Reel based closure system

Abstract

A reel based closure device includes a base, a housing, a spool positioned within an interior of the housing, and a knob that is operably coupled with the spool. The spool is rotatable in a first direction to wind a tension member about the spool and is rotatable in a second direction to unwind the tension member from about the spool. The knob is coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the knob causes the spool to rotate in the first direction. The base is coupleable with the housing in a manner such that a material, such as fabric, is disposed between the base and housing. Coupling the base with the housing with the material disposed therebetween enables the reel based closure device to be quickly and easily attached to an article, such as footwear.

1 . A reel based closure device comprising:
 a base;   a housing having an interior;   a spool positioned within the interior of the housing, the spool being rotatable in a first direction to wind a tension member about the spool and being rotatable in a second direction to unwind the tension member from about the spool; and   a knob that is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the knob causes the spool to rotate in the first direction;   wherein the base is coupleable with the housing with a material disposed between the base and housing.   
     
     
         2 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the material is positioned above a bottom surface of the base such that the bottom surface of the base is covered by the material. 
     
     
         3 . The reel based closure device of  claim 2 , wherein the material includes at least one thru hole or opening through which a boss of the base is inserted to couple the base with the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the base or the housing include teeth that contact and engage the material. 
     
     
         5 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes at least one axially extending boss that snaps into engagement with a corresponding window or opening of the housing to couple the base with the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The reel based closure device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one axially extending boss include a lips that snaps over a surface of the window or opening of the housing to secure the base to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes at least one axially extending support that contacts a lower flange of the spool such that the lower flange of the spool is positioned axially above a bottom surface of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the reel based closure device is only attached to the material via coupling of the base with the housing with the material disposed between the base and housing. 
     
     
         9 . The reel based closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the material is leather, synthetic leather, fabric, plastic, or a knit material. 
     
     
         10 . A reel based closure device comprising:
 a base;   a housing;   a spool about which a tension member is windable; and   a knob that is operably coupled with the spool to effect winding of the spool;   wherein the base is coupleable with the housing with a material disposed between the base and housing.   
     
     
         11 . The reel based closure device of  claim 10 , wherein the material includes at least one thru hole or opening through which a boss of the base is inserted to couple the base with the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The reel based closure device of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the base or the housing include teeth that contact and engage the material. 
     
     
         13 . The reel based closure device of  claim 10 , wherein the base includes at least one axially extending boss that snaps into engagement with a corresponding window or opening of the housing to couple the base with the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The reel based closure device of  claim 10 , wherein the reel based closure device is only attached to the material via coupling of the base with the housing with the material disposed between the base and housing. 
     
     
         15 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole;   an upper; and   a reel based closure device that is coupled with the upper, the reel based closure device including:
 a base; 
 a housing; 
 a spool about which a tension member is windable; and 
 a knob that is operably coupled with the spool to effect winding of the spool; 
   wherein the base is coupleable with the housing with the upper disposed between the base and housing.   
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the upper is positioned above a bottom surface of the base such that the bottom surface of the base is covered by the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the upper includes at least one thru hole or opening through which a boss of the base is inserted to couple the base with the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the base or the housing include teeth that contact and engage the upper to stabilize the reel based closure device about the upper. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the base includes at least one axially extending boss that snaps into engagement with a corresponding window or opening of the housing to couple the base with the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the reel based closure device is only attached to the upper via coupling of the base with the housing. 
     
     
         21 . A method of coupling a reel based closure device with an article of footwear, the method comprising:
 providing a reel based closure device that includes:
 a base; 
 a housing; 
 a spool about which a tension member is windable; and 
 a knob that is operably coupled with the spool to effect winding of the spool; 
   positioning the base on an inner side of an upper of the footwear;   positioning the housing on an outer side of the upper; and   coupling the base with the housing such that the upper is disposed between the base and housing.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coupling the base with the housing comprises:
 inserting a boss of the base through a thru hole or opening of the upper; and   inserting the boss of the base into a window or opening of the housing.   
     
     
         23 .- 171 . (canceled)