U.S. patent application number 11/659956 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for flexible and adjustable fastener.
This patent application is currently assigned to Agnes PRICKELL. Invention is credited to Agnes Prickell.
Application Number | 20080110050 11/659956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35431036 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prickell; Agnes |
May 15, 2008 |
Flexible and Adjustable Fastener
Abstract
The invention concerns a closure device for flexible and
adjustable fastening between two edges located opposite or
crosswise, in particular for footwear, clothing, textile,
leathercraft and sportswear, consisting of at least one tongue (5)
and two edges (1, 2), the tongue (5) being provided with a
hook-and-loop textile (7) and being linked to a first edge (2). The
invention is characterized in that an elastic portion (9) is fixed
at an anchoring portion (8) beneath aid first edge (2), and the
other longitudinal end of the elastic portion (8) is secured to the
tongue (5), and in that the free portion of the tongue (5) emerges
outward of the first edge (2) through a buttonhole or an outer slot
(4) provided in said first edge (2), such that by pulling on said
tongue (5), the traction exerted on the tongue (5) causes an
extension of the elastic portion (9), enabling the tongue (5) to be
extended outside the slot (4), and to be applied and secured by
simple pressure on a complementary catching portion (8) of an
indentation (3) of one of the two edges (2, 1), and in that the
anchoring portion (8) beneath said first edge (2) is arranged at a
distance such that it enables a sufficient length of tongue (5) to
be provided beneath said first edge (2), and in that the elastic
portion (9) should be spaced apart from the slot (4) in rest
position beneath the first edge (2), so that upon a maximum pull on
the elastic portion (9), the invisible portion of the tongue (5)
located beneath the edge (2) extends outside the slot (4) while the
elastic portion (9) neither shows nor passes through the slot (4),
such that the extension of the tongue (5) enables the fastener to
be readily and conveniently and adjusted.
Inventors: |
Prickell; Agnes; (Jegun,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Agnes Prickell
La Boubee
Jegun
32360
omitted
|
Assignee: |
PRICKELL; Agnes
Jegun
FR
|
Family ID: |
35431036 |
Appl. No.: |
11/659956 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
August 18, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR05/02110 |
371 Date: |
January 28, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/1493 20130101;
A43B 1/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20060101
A43C011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 18, 2004 |
FR |
0408962 |
Jan 28, 2005 |
FR |
0500883 |
Claims
1. The closing device concerns a flexible and adjustable fastening
between two edges opposite to each other or overlapping, in
particular for a shoe, clothing, fabric, leather goods and sports
items, of the type consisting of at least one tongue (5) and two
edges (1, 2), the tongue (5) being provided with a self gripping
fabric textile (7) and being attached to a first edge (2),
characterized in that firstly an elastic part (9) is fixed at an
anchorage point (8) under the said first edge (2) and the tongue
(5) is attached at the other longitudinal end of the elastic part
(9) and secondly the free part of the tongue (5) emerges outside
the first edge (2) through an external buttonhole or a slit (4)
formed in the said first edge (2), so that by pulling on the said
tongue (5), the tension exerted on the tongue (5) causes an
extension of the elastic part (9), which permits the tongue (5) to
extend outside the slit (4) and to be applied and fastened by
simple pressure on an additional connecting part (6) of a notch (3)
in one of the two edges (2, 1) and in that the anchorage part (8)
under the said first edge (2) is placed at a distance such that it
provides a sufficient length of tongue (5) under the said first
edge (2) and furthermore in that the elastic part (9) must be at a
certain distance from the slit (4) in the rest state under the
first edge (2), so that during maximum tension in the elastic part
(9), the non visible part of the tongue (5) situated under the edge
(2) is extended outside the slit (4) without the elastic part (9)
appearing where it passes through the slit (4), so that the
extension of the tongue (5) permits suitable and simple adjustment
and tightening.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongue
(5) is only extended on the additional anchorage part (6) of the
notch (3) provided on the opposite edge (1).
3. A device according to claim 1, intended for an edge to edge
closure characterized in that it comprises notches (3) situated
opposite to each other on the two edges (2, 1) fitted with
additional parts 6 to which the tongue (5), is applied.
4. A device according to claims 1 and 3 intended for an edge to
edge closure, characterized in that the notched part (3) of the
edge (2) extends closer to the slit (4) so that the tongue (5),
which emerges through the slit (4) of the edge (2), is pressed down
on the additional parts (6) of the notches (3) placed opposite to
each other on the two edges (2, 1).
5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongue
(5) extends over the edge (1) and passes through a loop (10) fixed
in a notch (3) produced in the edge (1) and is pressed down on an
additional hooked part (6) of the notch (3) produced on the edge
(2).
6. A closing device according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in
that the slit (4) is formed in the outer lateral free edge of the
said edge (2) in order to permit the tongue (5) to be extended and
to slide in the loop (10), then be pressed down on the additional
hooked part (6) formed in the notch (3) of the edge (2).
7. A closing device according to claim 1 intended for a closure
comprising two edges of the overlapping type, characterized in that
the buttonholes or the slit (4) is positioned at a distance from
the free part of the edge (2) and in that the tongue (5) emerging
from the said slit (4) is applied only to the notched part (3) of
the additional fabric (6) of the other edge (1), so that the edge
(2), after closing of the said tongue (5) passes under the edge
(1).
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns a closing device that is
simple to use and adjust, and can be adapted for any support or
closure that must not be too thick. This closure may be of the side
to side or overlapping type and may be used in leatherwork, fabric,
or in the center of the shoe and in many other cases. This device
may be used in the first thickness of leather or any other support
by reducing or hollowing out a part of this thickness, or below the
thickness of leather by cutting out this thickness and juxtaposing
it below the necessary piece(s) to avoid excessive thickness. But
above all a closure by pulling and pressure is used, in order to
obtain a simple closure.
[0002] There are tightening systems for shoes, in which the upper
enclosing the top of the foot is generally open longitudinally and
the opening thus defines a portion of external upper and a portion
of internal upper. The fastening of the shoe extends between the
external part and the internal part of the upper of the shoe. The
upper is used to bring together more or less, the left and right
parts depending on the degree of tightness desired and to keep the
two parts together on top of the foot.
[0003] There is a method of tightening the shoe without creating
excess thickness formed by at least one tongue joined to the
external part of the upper, essentially perpendicular to its edge
and an eyelet carried by the other internal part of the upper, in
which the edge of each internal and external part includes at least
one notch. The tongue has at least one looped part and slides in
the eyelet of the internal part and is then fastened down by simple
pressure on the notched adhesive locking part on the other external
edge opposite the notch where the eyelet remains after pressing on
the tongue. The eyelet pivots at the bottom of the notch. This
closure does not cause any excess thickness.
[0004] One of the problems of this method of fastening lies in the
use of the tongue and its eyelet. The tongue part of one edge
passes through an eyelet fixed in the other edge to be attached to
the notched adhesive locking part. The tongue is often composed of
two parts: a looped part to be housed in the notched locking part
after being closed on itself and a flat part, so that the eyelet
can pivot in the housing of its notch, when the tongue is closed
without causing excess thickness, in accordance with earlier Patent
No. 0400658. With this method of tightening it is essential to have
an eyelet which plays the part of an pulley so that the pressure of
the tongue can be exerted in order to obtain a method of closing
without excess thickness. There are other closing systems for shoes
comprising at least one tongue fixed to one of the edges pulled
back from the free edge of the latter and provided with a method of
fastening arranged opposite, at least in the area of the free end,
designed to work together with additional methods of fastening
arranged opposite on the other edge and even on the edge where the
tongue is fixed. The tongue being sewn onto one of the edges of the
upper, is then closed onto the self adhesive parts.
[0005] There is in addition a Patent CH 666 600 A5, in which the
two flaps of the upper overlap one on top of the other. Tongues are
used that consist of a looped fabric that starts from one upper and
closes on the other upper using additional self gripping methods.
This closure for shoes avoids having a central tongue which gets
cut, moves and is often uncomfortable. This permits easier opening
and closing, it covers the instep, but the tongue, which must be
fastened to the additional part, is much larger.
[0006] One of the problems of this method of fastening lies in the
excess thickness it forms above the instep and another problem lies
in the adjustment of the tightness, if the foot is too wide, in the
latter case, the tongue only occupies the end of the notch and, if
the instep is too narrow, the tongue passes over it, which
adversely affects the aesthetics of the shoe and accentuates dirty
marks caused by the self gripping devices.
[0007] There is a Patent 2552 640 which uses a tongue fixed to an
upper which consists of an elastic part that forms all or half of
the tongue except for its fastening end consisting of a self
gripping part which fits into the additional part. This effectively
solves the problem of dirt marks or damage to the end of the tongue
and the positioning of the tongue. But this method of closure also
loses its effectiveness in the holding of the foot, and that
adversely affects the aesthetics of the shoe.
[0008] One problem is the tongue, which is a flexible sleeve, in
the form of an accordion, in which only its fastening end has been
provided with self-sealing devices. This fastening forms folds on
the top of the shoe that are not very attractive and its elastic
part, which is used for closing, becomes damaged, stretches, gets
cut and becomes weak. This elastic part is located right on the
instep and is subjected to various twisting and pressures.
[0009] By means of the invention, the principle of the tongue can
be used in another way while maintaining the appearance and
retaining a method of tightening without excess thickness, with or
without an eyelet, in the first case. This method of fastening can
be used in leather goods, shoes, fabrics, clothing, backpacks,
jumpsuits, in the nautical field and in many other areas.
[0010] The invention is therefore a closing device that is
applicable to all media, clothing, fabrics, leather goods, shoes
and all known media and with all known and suitable materials. The
closing device consists of at least two edges and in at least one
of the edges is a tongue fitted with a self gripping fabric and
provided on at least the other opposite edge with additional means
of self-gripping. Firstly an elastic part is attached by one end to
an anchor point under the said first edge and to the other
longitudinal end of the elastic part is glued or sown a tongue,
while at the other free end of the tongue it emerges outside the
first edge through a button hole or an external groove formed in
the outside leather or other support of the said edge, at a certain
distance from its outer edge. So that pulling on the tongue extends
the elastic part which enables the tongue to extend outside the
slot and be applied and locked by simple pressure at least on the
additional part of the notch on the opposite edge.
[0011] The notches may be on the two edges, in which case the
tongue is applied, firstly to the notch formed on the edge where
the tongue commences and in a second movement to the notch of the
opposite edge, in order to maintain a tight closure. The tongue
extends for at least, or nearly half, of the lengths on the inner
and outer sides without creating excess thickness. The locking part
under the said first edge is arranged at a distance such that it
can retain a sufficient length of tongue under the said first edge
and also the elastic part must be at a certain distance from the
slit in the rest state so that with maximum tension of the elastic
part, the non visible part of the tongue under the first edge
extends outside the slit without the elastic part showing where it
passes through the slit. The tongue is pulled in such a way as to
position the tongue at the maximum position in its housing formed
by one of the notches. The notches and the tongue are provided with
self gripping systems so they can be fastened by simple
pressure.
[0012] As an example, the notches are formed from a hooked type
fabric and the tongue is made from a fabric of the looped type on
the tongue. After tightening, the tongue is lodged in one or other
of the respective notches. Such tightening permits simple, easy and
aesthetic adjustment and avoids dirty marks appearing on the
notches. The closing surface is provided with adequate self
gripping systems, so that the tongue holds the foot. Less of the
elastic area is used, only part of the lateral force of the elastic
is used in the case of a closure for shoes. Adjustment is simple
and suitable for each point of tightening.
[0013] According to one variant more suitable for sports shoes, the
tongue and its elastic may be fixed under the said edge at a fixing
point and when pulling on the elastic, the free part of the tongue
passes through a lateral slit in the said free outer edge, then
slides in a loop fixed to a notch or on the said opposite edge and
is extended and attached to the additional part of the notch in the
first edge. The tongue is sufficiently wide to extend and be
attached to itself. A piece of fabric may be placed under the
tongue and sown except for its end to provide support and permit
extension in the same axis.
[0014] A detail concerns the notches which can be made in two
different ways: either by elimination of the thickness of the top
of the leather and gluing the fabric fastening part to each of the
notches or by a cutout in the leather, or by means of any other
medium corresponding to the notches. In the latter cases, a fabric
fastening support and a lining mask under the adhesive fastening
fabrics are glued or sown underneath the locations of the notches.
The principle is to avoid excessive thickness so that the tongue
can be housed in this notch without causing extra thickness. The
notches may be of the loop or hook type depending on the part
covered by the tongue. The principal function is its fastening by
additional means of the VELCRO, or other type.
[0015] As an example of a closure without a loop, if the tongue is
sown and glued at one end, over a fastening length of at least one
tenth of its length, to an elastic fabric, for example if its
length is 16 centimeters, the visible part of the tongue is 14.5 cm
before stretching and passing through the slit. The elastic fabric
permits a maximum extension of the tongue of 1.5 cm depending on
the length and quality of the elastic, which is sown and glued in
its extension under the internal part and lined underneath with a
lining. The elastic fabric is the same width as the tongue. The
extension of the elastic fabric may be more or less, depending on
the force of the foot.
[0016] This closure can be adapted for overlapping closures, in
this case, a tongue starts from one edge and passes through a slit.
The slit is positioned at any distance from the free part of the
said edge and, after pulling, the tongue is applied and is closed
by pressure on at least one notch, on the opposite edge, for a
closure of the so-called overlapping type.
[0017] As an example, for a shoe without a tongue, the edge where
the tongue is located would be wider in order to cover the instep
and would pass under the other edge, so that the edge where the
tongue starts passes under the other edge after closing.
[0018] In a variant of this design, a tongue is also fastened down
on a notch where the tongue starts on a notch in the opposite edge,
that is to say on two notches placed opposite each other on the two
edges, for a so-called edge to edge closure.
[0019] The tongue is also generally fixed to the same edge, but in
a more aesthetic variant, the said tongue could very well start
from the other edge and use alternative closures or not, depending
on the requirement of fashion and the medium.
[0020] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the
description given below, relating to the drawings which illustrate
the invention as a non-restrictive example.
[0021] The closure of the invention is to bring together the
opposite edges either by overlapping or edge to edge, with the aid
of a tongue which starts from one edge only. The tension exerted on
the tongue leads to extension of the elastic part which enables the
tongue to be extended outside the slit and to be applied and to be
fastened by pressure on the notched area of the same edge and/or
the opposite edge, without the elastic part showing where it passes
through the slit. The elastic fabric sown to the tongue enables the
tongue to adjust itself on the notches and to be held in place.
[0022] The second technique is a tongue which emerges through a
slit made in the lateral outer edge and not on the top of the
leather, after pulling the tongue passes through an eyelet or loop
placed on the opposite edge or through a notch to prevent excessive
thickness and the tongue is lowered to be fastened on the other
edge on the additional part of its notch. The tongue and the notch
of the said edge are provided with self gripping systems. This
technique increases the strength of this fastening.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a closure with two edges, of the edge to
edge type, comprising at least one tongue in at least one edge
used, as an example, for a shoe in which the fabric parts of the
fastening of the notches of the two edges are sown and glued
underneath the outer leather. The notches of the two edges are
opposite each other. By pulling on the free part of the tongue, the
tension exerted on the elastic part enables the tongue, which is
provided with self gripping systems, to extend outside the slit and
be applied and to be fastened by pressure on the notches provided
on the two edges.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows the closure according to FIG. 1, with the two
edges brought together.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a closure with two edges, comprising at
least one tongue starting from at least one edge for a so-called
overlapping closure used, for example, for a shoe of which the
fabric part of the fastening is sown underneath the outside leather
in the position of the notch, on the opposite edge of the tongue
only. In a variant, the shoe may comprise several tongues and
therefore several notches on the opposite edge, in the shoe. The
slit or buttonholes are located at any distance from the free part
of the said edge. The principle of closure is the same as in the
previous figures.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows the closure, according to FIG. 3, with the two
edges brought together.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 partially show an edge 1 and an edge 2, of an
upper of a shoe, each comprising three notched cutouts 3, an
additional fabric element of the fastening type 6 has been sown
under edge 1 and under edge 2. The notches 3 of the edges 1 and 2
are opposite each other. These notches 3 enable the tongues 5 to be
positioned in their housing respectively. The tongue 5 comprises a
looped fabric 7 glued or sown under the whole tongue 5. A
longitudinal elastic element 9 is fixed at one end, for a certain
length, at an anchorage point 8 in and under the internal part of
edge 2, and at its other end a tongue 5 is attached by sowing and
gluing. The anchorage point 8 under the edge 2 provides a
sufficient length of tongue 5, and the elastic part 9 must be at a
certain distance from the slit 4. The free part of the tongue 5
emerges from outside the edge 2 through a slit 4. The length of the
elastic part 9 is determined so as to obtain, after pulling, a
maximum extension of the tongue, without the elastic part 9
appearing outside the slit.
[0028] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the same principle of fastening mentioned
above, with two edges 1 and 2 but of the overlapping type and with
the difference that the slit 4 where the tongue 5 passes may be
created at any length from the edge 2, pulling on the tongue 5
causes an extension of the elastic part 9 which allows the tongue
to extend outside the slit and be fastened by means of its looped
fabric part 7 glued all along the tongue 5 to the hooked part 6 of
the notch 3 positioned on the opposite edge 2. However, two notches
3 could be used on the two edges 1, 2 opposite to each other.
[0029] The shapes of the notches 3 of the edge 1 receiving the
tongues 5 were cut out in the leather material of the edge 1, then
a fabric of the hooked type 6 was sown underneath, all over the
surface of the notches 3. The principle is that the pulling of the
tongue 5 and the pressure on the notch 3, by a self gripping method
of locking, permits the edge 2 to pass under the edge 1 after
closing. This closure, suitable for a shoe, eliminates the need for
a central tongue as it opens like a slipper.
[0030] FIG. 5 partially show an edge 1 and an edge 2, of an upper
of a shoe, comprising an additional fabric part of the hooked type
6 that has been attached under the edge 2. The notches 3 in the
edges 1 and 2 are opposite to each other. These notches 3 permit
the tongues 5 respectively to be positioned in their housing. The
tongue 5 comprises a looped fabric 7 glued or sown under the whole
of the tongue 5. A longitudinal elastic part 9 is fixed at one end,
for a certain length, to an anchorage point 8 in and under the
inner part of the edge 2 and at its other end a tongue 5 is
attached by sowing and gluing. The anchorage point 8 under the edge
2 provides a sufficient length of tongue 5 and the elastic part 9
must be at a certain distance from the slit 4. The free part of the
tongue 5 emerges outside the edge 2 through a slit 4 made on the
lateral side. The length of the elastic part 9 is determined so as
to obtain, after pulling, a maximum extension of the tongue,
without the elastic part 9 appearing outside the slit 4. The
tension exerted extends the tongue 5 which slides in an eyelet or
loop 10, placed in a notch 3 of the edge 1 and is then applied to
the additional part 6 of the notch 3 of the edge 2.
* * * * *