An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.

A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.

Systems, devices and methods for providing active and/or passive compression therapy to a body part can include a compression device worn over a compression stocking. The compression device can have a pulley based drive train that is driven by a motor to tighten and loosen compression elements, such as compression straps, in a precise, rapid, and balanced manner. Sensors can be used in the compression device and/or compression stockings to provide feedback to modulate the compression treatment parameters.

A blocking device (20) for fastening orthoses used in the orthopedic-rehabilitation sector to parts of the body of a person comprises a casing (21) housing a cable (40) wound on a reel (23) by the rotation of a knob (27) restrained to the casing (21) during the winding stage and partially releasable from the casing by pushing and/or pulling the knob, in order to operate with respect to a ratchet-type non-return system, wherein the ratchet-type non-return system consists of elastic tabs (32) which are part of the casing (21), and an inner toothed edge (31) of the knob (27). The knob (27) is restrained in a rotating direction and unrestrained in an axial direction with respect to the reel (23) by a pin (25) with a shaped head (25′), whereby the restraint between the knob (27) and the reel is achieved by a shaped axial opening (30) in the knob, which reflects the shape of the head (25′) of the pin (25), wherein maintaining the knob (27) in the gripping/release positions is ensured by the concave profiles (33) present on the shaped head (25′) of the pin (25) and convex surfaces (34) present in the opening (30) of the knob (27), thereby allowing the knob to be moved from a gripping condition with the ratchet-type non-return system in the tightening and blocking stage to a release condition in the opening stage while maintaining control of the cable (40) wound on the reel.

According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear, A charging system may include a charging unit with one or more components configured for use with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. The components can be magnetically joined to the article in some cases. Upon connection with a power source, the article may be configured to unlace automatically. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in an automated tensioning system.

A tensioning system for use with an article of footwear includes a pulley assembly. The pulley assembly may include a first disc and a second disc connected by a central shaft. A tensioning element can be engaged around the central shaft. A ring element can be used to prevent the tensioning element from disengaging the pulley when there is slack in the tensioning element. The tensioning element may provide support to various regions of the article of footwear or may be used to close the throat of the article of footwear.

According to an embodiment, a component for attachment to an article includes an upper component that is made of a thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature and a flange member that is molded onto the upper component and made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature of the upper component. The flange member extends laterally from a bottom end of the upper component so that a bottom surface of the flange member is flush with or positioned axially below a bottom surface of the upper component. The melting temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer material enables the flange member to be directly coupled to the article via heat welding and the like without substantially affecting the upper component.

An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.