Various mechanical closure systems and securing systems are disclosed, such as snowboard bindings and car rack systems. The systems include a mechanically reformable strap. The strap includes a wire disposed along a longitudinal axis of the strap. The wire maintains the strap in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the strap. In other embodiments, a wire-core strap can include transverse ridges, holes, or other types of grooves or apertures.

A lacing system for an article may include a tensioning mechanism, a plurality of guide members, and a lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routed along a lace path of the article via the plurality of guide members. The lace is routed along the lace path so that a first portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a top end of the lace path and so that a second portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a position that is adjacent a bottom end of the lace path. Tensioning of the lace, via the tensioning mechanism, causes the top end of the lace path and the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path to be initially tensioned.

Various mechanical closure systems and securing systems are disclosed, such as snowboard bindings and car rack systems. The systems include a mechanically reformable strap. The strap includes a wire disposed along a longitudinal axis of the strap. The wire maintains the strap in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the strap. In other embodiments, a wire-core strap can include transverse ridges, holes, or other types of grooves or apertures.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a ratchet strap system configured with a ball-shaped handgrip adapted to manipulate a ratchet strap drive shaft. In an illustrative example, the handgrip may include a substantially spherical distal portion coupled to the drive shaft via a substantially cylindrical neck member. The handgrip may, for example, be configured for after-market installation by receiving a shaft extension member of the drive shaft. Some handgrips may include opposing radial apertures for a retention pin to longitudinally fix the handgrip to the shaft extension member. A pliable resilient member disposed at the distal end may prevent decoupling prior to tensioning the strap. In various embodiments, the deployment time of a ratchet strap system may, for example, be reduced by using the handgrip to facilitate initial winding of a load securing strap, and to wind excess strap length for storage in conjunction with an elastic retaining loop.

A strap coiling device includes a housing, a spindle rotatably coupled within the housing, a return spring assembly operatively connected to the spindle within the housing, and a stator releasably engaged with the spindle, wherein a free end of a length of strap is coupled to the spindle and automatically wound around the spindle within the housing in response to disengagement of the spindle from a stator to allow rotation of the spindle caused by the return spring assembly.

A multi-function band and method therefore having a material formed into a body and an adjuster coupled with the body and accessible to the user wherein the user can use the bands as is for applications or withdraw a variable portion of the adjuster causing the material to be gathered into a formation for use in applications.

A lacing system for an article may include a tensioning mechanism, a plurality of guide members, and a lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routed along a lace path of the article via the plurality of guide members. The lace is routed along the lace path so that a first portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a top end of the lace path and so that a second portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a position that is adjacent a bottom end of the lace path. Tensioning of the lace, via the tensioning mechanism, causes the top end of the lace path and the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path to be initially tensioned.

A strap adjusting device and a wearable device are provided. The strap adjusting device is configured for adjusting a length of a strap of the wearable device and includes a pressing piece including a supporting plate connected to the strap and a cushion arranged on the supporting plate; a first sensor arranged on the pressing piece and configured to detect a deformation parameter value of the cushion; and a tightness adjusting mechanism cooperating with the strap and configured to adjust the length of the strap in response to the deformation parameter value of the cushion.

An adaptive support garment integrating directional fabrics to assist in providing adaptive support to select portions of the garment is discussed herein. The adaptive support garment can include a first directional fabric, a second directional fabric, and a tension device. The first directional fabric includes first directional fibers, and the first directional fabric can be coupled to a fixed portion of the adaptive support garment. The second directional fabric includes second directional fibers, and the second directional fabric can be coupled to a movable control structure portion of the adaptive support garment. The tension device can be coupled to the movable control structure and configured to apply a tension in a first direction on the movable control structure. In operation, the first directional fibers can engage with the second directional fibers to resist movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.

The present invention relates to an orthosis (100) for bracing a body part. A first side (20) of the orthosis (100) comprises a connector element (1), and a second side (30) of the orthosis (100) comprising a receiving element (2). The connector and receiving elements (1, 2) together form a fastening system. The connector element (1) comprises a loop (3), wherein the receiving element (2) comprises a receiving component (4) adapted to receive said loop (3).