QUICK CLICK ASSEMBLY

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date and right of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/706,836, filed 14 Oct. 2024, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to sporting equipment, and more particularly to an assembly configured to selectively tighten gloves to a user's wrist.

2. Description of Related Art

Sports equipment has a rich history that traces back to ancient civilizations, where rudimentary tools were used to facilitate various forms of physical competition. Early sports equipment was often made from materials readily available in the environment, such as wood, stone, and leather. As sports evolved, so did the equipment, transitioning from simple implements to more specialized tools designed to enhance performance and safety. In ancient Greece, athletes used leather straps to protect their hands and wrists during competitions, while Roman gladiators employed metal armor and shields for protection in the arena. These early innovations laid the groundwork for the development of more sophisticated equipment in later centuries.

The Industrial Revolution marked a significant turning point in the evolution of sports equipment. Advances in manufacturing technology allowed for the production of standardized and specialized equipment, leading to increased safety and performance. The invention of synthetic materials in the 20th century further revolutionized sports gear, making it lighter, more durable, and more comfortable. Modern sports equipment incorporates advanced materials and technologies, such as impact-resistant composites and ergonomic designs, to meet the diverse needs of athletes. Today, equipment continues to evolve, driven by ongoing research and technological advancements that aim to enhance both performance and safety in sports.

In the realm of sports, the need for secure and comfortable equipment is paramount to ensure both performance and safety. Traditional fastening methods for sports gear, such as hook and loop fastener straps and laces, often present challenges in terms of adjustability, comfort, and ease of use. Hook and loop fasteners, while popular, can become worn and less effective over time, leading to discomfort and potential issues with equipment stability during intense physical activity. Additionally, laces and other fastening systems can be cumbersome to adjust, particularly when quick changes are necessary. These issues can detract from an athlete's focus and performance, making it essential to find a more efficient solution.

The discomfort and inefficiency associated with conventional fastening systems can be particularly problematic in high-stakes environments where quick adjustments are crucial. Athletes may struggle with securing their equipment properly, which can impact their overall performance and increase the risk of injury. As a result, there is a pressing need for an innovative solution that offers a more reliable and user-friendly method for securing sports gear. Addressing these issues effectively would enhance both the safety and performance of athletes, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable and successful sporting experience.

Although strides have been made, shortcomings remain. It is desired that an assembly be provided that allows for a comfortable and efficient manner of tightening and releasing sporting equipment from a user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present application to provide a securing device that operates on equipment for the purpose of assisting in the quick tightening of the equipment onto a user and the subsequent release of the equipment on the user. An object of the present application is to provide a quick release without the need to rotate or untie something.

Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a quick click assembly according to an embodiment of the present application as worn by a user.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the quick click assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of dial assembly used in the quick click assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dial used in the ratchet assembly of FIG. 3.

While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The quick click assembly is shown in a typical in-use scenario. The assembly secures sports equipment to the user's wrist utilizing a dial assembly that is quick and easy to use. The product eliminates hook and loop fasteners and other types of securing systems by introducing the simple press-and-rotate dial that can be installed on any sports equipment worn on the hand and forearm and secured at the wrist. A simple click and twist of the dial tightens the bands around the wrist. To release a simple click of the release button removes all tension from the device, allowing the user to remove their hand easily.

Referring now to FIG. 1 in the drawings, a bottom view of a quick click assembly is provided. Quick click assembly 101 is a tensioning system that is sewn into sporting equipment for the selective tightening and loosening of the equipment around a user. An ideal example is that of a glove or other piece of equipment that can be worn around the arm or wrist of the user, like a glove. Assembly 101 is configured to allow for quick operative control by a user to easily manipulate a dial to loosen or tighten. An advantage is the speed of operation and simplicity of control to adjust the tightness of the equipment it is installed in. As seen in FIG. 1, assembly 101 is sewn into a glove and is worn by a user.

Referring now also to FIG. 2 in the drawings, a bottom view of the quick click assembly 101 is illustrated. Assembly 101 is configured to be located partially within a piece of equipment 99. The equipment 99 is shown to be that of a glove that is configured to surround a hand of the user. A lower portion of equipment 99 is situated adjacent to or over the wrist area of the user's hand. Opening 97 is formed in equipment 99 to accept the hand of a user. Opening 99 is sized to be large enough to pass the hand through. Due to a hand being larger than the circumference of the wrist, equipment 99 can translate on and off the hand more easily than typically desired. Assembly 101 is configured to selectively contract opening 97 so as to secure equipment 99 to the user's hand.

A groundbreaking solution to the challenges associated with traditional sports equipment fastening systems can be found through assembly 101 wherein this innovative product replaces conventional methods such as hook and loop fasteners and laces with a ratchet tightening system, or dial assembly 103, that allows for quick and precise adjustments. Assembly 101 features a dial mechanism 105 that enables athletes to easily secure their gear to their wrist with a simple twist. This assembly 101 ensures a snug and comfortable fit, eliminating the issues of wear and tear associated with hook and loop fasteners and the inconvenience of laces. By streamlining the fastening process, assembly 101 enhances both the performance and comfort of sports gear.

As noted above, assembly 101 includes a dial assembly 103, a dial mechanism 105, and a strap 107. Assembly 101 is configured to be at least partially located within equipment 99. Dial assembly 103 is located so as to be visible externally for manipulation by the user. Dial assembly 103 is configured to act as a ratchet tightening system to selectively and incrementally tighten strap 107 as it is rotated, so as to close opening 97 or decrease the effective size of strap 107.

Strap 107 is coupled to dial assembly 103 and is routed through a portion of equipment 99. It is understood that strap 107 may wrap fully around the circumference of equipment 99 thereby forming a loop, in which case opposing ends are coupled to dial assembly 103 (see FIG. 2). Rotation of dial assembly 103 causes strap 107 to wrap around dial assembly 103 causing a circumference of the loop to shrink. Likewise, it is understood that strap 107 may be located in just a particular section of equipment 99 wherein ends of strap 107 are secured to a portion of equipment 99 and dial assembly 103 (see FIG. 1). Operatively it is accepted that operation of dial assembly 103 acts to apply a tension onto strap 107 so as to constrict or gather it onto or around dial assembly 103.

Referring now also to FIGS. 3 and 4 in the drawings, dial assembly 103 is illustrated. Dial assembly 103 is a ratcheting mechanism that allows users to incrementally adjust the tightness of strap 107 around the wrist. It is configured to permit quick release to allow quick removal of equipment 99. Changes in tightness can be done without releasing the tension on strap 107. As seen in FIG. 3, dial assembly 103 is more clearly shown. Strap 107 is removed for clarity. Assembly 103 includes a body 109 and dial 105. Strap 107 is configured to communicate with body 109 by being attached to it directly or during operation as it tightens or releases tension. Dial 105 is configured to rotate around an axis 111. Rotation of dial 105 acts to tighten or gather strap 107, or in other words apply a tension on the strap so as to secure equipment 99 around the wrist.

Assembly 103 is configured to feature a user-friendly click-and-twist mechanism for tightening the wristband. Dial 105 may be translated along axis 111 between an inward position and an outward position along body 109. The outward position is the resting position wherein dial 105 is engaged with the ratcheting mechanism. A spring 115 located within body 109 may be an exemplary device internally stored that biases dial 105 outward in the resting position. The rotation of dial 105 in the outward position acts to tighten strap 107. A coil spring 117 may be an exemplary device used to tighten or gather strap 107 as dial 105 is rotated. Pressing dial 105 into the inward position acts to disengage the ratcheting mechanism and thereby release strap 107. This configuration helps to avoid accidental release during playing of the sport. It is understood that coil spring 117 may release and loosen strap 107 automatically when coil spring 117 is let go being wound up. Springs 115 and 117 are located within portions of body 105.

It is understood that FIG. 3 shows dial assembly 103 in an outward position with dial 105 having external surface treatments 113 to provide enhanced grip to the user when rotating dial 105. In FIG. 4, dial 105 is pressed inward in contact with other portions of body 109. In this same view it is shown that dial 105 is rotated about axis 111. A user merely has to push in dial 105 to release tension on strap 107 and quickly remove the equipment. It is understood that body 100 and dial 105 may include one or more tables or gearing to aid in regulating the rotation of dial 105.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.