Lace fixation assembly and system

Abstract

A lace closure system may include a low friction guide that defines the turning radius and direction of a lace which, though tension, pulls two or more panels toward each other. The lace closure system may include a fixator that defines a slot into which the lace is led, containing multiple engagement surfaces that, when the lace is wrapped into the slot, serve to engage the lace preventing unwanted loosening. The lace closure system may include a ring onto which the lace is attached, to assist in applying manual tension to the lace. The ring may be shaped and sized to removably attach to an outer perimeter of the fixator after excess lace has been wrapped into the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lacing system for tightening an article, comprising:
 a fixation member coupled to the article, the fixation member having at least one entry aperture and an exit aperture with a lumen extending therebetween, the fixation member also having a spool with a fixation post;   a tension member having an intermediate portion slidably disposed within the lumen of the fixation member such that a proximal portion of the tension member is positioned on a proximal side of the fixation member and a distal portion of the tension member is positioned on a distal side of the fixation member and such that a length of the proximal portion and a length of the distal portion is adjustable via sliding of the tension member within the lumen;   a plurality of guide members coupled to the article on the proximal side of the fixation member to guide the proximal portion of the tension member along the article to the fixation member;   a tensioning portion of the tension member to effect sliding of the tension member within the lumen and thereby tighten the article by adjusting the length of the proximal portion of the tension member, and to maintain a tightness of the article by winding of the tension member about the fixation post, wherein the tensioning portion is securable to the spool of the fixation member, wherein the plurality of guide members direct the tension member along a panel of the article to the at least one entry aperture, and wherein the tension members overlaps itself along the panel; and   wherein the tensioning portion is a tensioning component that is snap-fit coupleable about the spool.   
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation member further includes a flange shaped complementary to the article. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lumen extending between the entry aperture and the exit apertures includes an arcuate configuration. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning portion is ring-shaped. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spool and the tensioning component each comprise a plurality of traction members that when engaged inhibit rotation of the tensioning component when the tensioning component is secured about the spool. 
     
     
       6. A lacing system for tightening an article, comprising:
 a fixation member coupled to the article, the fixation member having an entry aperture, an exit aperture, and a fixation post that is accessible from an exterior of the fixation member;   a tension member having a proximal portion positioned on a proximal side of the fixation member, a distal portion positioned on a distal side of the fixation member, and an intermediate portion slidably disposed within the fixation member, wherein a length of the proximal portion and a length of the distal portion is adjustable via sliding of the tension member within the fixation member;   a plurality of guide members coupled to the article on the proximal side of the fixation member to guide the proximal portion of the tension member along the article;   a tensioning portion of the tension member that effects sliding of the tension member within the fixation member and thereby tightens the article by adjusting the length of the proximal portion of the tension member, and that maintains a tightness of the article by winding of the tension member about the fixation post from the exterior of the fixation member; and   wherein the tensioning portion comprises a component that is snap-fit coupleable about the fixation member.   
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the tensioning portion is securable to the fixation member. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the tensioning portion is a component that is coupled to the distal portion of the tension member. 
     
     
       9. A lacing system for tightening an article, comprising:
 a fixation member coupled to the article, the fixation member having at least one entry aperture and an exit aperture with a lumen extending therebetween, the fixation member also having a spool with a fixation post, the fixation post being accessible from an exterior of the fixation member;   a tension member having an intermediate portion slidably disposed within the lumen of the fixation member such that a proximal portion of the tension member is positioned on a proximal side of the fixation member and a distal portion of the tension member is positioned on a distal side of the fixation member and such that a length of the proximal portion and a length of the distal portion is adjustable via sliding of the tension member within the lumen;   a plurality of guide members coupled to the article on the proximal side of the fixation member to guide the proximal portion of the tension member along the article to the fixation member;   a tensioning portion of the tension member to effect sliding of the tension member within the lumen and thereby tighten the article by adjusting the length of the proximal portion of the tension member, and to maintain a tightness of the article by winding of the tension member about the fixation post from the exterior of the fixation member, wherein the tensioning portion is securable to the spool of the fixation member; and   wherein the tensioning portion is a tensioning component that is snap-fit coupleable about the spool.   
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fixation member further includes a flange shaped complementary to the article. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the lumen extending between the entry aperture and the exit apertures includes an arcuate configuration. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of guide members direct the tension member along a panel of the article without overlap to the at least one entry aperture. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of guide members direct the tension member along a panel of the article to the at least one entry aperture, and wherein the tension members overlaps itself along the panel. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the tensioning portion is ring-shaped. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the spool and the tensioning component each comprise a plurality of traction members that when engaged inhibit rotation of the tensioning component when the tensioning component is secured about the spool. 
     
     
       16. A lacing system for tightening an article, the lacing system comprising:
 a housing that is coupleable with the article, the housing having a rotary dial that includes at least one aperture;   a tension member that is windable about a groove of the rotary dial to tighten the article and that is unwindable from about the groove of the rotary dial to loosen the article;   a spiral torsion spring that is operably coupled with the rotary dial and that is configured to effect automatic rotation of the rotary dial in a tightening direction to wind the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial;   a tensioning component that is operably coupled with the tension member and that is configured to effect winding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial via the spiral torsion spring; and   a plurality of guide members;   wherein the tensioning component is snap coupleable and removably attachable to the housing; and   wherein the groove is uncovered by an exterior wall; and   wherein the plurality of guide members direct the tension member along a lace path of the article to the at least one aperture and wherein the tension members overlaps itself along the lace path.   
     
     
       17. The lacing system of claim 16, wherein the tensioning component is attached to the tension member and is configured so that the tension member is pulled distally of the housing to effect winding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial via the spiral torsion spring, and wherein winding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial causes the tensioning component to move toward the housing. 
     
     
       18. The lacing system of claim 17, wherein:
 the plurality of guide members are coupled to the article on a proximal side of the housing and that are configured to guide a proximal portion of the tension member along the lace path of the article to the housing;   the housing includes a lumen through which the tension member is slidably positioned; and   the lacing system is configured so that pulling the tension member distally of the housing causes the tension member to slide through the lumen of the housing, thereby tightening the article by adjusting a length of the proximal portion of the tension member.   
     
     
       19. The lacing system of claim 17, wherein the tensioning component is attachable to the housing subsequent to winding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial via the-spiral torsion spring. 
     
     
       20. The lacing system of claim 16, wherein the lacing system is further configured so that the rotary dial is user rotatable to wind the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial. 
     
     
       21. The lacing system of claim 16, wherein the lacing system is lockable and unlockable to control winding and unwinding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial. 
     
     
       22. The lacing system of claim 21, wherein the tensioning component is configured to be pressed to lock the lacing system and thereby control winding and unwinding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial. 
     
     
       23. A method of attaching a lacing system to an article, the method comprising:
 providing a lacing system comprising:
 a housing having a rotary dial that includes at least one aperture; 
 a tension member that is windable about a groove of the rotary dial to tighten the article and that is unwindable from about the groove of the rotary dial to loosen the article, wherein the groove is uncovered in a radial direction by an exterior wall; 
 a spiral torsion spring that is operably coupled with the rotary dial and that is configured to effect automatic rotation of the rotary dial in a tightening direction to wind the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial; 
 a tensioning component that is operably coupled with the tension member and that is configured to effect winding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial via the-spiral torsion spring, wherein the tensioning component is snap coupleable and removably attached to the housing; and 
 a plurality of guide members; and 
   attaching the lacing system to the article; wherein   wherein the plurality of guide members direct the tension member along a lace path of the article to the at least one aperture and wherein the tension members overlaps itself along the lace path.   
     
     
       24. The method of claim 23, wherein the tensioning component is attached to the tension member and is configured so that the tension member is pulled distally of the housing to effect winding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial via the spiral torsion spring, and wherein winding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial causes the tensioning component to move toward the housing. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim 24, wherein:
 the guide members are coupled to the article on the proximal side of the housing and that are configured to guide a proximal portion of the tension member along the lace path of the article to the housing;   the housing includes a lumen through which the tension member is slidably positioned; and   the lacing system is configured so that pulling the tension member distally of the housing causes the tension member to slide through the lumen of the housing, thereby tightening the article by adjusting a length of the proximal portion of the tension member.   
     
     
       26. The method of claim 23, wherein the lacing system is further configured so that the rotary dial is user rotatable to wind the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 23, wherein the lacing system is lockable and unlockable to control winding and unwinding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 27, wherein the tensioning component is configured to be pressed to lock the lacing system and thereby control winding and unwinding of the tension member about the groove of the rotary dial.