US 7,503,131 B2
Ski boot tightening system
Adam Ian Nadel, 2036 Palm Place Dr., Palm Bay, Fla. 32905 (US); and Garrett Quillia, 124 Evergreen La., White River Junction, Vt. 05001 (US)
Filed on May 15, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/433,939.
Prior Publication US 2007/0261270 A1, Nov. 15, 2007
Int. Cl. A43B 5/04 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 36—50.5  [36/117.1] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A boot tightening apparatus comprising:
a reversible electric motor having an output shaft, a first surface, and a pair of electrical connection terminals, said electric motor capable of operating in a FORWARD state, a REVERSE state, and an OFF state,
a power supply comprising a voltage source and a pair of electrical connection terminals,
a switch having a FORWARD position, a REVERSE position, and an OFF position, and having a first pair of electrical connection terminals and a second pair of electrical connection terminals, wherein said first pair of electrical connection terminals are electrically connected to said electric motor pair of electrical terminals by electrical connection means, and wherein said second pair of electrical connection terminals are electrically connected to said power supply electrical connection terminals by electrical connection means,
a jackscrew comprising a threaded rod coupled to said output shaft of said electric motor,
a plurality of shoulder bolts each comprising a head, a smooth shaft, and a male threaded portion,
a first bracket having a clearance opening sufficient in diameter to allow said jackscrew to pass through said clearance hole without touching any surface of said first bracket and having a plurality of threaded openings threadingly engaged with said male threaded portion of said plurality of shoulder bolts, and said first bracket secured to said first surface of said electric motor by mechanical bonding means,
a second bracket having a threaded hole threadingly engaged with said jackscrew and further having a plurality of clearance holes slidingly engaged to said smooth shaft portion of said plurality of shoulder bolts, and
a flexible strap having a first end and a second end further comprising a quick-release buckle, said first end of said flexible strap secured to said first bracket passing through said strap opening in said first bracket and attached to said strap material by attaching means, and said second end of said flexible strap secured to said second bracket by passing through said strap opening of said second bracket and attached to said strap material by attaching means.