Closure system
View Patent ↗By way of example, a cam assembly and strap based closure system using a spiral is configured for bringing two sides of an article together. When the user inserts the strap into the cam assembly and turns a knob, the strap is driven into the cam assembly and the strap pins engage one or more cam spirals. The system is configured such that strap pins are engaged at a constant angle which may be self-locking. The system is infinitely adjustable and the torque felt by the knob is constant. The system is configured to be a quick release system and allows rapid insertion of the strap for faster operation.
1. A reel and strap based system for bringing two sides of an article together, the system comprising:
a housing adapted to receive a strap, the housing comprising a track insert provided in the housing, the track insert configured to receive the strap;
said strap adapted to feed into the housing and track insert, the strap comprising strap pins configured to engage in a cam;
said cam comprising at least one spiral, the cam configured to pull the strap pins, wherein the at least one spiral comprises a logarithmic spiral; and
a knob configured to rotate said cam.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the track insert is configured to pull the strap away from the cam to disengage the at least one spiral such that the at least one spiral is engaged in a reduced number of strap pins.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the track insert further comprises a guide component.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the guide component is a S-shape.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cam is configured to pull the strap pins at a linear velocity and constant contact angle.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the constant contact angle is between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 20 degrees.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the constant contact angle is between approximately 10 degrees and approximately 12 degrees.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cam is configured to pull the strap pins at a constant contact angle, said constant contact angle being self-locking wherein the self-locking prevents the strap from being pulled in an inwards direction from the housing when the knob is not rotating.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the torque felt on the knob is constant.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the knob is infinitely adjustable.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap further comprises a chamfer.
12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a wave washer configured to pull the cam in an upwards direction to disengage the strap.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the knob is configured to push the cam against the strap upon release.
14. The system of claim 12 , further comprising at least one detent.
15. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to pull the cam in an upwards direction to disengage the strap.
16. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a spring and wherein at least one of the strap pins is beveled.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the cam is configured to hop over the beveled strap pin when the beveled strap pin is mated to the at least one spiral.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap pins are 90 degrees relative to the strap.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the strap pins is beveled on a drive side and the at least one spiral is beveled.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the cam is configured to release the strap to prevent overloading at predetermined load.
21. The system of claim 1 , wherein a free end of the strap is fixed to one side of the article and the housing is fixed to the other side of the article.
22. A shoe that includes the system of claim 1 .
23. A sandal that includes the system of claim 1 .
24. A helmet that includes the system of claim 1 .
25. A medical brace that includes the system of claim 1 .
26. A pack that includes the system of claim 1 .
27. A football pad that includes the system of claim 1 .
28. A snowboard binding that includes the system of claim 1 .
29. A glove that includes the system of claim 1 .
30. A belt that includes the system of claim 1 .
31. A method for drawing two objects towards each other, the method comprising:
providing a housing adapted to receive a strap, the housing comprising a track insert provided in the housing, the track insert configured to receive the strap;
adapting said strap to feed into the housing and track insert, the strap comprising strap pins configured to engage in a cam;
configuring said cam to pull the strap pins, the cam comprising at least one spiral, wherein the at least one spiral comprises a logarithmic spiral;
providing a knob configured to rotate the cam;
positioning the housing, the cam, and the knob on a first object;
positioning the strap on a second object; and
rotating the knob to drive the strap into the housing to pull the first object and second object towards each other.
32. The method of claim 25 , further comprising configuring the cam to pull the strap pins at a linear velocity and constant contact angle.
33. The method of claim 25 , further comprising configuring the track insert to pull the strap away from the cam to disengage the at least one spiral such that the at least one spiral is engaged in a reduced number of strap pins.
34. The method of claim 25 , wherein the track insert further comprises a guide component.
35. The method of claim 28 , wherein the guide component is a S-shape.
36. A method for drawing two objects away from each other, the method comprising:
providing a housing adapted to receive a strap, the housing comprising a track insert provided in the housing, the track insert configured to receive the strap;
adapting said strap to feed into the housing and track insert, the strap comprising strap pins configured to engage in a cam;
configuring said cam to pull the strap pins, the cam comprising at least one spiral, wherein the at least one spiral comprises a logarithmic spiral;
providing a knob configured to rotate the cam;
positioning the housing, the cam, and the knob on a first object;
positioning the strap on a second object; and
rotating the knob to drive the strap away from the housing to push the first object and second object away from each other.
37. The method of claim 36 , further comprising configuring the cam to pull the strap pins at a linear velocity and constant contact angle.
38. The method of claim 36 , further comprising configuring the track insert to pull the strap away from the cam to disengage the at least one spiral such that the at least one spiral is engaged in a reduced number of strap pins.
39. The method of claim 36 , wherein the track insert further comprises a guide component.
40. The method of claim 39 , wherein the guide component is a S-shape.