U.S. patent application number 12/014363 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for apparatus for fastening a shoe.
Invention is credited to Aharon Bar, Michael Bar.
Application Number | 20090100707 12/014363 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40562018 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100707 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bar; Aharon ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
APPARATUS FOR FASTENING A SHOE
Abstract
A fastening apparatus for a shoe including an adjustable gap
with two sides and a fastener with two elements, wherein one
fastener element is attached to the first side of the adjustable
gap. At least one lace is threaded through holes along the two
sides of the adjustable gap, and two ends of the lace are fastened
together between the second fastening element and the second side
of the adjustable gap. The lace is threaded at one end through an
opening in the second fastener element and forms at least one lace
segment that extends from the second fastener element to the second
side of the adjustable gap, and at least one lace segment extends
from the second side of the adjustable gap to the first side of the
adjustable gap. The two ends of the at least one lace may be
fastened together by a knot. For tightening the shoe, the second
fastener element is pulled towards the first side of the adjustable
gap, and is attached to the first fastener element for keeping the
shoe fastened.
Inventors: |
Bar; Aharon; (Fort Lee,
NJ) ; Bar; Michael; (Tenafly, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP
1500 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
40562018 |
Appl. No.: |
12/014363 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11976104 |
Oct 22, 2007 |
|
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12014363 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 1/00 20130101; A43C
11/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20060101
A43C011/00 |
Claims
1. A fastening apparatus for a shoe comprising: an adjustable gap
defined in the instep area of a shoe, the adjustable gap of the
shoe including a first side, a second side, a bottom side, and an
open top side; a fastener comprising at least two mating elements,
a first element and a second element, wherein said first fastener
element is attached to said first side of the adjustable gap; and
at least one lace, said at least one lace having two ends that are
fastened together between said second fastening element and said
second side of said adjustable gap; wherein said at least one lace
is threaded through an opening in said second fastener element,
forming at least one lace segment that extends from said second
fastener element to said second side of said adjustable gap;
wherein at least one lace segment extends from said second side of
said adjustable gap to said first side thereof; wherein by pulling
said second fastener element towards said first side of the
adjustable gap, said adjustable gap is caused to contract between
said first side and said second side; and wherein by attaching said
second fastener element to said first fastener element said
contraction is retained.
2. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 1, wherein
said two ends of said at least one lace are fastened together by a
knot.
3. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 2, wherein,
when said second fastener element is attached to said first
fastener element, said knot is situated within said open top side
of said adjustable gap.
4. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 1, and
wherein said at least one lace comprises two laces, and wherein
said two laces are fastened together at a first end of each lace
between said second fastening element and said second side of said
adjustable gap and at a second end of each lace near a bottom
region of said adjustable gap.
5. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 4, wherein
the first ends of said laces are fastened together by a knot.
6. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 4, wherein
the second ends of said laces are bonded together at the bottom of
the adjustable gap to form an elongated lace.
7. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 1, wherein
at least one lace segment extends back from said first side of said
adjustable gap to said second side of said adjustable gap.
8. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 7, wherein
at least one lace segment extends again from said second side of
said adjustable gap to said first side of said adjustable gap.
9. A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to claim 1, wherein a
first end of said lace extends from a segment of said lace that is
threaded through said opening in said second fastener element, and
a second end of said lace extends from a segment of said lace that
extends from said second side of said adjustable gap to said first
side thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/976,104, filed Oct. 22, 2007, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus that provides
an easy and quick method of fastening a shoe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The conventional means of fastening a shoe with laces that
needed to be tied is difficult to operate for many people with
disabilities or for people that have difficulty bending over to
access the instep of the shoe. Many solutions for fastening shoes
that do not utilize laces instead include buckles or straps with a
hook-and-loop fastening system, commonly known as Velcro.RTM..
However, in some shoes, such as sneakers, the strap closure does
not look attractive. In addition, many users do not like to wear
shoes that they perceive to be specially made for the handicapped,
and many users simply prefer the look of the conventional lacing
system.
[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,081,916 to Salisbury, U.S. Pat. No.
4,414,761 to Mahood, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,482 to Torppey,
respectively, disclose methods that combine laces with a
hook-and-loop fastening system. A series of parallel laces that
extend through the eyelets in the shoe flap on one side of the
shoe-access-opening are attached to an elongated closure flap
having hook-and-loop elements on its underside. In Mahood, the
laces are secured beneath those same eyelets, and in Salisbury and
Torppey, the laces are secured to the eyelets in the other shoe
flap. Pulling the flap across the shoe-access-opening towards the
other side of the shoe-access-opening tightens the shoe, and the
closure flap is secured to the shoe via mating hook-and-loop
elements on the upper surface of the other shoe flap. One drawback
to all these systems is that the elongated flap affects the design
and the appearance of the shoe, making the shoe look cumbersome.
Another drawback is that, in all these systems, the laces lie
across the shoe-access-opening, not in a criss-cross pattern, and
thus do not have the appearance of a traditional lacing system.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,683 to Freed discloses a lacing system
for a shoe that also combines laces with a strap, and is based on
one elongated lace loop that forms four lace segments that extend
from a strap on one side of the shoe, through several lace openings
on that side's shoe flap, and criss-cross each other over the
shoe-access-opening. Alternatively, the one elongated lace loop
forms two lace segments that extend from a strap on each side of
the shoe, through several lace openings on both shoe flaps, and
criss-cross each other over the shoe-access-opening. When the
straps are pulled, the multiple lace segments move through all the
eyelets and tighten the shoe-access-opening.
[0006] One major drawback to U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,683 is that it
does not offer a solution to shoes with fewer than four pairs of
eyelets, since this system requires at least three middle lace
segments, and at least two bottom lace segments that criss-cross
the shoe-access-opening. In addition, the plethora of lace segments
criss-crossing over one another lends the show a cluttered and
messy appearance. Another drawback is that this system is
susceptible to high friction, which is caused by the configuration
of the lace system, wherein some lace segments extend from the
eyelets in a narrow angle, increasing the pressure and friction
between the laces and the eyelets. The high friction makes it
difficult to pull the lace through all the eyelets and prevents
some lace segments from moving freely, resulting in
shoe-access-opening that may not be tightened evenly, and may lead
to laces tearing or wearing out more frequently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide for a
low friction apparatus for fastening a shoe that can be easily
tightened by the user.
[0008] It is further an object of the present invention to provide
for an apparatus for easily fastening a shoe that can be used by
people with difficulties fastening and tying a conventional lacing
system.
[0009] It is further an object of the present invention to provide
for an apparatus for fastening a shoe, which can be applied to
shoes with different number of eyelets.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide for
an apparatus for fastening a shoe, wherein the bottom element of
the shoe-access-opening has the general appearance of a shoe with
conventional lacing system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a shoe, having two eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and one eyelet on the first
side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the two laces and the second
fastener element before the laces are secured to the second
fastener element.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the two laces and the second
fastener element after the laces are secured to the second fastener
element;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 1 in the fastened position;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a shoe, having two eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and one eyelet on the first
side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a shoe, having two eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and two eyelets on the first
side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative hi accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a shoe, having three eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and two eyelets on the first
side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 7 in the fastened position;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a shoe, having three eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and two eyelets on the first
side of the adjustable gap constructed and operative in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a shoe, having four eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and three eyelets on the
first side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 10 in the fastened position;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a shoe, having four eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and three eyelets on the
first side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative in
accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 12 in the fastened position;
[0025] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a shoe, having five eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and four eyelets on the first
side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 15 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 14 in the fastened position;
[0027] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a shoe, having five eyelets on
the second side of the adjustable gap and four eyelets on the first
side of the adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 17 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, two
eyelets on second side and one eyelet on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 18 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 17 in the fastened position;
[0030] FIG. 19 is an illustration of a shoe, having two laces, two
eyelets on second side and one eyelet on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 20 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, two
eyelets on second side and one eyelet on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 21 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, two
eyelets on second side and one eyelet on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 22 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 21 in the fastened position;
[0034] FIG. 23 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, two
eyelets on second side and two eyelets on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 24 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, three
eyelets on second side and two eyelets on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 25 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 24 in the fastened position;
[0037] FIG. 26 is an illustration of a shoe, having two laces,
three eyelets on second side and two eyelets on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 27 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, three
eyelets on second side and two eyelets on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 28 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 27 in the fastened position;
[0040] FIG. 29 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, four
eyelets on second side and three eyelets on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 30 is an illustration of a shoe, having two laces, four
eyelets on second side and three eyelets on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 31 is an illustration of a shoe, having one lace, four
eyelets on second side and three eyelets on first side of the
adjustable gap, constructed and operative in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 32 is an illustration of the adjustable gap of the shoe
of FIG. 31 in the fastened position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0044] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a shoe 1
with a fastening system constructed and operative in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be
noted that, while only a right shoe is shown and discussed
throughout this disclosure, one skilled in the art will recognize
that the various embodiments of the fastening system can be easily
incorporated into a left shoe as well as into other articles of
footwear such as sneakers, sandals, boots, skates, slippers,
etc.
[0045] It should be also noted that, while FIG. 1 shows the first
side of the shoe access opening as adjacent to the outside of the
shoe, and the second side of the shoe access opening as adjacent to
the inside (or arch side) of the shoe, one skilled in the art will
recognize that the references herein to first side and second side
are merely for convenience of reference and that the disclosures
herein apply equally where the second side is adjacent to the
outside of the shoe and the first side is adjacent to the inside
(or arch side) of the shoe.
[0046] The shoe comprises an adjustable gap in the instep area,
which is used as the shoe-access-opening for tightening and
loosening the shoe on the wearer's foot, including first side 2,
second side 3, bottom side 4, and open top side 5.
[0047] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second side of the
adjustable gap comprises two openings, and the first side comprises
one opening. Examples for such openings are holes, eyelets, buckles
and loops.
[0048] Elements 6 and 9 illustrate two parts of a fastener, wherein
a first fastener element 6 is attached to the first side of the
shoe, and a second fastener element 6 is attached to the laces, as
described below. According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the two fastener elements 6 and 9 comprise two mating
elements, such as clips, buckles, snaps, buttons or a hook and a
loop system (such as Velcro.RTM.), for locking the two elements to
each other.
[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, two laces 7 and 8 each are attached at their proximal
ends to second fastener element 9. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an
example of the attachment of laces 7 and 8 to second fastener
element 9, which allows the user to adjust the usable length of the
laces according to the wearer's foot size. FIG. 2 shows the bottom
of second fastener element 9, wherein the two laces are threaded
through holes defined in fastener element 9, and wherein the usable
length of each lace can be adjusted. Once the desired usable lace
length is attained, each lace is affixed to second fastener element
9, for example by being looped twice through the holes and tied
with a knot, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0050] The two laces 7 and 8 extend from second fastener element 9
to the second side of the adjustable gap. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the
two laces 7 and 8 are threaded through eyelets in the second side
of the adjustable gap. Lace 7 extends from the second side to the
first side of the adjustable gap, forming lace segment 7a, which
bridges the adjustable gap, and the distal end of lace 7 is
attached to the first side of the adjustable gap. The distal end of
second lace 8 is attached to the second side of the adjustable
gap.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 the attachment of the distal ends
of laces 7 and 8 to the respective sides of the adjustable gap may
be achieved by affixing the ends of the laces 7 and 8 directly to
eyelets at the respective sides of the adjustable gap, e.g., by
being knotted thereto, or may be threaded through the eyelets and
affixed to an article behind the eyelet whose passage through the
eyelet is prevented due to its size, as is well known in the
art.
[0052] For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first
side and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on
the proximal, free ends of laces 7,8 and lace segment 7a. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, by fastening fastener element 9 to fastener
element 6, the contraction is retained.
[0053] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distal
ends of laces 7 (at the distal end of segment 7a) and 8 are
connected to each other at the bottom side of the adjustable gap,
forming lace segment 11. In this embodiment, laces 7 and 8 are
actually one long lace, whose two ends, both now proximal, are
affixed to second fastener element 9. For fastening the shoe,
fastener element 9 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe,
causing contraction between the first side and the second side of
the adjustable gap through tension on the proximal, free ends of
laces 7,8 and on lace segments 7a and 11, and fastened to fastener
element 6.
[0054] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein both the
second side and the first side of the adjustable gap comprise two
eyelets, a top eyelet and a bottom eyelet, and wherein the distal
ends of both laces 7 and 8 are attached on the first side of the
adjustable gap. In this embodiment, the distal end of lace 7 is
still affixed to the bottom eyelet on the first side of the
adjustable gap, but the distal end of lace 8 passes through the
bottom eyelet on the second side and extends from the second side
to the first side of the adjustable gap, forming lace segment 8a,
which is attached to top eyelet on the first side of the adjustable
gap. For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the adjustable gap, causing contraction between
the first side and the second side of the adjustable gap through
tension on the proximal, free ends of laces 7,8 and on lace
segments 7a and 8a, and fastened to fastener element 6.
[0055] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 1
but wherein the second side of the adjustable gap comprises three
eyelets and the first side comprises two eyelets. In this
embodiment, the two separate laces 7 and 8 extend from second
fastener element 9 and through the top and middle eyelets in the
second side of the adjustable gap, respectively, to the first side
of the adjustable gap, forming segments 7a and 8a, which bridge the
adjustable gap. The distal end of lace 8 is attached to the bottom
eyelet of the first side. Lace 7 is threaded through the top eyelet
of the first side and extends back from the first side to the
second side, forming segment 7b, which bridges the adjustable gap,
and the distal end of lace 7 is attached to the bottom eyelet of
the second side.
[0056] For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first
side and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on
the proximal, free ends of laces 7,8 and on lace segments 7a, 7b
and 8a. As illustrated in FIG. 8, by fastening fastener element 9
to fastener element 6, the contraction is retained.
[0057] In an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 (not shown),
the distal ends of laces 7 and 8 (at the distal ends of segments 7b
and 8a) are connected to each other near the closed bottom side of
the adjustable gap, forming a new lace segment 11, similar to lace
segment 11 in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, laces 7 and 8 are
actually one long lace, whose two ends, both now proximal, are
affixed to second fastener element 9. For fastening the shoe,
fastener element 9 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe,
causing contraction between the first side and the second side of
the adjustable gap through tension on the proximal, free ends of
laces 7,8 and on lace segments 7a, 7b, 8a and 11, and fastened to
fastener element 6.
[0058] Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which shows an alternative
embodiment to FIG. 1, wherein the second side of the adjustable gap
comprises three eyelets, and the first side of the adjustable gap
comprises two eyelets. In this embodiment, the shoe has three
separate laces (e.g., 17, 18 and 19), the proximal end of each of
which is preferably attached as described above to second fastener
element 29, which mates with fastener element 26, attached to the
first side of the shoe. The three laces 17, 18 and 19 extend from
fastener element 29 to the second side of the adjustable gap.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the top two
laces 17 and 18 are threaded through the top two eyelets on the
second side of the adjustable gap, and extend from the second side
across to the first side, forming lace segments 17a and 18a
correspondingly, which bridge the adjustable gap. The distal ends
of laces 17 and 18 are attached to the first side of the adjustable
gap, and the distal end of lace 19 is attached to the second side
of the adjustable gap, in the manner described above. For fastening
the shoe, fastener element 29 is pulled towards the first side of
the shoe, causing contraction between the first side and the second
side of the adjustable gap through tension on the proximal, free
ends of laces 17, 18 and 19 and on lace segments 17a and 18a. By
fastening fastener element 29 to fastener element 26, the
contraction is retained.
[0059] Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIGS. 1
and 7 but wherein the second side of the adjustable gap comprises
four eyelets, and the first side of the adjustable gap comprises
three eyelets. The two separate laces 7 and 8 extend from second
fastener element 9 and through the top and second eyelets in the
second side, respectively, across to the first side, forming
segments 7a and 8a, which bridge the adjustable gap. Lace segment
7a is threaded through the top eyelet of the first side, and
extends from the first side back to the second side, forming
segment 7b. Segment 7b is threaded through the third eyelet on the
second side, and extends again to the first side, forming lace
segment 7c, and the distal end of lace 7 is attached to the first
side of the adjustable gap. Lace segment 8a is threaded through an
eyelet on the first side, and extends from the first side back to
the second side, forming segment 8b, and the distal end of lace 8
is attached to the second side of the adjustable gap.
[0060] For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first
side and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on
the proximal, free ends of laces 7,8 and on lace segments 7a,
7b,7c, 8a and 8b. As illustrated in FIG. 11, by fastening fastener
element 9 to fastener element 6, the contraction is retained.
[0061] In an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 (not shown),
the distal ends of laces 7 and 8 (at the distal ends of segments 7c
and 8b) are connected to each other near the closed bottom side of
the adjustable gap, forming a new lace segment 11, similar to lace
segment 11 in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, laces 7 and 8 are
actually one long lace, whose two ends, both now proximal, are
affixed to second fastener element 9. For fastening the shoe,
fastener element 9 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe,
causing contraction between the first side and the second side of
the adjustable gap through tension on the proximal, free ends of
laces 7,8 and on lace segments 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b and 11, and
fastened to fastener element 6.
[0062] Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second
side of the adjustable gap comprises four eyelets, and the first
side of the adjustable gap comprises three eyelets. In this
embodiment, the shoe has four separate laces 17, 18, 19 and 20, the
proximal end of each of which is preferably attached as described
above to second fastener element 29, which mates with fastener
element 26, attached to the first side of the shoe.
[0063] The four laces 17, 18, 19 and 20 extend from fastener
element 29 to the second side of the adjustable gap. According to
one embodiment of the present invention, the top three laces 17, 18
and 19 are threaded through the top three eyelets on the second
side of the adjustable gap, and extend from the second side across
to the first side, forming lace segments 17a, 18a and 19a
correspondingly, which bridge the adjustable gap. The distal ends
of laces 17, 18 and 19 are attached to the first side of the
adjustable gap, and the distal end of lace 20 is attached to the
second side of the adjustable gap, in the manner described
above.
[0064] For fastening the shoe, fastener element 29 is pulled
towards the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the
first side and the second side of the adjustable gap through
tension on the proximal, free ends of laces 17, 18, 19 and 20 and
on lace segments 17a, 18a and 19a. As illustrated hi FIG. 13, by
fastening fastener element 29 to fastener element 26, the
contraction is retained.
[0065] In an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 (not shown),
the distal ends of laces 19 (at the distal ends of segment 19a) and
20 are connected to each other near the closed bottom side of the
adjustable gap, forming a new lace segment 11, similar to lace
segment 11 in FIG. 5. Thus, this embodiment uses three laces
instead of four. In this embodiment, laces 19 and 20 are actually
one long lace, whose two ends, both now proximal, are affixed to
second fastener element 29. For fastening the shoe, fastener
element 29 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe, causing
contraction between the first side and the second side of the
adjustable gap through tension on the proximal, free ends of 17,
18, 19 and 20 and on lace segments 17a, 18a, 19a and 11, and
fastened to fastener element 26.
[0066] Reference is now made to FIG. 14, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second
side of the adjustable gap comprises five eyelets, and the first
side of the adjustable gap comprises four eyelets. This embodiment
of the invention is similar to that of FIG. 12, except that lace
segment 20 is threaded through the fourth eyelet on the second side
of the adjustable gap, and extends to the first side of the
adjustable gap, forming lace segment 20a, and the distal end of
lace 20 is attached to the first side. Lace segment 19a is threaded
through an eyelet on the first side of the adjustable gap, and
extends back to the second side of the adjustable gap, forming lace
segment 19b, and the distal end of lace 19 is attached to the
second side of the adjustable gap.
[0067] For fastening the shoe, fastener element 29 is pulled
towards the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the
first side and the second side of the adjustable gap through
tension on the proximal, free ends of laces 17, 18, 19 and 20 and
on lace segments 17a, 18a, 19a, 19b and 20a. As illustrated in FIG.
15, by fastening fastener element 29 to fastener element 26, the
contraction is retained.
[0068] Reference is now made to FIG. 16, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distal
ends of laces 19 and 20 (at the distal ends of segments 20a and
19b) are connected to each other at the bottom side of the
adjustable gap, forming new lace segment 21. Thus, this embodiment
uses three laces instead of four. In this embodiment, laces 19 and
20 are actually one long lace, whose two ends, both now proximal,
are affixed to second fastener element 29. For fastening the shoe,
fastener element 29 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe,
causing contraction between the first side and the second side of
the adjustable gap through tension on the proximal, free ends of
17, 18, 19 and 20 and on lace segments 17a, 18a, 19a, 19b, 20a and
21, and fastened to fastener element 26.
[0069] Reference is now made to FIG. 17, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, which is similar
to that of FIG. 1 but wherein a single lace is threaded through
second fastener element 9, forming lace segments 7 and 8, which
extend from second fastener element 9 to the second side of the
adjustable gap. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, the two lace segments 7 and 8 are threaded through
eyelets in the second side of the adjustable gap. Lace segment 7
extends from the second side to the first side of the adjustable
gap, forming lace segment 7a, which bridges the adjustable gap, and
the distal end of lace segment 7a is attached to the first side of
the adjustable gap. The distal end of second lace segment 8 is
attached to the second side of the adjustable gap. As illustrated
in FIG. 18, by fastening fastener element 9 to fastener element 6,
the contraction between the first and second sides of the
adjustable gap is retained.
[0070] Reference is now made to FIG. 19, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
fastening apparatus comprises two laces, one of which is threaded
through second fastener element 9, forming lace segments 7' and 8,
which extends from second fastener element 9 to the second side of
the adjustable gap, and the other end of which is threaded through
the top eyelet on the second side of the adjustable gap, forming
lace segments 7'' and 7a, which extends to the first side of the
adjustable gap. The two lace segments 7' and 7'' are fastened
together with a knot 10 that is situated in the region between the
second fastening element 9 and the top eyelet on the second side of
the adjustable gap. in place of lace segment 7 of FIG. 17. This
enables the user to easily adjust the length of the lace to fit the
user's foot size, and allows second fastener element 9 to be better
aligned with first fastener element 6 when the shoe is fastened.
For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards the
first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first side
and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on lace
segments 7, 7a, and 8, and fastened to fastener element 6 (not
shown). When fastener element 9 is fastened to fastener element 6,
knot 10 is generally situated within the shoe-access-opening of the
shoe, as is on standard laced shoes.
[0071] Reference is now made to FIG. 20, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
fastening apparatus comprises one single lace that is threaded
through second fastener element 9, forming lace segments 7 and 8,
both of which extend from second fastener element 9 to the second
side of the adjustable gap, and wherein the distal ends of lace
segments 7a and 8 are fastened together at the bottom side of the
adjustable gap, forming lace segment 11. For fastening the shoe,
fastener element 9 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe,
causing contraction between the first side and the second side of
the adjustable gap through tension on lace segments 7, 7a, 8 and
11, and fastened to fastener element 6 (not shown). Lace segments
7a and 8 may be fastened together to form lace segment 11 by any
means of fastening 12, such as by use of a gripper, staple, or the
like. Lace segments 7a and 8 may also be bonded together to form
lace segment 11, which may be or may appear to be formed from a
unitary lace segment, as shown in FIG. 20.
[0072] Reference is now made to FIG. 21, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 19
but wherein the fastening apparatus comprises one lace, one end of
which is threaded through second fastener element 9, forming lace
segments 7' and 8, and the other end of which is threaded through
the top eyelet on the second side of the adjustable gap, forming
lace segments 7'' and 7a, and wherein the distal ends of lace
segments 7a and 8 are connected at the bottom side of the
adjustable gap, forming a new lace segment 11. In addition, the two
open ends of the lace, namely lace segments 7' and 7'', are
fastened together with a knot 10 that is situated in the region
between the second fastening element 9 and the top eyelet on the
second side of the adjustable gap, in place of lace segment 7.
[0073] For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first
side and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on
lace segments 7', 7'', 7a, 8 and 11, and fastened to fastener
element 6, as shown in FIG. 22. When fastener element 9 is fastened
to fastener element 6, knot 10 is generally situated within the
shoe-access-opening of the shoe, as it is on standard laced
shoes.
[0074] Reference is now made to FIG. 23, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
fastening apparatus comprises a single lace that is threaded
through second fastener element 9, forming lace segments 7 and 8,
which extend from second fastener element 9 to the second side of
the adjustable gap. According to one embodiment of the present
invention both the second side and the first side of the adjustable
gap comprise two eyelets, a top eyelet and a bottom eyelet, and the
distal ends of both lace segments 7 and 8 are attached to the first
side of the adjustable gap. In this embodiment, the distal end of
lace segment 7 is still affixed to the bottom eyelet on the first
side of the adjustable gap, but the distal end of lace segment 8
passes through the bottom eyelet on the second side and extends
from the second side to the first side of the adjustable gap,
forming lace segment 8a, which is attached to top eyelet on the
first side of the adjustable gap. For fastening the shoe, fastener
element 9 is pulled towards the first side of the adjustable gap,
causing contraction between the first side and the second side of
the adjustable gap through tension on lace segments 7, 8, 7a and
8a, and fastened to fastener element 6.
[0075] Reference is now made to FIG. 24, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 7
but wherein the fastening apparatus comprises one lace that is
threaded through second fastener element 9, forming lace segments 7
and 8, and wherein the second side of the adjustable gap comprises
three eyelets and the first side comprises two eyelets. In this
embodiment, lace segments 7 and 8 extend from second fastener
element 9 and through the top and middle eyelets in the second side
of the adjustable gap, respectively, to the first side of the
adjustable gap, forming segments 7a and 8a, which bridge the
adjustable gap. The distal end of lace segment 8a is attached to
the bottom eyelet of the first side. Lace segment 7a is threaded
through the top eyelet of the first side and extends back from the
first side to the second side, forming segment 7b, which bridges
the adjustable gap, and the distal end of lace segment 7b is
attached to the bottom eyelet of the second side.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 25, for fastening the shoe, fastener
element 9 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe, causing
contraction between the first side and the second side of the
adjustable gap through tension on lace segments 7, 8, 7a, 7b, and
8a. By fastening fastener element 9 to fastener element 6, the
contraction is retained.
[0077] Reference is now made to FIG. 26, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG.24,
but wherein the fastening apparatus comprises two laces, one of
which is threaded through (or fastened to) second fastener element
9, forming lace segments 7' and 8. In addition, the two open ends
of the lace, namely lace segments 7' and 7'', are fastened together
with a knot 10 that is situated in the region between the second
fastening element 9 and the top eyelet on the second side of the
adjustable gap, in place of lace segment 7. For fastening the shoe,
fastener element 9 is pulled towards the first side of the shoe,
causing contraction between the first side and the second side of
the adjustable gap through tension on lace segments 7', 7'', 7a,
7b, 8 and 8a, and fastened to fastener element 6 (not shown). When
fastener element 9 is fastened to fastener element 6, knot 10 is
generally situated within the shoe-access-opening of the shoe, as
it is on standard laced shoes.
[0078] Reference is now made to FIG. 27, which shows an alternative
embodiment of present invention, similar to FIG. 26, but wherein
the distal ends of lace segments 7b and 8a are connected to each
other near the closed bottom side of the adjustable gap, forming a
new lace segment 11. In this embodiment, the two open ends of the
lace, namely lace segments 7' and 7'', are tied together with a
knot 10 that is situated in the region between second fastening
element 9 and the top eyelet on the second side of the adjustable
gap. For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first
side and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on
lace segments 7', 7'', 8, 7a, 7b, 8a, and 11, and fastened to
fastener element 6, as shown in FIG. 28.
[0079] Reference is now made to FIG. 29, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 10
but wherein the fastening apparatus comprises a single lace that is
threaded through second fastener element 9, forming lace segments 7
and 8, and wherein the second side of the adjustable gap comprises
four eyelets and the first side of the adjustable gap comprises
three eyelets. The two lace segments 7 and 8 extend from second
fastener element 9 and through the top and second eyelets in the
second side, respectively, across to the first side, forming
segments 7a and 8a, which bridge the adjustable gap. Lace segment
7a is threaded through the top eyelet of the first side, and
extends from the first side back to the second side, forming
segment 7b. Segment 7b is threaded through the third eyelet from
the top on the second side, and extends again to the first side,
forming lace segment 7c, and the distal end of lace 7c is attached
to the first side of the adjustable gap. Lace segment 8a is
threaded through an eyelet on the first side, and extends from the
first side back to the second side, forming segment 8b, and the
distal end of lace 8b is attached to the second side of the
adjustable gap. For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is
pulled towards the first side of the shoe, causing contraction
between the first side and the second side of the adjustable gap
through tension on lace segments 7, 8, 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a and 8b. By
fastening fastener element 9 to fastener element 6, the contraction
is retained (not shown).
[0080] Reference is now made to FIG. 30, which illustrates an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG.
29, but wherein the fastening apparatus comprises two laces, one of
which is threaded through second fastener element 9, forming lace
segments 7' and 8. In addition, the two open ends of the lace,
namely lace segments 7' and 7'', are fastened together with a knot
10 that is situated in the region between the second fastening
element 9 and the top eyelet on the second side of the adjustable
gap. For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first
side and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on
lace segments 7', 7'', 7a, 7b, 7c, 8, 8a, and 8b, and fastened to
fastener element 6 (not shown).
[0081] Reference is now made to FIG. 31, which shows an alternative
embodiment of present invention, similar to FIG. 30, but wherein
the fastening apparatus comprises one lace, and wherein the second
side of the adjustable gap comprises four eyelets and the first
side of the adjustable gap comprises three eyelets, but wherein the
distal ends of lace segments 7c and 8b are connected to each other
near the closed bottom side of the adjustable gap, forming a new
lace segment 11. In this embodiment, the two open ends of the lace,
namely lace segments 7' and 7'', are fastened together with a knot
10 that is situated in the region between the second fastening
element 9 and the top eyelet on the second side of the adjustable
gap. For fastening the shoe, fastener element 9 is pulled towards
the first side of the shoe, causing contraction between the first
side and the second side of the adjustable gap through tension on
lace segments 7', 7'', 7a, 7b, 7c, 8, 8a, 8b and 11, and fastened
to fastener element 6, as shown in FIG. 31.
[0082] It should be borne in mind that the drawings are not
rendered in actual scale so that certain features of the invention
can be brought out and depicted.
[0083] The drawings and the foregoing description are not intended
to represent the only form of the invention in regard to the
details of this construction and manner of operation. In fact, it
will be evident to one skilled in the art that modifications and
variations may be made without delimiting from the spirit and scope
of the invention. Although specific terms have been employed, they
are intended in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being
delineated in the following claims.
* * * * *