U.S. patent application number 13/367327 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for zipper lace.
The applicant listed for this patent is Anton Warren Jones. Invention is credited to Anton Warren Jones.
Application Number | 20140007457 13/367327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49877426 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140007457 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Anton Warren |
January 9, 2014 |
Zipper Lace
Abstract
The Zipper Lace is an innovative zipper design used as a
shoelace for footwear. It provides a method for securing a foot in
the housing of footwear, especially athletic footwear, which may
loosen thus creating a potentially hazardous condition for
athletes. The Zipper Lace is designed as a closure system for
holding the foot in the foot-housing member using the existing
eyelet design of footwear. It is flexible and can be threaded
through the eyelets of existing shoes instead of standard fabric
laces. The zipper design allows the wearer to firmly secure the
foot to the shoe housing. Instead of tying cloth shoelaces to
maintain a secure fit and comfort, the Zipper Lace employs a
fastening means which is used to lock both ends of the Zipper Lace
in place. This combined with the natural locking of the Zipper
Laces, secures the footwear.
Inventors: |
Jones; Anton Warren; (Aiken,
SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jones; Anton Warren |
Aiken |
SC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49877426 |
Appl. No.: |
13/367327 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61440679 |
Feb 8, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 ;
24/381 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 1/00 20130101; Y10T
24/25 20150115; A43C 9/00 20130101; A43C 11/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 ;
24/381 |
International
Class: |
A43C 1/00 20060101
A43C001/00 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] The Zipper Lace invention was developed without the aid of
Federally Sponsored Research and Development Funding.
Claims
1. The Zipper Lace comprising: (a) An elongated narrow strip having
a plurality of teeth protruding from the elongated narrow strip and
a fastening means or pulley mechanism; (b) Wherein the elongated
narrow strip has a first end, a second end and the zipper is
modified with a connector located on each one of the first end and
second end; (c) Wherein the elongated narrow strip is adapted to
pass through eyelets of footwear; (d) Wherein the teeth lock into
the eyelets creating a stand-along locking mechanism; and (e)
Wherein the fastening means exemplified by a pulley, slides onto
the first end and the second end of the elongated strip to engage
and lock the teeth, thus zipping or locking the zipper.
2. A method for utilizing the zipper lace in a manner to provide a
closure and securing means for footwear using eyelets. The method
of utilizing the Zipper Lace of claim 1, comprises the steps of (a)
Lacing the zipper lace through each eyelet in a manner similar to
standard cloth shoelaces; (b) The method further includes the step
of utilizing a fastening means or mechanism to slide over the
connectors located at the tips of each the first end and second
end. The connectors are held adjacent and parallel to each other to
facilitate sliding the fastening means over the ends to engage,
lock and zip the zipper; (c) The method further includes the step
of sliding of the fastening means and continued zipping and locking
the teeth of the zipper which facilitates a tight secure fit and
closure of the foot wear.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of a U.S. Provisional
Patent Application, No. 61/440,679, filing date, Feb. 8, 2011
entitled Zipper Shoelace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The disclosed embodiments generally relate to footwear and,
more particularly, a footwear closure device designed to securely
hold the footwear to the users feet. The invention also relates to
systems, methods and processes using disclosed embodiments for
securing footwear to one's foot. In general, embodiments and
processes exemplify a foot closure system that maintains adequate
pressure on the foot and/or closure of the shoe housing to securely
hold the foot in the shoe housing member.
[0005] 2. Class of Invention
[0006] The Classes and/or subclasses of the Zipper Lace are as
follows
[0007] Class: 024 Shoes Laces; Subclass 715.4+
[0008] Class: 036 Boots, Shoes, and Leggings.
[0009] 3. Prior Art
[0010] The following Prior Art Patents and/or References were used
to analyze the Patentability of the invention:
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,715--Johnson, Dec. 24, 1974 BOOT
ZIPPER;
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,840--Nardulli, Apr. 24, 1990, Footwear
fastener;
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,053--Rudd, Apr. 20, 1993, Shoe fastening
device;
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,826--Fortune, Jun. 1, 1993, Fastener for
use with shoes;
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,662--Hallenbeck, Jul. 12, 1994, Shoe,
especially an athletic, leisure or rehabilitation shoe having a
central closure;
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,864--Marks, Sep. 24, 1996, Footwear
fastening system and method of using the same;
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,876--Kerrigan, May 31, 2005, Zipped
football boot;
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,626--Issler, Jul. 4, 2006, Lacing
system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Footwear generally employs laces as the closure means in
addition to other items such as zippers, buttons, clasps, ties, or
other similar closing devices.
[0020] For footwear that typically employs laces or ties, opening
and closing the shoe usually involves tying and untying the laces
or ties each time the footwear is worn. This repetition is often
exacerbating should the footwear to be worn is tied or laced too
tightly or too loosely, which often results in untying and retying
the laces or ties to obtain the proper fit. Moreover, tying and
retying a shoe each time it is to be worn can be a lengthy process
depending upon the wear's age, dexterity, shoe type and
purpose.
[0021] What is desired is a footwear closing mechanism that permits
repetitive operation that securely affixes the footwear to the
user's foot. This is desired not only for athletes but for the
elderly who may have difficulty is tying standard laces and for
young children who may not have learned how to tie their shoes.
Also, because laces can easily become untied this facilitates a
serious risk of injury. Therefore an easy and secure footwear
closure mechanism that permits faster ingress and egress of the
footwear over conventional shoelaces and more securely affixes the
shoe to the wearer is desired. A further desire is a closing/lacing
mechanism that can be used with existing shoes that are designed to
use standard laces and have the eyelet configuration.
[0022] The Zipper Lace fulfills the above unmet need. This
invention is envisioned to be used by and have utility for all
consumers, however, athletes, the elderly and children can benefit
specifically from the secure fit created by Zipper Laces. This
invention provides a quick, easy and secure closure mechanism for
athletic shoes that typically require laces. Laces create a hazard
if said laces are not tied properly or become loose while the
athlete is running or performing some physical activity. The
elderly who may have lost dexterity in their hands can more easily
close a zipper using the fastening means or pulley as opposed to
tying standard shoe laces. Further, children often walk around with
untied shoe laces, which the Zipper Lace invention obviates.
[0023] The Zipper Lace meets each objective or requirement noted
above and its innovative design permits ease of operation, security
and utility in existing shoe designs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The Zipper Lace is a new and innovative design that uses
existing zipper technology as shoelaces to provide a secure closure
means or mechanism for athletic footwear as well as all other types
of footwear that are designed to be secured via shoelaces.
[0025] There are several long standing problems with the existing
footwear closure technology that the Zipper Lace obviates. The
Zipper Laces obviates the requirement to tie shoelaces. One simply
zips the zipper to the desired tightness and locks the zipper with
the pulley to secure the shoe to the foot. This eliminates the
problem and hazards of shoelaces becoming untied for athletes,
senior citizen and children. Specific examples of hazards obviated
or solved by the Zipper Lace are kids getting shoelaces stuck in
elevators which has caused serious injuries and by providing
athletes continual ankle and foot support, the Zipper Lace can
improve performance and reduce the likelihood of injuries like
Achilles Tendonitis. Therefore, there is not only a time savings
from the initial task of tying the shoelaces, but subsequent tying
if the laces become loose or untied. The Zipper Lace facilitates
faster ingress and egress into the shoe with a more secure closure
mechanism.
[0026] The Zipper Lace provides a closure mechanism that can be
used with existing footwear designs. The various colors and styles
of the Zipper Lace allow it to be used on a wide variety of
footwear already designed to use laces and eyelets.
[0027] The Zipper Lace provides a closure system that in accordance
with other aspects of the invention may be used to secure other
types of apparel on a body, such as shirts, blouses, pants, coats,
jackets, etc as well as can be used as jewelry and other
purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective front view of a Zipper
Lace according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
showing the Zipper Lace on footwear used as a shoelace;
[0029] FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of the Zipper Lace of FIG.
1A showing the Zipper Lace being in a semi-fastened position;
[0030] FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of the Zipper Lace of FIG.
1A showing the Zipper Lace being in the fastened position. The
fastening means is shown in a tightened position to secure the foot
to the footwear;
[0031] FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a Zipper Lace according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the
zipper being removed from the tap;
[0032] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective front view of the Zipper
Lace of FIG. 2A showing the zipper and the fastening means
exemplified by in the FIG. 2B by the pulley, after the removal from
the tap;
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a Zipper Lace of FIG.
1A showing the Zipper Lace passing through an eyelet;
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a Zipper Lace of FIG.
1A showing the moment on which the pulley is being attached to both
strings of the zipper or ends of the elongated narrow strip;
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of a Zipper Lace of FIG.
1A showing the moment in which the pulley is being slid through
both strips of the zipper or ends of the elongated narrow strip;
and
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed view of a Zipper Lace of FIG.
1A showing the Zipper Lace in the fastening position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carry out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The following is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since it is anticipated that
numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those
skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the
exact construction and operation shown and described, and
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
[0038] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally
provides Zipper laces (zipper shoelaces) comprising a modified
zipper, zipper ends and fastening means exemplified by a pulley
designed to provide the user with a locking means or mechanism to
keep the laced-up footwear in place.
[0039] The most common type of closure system for footwear is a
lacing system. In a standard lacing system, a shoelace is strung
between the two sets of eyelets, one set on each side of a throat
of footwear. Unfortunately, as the footwear is worn, the user is
required to frequently re-tie the shoelaces in order to maintain a
proper fit for the most comfort and hazard prevention.
[0040] FIG. 1A illustrates a Zipper Lace 10 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the Zipper
Lace 10 laced on footwear 20. The Zipper Lace 10 may be threaded
through the eyelets 30 of the footwear 20. The footwear 20 may be
shoes, boots, sandals or any type of footwear.
[0041] FIG. 1B illustrates that the Zipper Lace 10 may include an
elongated narrow strip 40 having a plurality of teeth 50 protruding
from the elongated narrow strip 40. The Zipper Lace 10 may be
various lengths and widths as necessary to pass through eyelets of
various diameters and throats of various lengths having various
numbers of eyelets which support the closure of the shoe throat.
The elongated narrow strip 40 may have a first end 60 and a second
end 70. The elongated narrow strip 40 may be adapted to pass
through eyelets of the footwear 20. The teeth 50 may lock into the
eyelets 30 of the footwear 20, creating a stand-alone locking
mechanism.
[0042] In some embodiments, a fastener means 90 may be added to
join the two connectors 80. The fastener means 90 may provide a
secondary locking mechanism to the Zipper Lace to secure the
footwear 20 without having to tie the shoelace.
[0043] FIG. 1C illustrates that the Zipper Lace in a fastened
position, locked and secured to the foot by the fastening means
100, which exemplifies the variety of fastening means that can be
used to facilitate zipping the Zipper Lace and securing the shoe to
the foot.
[0044] The elongated narrow strip 40 may be made of fabric. The
elongated narrow strip 40 may serve as support for the teeth
50.
[0045] The teeth 50 may be made of a metal or other various
materials as necessary including but not limited to plastic,
ceramic. The number of teeth 50 and the length of the elongated
narrow strip may depend on the size of the footwear 20.
[0046] The user may convert a standard zipper into a Zipper Lace 10
by cutting any loose fabric from the edge of the standard zipper
(FIG. 2A). The end of the zipper tape may them be melted, leaving
only the zipper metal teeth, 50, and the elongated narrow strip 40
keeping the metal teeth together.
[0047] Then, the user may lace the Zipper Lace 10 in the eyelets of
the footwear 20. Lacing the teeth 50 through the eyelets may lock
the teeth 50 in place 30 with no need for a secure tie of the ends
of the elongated narrow strip at the top of the footwear 20.
Optionally, the user may attach the ends together with a fastener
means 90.
[0048] In some embodiments, the Zipper Lace 10 may be used as
jewelry. In some embodiments, the Zipper Lace 10 may be necklaces,
bracelets, cufflinks, earrings, and clips for securing
clothing.
[0049] The forgoing 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, as modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which
is best defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *