U.S. patent application number 11/986660 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-28 for one-way clutching methods between a ligature and a frame and their applications-part ii.
Invention is credited to Hassan Vazin.
Application Number | 20090133236 11/986660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40668498 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090133236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vazin; Hassan |
May 28, 2009 |
One-way clutching methods between a ligature and a frame and their
applications-part II
Abstract
This invention primarily discusses the recent improvements to
U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944. The focus is on quick tightening/loosening
of the lock that is formed between the ligature and the frame,
managing the extra ligature length, decorating the system,
improving performance and, extending the design to a wearable
having structures similar to pants. In some applications a short
ligature that passes underneath ligature loops and in others a
donut-shaped object is used to solve tightening/loosening problems.
Tucking the extra ligature length under an elastic strap or inside
a slot formed within the frame manages the ligature. To enhance the
performance of the system methods that reduce the friction between
the ligature and the frame are discussed. Specifically, the use of
back-to-back eyelet system, curved pathways between holes and,
frictionless rollers are detailed. The invention discusses the used
of a raised crisscross(s) as an additional method to enhance the
performance.
Inventors: |
Vazin; Hassan; (Nashville,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hassan "Jon" vazin
P.O. Box 218025
Nashville
TN
37221
US
|
Family ID: |
40668498 |
Appl. No.: |
11/986660 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/713 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/3726 20150115;
A43C 5/00 20130101; A43C 1/04 20130101; A43C 11/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/713 |
International
Class: |
A43C 1/04 20060101
A43C001/04 |
Claims
1. (FIG. 2) A loosening and managing system for structures that
interact with a wearable through a ligature; said wearable having
one or more openings; said structure comprising of a cluster(s) of
3-holes or a 2-holes; said structure and said ligature being used
to pull opposing sides of said openings toward each other in a
manner explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944; said ligature being
named main ligature; said loosening system employs a short
ligature; said short ligature passes underneath loop(s) formed by
said main ligature between said 3-holes or 2-holes; pulling said
short ligature unlocks the system; said short ligature's ends being
secured to said main ligature's ends by a knot or other means;
securing said short and said main ligatures together manages extra
length of said main ligature by keeping said main ligature close to
said wearable.
2. (FIG. 3) A decorative option for the system explained in claim
1; said decorative option comprises of adding decorative items to
the free hanging ends of said short and said main ligatures.
3. (FIG. 4, 5A) A loosening and decorating system for a wearable
that has an integrated cluster(s) of 3-holes or 2-holes within its
structure; said wearable having one or more openings; said cluster
of holes and a ligature being used to pull opposing sides of said
openings toward each other in a manner explained in U.S. Pat. No.
6,473,944; said loosening system employs a donut-shaped object;
said donut-shaped object passing under a loop formed by said
ligature between said holes; pulling said donut-shaped object
loosens the system; said donut-shaped object having extensions;
said decorating system comprising of adding decorative items to
said extensions.
4. (FIG. 5) A quick loosing system similar to the system of claim 3
in which two connected donut-shaped objects are employed for the
release of the lock between said ligature and said wearable at said
opening sides simultaneously.
5. (FIG. 6) A tightening and managing system for a wearable that
has an integrated cluster of 3-holes or 2-holes within its
structure; said wearable having one or more openings; said cluster
of holes and a ligature being used to pull opposing sides of said
openings toward each other in a manner explained in U.S. Pat. No.
6,473,944; said tightening system comprising of securing said
ligature ends together by a permanent knot or other means; pulling
said knot tightens and locks the system; said managing system
comprising of an elastic strap secured to said wearable; passing
said permanent knot underneath said elastic strap keeps said
ligature secured to said wearable.
6. (FIG. 7) A tightening and managing system similar to claim 4 in
which a straight or curved slot formed within said wearable body is
used instead of said elastic strap.
7. A system for quick adjustments and decorations of a wearable
that has waist (i.e. pants) or where elastic band(s) are used as
means of keeping the wearable tight; when said wearable is a pant
sets of integrated clusters of 3-holes or 2-holes along said pant's
waist are employed; when said wearable comprises of elastic band(s)
sets of integrated clusters of 3-holes or 2-holes-replace said
elastic band(s); ligatures connecting holes of said sets in a
manner explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944; pulling said ligatures
shorten distance between said holes to tighten said wearable; short
ligature or other means passing underneath loops formed by said
ligatures between said holes maybe used to loosen the system; said
decorations is done be adding decorative items to said
ligatures.
8. (FIG. 8A, 8B) A system for eliminating the rough and flat
surface underneath eyelets used in a wearable; each eyelet of said
system comprising of a set of two identical eyelets; each eyelet of
said set of two eyelets being secured to a separate but identical
layer of said wearable; said layers of said wearable being secured
together such that backs of their respective eyelets touch to
create a back-to-back eyelet system with curved and smooth surface
both on top and bottom.
9. (FIG. 9) A system for reducing friction between a wearable and a
ligature; said system comprising of rollers at locations where said
ligature and said wearable interact; each of said rollers being
secured to a bar; said bar being curved or straight; said rollers
being able to rotate freely on its corresponding bar; said bar
being secured to the wearable on one end.
10. (FIG. 10) A system similar to the system explained in claim 7
except for the said bars being secured at both ends between two
layers of said wearable.
11. (FIG. 12) A system for eliminating sharp cornering and reducing
friction between a ligature and a wearable; said wearable having an
integrated 3-hole or 2-hole cluster; said wearable having one or
more openings; said cluster of holes and said ligature being used
to pull opposing sides of said openings toward each other in a
manner explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944; said system comprising
of curved frictionless pathway(s) within the body of said wearable
between 2 or more of said holes; said pathways creating a smooth
curved path for said ligature reducing sharp cornering and friction
between said ligature and said wearable.
12. (FIG. 13) A system for eliminating sharp cornering and reducing
friction between a ligature and a structure; said structure having
an integrated 3-hole or 2-hole cluster; said structure interacting
with a wearable through said ligature; said wearable having one or
more openings; said ligature being used to pull opposite sides of
said wearable opening toward each other in a manner explained in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944; said structure having curved frictionless
pathway(s) between 2 or more of its holes; said structure
connecting to said wearable in either removable or permanent
manner; said structure having projections for securing said
structure to said wearable in a removable manner; said wearable
having receptor to receive said projections of said structure.
13. (FIG. 14) An enhanced wearable-ligature structure; said
wearable having one or more openings; said wearable having eyelets
along said openings; said ligature forming crisscrosses between
said eyelets of said wearable openings; one or more of said
crisscrosses being set at an elevation; said elevated crisscross
being formed by setting eyelets that form said crisscross at higher
elevation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 entitled
"One-Way Clutching Methods Between A Ligature And A Frame And Their
Applications" explains methods of forming a one-way locking system
between a frame that bears a cluster(s) of 2 holes or 3 holes and a
ligature. The invention also explores several applications of the
methods. In particular, the cited invention explains the adaptation
of the locking system to all wearable including shoes. The subject
matter of this invention is a collection of major improvements to
the cited invention. One of the shortcomings of either 2 holes or 3
holes methods when applied to a wearable is the lack of any
practical ways to manage the extra ligature length that hangs from
the wearable after the wearable is tightened. This invention
outlines several methods for managing the extra ligature lengths.
Other shortcomings include lack of a quick method for loosening or
tightening the wearable. This invention outlines practical methods
to resolve these issues. Additionally, this invention outlines
methods for color coding and using a 3-holes or 2-holes system to
decorate a wearable. Further, several new methods for reducing
friction between the ligature and the wearable are discussed. In
general, the friction between the ligature and the frame is the
major factor that affects the performance of the system. Reducing
or eliminating the friction enhances the performance of the system
drastically.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is a continuation of work on U.S. Pat. No.
6,473,944 entitled "One-Way Clutching Methods Between A Ligature
And A Frame And Their Applications". This invention outlines
several important improvements to the mentioned invention as
follows: [0003] a) Presents methods for quick tightening and
loosening of a system that is comprised of a wearable that has one
or more openings and a ligature for pulling the opposing sides of
the openings close to each other. The wearable may have an
integrated cluster(s) of 3-holes or 2-holes or an external body
with integrated 3-hole or 2-hole clusters may be employed to
interact with the wearable through the ligature. In either case, in
a preferred practice, a short ligature is passed underneath the
loops formed by the main ligature between mentioned holes. Pulling
the short ligature pulls the loops and system unlocks. The use of
the short ligature also enhances the system by introducing
decorative dimensions to the system. Use of a colorful short
ligature introduces highly useful color-coding that helps user
identify where to pull to loosen/tighten. Additionally, colorful
objects maybe added to the short ligature to enhance the ecstatic
of the system. [0004] b) Since leaving the free length of the main
ligature hanging loose maybe dangerous, this invention proposes
securing ends of the ligature together by a knot or other means. To
make sure that the main ligature remains attached to the wearable
the invention proposes passing the mentioned knot under an elastic
strap that is attached to the wearable. In some application one may
employ a straight or curved slot instead of the elastic strap.
[0005] c) To form an eyelet system that has smooth and curved
contours on both top and bottom, this invention outlines methods
for replacing each eyelet of a wearable with two back-to-back
eyelets. [0006] d) To reduce the friction between the ligature and
wearable, the invention proposes using low friction rollers
wherever the ligature and the wearable interact. [0007] e) To
eliminate the sharp cornering of the ligature between holes of a
system that uses a cluster of 3-holes or 2-holes, the invention
proposes use of smooth and curved pathways between holes. [0008] f)
In applications where a ligature(s) forms crisscrosses within the
body of a wearable, the invention proposes setting the top
crisscross at a higher elevation. This allows users quick access to
the crisscross. The easy access is crucial in quick tightening or
loosening of the system. [0009] g) The invention outlines methods
for quick adjustment of wearable opening(s) by incorporating sets
of 3-holes cluster(s) along the opening of the wearable. In other
application such as pants, the mentioned sets of cluster(s) cluster
of holes may be positioned along the pant's waist. The same design
extends itself as a replacement for elastic band(s) that some
wearable use as a mean to keep the wearable tight.
[0010] In all applications either the cluster(s) of holes is
directly an integrated part of the wearable or a separate structure
that has an integrated cluster(s) of holes is employed to interact
with the wearable through the ligature. Because of structural
and/or functional differences between the two cases, this patent
application treats the two cases as separate claims when
applicable.
[0011] While most of the figures in this patent application show a
specific wearable (i.e. a footwear), the designs are applicable to
all kinds of wearable.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 Shows a wearable (a shoe) where an external body
(commercially named Shoe Zappy) and a ligature interact with the
wearable to create a system that does not need tying/untying. This
figure particularly shows the problem of free hanging ligature.
[0013] FIG. 2 Shows the use of a short ligature that passes
underneath loops. The figure shows that the short ligature is
passing under the "Zappy Loops" and forms a knot with the main
ligature. The colorful short ligature enhances the system in
several ways. The short ligature provides a color-coded means for
quick loosening of the system and manages the free hanging length
of the main ligature.
[0014] FIG. 3 Shows how free hanging lengths of main and short
ligatures maybe used as decorative means.
[0015] FIG. 4 Shows a wearable with an integrated 3-hole cluster,
the ligature and, a donut-shaped object that is used for quick
loosening of the system.
[0016] FIG. 5 Shows how two connected donut-shaped objects maybe
employed as a mean for loosening the ligature lock at both sides of
a wearable opening simultaneously.
[0017] FIG. 5A figure shows how an extension of the donut-shaped
object maybe used as a decorative mean.
[0018] FIG. 6 Shows the use of an elastic strap for managing the
extra ligature lengths
[0019] FIG. 7 Shows the use of a slot within the body of a wearable
for managing the extra ligature lengths.
[0020] FIG. 8A Shows an eyelet system where eyelets have smooth and
curved surface on the top and a rough flat surface on the
bottom.
[0021] FIG. 8B Shows how a back-to-back eyelet system maybe formed.
Fully folding and securing in place the two identical
eyelet-bearing wearable layers shown in the figure create the
back-to-back eyelet system where eyelets of the system have smooth
and curved surfaces both on top and bottom.
[0022] FIG. 9 Shows the use of roller-projection means as a
replacement for eyelets in a wearable. The rollers (25) are able to
rotate with respect to the projection (24). The projection is
secured to the wearable at one end.
[0023] FIG. 10 Shows an arrangement where roller-projection means
are sandwiched between two layers of wearable material.
[0024] FIG. 11 Shows the front and the back views of a ligature
path as it loops between holes of a structure that has a cluster of
3-holes. The figure shows that the ligature forms a sharp corner
loop (28) between holes 10 and 11 at the back.
[0025] FIG. 12 Shows how a smooth guide (29) maybe employed as a
mean of reducing friction between a ligature and a wearable and
eliminating the sharp cornering of the ligature.
[0026] FIG. 13 Shows how an external body (30) comprised of a
cluster of 3-holes having a smooth pathway between two of its holes
may employ projected arms in order to connect with a wearable in a
removable fashion.
[0027] FIG. 13A Shows how an external body (30) comprised of a
cluster of 3-holes may be attached permanently to a wearable.
[0028] FIG. 14 Shows how raised eyelets (33) maybe employed to
create a raised crisscross.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 entitled
"One-Way Clutching Methods Between A Ligature And A Frame And Their
Applications" explains how a ligature can lock itself, in one
direction, onto a frame that has a cluster(s) of 2 holes or 3
holes. Applications of the methods when applied to a wearable shows
how a ligature maybe used as means for pulling, in a lockable
manner, opposing sides of the wearable opening(s) close to each
other. While 2 holes or 3 holes cluster arrangements can be an
integrated part of a wearable structure, in some applications it is
more practical to employ an external structure with an integrated
2-holes or 3-holes cluster(s) instead of forming the cluster of
2-holes or 3-holes within the body of the wearable. FIG. 1 shows
such external structure that is designed based on the 3-holes
arrangement and can be used to tie/untie a wearable. One or more of
the mentioned structures maybe employed. When applied to footwear
such structure assumes the name of Shoe Zappy.
[0030] One shortcoming of either 2 holes or 3 holes methods is the
lack of any practical ways to manage the extra ligature length that
does hang from the wearable after the wearable is tightened. The
other shortcoming is lack of any practical method to loosen the
system quickly. FIG. 1 shows this problem for a case that the
wearable is a shoe and a Shoe Zappy is used. In FIG. 1 (and all
other figures) the wearable is marked as 1, shoe Zappy is marked as
2, the ligature loop formed between two of the holes (named Zappy
Loop) marked as 3 and the extra ligature length is marked as 4.
This invention proposes a new method that addresses both mentioned
shortcomings. The new method has the following highly desirable
functional and cosmetic features: 1) the extra ligature length is
totally managed, 2) when tied, the loops closely resembles
customary tying and, 3) the method offers several decorative
options, 4) the method provides means for a quick loosening of the
system.
[0031] The cited method, in a preferred practice, employs a short
colorful ligature that passes under either or both mentioned Zappy
Loops. The ends of the short and the main ligature are then secured
together by a knot or other means. The design is clear from FIG. 2
where the short ligature is marked as 5 forming a knot with the
main ligature 4 at 6. The system unties when the said knot 6 is
pulled. The system ties when ligature segments marked 7 are pulled.
Another advantage of using a short ligature is that knot 6 can be
secured in place permanently by application of spot heat. It must
be noted that instead of a (short) ligature one may use a rigid or
non-rigid material. However, a rigid material may not function
ideally.
[0032] The free segments of both the main ligature and the short
ligature that are hanging beyond the said knot 6 do not have any
functional use, this segments are either cutout or, the segments
may be used for decoration purposes. Decorative items may be added
to the segments for this purpose. FIG. 3 shows how the free hanging
lengths marked as 8 can be used to hold decorative items 9 in
place.
[0033] The previous section explained applications where an
external object (with a cluster(s) of holes) interacted with a
wearable through a ligature. In this section applications where a
cluster(s) of 3-holes (or 2-hole) are an integrated part of the
wearable are discussed. A BiaBo wearable is a wearable where at
least one cluster of 3-holes (or the 2-holes) is an integrated part
of the wearable. The cluster of holes and a ligature looped
properly through them create a system that can pull, in a lockable
manner, the opposing sides of the wearable opening(s) close to each
other. In a preferred practice, the mentioned 3-holes cluster forms
a triangle. Pulling the ligature at a proper location ties or
unties the wearable. A BiaBo wearable designed based on the
mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 have two major shortcomings. One
is the lack of any practical method to manage the extra ligature
length(s) and the other is the lack of any practical ways to loosen
the system quickly. Both these shortcomings are addressed in this
invention.
[0034] To provide an easy method for unlocking (loosening) the
system, the new design calls for using, in a preferred practice, a
donut-shaped object. The object, in a preferred practice, should be
made from the same material as the ligature. To be functional BiaBo
loop (see FIG. 4) must pass through the donut-shaped object's hole.
In FIG. 4 the wearable is marked as 1, the cluster of 3-holes are
marked as 10, 11 and 12, the ligature is marked as 13 and the
donut-shaped object is marked as 14. As shown in the figure the
donut-shaped object passes through BiaBo loop 15. Pulling the
donut-shaped object pulls BiaBo loop 15 and the system unlocks.
When ligature 13 is pulled the system locks. In some applications,
a variation of this design calls for using two connected
donut-shaped objects. FIG. 5 shows one such structure. In this FIG.
16 marks the link that connects the two donut-shaped loops 14. Here
pulling link 16 loosens the ligature lock at both sides of the
wearable opening simultaneously. FIG. 5A shows how an extension of
the donut-shaped object maybe used for decorative purposes.
[0035] One of the shortcomings of using the mentioned donut-shaped
object is that if pulled excessively, the ligature may get pulled
out from the holes and the system falls apart. To prevent this
situation one may secure both ends of the main ligature together by
a knot or other means. An added advantage is that pulling this knot
will tighten and lock the system in place. The said knot prevents
the system from falling apart no matter how much the donut-shaped
object(s) are pulled. Now, the problem is how to manage the free
hanging ligature length. In order to manage the extra ligature
length one may use an elastic strap that is secured to the body of
the wearable. The knot formed by the ligature ends then can be
tucked under the elastic strap. In FIG. 6 the elastic strap is
marked as 18 and the knot formed by the ligature ends is marked as
17. In some applications, a straight or curved slot that is cut
onto the wearable body maybe used instead of the elastic strap.
FIG. 7 shows this situation where the slot is marked as 19.
[0036] The mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 outlines a 3-holes and
2-holes methods for a one-way locking of a ligature to a frame. In
some applications such as footwear (i.e. when the frame is a
footwear), metal eyelets maybe used to form the cluster of 3 or the
2 holes. However, eyelets generally have smooth and curved surface
on top and relatively rough and flat surface underneath. This is
shown in FIG. 8A where the bottom of eyelets is marked as 20 and
their top as 21. In the cited invention the ligature makes a sharp
loop between sets of holes. The sharp loop that has to interact
with the rough surfaces of the back of the eyelets may prevent the
system from functioning properly. Additionally, the sharp loop
causes the ligature to wear out quickly and creates excessive
friction between the ligature and the wearable. Both problems
adversely affect system's performance. Several designs are
presented here to resolve the problems. The first design involves
replacing every eyelet of the wearable with a set of two
back-to-back eyelets. To create a back-to-back eyelet system, two
identical layers of material maybe used. Each of the said identical
layers bear similarly positioned regular eyelets. The two layers
are then secured together such that the backs of the eyelets touch
each other. FIG. 8B shows partially folded layers. Here the back of
one eyelet-bearing layer is marked as 22 and the back of the other
layer is marked as 23. When fully folded along the symmetry line
and secured in place, a system of back-to-back eyelets will be
created. The back-to-back arrangement eliminates the contact
between the ligature and the rough surfaces. In addition to
eliminating the rough surfaces, the back-to-back arrangement also
provides much-desired curved surfaces (both on top and underneath
the eyelet). The elimination of the rough surface and the
introduction of the curved surfaces boost the performance of the
system and extend the life of the ligature.
[0037] In some applications the ligature forms several crisscrosses
along the opening of the wearable. The ability to tighten all
crisscrosses at once by pulling the ends of the ligature is highly
desirable. In footwear the foot of the user pushes the ligature
(i.e. shoelace) against the shoe tongue and the shoe body making it
hard to tighten crisscrosses simultaneously. Eliminating this
problem is particularly important for BiaBo-type footwear where an
integrated cluster of 3 or 2 holes arrangements provide an
alternative method to customary tying/untying. As explained above,
in BiaBo footwear the ligature ends are normally tied together and
that makes it harder to tighten crisscrosses. Furthermore, solving
this problem for BiaBo footwear eliminates the need for first
tightening the crisscrosses before the final pull of the knot
formed by the ligature ends to locks the system in place. The
proposed solution is to replace eyelets of the wearable with
upwardly projected low friction straight or curved bars. In this
manner, the ligature remains on top of the wearable and pressure by
user from inside does not affect the ligature. To reduce the
friction even further, rollers may be used over the curved bars.
FIG. 9 shows how such system functions. Here the curved bars are
marked as 24, the rollers are marked as 25 and ligature is marked
as 13. Here the bars are secured to the wearable at one end. An
alternative design is to sandwich said bars in place between two
layers of the wearable materials. FIG. 10 shows such a system. In
this figure the two layers of the wearable material are marked as
26 and 27 and the low friction bars as 24 and rollers as 25.
[0038] In order to further enhance the performance of BiaBo
wearable it is highly desirable to reduce the friction between the
ligature and the wearable in the area where the cluster(s) of 3 or
2 holes are positioned. FIG. 11 shows a cluster of holes and the
ligature path through them. The figure shows the top and bottom
view of the path that ligature 13 must take when interacting with
holes 10,11 and 12. The figure shows how ligature 13 makes a sharp
loop between holes 10 and 11 on the backside. The sharp loop is
marked as 28. Because ligature 13 has to move between holes 10,11
and 12 as one tightens or loosens the system, smooth and free
movement of the ligature enhances the performance. In the case that
the wearable is a shoe, segments of the ligature in the area shown
in FIG. 11 maybe in direct contact with the user's foot. The direct
contact and the forces exerted by user's foot on the ligature
prevent a much-desired free movement of the ligature between the
holes as one tightens or loosens the system. To eliminate the
contact between user's foot and the ligature and eliminate the
sharp cornering of the ligature this invention proposes using a
curved pathway between holes and in particular between holes 10 and
11. The pathway maybe opened or closed (like a tunnel). Such
pathway eliminates the sharp cornering and provides a highly
desirable smooth and curved path for ligature as well. FIG. 12
shows how such curved pathway maybe employed. The figure shows a
portion of the wearable where a cluster of 3-holes is positioned.
Here the pathway is shown as a curved tunnel 29. The figure also
shows the path of the ligature between holes and through the
pathway. The design easily extends itself to situations where an
external structure bearing a cluster of 3-holes (or 2-holes) is
used to interact with a wearable. Here the external structure
bearing the curved pathway maybe removable. To interact with the
wearable, the structure may employ extended arms that fit into
fabric loops that are a part of the wearable. FIG. 13 shows a
typical design. In this figure the external structure is marked as
30, the guide between holes 10 and 11 is marked as 29 and arms to
secure body 30 to the wearable are marked as 31 and a fabric loop
that is secured to and are part of the wearable is marked as 32. In
some applications such as footwear where many styles and sizes are
already manufactured, one expensive choice is to modify all sizes
and styles into BiaBo-type footwear (where cluster of holes are an
integrated part of the body), at the factory. Alternative, less
expensive and, more practical approach is to attach the cited
external structure to existing footwear permanently. This can
simply be accomplished by securing one end of the structure to the
wearable through commercially available means such as eyelets. FIG.
13A shows a typical application where structure 30 is secured to
wearable 1 by means of eyelets 33.
[0039] To further enhance the performance of a BiaBo wearable this
invention proposes a method that allows a user to quickly tighten
all crisscrosses. The method centers on setting the top 4 eyelets
of the wearable at elevation above other eyelets of the wearable.
The 4 top eyelets form the top crisscross. Pulling the top
crisscross tightens all other crisscrosses throughout the wearable
body. When the top crisscross is elevated, the user can hold it
easier for pulling. To create an elevated eyelet, one may use
several layers of the material underneath the eyelets to be
elevated. FIG. 14 shows elevated top eyelets as 34 and the top
crisscross as 35.
[0040] In some applications it might be more practical to employ
several sets of 3-holes or 2-holes clusters to interact with the
wearable. For example in footwear, integrating several 3-holes
clusters along the length of the opening of the footwear allows
users to use separate shoelaces for each segment of the footwear.
This gives users the option of keeping different segments of the
footwear at different tensions. Similarly in other wearable such as
pants the use of several 3-holes or 2-holes arrangement along the
waist of the pants allows users to have more control over
loosening/tightening of their pant. This also eliminates the need
for a using a belt. Obviously, either external structures bearing
cluster of 3-holes (or 2 holes) are employed or the cluster of
holes are made as an integrated part of the pants along the waist.
The use of sets of 3-holes or 2-holes clusters, either integrated
or as separate structures, also extends to all wearable where an
elastic band(s) is used as means to keep the wearable tight and
under tension.
* * * * *