TURN LOCK FOR SHOES

Abstract

Twist fastener (100) for tightening and fixing a cord of a lacing system of an article, comprising: a housing (110); a drum (120) held on the housing (110) and having a holding device (123c) for at least one cord, wherein the drum (120) is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing (110) and configured to reel in the at least one cord when the drum (120) is rotated in a first direction about the axis relative to the housing (110) and to release the at least one cord when the drum (120) is rotated in a second direction about the axis relative to the housing (110); a knob (130) connected to the drum (120) and configured to drive the drum (120) in the first direction to retrieve the at least one line; and a locking mechanism which can be coupled to the drum (120) and has one or more clamping bodies (151) which is configured to allow rotation of the drum (120) in the first direction substantially unhindered and to inhibit rotation of the drum (120) in the second direction, wherein the locking mechanism and the knob (120) or the drum (120) are configured such that the locking mechanism can be decoupled from the drum (120) so that the drum (120) can be rotated in the second direction and the at least one cord can be released and dispensed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a twist fastener for tightening and releasably fixing a cord or band of a lacing system, in particular of a shoe, bag or sack, sportswear, protective equipment, and other articles.

[0002] Tightening and locking devices for lacing systems are known, featuring a twist lock and a spool braked by pawls, which allows the cord or lace to be wound and tightened. The lace is wound onto a spool and secured by rotating the spool in a first direction due to the interacting pawls, while rotation in a second, opposite direction is blocked by the pawls. The lace is released by unlocking the spool, allowing the spool to rotate in the second direction. However, the locking mechanism with pawls cannot be continuously adjusted when tightening the lace and causes unwanted noise.

[0003] DE 10 2012 218 344 A1 discloses a lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and enable the gradual release of the lace in the lacing system. The lacing system may include a spool having a housing, a drum supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The spool may be configured to reel in a cable in the channel formed in the drum when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and to allow the cable to be gradually released from the drum when the drum is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing.

[0004] AT 30 903 B discloses a friction clutch which is designed in such a way that only one direction of rotation of the driving shaft is suitable for generating the friction required for coupling and the slightest attempt to rotate the driving shaft in the opposite direction cancels out this friction, i.e. releases the clutch, and the eventual reverse movement of the driven shaft does not cause the other shaft to be driven along.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a rotary fastener for tightening and fixing a cord of a lacing system of an article, with which the cord can be tightened and fixed continuously and quietly.

[0006] This problem is solved by a screw cap having the features of the main claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, a twist lock for a lacing system for tightening an article is provided, which has a housing, a drum held on the housing, and a holding device for at least one cord, wherein the drum is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing and is configured to reel in the at least one cord when the drum is rotated in a first direction about the axis relative to the housing and to release the at least one cord when the drum is rotated in a second direction about the axis relative to the housing.The twist lock further comprises a knob, for example a rotary knob, connected to the drum and configured to drive the drum in the first direction to retrieve the at least one line, and a locking mechanism having one or more clamping bodies that is connectable or coupled to the drum and is configured to allow rotation of the drum in the first direction substantially unhindered or frictionless and to inhibit rotation of the drum in the second direction.

[0008] The locking mechanism and the button or drum of the twist lock according to the invention are configured such that the locking mechanism can be decoupled from the drum so that the drum can be rotated in the second direction and the at least one cord can be released and released.

[0009] The twist fastener according to the invention can be used for tightening and releasably securing one or more cords, ribbons, wires, buckles, laces of lacing, fastening, or fastening systems, particularly in shoes, but also in bags and sacks, sportswear, protective equipment, and other articles. The at least one cord can be continuously wound, tightened, and secured via the drum of the twist fastener, which is driven by the knob, since the locking mechanism allows the drum to rotate in at least one direction essentially without resistance. Once the desired tightening is achieved by turning the knob, the knob can be released, whereby the locking mechanism with one or more clamping bodies prevents the drum from inadvertently rotating back and releasing the at least one cord. The locking mechanism ensures that the at least one cord is immediately secured after tightening.

[0010] The locking mechanism is configured so that at least one cord can be released again. For example, the locking mechanism is configured so that it can be unlocked or released, so that the drum can rotate substantially freely or freely and the cord can be unwound.

[0011] The twist lock can be used in lacing systems for various items for different applications. Advantageously, at least one cord can be tightened, secured, and loosened continuously with a single hand. Furthermore, the twist lock according to the invention has a compact shape and design.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism is arranged between the housing and the knob and is configured to permit rotation of the knob in the first direction and to inhibit or lock rotation of the knob in the second direction, and the knob is adjustable between at least two positions and is configured to be coupled to the drum in a first position of the at least two positions and to drive the drum in the first direction, and to be decoupled from the drum in a second position of the at least two positions so that the drum is rotatable in the second direction and the at least one cord can be released.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the drum has a plurality of teeth and the knob has a plurality of teeth which, when the knob is in the first position of the at least two positions, engage the teeth of the drum so that the knob and the drum are coupled and the knob can drive the drum in the first direction, and, when the knob is adjusted to the second position of the at least two positions, the teeth on the knob are decoupled from the teeth on the drum so that the knob and the drum are decoupled and the drum is rotatable in the second direction to dispense the at least one cord.

[0014] It is conceivable that the knob is either pushed toward the housing or article on which the twist lock is arranged or pulled outward when adjusting between the at least two positions. According to further embodiments, the knob can be held in one of the at least two positions by a tensioning device, such as a coil or leaf spring, so that the knob is normally located in one of the at least two positions, and when adjusting the knob to the second of the at least two positions, force must be applied counter to the effect of the tensioning device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism is arranged between the housing and the drum and is configured to permit rotation of the drum in the first direction and to inhibit rotation of the drum in the second direction, wherein the knob is connected to the drum so that it can drive the drum in the first direction to retrieve and tighten the at least one cord, and the drum is adjustable between at least two positions and is configured to be coupled to the locking mechanism in a first position of the at least two positions and inhibited in the second direction, and to be decoupled from the locking mechanism in a second position of the at least two positions so that the drum is rotatable in the second direction and the at least one cord can be released.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the knob and the drum are arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis of the housing, and the one or more clamping bodies are arranged between the housing and the knob or the drum such that rotation of the knob or the drum relative to the housing in the first direction is permitted, while rotation of the knob or the drum relative to the housing in the second direction is inhibited or blocked by the one or more clamping bodies.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the one or more clamping bodies are each arranged at least rotatably or displaceably, and optionally rotatably and displaceably, in one or more corresponding tapered gaps formed between the housing and the knob or the drum, such that upon rotation of the knob in the first direction, torque is transmitted to the one or more clamping bodies, by means of which the one or more clamping bodies are moved in a widening direction of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps, and such that upon rotation of the knob in the second direction, torque is transmitted to the one or more clamping bodies, by means of which the one or more clamping bodies are moved in a tapering direction of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps, such that rotation of the knob in the second direction is inhibited or blocked.

[0018] The one or more clamping bodies have a self-locking or self-locking function that occurs immediately after the button is released, also making the locking mechanism slip-proof. Furthermore, rolling friction and possibly also sliding friction occur on the one or more clamping bodies, so that the locking mechanism has improved wear properties and rotation in both the first and second directions can occur quietly.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a first wall of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps is formed on the housing, and a second wall of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps is formed on the knob or the drum. The taper angle between the first wall and the second wall (for a round wall, reference is made to the direction of the tangent of the wall) can range between 30°-90°, 40°-80°, or 50°-70°, depending on the desired properties of the locking mechanism.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment, the rotary fastener further comprises a tensioning device associated with each of the one or more clamping bodies, which is arranged and configured such that the one or more clamping bodies are brought into contact with the first wall of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps on the housing and the second wall of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps on the knob or the drum by applying the tensioning force of the tensioning device.

[0021] This allows the torque to be transferred to the one or more clamping bodies, allowing unimpeded rotation of the knob in the first direction and blocking rotation of the knob in the second direction. It is also conceivable that the one or more clamping bodies are pushed onto the clamping device by the torque transfer when the knob is turned in the first direction.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the clamping device has at least one clamping tongue. According to one embodiment, the at least one clamping tongue is manufactured in one piece with the annular disc. In this regard, it is conceivable that the annular disc with one or more integrated clamping tongues is manufactured using 3D printing processes, such as stereolithography, FDM, or laser sintering. According to other embodiments, the at least one clamping device can consist of one or more removable or inserted springs, e.g., spiral or leaf springs.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the housing has at least one annular disc on which one or more first walls of one or more tapered gaps are formed, each associated with the one or more clamping bodies, and in which the one or more clamping bodies are held.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the washer is coupled to the housing via a shaft of the housing and a second wall of the one or more tapered gaps is formed by an annular inner wall of the knob or drum, which surrounds the washer and which is configured to be in contact with the one or more clamping bodies.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the second wall of the one or more tapered gaps can be formed by an annular outer wall of the knob, which is surrounded by the annular disc and which is configured to contact the one or more clamping bodies. The annular inner wall or the annular outer wall of the knob can be smooth, so that the grinding and rolling friction between the one or more clamping bodies and the annular inner wall or the annular outer wall of the knob is reduced.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, a second wall of the one or more tapered gaps is formed by an annular outer wall of the knob or drum, which is surrounded by the annular disc and configured to be in contact with the one or more clamping bodies.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the one or more clamping bodies have a rotationally symmetrical shape and are formed by cylindrical clamping rollers or spheres. Other shapes are also conceivable, such as elliptical discs, egg-shaped bodies, or anisotropic shapes. The one or more clamping bodies can be non-deformable, slightly deformable, or elastically deformable. The wear properties of the locking mechanism and the clamping bodies can be determined by the shape and material properties. For example, the clamping bodies can be made of metallic material, or of hard, non-deformable plastic, or elastically deformable plastic, or can comprise this material. A rounded shape of the clamping bodies can enable the clamping bodies to be exposed to low frictional forces. For example, rolling friction occurs more frequently than sliding friction.

[0028] According to further embodiments, the material properties of the one or more clamping bodies can be selected such that the one or more clamping bodies are particularly difficult or hardly deformable or non-deformable, which can be used to ensure that the locking mechanism with the one or more clamping bodies is particularly slip-proof or has a good locking effect.

[0029] According to further embodiments, the deformability of the clamping bodies can be used to configure the locking mechanism such that the locking effect occurs in a dampened manner. According to further embodiments, the clamping bodies can have hollow bodies or be made solid in order to configure certain properties with regard to deformability. According to still further embodiments, the clamping bodies can be composed of different materials in order to obtain certain properties with regard to deformability, the friction coefficient of the surfaces, and wear. It is also conceivable to use a set of clamping bodies with different shapes or material properties in order to achieve certain functions in the locking mechanism, such as a dampened locking effect.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the drum is coupled to the housing via a shaft. Alternatively, the drum can also be coupled to the housing or shaft via a gear, so that when the drum is decoupled from the knob, it can be rotated in the second direction against frictional resistance of the gear, releasing the at least one cord.

[0031] It is conceivable that the gear unit is a worm gear, for example. In this case, either a worm wheel or a worm shaft of the worm gear unit can be connected to the shaft or formed by it.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the gear and thus the drum can be driven by a crank, so that the at least one cord can be reeled in and released by cranking.

[0033] According to the invention, a shoe with the twist fastener of the type described above is further provided, wherein the twist fastener is attached to the shoe in such a way that a cord, a band, a wire, a buckle or a lace of a lacing system can be tensioned, tightened and releasably fixed to the shoe.

[0034] According to other embodiments, the twist lock can also be attached and used on other objects. It is conceivable that the twist lock, for example, has devices on the housing for fastening elements, such as openings, eyelets, or pins, so that the twist lock can be attached to a shoe or an article or piece of equipment.

[0035] According to the invention, a method for tightening and securing at least one cord of a lacing system of an article, in particular a shoe, with a twist lock, as described above according to embodiments, is also provided. The method comprises rotating a knob of the twist lock in a first direction so that a drum of the twist lock connected to the knob is driven to retract and tighten the at least one cord of the lacing system, securing the at least one cord by a locking mechanism of the twist lock having one or more clamping bodies, by which rotation of the drum in the first direction is permitted substantially unhindered and rotation of the drum in a second direction is inhibited, and decoupling the drum from the locking mechanism and rotating the drum in the second direction to release the at least one cord.

[0036] In the method according to the invention, the at least one cord is then fixed via the locking mechanism with one or more clamping bodies.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the method comprises adjusting the knob to a first of at least two positions to couple the knob to the drum and driving the drum in the first direction to tighten the at least one cord, wherein rotation of the drum in the second direction is inhibited by the locking mechanism having one or more clamping bodies arranged between the housing and the knob.

[0038] The one or more clamping elements possess a self-locking or self-locking function that takes effect immediately and also makes the locking mechanism particularly slip-resistant. Furthermore, both rolling friction and sliding friction occur on the one or more clamping elements, so that the locking mechanism has improved wear properties and rotation in the first direction can occur smoothly and silently.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the method comprises moving the knob to a second of at least two positions to decouple the knob from the drum and rotating the drum in the second direction to dispense the at least one cord.

[0040] Further features, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below, which is illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing, Fig. 1. the twist lock according to the invention according to one embodiment in a side exploded view; Fig. 2. the Fig. 1 embodiment shown in an exploded side view from the front; Fig. 3. the Fig. 1 shown embodiment in top view; and Fig. 4. the Fig. 1 shows an embodiment according to the invention in a view from above, wherein the cover is not shown to illustrate the locking mechanism with one or more clamping bodies.

[0041] An embodiment of the screw cap according to the invention is described below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. The twist lock 100 according to the embodiment shown has a cylindrical housing 110 with a base plate, an annular side wall on the base plate, and a shaft 111, as well as an annular disc 140 and a cover 160. The shaft 111 is located centrally inside the housing 110, perpendicular to the base plate. A drum 120 is coupled to the housing 110 via the shaft 111 along a longitudinal axis of the shaft 111. The drum 120 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing 110. The housing 110 has two channels 113 through which at least one cord, ribbon, lace, etc. can be guided into the housing 110.

[0042] The drum 120 has a spool ring 123 and a toothed ring 121, which are firmly connected to each other by a series of outwardly directed teeth on the spool ring 123b and a series of inwardly directed teeth 121b on the toothed ring 121. This two-part configuration of the drum 120 enables easy manufacturing of the spool ring 123 and the toothed ring 121, for example, using a 3D printing process. The drum 120 has a holding device 123C on the spool ring 123, such as a bore or opening, to which the cord or tape can be attached. A bearing ring 122 is also arranged between the spool ring 123 and the shaft 111 of the housing 110.

[0043] The gear ring 121 has a row of teeth 121a on its outer circumference, with which the gear ring 121 and the connected coil ring 123, which are assembled to form the drum 120, can be releasably coupled with a rotary knob 130. The knob 130 is arranged relative to the housing 110 such that its cross-sectional area forms an annular surface in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

[0044] The knob 130 has a cylindrical inner wall whose diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the toothed ring 121, so that the drum 120, and in particular the part of the drum 120 on which the toothed ring 121 is located, can be arranged at least partially inside the rotary knob 130 and displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the knob 130. At the open end facing the drum 120, the knob 130 has a series of inwardly directed teeth 131a, which are engaged with the teeth 121a on the outer circumference of the toothed ring 121 when the inwardly directed teeth 131a of the rotary knob 130 are at the same height or in the same position with the teeth 121a on the outer circumference of the toothed ring 121 with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0045] The drum 120 arranged inside the rotary knob 130 or the toothed ring 121 fastened thereto can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the knob 130 between at least two positions, wherein in a first of the two positions the teeth of the drum 121a engage with the teeth 131a of the rotary knob 130 so that the knob 130 is coupled to the drum 120 and can drive the drum 120 in a first direction of rotation and in a second of the two positions the teeth of the drum 121a are offset relative to the teeth 131a of the rotary knob 130 so that they do not engage therewith.

[0046] According to the embodiment shown, the knob 130 has an outer edge with ridged structures 133 and a hexagonal outer surface so that the knob can be better gripped and turned with one hand.

[0047] In addition, an annular disc 140 is arranged inside the rotary knob 130, which is firmly connected to the housing 110 via the shaft 111, with the annular inner wall 132 of the knob 130 and the annular outer surface of the annular disc 140 facing each other. The annular disc 140 is attached to the housing such that its cross-sectional area has a circular ring shape in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The annular disc 140 also contains a hexagonal / multi-edged opening 145 for receiving the hexagonal shaft 111 to form a plug-in connection.

[0048] The annular disc 140 has receiving spaces for individual clamping bodies 151, which are formed in the outer side and upper side of the annular disc 140. In the embodiment shown, a group 150 of five clamping bodies 151 is arranged in five corresponding receiving spaces of the annular disc 140. In the embodiment shown, the clamping bodies 151 are formed by elastically non-deformable cylindrical clamping rollers.

[0049] A straight wall 142 of each receiving space 141 in the annular disc 140 forms a tapered gap with the annular inner wall 132 of the knob 130. The opening angle between the wall 142 of the receiving space and the inner wall 132 of the knob 130 is approximately 60° (relative to the tangent of the annular inner wall 132). However, the angle can vary depending on the desired locking or slip effect and can range between 30 and 90°.At the wider end of each gap formed by the annular inner wall 132 of the knob 130 and by the wall 142 of the receiving space 141 in the annular disc 140, a clamping device 143 formed by a clamping tongue is arranged, which is opposite the end of the gap in the tapered direction and is configured such that the respective clamping body 151 is subjected to a clamping force and is brought into contact with the annular inner wall 132 of the knob 130 and the respective wall side 142 of the receiving spaces 141. In the embodiment shown, each of the clamping devices 143 is formed by a clamping tongue. The clamping tongues are made as one piece with the annular disc 140. Possible manufacturing processes for the annular disc 140 include, for example, 3D printing processes.

[0050] Furthermore, a cover 160 of the housing 110 is attached to the upper end of the shaft above the annular disc 140. The cover 165 and the shaft 111 each have a bore 165 for receiving a fastening element, by means of which the cover 160 is fixed to the housing 110.

[0051] In the Fig. In the side exploded view of the embodiment of the twist lock 100 according to the invention shown in Figure 1, it can be seen that the shaft has a hexagonal end piece onto which the annular disc 140 with its hexagonal opening 145 can be placed to form a plug-in connection. The drum has a projection 123a for resting on the base plate in the housing 110, thereby stabilizing the position and rotation of the drum 120.

[0052] In the Fig. 1. and in Fig.From the views shown in Figure 2, it can be seen that the housing has projections 112 extending transversely to the side wall as part of the base plate. These projections are provided with holes 112a for receiving fastening elements, via which the twist lock 100 can be attached to an article, such as a shoe. Fastening elements can then be used, for example, screws or rivets, which are inserted into the shoe through the holes 112a.

[0053] The operation of the twist lock 100 according to the illustrated embodiment is described below. First, at least one cord is guided through the channels 113 on the housing into the interior of the housing 110 and secured to the drum 120, 123 by means of the retaining device 123c. The knob 130 is in the first position, in which the teeth 131a on the knob 131 engage the teeth 121a on the drum 121.

[0054] By rotating the knob 130 in the first direction about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing 110, the drum 120 is driven and the at least one cord is retrieved and tightened by the drum 120.

[0055] The clamping bodies 151 are brought into contact via the respective clamping devices 143 with the clamping tongues in the annular disc 140 with the respective wall 142 of the receiving spaces 141 in the annular disc 140 and the annular inner wall 132 of the knob 130, so that the torque transmission is possible.

[0056] In this case, the clamping bodies 151 formed by clamping rollers, which are each rotatably and displaceably arranged in the corresponding tapered gaps formed between the annular inner wall 132 of the knob 130 and the respective wall 142 of the receiving spaces 141 in the annular disc 140, experience a torque transmission by the rotation of the knob 130 in the first direction, by means of which they are moved in the widening direction of the corresponding tapered gap.

[0057] Due to the torque transmission when turning the knob 130 in the first direction, the clamping bodies are pushed against the respective tensioning devices 143. When the knob 130 is turned in the first direction, the drum 120 is continuously adjusted and a cord is tensioned.The effect of the locking mechanism occurs immediately upon release of the knob 130, when the already taut cord causes a rotation of the knob 130 in the direction opposite to the first direction and in the process a torque is transmitted to the one or more clamping bodies 151 in the opposite direction, by means of which the clamping bodies 151 are moved in the tapering direction of the respective tapered gap assigned to them, so that they are clamped between the annular inner wall 132 of the knob 130 and the respective wall 142 of the receiving space 141 in the annular disk 140 in which they are arranged and their rotation and thus also the rotation of the knob 130 in the second direction is blocked.

[0058] The at least one cord is released by pushing the button 130 downwards into the second position toward the housing 110. The teeth on the button 131a disengage from the teeth of the drum 121a. The drum 120 is thus freely rotatable in the second direction, and the at least one cord is released and can be released. The at least one cord can then be released, for example, by pulling on the cord.

[0059] Numerous modifications can be made to the device according to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it is conceivable that one or more clamping bodies are alternatively or additionally arranged in an annular disc on the housing that surrounds the knob. Alternatively or additionally, one or more clamping bodies can also be arranged on an annular outer wall or inner wall in the knob that face the housing. Alternatively, the one or more clamping bodies can be deformable so that, above a certain tensile force on the at least one cord, the one or more clamping bodies are compressed in such a way that a controlled slippage occurs in the locking mechanism so that the at least one cord and the one or more clamping bodies are not damaged. Alternatively, the tensioning devices can consist not of clamping tongues, but of one or more inserted tension springs, in particular spiral springs.It is conceivable that in one embodiment the drum is additionally or alternatively coupled to a worm gear with a crank on the housing or on the shaft and the at least one cord is released by pulling on the at least one cord or by cranking. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the knob is adjusted from the first position to the second position by pulling outwards. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the knob is held in one of the two positions in the normal state by a tensioning device and that its upward and downward movement is limited by the cover and the housing. The number of clamping bodies and clamping tongues can be selected to be fewer or more than 5, depending on the embodiment shown. It is also conceivable that the knob has different outer shapes or different structures on the outer edge for better grip. List of reference symbols 100 screw caps 110 housings 111 shaft 112 lead 112a bore 113 Channel 120 drum 121 Toothed ring 121a Teeth 121b Teeth 122 bearing ring 123 Coil ring 123a projection 123b Teeth 123c Holding device 130 button 131a Teeth 132 interior wall 133 Button edge with ribbed structures 140 ring disc 141 Recording Room 142 wall side 143 Clamping device with clamping tongue 145 Opening 150 ensemble of clamping bodies 151 clamping bodies 160 lids 165 bore

Claims

[1] Twist lock (100) for tightening and fixing a cord of a lacing system of an article, comprising: a housing (110); a drum (120) held on the housing (110) and having a holding device (123c) for at least one cord, wherein the drum (120) is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing (110) and configured to reel in the at least one cord when the drum (120) is rotated in a first direction about the axis relative to the housing (110) and to release the at least one cord when the drum (120) is rotated in a second direction about the axis relative to the housing (110); a knob (130) connected to the drum (120) and configured to drive the drum (120) in the first direction to retrieve the at least one line; and a locking mechanism which can be coupled to the drum (120) and has one or more clamping bodies (151) which is configured to allow rotation of the drum (120) in the first direction substantially unhindered and to inhibit rotation of the drum (120) in the second direction, wherein the locking mechanism and the knob (120) or the drum (120) are configured such that the locking mechanism can be decoupled from the drum (120) so that the drum (120) can be rotated in the second direction and the at least one cord can be released and dispensed. [2] The twist lock (100) of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is disposed between the housing (110) and the knob (130) and is configured to permit rotation of the knob in the first direction and to inhibit rotation of the knob (130) in the second direction, and the knob (130) is adjustable between at least two positions and is configured to be coupled to the drum (120) in a first position of the at least two positions and to drive the drum (120) in the first direction, and to be decoupled from the drum (120) in a second position of the at least two positions so that the drum (120) is rotatable in the second direction and the at least one cord can be released. [3] The twist lock (100) according to claim 1, wherein the drum (120) has a plurality of teeth (121a) and wherein the knob (130) has a plurality of teeth (131a) which, when the knob (130) is in the first position of the at least two positions, engage the teeth (121a) of the drum (120) so that the knob (130) and the drum (120) are coupled and the knob (130) can drive the drum (120) in the first direction, and, when the knob (130) is adjusted to the second position of the at least two positions, the teeth (131a) on the knob (130) are decoupled from the teeth (121a) on the drum (120) so that the knob (130) and the drum (120) are decoupled and the drum (120) is rotatable in the second direction to dispense the at least one cord. [4] The twist lock (100) of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is disposed between the housing (110) and the drum (120) and is configured to permit rotation of the drum (120) in the first direction and inhibit rotation of the drum (120) in the second direction, and the knob (130) is connected to the drum (120) so that it can drive the drum (120) in the first direction to retract and tighten the at least one cord, and the drum (120) is adjustable between at least two positions and is configured to be coupled to the locking mechanism in a first position of the at least two positions and inhibited in the second direction, and uncoupled from the locking mechanism in a second position of the at least two positions so that the drum (120) is rotatable in the second direction and the at least one cord can be released. [5] The rotary fastener (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the knob (130) and the drum (120) are arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis of the housing (110), and the one or more clamping bodies (151) are arranged between the housing (110) and the knob (130) or the drum (120) such that rotation of the knob (130) or the drum (120) relative to the housing (110) in the first direction is permitted, while rotation of the knob (130) or the drum (120) relative to the housing (110) in the second direction is inhibited by the one or more clamping bodies (151). [6] The rotary fastener (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the one or more clamping bodies (151) are each rotatably and displaceably arranged in one or more corresponding tapered gaps (141) formed between the housing (110) and the knob (130) or the drum (120), such that upon rotation of the knob (130) in the first direction, a torque is transmitted to the one or more clamping bodies (151), by means of which the one or more clamping bodies (151) are moved in a widening direction of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps (141), and such that upon rotation of the knob (130) in the second direction, a torque is transmitted to the one or more clamping bodies (151), by means of which the one or more clamping bodies (151) are moved in a tapering direction of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps (141).so that the rotation of the knob (130) in the second direction is inhibited., [7] The rotary fastener (100) of claim 6, wherein a first wall of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps (141) is formed on the housing (110) and a second wall of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps (141) is formed on the knob (130) or the drum (120). [8] The rotary fastener (100) of claim 7, further comprising a respective tensioning device (143) associated with the one or more clamping bodies (151) and arranged and configured to bring the one or more clamping bodies (151) into contact with the first wall (142) of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps (141) on the housing (110) and the second wall (132) of the one or more corresponding tapered gaps on the knob (130) or the drum (120). [9] Twist lock (100) according to claim 8, wherein the tensioning device (143) has at least one clamping tongue and wherein the at least one clamping tongue is made in one piece with the annular disc (140). [10] Twist lock (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing (110) has at least one annular disc (140) on which one or more first walls (142) of one or more tapered gaps (141) are formed, each associated with the one or more clamping bodies (151), and in which the one or more clamping bodies (151) are held. [11] The rotary fastener (100) of claim 10, wherein the washer (140) is coupled to the housing (110) via a shaft of the housing (111), and wherein a second wall of the one or more tapered gaps is formed by an annular inner wall (132) of the knob (130) or the drum (120) surrounding the washer (140) and configured to be in contact with the one or more clamping bodies (151). [12] The rotary fastener (100) of claim 10, wherein a second wall of the one or more tapered gaps (141) is formed by an annular outer wall of the knob (130) or the drum (120) surrounded by the annular disc (140) and configured to be in contact with the one or more clamping bodies (151). [13] Twist lock (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the clamping bodies (151) have a rotationally symmetrical shape and are cylindrical clamping rollers or balls. [14] Twist lock (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the drum (120) is coupled to the housing (110) via a gear, so that the drum (120) can be rotated in the second direction against a frictional resistance of the gear to dispense the at least one cord. [15] The twist fastener (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the twist fastener (100) can be attached to a shoe and is configured to tighten and fix a lacing system on the shoe. [16] Method for tightening and fixing at least one cord of a lacing system of an article with a twist lock (100) according to one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising: Rotating a knob (130) of the twist lock (100) in a first direction so that a drum (120) of the twist lock (100) connected to the knob (130) is driven to retract and tighten the at least one cord of the lacing system; Fixing the at least one cord by a locking mechanism of the rotary fastener (100) with one or more clamping bodies (151), by which a rotation of the drum (120) in the first direction is permitted substantially unhindered and a rotation of the drum (120) in a second direction is inhibited; and Uncoupling the drum (120) from the locking mechanism and rotating the drum (120) in the second direction to dispense the at least one cord. [17] The method of claim 16, further comprising: adjusting the knob (130) to a first of at least two positions to couple the knob (120) to the drum (120) and driving the drum (120) in the first direction to tighten the at least one cord, wherein rotation of the drum (120) in the second direction is inhibited by the locking mechanism having one or more clamping bodies (151) arranged between the housing (110) and the knob (130). [18] The method of claim 16 or 17, further comprising: adjusting the knob (130) to a second of at least two positions to decouple the knob (120) from the drum (120) and rotating the drum (120) in the second direction to dispense the at least one cord.

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