction of the rod;   a collector spool that defines a second rotational axis and includes an upper portion and a lower portion; and   a securing element on the lower portion of the collector spool.   
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the head cap includes indentations to receive the rotating spool. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the indentations are diametrically opposed from one another and formed on an angled side wall between a top end of the head cap and a lower end of the head cap. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  16 , wherein the securing element includes a pivot joint that is configured to be received in a shaft between the upper portion and the lower portion so that the upper portion rotates relative to the lower portion. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the securing element includes a panel that allows a lace to be wrapped around and secured to the article of footwear.