U.S. patent application number 13/627115 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-31 for device for rapidly securing and obscuring footwear laces.
The applicant listed for this patent is Peter Christoper Foster, Andrew Williams. Invention is credited to Peter Christoper Foster, Andrew Williams.
Application Number | 20130283639 13/627115 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49476067 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130283639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Andrew ; et
al. |
October 31, 2013 |
DEVICE FOR RAPIDLY SECURING AND OBSCURING FOOTWEAR LACES
Abstract
A device for rapidly securing and obscuring footwear laces
includes a strap having a cinching device such as a cord lock; a
plurality of tubular lace restraints along the length of the strap;
and a means for connecting one end of the strap to the other, so as
to secure the device around a wearer's ankle with the laces
obscured beneath. Laces travel the majority of the length of the
strap, and can stay engaged with the laces even when footwear is
not being worn. A user can insert foot into footwear, tighten laces
by pulling on ends, cinch laces in tightened position by engaging
cinching device, wrap strap with laces around ankle, and secure in
place around ankle or ankle of footwear.
Inventors: |
Williams; Andrew;
(Wilmington, NC) ; Foster; Peter Christoper; (New
Bern, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Williams; Andrew
Foster; Peter Christoper |
Wilmington
New Bern |
NC
NC |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49476067 |
Appl. No.: |
13/627115 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61544171 |
Oct 6, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/83 ;
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 7/02 20130101; A43C
11/1493 20130101; A43B 1/0081 20130101; A43C 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/83 ;
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 7/00 20060101
A43C007/00 |
Claims
1. A device for rapidly securing and obscuring footwear laces
including: a. An elongated strap having a front side surface, back
side surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; b. A cinching
device connected on the front side surface of the proximal end of
said strap; c. A first pair of eyelets defined by the proximal end
of said strap; d. A second pair of eyelets defined by the distal
end of said strap; and e. A plurality of lace restraints on the
back side surface of said strap, between said first pair of eyelets
and said second pair of eyelets.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said strap is approximately 12''
long to approximately 26'' long.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said strap is approximately 15''
long to approximately 20'' long.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said cinching device is a cord
lock.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said first pair of eyelets are
reinforced.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein said second pair of eyelets are
reinforced.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said lace restraints are
longitudinally aligned tubular structures.
8. A footwear system including: a. An article of footwear having a
shoe lace; b. A securing device engaged with said shoe lace, said
securing device including: i. An elongated strap having a hook
fastener on the front side surface and a corresponding loop
fastener on the back side surface; and ii. A plurality of lace
restraints longitudinally aligned along said elongated strap,
between said hook fastener and said loop fastener.
9. The footwear system of claim 8 wherein said footwear is a
boot.
10. The footwear system of claim 9 wherein said boot is a military
issued boot.
11. The footwear system of claim 8 consisting of 3 lace
restraints.
12. The footwear system of claim 8 wherein said lace restraints are
located on the back side surface.
13. A method of securing and obscuring laces in footwear including
the sequential steps of: a. Obtaining an article of footwear having
an engaged but untied lace with two free ends; b. Passing said free
ends through a cinching device; c. Passing the first free end
through a first aperture; d. Passing the second free end through a
different first aperture; e. Passing both of said free ends through
a series of linearly aligned lace restraints; f. Passing the first
free end through a second aperture; and g. Passing the second free
end through a different second aperture.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of passing said free
ends through a cinching device includes the step of temporarily
disengaging said cinching device to allow the ingress of said free
ends.
15. The method of claim 13 further including the sequential step of
pulling said two free ends in order to lessen slack of laces within
said footwear.
16. The method of claim 13 further including the sequential step of
wrapping said two free ends around a wearer's ankle.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 61/544,171, entitled HARNESS FOR SECURING
FOOTWEAR LACES, which was filed Oct. 6, 2011, and is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to footwear accessories, and
more specifically, to a device that rapidly secures and obscures
footwear laces.
[0003] The humble shoelace is an integral part of a variety of
types of footwear because it is easy to use, replaceable, effective
and economical. Shoelaces are often constructed of cotton, textured
polyester, spun polyester, nylon, leather, or polypropylene, with
the aglet, the hard plastic end of the shoelace, made of clear
plastic. It is believed that the use of shoelaces dates back to
2000 BC, when ancient Mesopotamians wore simple pieces of leather
that fit beneath the foot and were bound to the foot and ankle with
laces that are believed to have been rawhide.
[0004] Unfortunately, however, tightening and tying shoe laces can
be a bit time consuming. While this extra time is not problematic
for most people and situations, this can be a problem when time is
of the essence, for example in combat or rescue services.
[0005] Also, tightening and tying shoe laces requires a level of
dexterity that not everyone has. By way of example, it can be
difficult to tighten and tie shoelaces when one suffers from a
disease or injury, is in inclement weather, is wearing gloves, or
when they have just woken up. Again, this can be problematic in
certain situations.
[0006] Another shortcoming of shoelaces is that tied shoelaces, and
in particular two looped portions and two end portions, typically
dangle from a wearers shoe. This can be hazardous, especially in
combat, factories, or on construction sites.
[0007] Others have tried to overcome the shortcomings of shoelaces
in a variety of ways, including providing cinching devices and
elastic bands that exert a continuous pull on the laces. However
these devices are typically time consuming, complicated, not
effective, or don't achieve the goals of quickly tightening and
tying, even with limited dexterity, while providing the benefit of
avoiding the hazards of dangling portions of tied laces.
[0008] As can be seen, there is a need for a device that quickly
and easily facilitates tightening and tying shoelaces. It is
desirable that this device can be used with limited dexterity. It
is also desirable that this device is capable of obscuring the
secured shoelaces. It is desirable that this device is structurally
simple, easy to use, lightweight, relatively inexpensive to
manufacture, and can be used with a variety of types of
footwear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a device for rapidly securing
and obscuring footwear laces. This device generally includes an
elongated strap portion, with a plurality of tubular shoe lace
restraints positioned longitudinally along the length of the strap.
Going from one end of the strap to the other end, an embodiment
includes the following structures: cord lock; first pair of
eyelets/grommets, hook/loop fastener; plurality of shoe lace
restraints; at least a second pair of eyelets/grommets; and
corresponding hook/loop fastener.
[0010] In use, a user threads their shoelaces through the cord
lock, first pair of eyelets/grommets, along the length of the strap
through the shoe lace restraints, then out a second pair of
eyelets/grommets where the laces are preferably knotted to stay in
place. The user then tightens their shoelaces by pulling the distal
end of the device and cinching the laces tight with the cord lock,
then wrapping the strap (and attached laces) around their ankle and
securing the corresponding sections of hook/loop fastener. The
laces are secured using the interference between the laces and the
strap created outside the last set of eyelets/grommets and tension
is held by the cord lock allowing the user to wrap the device no
matter the exact length of the laces. To undo, for example prior to
removing shoes, the hook/loop fastener is undone, strap unwrapped
from ankle, cord lock is depressed and laces are loosened, and
footwear is removed. The device remains on the footwear laces, so
in subsequent use the wearer simply needs to go through the
tightening, cinching, wrapping and securing steps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention shown in use and fully secured;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front side of an
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back side of an
embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention shown in the pre-secured position;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention shown in the tightened position;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention shown in the tightened and partially wrapped
position;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a detailed section view of an embodiment of the
invention taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a detailed section view of an embodiment of the
invention taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2 with the cord lock device
12 shown in the locked position; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a detailed section view of an embodiment of the
invention with the cord lock device 12 shown in the unlocked
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The following detailed description includes the best
currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments
of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting
sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the
general principles of the invention, since the scope of the
invention is best defined by the appended claims.
[0021] As used herein, "shoelaces", "footwear laces" and the like
are used interchangeably, and it should be understood that the
present invention can be used with a variety of types of footwear
including shoes, boots, booties, and even sandals and dress shoes.
It should also be understood that "shoelaces" and the like refer
generally to flexible strips used to tighten and secure footwear,
including fabric, leather, plastics, and composites, which may or
may not include aglets.
[0022] The following structure numbers apply through the various
FIGS: [0023] 10 is a strap; [0024] 12 is a cord lock device; [0025]
14 is a hook fastener; [0026] 16 is a loop fastener; [0027] 18 are
shoe lace restraints; [0028] 20 are shoe laces; [0029] 22 are
eyelets/grommets; [0030] 24 is a cord lock device spring; [0031] 26
is an article of footwear; [0032] 28 is a cord lock device
aperture; [0033] 30 is a cord lock device attachment means; and
[0034] 32 is a folded end.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, the device of the present invention
includes strap 10 that secures and obscures shoe laces 20, and
preferably wraps around ankle portion of footwear 26. While this
invention is particularly well suited for boots, for example combat
and construction type lace-up boots, it can be used with a variety
of types of footwear.
[0036] As depicted in FIG. 2, elongated strap 10 includes the
following structures on the front side: cord lock 12; then first
pair of eyelets/grommets 22; then hook/loop fastener 14; and then
second pair of eyelets/grommets. On the back side of strap 10, as
depicted in FIG. 3, the structures include: first pair of
eyelets/grommets 22; then plurality of shoe lace restraints 18;
then at least a second set of eyelets/grommets 22; and then
corresponding hook/loop fastener 16. The eyelets/grommets 22
traverse strap 10, and thus are the same structures/apertures on
both the front side and back side. Hook/loop fastener 14 and
corresponding hook/loop fastener 16 may be hook and loop,
respectively, or loop and hook, respectively. Also, fastener 14, 16
may be attached to strap 10 along longitudinal edges only, thereby
creating a tube or tunnel through which laces can travel along a
segment of strap. In alternative embodiments it is possible to use
other securing means such as snaps, adhesives, and the like. It
should also be understood that grommets are preferably used as a
reinforcing device in conjunction with eyelets, but that it is
possible to use eyelets without grommets.
[0037] Strap 10 is preferably sized to accommodate the length of
the "free" portion of shoe laces 20, meaning the end segments of
shoe laces which are not secured by shoe lace eyelets, hooks or
holes on the footwear. By way of example, if shoe laces 20 have a
10'' free portion, it is desirable that strap 10 is approximately
12'' in length. It is also desirable that strap 10 comfortably fits
around the ankle portion of most boots with adequate overlap at
each end for securing hook/loop fasteners 14, 16. In accordance
with the present invention, it is desirable that strap 10 is
approximately 12-26''; with 15-20'' being more preferred, and
17-18'' being most preferred. It is desirable that the strap is
approximately 0.5-1.5'' in width. Strap 10 is preferably
constructed of elasticized or non-elasticized webbing, with woven
poly-elastic webbing from Jontay Distributing of Waycross, Ga.
being an example of a suitable strap material.
[0038] Cord lock 12, depicted in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, is
secured to proximal end (relative to footwear when in use) of strap
10, by attachment means 30 such as connection to small section of
cord that is affixed and dangles, stitching or adhesive. It is
desirable that end of strap 10 is finished, for example resulting
in folded end 32. Cord lock 12 includes cord lock device spring 24
which, when engaged (FIG. 9) temporarily displaces cord lock device
aperture 28 closer to underlying eyelets/grommets 22. This allows
easier of ingress and egress of shoe laces 20 to allow tightening
and loosening. When spring 24 is allowed to return to natural
extended position (FIG. 8) shoe laces 20 are cinched into position
wherein ingress and egress is more difficult in view of the
tortuous path and friction. An example of a suitable cord lock 12
which is commercially available is Preset Cord Lock with Slot from
Jontay Distributors of Waycross, Ga.
[0039] Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pairs of
eyelets/grommets 22 are preferably identical, except at different
ends of strap 10 or at various locations along the length of strap
10. It is desirable that eyelets/grommets 22 are apertures which
are reinforced using grommets. An example of a suitable eyelet is
Grommet #00 from Grommet World of www.grommetworld.com Gastonia,
N.C. While two pairs are preferred, it is possible to use one
eyelet instead in either the first position or second position,
both, or other combinations along the length of strap 10.
[0040] Hook/loop fasteners 14, 16 are connected to strap 10 on
opposite sides so that when device is secured on a user, the
corresponding sides contact and adhere. This is shown best in FIG.
6. It is desirable that fasteners 14, 16 are approximately 6'' each
and connected to strap 10 by means such as stitching or
adhesives.
[0041] As depicted in FIG. 3, the device preferably includes a
plurality of shoe lace restraints 18 along the length of strap 10,
between first and second set of eyelets/grommets 22. It is possible
to use as few as 1 restraint, and as many as will fit on strap 10,
but it has been determined that 3 restraints is most preferred. A
preferred construction of restraint 18 is set forth in FIG. 7,
wherein edges of tubular structure are secured to strap 10,
preferably by stitching, adhesives, or the like. Loop fastener 16
may also serve as a lace restraint.
[0042] Use of the device is depicted in FIGS. 4-6. Referring to
FIG. 4, a user would depress cord lock device 12 to engage cord
lock device spring 24, then thread shoe laces through cord lock
device aperture 28. Once shoe laces are pulled through cord lock
12, then cord lock device 12 could be released. Shoe laces 20 would
then be threaded through first apertures 22, with one lace going
through each aperture. Then laces 20 are threaded together through
lace restraints 18, and finally out second set of eyelets/grommets
22, with one lace going through each aperture. The laces are then
knotted or tied together so the ends don't slip back through second
apertures. In this manner laces 20 initially engage with proximal
end of device at front side, travel along bottom side for majority
of the length of strap 10, then reemerge at front side at distal
end of device.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, slack is taken out of laces 20 in
footwear 26 by pulling distal end of laces 20 and preferably
allowing device to maintain a substantially linear orientation.
Pulling laces 20 may be facilitated by depressing cord lock device
12. Although not shown, it should be understood that this step
occurs while footwear 26 is being worn. Once laces 20 are
sufficiently tight, cord lock device 12 is no longer depressed,
thereby causing reengagement of cord lock device spring 24, cord
lock device aperture 28 moving away from first set of
eyelets/grommets 22, and resulting in the cinching of shoe laces
20. An alternative method is to pull laces 20 tight then extending
strap 10 down the laces and cinching with cord lock device 12.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, strap 10 is wrapped around ankle such
that bottom side of device is facing inward towards the body,
thereby obscuring the majority of the length of free laces 10, with
hook/loop fasteners connecting to secure the device and laces in
position.
[0045] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. It
should also be understood that ranges of values set forth
inherently include those values, as well as all increments
between.
* * * * *
References