WO2009068503A1

WO2009068503A1 - A closing device for an item of sports footwear

Info

Publication number: WO2009068503A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/066089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianni Piva; Roberto Gorza
Original assignee: Northwave S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-11-26
Filing date: 2008-11-24
Publication date: 2009-06-04
Also published as: EP2211654A1; ITTV20070190A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closing device (1) for an item of sports footwear (100) comprising at least means for tightening (6) said item of sports footwear, first means for transmission of motion (5), actuator means (7), which can be operated by the user, and second means for transmission of motion (8). The closing device comprises coupling means for fixedly coupling (20) said second means for transmission of motion to said first means for transmission of motion during actuation of said actuator means. Said second means for transmission of motion mechanically uncouple from said first means for transmission of motion during release of said actuator means.

Description

A CLOSING DEVICE FOR AN ITEM OF SPORTS FOOTWEAR

* * * * *

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an improved closing device that is particularly suitable for use in items of sports footwear, for example for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboard, trekking, nordic walking, mountaineering, cycling and/or other leisure activities.

There is known the use of closing devices for enabling the user to tighten the flaps of an item of sports footwear more effectively, particularly in the case where said flaps are relatively rigid, such as, for example, in boots for snowboarding. These closing devices, in fact, enable the user to exert a greater tightening tension between the flaps of the item of footwear, at the same time ensuring an effective action of retention of the laces, preventing any undesirable slackening thereof.

The U.S. patent No. US4433456 describes a closing device comprising a boxlike body, associated to a portion of the item of footwear, within which a pulley is free to turn. The closing device comprises a cable provided with a first end to be wound on said pulley and a second end connected to one or more flaps of the item of footwear. There are provided a knob for setting the aforesaid pulley in rotation and mechanical means for blocking it in a desired position.

The U.S. patent No. US4841649 comprises a closing device, which includes a boxlike body associated to a ski boot. Said device comprises a rotatable knob that interacts with mechanical means designed to transmit motion to a first pulley and a second pulley, which are freely pivoted on the boxlike body. A first connection cable and a second connection cable, operatively connected to two opposed flaps of the item of footwear, can be wound on said pulleys. The actuation of said closing devices is not always easy, in particular in the case where the user is wearing protective gloves.

Furthermore, the force required for turning the rotatable knobs increases with the tightening tension, even up to values that provoke further difficulties for the user.

The Italian patent application No. TV2003A000063 describes a closing device comprising a boxlike body, which includes a mechanism for tightening the flaps of the item of footwear that can be manually actuated by means of a drive mechanism.

Said tightening mechanism comprises a first pulley for recovery of a tightening cable, associated to the flaps of the item of footwear. A second pulley and a third pulley are respectively associated to said tightening and drive mechanisms for recovery of a further traction cable, which connects said drive mechanism to said tightening mechanism.

The main drawback of said closing device consists in a relatively complex and costly structure, which may prove relatively weak in sharp environmental conditions.

A further drawback derives from the fact that the gripping action must in practice be exerted with a single movement of the user, which can prove far from convenient and effective.

The closing device, described in the patent application No. WO2006/050266, enables a tightening force of an incremental type to be exerted in order to tighten the flaps of an item of footwear.

Said device envisages a manoeuvring knob, which is able to translate reversibly between an idle position, in which it can turn in a substantially idle way, and a manoeuvring position, in which it engages with a system of pulleys, designed to bring about winding of a cable for tightening the flaps of the item of footwear.

In order to tighten the item of footwear, the user must first position the knob in the aforesaid manoeuvring position, for example, by exerting a pressure thereon, and then turn it repeatedly. Once he has completed the manoeuvre, the user can bring the knob back into the aforesaid idle position.

Also said closing device proves difficult to actuate by a user who is wearing protective gloves. Said difficulty is even more accentuated by the fact that movements of roto-translation of the manoeuvring knob are needed. The structure of said closing device is moreover relatively complex and cumbersome, and is obtainable at an industrial level only at relatively high production costs.

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a closing device for an item of sports footwear that enables the drawbacks mentioned above to be overcome.

Within the framework of this task, one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a closing device that is particularly reliable and that can be used with ease by the user, even in adverse environmental conditions.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a closing device enabling the user to exert easily an adequate tightening force on the footwear flaps, which can be selectively adjusted according to the requirements. A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a closing device having a structure that is particularly simple, sturdy, and at the same time not cumbersome.

Not the least important purpose of the present invention is to provide a closing device that is relatively simple to industrialize at economically competitive costs.

The above task and purposes, as well as other purposes that will emerge clearly from the ensuing description and from the attached drawings, are provided, according to the invention, by a closing device according to the following claim 1.

In the closing device according to the invention, a tightening mechanism is basically provided, which comprises tightening means and first means for transmission of motion, and a drive mechanism, comprising actuator means and second means for transmission of motion. Said drive mechanism can be connected operatively to the tightening mechanism in an automatic way and without any further intervention of the user as soon as said actuator means are actuated.

For this purpose, coupling means are provided for operatively connecting said first and second means for transmission of motion during the actuation of the aforesaid actuator means. Conversely, the aforementioned drive mechanism can be operatively uncoupled from the tightening mechanism, once again in an automatic way and without any intervention on the part of the user.

The aforesaid coupling means are, in fact, provided to enable the second means for transmission of motion to be mechanically released from the first means for transmission of motion, during release of the aforesaid actuator means.

The user can hence tighten in an incremental way the flaps of the item of footwear by repeatedly operating the actuator means with movements that are altogether easy and effective even in adverse environmental conditions or when wearing protective gloves. This enables a selectively adjustable regulation of the tightening tension of the flaps of the item of footwear to be carried out, in any operative condition.

As will emerge more clearly hereinafter, the closing device according to the invention has a structure that is sturdy, very compact, and is convenient to produce at an industrial level. Further advantages of the closing device according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the ensuing description and with reference to the attached figures, which are provided purely by way of non- limiting illustration and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an item of sports footwear comprising the closing device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the closing device according to the invention;

Figures 3A-3B are schematic illustrations in cross-sectional view and front view of the closing device according to the invention;

Figures 4A-4B are partial schematic front cross sectional views of the closing device according to the invention in two different operating positions; Figure 5 is a schematic partial exploded view of the closing device according to the invention;

Figures 6A-6B are schematic illustrations of two different perspective views of a portion of the closing device according to the invention; - Figures 7A-7B are schematic illustrations of two different perspective views of another portion of the closing device according to the invention;

Figures 8A-8B are schematic illustrations of two different perspective views of a further portion of the closing device according to the invention; and

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a further partial front cross-sectional view of the closing device according to the invention.

With reference to the aforesaid figures, the present invention relates to a closing device 1 shown, by way of non- limiting example, in its use in an item of sports footwear 100, in particular in a boot for snowboarding.

It is intended that the closing device 1 can find application in any other type of item of sports footwear, for example, an item of sports footwear for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, trekking, nordic walking, mountaineering, cycling, and/or other leisure activities. The closing device 1 comprises a boxlike body 2, preferably divided into two containment half- shells 3 and 4.

At least one of said half-shells, in this case the half-shell 4, is advantageously connected to a tongue 101 of the item of footwear 100, preferably in a region corresponding to the tibial area of the user's leg so as to enable a more convenient use of the closing device 1. A different positioning of the half-shell 4, and therefore of the closing device 1, on the upper of the item of footwear 100 is possible and it falls within the scope of the present invention. The connection of the half- she 11 4 to the flap 101 can advantageously be provided using rivets (not illustrated), inserted in purposely provided seats made in the half-shell 4.

The closing device 1 comprises tightening means 6 for tightening one or more flaps 102-103 of the item of footwear 100.

The flaps 102-103 may be those adjacent to an area corresponding to the median portion of the upper of the item of footwear 100 and partially overlapping the tongue 101, as shown in figure 1. However, the tightening means 6 may be used to close one or more flaps in different positions of the upper.

The tightening means 6 comprise at least one cable 61, which is operatively connected to the flaps 102-103 and arranged according to modalities of a known type. For example, the cable 61 can be arranged with repeated criss-crossing in an area between the flaps 102-103. In this way, a tensile force Tl exerted on the cable 61 brings about tightening of the flaps 102 and 103.

Both of the ends 611 and 621 of the cable 61 may operatively connected to the closing device 1. The ends 611 and 621 can enter the closing device 1 by means of appropriate windows 42 made in an area corresponding to the containment half- shell 4.

As an alternative, the cable 61 may have one end connected a flap of the item of footwear 100 and the other end connected to the closing device 1.

The closing device 1 comprises first means for transmission of motion 5, operatively connected to the aforesaid tightening means 6 and preferably comprising a first pulley 51. The pulley 51 is operatively connected to the ends 611 and 621 of the cable 61, in such a way that a rotation thereof in a first direction 500 brings about winding of the cable 61 and consequent exertion of a tensile force Tl thereon, thus enabling tightening of the flaps 102 and 103. Instead, a rotation of the pulley 51 in a second opposite direction 501 brings about unwinding of the cable 61 and corresponding slackening thereof.

The connection of the ends 611-621 of the cable 61 to the pulley 51 can advantageously be unmade so as to enable replacement of the cable 61, if need be. Said connection can be obtained according to known modalities, for example by inserting the aforesaid ends 611 and 621 into one or more eyelets 521 made on the bottom 522 of the pulley 51 (Figure 7B). The closing device 1 also comprises actuator means 7, which can be operated by the user, and second means for transmission of motion 8, operatively connected to said actuator means 7. Preferably, the actuator means 7 comprise at least one second cable 71 and one gripping element 72, set at one end of the cable 72. Said solution enables a tensile force T2 to be exerted on the cable 71 by raising of the gripping element 72 obtained with a convenient movement upwards of the user's forearm.

The containment half-shell 3 advantageously comprises a supporting portion 33 for the actuator means 7. Preferably, the portion 33 comprises a cavity 34 for passage of the cable 71 and a cavity 35 for positioning of the gripping element 72 at rest. The second means for transmission of motion 8 comprise a second pulley 81, which is able to rotate about a pin 31 that rises from a housing 32 defined in the half-shell 3. The pulley 81 is operatively connected to the aforesaid cable 71, once again with known modalities, in such a way that a tensile force T2 exerted on the cable 71 causes a rotation of the pulley 81 in the direction 500, which in this case coincides with the direction of unwinding of the cable 71. Advantageously, the pulley 81 is operatively connected to means 9 for recovery of the cable 71, which comprise, for example, a spiral spring 91.

The spring 91 is preferably housed in an appropriate seat 811 made in a position corresponding to a side wall 810 of the pulley 81.

The spring 91 is provided with a first end 911, fixed to the body of the pulley 81, in a position corresponding to a purposely provided groove 812. A second end 910 of the spring 91 is instead fixed to a groove 310 of the rotation pin 31 (Figure 6B) of the spring 91. The spring 91, during rotation of the pulley 81 in the direction 500 (for unwinding the cable 71), is elastically loaded, countering the tensile force T2 exerted on the cable 71. Upon release of the actuator means 7, given that any tensile force T2 on the cable 71 ceases, the spring 91 brings about rotation of the pulley 81 in the opposite direction 501 coinciding with the direction of winding of the cable 71.

The closing device 1 also comprises coupling means 20 for mechanical coupling of the second means for transmission of motion 8 to the first means for transmission of motion 5 during actuation of the actuator means 7. In particular, the coupling means 20 rotationally couple the pulleys 81 and 51 together according to a lying plane (not indicated) that is substantially perpendicular to their axis of rotation 10. Coupling of the pulleys 81 and 51 is advantageously obtained following upon a movement of rotation by the pulley 81 in the direction 500. The coupling means 20 are moreover arranged so that the second means for transmission of motion 8 mechanically uncouple from the first means for transmission of motion 5 upon release of the actuator means 7. Said mechanical uncoupling is advantageously obtained following upon a movement of rotation of the pulley 81 in the opposite direction 501. Coupling/uncoupling of the second means for transmission of motion 8 to/from the first means for transmission of motion 5 is hence obtained in a substantially automatic way upon actuation/release of the actuator means 7 respectively, without any intervention on the part of the user.

The coupling means 20 can advantageously comprise at least one hinging pawl 21, which can be operatively associated to engagement means 22. The hinging pawl 21 is operative Iy connected to the second means for transmission of motion 8, in particular to the pulley 81. The engagement means 22 are operatively connected to the first means for transmission of motion 5, in particular to the pulley 51.

Preferably, the hinging pawl 21 is rotationally associated to the pulley 81 according to an axis of rotation 212 different from the axis of rotation 10 of the pulley 81. As will emerge more clearly hereinafter, the hinging pawl 21 can oscillate reversibly about the axis 212 between a position of release (Figure 4A), in which it is operatively uncoupled from the engagement means 22, and a position of arrest, in which it is operatively associated to the engagement means 22 (Figure 4B).

One or more arrest elements 213 and 214 are preferably provided for ensuring proper positioning of the hinging pawl 21 in the aforesaid resting and/or arrest positions.

A first arrest element 213 can advantageously comprise a shaped plate, positioned coaxially with respect to the pulley 81. The plate 213 is associated to the pin 31 for rotation of the pulley 81 so as to be able to turn with a certain degree of friction around it. The ends 2131 and 2132 of the shaped plate 213 extend respectively in the direction of the ends 2111 and 2112 of the hinging pawl 21.

Preferably, emerging from the wall 216 in the portion of wall 813 of the pulley 81 not occupied by the hinging pawl 21, is a shaped dome 216, which is designed to define a seat for positioning of the plate 213 and to prevent an excessive relative rotation with respect to the pulley 81. The aforesaid second arrest element 214 is advantageously constituted by a further shaped raised portion, which emerges from the aforesaid wall 813 in a region corresponding to the end 2112 of the hinging pawl 21.

The engagement means 22 comprise at least one second crown wheel 221, fixedly connected to the pulley 51. The crown wheel 221 comprises a relatively small number of teeth 215 and is preferably made in a region corresponding to a wall 512, perpendicular to the side wall 511 of the pulley 51.

The wall 512 defines a shaped niche 513 in an position opposite to the side wall 514 of the pulley 51 where winding of the cable 61 occurs. The niche 513 is able to house within it the hinging pawl 21 and the shaped raised portions 214 and 216 (Figure 7A).

The rocking movement of the hinging pawl 21 between the aforesaid release and arrest positions will now be described in greater detail.

Upon actuation of the actuator means 7, the second pulley 81 starts turning in the direction

500. This implies that the hinging pawl 21 moves along a circular path about the axis 10 given that it is fixedly connected to the pulley 81. The axis of rotation 212 of the hinging pawl 21 is different from the axis of rotation 10 of the pulley 81. For this reason, the movement of the hinging pawl sets up a force that tends to cause rocking of the end 2111 of the hinging pawl 21 in the direction of the side wall 512. Said rocking is accompanied by the end 2131 of the arrest element 213.

In this way, the shaped end 2111 of the hinging pawl 21 moves in sliding contact with the wall 512 until it engages with one of the teeth 215 of the crown wheel 221. The hinging pawl 21 thus provides a mechanical coupling between the pulleys 81 and 51, which are now able to turn fixedly with respect to one another about the axis of rotation 10 itself.

It is to be noted that, once the hinging pawl 21 has engaged with the crown wheel 221, it is held in position by the motion of rotation of the pulley 81 itself, by the presence of the arrest element 213, and by the purposely designed shaping of its end 2111. Upon release of the actuator means 7, the second pulley 81 tends to turn in the direction 501 opposite to the previous one owing to the action of the recovery means 9. Said rotation brings about release of the shaped end 2111 from the tooth 215 of the crown wheel 221 , thus mechanically uncoupling the pulley 81 from the pulley 51. The rotation 501 of the pulley 81 brings about a corresponding rotation of the hinging pawl 21 about the axis 10. This sets up a force that tends to cause oscillation of the hinging pawl 21 about its own axis 212, so as to position its own end 2112 between the end 2132 of the arrest element 213 and the second arrest element 214. In this way, during rotation of the pulley 81, the end 2112 of the hinging pawl 21 is kept at a predefined distance from the side wall 512, thus preventing onset of phenomena of wear due to sliding. From the above description, it may be noted how the opposite rotations of the pulley 81 , during actuation or during release of the actuator means 7, bring about opposite relative movements of the hinging pawl 21 with respect to the pulley 81. Said relative movements enable the hinging pawl 21 to engage correctly with the crown wheel 221 or, conversely, to be released therefrom, positioning itself so as not to interfere with the rotation of the pulley 81. Preferably, the closing device 1 comprises locking means 13 designed to prevent free movement of the first means for transmission of motion 5 upon release of the actuator means 7.

The locking means 13 comprise a crown wheel 132, which is fixedly connected to the pulley 51 in an outer circumferential position with respect to the wall 512. The locking means 13 comprise at least one arrest pawl 131, which can be operatively engaged with the crown wheel 132. The arrest pawl 131 turns about an axis of rotation 1312. The arrest pawl 131 comprises a tooth 1313 designed to engage with the teeth 1321 of the crown wheel 132. One end 1314 of the arrest pawl 131, in an opposite position with reference to the axis 1312, can be moved by the user. In a position corresponding to said end 1314, the arrest pawl 131 is operatively connected to a spiral spring 1315 constrained to a pin 1316, which is fixed to the half- shell 4.

Thanks to said positioning of the spring 1315, the arrest pawl 131 can move, when actuated by the user, between one stable arrest position (Figure 9), in which it is engaged with the crown wheel 132, and another stable resting position (not illustrated), in which it is released from the crown wheel 132.

In an alternative embodiment, the spring 1315 can be set in a position corresponding to the axis of rotation 1312. In this case, however, the resting position of the arrest pawl 131 can be maintained by exerting an appropriate pressure on the end 1314. As mentioned above, the desired tightening of the flaps of the item of footwear 100 can be obtained by means of one or more manoeuvres of actuation/release of the closing device 1. Operation of the closing device 1 during one of said manoeuvres will now be described in greater detail. In the step of actuation of the closing device 1 , the user grips the gripping element 72 and raises it with a simple movement upwards. In this way, a tensile force T2 is exerted on the cable 71. The tensile force T2 brings about rotation of the pulley 81 in the direction 500. The cable 71 unwinds from the pulley 81 accompanying the manual movement of the user. In addition, the rotation of the pulley 81 loads the counteracting spring 91 , which opposes the motion of the pulley in the direction 500. As soon as the pulley 81 starts to turn, the hinging pawl 21 engages, according to the modalities described above, with the crown wheel 221, thus determining rotational coupling between the pulleys 81 and 51 , which rotate fixedly with respect to one another. Rotation of the pulley 51 in the direction 500, i.e., in the direction of winding of the cable 61, brings about exertion of a tensile force Tl on the cable 61, with consequent tightening of the flaps 102 and 103 of the item of footwear 100.

It should be noted how, during the step of actuation of the closing device 1, the locking means 13 have no effect on the rotation of the pulley 51. In this step, in fact, even though the arrest pawl 131 is in the position of arrest, it is in sliding contact with the crown wheel 132 thanks to the orientation of the arrest pawl itself and the direction of motion of the crown wheel 132. This evidently enables even an unskilled user to carry out fine adjustment of the tightening tension.

The step of actuation of the closing device 1 terminates at end of travel of the cable 71 or, more in general, when the user releases the gripping element 72 according to the needs. During release of the gripping element 72, exertion of the tensile force T2 ceases. The spring 91, which has been loaded in the previous actuation step, brings about rotation of the pulley 51 in the direction 501 opposite to the previous one. Said rotation brings about disengagement of the hinging pawl 21 from the crown wheel 221 according to the modalities illustrated above. At this point, the pulleys 81 and 51 are mechanically uncoupled from one another.

The pulley 51 tends to turn in the direction 501 on account of the constraint reaction to the tightening tension imposed by the cable 61, in a region corresponding to the flaps 102 and 103. Rotation of the pulley 51 is prevented by the locking means 13, which keep the state of tensioning of the cable 61 substantially unaltered so preventing slackening thereof. The pulley 81 instead continues turning in the direction 501 on account of the action of the spring 91. Said rotation is interrupted by complete rewinding of the cable 71 or else by a new actuation manoeuvre of the actuator means 7, performed before complete rewinding of the cable 71. It is evident how the user can increase the tension of tightening of the flaps 102 and 103 with simple manoeuvres of actuation/release of the closing device 1 even though said manoeuvres are performed only partially (i.e., without complete unwinding/rewinding of the cable 71) until the desired tightening tension is reached.

At the end of the sports activity, or simply in order to slacken the tightening tension of the flaps, the user can act simply on the locking device 13, by bringing the arrest pawl 131 into the release position. By acting upon the tongue 101 or else upon the flaps of the item of footwear the user can exert a tension T3 on the ends 611 and 621 of the cable 61. There is thus brought about a rotation 501 of the pulley 51, with consequent unwinding of the cable 61 and slackening of the tightening tension exerted thereby. Operation of the closing device 1 has been described with specific reference to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-9.

Variant embodiments are obviously possible.

For example, the aforesaid tightening means 6 could comprise a multiplicity of cables 61 for gripping the flaps of the item of footwear. Each of said cables can advantageously have its ends connected one to a flap of the item of footwear and the other to the closing device 1. In addition, each tightening cable can be operatively connected to the upper of the item of footwear according to modalities different from the ones illustrated.

Finally, the recovery spring 91 could be positioned externally with respect to the second pulley 81 , for example, in an appropriate seat made in a containment half-shell 3. The directions of rotation of the pulleys 81 and 51 could be reversed by appropriately modifying connection of the cables 61 and 71 to the pulleys 51 and 81, respectively.

Said reversal must, however, be accompanied by a reversal of the relative orientation of the hinging pawl 21, the arrest pawl 131, and the teeth of the crown wheels 221 and 132.

According to another alternative embodiment, the pulley 51, the crown wheel 221, and the crown wheel 132 could be formed by distinct structural elements, which are subsequently operatively connected to the pulley 51 in the step of assembly of the closing device 1. The hinging pawl 21 itself and the raised portions 214 and 216 could be positioned on a distinct structural element and then operatively connected to the pulley 81.

It is evident how said embodiments make it possible to give priority to a further simplification of production of the components of the closing device 1 as compared to a further reduction in the overall dimensions.

It has in practice been seen that the closing device according to the invention enables the preset tasks and purposes to be achieved.

The closing device 1 according to the invention enables the flaps of the item of footwear to be tightened in an incremental way, with simple manual manoeuvres on the part of the user. This enables an optimal level of tightening of the flaps to be obtained, which can be easily adjusted continuously and selectively by the user.

The actuator means 7 of the closing device 1 can be actuated with minimal effort on the part of the user even in adverse environmental conditions or else when he is wearing protective gloves.

The structural integration between the actuator means 7, the second means for transmission of motion 8, the coupling means 20, the first means for transmission of motion 8, and the locking means 13 described above enables an overall structure to be obtained that is relatively simple, far from cumbersome, and sturdy. Said structure, which is particularly compact, enables a relative ease of production of the closing device at an industrial level, at very competitive costs as compared to closing devices of a known type.

Claims

1. A closing device (1) for an item of sports footwear (100) comprising at least tightening means (6) for tightening at least one flap (102, 103) of said item of sports footwear, first means for transmission of motion (5), operatively connected to said tightening means, actuator means (7), which can be operated by the user, and second means for transmission of motion (8), operatively connected to said actuator means, said closing device being characterized in that it comprises coupling means (20) for mechanically coupling said second means for transmission of motion to said first means for transmission of motion, during the actuation of said actuator means, said second means for transmission of motion mechanically uncoupling from said first means for transmission of motion, during the release of said actuator means.

2. The closing device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said coupling means rotationally couple said second means for transmission of motion to said first means for transmission of motion, when said second means for transmission of motion perform a movement of rotation in a first direction (500).

3. The closing device according to Claim 2, characterized in that said second means for transmission of motion uncouple from said first means for transmission of motion when said second means for transmission of motion perform a movement of rotation in a second direction (501), opposite to said first direction.

4. The closing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tightening means comprise at least one first cable (61) operatively connected to at least one flap (102, 103) of said item of sports footwear.

5. The closing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first means for transmission of motion comprise a first pulley (51), operatively connected to said tightening means.

6. The closing device according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said first pulley is operatively connected to said first cable, so that a rotation (500) of said first pulley causes exertion of a tensile force (Tl) on said first cable.

7. The closing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises locking means (13) to prevent the free movement of said first means for transmission of motion upon release of said actuator means.

8. The closing device according to Claims 5 and 7, characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one first crown wheel (132), fixedly connected to said first pulley and at least one arrest pawl (131), which can be operatively engaged with said first crown wheel.

9. The closing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuator means comprise at least one second cable (71), operatively connected to said second means for transmission of motion, and at least one gripping element (72), operatively connected to said second cable so that a user can exert a tensile force (T2) on said second cable, by acting on said gripping element.

10. The closing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second means for transmission of motion comprise at least one second pulley (81), operatively connected to said actuator means.

11. The closing device according to Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said second pulley is operatively connected to said second cable so that exertion of a tensile force (T2) on said second cable causes a rotation (500) of said second pulley.

12. The closing device according to one or more of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises means (9) for recovery of said second cable, operatively associated to said second pulley.

13. The closing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means comprise at least one hinging pawl (21), which can be operatively associated to engagement means (22), said hinging pawl being operatively connected to said second means for transmission of motion, said engagement means being operatively connected to said first means for transmission of motion.

14. The closing device according to Claim 13, characterized in that said hinging pawl is rotationally associated to said second pulley according to an axis of rotation (212) different from the axis of rotation (10) of said second pulley.

15. The closing device according to Claim 14, characterized in that said hinging pawl oscillates reversibly between a position of release, in which said hinging pawl is operatively uncoupled from said engagement means, and a position of arrest, in which said hinging pawl is operatively associated to said engagement means.

16. The closing device according to one or more of Claims 14 to 15, characterized in that said coupling means comprise one or more arrest elements (213, 214) for ensuring proper positioning of said hinging pawl in said position of arrest and/or in said position ofrelease.

17. The closing device according to Claims 5 and 13, characterized in that said engagement means comprise at least one second crown wheel (221) operatively connected to said first pulley.

18. The closing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a boxlike body (2) comprising a pair of containment half-shells (3, 4), at least one of said half-shells being operatively associated to a flap (101) of said item of sports footwear.

19. An item of sports footwear (100), characterized in that it comprises a closing device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.