U.S. patent application number 14/696429 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-13 for shoe lace apparatus and locking mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Edward Arthur Cox. Invention is credited to Edward Arthur Cox.
Application Number | 20150223569 14/696429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53773817 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150223569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cox; Edward Arthur |
August 13, 2015 |
Shoe Lace Apparatus and Locking Mechanism
Abstract
Shoe Laces and locking apparatus for locking a lace section a
desired location with a knot in the lace, the apparatus including a
restorably deflectable opening for holding a lace section or
portion at a desired location.
Inventors: |
Cox; Edward Arthur; (San
Marcos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cox; Edward Arthur |
San Marcos |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53773817 |
Appl. No.: |
14/696429 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13469082 |
May 10, 2012 |
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14696429 |
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61484223 |
May 10, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/712.4 ;
24/712.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/3724 20150115;
A43C 7/00 20130101; Y10T 24/3713 20150115; Y10T 24/3718 20150115;
Y10T 24/3711 20150115 |
International
Class: |
A43C 7/00 20060101
A43C007/00; A43C 9/04 20060101 A43C009/04; A43C 1/02 20060101
A43C001/02 |
Claims
1. A lace system locking apparatus for a lace having a first end
and a second end with a longitudinal length between the ends and a
substantially uniform width along its length, the apparatus
including: a substantially planar front surface; a substantially
planar rear surface; and a first restorably deflectable tab between
the front surface and rear surface formed by a first slit extending
between the front surface and the rear surface along a portion of
the planar surfaces wherein the first slit and the first tab are
sized to enable a first or second end of the lace and a desired
portion of the lace longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a
first direction while limiting or preventing the passage of the
lace portion in an opposite direction.
2. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
apparatus is comprised of a restorably flexible material.
3. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
apparatus has a substantially disc-like configuration.
4. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first
deflectable tab includes a plurality of teeth along its edge.
5. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
apparatus is a monolith.
6. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein apparatus
consists of BoPET.
7. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 1, further including a
second restorably deflectable tab between the front surface and
rear surface formed by a second slit extending between the front
surface and the rear surface along a portion of the planar
surfaces, the second slit and the second tab sized to enable a
first or second end of the lace and a desired portion of the lace
longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a first direction while
limiting or preventing the passage of the lace portion in an
opposite direction.
8. A lace system locking system, including: a lace including a
first end, a second end, and a longitudinal length between the ends
with a substantially uniform width along its length; and a lace
locking apparatus, the apparatus including: a substantially planar
front surface; a substantially planar rear surface; and a first
restorably deflectable tab between the front surface and rear
surface formed by a first slit extending between the front surface
and the rear surface along a portion of the planar surfaces wherein
the first slit and the first tab are sized to enable a first or
second end of the lace and a desired portion of the lace
longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a first direction while
limiting or preventing the passage of the lace portion in an
opposite direction.
9. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the lace
locking apparatus is comprised of a restorably flexible
material.
10. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the lace
locking apparatus has a substantially disc-like configuration.
11. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the first
deflectable tab includes a plurality of teeth along its edge.
12. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein the lace
locking apparatus is a monolith.
13. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, wherein lace locking
apparatus consists of BoPET.
14. The shoe lace locking system of claim 8, the lace locking
apparatus further including a second restorably deflectable tab
between the front surface and rear surface formed by a second slit
extending between the front surface and the rear surface along a
portion of the planar surfaces, the second slit and the second tab
sized to enable a first or second end of the lace and a desired
portion of the lace longitudinal length to pass therethrough in a
first direction while limiting or preventing the passage of the
lace portion in an opposite direction.
15. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 8, the lace including
one or more elastic sections along its longitudinal length.
16. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 4, the lace including
an aglet at a first end and a t-shaped bar at a second end.
17. The shoe lace locking apparatus of claim 8, the lace elastic
along the majority of its longitudinal length.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to application Ser.
No. 61/484,223, Attorney Docket CE001US, entitled "Shoe Lace
Apparatus and Locking Mechanism", and filed on May 10, 2011 and
co-pending application Ser. No. 13/469,082, Attorney Docket
CE001US1, entitled "Shoe Lace Apparatus and Locking Mechanism", and
filed on May 10, 2012, which are both incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to shoe lacings and in
particular systems and apparatus for locking the laces.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] It may be desirable to lock shoe laces, the present
invention provides apparatus for locking laces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The features, objects, and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the detailed description
set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in
which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout
and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace
locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 1B is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace
locking apparatus partially deflected in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a simplified diagram of an elastic lace system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2B is a simplified diagram of another elastic lace
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a simplified diagram of a lace being inserted
into a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a simplified diagram of a lace locked into a lace
locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3C is a simplified diagram of a lace stretched for
movement in the lace locking apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified partial isometric diagram of
lace locking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a shoe in which the
present invention may be employed;
[0016] FIG. 6A is a simplified partial diagram of a lace in a shoe
locked into a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6B is a simplified partial diagram of a lace locked
into a lace locking apparatus, the lace locking apparatus embedded
in a shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 6C is another simplified partial diagram of a lace in a
shoe locked into a lace locking apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of lace
locking apparatus with inserted lace in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7B is a simplified partial diagram of lace locking
apparatus opening with inserted lace in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of lace
locking apparatus with inserted lace in an open or released mode in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8B is a simplified partial isometric diagram of lace
locking apparatus with inserted lace in a closed or locked mode in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace
locking apparatus with deflectable tabs in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 9B is a simplified rear diagram of the lace locking
apparatus shown in FIG. 9A with deflectable tabs in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 9C is a simplified rear diagram of another lace locking
apparatus with deflectable tabs in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram of an elastic lace
architecture including a lace system fixably coupled to the lace
locking apparatus shown in FIG. 9A in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Throughout this description, embodiments and variations are
described for the purpose of illustrating uses and implementations
of the invention. The illustrative description should be understood
as presenting examples of the invention, rather than as limiting
the scope of the invention.
[0028] In a product having one or more adjustable laces it may be
desirable to be able to releasably lock the position of one or more
ends or sections of the lace without using a knot or knots in the
lace. In shoes, a lace may be threaded through several eyelets and
then adjusted to a desired tension for a wearer. To maintain the
desired or selection tension, one or more sections of the lace may
be desirable fixed in position relative to an eyelet. Further, the
lace may desirably include one or more elastic sections where the
lace length may be restorably expanded. A lace with one or more
elastic sections may enable the product incorporating the lace to
be employed without locking or unlocked one or more lace sections
relative to the product. For example, a user may be able to remove
a shoe or put on a shoe without releasing a section of the lace
while having a desired tension formed by the lace (between one or
more threaded eyelets in an embodiment).
[0029] FIG. 1A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of a lace
locking apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention and FIG. 1B is a simplified partial isometric
diagram of the lace locking apparatus 10 partially deflected in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The locking
apparatus 10 may be any shape having a diameter or area greater
than the eyelets 54 of shoe 50 (FIG. 5) where the locking apparatus
10, 40A-40H, may be employed (FIG. 6A) or embedded in a product 50
including an adjustable length lace (a shoe 50 shoulder 52 in an
embodiment FIG. 5). The locking apparatus 10 may include a slit 14
coupled to an opening 12. The opening may be any shape including
circular where the opening area 12 is larger than the width of a
lace 22A in a stretched or elongated shape (small diameter 22C)
(FIG. 3C) and small enough to securely engage one or more laces
22A, lace ends, or a loop of a lace 22A in a restored shape (larger
diameter 22B shown in FIG. 3B). The locking apparatus may be
comprised of any flexible or semi-flexible material including
synthetic and natural polymers, metals, or alloys. The polymers may
include polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and
Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) a polyester
film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and
other restorably deformable materials. The opening 12 may include
barbs or teeth 13D of opening 12D of FIGS. 7A to 8B to further hold
laces 22A securely. In an embodiment a lace material 22A may
include elastic and inelastic components and may have various
modulus of elasticity.
[0030] FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified diagrams of lace systems 20A,
20B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
lace systems 20A, 20B may include a lace 22A, 22B and aglets or
bars 24A, 24B, 26A, and 26B. The lace 22A, 22B material may include
elastic and inelastic components and may have various modulus of
elasticity. The lace systems 20A, 20B shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B may
include perpendicular aglets 24B, 26B or bars 24A, 26A on one or
more ends of a lace 22A, 22B. The aglets 24B, 26B or bars 24A, 26A
may be sized to be smaller than the diameter of a shoe 50 eyelets
54 in an embodiment. An aglets 24B, 26B or bars 24A, 26A may be
comprised of inflexible, flexible or semi-flexible material
including plastic, metals, or alloys. As shown in FIG. 2B, the lace
system 20B may include parallel aglets 24B, 26B on one or more
ends.
[0031] FIG. 3A is a simplified diagram of a lace insertion process
for inserting a lace 20B into a lace locking apparatus 10 in
accordance with an embodiment 30 of the present invention. As shown
in FIGS. 3B and 3C, a lace 22A may be stretched or elongated to
extend a desired length into or through the opening 12 and then
released to expand and lock into the opening 12. FIG. 3B is a
simplified diagram of a lace 22A locked into a lace locking
apparatus 10 opening 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 3C is a simplified diagram of a lace 22A
stretched or elongated for movement in the lace locking apparatus
10 opening 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention as discussed above. FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified
partial isometric diagrams of a lace locking apparatus 40A, 40B in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] The locking apparatus 40A may have multiple openings 12A,
12B for multiple laces sections 22A, 22B or lace ends. The locking
apparatus 40B may have multiple openings 12A, 12B, 12C for multiple
lace sections or ends. It is noted in an embodiment that the
locking apparatus 10, 40A, 40B, 40D may optionally include
restorably deflectable slits 14 (FIG. 1A), 14D (FIG. 7A). The slit
14, 14D may enable one or more ends or sections of a lace 22A, 22B
to be passed into an apparatus 10, 30, 40A, 40B, 40D opening 12,
12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. The slit 14D may also include teeth 15D where
the teeth may engage edges of a lace 22A, 22B when inserted in an
opening 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and aid retention of the lace
sections within the locking apparatus 10, 40A, 40B, 40D.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a shoe 50 in which the
present invention may be employed. The shoe 50 may include a toe
58, shoulders 52, tongue 56, vamp 57, and a plurality of eyelets
54. The shoe 50 may be any type of shoe including dress and
athletic that includes two or more eyelets. FIG. 6A is a simplified
partial diagram of a lace 20B passed a shoe 50 eyelet 54 and locked
into a lace locking apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment
60A of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6A the locking
apparatus 10 may be located inside the shoe 50 and adjacent to an
eyelet 54. FIG. 6B is a simplified partial diagram of a lace 20B
locked into an embedded lace locking apparatus 10. The apparatus 10
may be embedded in a shoe 50 shoulder 52 adjacent an eyelet in
accordance with an embodiment 60B of the present invention. The
shoulder 52 material may be flexible enough to enable the locking
apparatus 10 to be flexed so one or more laces 20B may be inserted
into an opening 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E of the apparatus 10,
40A, 40B, 40D, 40E (FIGS. 8A-8B).
[0034] FIGS. 8A-8B are simplified partial isometric diagram of lace
locking apparatus 40E with inserted lace in an open or released
mode (FIG. 8A) or a locked or closed mode or configuration (FIG.
8B) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIGS. 8A-8B the apparatus 40E may include an opening 12E
with one or more retractable teeth 13E. In the apparatus 40E a
teeth release mechanism 18E may be restorably depressed as shown in
FIG. 8A to cause one or more teeth 13E of the opening 12E to
retract. The teeth 13E may retract to create an opening large
enough for an aglet 24B, 26B or bar 24A, 26A. Upon release of the
teeth release mechanism 18E, the teeth 13E may collapse towards the
apparatus 40E center. A spring mechanism (not shown) may provide a
restoring force to the retractable teeth 13E. As shown in FIGS. 7A,
8A, and 8B the apparatus 40D, 40E may also a recess 16D, 16E sized
to receive and compressably hold an an aglet 24B, 26B or bar 24A,
26A therein. The recess 16D, 16E may enable a user to increase a
lace an aglet 24B, 26B or bar 24A, 26A therein to prevent an aglet
24B, 26B or bar 24A, 26A from resting against a user's foot or
ankle. It is further noted that the teeth 13D, 13E of the openings
12D, 12E may be angled so that enable a lace to extend or pass in a
first direction but engage or limit the movement of the lace in
second opposite direction.
[0035] FIG. 9A is a simplified partial isometric diagram of another
lace locking apparatus 40G with deflectable tabs 12F, 12G in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is
a simplified rear diagram of the lace locking apparatus 40G shown
in FIG. 9A with deflectable tabs 12F, 12G in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B,
the lace locking apparatus 40G may include a substantially planar
front or first surface 15A and a substantially planar rear or
second surface 15B separated by a substantially uniform thickness
or edge 15C. As also shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lace section
locking apparatus 40G may include one or more restorably
deflectable tabs 12F, 12G formed from arc shaped slits 13F, 13G
extending between the front and rear surfaces 15A, 15C in the
apparatus 40G. The tabs 12F, 12G may be have various shapes
including arcuate, polygonal, and other. As shown in FIG. 9C, an
apparatus 40H may include tabs 12H, 12I including one or teeth 15D
formed by slits 13H, 13I extending between the front and rear
sections 15A, 15B of the apparatus 40H.
[0036] Similar to apparatus 40A-40F, the apparatus 40G front and
rear planar surfaces 15A, 15B may form various shapes (at their
envelope or edge 15C) including a polygon, circular, or
semi-circular. As noted, the separation between the front surface
15A and rear surface 15B may be substantially uniform and form the
edge 15C. In an embodiment, the apparatus 40G may be disc-like in
shape. FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram of an elastic lace
architecture 70 including a lace system 20C fixably coupled to the
lace locking apparatus 15A shown in FIG. 9A in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6C is a simplified
partial diagram of the lace architecture 70 employed in a shoe 50
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, the lace system 20C may include a lace
section 22B with an aglet 24B at one end and a t-shaped bar 26A at
an opposite end of its longitudinal length. As shown in FIGS. 10
and 6C, in a method of an embodiment a first end 24B of a lace
system 20C may be inserted through a first deflectable tab 12F from
a first side 15A or 15B to a second side 15B or 15A. A desired
segment of the lace 22B may be pulled through the slit 13F. The
lace 22B thickness and apparatus tab 12F material thickness may
prevent the lace segment 22B from being in an opposite direction
without further deflecting the tab 12F to enlarge opening formed by
the tab 12F and slit 13F. Then the first end 24B of a lace system
20C may be inserted through a second deflectable tab 12G from a
second side 15B or 15A to a first side 15A or 15B (opposite the
direction of lace end through the first tab 12F). A desired segment
of the lace 22B may also be pulled through the slit 13G.
[0038] The combination of the slits 13F, 13G and tabs 12F, 12G may
securely hold the lace system 20C at a desired position of the lace
body or segment 22B. This segment may be the length that securely
holds or may hold a user's foot in a shoe 50. As shown in FIG. 6C.
The end section 24B and a portion of the lace body 22B may be cut
at location 22C to reduce the presence of extra material in shoe 50
segment 52 and customize the lace system 20C for a particular
application, user, or shoe 50.
[0039] In an embodiment an apparatus 10, 30, 40A-40H may have about
a 0.5 to 1.5 inch diameter and about 0.1 to 0.5 inch thickness
(from front to back side). An opening 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E
may be any shape and may have an envelope from about 0.1 to 0.4
inches in diameter. In an embodiment, the apparatus 10, 30, 40A-40H
may be formed primarily of PET or BoPET. While this invention has
been described in terms of a best mode for achieving the objectives
of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that variations may be accomplished in view of these teachings
without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *