Adjustable tightening device

Abstract

An adjustable tightening device, particularly of the type for cycling footwear, comprises a support from which a first pressure arm and a second pressure arm, opposite to each other, extend. Each of the pressure arms is associated with a respective adjustment device to vary a maximum rotation width of the pressure arms. The adjustment devices are manually and selectively actuatable by the user so as to independently adjust the rotation of the first arm with respect to the rotation of the second arm. The adjustment devices comprise a gripping surface projecting orthogonally to the second axis with respect to the external surface of the support and / or the external surface of the respective pressure arm.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable tightening device, particularly of the type for cycling footwear, configured to be associated with a footwear item substantially at a heel region thereof.

[0002] In the cycling sector, footwear is known to be provided with various tightening devices, which are useful to effectively fasten the foot inside the footwear item in order to guarantee, for the cyclist, certain conditions of comfort and safety that allow him to achieve, among other things, good sporting performance.

[0003] Some of the aforesaid tightening devices are specifically designed to surround the cyclist's heel, so as to apply a predetermined pressure on the internal and external portion of their foot and prevent the footwear item from accidentally slipping off during the ride or the foot not being firmly fastened inside it.

[0004] More specifically, an example of a tightening device in the heel area is for example known from ITPD20060118A1, in which a cycling footwear item is described as having two pressure arms whose movement is adjusted by a suitably profiled cam which, by resting on manoeuvring appendages located at one end of each of the arms, allows them to rotate.

[0005] A further design solution, by the same Applicant, is known in which the U-shaped tightening device is configured to be fixed to the footwear item by means of screw means at a rear region. The adjustment of the arms, which extend from a central body at which the coupling with the footwear item is obtained and which are hinged thereto, is carried out by adjusting abutment elements of the arms themselves: their tightening and / or loosening respectively brings an abutment surface of the pressure arms closer to and / or further away from the central body, consequently varying their rotation about the hinge axis and thus the pressure applied at the heel region of the user.

[0006] Although highly appreciated, the above-described devices have some perfectible aspects.

[0007] For example, it is well known that in the cycling sector, efforts are made to make footwear as aerodynamic as possible in order to improve performance thereof. The solution described in the above-mentioned document can be rather cumbersome and not very suitable for achieving good aerodynamics of the structure of the footwear item. Furthermore, the device is not removable from it and only allows to obtain a substantially identical and simultaneous adjustment of both pressure arms.

[0008] Furthermore, regarding the second solution described above, although a removable coupling of the device with the footwear item is made by screw means, it is also relatively cumbersome and impractical, as the user needs an external tool - such as a screwdriver - to fix or remove the device from the footwear item. Another external tool, such as an additional screwdriver, is further required to adjust the abutment elements. This does not allow to adjust pressure arms quickly and conveniently, as a user must always have available tools suitable for adjusting and securing the tightening device. Removing the device from the footwear item would, furthermore, leave obvious traces of the fixing means, giving the footwear item an improved aesthetic appeal.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide an adjustable tightening device that is able to overcome, at least partially, one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0010] In the context of this purpose, an object of the invention is to make a tightening device that can be adjusted quickly and easily by a user with no need for external tools.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to make available a tightening device that can guarantee adjustment by the user even while riding.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to make a tightening device that can be removed from a footwear item without leaving visible traces of the fixing elements.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to make a device that allows to obtain independent adjustment of the displacement of the pressure arms.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to develop a device that provides the user with a high level of comfort.

[0015] Still another object of the invention is to make available a footwear item comprising said adjustable tightening device.

[0016] This purpose, as well as one or more of these objects, and others which will better appear later, are achieved, at least partially, according to a first aspect of the invention, by an adjustable tightening device, particularly of the type for cycling footwear, comprising a support from which a first pressure arm and a second pressure arm, opposite to each other, extend. Preferably, the tightening device is configured to be associated with a footwear item substantially at a heel region thereof, so that the first and second pressure arms can surround and apply a pressure to, respectively, an internal portion and an external portion of a user's foot when wearing the footwear item.

[0017] Preferably, the support has a substantially U-shaped geometric configuration: this geometric configuration allows, in use, to partially surround the rear area of the foot (substantially at the Achilles tendon) and to define a reinforcement area adapted to prevent the foot from slipping in a vertical direction. The device thus allows to effectively fasten the foot inside the footwear item.

[0018] Preferably, the support and the first and second pressure arms define respective internal surfaces -that are configured to face the footwear item- and respective external surfaces which are opposite to the internal surfaces. Preferably, furthermore, each of the abutment elements is associated with a respective adjustment device and is configured so as to vary a maximum rotation width of the pressure arms. Preferably, the adjustment devices operate along a second axis which is transverse relative to the first axes and are manually and selectively activated by the user, so that the rotation of the first arm can be adjusted independently of the rotation of the second arm. Preferably, the adjustment devices comprise a gripping surface, projecting orthogonally to the second axis with respect to the external surface of the support and / or of the external surface of the respective pressure arm.

[0019] In this description, the term "manually" means that the adjustment devices can be activated by direct contact with the user's fingers, with no need for external tools. In this case, in fact, the adjustment devices -as will be better explained below- are configured to allow the user to grip them with their fingers in order to actuate them. This allows the user not to have to carry the appropriate tool with them at all times. Manually adjusting the adjustment devices allows the user, for example a cyclist, not to have to stop if an adjustment is needed during the ride, since the change in the rotation of the arms, and thus the pressure applied by them, can be made without getting off the vehicle. This aspect of the invention especially facilitates, for example, professional cyclists, who, during training and / or competitions, can adjust the tightening device without having to stop.

[0020] Advantageously, the independent adjustment of the two arms makes it possible to accomodate the different anatomical configurations of the feet of different users and to provide a certain level of comfort. It is possible that, in order to substantially apply the same pressure at both the internal portion and external portion of the foot, the pressure arms must be rotated by a greater or lesser angle about their respective first axes. Otherwise, symmetrical rotation would cause either a condition wherein either one of the two arms applies too much pressure, causing inconvenience and discomfort to the wearer, or one of the two arms applies too little pressure, which may cause the foot to accidentally slip out of the footwear item and / or to flex undesirably.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the pressure arms is associated with a respective abutment element, configured so as to limit the rotation of the respective pressure arm about a respective first rotation axis.

[0022] In some embodiments, the support has a substantially H-shaped geometric configuration.

[0023] In preferred embodiments, each of the adjustment devices comprises a threaded portion and a head from which the threaded portion extends. Preferably, the aforesaid gripping surface is defined on the head, so that the rotation of the pressure arms is adjusted by screwing the threaded portion. In a preferred embodiment, the support has two recesses, a first recess and a second recess, respectively, which are substantially opposite to each other along the second axis. These recesses are preferably defined on the internal surface of the support and are configured to each receive an association element with the support of a respective adjustment device.

[0024] Advantageously, the fact that the recesses adapted to receive the association elements are defined on a concealed surface of the device (since the internal surface is directed towards the footwear item and not outwards) provides a certain level of aesthetic appeal both to the device itself and to the footwear item with which it is intended to be associated.

[0025] In preferred embodiments, the association elements comprise a first plate and a second plate, received inside the first and second recess respectively. Preferably, the plates each have a first hole.

[0026] In some embodiments, the threaded portion of the adjustment devices is counter-threaded relative to the respective first hole of the plates. Preferably, the adjustment devices are opposite to and projecting from the support substantially along the second axis.

[0027] Conveniently, the adjustment of the adjustment devices can be made by screwing their threaded portion onto the respective plate, which ensures a stable and solid coupling of the adjustment devices to the support of the tightening device.

[0028] In some preferred embodiments, one end proximal to the support of each of the pressure arms is geometrically configured to achieve a form-fit connection with the head of the respective adjustment device. Preferably, each adjustment device is configured so that, following loosening thereof, the respective pressure arm is urged by means of abutment with the head in one direction towards the other of said pressure arms. It is thus the head of the adjustment devices that acts as the aforesaid abutment element for the pressure arms.

[0029] In preferred embodiments, the gripping surface is provided with a plurality of radial recesses, so as to create substantially a knurling adapted to facilitate the contact and grip between the user's fingers and the adjustment devices. Advantageously, such knurling allows the user to effectively grip the adjustment means.

[0030] In some embodiments, the device comprises elastic means that can be removably associated with the pressure arms and are adapted to bring about an elastic return of each of the pressure arms in the direction away from the other of the pressure arms following a tightening of the respective adjustment device. Preferably, the elastic means comprise an elastically deformable band configured to be associated with the footwear item substantially at the heel region. More preferably, the band comprises a central portion and two lobes at ends that are longitudinally opposite to the central portion, which are provided with quick engaging / disengaging means of the arms and of the support with / from the band.

[0031] In preferred embodiments, the first and second pressure arm and support comprise quick engaging / disengaging counter-means with / from the band, which are configured to engage the engaging / disengaging means defined on the band itself.

[0032] Advantageously, quick engaging / disengaging means and counter-means allow to mutually fix the pressure arms and the support to the elastic band with no need for external auxiliary tools and quickly and easily for any user. Furthermore, their geometric configuration provides the footwear item, with which the device is intended to be associated, with a particular aesthetic appeal, leaving no visible signs of the engaging / disengaging means of the device once the latter is uncoupled from the footwear item.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the invention, a footwear item comprises a device in turn comprising one or more of the features described above.

[0034] The characteristics and the advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tightening device, according to the invention; Figure 2 is an orthogonal frontal elevation view of the elastic means according to the invention; Figure 3 is an overall perspective view of the tightening device represented in Figure 1 and of the elastic means represented in Figure 2 associated with a footwear item substantially at its heel region; Figure 4 and Figure 5 are orthogonal plan views from above of the tightening device in Figure 1 shown respectively in a configuration of maximum opening of the pressure arms and in a tightening configuration of one of the pressure arms; Figure 6 is a partial rear orthogonal view of the tightening device represented in Figure 1; Figures 7 and 8 are, respectively, a perspective view and an orthogonal plan view from above of the adjustment devices according to the invention.

[0035] In the figures, an adjustable tightening device, particularly of the type for cycling footwear, comprising a support 11 from which a first pressure arm 12a and a second pressure arm 12b, opposite to each other, extend, is globally indicated by reference number 10. As illustrated in Figure 3, the tightening device 10 is configured to be associated with a footwear item 100 substantially at a heel region 101 thereof, so that the first pressure arm 12a and the second pressure arm 12b can surround and apply a pressure on an internal portion 13a and an external portion 13b, respectively, of the foot of a user 13 when wearing the footwear item 100.

[0036] In alternative embodiments not shown in the figures, the device 10 may comprise more than two pressure arms, for example substantially parallel to each other.

[0037] The support 11 and pressure arms 12a and 12b define respective internal surfaces 20, 20a and 20b -configured to face the footwear item 100- and respective external surfaces 60, 60a and 60b, that are opposite to the internal surfaces 20, 20a and 20b.

[0038] In embodiments such as the one represented in the above-mentioned figures, each of the pressure arms 12a and 12b is associated with a respective abutment element 14 configured to limit the rotation of the respective pressure arm 12a or 12b about a respective first rotation axis 112a or 112b. Moreover, each of the abutment elements 14 is further associated with a respective adjustment device 15, which is configured so as to vary a maximum rotation range of the pressure arms 12a and 12b.

[0039] Advantageously, the adjustment devices 15 are operative along a second axis 115 which is transverse relative to the first axes 112a and 112b and preferably substantially orthogonal to them.

[0040] The special feature of the tightening device 10 is that the adjustment devices 15 are manually and selectively actuatable by the user so as to independently adjust the rotation of the first arm 12a with respect to the rotation of the second arm 12b.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as the one represented in the figures, the adjustment devices 15 advantageously comprise a gripping surface 24 projecting orthogonally from the second axis 115 with respect to the external surface 60 of the support 11 or the external surface 60a and 60b of the pressure arms 12a and 12b.

[0042] As visible in Figure 6, the support 11 has a substantially H-shaped geometric configuration and comprises a central core 16 and two flanges 17a and 17b that are opposite to the core 16 itself. The latter has a longitudinal extension substantially along the second axis 115, while each of the flanges 17a and 17b has a longitudinal extension along an axis that is substantially parallel thereto.

[0043] The support 11, and more preferably the core 16, has two recesses 19a and 19b, respectively a first recess 19a and a second recess 19b, substantially opposite along the second axis 115 and defined on the internal surface 20 of the core 16 intended to face the heel region 101. The recesses 19a and 19b are each configured to receive an association element 21 of the adjustment devices 15 with the support body 11.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as the one depicted in Figure 6, the association elements 21 comprise a first plate 21a and a second plate 21b received inside a respective recess 19a and 19b, respectively. Preferably they are fixed to the support body 11 and each has a first hole (not shown in the figures), which is preferably threaded.

[0045] In some embodiments, each of the adjustment devices 15 comprises a threaded portion 8 and a head 9 from which the threaded portion 8 extends. Preferably, the gripping surface 24, visible for example in Figures 7 and 8, is defined on the head 9 so that the adjustment of the rotation of the pressure arms 12a and 12b occurs by screwing the threaded portion 8. Even more preferably, the gripping surface 24 is defined at the sides of the head 9. In practice, in embodiments such as the one illustrated in the aforesaid figures and as visible in Figures 7 and 8, the adjustment devices 15 are screws, the threaded portion of which 8 is preferably counter-threaded with respect to the first hole defined in each of the plates 21a and 21b. The adjustment devices 15 are preferably opposite to each other and project from the support 11 -and more preferably from its core 16- substantially along the second axis 115. The knurling defined on the gripping surface 24 of the adjustment devices 15 is preferably obtained by means of a plurality of radial recesses 25, so as to facilitate contact and grip between the user's fingers and the adjustment devices 15 and thus to be able to easily adjust the rotation of the pressure arms 12a and 12b about the respective first axes 112a and 112b. In fact, each of the arms 12a and 12b preferably has a proximal portion 27a and 27b geometrically configured to achieve a form-fit connection with the respective adjustment device 15 and more preferably with its head 9. Each of the adjustment devices 15 is in fact configured in such a way that, following loosening thereof, the respective pressure arm 19a or 19b is urged by means of abutment with the head 9 in a direction towards the other pressure arm 19a or 19b.

[0046] In preferred embodiments such as the one in the aforesaid figures, the surface of the head 9 is substantially concave, while the proximal end 27a or 27b of the pressure arm 12a or 12b which it contacts, is convex. Alternatively, in alternative and non-represented embodiments, the head 9 may be convex and the proximal end 27a or 27b of the respective arm 12a or 12b may be concave.

[0047] In some embodiments, the device 10 has a substantially clamp- / fork-shaped configuration, wherein the first arm 12a and the second arm 12b are rotatably associated with the support 11 at respective end portions of the flanges 17a and 17b, as visible in Figures 1 and 6.

[0048] Preferably, each of the arms 12a and 12b is hinged to the flanges 17a and 17b at the first axes 112a and 112b, advantageously thanks to a respective pin 30, for example illustrated in Figure 6, which allows a relative rotation of the first arm 12a and / or of the second arm 12b relative to the support 11. More specifically, the device 10 allows the user to carry out an independent adjustment of the rotation of the two arms 12a and 12b.

[0049] In embodiments such as the one illustrated in the figures, each of the arms 12a and 12b is movable between an initial condition -as the one represented in figure 4- wherein the pressure arms 12a and 12b are in their maximum opening configuration, and a tightening configuration -illustrated in figure 5- wherein at least one of the two arms 12a and 12b is rotated about its respective first axis 112a and 112b towards to the opposite arm.

[0050] In the example represented in Figure 5, the arms 12a and 12b represented with a solid line are rotated by the same angle about the respective first axes 112a and 112b but, depending on the anatomical configuration of the user's foot, they can be adjusted differently as previously mentioned and as represented with a dashed line in said figure. Preferably, furthermore, each of the arms 12a and 12b is movable between the initial condition and a respective tightening configuration through a plurality of intermediate configurations in a substantially continuous way.

[0051] In preferred embodiments such as the one represented in the figures, each of the arms 12a and 12b has an elongated and tapered geometric configuration and has a width and thickness decreasing from the proximal portion 27b and 27b to a distal portion 31a and 31b, which is opposite to the proximal portion 27a and 27b, along the direction of longitudinal extension of the arms 12a and 12b.

[0052] Preferably, the device 10 also comprises elastic means 32 which can be associated, preferably removably, with the arms 12a and 12b and are adapted to bring about an elastic return of each of them in a direction away from the other pressure arm 12a or 12b following the tightening of the adjustment device 15; these elastic means 32 are configured to maintain a substantially continuous contact between the arms 12a and 12b and the respective abutment elements 14.

[0053] For example, the elastic means 32 comprise a band 33 which is elastically deformable and configured to be associated with the footwear item 100 substantially at the heel region 101. It preferably has a planar extension and an elongated, substantially U-shaped geometric configuration when associated with the footwear item 100 and / or device 10.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as the one represented in Figure 2, the band 33 comprises a central portion 35 and two lobes 34a and 34b at ends that are longitudinally opposite to said central portion 25; the lobes 34a and 34b and the central portion 35 are preferably provided with quick engaging / disengaging means 36 and 46 of the arms 12a and 12b and of the support 11 with / from the band 33. Preferably, the arms 12a and 12b and the support 11 comprise quick engaging / disengaging counter-means 37 and 45 with / from the band 33, configured to engage the engaging / disengaging means 36 and 46 defined on the latter.

[0055] In certain embodiments, not illustrated in the figures, the quick engaging / disengaging counter-means 37 and 45 can also be configured to associate the device 10 directly to the footwear item 100, without interposing the band 33. The elastic means 32 can also be fixed at an internal layer of the upper or incorporated therein. If the elastic means 32 are fixed at an internal layer of the upper of the footwear item 100, the arms 12a and 12b can be associated with them by engaging -for example- the counter-means 37 to the quick engaging / disengaging means 36 through openings and / or notches made in the upper of the footwear item 100.

[0056] In the case of embodiments such as the one represented in Figure 2, the quick engaging / disengaging means 36 comprise on each lobe 34a and 34b a slot 38. The latter is preferably at least partially overlaid by a respective projection 39 protruding from the lobe 34a or 34b and partially defined at the perimeter profile of the respective slot 38. The resulting geometric configuration preferably defines on each of the lobes 34a and 34b a seat 40 for receiving the quick engaging / disengaging counter-means 37. The latter are preferably defined near / at the distal portions 31a and 31b of each of the arms 12a and 12b and comprise, for each of them, a groove 41 and a protrusion 42.

[0057] Preferably, the groove 41 and the protrusion 42 are defined on opposite sides of the distal portion 31a or 31b and are respectively pointed, in use, outwards and towards the footwear item 100 with which the device 10 is intended to be associated. In some embodiments, the protrusion 42 is, for example, geometrically shaped as a tooth with a triangular profile.

[0058] Thus, when associated with the first quick engaging / disengaging means 36, the protrusions 42 engage the slots 38 and the external surface of the grooves 41 abuts the respective projections 39, which ensure the coupling between the arms 12a and 12b and the band 33.

[0059] Preferably, quick engaging / disengaging counter-means also comprise a projection 45, for example, with an elongated shape, defined in the middle of the internal surface 20 of the support 11. The projection 45 is configured to be preferably coupled with a further slot 46 defined on the central portion 50 of the band 33. Preferably, the further slot 46 is counter-shaped with respect to the projection 47 and configured to at least partially receive it.

[0060] A footwear item 100 comprising the adjustable tightening device 10, particularly of the type for cycling footwear, provided with one or more of the features described above, is also the object of the invention.

[0061] The functioning of the invention appears clear and deducible from what has been described so far. More particularly, the device 10 can be associated with the band 33 by coupling the quick engaging / disengaging counter-means 37 and 45, defined respectively at the distal end 31a or 31b of the arms 12a and 12b and on the support 11, with the quick engaging / disengaging means 36 and 46 defined on the band. In alternative embodiments referred to in this description, the quick engaging / disengaging counter-means 37 and 45 engage with second engaging means defined on the upper of the footwear item 100.

[0062] Once the device 10 has been placed in the use configuration, the user can adjust the adjustment devices 15, tightening them or loosening them by the contact of their fingers with the gripping surface 24 of the head. Adjusting them involves a translation along the second axis 115, which results in a rotation of the arms 12a and 12b about the respective first axes 112a and 112b. The adjustment of the adjustment devices can be done independently, also achieving independent adjustment of the two arms 12a and 12b with them in contact via their proximal portions 27a and 27b.

[0063] In practice, it was found that the invention fulfils the purpose, and at least some of the intended objects, by making a tightening device that can be easily and quickly adjusted by a user with no need for external tools.

[0064] An advantage of the invention is to ensure an adjustment by the user even while riding.

[0065] Another advantage of the invention is that the tightening device can be removed from a footwear item without leaving visible traces of the fixing elements.

[0066] A further advantage of the invention is that it allows independent adjustment of the displacement of the pressure arms.

[0067] Another advantage of the invention is that it gives the user a high degree of comfort, as the position of the arms can be adapted to different anatomical configurations of the feet of different users.

Claims

1. An adjustable tightening device (10), particularly of the type for cycling footwear, comprising a support (11) from which a first pressure arm (12a) and a second pressure arm (12b), opposite to each other, extend, said tightening device (10) being configured to be associated with a footwear item (100) substantially at a heel region thereof (101) so that said first pressure arm (12a) and said second pressure arm (12b) can surround and apply a pressure to, respectively, an internal portion (13a) and an external portion (13b) of the foot (13) of a user when the footwear item (100) is worn, said support (11) and said first and second pressure arms (12a, 12b) defining respective internal surfaces (20, 20a, 20b) configured to face the footwear item (100) and respective external surfaces (60, 60a, 60b) opposite said internal surfaces (20, 20a, 20b), wherein each of said pressure arms (12a, 12b) is associated with a respective adjustment device (15) configured to vary a maximum rotation width of said pressure arms (12a, 12b), said adjustment devices (15) being operative along a second axis (115) which is transverse relative to said first axes (112a, 112b) and being manually and selectively actuatable by said user so as to independently adjust the rotation of said first arm (12a) with respect to the rotation of said second arm (12b), said adjustment devices (15) comprising a gripping surface (24) projecting orthogonally to said second axis (115) with respect to said external surface (60) of said support (11) and / or of said external surface (60a, 60b) of the respective pressure arm (12a, 12b).

2. The tightening device (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of said pressure arms (12a, 12b) is associated with a respective abutment element (14) configured so as to limit the rotation of the respective pressure arm (12a, 12b) about a respective first rotation axis (112a, 112b).

3. The tightening device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said support (11) has a substantially H-shaped geometric configuration.

4. The tightening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said adjustment devices (15) comprises a threaded portion (8) and a head (9) from which said threaded portion (8) extends, said gripping surface (24) being defined on said head (9) so that the adjustment of the rotation of the pressure arms (12a, 12b) is carried out by screwing said threaded portion (8).

5. The tightening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support (11) has two recesses (19a, 19b), a first recess (19a) and a second recess (19b), respectively, which are substantially opposite to each other along said second axis (115).

6. The tightening device (10) according to claim 5, wherein said recesses (19a, 19b) are defined on said internal surface (20) of said support (11) and being configured to each receive an association element (21) of a respective adjustment device (15) with said support (11).

7. The tightening device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said association elements (21) comprise a first plate (21a) and a second plate (21b) which are received inside said first and second recesses (19a, 19b) respectively, said plates (21a, 21b) each having a first hole.

8. The tightening device (10) according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 4, wherein said threaded portion (8) of said adjustment devices (15) is counter-threaded with respect to the respective first hole of said plates (21a, 21b), said adjustment devices (15) being preferably opposite to each other and projecting from said support (11) substantially along said second axis (115).

9. The tightening device (10) according to claim 4 and any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a proximal end (27a, 27b) of each of said pressure arms (12a, 12b) is geometrically configured to achieve a form-fit connection with the head (9) of the respective adjustment device (15).

10. The tightening device (10) according to claim 4 and any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein each adjustment device (15) is configured so that, following loosening thereof, the respective pressure arm (19a, 19b) is urged by means of abutment with said head (9) in a direction towards the other of said pressure arms (19a, 19b).

11. The tightening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gripping surface (24) is provided with a plurality of radial recesses (25) so as to create substantially a knurling adapted to promote contact and grip between the fingers of said user and said adjustment devices (15).

12. The tightening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising elastic means (32) removably associable with said pressure arms (12a, 12b) and adapted to bring about an elastic return of each of them in the direction away from the other of said pressure arms (12a, 12b) following a tightening of the respective adjustment device (15).

13. The tightening device (10) according to claim 12, wherein said elastic means (32) comprise an elastically deformable band (33) configured to be associated with said footwear item (100) substantially at said heel region (101), said band (33) comprising a central portion (35) and two lobes (34a, 34b) at longitudinally opposite ends with respect to said central portion (35), said lobes (34a, 34b) and said central portion (35) being provided with quick engaging / disengaging means (36, 46) of said arms (12a, 12b) and of said support (11) with / from said band (33).

14. The tightening device (10) according to claim 13, wherein said first and second arms (12a, 12b) and said support (11) comprise quick engaging / disengaging counter-means (37, 45) with / from said band (33) which are configured to engage with said engaging / disengaging means (36, 46).

15. A footwear item (100) comprising a tightening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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