ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH A TIGHTENING MECHANISM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Disclosure

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to articles (e.g., shoes, boots, braces, and other wearable articles) that use tightening systems (e.g., lacing systems), and more particularly to articles that include a tightening mechanism that is at least partially concealed or protected.

Description of the Related Art

Although various lacing systems are available for use in connection with various wearable articles, existing lacing systems suffer from various drawbacks. For example, some lacing systems include an exposed lace tightening mechanism, which can be visually unappealing. Also, during contact sports and some other uses, the exposed lace tightening mechanism can be damaged or unintentionally actuated (e.g., loosened). Accordingly, there persists a need for lacing systems that include a concealed or protected lace tightening mechanism.

US 2008/092279 A1 discloses a baseball batter's helmet with adjustable protective padding system.

US 7 900 378 B1 discloses an article of footwear including a movable knob and a lever coupled to the knob.

DE 43 05 671 A1 discloses a shoe with a flexible upper and a heel cap and a rotary tensioning fastener borne by the upper.

DE 43 26 049 A1 discloses a turnlock system for the releasable adjustment and alteration of the effective length of at least one clamping element.

DE 93 08 037 U1 discloses a shoe with a heel-mounted central rotary closure.

Wikipedia, 10 March 2012 (2012-03-10), from the Internet: URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shore_durometer&oldid=481128180 (XP002747470) describes the Shore durometer for measuring the hardness of a material.

US 2010/101061 A1 discloses a shoelace tightening device having a rotation member with a rotator seated on a side wall of a housing.

US 5 233 767 A discloses an article of footwear having improved midsole.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an article of footwear according to appended claim 1, and to a method of making an article of footwear according to claim 12. The article of footwear comprises a tightening mechanism, which includes a rotatable knob, and rotation of the knob in a tightening direction tightens the article. The article includes a concealing portion that extends upward from the base material and at least partially radially surrounds the tightening mechanism. At least a portion of the rotatable knob is rearward or inward of an outer surface of the concealing portion. In some embodiments, a majority of the rotatable knob can be rearward or inward of the outer surface of the concealing portion. In some embodiments, substantially the entire rotatable knob can be rearward or inward of the outer surface of the concealing portion. In some embodiments, a top surface of the rotatable knob can be substantially flush with the outer surface of the concealing portion.

The concealing portion includes a compressible area, and compression of the compressible area displaces the outer surface of the concealing portion from a first position to a second position, and the second position has a lower height than the first position. The compressible area can include compressible foam. The concealing portion can include a second foam material that is less compressible than the compressible foam, and the second foam material can at least partially radially surround the compressible foam. The compressible foam can be resilient and can facilitate return of the outer surface from the second position to the first position when a compressing force is not applied. The compressible area can include one or more collapsible recesses.

The base material can include a hole, and at least a portion of the tightening mechanism can extend through the hole in the base material.

In some embodiments, the concealing portion can radially surround the tightening mechanism by a full 360 degrees.

The concealing portion can include first and second areas on substantially opposite sides of the tightening mechanism from each other, and third and fourth areas on substantially opposite sides from each other. The heights of the first and second areas of the concealing portion can be greater than the heights of the third and fourth areas of the concealing portion such that the rotatable knob can be more exposed at the third and fourth areas than at the first and second areas.

The article (e.g., shoe, boot, apparel, and the like) includes the base material (e.g., heel, tongue, outsole, and the like) and the tightening mechanism coupled to the base material. The tightening mechanism includes the rotatable knob, wherein rotation of the knob in a tightening direction tightens the article. A compressible material may be coupled with a body (e.g., a housing) of the tightening mechanism. The compressible material may be positioned under a top layer of the base material so as to provide a transition between the body of the tightening mechanism and the base material to conceal edges of the body from view of a user. The concealing portion extends upward from the base material and at least partially radially surround the tightening mechanism. At least a portion of the rotatable knob is positioned rearward of an outer surface of the concealing portion so as to conceal the portion of the knob or the entire knob.

In one embodiment, the compressible material may include a foam material having a durometer of between about 10 and about 25 Shore A. In some embodiments, a relatively rigid mounting component (e.g., a bayonet) may be coupled with the compressible material and the base material. The body of the tightening mechanism may be coupled with the mounting component to limit distortion of the compressible material as the knob is rotated in a tightening direction to tighten the article. In some embodiments, the body of the tightening mechanism may be integrally formed with one or more components of the base material. In a specific embodiment, the base material may comprise a shoe or a portion or component thereof, and the tightening mechanism and compressible material may be coupled with a heel portion of the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes.

• Figure 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a shoe that includes a reel-based tightening system
• Figure 2 is a side view of the shoe of Figure 1 with the concealing portion of the shoe in a first or uncompressed position.
• Figure 3A is a side view of the shoe of Figure 1 with the concealing portion of the shoe in a second or compressed position.
• Figure 3B shows another example implementation of a shoe with a concealing portion having compressible portions on the sides of a tightening mechanism.
• Figure 3C is another view of the shoe of Figure 3B.
• Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a tightening mechanism incorporated into an article and at least partially surrounded by a concealing portion.
• Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of a tightening mechanism incorporated into an article and at least partially surrounded by a concealing portion.
• Figure 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of a tightening mechanism incorporated into an article and at least partially surrounded by a concealing portion.
• Figure 6B is a schematic partially cross-sectional view showing an example embodiment of a concealing portion having recesses or cutouts formed to allow a user to operate a tightening mechanism.
• Figure 7 is a back view of an example embodiment of a boot having a tightening mechanism incorporated into the heel portion thereof.
• Figure 8 is a side view of the boot of Figure 7.
• Figure 9 shows a side view of an example embodiment of a shoe with a concealing portion in an uncompressed position.
• Figure 10A shows the shoe of Figure 9 with the concealing portion in a compressed position
• Figure 10B shows another example implementation of a shoe with a concealing portion.
• Figure 11 is an exploded isometric view of a tightening mechanism.
• Figure 12 shows a securing member and being coupled to an upper material of a shoe.
• Figure 13 shows the securing member stitched to the upper material.
• Figure 14 shows a housing being coupled to the securing member.
• Figure 15 shows the housing and the securing member in an engaged configuration.
• Figure 16 is a detailed view of the engagement members of the securing member and the housing.
• Figures 17-20 shows lace channels being applied to the upper material of the shoe.
• Figure 21 shows a foxing layer of the show with a foam spacer applied thereto.
• Figure 22 shows the foxing layer being applied to the shoe.
• Figure 23A shows a cross-sectional view of the foam spacer.
• Figure 23B shows a cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of a foam piece that can be used with some embodiment discussed herein.
• Figure 23C shows a cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of a foam piece that can be used with some embodiment discussed herein.
• Figure 24 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a tightening mechanism at least partially surrounded by a concealing portion in an uncompressed state.
• Figure 25 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a concealing portion in a compressed state.
• Figure 26 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a concealing portion having areas with different levels of compressibility.
• Figure 27 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a concealing portion having a recess formed therein.
• Figure 28 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a concealing portion having grooves formed therein.
• Figure 29 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a concealing portion having cavities formed therein.
• Figure 30 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a shielding element.
• Figure 31 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a concealing portion that encloses a compressible material.
• Figure 32A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism with a concealing portion that includes an exposed compressible material.
• Figure 32B shows an example implementation of a tightening mechanism and concealing portion.
• Figure 32C shows yet another example implementation of a tightening mechanism 508 and concealing portion.
• Figure 33 is an exploded isometric view of a tightening mechanism.
• Figure 34 shows a securing member being coupled to an upper material of a shoe.
• Figure 35A shows a foxing layer and spacer being applied over the securing member.
• Figure 35B shows a lace channel being applied to the upper material.
• Figure 35C shows the assembly being back-part molded.
• Figure 36 shows a housing being coupled to the securing member.
• Figure 37A shows a spool and knob being coupled to the housing.
• Figure 37B shows an example embodiment having a single piece that incorporates a securing member and a housing.
• Figure 37C shows a foxing layer being applied over the single piece that incorporates the securing member and the housing.
• Figure 38 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tightening mechanism and concealing portion taken in a plane that intersects shielding elements.
• Figure 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tightening mechanism and concealing portion taken in a plane in which the concealing portion has a reduced height that is lower than in the plane of Figure 38.
• Figure 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tightening mechanism and concealing portion in which the concealing portion can be compressed.
• Figure 41 is an exploded view of an example implementation of a tightening mechanism and a concealing portion.
• Figure 42 shows the assembled tightening mechanism and concealing portion of Figure 41.
• Figure 43 is a side view of the tightening mechanism and concealing portion of Figure 41.
• Figure 44 is a side view of a shoe having a tightening mechanism and a concealing portion at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism.
• Figure 45 shows a shaping member with a housing of the tightening mechanism mounted thereto.
• Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe of Figure 44 showing the concealing portion and the housing coupled to the shoe.
• Figure 47 is a side view of a shoe having a tightening mechanism and a concealing portion at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism.
• Figure 48 shows another view of the shoe of Figure 47.
• Figure 49 shows a spacer that can be configured to provide the shape of the concealing portion of Figure 47.
• Figure 50 is an isometric view of a boot having a tightening mechanism mounted onto the tongue of the boot and a concealing portion at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism.
• Figure 51 is a side view of the boot of Figure 50.
• Figure 52 is a detailed view of the concealing portion and tightening mechanism on the boot of Figure 50.
• Figure 53 shows a user actuating the tightening mechanism of the boot of Figure 50.
• Figure 54 shows a wrist brace having a tightening mechanism and a concealing portion at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism.
• Figures 55a-c show a housing of a tightening mechanism being coupled with a foam backing material, which is in turn coupled with a shoe or other apparel.
• Figures 56a-b show a housing of a tightening mechanism being an integral component of a heel counter of a shoe.
• Figures 57a-d show a cover plate that is positionable over a housing and knob of a tightening mechanism.
• Figure 58 shows a housing of a tightening mechanism integrally formed with an outsole of a shoe.
• Figures 59a-b show a housing of a tightening mechanism integrally formed with an outer material that is coupled with a shoe.
• Figures 60a-c show a flexible strip of material coupled with a shoe so as to be positioned over a tightening mechanism to hide a portion of the tightening mechanism from view of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a shoe 100 that includes a reel-based tightening system. Although many embodiments are discussed herein as relating to shoes or other footwear, the embodiments disclosed herein can also related to other types of wearable articles, and to other objects that can be tightened and/or loosened (e.g., boots, hats, belts, sandals, gloves, braces, backpacks, snowboard bindings). The shoe 100 of Figure 1 can include a first portion 102a and a second portion 102b that can be drawn towards each other to tighten the shoe 100 and can be moved away from each other to loosen the shoe 100. The first and second portions 102a and 102b can be spaced apart forming a gap 104 therebetween, or, in some embodiments, the first and second portions 102a and 102b can touch or overlap. A tension member, such as a lace 106, can extend between the first and second portions 102a and 102b so that increased tension on the lace 106 can cause the first and second portions 102a and 102b to be drawn together, and so that reducing tension on the lace 106 can cause the first and second portions 102a and 102b to move apart from each other. The lace 106 can be coupled to a tightening mechanism 108 that is configured to adjust the tension on the lace 106 for tightening and/or loosening the shoe 100. The shoe 100 can include one or more lace guides 110 configured to direct the lace 106 along a lace path between the first and second portions 102a and 102b of the shoe 100. Although many embodiments are disclosed as using a lace 106, other tensioning members (e.g., a strap) can be used for the various embodiments disclosed herein.

The tightening mechanism 108 can be mounted onto the heel portion of the shoe 100, as shown in Figure 1, or to various other portions of the shoe 100, such as, for example, to the tongue or to a side portion of the shoe 100. The shoe can also include one or more lace channels 112 configured to direct the lace 106 to the tightening mechanism 108, and the lace channels 112 can be positioned at least partially under an outer layer of the shoe 100 so that the lace channels 112 are at least partially hidden from view.

The tightening mechanism 108 can be at least partially concealed or protected by a concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 that at least partially surrounds the tightening mechanism 108. In come embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can include a compressible area that allows the concealing portion 114 to be transitioned between a first, uncompressed position, as shown in Figure 2, to a second, compressed position, as shown in Figure 3A. The concealing portion 114 can be compressible around substantially the full circumference of the tightening mechanism 108, or at only certain portions around the tightening mechanism. 108. For example, in some embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can be compressible on right and left sides (e.g., at 3- and 9-o'clock) of the tightening mechanism 108 and can be substantially incompressible at the areas below and/or above (e.g., at 6- and 12-o'clock) the tightening mechanism 108 (e.g., as shown in Figures 3B and 3C). In other embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can be compressible at the areas below and/or above (e.g., at 6- and 12-o'clock) the tightening mechanism 108 and can be substantially incompressible on right and left sides (e.g., at 3- and 9-o'clock) of the tightening mechanism 108. In the uncompressed position shown in Figure 2, the concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 can surround at least a portion of the tightening mechanism 108 to at least partially hide the tightening mechanism 108 from view, which can improve the visual appearance of the shoe 100. For example, for certain types of wearable articles (e.g., some golf shoes, running shoes, and casual shoes), the presence of an exposed tightening mechanism 108 can appear bulky or otherwise be inconsistent with the style of the article. Also, in some embodiments, the undesirable look of an exposed tightening mechanism 108 is further compounded on smaller sized shoes. By at least partially concealing the tightening mechanism 108, the concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 can increase the aesthetic appeal of the shoe 100.

Protecting or partially concealing the tightening mechanism 108 with a substantially resilient concealing portion 114 can allow aesthetically pleasing incorporation of the tightening mechanism 108 with the article. For example, as shoe sizes change, there can be a substantial dimensional reduction in the mounting area in the heel portion of the shoe (e.g., the shoe sizes get smaller). A substantially resilient concealing portion 114 can be formed around various surfaces to produce a visually appealing final structure that may not be possible with an entirely rigid shielding mechanism. As discussed elsewhere herein, the concealing portion 114 can incorporate some rigid components while still permitting adaptation to different sized areas.

In some embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can protect the tightening mechanism 108 from damage and/or unintentional actuation. For example, an exposed tightening mechanism 108 can be unintentionally actuated when, for example, the tightening mechanism 108 is struck during contact sports. In some embodiments, unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism 108 can unintentionally loosen the lace 106 or can over-tighten the lace 106, which can cause discomfort and can degrade the performance of an athlete. By at least partially concealing the tightening mechanism 108, the concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 can protect the tightening mechanism 108 from being unintentionally actuated or damaged.

When a compressing force (shown schematically by arrows in Figure 3A) is applied to the concealing portion 114, the collapsible area can collapse thereby transitioning the concealed portion 114 to the second or collapsed position, thereby increasing the amount of the tightening mechanism 108 that is exposed. The tightening mechanism 108 can include a rotatable knob 116 that is configured to be rotatable about an axis 118. Rotation of the knob 116 in a tightening direction (e.g., clockwise) can tighten the shoe 100, for example, by gathering lace 106 around a rotatable spool (not shown). In some embodiments, rotation of the knob 116 in a loosening direction (e.g., counterclockwise) can loosen the shoe 100, for example, by releasing lace 106 from the spool. In some embodiments, the knob can be rotated between 60° and 180° degrees in the loosening direction to release the lace 106 from the spool. In some embodiments, the knob 116 can be configured to be pulled axially outwardly along the direction of the axis 118 to release tension on the lace 106. In some embodiments, actuation of the knob 116 (e.g., rotation in the loosening direction or pulling in axial direction) can allow the spool to rotate freely independent of the knob 116, which can allow for rapid loosening of the shoe 100. In some of these rapid loosening embodiments, it can be especially advantageous to protect the knob 116 to prevent accidental actuation, which can cause accidental rapid loosening.

In the compressed position, the concealing portion 114 of the shoe 100 can expose a sufficient portion of the knob 116 to allow a user to actuate the knob 116, such as by rotating the knob 116 in a tightening direction, or in a loosening direction, or by pulling the knob 116 axially outwardly. The compressible area can be configured to compress (e.g., axially in the direction of the axis 118) under pressure applied by the fingers of the user, and in some embodiments, the compressible area can have sufficient resistance to protect against unintentional actuation of the knob 116. The compressible area can be resilient such that the concealing portion 114 returns to the first or uncompressed position when the compressing force is removed.

The concealing portion 114 of the article (e.g., the shoe 100) can radially surround at least a portion of the knob 116. As shown schematically in Figure 4, when the concealing portion 114 is in the uncompressed position, at least a portion of the knob 116 can be disposed axially rearward of an outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114 in the direction of the axis 118. As used herein the term "rearward" is used broadly to mean that one object, or portion thereof, is displaced back from another object, or portion thereof, even if the first object, or portion thereof, is not positioned directly behind the other object, or portion thereof. Also, in many instances, the terms "rearward," "forward," "inward," "upward," "top," "bottom," and the like can be used to describe locations or directions based on the orientation of the tightening mechanism, regardless of the orientation that the tightening mechanism has to article or the surrounding environment. Thus, at least a portion of the knob 116 can be disposed axially rearward of the outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114 even when the concealing portion 114 does not cover the top surface 122 of the knob 116. The top surface 122 of the knob 116 can be uncovered, for example, such that the top surface 122 of the knob 116 is visible when viewed from the top down. In some embodiments, a majority of the knob 116 can be disposed rearward of the outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114. In some embodiments, the entire, or substantially the entire, knob 116 can be disposed rearward of the outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114. For example, in some embodiments, the top surface 122 of the knob 116 can be substantially flush with the outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114, as shown in Figure 5. The concealing portion 114 can extend upward at least as far as the top of the sides 124 of the knob 116, or at least past the lower surface of the knob 116. In some embodiments, the sides 124 of the knob 116 can be partially, entirely, or substantially entirely, rearward of the outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114. In some cases, a portion of the top 122 of the knob 116 can extend forward of the outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114 (e.g., due to a generally frusta-conical shape, a curved shape, or other contours, of the top 122 of the knob 116), as shown in Figure 6A. Various configurations are possible. For example, in some embodiments, at least about 95%, at least about 90%, at least about 85%, at least about 80%, or at least about 75% of the rotatable knob 116 (or of the entire tightening mechanism 108) can be disposed rearward of the outer surface 120 of the concealing portion 114.

The concealing portion 114 can have a recess 126, and the tightening mechanism 108 can be disposed in the recess 126. In some embodiments, the recess 126 can extend only partially through the article. For example, a base layer 128 of the article can be located at the bottom of the recess 126, and the tightening mechanism 108 can be secured to the base layer 128. A housing 130 of the tightening mechanism 108 can be attached to the base layer 128, for example, by stitching, rivets, adhesive, or other suitable manner. The concealing portion 114 can be attached to the base layer 128. In some embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can be one or more additional layers applied to the outside of an otherwise completed article, while in other embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can be formed as an integral portion of the article. In some embodiments, the recess 126 can extend through the article (e.g., through the heel wall, or side wall, of the shoe 100.

Figure 6B is a schematic partially cross-sectional view showing an example embodiment of a concealing portion 114 having recesses or cutouts formed to allow a user to operate a tightening mechanism 108. The left side of Figure 6B shows a side view of the tightening mechanism 108 and concealing portion 114. The right side of Figure 6B shows a cross-sectional view through a center of the tightening mechanism 108, and the cross-sectional portion of Figure 6B is shown having cross-hatching to emphasize the cross-sectional portion. As can be seen in Figure 6B, and as discussed elsewhere herein, the concealing portion 114 can have areas 114a and 114b that extend higher than other areas 114c of the concealing portion 114. More of the tightening mechanism 108 can be exposed at the lower areas 114c of the concealing portion 114, for example, to allow a user to grip the sides of the tightening mechanism 108 (e.g., during tightening or loosening of the system). In some embodiments, a recesses, cutout, or scalloped area, etc. can form the lower portions 114c of the concealing portion 114. In some embodiments, the higher areas 114a and 114b of the concealing portion 114 can provide more protection and/or concealment than the lower areas 114c. In some embodiments, the higher areas 114a and 114b can be positioned above and below the tightening mechanism 108 (e.g., at 6- and 12-o'clock), while the lower portions 114c can be positioned on the sides of the tightening mechanism 108 (e.g., at 3- and 9-o'clock). In some embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can be compressible at the lower portions 114c, and can be substantially uncompressible at the higher portions 114a and 114b. In some embodiments, the concealing portion 114 (including the areas 114a, 114b, and 114c) can be substantially uncompressible, and the lower portions 114c can allow the user to actuate the tightening mechanism 108 without displacement of the concealing portion 114. For example a rigid material (e.g., a rigid foam or plastic) can surround at least part of the tightening mechanism 108 to form the shape of the concealing portion 114.

Figure 7 is a back view of an example embodiment of a boot 200 having a tightening mechanism 208 incorporated into the heel portion thereof. Figure 8 is a side view of the boot 200. The boot 200 can have features similar to, or the same as, the shoe 100, or the other embodiments described herein. The tightening mechanism 208 can be positioned at or near the collar of the boot 200. The concealing portion 214 can completely surround the tightening mechanism 208 by a full 360 degrees, as shown in Figure 7, or the concealing portion 214 can surround only a portion of the tightening mechanism 208 (e.g., by at least about 90 degrees, at least about 180 degrees, at least about 270 degrees, at least about 300 degrees, or at least about 330 degrees). In some embodiments, the concealing portion 114 can surround the areas of the tightening mechanism 208 that are most susceptible to being struck during use (e.g., the below the tightening mechanism 208 between the tightening mechanism and the sole of the shoe).

Figures 9 and 10 shows side views of an example embodiment of a shoe 300, which can have features similar to the shoe 100, the boot 200, or the other embodiments disclosed herein. Figure 9 shows a concealing portion 314 in an uncompressed position, and Figure 10A shows the concealing portion 314 in a compressed position. A tightening mechanism 308 can be mounted onto the heel portion of the shoe 300. As can be seen in Figure 9, the concealing portion 314 can cover, or substantially cover, the sides of the knob 316 at a first area 314a (e.g., below the tightening mechanism 308 or between the tightening mechanism 308 and the sole of the shoe 300) and/or at a second area 314b (e.g., above the tightening mechanism 308 or between the tightening mechanism 308 and the collar of the shoe 300). The second area 314b can be positioned generally on an opposite side of the tightening mechanism 308 from the first area 314a. Thus, in some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of the shoe 300 taken through the axis 318 and in the plane of the page can be similar to Figures 5-6 with respect to the positioning of the knob 316 and the concealing portion 314. Accordingly, the discussion of Figures 5-6 can be applied to the shoe 300, in some embodiments.

With further reference to Figure 9, the concealing portion 314 can cover only a portion of the sides of the knob 316 at a third area 314c (e.g., on a left side of the tightening mechanism 308) and/or at a fourth area 314d (e.g., on a right side of the tightening mechanism 308 (hidden from view in Figure 9)). The fourth area 314d can be positioned generally on an opposite side of the tightening mechanism 308 from the third area 314c. Thus, in some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of the shoe 300 taken through the axis 318 and transverse to the plane of the page can be similar to Figure 4 with respect to the position of the knob 316 and the concealing portion 314. Accordingly, the discussion of Figure 4 can be applied to the shoe 300, in some embodiments. A portion of the knob 316 can be partially exposed, for example, on the right and left sides at the areas 314c and 314d. The partially exposed knob 316 can facilitate gripping of the knob 316 when the user actuates the knob 316.

With reference to Figure 10A, are least portions of the concealing portion 314 can be compressible to a compressed position to increase the amount of the knob 316 that is exposed, thereby facilitating the gripping of the knob 316 when the user actuates the knob 316. In some embodiments, the areas 314c and/or 314d can be more compressible than the areas 314a and/or 314b. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the areas 314a and/or 314b can be substantially uncompressible, for example, having a rigid protective member disposed therein to protect the tightening mechanism 308 from being struck near the areas 314a and/or 314b. In some embodiments, the shoe 300 can be configured to have the open-side configuration shown in Figure 10B when at rest, without the concealing portion 314 being compressed. In some embodiments, the concealing portion 314 (including the areas 314a-d) can be substantially incompressible. The at least partially open sides of the embodiment shown in Figure 10B can allow a user to manipulate the tightening mechanism 308 without displacing the concealing portion 314.

Figure 11 is an exploded isometric view of a tightening mechanism 408, which can be used with the shoe 100, the boot 200, the shoe 300, or the other embodiments disclosed herein. The tightening mechanism 408 can include a housing 432, a securing member 434, a spool 436, and a knob 416. The spool 436 can be mounted into the housing 432 such that the spool 436 is rotatable about the axis 418. The housing 432 can have one or more lace holes 438a and 438b configured to receive the lace into the housing 432, so that the lace can be coupled to the spool 436 so that rotation of the spool 436 in a tightening direction gathers the lace into a channel 440 in the spool 432. The spool 436 can include teeth 442 configured to engage teeth (hidden from view) on an underside of the knob 416, so that rotation of the knob 416 can cause rotation of the spool 436, thereby allowing a user to tighten the lace by rotating the knob 416. The housing can include teeth 444 that are configured to engage pawls (hidden from view) on the underside of the knob 416 such that the knob 416 is prevented from rotating in a loosening direction and permitted to rotate in a tightening direction. In some embodiments, the knob 416 can be lifted axially away from the housing 432 to a disengaged position that allows loosening of the lace. Many other configurations can be used for the tightening mechanism 408.

With reference now to Figures 12 and 13, the securing member 434 can be secured to the article. For example, an upper material 446 of a shoe can have a hole 448 formed in the heel portion thereof. The securing member 434 can be inserted into the hole 448 from the inside of the upper material 446 back towards the heel portion thereof, as shown in Figure 12. The securing member 434 can have side walls 450 that surround an opening 452. In some embodiments, the side walls 450 can extend through the hole 448, and in some cases can stretch the upper material 446 to fit around the side walls 450. The securing member 434 can have a securing flange 454, which can remain on the inside of upper material 446 (shown in phantom lines in Figure 13). The securing flange 454 can be secured upper material 446, such as by stitching 456, or by rivets, or an adhesive, or any other suitable manner. The securing member can include a shield element 458 configured to extend out to cover a side portion of the knob 416, when the tightening mechanism 408 is assembled. The shield element 458 can be positioned on a lower side of the tightening mechanism 408 so that the shield element 458 is positioned between the knob 416 and the sole of the shoe once assembled. Thus, the shield element 458 can provide protection against striking the knob 416 from below (e.g., such as may occur when walking down stairs or during contact sports).

With reference now to Figures 14-16, the housing 432 can be attached to the securing member 434. For example, the securing member 434 can have one or more engaging members 460a and 460b that are configured to engage with one or more corresponding engaging members 462a and 462b on the housing 432. The engaging members 460a and 460b can engage the engaging members 462a and 462b by a snap-fit connection, a friction-fit connection, a clasp, or any other suitable manner. For example, the engaging members 460a and 460b on the securing member 343 can include protrusions that fit into notches 462a and 462b in the housing 432 to snap the housing into the secured position. Other configurations are possible. In some embodiments, the housing 432 can be removably attached to the securing member 434 so that the housing 432 can be removed, for example, if the tightening mechanism 408 is to be repaired or replaced or cleaned.

With reference to Figures 17-20, which show the upper material 446 from a bottom view, lace channels 412a and 412b can be installed to direct the lace to the tightening mechanism 408. The lace channels 412a and 412b can be positioned inside the upper material 446 so that they are hidden from view once the shoe is fully assembled. Lace ports 464a and 464b can be positioned to receive the lace, for example, at an end of the gap between the first and second portions of the shoe. The lace channel tubes 412a and 412b can be coupled to the lace ports 464a and 464b and to the lace holes 438a and 438b, for example, by inserting the tubes 412a and 412b into the lace ports 464a and 464b and into the lace holes 438a and 438b. Adhesive backing tape 466 can be placed over the tubes 412a and 412b to hold them in place. An adhesive can be applied over the lace channel tubes 412a and 412b (e.g., onto the backing tape 466), and padding strips 468a and 468b can be adhered over the lace channel tubes 412a and 412b by the adhesive. The padding strips 468a and 468b can reduce discomfort caused by the tubes 412a and 412b pressing on the foot of a wearer when in use, and can also hide the shape of the tubes 412a and 412b. In some embodiments, the lace channels 412a and 412b can extend only partially across the collar of the shoe so that the lace can exit at locations on the side of the collar (e.g., at or near the midpoint of the collar). For example, Figures 1-3A show an example embodiment in which the lace extend outside the shoe across a portion of the collar and then enters the lace channels that guide the lace under the shoe material to the tightening mechanism. This configuration can allow for collar compression, simplified assembly, flexibility, and can eliminate pressure points, in some embodiments.

With reference now to Figures 21 and 22, the concealing portion 416 of the shoe can be formed to conceal and/or to protect the tightening mechanism 408. In some embodiments, a foxing or outer layer 470 can be cut to a shape that is suitable to fit the contours of the article (e.g., the heel portion of the shoe 400). A compressible material, such as a foam 472 can be applied to the inside surface of the outer layer 470, such as by applying an adhesive, such as a polyurethane thermoplastic adhesive (e.g., Bemis brand 3206D polyurethane thermoplastic adhesive (e.g., 6 mil (0.006 inches), although other thicknesses can be used depending on the materials used and the intended use of the article)). Other adhesives can be used depending on the materials used and the intended use of the article. The outer layer 470 can be applied to the shoe 400, as shown in Figure 22, for example. An adhesive can be applied (e.g., sprayed on) to the inside surface of the outer layer 470 and the outer layer 470 can be pressed against the underlying portions of the article (e.g., to the upper material 446). In some embodiments, a single application of an adhesive to the inside surface of the outer layer 470 can be used for adhering the foam 472 to the layer 470 and to adhere the layer 470 to the shoe 400. In other embodiments, separate adhesives and/or separate applications of the adhesive can be used for attaching the foam 472 and for attaching the layer 470 to the shoe 400. In some embodiments, the foam 472 can be attached (e.g., adhered) to the shoe 400 directly (e.g., over the upper material 446), and in some cases the layer 470 can then be applied over the top of the foam 472.

A hole 426 can extend through the layer 470 and the foam 472 and can be configured to receive the tightening mechanism 408 therein when the layer 470 is applied to the shoe 400. If a spray adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the layer 470, the hole can be masked off during application of the adhesive. Also, the foam 472 and/or the layer 470 surrounding the hole 426 can be colored (e.g., painted or dyed) so that it resembles the color and/or style of the outer appearance of the shoe 400. The foam 472 and/or the layer 470 can come in the color that matches or resembles the color of the shoe 400, or can be color matched, e.g., using dye additives. Also, the knob 416 or other components of the tightening mechanism 408 can have a color that is the same as, or similar to, the color and/or style of the outward appearance of the shoe 400 (e.g., to deemphasize the visual appearance of the tightening mechanism 408). The layer 470 can also be stitched to the shoe 400, or attached to the shoe 400 by other suitable manners.

The outer layer 470 and the foam 472 can have different shapes for different sizes and styles of shoes and for different types of articles. The foam 472 can have a shape and thickness configured to raise the outer layer 470 away from the underlying layer 446 by a height that is sufficient to cover part of, a majority of, substantially all of, or all of the sides of the knob 416, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the layer 470 can be made from a polyurethane-backed nylon fabric, such as polyurethane-backed Cordura® fabric, which can have a low friction nylon interface that allows the user's fingers to slide easily across the surface of the layer 470 when turning the knob 416. Other low friction materials can also be used. In some embodiments, materials can be modified to add a low friction interface around the perimeter of the tightening mechanism. For example, direct injection molding, radio frequency welding, or debossing can be used to create the low friction interface. In some embodiments, a cover piece can be disposed around at least a portion of the tightening mechanism and can secure the fabric of the cover layer 470 (e.g., to the tightening mechanism). For example, a ring made of plastic (or other suitable material) can surround at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, and, in some embodiments, can form a low friction interface to allow a user's fingers to slide smoothly when operating the tightening mechanism.

Figure 23A is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a compressible member or foam piece 472 that can be used with some embodiments. The sides 425a and 425b of the foam piece 472 can be configured to wrap around the heel of the shoe and onto the side portions of the shoe. The sides 425a and 425b can be tapered to form a smooth transition at the ends of the foam piece 472 when mounted onto the shoe. The foam piece 472 can include the hole 426 therein. In some embodiments, the inside of the ring can chamfer outward to account for the curvature of the heel of the shoe 400. The foam piece 472 can be made from a variety of materials, such as, for example, Rubberlite V0525 Viso-Cel® slow rebound foam. Other open celled polyurethane foams can also be used, as well as other compressible materials. Figure 23B shows a cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of a foam piece that can be used with some embodiment discussed herein. Figure 23C shows a cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of a foam piece that can be used with some embodiment discussed herein. Various shapes of spacers (e.g., foam pieces 472) can be used depending on the shape and size of the article. For example, the embodiments of Figures 23B and 23C can have shorter side portions 425a and 45b than the embodiment of Figure 23A, and the embodiment of Figure 23C can have thinner ends on the side portions 425a and 425b than the embodiment of Figure 23B.

Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a tightening mechanism 518 incorporated into an article, such as the shoe 100, the boot 200, the shoe 300, the shoe 400, or the other embodiments disclosed herein. The tightening mechanism 508 can include a housing 532, a spool 536, and a knob 516, similar to the tightening mechanism 408 described herein. The housing 532 can be mounted to a base material 546, such as the heel counter or upper material of a shoe. In some embodiments, the housing 532 can be attached directly to the base material 546 (as shown in Figure 24), such as by stitching through a securing flange 554 of the housing 532, or by rivets, or by an adhesive, or other suitable manner. In some embodiments, the housing 532 can be coupled to the article using a securing member (e.g., similar to the securing member 434 discussed herein). In some embodiments, the base material 546 can include a hole therein for receiving the housing 532, such that a portion of the housing 532 is disposed rearward of the base material 546, thereby reducing the height by which the tightening mechanism 508 extends forward of the base material 546, which can facilitate the concealment of the tightening mechanism 508, and can reduce the height of the concealing area 514, which can improve the visual appearance of the article.

In some embodiments, padding 574 can be positioned rearward of the tightening mechanism 508 to provide comfort to the wearer and to prevent the tightening mechanism 508 from pressing against the portion of the wearer's body that contacts the article. For example, the tightening mechanism 508 can be incorporated into the tongue of a shoe or into a padded strap of a backpack or into other padded portions of wearable articles. In some embodiments, liners and other layers can be disposed rearward of the tightening mechanism 508, but are not shown in Figure 24 for simplicity.

A concealing portion 514 can at least partially surround the tightening mechanism 508. The concealing portion 514 can include a compressible area 576, which can be a foam material, as discussed herein. Figure 24 shows the concealing portion 514 in an uncompressed position, and Figure 25 shows the concealing portion 514 in a compressed position in which the compressible area is compressed (e.g., by a compressing force applied by a user's fingers) to expose the knob 516. In some embodiments, the compressible area 576 can be disposed between the base material 546 and an outer layer 570. In some embodiments, some or all of the area surrounding the tightening mechanism 508 can be substantially incompressible. For example, the area 576 of Figure 24 can include a substantially incompressible material (e.g., a rigid plastic material or a rigid foam material).

In Figure 26, the concealing portion 514 can include a first area 576a that is more compressible than a second area 576b. The more compressible area 576a can be positioned radially inward from the less compressible area 576b. For example, the more compressible area 576a can surround at least a portion of the tightening mechanism 508, and the less compressible area 576b can surround at least a portion of the more compressible area 576a. In some embodiments, both the first compressible area 576a and the second compressible area 576b can include compressible foam, and the foam of the first compressible area 576a can be of a lower density and higher compressibility than the foam of the second compressible area 576b. In some embodiments, the second area 576b is substantially not compressible. The first compressible area 576a can have a radial width of at least about 5 mm, at least about 10 mm, at least about 15 mm, no more than about 20 mm, between about 5 mm and 15 mm, and/or about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the first compressible area 576a can be wide enough to allow a user's fingers to compress the first compressible area 576a without directly applying a compressing force onto the second area 576b. In some embodiments, the first compressible area 576a can have a width that is small enough that a compressing force applied by a user's finger directly applies a compressing force to both the first area 576a and the second area 576b.

In some embodiments, the compressible area 576 can include a recess 578a configured to facilitate compression of the compressible area 676. In some embodiments, the recess 578a can be disposed directly behind a layer of the compressible material (e.g., foam), so that when a compressing force is applied, the layer of the compressible material can collapse down into the recess 578a to expose the tightening mechanism 508. In some embodiments, the recess 578b can be tapered (e.g., as shown in the lower portion of Figure 27) so that a portion of the collapsible area 576 nearer to the tightening mechanism 508 can collapse more easily and/or further than a portion of the collapsible area 576 that is radially further from the tightening mechanism 508. In some embodiments, the recess can include one or more cutouts or grooves 578c formed in the compressible material (as shown in Figure 28). Multiple grooves 578c can be included such that one or more extensions of the compressible material can extend between the grooves 578C. In some embodiments, the grooves 578d can be tapered (e.g., as shown in the lower portion of Figure 28) so that a portion of the collapsible area 576 nearer to the tightening mechanism 508 can collapse more easily and/or further than a portion of the collapsible area 576 that is radially further from the tightening mechanism 508. In some embodiments, the recess can include a cavity 578e that is a volume surrounded on all sides by the compressible material (e.g., foam). In some embodiments, the recess can include multiple cavities 578e and 578f (as shown in the upper portion of Figure 29). In some embodiments, the size or distribution of the plurality of cavities 578e and 578f can vary such that a portion of the collapsible area 576 nearer to the tightening mechanism 508 can collapse more easily and/or further than a portion of the collapsible area 576 that is radially further from the tightening mechanism 508. Although the upper portion of Figure 29 shows only two cavities 578e and 578f for simplicity of illustration, some embodiments can include a larger number of cavities formed in the compressible material. In some embodiments one or more individual cavities 578g can be tapered (as shown in the lower portion of Figure 29), so that a portion of the collapsible area 576 nearer to the tightening mechanism 508 can collapse more easily and/or further than a portion of the collapsible area 576 that is radially further from the tightening mechanism 508

The various recess types 578a-578g shown in Figures 27-29 can be used individually or can be combined with others of the recess types 578a-578g to provide various alternative configurations. In some embodiments, a recess structures 578a-578g can extend rotationally to form arcuate recesses that at least partially surround the tightening mechanism 508.

In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism 508 can include one or more shield elements 558. The shield element 558 can be, for example, integrally formed with the housing 532, or the shield element 558 can be a separate component from the housing 532. The shield element 558 can be a rigid extension that covers at least part of the side of the knob 516. The shield element 558 can be configured to protect to the knob 516, as discussed elsewhere herein. Various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., the embodiments of Figures 24-29 and 31-32) can be modified to include a shield element 558 similar to that described in connection with Figure 30. In some embodiments an additional shield element can be positioned generally opposite the shield element 558 shown in Figure 30. For example, shield elements 558 can be positioned at about 6-o'clock and at about 12-o'clock, to provide protection to the tightening mechanism 508, as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the compressible material 576 can be enclosed. For example, as shown in the upper portion of Figure 31, the base material 546 can wrap around the compressible material 576 such that the compressible material 567 is sandwiched between portions of the base material 546. In some embodiments, an outer layer 570 can extend around the compressible material 576 and can be coupled to the base material 546, as shown in the lower portion of Figure 31, or the base material 546 can extend around the compressible material and can be coupled to the outer layer 570. The base material 546 and outer layer 570 can be coupled together, for example, by stitching, or rivets, or an adhesive, or any other suitable manner. In some embodiments, a layer separate from the base material 546 and the outer layer 570 can extend between the outer layer 570 and the base material 546 between the compressible material 576 and the knob 516, and the layer can be flexible so that it can be collapsed or displaced to expose the knob 516 (e.g., when a user applied a compressing force). The flexible layer can be positioned between the compressible material 576 and the knob 516, thereby separating the knob 516 from the compressible material 576, which can prevent the compressible material 576 from contacting the knob 516 when the compressible material 576 is deflected in the compressed state. If the deflected compressible material 576 contacts the rotatable knob it can interfere with rotation of the knob 516 and in some cases can become pinched by the knob 516. Thus, the layer separating the compressible material 576 from the knob 516 can prevent the compressible material 576 from interfering with operation of the knob 516.

In some embodiments, the compressible material 576 can be uncovered, as shown in Figure 32A. In some embodiments, slow recovery memory foam can be used as the flexible material 576, although various other compressible materials can also be used. In some embodiments, the top of the compressible material 576 can define the outer surface 520 of the concealing portion 514. The outer surface 520 of the compressible material 576 can be colored or patterned to coordinate with the color and/or styling of the article, thereby visually deemphasizing the concealing area 514.

Many variations can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, substantially incompressible guarding members (e.g., rigid plastic strips) can be insert molded into a compressible material to add rigidity and additional guarding to certain areas of the concealing portion 514 (e.g., the area below and/or above the tightening mechanism). For example, with reference to Figure 26, in some embodiments, the first area 576a surrounding the tightening mechanism 508 can be substantially incompressible. For example, the first area 576a can include a guarding member (e.g., made of a rigid plastic material), which can be, for example, insert molded into the foam to create guards that protect and/or conceal the tightening mechanism 508.

Figure 32B shows an example implementation of a tightening mechanism 508 and concealing portion 514, which can have features similar to, or the same as, the embodiments shown in Figures 24-32A. In Figure 32B, the tightening mechanism 508 can include a securing flange 554 that is flatter than those shown in Figures 24-32A. The size and shape of the securing flange 554, as well as the other features of the tightening mechanism 508 can vary depending on the size and shape of the article with which the tightening mechanism 508 is applied. For example, in Figure 32B, the base material 546 can be, for example, a heel counter of a shoe, and the base material 546 can have a hole that receives a portion of the tightening mechanism 508 (e.g., a bottom of the housing 532) therein. In some embodiments, the base material 546 (e.g., heel counter) can be substantially flush with the bottom surface of the housing 532, as shown in Figure 32B. Although not shown in Figure 32B, padding or lining layers can be positioned rearward of the tightening mechanism 508, for example, to separate the tightening mechanism 508 from the wearer. The embodiment shown in Figure 32B can be modified to incorporate the features shown and discussed in connection with Figures 24-32A.

Figure 32C shows another example implementation of a tightening mechanism 508 and concealing portion 514, which can have features similar to, or the same as, the embodiments shown in figure 24-32B. A housing 532 can be mounted onto a base material 546 (e.g., heel counter). In some embodiments, the base material 546 (e.g., heel counter) does not include a hole that receive a portion of the housing 532 therein. The housing 532 can be secured (e.g., stitched or adhered) to the outside of the base material 546. An outer material 570 can be elevated at the concealing portion 514, e.g., by a spacer 576, which can be a foam or plastic material, and can be compressible or substantially uncompressible, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, additional foam can be used around the spacer 576, such as collar foam 577 that surrounds a collar portion of a shoe. In some embodiments, a grommet 579 can surround all or a portion of the tightening mechanism 508. The grommet 579 can be a ring. The grommet 579 can be positioned between the spacer 576 and the outer material 570. In some embodiments, the outer material 570 can be stitched, adhered, or otherwise secured or coupled to the grommet 579. The grommet 579 can be rigid or generally rigid, so that when the user presses down on the grommet 579, it compresses an area of the concealing portion 514 positioned under the grommet 579, which in some cases can be a full 360° area surrounding the tightening mechanism 508, or a portion thereof.

Figure 33 is an exploded isometric view of a tightening mechanism 608, which can be used with an article (e.g., the shoe 100, the boot 200, the shoe 300, or other embodiments disclosed herein). The tightening mechanism 608 can include a housing 632, a securing member 634, a spool 636, and a knob 616. The spool 636 can be mounted into the housing 632 such that the spool 636 is rotatable with respect to the housing 632. A lace can be coupled to the spool 636 so that rotation of the spool 636 in a tightening direction gathers the lace onto the spool 636. The spool 636 can engage the knob 616, so that rotation of the knob 616 can cause rotation of the spool 636, thereby allowing the lace to be tightened by rotating the knob 616. The knob 616 can include a top surface 622 and sides 624. In some embodiments, the spool 636 and the knob 616 can be configured similarly to the spool 436 and knob 416 discussed above. Many other configurations can be used for the tightening mechanism 608.

The securing member can have side walls 650 that surround a recess 652. The side walls 650 can have a first indented portion 651a and a second indented portion 651b, which can be position on generally opposite sides of the securing member 634 (e.g., on the right and left sides thereof). One or more holes or notches 641a and 641b can allow a lace to pass from outside the securing member 634 into the recess 652. For example, notches 641a and 641b can be formed in the indented portions 651a and 651b of the side walls 650. The securing member 634 can include engagement features (e.g., slots 643) which can be configured to engage with engagement features (e.g., teeth 645) on the housing 632 to allow the housing 632 to be secured to the securing member 634 (e.g., by a snap-fit engagement). The securing member 634 can include a securing flange 654, which can extend radially outwardly from the base of the side walls 650. In some embodiments, lace holes 638a and 638b are formed on the securing member 634 (e.g., on the bottom thereof), and lace channels can lead from the lace holes 638a and 638b to the notches 641a and 641b or holes that allow the lace to enter the recess 652.

The housing 632 can include side walls 655 and indented portions 657a and 657b which can align generally with the indented portions 651a and 651b of the securing member 634. In some embodiments, internal side walls 647 surround a recess 659. A gap can be formed between the side walls 655 and the internal side walls 647. One or more notches 649a and 649b or holes can be formed in the side walls 655 (e.g., at the base of the indented portions 657a and 657b), and one or more notches 661a and 661b or holes can be formed in the internal side walls 647. The notches or holes can allow the lace to pass into the recess 659, and for example, can align with the holes or notches 641a and 641b formed in the securing member 634.

With reference to Figures 34 and 35A, a securing member 634 can be secured to the article (e.g., to an upper material 646 of a shoe). For example, securing flange 654 can be stitched to the upper material 646, or secured thereto by other suitable securing mechanisms. The upper material 646 can include one or more lace holes 633a and 633b which can align with the lace holes 638a and 638b on the securing member 634. As shown in Figure 35B, lace channels 612, similar to those discussed in connection with Figures 17-20, can be applied inside the upper material 646 and can direct the lace to the lace holes 633a and 633b and to the securing member 634. In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism 608 is disposed outside the upper material 646, and the upper material 646 does not include a hole that allows a portion of the tightening mechanism to be disposed rearward of the upper material 646.

A foxing or outer layer 670 can be positioned over the securing member 634. A spacer 676 can attach to the underside of the layer 670 (e.g., using an adhesive). The spacer 676 can be a compressible material, a rigid material, or a semi-rigid material. The spacer 676 can have a first or upper portion 676a and a second or lower portion 676b separated by gaps 653a and 653b or thinner portions of the spacer 676. A hole can extend through the outer layer 670 and through the spacer 676. The spacer 676 can be configured to fit around the outside of the side walls 650 of the securing member 634 when the layer 670 is mounted onto the article, and the gaps 653a and 653b in the spacer 676 can align with the indented portions 651a and 651b of the side walls 650 on the securing member 634. In some embodiments, the gaps 653a and 653b can provide paths for the lace to pass through. In some embodiments, the spacer 676 can extend a full 360 degrees around the opening 626, and the gaps 653a and 653b can be omitted. The hole 626 through the layer 670 and spacer 676 can align over the recess 652 when the layer 670 is mounted onto the article. In some embodiments, the assembly can be back part molded, as shown, for example, in Figure 35C.

As can be seen in Figure 36, the housing 632 can be mounted onto the securing member 634. In some embodiments, a portion 671 of the foxing or outer layer 670 surrounding the hole 626 can extend over the securing member 634 so that the portion 671 of the layer 670 is pressed down into the recess 652 of the securing member 634 when the housing 632 is inserted therein. In some embodiments, because the portion 671 of the layer 670 is be pinched between the housing 632 and the securing member 634, there is no gap between the edges of the foxing layer 670 and the tightening mechanism 608, which can prevent debris from entering a space around the tightening mechanism 608.

As discussed above, the housing 632 and the securing member 634 can include corresponding engagement features that are configured to secure the housing 632 to the securing member 634, such as, for example, by a snap fit, a friction fit, etc. In some embodiments, the housing 632 can be removably attachable to the securing member 634, so that the housing 632 can be removed (e.g., for repair, replacement, or cleaning). Because the housing 632 is inserted over the foxing layer 670, the housing 632 can be removed from the securing member 634 without removing or cutting the foxing layer 670.

As shown in Figure 37A, the spool 636 can receive a lace 606 and can be rotatably supported in the recess 659 of the housing 632. The knob 616 can be rotatably mounted onto the housing 632 and can be configured such that rotating the knob 616 can tighten the lace 606 by causing the spool 636 to rotate. In some embodiments, the side walls 655 and/or the side walls 650 can surround at least a portion of the side 624 of the knob 616, thereby forming rigid shielding elements that can protect the knob 616 from accidental actuation. The indented portions 657a and 657b and/or 651a and 651b can expose portions of the side 624 of the knob 616, to allow a user to grip the sides 624 of the knob 616 (e.g., for tightening). A concealing portion 614 of the article can at least partially surround the sides 624 of the knob 616 to conceal or protect the tightening mechanism 608. For example, the spacer 676 can press the foxing layer 670 up around the tightening mechanism 608. In some embodiments, the concealing portion 614 can be higher at some areas surrounding the tightening mechanism 608 than at other surrounding areas.

Many variations are possible. For example, with reference to Figure 37B, in some embodiments, the housing 632 can be incorporated into the securing member 634, for example, as a single integrally formed piece 632' that can be attached directly to the article. The housing piece 632' can combine the features of the housing 632 and the securing member 634 discussed above. Because the housing piece 632' can be a single integral piece, the engagement features of the securing member 634 and housing 632 can be omitted in the housing piece 632'. As shown in Figure 37C, the outer layer (e.g., foxing) 670 can be applied over the housing piece 632', in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with Figure 35A.

Figure 38 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tightening mechanism 608 and concealing portion 614 taken in a plane (e.g., a vertical plane) that intersects the shielding elements (e.g., the side walls 650 and/or 655). One or both of the side walls 650 and 655 can extend upward at least as far as the sides 624 of the knob 616 in the plane of Figure 38, such that the sides 624 of the knob 616 can be partially, mostly, entirely, or substantially entirely covered by the concealing area 614 (similar to the discussion above, e.g., of Figures 4-6). In some embodiments, both the side wall 650 of the securing mechanism and the side wall 655 of the housing 632 can extend upward at least as far as to the top of the knob side 624 (e.g., to substantially the same height, as shown on the right side of Figure 38). In some embodiments, the side wall 655 of the housing 632 can extend higher than the side wall 650 of the securing mechanism 634 (as shown on the left side of Figure 38). In some embodiments, the side wall 655 of the housing 632 can have a flange portion 663 that extends radially outwardly over at least a portion of the side wall 650. The flange 663 can clamp the foxing layer 670 down against the side wall 650.

Figure 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tightening mechanism 608 and concealing portion 614 taken in a plane in which the concealing portion 614 has a reduced height that is lower than in the plane of Figure 38. For example, Figure 39 can be taken in a plane (e.g., a horizontal plane) that intersects the indented portions 657a and 657b and/or 651a and 651b. One or both of the side walls 650 and 655 can extend upward to a location rearward of the knob 616, such that the sides 624 of the knob 616 can be partially, mostly, entirely, or substantially entirely exposed from a side direction. The side walls 650 and 655 can extend upward to substantially the same height (as shown on the right side of Figure 39). In some embodiments, the side wall 655 of the housing 632 can extend higher than the side wall 650 of the securing mechanism 634 (as shown on the left side of Figure 39). The flange portion 663 can clamp the foxing layer 670 down against the indented portions 651a and 651b of the side wall 650, which can prevent the layer 670 from obstructing the reduced height portions of the concealing area 614. The spacer 676 can have a greater height for the portions in the plane of Figure 38 than for the portions of the spacer 676 in the plane of Figure 39.

Figure 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tightening mechanism 608 and concealing portion 614 in which the concealing portion 614 can be compressed to allow a user to actuate the knob 616. For example, the cross-section of Figure 40 can be taken in a plane (e.g., a horizontal plane) that intersects the indented portions 657a and 657b and/or 651a and 651b. The configuration shown in Figure 40 can be similar to, or the same as, the configuration of Figure 39 in many regards. The spacer 676 can have a height that is greater than the height of the side walls 650 and/or 655. In the uncompressed state, shown in Figure 40, the concealing portion 614 can extend upward at least as far as the sides 624 of the knob 616 such that the sides 624 of the knob 616 can be partially, mostly, entirely, or substantially entirely covered by the concealing area 614 (similar to the discussion above, e.g., of Figures 4-6). The spacer 676 material can be a compressible so that the concealing portion 614 can be compressed to a compressed state (not shown). In the compressed state, the concealing portion 614 can have a reduced height similar to that shown and discussed in connection with Figure 39, such that the user can actuate the knob 616. The left side of Figure 40 shows a configuration in which the side wall 655 includes a flange 663, as discussed above, and the right side of Figure 40 shows a configuration that does not include the flange 663. In some embodiments, the compressible areas of the concealing portion 614 can extend around the tightening mechanism 608 by a full 360 degrees, instead of having a portion with rigid shield elements (as shown in Figure 38).

Figure 41 is an exploded view of an example implementation of a tightening mechanism 708 and a concealing portion 714, which can be used in connection with various embodiments disclosed herein. Figure 42 shows the assembled tightening mechanism 708 and concealing portion 714. Figure 43 is a side view of the tightening mechanism and concealing portion 714. The tightening mechanism 708 can include a housing 732, a spool 736, and a knob 716, which can have features similar to, or the same as the housing 432, spool 436, and knob 416 described above. A shaping member 701 can be disposed over the housing 732 to conceal and/or protect the tightening mechanism 708 (e.g., to protect the knob 716) as discussed herein. The shaping member 701 can be shaped according to the size and shape of the article (e.g., a heel of a shoe) to integrate the tightening mechanism 708 into the appearance of the article. In some embodiments, an outer material (e.g., a foxing) can be disposed over the shaping member 701, such that the shaping member 701 acts as a spacer to elevate the outer material as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the shaping member 701 can be rigid and can be configured to engage with the housing 732 to position the shaping member 701 and housing 732 at appropriate locations on the article. In some embodiments, an air gap can be formed under the shaping member 701, e.g., between shaping member 701 and the housing 732. In some embodiments, the shaping member 701 can be flexible or somewhat flexible, e.g., to allow the shaping member 701 to conform to the particular contours of an article. A supporting member 703 can be disposed between the housing 732 and the shaping member 701, in some embodiments, to provide support to the shaping member 701 (e.g., to maintain the shape of a flexible shaping member 701). In some embodiments, the supporting member 703 can be omitted. In some embodiments, the shaping member 701 can include one or more cutouts 705a and 705b (e.g., slits) to facilitate bending of the shaping member 701 to conform to the shape of the article. In some embodiments, the shaping member 701 and/or the supporting member 703 can be configured to conceal and/or protect the tightening mechanism 708 more at some locations than at other locations surrounding the tightening mechanism 708, as discussed herein. The concealing portion 714 can have recesses, cutouts, or scalloped areas, etc. that can provide open portions where the side of the knob 716 is exposed, thereby allowing a user to actuate the knob 716, as discussed herein.

Figure 44 is a side view of a shoe having a tightening mechanism 808 and a concealing portion 814 at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism 808. In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism 808 can be similar to the tightening mechanism 708 discussed above, although other embodiments disclosed herein can also relate thereto. Figure 45 shows a shaping member 801, which can be similar to the shaping member 701 discussed above, with a housing 832 of the tightening mechanism 808 mounted thereto. The knob 816 is not shown in Figure 45. Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe of Figure 44 showing the housing 832 coupled to the shoe and the concealing portion 814. As discussed in connection with various embodiments herein, the concealing portion 814 an provide areas (e.g., on the sides) in which the tightening mechanism 808 is exposed sufficiently to allow a user to actuate the tightening mechanism 808.

Figure 47 is a side view of a shoe having a tightening mechanism 908 and a concealing portion 914 at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism 908. Figure 48 shows another view of the shoe of Figure 47. Figure 49 shows a spacer 976, which can be configured to provide the shape of the concealing portion 914 of Figures 47 and 48. As discussed in connection with various embodiments herein, the concealing portion 914 can provide areas (e.g., on the sides) in which the tightening mechanism 908 is exposed sufficiently to allow a user to actuate the tightening mechanism 908.

Although many embodiments are discussed in connection with a tightening mechanism mounted onto the heel of a shoe or other footwear, many other configurations are possible. Figure 50 is an isometric view of a boot 1000 having a tightening mechanism 1008 mounted onto the tongue 1009 of the boot 1000 and a concealing portion 1014 at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism 1008. Figure 51 is a side view of the boot 1000. Figure 52 is a detailed view of the concealing portion 1014 and tightening mechanism 1008 on the boot 1000. Figure 53 shows a user actuating the tightening mechanism 1008 of the boot 1000. Similar configurations are possible for shoes (including high-top shoes and low-top shoes) and other footwear having a tongue. Also, the tightening mechanism 1008 can be mounted onto other portions of the footwear (e.g., on the side thereof).

As mentioned above, the embodiments described herein can be applied to various articles. For example, Figure 54 shows a wrist brace 1100 having a tightening mechanism 1108 and a concealing portion 1114 at least partially surrounding the tightening mechanism 1108.

Figures 55a-c show a body or housing 1210 of a tightening mechanism being coupled with a compressible material 1230, such as a foam backing material. The backing material could be foam of various densities and of materials such as polyurethane or latex rubber, or a non-foam but compliant material such as a polymer gel. The combination of the three parts shown in Figure 55b is typically coupled to a shoe upper after assembly but before lasting in various potential sequences of assembly and using various assembly methods. Specifically, the body or housing 1210 (hereinafter housing) may be coupled with a foam backing 1230 and then affixed to the rear of a shoe typically with adhesive or by stitching or by RF welding. While being affixed, tubing (not shown) previously mounted between upper layers, may be plugged at its end into tube ports on the housing 1210 through which lace is routed from the front of the shoe to the housing 1210. Various other embodiments do not use tubing and can allow the tube ports of a housing designed for this purpose to penetrate the shoe surface immediately for the lace coming from the housing 1210 which is then routed externally on the shoe and sometimes with intermediate guiding elements. A relatively rigid mounting component or bayonet 1220 (hereinafter bayonet) is typically joined to a textile or molded overlay known in the shoe industry as a foxing 1250. These components may be joined by stitching, RF welding, insert molding or by other means. This assembly of bayonet 1220 and overlay may then be affixed to the shoe upper and the bayonet 1220 snapped into receiving elements of the housing 1210. Often in shoe manufacturing, a subsequent step would involve "back part molding" where the textile upper is placed inside a foot shaped form known as a lasting form and is then heated, and then in this machine the fabric may be pulled and or pushed around the heel shape to somewhat thermoform the heel shape into the materials. The rigid bayonet 1220 firmly holds the perimeter of the housing 1210 hole in the foxing 1250 so that it is not pulled away leaving unsightly gaps between housing 1210 and foxing. This is a key purpose of the relatively rigid bayonet 1220 to resist deformation during back part molding of the hole in the foxing while it is being formed and also to create a neat edge banding with minimal gaps to the material of the foxing 1250.

In some embodiments, the foam backing 1230 may be molded onto or otherwise coupled with the housing 1210 (e.g. adhered with adhesive or insert molded) so that the foam backing 1230 and housing 1210 appear to be a single or integral piece or component. The foam backing 1230 may be used as a transition component between the tightening mechanism and the shoe to hide any visual defects that may result from attaching the tightening mechanism with the shoe. The foam backing 1230 is relatively compliant material that facilitates in masking or hiding the appearance of marks in the shoe from any underlying components of the tightening mechanism. The foam baking 1230 is able to mask the components by conforming to the specific shape and size of the shoe. For example, when relatively rigid backing materials are used and positioned under the surface of the material of the shoe, the edges of the backing material may be visible or the rigid material may cause the shoe's material to buckle or otherwise deform, which can be visually unappealing. The appearance of underlying components within the shoe is commonly known as ghosting. Ghosting is greatly reduced since foam backing 1230 is compliant and able to adapt and conform to the shape and size the shoe. Specifically, the foam backing 1230 may be able to adapt to the shape and size of the heel counter.

The compliant foam backing 1230 is also capable of adapting to various different shapes and sizes of shoes. This adaptability of the foam backing results in a reduction in the number of backing components that must be manufactured, thereby reducing part count. Foam backing 1230 is adaptable to the various shaped and sized shoes by being insertable and compressible between layers of the shoe. Further, the compliance of foam backing 1230 allows the foam backing 1230 to be easily wrapped around the heel counter or another component of the shoe regardless of the shoes contour, size, or shape. The foam backing 1230 may be matched to an existing profile of a shoe. For example, the foam piece may be formed to match surrounding surfaces of the article of application (e.g., shoe) so as to provide a seamless visually appealing look.

In some embodiments, the foam backing 1230 may have trimmable parts that allow the shape and/or size of the foam backing 1230 to be adjusted to fit the shape and size of the shoe, such as for example, to particularly adapt to smaller shoe sizes with associated shorter distances from sole to shoe collar. In one embodiment, foam backing 1230 may include a plurality of material layers coupled together in a stacked arrangement, similar to the layers of an onion. Each of the layers may be stripped or peeled away so as to reduce the overall thickness of the foam backing 1230 as desired. In another embodiment, the foam backing 1230 may have perforated portions or regions that allow sections of the foam backing 1230 to be cut or torn away as desired to reduce the size of the foam backing. Similarly, the durometer of the foam may be varied to provide a desired compressibility of the foam material. In some embodiments, the durometer of foam backing 1230 may vary between about 10 and 25 Shore A. By adjusting the durometer of the foam, removing sections, and/or stripping or peeling away various layers of the foam backing 1230, the foam backing 1230 may be adjusted to conform to a specifically designed shoe. In some embodiments, the foam backing 1230 may include a thermoset material to resist permanent deformation when heated and pressured during back part molding.

In another embodiment, a shim may be positioned under the foam backing 1230 to help the foam backing 1230 conform to and/or adapt to different sized and shaped shoes. For example, when a relatively large thickness of foam backing 1230 is needed or otherwise desired, such as when foam backing 1230 is coupled with a large shoe, a shim may be placed under foam backing 1230 to increase the overall thickness of foam backing 1230. The shim may comprise any shape or size as desired and may be made of a variety of materials, such as urethane, rubber, an elastomer, and the like. In another embodiment, the foam backing 1230 may include multiple pieces of foam or another material and/or may be unattached to bayonet 1220.

Bayonet 1220 includes a flange positioned partially or fully around the perimeter of bayonet 1220. The flange allows the bayonet 1220 to be sewn, adhered, or otherwise coupled with the shoe or other apparel. Housing 1210 couples with bayonet 1220 in a relatively rigid manner. In some embodiment, housing 1210 may be removably coupled with bayonet 1220 so that housing 1210 may be removed for replacement, repair, and the like. In one embodiment, housing 1210 and bayonet 1220 may be coupled together by snapping together mating portions of the housing 1210 and bayonet 1220. In another embodiment, bayonet 1220 may include bosses that snap or otherwise couple with apertures of the housing 1210, or vice versa. Cleats may also be used to couple housing 1210 with bayonet 1220; or the bayonet 1220 may be welded (e.g. heat, RF, ultrasonic, and the like), adhered, or coupled with housing 1210 using any method known in the art. Coupling or interlocking of the housing 1210 with bayonet 1220 using any fastening means described herein (e.g., bosses, cleats, mating components, welding, adhesive bonding, and the like), may facilitate in transferring rotational force from the housing 1210 to the bayonet 1220 as the tightening mechanism is operated. Bayonet 1220 may likewise transfer such force to the shoe or apparel. In this manner, the rotational force is not transferred to foam backing 1230, which rotational force may cause foam backing 1230 to deform (e.g. become oblong and the like) and/or become visible through a top layer of the shoe or apparel.

Figures 56a-b show the housing 1210 of a tightening mechanism being an integral component of a heel counter 1240 of a shoe. Figures 56a-b are similar to figures 55a-c except that housing 1210 is molded onto the heel counter 1240 so that heel counter 1240 and housing 1210 are essentially a single component or piece. The single piece heel counter 1240 and housing 1210 may be installed in the shoe as a single unit to eliminate the risk of deformation during construction thereof. Various sizes of these may be molded. In another approach the wings of the heel counter are essentially flat and may be post trimmed via steel rule dies or other method and then pre-thermoformed to an appropriate curvature for the size of shoe intended. In some embodiments, the bayonet 1220 and foam backing 1230 may be fit over and coupled with housing 1210 as described with respect to figures 55a-c. The material of the shoe 1250, such as padding, foxing, and the like, may be positioned over the heel counter 1240 and housing 1210 to cover these components and/or to provide padding for the shoe. In this manner housing 1210 may be coupled with the shoe and hidden from view. Often this heel counter/housing combination would be sandwiched between shoe inner liner materials and the outer quarters of the shoe.

Referring now to figures 57a-d, in some embodiments, a cover plate 1310 may be positioned over the housing 1210 of the tightening mechanism. The cover plate 1310 may include a dial cover 1320 that is configured to fit over the knob 1212 of the tightening mechanism so as to cover and hide the knob 1212. In some embodiments, opposing sides of the dial cover 1320 may be opened so that the sides of knob 1212 are exposed to allow a user to operate the knob 1212 to wind lace about a spool (not shown) of the tightening mechanism as described herein. In some embodiments, the cover plate 1310 may be fit over a foam backing 1230 and bayonet 1220 that are coupled with the housing 1210 as described herein. In other embodiment, the foam backing 1230 and/or bayonet 1220 may not be used and the cover plate 1310 may be fit directly over the knob 1212.

Heel counter 1240 may include bosses 1242 that allow cover plate 1310 to be coupled with heel counter 1240, such as by inserting screws through apertures 1312 of cover plate 1310 that correspond with bosses 1242. In other embodiments, cover plate 1310 may be sewn, adhesively bonded, welded (e.g. heat, ultrasonic, and the like), and the like to heel counter 1240.

The dial cover 1320 may be a relatively resilient or compliant component that allows the cover plate 1320 to be laterally adjusted relative to cover plate 1310. Stated differently, the dial cover 1320 may be laterally repositioned relative to cover plate 1310 by stretching dial cover 1320 laterally outward. The adjustability of dial cover 1320 with respect to cover plate 1310 may act on the tightening knob of the reel to allow the tightening mechanism (e.g. knob 1220) to be pulled axially outward relative to the shoe so as to release a tension on the lace and unwind the lace from a spool of the tightening mechanism as described herein. In this manner, the knob 1220 may be rotated to wind the lace about a spool of the tightening mechanism and subsequently pulled axially outward to unwind the lace from the lace as described herein. In some embodiments, the dial cover 1320 may apply an axial pressure to knob 1220 when the knob 1220 is pulled axially outward so that when a user releases knob 1220, the knob is biased or forced axially inward and able to be rotated to wind the lace about the spool of the tightening mechanism. In another embodiment, knob 1220 may be rotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) to wind lace about the spool and may be rotated in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) to unwind lace therefrom. In a specific embodiment, rotation of the spool in a second direction by a defined amount (e.g., between 15 and 90 degrees), may release the tension on the lace and allow the lace to be quickly unwound from the spool.

In some embodiments, the dial cover 1320 may have axial clearance for knob 1212 such that the knob may be grasped through side openings in 1312 such that the knob may stay in the axial outward and released position. Then the compliant and overlaid dial cover 1320 may function as a button so that pressing a top surface of the dial cover 1320 axially inward causes the dial cover 1322 to displace axially between a first position, in which the dial cover 1320 is adjacent the outer surface of the shoe, and a second position, in which dial cover 1320 is positioned axially offset from the shoe. Pressing the dial cover 1320 in this manner may also cause the knob 1212 to axially displace between the first and second position in which the lace may either be wound around the tightening mechanisms spool or unwound therefrom as described herein.

In some embodiments, the cover plate 1310 may include one or more channels (not shown) positioned on an interior surface thereof that define lace paths for the lace of the tightening system. The channels on the interior surface of cover plate 1310 may replace tubing (not shown) which is commonly used to channel and run lace between various regions or areas of the shoe, such as from the heel to the tongue of the shoe. In another embodiment, tubing (not shown) may be integrated with cover plate 1310 such as being coupled (e.g. adhesively bonded, snapped and the like) with an interior or exterior surface of cover plate 1310. Cover plate 1310 may be made of a durometer in the range of 20 to 50 Shore A to allow it to conform to various shoe shapes and may also include one or more relief cuts or slots that allow the cover plate 1310 to be flexed so as to accommodate and conform to various shaped and sized shoes. Cover plate 1310 may be a relatively hard plastic material, or a relatively soft, resilient, and flexible material.

Referring now to figure 58, illustrated is another embodiment of coupling a housing 1410 with a shoe. Specifically, the housing 1410 may be integrally formed with an outsole 1402 that is subsequently coupled with the upper material 1420 of the shoe. In one embodiment, the housing 1410 may be insert molded with the outsole 1402. In another embodiment, the housing may be sewn, adhesively bonded, welded, and the like with outsole 1402. Since housing 1410 is integrally formed with outsole 1402, the use of other components to couple the housing 1410 with the shoe (e.g. a bayonet and the like) may not be needed. Likewise, the use of a foam backing may not be needed since ghosting and/or other issues may not be as prevalent. In another embodiment, the housing 1410 may be coupled with the midsole of the shoe that is coupled with the upper material 1420 and/or outsole 1402. In some cases, tubing for routing lace may be plugged into corresponding housing tube ports. In other cases, the lace may be routed through channels and then along the outside surface of the shoe toward the shoe tongue. In other embodiments, the housing 1410 may be stitched, bonded, glued to the upper and an outsole 1402 may be direct injected to surround the housing 1410.

Referring to figures 59a-b, illustrated is another embodiment of coupling the housing 1410 to a shoe. Specifically, the housing 1410 may be integrally formed with an outer material 1430 that is subsequently coupled with this shoe, such as heel counter 1404. Rather than have the quarters of the shoe sides 1431 overlay the heel counter, in this instance the sides are cut away and do not overlap in order to make a lighter and thinner heel form. The housing 1410 may be pre-attached to the foxing or outer material 1430 via sewing, adhesive bonding, molding, and the like. The foam backing may be sandwiched between the housing 1410 and outer material 1430 during this process. Attaching the housing 1410 to the outer material 1430 in this manner may eliminate the need for one or more other components to be used, such as a bayonet, and the like. Attaching the housing 1410 to the outer material 1430 also allows the housing and tightening mechanism to easily conform to the shape and size of the shoe. The outer material 1430 also covers one or more other components of the tightening mechanism, such as tubing 1406 so that these components are hidden from view of the user. The outer material 1430 may include one or more holes (not shown) and/or channels through which the lace is inserted so that the lace may pass from tubing 1406, which is positioned on the under surface of outer material 1430, to the tightening mechanism, which is positioned on the outer surface of outer material 1430.

Referring now to figures 60a-c, illustrated is another embodiment of coupling a tightening mechanism 1510 with a shoe 1502. Specifically, a flexible strip of material 1520 may be coupled over the tightening mechanism 1510 to hide a portion of the tightening mechanism 1510 from view of a user and/or for various other functional reasons, such as to define an outer contour of a heel of the shoe or to provide axial pressure to the tightening mechanism 1510. In one embodiment, the strip of flexible material 1520 may be positioned over tightening mechanism 1510 so that opposing sides of the tightening mechanism 1510 are exposed and able to be grasped and rotated by a user. In some embodiments, the strip of flexible material 1520 may include a resilient material that allows the tightening mechanism 1510 to be pulled axially outward so that lace may be unwound from a spool of the tightening mechanism. The flexible material strip 1520 may apply an axial force to tightening mechanism 1510 to cause the tightening mechanism 1510 to return to a position axially inward relative to the shoe after lace is unwound from the spool of the tightening mechanism. The flexible material strip 1520 may provide a relatively visual pleasing appearance to the shoe as well as providing any of the functional aspects described herein.