ARTICLE EQUIPPED WITH A CORD WINDING DEVICE

Abstract

Article (S) with a cord winding device (1), comprising: a cord (2); the cord winding device (1) which allows the cord (2) to be tightened and loosened; a drum (4) with a winding part (41) around which the cord (2) is wound; a drum holder (33) which rotatably supports the drum (4); and two cord outlets (35) formed in an outer wall (32) of the drum holder (33) for guiding the cord (2) out of the cord winding device (1) from an inner surface of the outer wall (32), wherein positions at which the two cord outlets (35) are formed and a center of the drum holder (33) are not arranged on a single straight line, an angle α by which two fixing positions from which the cord (2) is to be pulled out of the winding part (41) are separated is less than 180 degrees to correspond to the positions at which the two cord outlets (35) are formed, and an angle difference α-β of the angle α and an angle β by which the two cord outlets (35) are separated in an inner surface of the outer wall (32) is in the range from 0 degrees to 45 degrees, so that even if the cord (2) is fully wound and pulled out from one of the cord outlets (35), when the cord (2) is released, no material fatigue caused by kinks which reverse the winding direction of the cord (2) or repeatedly bend the cord (2) occurs at a fixing point (P) of the cord (2) and the winding part (41) corresponding to the other of the cord outlets (35).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to articles comprising cord winding devices, wherein the articles comprising cord winding devices are sports shoes that can be used for golf, jogging or the like, and for other various types of shoes, bags, body-attached protectors, caps or the like. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] According to the prior art, a cord winding device suitable for tightening a shoelace winds a cord around a drum when a rotary knob (disc-shaped knob) is rotated, and loosens the cord when the rotary knob is operated (see Patent Documents 1 to 30 listed below).

[0003] A wire cord is suitable for use as the cord wound around the drum of such a state-of-the-art winding device and is therefore widely used. This wire cord is manufactured by resin-coating the outer surface of a bundle of stainless steel filaments, which exhibit superior strength, durability, and handling characteristics.

[0004] In the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the same reference numerals are given to those components identical to the corresponding components of the description of an embodiment according to the present invention, so the fixing positions of a cord 2 and a drum 4 (positions where the cord 2 is pulled out from the cord insertion holes 45) are set to point-symmetrical positions centered on the fulcrum of the drum 4 (positions separated by 180 degrees).

[0005] The cord 2 may break if the cord exits 35 from which the cord 2 wound around the drum 4 is pulled out from a base 3 of the cord winding device are close to each other, that is, if the cord exits 35 are arranged at positions separated by 35° to 135° around the rotation center of the drum 4.

[0006] In the prior art line winding device, the line 2 rarely breaks when the positions where the two line outlets 35 are formed and the center of a drum holder 33 are on a single straight line.

[0007] The cause of the breakage of the cord 2 described above was thoroughly investigated. It was found that when the positions where the two cord outlets 35 are mounted and the center of the drum holder 33 are not on a straight line, a kink occurs that winds the cord 2 in the reverse direction near the fixing positions of the drum 4 and the cord 2, and repeated bending of the cord 2 leads to material fatigue (see Fig. ).

[0008] The winding of the cord in the reverse direction occurs when the cord 2, which is wound around the Fig. 13 is wound, as indicated by arrow W, is completely pulled out of the cord winding device for one reason or another. Such an occurrence has been overlooked in the prior art, and therefore, no measures have been taken to prevent such an occurrence. STATE OF THE ARTPatent documents Patent document 1: JP 2015- 293 A Patent document 2: JP 2015- 297 A Patent document 3: JP 2008- 525 052 A Patent document 4: WO 2006 / 050 266 A2 Patent document 5: WO 2004 / 110 197 A2 Patent document 6: JP 2003- 508 097 A Patent document 7: WO 01 / 15 559 A1 Patent document 8: WO 2015 / 035 885 A1 Patent document 9: JP 2016- 532 841 A Patent document 10: WO 2015 / 039 052 A2 Patent document 11: US 7,954,204 B2 Patent document 12: JP 2016- 525 393 A Patent document 13: JP 2010- 148 927 A Patentdokument 14: JP 2016- 36 679 A Patentdokument 15: WO 2015 / 006 616 A1 Patentdokument 16: WO 2015 / 003 079 A1 Patentdokument 17: JP 2016- 520 401 A Patentdokument 18: WO 2014 / 197 721 A2 Patentdokument 19: WO 2014 / 074 645 A2 Patentdokument 20: JP 2013 - 525 007 A Patentdokument 21: WO 2011 / 137 405 A2 Patentdokument 22: WO 2014 / 047 808 A1 Patentdokument 23: WO 2010 / 059 989 A2 Patentdokument 24: JP 3 159 620 U Patentdokument 25: WO 99 / 09 850 A1 Patentdokument 26: JP 2001- 513 379 A Patentdokument 27: WO 2013 / 138 759 A1 Patentdokument 28: JP 2015- 516 828 A Patentdokument 29: WO 2012 / 003 396 A2 Patentdokument 30: JP 2013- 530 023 A Patentdokument 31: JP 2016- 75 374 A Patentdokument 32: JP 2016- 157 594 A

[0009] DE 43 02 401 A1 describes a twist lock for releasably pulling together two locking elements that can be clamped relative to one another. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems solved by the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to provide an article having a line winding device that effectively prevents breakage of the line, in which rewinding (kinking) of the line does not occur, and material fatigue does not accumulate, which would be caused by repeated bending of the line at the fixing positions of the drum and the line, even if the line is completely pulled out of the line winding device.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an article having a cord winding device that avoids the occurrence of kinks in the cord and the accumulation of material fatigue in the cord to increase strength, durability and reliability and additionally to enable maintenance or repair. Means of solving the problem

[0012] The above-mentioned object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1. The article comprises: a cord; a cord winding device that allows the cord to be tightened and loosened; a drum with a winding part around which the cord is wound; a drum holder that rotatably receives the drum;and two cord exits formed in an outer wall of the drum holder for leading the cord out of the cord winding device from an inner surface of the outer wall, wherein in positions where the two cord exits are formed and a center of the drum holder are not arranged on a single straight line, even if the cord is completely wound and pulled out from one of the cord exits, once the cord is released, material fatigue caused by kinks caused by reversal of the winding direction of the cord or by repeated bending of the cord does not occur at the fixing point of the cord or at the winding part corresponding to the other of the cord exits.; (2) In the article incorporating a winding device according to the present invention, the angle α by which two fixing positions from which the cord is drawn out from the winding part are separated by less than 180 degrees is formed to correspond to the positions at which the two cord exits are formed so that even if the cord is completely wound and drawn out from one of the cord exits, once the cord is released, material fatigue caused by kinks caused by reversal of the winding direction of the cord or by repeated bending of the cord does not occur at either the fixing position of the cord or the winding part corresponding to the other of the cord exits. (3) In the article incorporating a winding device according to the present invention, by changing an order of inserting the cord through cord insertion hole groups each including three cord insertion holes located at point-symmetric positions in the winding part of the drum, so that even if the cord is completely wound and pulled out from one of the cord outlets, once the cord is released, material fatigue caused by kinks caused by reversal of the winding direction of the cord or repeated bending of the cord does not occur at either the cord fixing part or the winding part corresponding to the other of the cord outlets. (4) In the article incorporating a winding device according to the present invention, by inserting the cord through cord insertion hole groups each including three cord insertion holes formed avoiding point-symmetrical positions in the winding part of the drum, so that even if the cord is completely wound and pulled out from one of the cord outlets, once the cord is released, material fatigue caused by kinks caused by reversal of the winding direction of the cord or repeated bending of the cord does not occur at the cord fixing position or at the winding part corresponding to the other of the cord outlets. (5) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, an angle difference (α-β) of the angle α by which two fixing positions from which the cord is drawn out from the winding part are separated and the angle β by which the two cord outlets in an inner surface of the outer wall are separated is set in an angle range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees. (6) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, the angle α by which the two fixing positions from which the cord is drawn out from the winding part are separated is in a range of 60 degrees to 170 degrees, the angle β by which the two cord outlets in an inner surface of the outer wall are separated is in an angular range of 60 degrees to 125 degrees, and the angle α is not smaller than the angle β. (7) In the article incorporating a winding device according to the present invention, the angle α by which the two fixing positions from which the cord is pulled out from the winding part are separated is in an angular range of 70 degrees to 125 degrees, and the angle β by which the two cord outlets in the inner surface of the outer wall are separated is in an angular range of 70 degrees to 90 degrees. Effect of the invention

[0013] (1) In the article comprising a winding device according to the invention described above, even if the cord is completely pulled out of the cord winding device for one reason or another, fatigue caused by reverse winding of the cord (kinking) or repeated bending of the cord does not occur. Therefore, the cord does not break.

[0014] Accordingly, the article comprising the winding device increases the durability and reliability of the winding device and provides an article comprising a winding device which facilitates maintenance and repair.

[0015] (2) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, by changing the position of the fixing positions, the occurrence of kinks and the accumulation of material fatigue can be prevented when the angle α separating the two fixing positions from which the cord is drawn out of the winding part is less than 180 degrees without significantly changing the shape of the drum. Furthermore, the article including the winding device can be provided at a lower cost.

[0016] (3) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, when an order of inserting the cord through cord insertion hole groups each including three cord insertion holes located at point-symmetric positions in the winding part of the drum is changed, the occurrence of buckling and material fatigue can be easily prevented without greatly changing the shape of the drum, and the durability and reliability of the cord winding device can be increased without increasing the cost.

[0017] (4) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, when inserting the cord through cord insertion hole groups each including three cord insertion holes formed in the winding part of the drum while avoiding point-symmetrical positions, the cord insertion hole groups can be arranged closer to each other without greatly changing the shape of the drum. This easily prevents the occurrence of kinks and the accumulation of material fatigue, and increases the service life and reliability of the cord winding device.

[0018] (5) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, the angle difference (α-β) between the angle α separating two fixing positions from which the cord is drawn out of the winding part and the angle β separating the two cord outlets in an inner surface of the outer wall is within a range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees. This ensures that the occurrence of kinks and material fatigue is limited and further increases the service life and reliability of the cord winding device.

[0019] (6) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, the angle α by which the two fixing positions from which the cord is pulled out from the winding part are separated from each other is in a range of 60 degrees to 170 degrees, the angle β by which the two cord outlets in an inner surface of the outer wall are separated is in a range of 60 degrees to 125 degrees, and the angle α is not smaller than the angle β. This ensures that the occurrence of kinks and the accumulation of material fatigue are limited and further increases the service life and reliability of the cord winding device.

[0020] (7) In the article comprising a winding device according to the present invention, the angle α separating the two fixing positions from which the cord is pulled out of the winding part is within a range of 70 degrees to 125 degrees, and the angle β separating the two cord outlets in the inner surface of the outer wall is within a range of 70 degrees to 90 degrees. This ensures that the occurrence of kinks and the accumulation of material fatigue are limited, and the service life and reliability of the cord winding device are further increased. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS Fig. 1 includes a plan view and a perspective view of a drum of a cord winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plan view showing the location of a cord outlet in a base member, and a side view of an article (shoe) including the cord winding device. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cord winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the knob of the cord winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lowered state. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the rotary knob of the cord winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an elevated state. Fig. 5 shows a drum of the cord winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 5A is a perspective view with a top side, Fig. 5B is a perspective view with a bottom side, Fig. 5C is a plan view, Fig. 5D is a side view and Fig. 5E is a bottom view. Fig. 6 shows a rotary knob of the cord winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 6A is a bottom view, Fig. 6B is a perspective view with a bottom side, Fig. 6C is a plan view and Fig. 6D is a perspective view of a top surface. Fig. 7 includes a bottom view of the drum of the cord winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention and a bottom view showing a state in which one end of a cord is attached to the drum. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an article (body protector) having a cord winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an article (holding device) having a cord winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an article (clothing) having a cord winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an article (cap) having a cord winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 includes a bottom view showing a drum of a prior art cord winding device and a perspective view of the bottom. Fig. Figure 13 includes a plan view of the drum of the modern line winding device and a plan view showing the positions of the line outlets in a base member. EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention, which can be applied to the embodiments described below, is "An article with a cord winding device, comprising: a cord; a cord winding device that enables the cord to be tightened and loosened; a drum having a winding part around which the cord is wound; a drum holder that rotatably supports the drum;and two cord exits formed in an outer wall of the drum holder for leading the cord out of the cord winding device from an inner surface of the outer wall, wherein, in positions where the two cord exits are formed and a center of the drum holder are not arranged on a single straight line, even if the cord is completely wound and pulled out from one of the cord exits, once the cord is released, material fatigue caused by kinks caused by reversal of the winding direction of the cord or by repeated bending of the cord does not occur at either the cord fixing location or the winding part corresponding to the other of the cord exits.

[0022] A shoe having a cord winding device that winds a shoelace, which is an example of a cord, is now described as an embodiment (an embodiment: Fig. 1 to 6) of an article having a cord winding device according to the present invention.

[0023] The internal structure of the embodiment of the cord winding device used in the present embodiment, as well as its operation and advantages, have already been partially disclosed by the applicant in the above-described patent documents, such as Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-127574 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-293), Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-127612 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-297), and Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-163867 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-36679).

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a shoe S having a lace winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention located at a position corresponding to the ankle. In the shoe S, a shoelace 2 made of a resin-coated metal wire tightens the upper part of the foot of the shoe S.

[0025] Examples of a "cord" suitable for use with the cord winding device according to the present invention are listed below. However, the list of examples is not intended to be limiting: 1. A resin-coated wire cord made of a bundle of filaments formed of metal, such as stainless steel, 2. A cord formed by bundling or braiding filaments or cords of metal or resin (multifilament), and 3. A single line made of metal or resin (monofilament).

[0026] The winding device 1 comprises a base member 3, a drum 4 that winds the shoelace 2, a substantially disc-shaped knob 5 that rotates and drives the drum 4, a shaft member 6 that secures the knob 5 to the base member 3 in a manner that is rotatable with respect to the base member 3, spring members 7 each including one end pivotally supported by the shaft member 6, a screw 8, and a cover member 9.

[0027] Preferably, the shoelace 2 is a wire cord coated with nylon resin and formed into a wire cord by twisting stainless steel strands having a diameter of 0.11 to 0.13 mm and obtained by processing the wire cord with a kneading machine, or a monofilament cord formed of nylon resin.

[0028] The entire base member 3 is integrally formed by forming a thin flange 31 protruding from the periphery of a drum holder 33, including a tubular outer wall 32 that rotatably receives the drum 4. The flange 31 is sewn and fixed to the shoe S to fix the line winding device 1 to the shoe S.

[0029] A rotary shaft 34 supporting the drum 4 protrudes from the central portion (center portion) of the inner bottom of the drum holder 33.

[0030] The lower part of the drum holder 33 includes the two cord outlets 35 that extend through the outer wall 32 and are connected to the outside. In the cord winding device 1 of this embodiment, the angle β separating the two cord outlets 35 in the inner surface of the outer wall 32 is set to approximately 80 degrees around the center of the drum holder 33.

[0031] More specifically, the positions where the two line outlets 35 and the center of the drum holder 33 are formed are not arranged on a single straight line.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the cord winding device, the angle β may be in a range of 60 degrees to 125 degrees or in a range of 70 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0033] The upper end of the outer wall 32 includes three equally spaced claws 36 projecting outwardly from the outer wall 32. Each claw 36 is located at the end of a curved, elongated, rod-shaped spring portion 36a, which is cut out of a portion of the outer wall 32 in an arcuate manner.

[0034] The spring parts 36a are elastically deformed to move the claws 36 toward the inside of the drum holder 33.

[0035] The drum 4 comprises a tubular winding part 41 around which the shoelace 2 is wound and held, and a tubular rotating shaft portion 42 located on the inside of the winding part 41. The top and bottom of the drum 4 each include a recess 43 extending between the winding part 41 and the rotating shaft portion 42.

[0036] The rotation axis 34 of the base member 3 is inserted into the rotation shaft portion 42, and the drum 4 is rotatable in the drum holder 33.

[0037] The recess 43 in the underside of the drum 4 is opposite the inner lower part of the drum holder 33. Two engagement rungs 44 are arranged in the recess 43.

[0038] The engaging rungs 44 clamp and hold the tip of the shoelace 2 in the recess 43. The shoelace 2 is pulled into the recess 43 through a plurality of (six in total) cord insertion holes 45 extending through the winding part 41.

[0039] The cord insertion holes 45 are arranged at positions separated by 180 degrees around the rotation center of the drum 4, with three cord insertion holes 45 arranged close to each other at each of the two positions. Specifically, the three adjacent cord insertion holes 45 form a single cord insertion hole group, and the cord insertion hole groups are formed at point-symmetric positions around the rotation center of the drum 4.

[0040] Such an arrangement of the cord insertion hole group is also used in a prior art reel. Thus, the prior art reel can be used without structural changes in the present invention.

[0041] Such a structure will be described later.

[0042] The upper recess 43 of the drum 4 includes upwardly directed teeth 46 formed along the inner surface of the winding part 41 for engagement with downwardly directed teeth 51 formed on the underside of the rotary knob 5 to transmit the rotation of the rotary knob 5 to the drum 4.

[0043] The central part of the rotary knob 5 includes a shaft hole 52, and the downward-facing teeth 51 are formed in an annular arrangement around the shaft hole 52.

[0044] Furthermore, the rotary knob 5 comprises a toothed ring 53 with a plurality of peaks and valleys which are arranged in a tubular shape and extend in the axial direction of the rotary knob 5.

[0045] The valleys of the gear ring 53 are arranged to engage with the claws 36. When the knob 5 is rotated, the claws 36 move beyond the peaks of the gear ring, so that the knob 5 can only be rotated in one direction.

[0046] More specifically, the gear ring 53 and the claws 36 form a ratchet mechanism, and the tips of the gear ring 53 have a “sawtooth” cross-section, so that the gear ring 53 (knob 5) can only be rotated in the direction that tightens the shoelace 2.

[0047] The rotary knob 5 is movable in the direction of its rotation axis. The upwardly directed teeth 46 are in engagement with the downwardly directed teeth 51 in a locking state (state according to Fig. 3) in engagement, in which the rotation of the rotary knob 5 is transmitted to the drum 4. The upwardly directed teeth 46 are separated from the downwardly directed teeth 51 in an unlocking state (state according to Fig. ) which separates the rotary knob 5 from the drum 4 and allows free rotation of the drum 4.

[0048] The shaft member 6 is fixed to the base member 3 by the screw 8 to rotatably fix the knob 5 to the base member 3. The shaft member 6 holds and guides the knob 5 to be movable between a locking position in which the knob 5 is close to the drum 4 and an unlocking position in which the knob 5 is separated from the drum 4.

[0049] The shaft element 6 is cylindrical. The bearings are formed near the upper end of the shaft element 6 by cutting out opposing sides in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft element 6. A straight end (pin 71) of each spring element 7 is inserted into the corresponding bearing. This pivotally supports the spring element 7.

[0050] The spring elements 7 are arranged in spring receiving portions 54 formed adjacent to the shaft bore 52 of the rotary knob 5. Each spring element 7 is bent to be generally U-shaped overall, so that its other end 72 is constantly in contact with an engagement portion 55 arranged in the corresponding spring receiving portion 54.

[0051] By moving the rotary knob 5 from the locking position to the unlocking position, the drum 4 can be switched from a locking state to an unlocking state.

[0052] Furthermore, a reversal position is set between the locking position and the unlocking position, in which the other end 72 of the spring element 7 is pressed most strongly against the shaft element 6 in order to indicate a clear switching of the position of the rotary knob 5.

[0053] The disc-shaped cover element 9 is attached to the top of the rotary knob 5 to protect the interior of the cord winding device 1 so that no foreign matter enters the cord winding device 1.

[0054] The central portion of the cover member 9 includes a through hole 9a. The screw 8 on the inner side (bottom side) of the cover member 9 is operated through the through hole 9a to remove the drum 4, the rotary knob 5, the shaft member 6, and the like from the base member 3.

[0055] A method of assembling and manufacturing the cord winding device 1 will now be described.

[0056] First, the tips of the shoelace 2 are each inserted into the two cord outlets 35 from the outside of the base element 3. Then, the two tips of the shoelace 2 are pulled into the drum holder 33.

[0057] The tips of the shoelace 2 are inserted one after the other in a meandering manner into the six cord insertion holes 45 in the winding part 41 of the drum 4 to fasten the two tips of the shoelace 2 to the drum 4. The drum 4 is then arranged in the drum holder 33.

[0058] The positions where the shoelace 2 is pulled out of the drum 4 from the cord guide holes 45, that is, the positions where the shoelace 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41, are referred to as “fixing positions P” of the winding part 41 and the shoelace 2 in the present invention.

[0059] Particularly, in the present embodiment, by changing the order of inserting the shoelace 2 into the lace insertion hole groups each including three lace insertion holes 45 formed at point-symmetric positions in the winding part 41 of the drum 4, angle α by which the fixing positions P through which the shoelace 2 is pulled out from the winding part 41 are separated can be set to less than 180 degrees to correspond to the positions where the two lace exits 35 are formed.

[0060] More specifically, in the cord winding device 1 of the present embodiment, the tips of the shoelace 2 are inserted into the recess 43 from the closest cord insertion holes 45 in the two cord insertion hole groups. Thus, the angle α separating the two fixing points P from which the shoelace 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41 is approximately 125 degrees.

[0061] When using the above structure, the angle difference (α-β) of the angle α by which the two fixing points P from which the shoelace 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41 are separated and the angle β through which the cord exit 35 occurs in the outer wall 32 is about 45 degrees.

[0062] Accordingly, even if the shoelace 2 is pulled out from one of the cord exits 35 and is completely rewound when the shoelace 2 is released, material fatigue caused by kinks that reverse the winding direction of the shoelace 2 or repeated bending of the shoelace 2 does not occur at the fixing point P of the shoelace 2 and at the winding part 41 corresponding to the other cord exit 35.

[0063] In particular, in the Fig. 1 from a state in which the shoelace 2 is wound as indicated by arrow W, the occurrence of kinks and the accumulation of material fatigue are prevented when the shoelace 2 is completely pulled out of the cord winding device 1 for one reason or another, like the drum 4 shown in arrow R. This is different from the state in Fig. Drum 4 shown in 13.

[0064] The structure of the winding device according to the state of the art is described again. In the winding device according to the state of the art, as shown in the Fig. 12 and Fig. As shown in Figure 13, the sequence of inserting the cord 2 through the cord insertion holes 45 of the drum 4 is selected such that the cord 2 is inserted through the cord insertion holes 45 located at point-symmetrical positions separated by 180 degrees around the center of the drum 4, and the cord 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41 from the two fixing positions separated by an angle of 180 degrees. Accordingly, in the winding device according to the prior art, the two fixing positions at which the cord 2 is pulled out from the winding part 41 do not correspond to the positions at which the two cord exits 35 are formed in the base member 3.

[0065] In particular, in the cord winding device of the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the angle difference between the angle at which the two fixing points at which the cord 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41 are separated and the angle at which the two cord outlets 35 in the inner surface of the outer wall 32 are separated is approximately 100 degrees.

[0066] Accordingly, in the prior art, when the cord 2 is pulled out from one of the cord exits 35 and fully rewound upon release of the cord 2, material fatigue is caused by a kink that reverses the winding direction of the cord 2 or by repeated bending of the cord 2 at the fixing point of the cord 2 and the winding part 41 corresponding to the other cord exit 35. This may cause the cord 2 to break.

[0067] In a further embodiment of an article (shoe S or the like) comprising the cord winding device 1 of the present invention, in the case where the shoelace 2 is pulled out from one of the cord exits 35 and is completely rewound upon release of the shoelace 2, in order to avoid material fatigue caused by kinks that reverse the winding direction of the shoelace 2 or repeated bending of the shoelace 2 at the fixing point P of the shoelace 2 and the winding part 41 corresponding to the other cord exit 35, it was confirmed by experiments that it is significant that the angular difference (α-β) of the angle α by which the two fixing points P through which the shoelace 2 is pulled out from the winding part 41 are separated and the angle β by which the cord exit 35 in the inner surface of the outer wall 32 separated, is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0068] Furthermore, as long as the angle α is in the range of 60 degrees to 170 degrees, by which the two fixing points P from which the shoelace 2 is pulled out from the winding part 41 are separated, and as long as the angle β is in the range of 60 degrees to 125 degrees, by which the two cord outlets 35 in the inner surface of the outer wall 32 are separated, and the angle α is not smaller than the angle β, even if the shoelace 2 is pulled out from one of the cord outlets 35 and is completely rewound when the shoelace 2 is released, an article with the cord winding device 1 can avoid material fatigue that would be caused by kinks that would be caused by reversing the winding direction of the shoelace 2 or by repeatedly bending the shoelace 2 at the fixing point P of the lacing 2 and the winding part 41 according to the other cord exit 35 would have occurred.

[0069] Furthermore, as long as the angle α by which the two fixing points P from which the shoelace 2 is pulled out from the winding part 41 are separated from each other is in the range of 70 degrees to 125 degrees, and the angle β by which the two cord exits 35 in the inner surface of the outer wall 32 are separated is in the range of 70 degrees to 90 degrees, even if the shoelace 2 is pulled out from one of the cord exits 35 and completely rewound upon untying the shoelace 2, an article having the cord winding device 1 can avoid material fatigue caused by kinks that reverse the winding direction of the shoelace 2 or repeated bending of the shoelace 2 at the fixing point P of the lacing 2 and the winding part 41 corresponding to the other cord exit 35.

[0070] The rotary knob 5 is then coupled to the shaft element 6 and the spring element 7.

[0071] A flange 62 projecting from the upper end of the shaft member 6 abuts the rotary knob 5 around the shaft hole 52 so that the rotary knob 5 is not separated from the shaft member 6.

[0072] After coupling the rotary knob 5, the shaft member 6, and the spring member 7 by the method described above, the screw 8 is inserted through a screw insertion hole 63 extending along the axis of the shaft member 6. Then, the screw 8 is fastened to the rotary axis 34 to fix the shaft member 6 to the base member 3.

[0073] Finally, the cover element 9 is attached to the rotary knob 5 and coupled to the cord winding device 1.

[0074] When disassembling the cord winding device 1 for maintenance or repair, a screwdriver is inserted into the through hole 9a of the cover element 9 to loosen the screw 8 so that the coupled rotary knob 5, the shaft element 6 and the spring elements 7 can be removed from the base element 3.

[0075] The following materials are used to form the elements of the cord winding device 1 according to the present invention, taking into consideration strength, durability, elasticity, and the like. However, there is no limitation to these materials. Basic element 3 - Nylon Drum 4, Shaft Part 6 - Polyacetal (POM) Knob 5 - Nylon and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) in the circumference Spring part 7 - stainless steel Screw 8 - Carbon steel Cover element 9 - ABS resin

[0076] A method of using the cord winding device 1 will now be described.

[0077] After putting on the shoe S, to tighten the laces 2, the rotary knob 5 of the Fig. 3 is rotated in the locking position in which the rotary knob 5 is located near the base member 3 to wind the shoelace 2 around the drum 4.

[0078] In this case, the tips in the gear ring 53 push the rotary knob 5 against the claws 36. Thus, the drum 4 is not rotated in the direction that loosens the shoelace 2.

[0079] To release the shoelace 2, the rotary knob 5 of the cord winding device 1 is pulled upward beyond the reverse position in which the spring elements 7 are compressed most strongly, and the direction in which the spring elements 7 are compressed alternates between the locking position and the unlocking position. This moves the rotary knob 5 into the unlocking position in which the rotary knob 5 is separated from the base element 3 (state as shown in Fig. 4).

[0080] In contrast, when the rotary knob 5 is pressed and moved downward from the unlocking position to the locking position, the rotary knob 5 is moved beyond the rearward position in which the spring elements 7 are compressed most strongly. Then, the upward-facing teeth 46 of the drum 4 re-engage with the downward-facing teeth 51 of the rotary knob 5. This allows the shoelace 2 to be wound around the drum 4 to tighten the shoelace 2.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the cord winding device 1 arranged on the upper part of the foot of the shoe S and can be embodied in a cord winding device that tightens the shoelace 2 at another location on the shoe S.

[0082] Furthermore, a Fig. 7 may be used in another embodiment of an article incorporating a cord winding device according to the present invention.

[0083] The components identical to the corresponding components of the drum 4 in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals. A detailed description of these components will be omitted.

[0084] In order to obtain the advantages of the drum 40, the cord insertion holes 45 (cord insertion hole groups) are formed in closer positions (cord insertion hole groups arranged at positions that are not point-symmetrical to the rotation center of the drum) to reduce the angle by which the two fixing positions P of the shoelace 2 and the drum 40 of the winding part 41 are separated.

[0085] In the drum 40 of the present embodiment, the angle α by which the two fixing points P from which the shoelace 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41 are separated is in the range of 60 degrees to 170 degrees.

[0086] More precisely, the angle α separating the two fixing points P from which the shoelace 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41 is approximately 140 degrees (see drum 40 top right in Fig. 7).

[0087] In this way, when using the drum 40 in which the cord insertion holes 45 (cord insertion hole groups) are formed at closer positions, the order of inserting the ends of the shoelace 2 into the three cord insertion holes 45 of the corresponding cord insertion hole groups can be changed so that the angle α by which the two fixing points P from which the shoelace 2 is pulled out of the winding part 41 are separated is further reduced to be included in the range of about 60 degrees to 125 degrees or about 70 degrees to 125 degrees (see drum 40 at the bottom left in Fig. 7).

[0088] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, another embodiment of an article incorporating the cord winding device 1 according to the present invention may be a protector 101 attached to a body 100, such as a leg, an arm, or the waist. The protector 101 may be an article used for medical purposes or for sports.

[0089] As in Fig. 9, another embodiment of an article incorporating the cord winding device 1 according to the present invention may be a holding device 102 such as a pochette (handbag), a bag, a backpack or a school bag.

[0090] As in Fig. 10, another embodiment of an article incorporating the cord winding device 1 according to the present invention may be clothing 103, such as a life jacket, a uniform, a raincoat, and a jacket.

[0091] As in Fig. 11, another embodiment of an article incorporating the cord winding device 1 according to the present invention may be a cap 104, a helmet, or the like.

[0092] The cord winding device 1 according to the present invention can be attached to an article as described in the other embodiments to tighten or loosen a cord so that the article is secured to the body. This improves the comfort of the article, prevents cord breakage, and increases durability.

[0093] The feature of the present invention lies in the relationship between the positions of the fixing points of a drum and a cord and the positions where cord outlets are formed in a drum holder. The present invention does not depend on a structure that permits or restricts rotation of the cord winding drum or the structure of the dial, and can therefore be applied to and embodied in a winding device and its drum of an article, including any of the cord winding structures disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 30.

[0094] The present invention can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention by changing the order of inserting the cord through the cord insertion holes or by changing the material, dimensions, angle, target position, size and number of each part in the cord, the cord winding device and the article including the cord winding device.

[0095] For example, a drum may contain only two cord entry holes, and the ends of a cord can be secured with screws or an adhesive. Alternatively, a drum may contain seven or more cord entry holes, and those corresponding to the positions of the cord exits can be selected for inserting the cord ends.

[0096] In the drum 400 of the further embodiment of the present invention shown in the lower right side of Fig.7, the winding part 41 may include twelve cord insertion holes 45, and the ends of the cord (shoelaces 2) may be inserted through appropriate ones of the cord insertion holes 45 to connect and fix the cord to the winding part 41 of the drum 400. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0097] The present invention is industrially applicable as an article including a cord winding device having superior durability, operation and maintenance characteristics. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 cord winding device 2 shoelaces (cord) 3 Basic element 31 Flange 32 exterior wall 33 Drum holder 34 Rotating shaft 35 cord outlet 36 claws 36a Spring parts 4 drums 40 Drum (other design) 400 drum (other design) 41 Winding part 42 Rotating shaft section 43 recess 44 Intervention projection 45 cord entry hole 46 upward-facing teeth 5 Rotary knob 51 downward-facing teeth 52 shaft bore 53 sprocket 54 Spring retaining part 55 engagement part 6 Shaft element 62 flange 63 Screw insertion hole 7 Spring element 71 pin (one end) 72 other end 8 screw 9 Cover element 9a Through hole 100 bodies 101 Protector (article) 102 Holding device (article) 103 Clothing (Items) 104 Cap (article) P Fixation point R Arrow (state in which the line is completely pulled out of the line winding device) S Shoe (article) W Arrow (condition in which the line is wound by a line winding device)

Claims

[1] Article (S) with a cord winding device (1), comprising: a cord (2); the cord winding device (1) which allows the cord (2) to be tightened and loosened; a drum (4) with a winding part (41) around which the cord (2) is wound; a drum holder (33) which rotatably supports the drum (4); and two cord outlets (35) formed in an outer wall (32) of the drum holder (33) for guiding the cord (2) out of the cord winding device (1) from an inner surface of the outer wall (32), wherein positions at which the two cord outlets (35) are formed and a center of the drum holder (33) are not arranged on a single straight line, an angle α by which two fixing positions from which the cord (2) is to be pulled out of the winding part (41) are separated is less than 180 degrees to correspond to the positions at which the two cord outlets (35) are formed, and an angle difference α-β of the angle α and an angle β by which the two cord outlets (35) are separated in an inner surface of the outer wall (32) is in the range from 0 degrees to 45 degrees, so that even if the cord (2) is fully wound and pulled out from one of the cord outlets (35), when the cord (2) is released, no material fatigue caused by kinks which reverse the winding direction of the cord (2) or repeatedly bend the cord (2) occurs at a fixing point (P) of the cord (2) and the winding part (41) corresponding to the other of the cord outlets (35). [2] The article (S) having a winding device according to claim 1, wherein by changing an order of inserting the cord (2) through cord insertion hole groups each comprising three cord insertion holes located at point-symmetric positions in the winding part (41) of the drum (4), even if the cord (2) is completely wound and pulled out from one of the cord outlets (35) when the cord (2) is released, no material fatigue caused by kinks that reverse the winding direction of the cord (2) or repeatedly bend the cord (2) occurs at a fixing position (P) of the cord (2) and the winding part (41) corresponding to the other of the cord outlets (35). [3] An article (S) having a winding device according to claim 1, wherein by inserting the cord (2) through cord insertion hole groups each comprising three cord insertion holes formed avoiding point-symmetrical positions in the winding part (41) of the drum (4), even if the cord (2) is completely wound and pulled out from one of the cord outlets (35) when the cord (2) is released, no material fatigue caused by kinks that reverse the winding direction of the cord (2) or repeatedly bend the cord (2) occurs at a fixing position (P) of the cord (2) and the winding part (41) corresponding to the other of the cord outlets (35). [4] Article (S) with a winding device according to claim 1, wherein the angle α is in a range of 60 degrees to 170 degrees, the angle β is in a range of 60 degrees to 125 degrees and the angle α is not smaller than the angle β. [5] Article (S) with a winding device according to claim 4, wherein the angle α is in the range of 70 degrees to 125 degrees and the angle β is in the range of 70 degrees to 90 degrees.

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