Reel based closure device

Abstract

A reel based closure device includes a base having a recess and a housing coupled with the base. The reel based closure device also includes a spool rotatably positioned within the housing and a dial or knob that is operably coupled with the spool. The reel based closure device further includes an automatic winding mechanism that is positioned in the recess and coupled with the spool to cause or effect at least a temporary automatic winding of the tension member about the spool.

1 . A reel based closure device for tensioning a tension member, the reel based closure device comprising:
 a base having a recess;   a housing coupled with the base;   a spool rotatably positioned within the housing;   a dial or knob that is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the dial or knob effects a rotation of the spool in a tightening direction to thereby wind the tension member about the spool; and   an automatic winding mechanism that is positioned in the recess of the base, the automatic winding mechanism being coupled with the base and the spool such that the automatic winding mechanism exerts or applies at least a temporary force on the spool to cause or effect an automatic winding of the tension member about the spool.   
     
     
         2 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom end of the spool includes an annular wall that is rotatably positioned within the recess of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The reel based closure device of  claim 2 , wherein when the bottom end of the spool is inserted within the recess of the base, the automatic winding mechanism contained or confined between the base member and the spool. 
     
     
         4 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the automatic winding mechanism is a spiral spring, and wherein the base includes a fixation boss about which a proximal end of the spiral spring is coupled. 
     
     
         5 . The reel based closure device of  claim 4 , wherein a distal end of the spiral spring is coupled with a coupling protrusion that extends axially from a bottom end of the spool. 
     
     
         6 . The reel based closure device of  claim 5 , wherein the fixation boss includes one or more hooked ends that engage a corresponding hooked end of the spiral spring when the temporary force is applied or exerted on the spool, such that the spiral spring is constrained in position about the base while the distal end of the spiral spring is rotatable with the spool relative to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer axially extending wall of the base is insertable within a bottom end of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the reel based closure device further comprises a bayonet that is attachable to an article and that is coupleable with the housing to attach the reel based closure device to the article. 
     
     
         9 . A reel based closure device for tensioning a tension member, the reel based closure device comprising:
 a base having a recess;   a housing coupled with the base;   a spool rotatably positioned within the housing;   a dial or knob that is operably coupled with the spool; and   an automatic winding mechanism that is positioned in the recess and coupled with the spool to cause or effect at least a temporary automatic winding of the tension member about the spool.   
     
     
         10 . The reel based closure device of  claim 9 , wherein a bottom end of the spool includes an annular wall that is rotatably positioned within the recess of the base. 
     
     
         11 . The reel based closure device of  claim 10 , wherein when the bottom end of the spool is inserted within the recess of the base, the automatic winding mechanism contained or confined between the base member and the spool. 
     
     
         12 . The reel based closure device of  claim 9 , wherein the automatic winding mechanism is a spiral spring, and wherein the base includes a fixation boss about which a proximal end of the spiral spring is coupled. 
     
     
         13 . The reel based closure device of  claim 12 , wherein a distal end of the spiral spring is coupled with a coupling protrusion that extends axially from a bottom end of the spool. 
     
     
         14 . The reel based closure device of  claim 13 , wherein the fixation boss includes one or more hooked ends that engage a corresponding hooked end of the spiral spring during the temporary automatic winding such that the spiral spring is constrained in position about the base while the distal end of the spiral spring is rotatable with the spool relative to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The reel based closure device of  claim 9 , wherein an outer axially extending wall of the base is insertable within a bottom end of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The reel based closure device of  claim 9 , wherein the reel based closure device further comprises a bayonet that is attachable to an article and that is coupleable with the housing to attach the reel based closure device to the article. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method including:
 providing a reel based closure device comprising:
 a base having a recess; 
 a housing coupled with the base; 
 a spool rotatably positioned within the housing; 
 a dial or knob that is operably coupled with the spool; and 
 an automatic winding mechanism that is positioned in the recess and coupled with the spool to cause or effect at least a temporary automatic winding of a tension member about the spool; and 
   attaching the reel based closure device to the article of footwear.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises attaching a bayonet to the article of footwear. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises coupling the housing with the bayonet to attach the reel based closure device to the article of footwear. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises attaching the tension member to the spool. 
     
     
         21 - 100 . (canceled)