U.S. patent application number 10/090032 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for lace tightening article.
Invention is credited to Christy, Philip Troy.
Application Number | 20030167609 10/090032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34620955 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030167609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Christy, Philip Troy |
September 11, 2003 |
LACE TIGHTENING ARTICLE
Abstract
An article for tightening together the ends of a lace includes a
lace end receiving device having a pair of flexible, tubular
members joined together lengthwise, each member including a
lengthwise retaining passage therein. The end of the lace is
received within, looped through and held within the tubular members
of the lace end receiving device. By employing two lace end
receiving devices, one at each end of the lace, the devices may be
tied together, whereby the lace is tightened without the lace
itself touching.
Inventors: |
Christy, Philip Troy;
(Hopewell Junction, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James G. O'Boyle
711 Chevy Chase Building
5530 Wisconsin Ave
Chevy Chase
MD
20815-4538
US
|
Family ID: |
34620955 |
Appl. No.: |
10/090032 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/712.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 7/00 20130101; Y10T
24/3724 20150115; A43C 9/04 20130101; Y10T 24/3726 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/712.9 |
International
Class: |
A43C 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an article for tightening the ends of a lace, a lace end
receiving device having a pair of flexible, tubular members each of
the tubular members including a lengthwise retaining passage
therein, the members adapted for receiving therein, looping
therethrough and holding the end of the lace.
2. The article according to claim 1 wherein the tubular members are
joined together lengthwise.
3. An article for tightening together the first and second ends of
a lace, comprising: a first end receiving device having a pair of
first, flexible, tubular members, each of the first tubular members
including a lengthwise retaining passage therein, the first members
adapted for receiving therein, looping therethrough and holding the
first end of the lace; and, a second lace end receiving device
having a pair of second, flexible, tubular members, each of the
second tubular members including a lengthwise retaining passage
therein, the second members adapted for receiving therein, looping
therethrough and holding the second end of the lace, the first and
second devices adapted to be tied together whereby the lace is
tightened without the lace itself touching.
4. The article according to claim 3 wherein the first pair and
second pair of tubular members are, respectively, joined together
lengthwise.
5. An article for tightening together the first and second ends of
a shoe lace on a shoe, comprising: a first lace end receiving
device having a pair of first tubular members, each of the first
tubular members including a lengthwise retaining passage therein,
the first members adapted for receiving therein, looping
therethrough and holding the first end of the shoe lace; and, a
second lace end receiving device having a pair of second tubular
members, each of the second tubular members including a lengthwise
retaining passage therein, the second members adapted for receiving
therein, looping therethrough and holding the second end of the
shoe lace, the first and second devices adapted to be tied together
whereby the shoe lace is tightened on the shoe without the lace
itself touching.
6. The article according to claim 5 wherein the first pair and
second pair of tubular members are, respectively, joined together
lengthwise.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an article for tightening together
the ends of laces. While not so limited, the article is useful in
tightening together the the ends of shoe laces on a shoe.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Laces, particularly shoe laces, require tying and untying
each time used, may become unlaced without warning and therefore
become hazardous, and fray and break due to repetitive tying and
knotting.
[0005] Additionally, lacing and unlacing is beyond the ability of
some users, for example, young children and individuals with
certain disabilities such as arthritis.
[0006] The prior art has been directed to a solution to one or more
of the problems posed, with varying degrees of success.
[0007] Stubbs, U.S. Pat. No. 777,563, uses two cylindrical members
placed upon the sides of the upper portion of the shoe through
which the ends of the shoe lace are passed and then tied.
[0008] Schelling, U.S. Pat. No. 849,921, discloses a fastener for a
shoe string that utilizes flexible tubular portions.
[0009] In Derrenberger, U.S. Pat. No. 1,172,954, the ends of a lace
are passed through a fastener comprising hollow, truncated
cone-shaped ferrules.
[0010] Various lace fastening devices are shown in the following
U.S. Pat. Nos. Price, 2,636 237; Brodowski, 3,074,135; Curry,
5,119,539; Yusafan, 5,613,283; and, Munsell, Jr., 6,192,559 B1.
[0011] Swinton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,967, attaches hook and pile
straps along the shoe lace.
[0012] Gold, U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,695, discloses a closure mechanism
for a glove utilizing a channel member with draw string
arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is the
tightening together of the ends of a lace without the laces
actually touching.
[0014] Another object is simplifying the tying of laces for
children.
[0015] These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with
the teachings of the present invention, one illustrative embodiment
of which comprises an article for tightening together the ends of
laces.
[0016] The article includes a lace end receiving device having a
pair of tubular members joined together lengthwise, each member
including a lengthwise retaining passage therein. The end of a lace
is received within, looped through and held within the tubular
members of the lace end receiving device.
[0017] By employing two lace end receiving devices, one at opposite
ends of the lace, the devices may be tied together, whereby the
lace is tightened without the laces actually touching..
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] Other objects features and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description and
accompanying drawing, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe with lace inserted
therein;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the step of inserting one
end of a lace in a lace end receiving device;
[0021] FIG. 2A is an enlarged, cross sectional view taken along the
line A-A in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 2B is a top view of a lace receiving device;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the
step of tying together lace end receiving devices on the opposite
ends of a lace; and,
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shoe illustrating the
present invention with lace end devices tied together for
tightening the shoe lace on the shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] A shoe 11 is shown in FIG. 1 with a lace 12 having tips 13,
threaded through a series of holes or loops 14.
[0026] The lace 12 is typically of cloth, leather or plastic.
[0027] A first 15 and second 16 end of the shoe lace 12 extend
through the top holes or loops 14U.
[0028] In FIG. 2, the first end 15 of the shoe lace 12 is shown
looped through a first lace end receiving device 17. Referring to
FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, the device is seen as having a pair of tubular
members 18,19 joined together lengthwise, each member including a
lengthwise passage 20,21 extending therethrough.
[0029] The lace 12 is looped through the device 17 by pushing it up
through the first passage 20 and down the second passage 21.
[0030] The same procedure is followed with the opposite end 16 of
the lace 14. Each device is typically 3 inches long with passages
of 3/8.sup.th inch diameter and made as a single piece from
non-toxic, flexible plastic. The plastic is such as to retain the
lace within the passages without slippage and when tied together,
to be described hereafter, to remain tied. The device 17 can be
made available in a variety of colors.
[0031] In FIG. 3, with the second or opposite end of the lace
looped through a second device, and the proximal ends of the
devices preferably close to or against the top holes 14U in the
shoe 11, the devices 17 are twisted, pulled and tied.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows the devices 17 tied together, thereby
tightening the shoe laces on the shoe.
[0033] There is no requirement to attach anything to the shoes or
modifying the shoes themselves in any way.
[0034] It is not necessary for the lace to toch itself. Fraying of
the lace is minimal since there is no knotting of the lace or
rubbing between parts of a lace. The laces can not go back into the
lace holes.
[0035] The laces do not come loose thus avoiding tripping from a
loose lace.
[0036] It is easier for a child to tie this than tying a lace and
is a teaching tool for when a child is able to tie a lace
alone.
[0037] Older persons will find it easier to use than lacing one's
shoes.
[0038] The invention may also be used with laces for other types of
footwear, clothing, packaging and containers.
[0039] It should be obvious that changes, additions and omissions
may be made in the details and arrangement of parts without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
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