Mountable securing mechanism for lace type footgear and method of using thereof

Abstract

A mountable securing device temporarily affixed to existing lace type footgear providing an alternative easy and secure means for engagement and disengagement.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/447,983, filed Feb. 18, 2003, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a mountable securing mechanism, which can be engaged onto various lace types of footgear with temporary affixed fastening members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] All footgear, especially lace-type footgear, requires a firm tight fit to function properly, this is particularly true in sports-related footwear where the gear has a tendency to loosen or become ill-fitted, resulting in a participant's foot sliding around within the given shoe or boot. This can cause a variety of medical problems ranging from minor surface sores or calluses to severe ligament strains and even bone deformities such as shin-splints. Further, when an attachment is made to the shoe or boot—e.g., skis, blades, or wheels—any movement of the foot within the shoe or boot results in a loss of force transfer between the foot and the attachment resulting in a reduction in mobility and control.

[0004] This issue raises greater problems in children. Children typically either do not possess the requisite dexterity and ability to lace up footwear or are unwilling to take the necessary time to properly lace and secure the footwear, which in turn results in improperly laced or tightened footwear, causing an increased chance of loosening of foot and more importantly injury.

[0005] Over the years many different strategies have been employed to eliminate the need for lace type footgear and provide foot apparel that can be easily and securely engaged. Such examples include buckle type mechanisms, and Velcro® closures to name a few. The problem however is that new footgear must be purchased to ensure a secure and easily engageable closure, causing the consumer to purchase yet another pair of footgear, resulting in an expensive alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for a securing or engaging mechanism that can be appropriately fastened to an existing lace footgear, while allowing for easy engagement and disengagement, particularly for individuals with limited dexterity. As such, the objective of the present invention is to produce a means for securing, using an alternative temporarily mountable device, which makes it possible for lace type foot apparel or gear to be converted to foot apparel which allows for easier engagement and disengagement. Therefore, a major feature of the securing mechanism, according to the invention is a means for temporarily mounting onto a variety of different types of foot apparel to facilitate an alternative fastening engagement and disengagement. The present invention is based on known securing devices, however offers a novel means of using these devices and moreover, allows for a temporary secure alternative fastening means to already existing footwear, which in turn is cost effective to the consumer.

[0007] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide such a mountable securing device for engagement and disengagement using the existing lace holes of a boot or shoe facilitating an appropriately tight and secure assembly of the gear onto the foot, which allows an individual having limited hand strength and dexterity to quickly and easily engage and disengage from a lace type footgear without having to physically lace the gear.

[0008] The mountable securing device of the present invention includes multiple alternative fastening means which are fashioned to be securely and temporarily affixed onto the preexisting laced holes on a lace type boot or shoe. The discussion of the present invention focuses on at least three different securing embodiment, which allow for a secure temporary attachment facilitating an alternative and easier means for engagement and disengagement of an existing lace type footgear. It should be understood however that the present invention is not limited to only these securing devices discussed, but instead allows for any type of securing engagement, which can benefit from this type of temporary mounting.

[0009] Moreover, although this discussion focuses on use of the present invention with a lace type boot or shoe, any similar lace type foot apparel that requires a secure, tight fit may benefit through the present invention. Also, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is discussed in terms of lace holes which exist on lace foot apparel; however, it should be understood that the temporarily mountable securing device discussed in the present invention, is not intended to be limited to use with only lace holes, but instead can be temporarily mounted onto any type of footwear or other object which can benefit from the use of a secure and easy engaging and disengagement mechanism so long as the fastening means can be properly and securely affixed.

[0010] The invention may be utilized in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, placement on downhill ski-boots, roller-skates, in-line skates, ice-skates, athletics footgear and any other kind of lace type footgear.

[0011] It is to be understood that other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent by the following description of the drawings according to the present invention. While a preferred embodiment is disclosed, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the general principles set forth herein are considered merely illustrative of the scope of the present invention and it is to be further understood that numerous changes may be made without straying from the scope of the present invention. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross section of the footgear with the mountable securing mechanism.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mountable buckle device when used on a lace-type boot.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mountable buckle device in a partially opened position.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mountable buckle device in fully closed position.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mountable engagement device similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mountable engagement device similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross section of the footgear outlining an alternative securing mechanism.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mountable engagement device similar to FIGS. 2 and 6 and illustrating yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention,” relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0022] In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

[0023] Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, which illustrates a cross section of the footgear outlining the mountable securing device 2 in connection with the footgear 4. In particular, the drawing shows a buckle type securing mechanism 2, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in connection with two opposing portions of a footwear surface, having a plurality of openings, defined here as the lace openings 8 and 10. Whereby said surfaces have a front 4a and back side 4b. Although the present invention focuses particularly on the lace openings 8 and 10 as the specific surface of connection to the particular securing device, a surface of any type on the foot apparel or gear 4, which enables securement of the securing device 2 onto the footgear 4 can be used.

[0024] The key element of the securing mechanism 2 is best show in FIG. 1. Specifically, the securing mechanism 2 becomes affixed onto an existing footgear 4, by engaging temporarily as well as securely onto the opposing lace openings of the footgear 8 and 10, through the use of a fastening assembly 6. The buckle securing device 2, encompasses a base plate 12 having a relatively long and rectangular bowed or rounded shape conforming to the shape of the apparel 4 to allow the base plate 12 and footgear 4 to abut. The base plate assembly 12 has complementary openings to that of the lace opening 8 and 10 to further facilitate engagement through the use of fastening assembly 6, further defined by a housing member 6a adapted to fit complementary to the back surface 4b of said footwear surface 4, and a engaging device 6b adapted to fit complementary to the front surface 4a of said footwear surface 4. Many various fastening means 6 can be applied to the present invention such as for example: rivets, pins, screws, hooks or any other suitable method can be utilized for affixing the buckle mechanism and can include adhesion, plastic rivet, stitching and the like. One fastening means 6 embodiment is particularly illustrated in FIG. 1 and depicts a nut and screw combination whereby said nut 30 is inserted though the back portion of said lace openings 8 and 10 providing for the receiving screw, rivet or pin 34. The fastening means 6, and in particular the nut and screw combination of the first embodiment enables the resulting in a firm and secure mounting of a base plate assembly 12 on the buckle securing device 34. The base plate 12 further includes a toothed strap 14 having saw type teeth, and a spring loaded pawl 16 mounted between the base plate 12 and held in position with a round pin 13. The pawl 16 works in cooperation with the toothed strap 14 and facilitates the adjustment, increasing or decreasing the span between the opposing lace holes 8 and 10 of the footgear 4, which positively engages the toothed strap 14 to the base plate 12.

[0025] Once securely affixed onto the footgear, the buckle type securing device 2 easily engages and disengages by a pivotable motion. The pivotable motion is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, which shows with arrows, the direction of movement resulting in the tightening or loosening between lace openings 8 and 10. Specifically, the engagement and disengagement of the buckle type securing device is enabled by the rotational movement and the relationship between the pawl 16, the tension spring 17 and toothed strap 14, all working in cooperation. The consistent pressure of the pawl 16 to the toothed strap 14 will maintain the base plate 12 in a desired, fixed and secure position. The hinged, toothed tensioning lever 18 is connected between the base plate and pivots around the lever pin 19. The tensioning lever 18 receives the cable loop 20 in one of the hook shaped teeth. With a forward pressing motion down on the tensioning lever 18 the final clamping is complete and the securing mechanism is fully engaged and locked as shown in FIG. 4.

[0026] The second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As in the previous embodiment the securing device is affixed to the footgear through the use of the fastening means 6, which in cooperation with the securing device and footgear provide a secure and temporarily mountable alternative engaging and disengaging device. In this particular embodiment, the securing device 2 is a strap-type engagement which includes one continuous strap 24 having a means of engagement on its outer surface 26 and inner surface 26a which join each other to facilitate securement of the strap 24 when overlapped. The engaging surfaces of the strap 26 and 26a may consist of a variety of materials which when joined together provide a secure engagement, such as for example Velcor® or adhesive. The fastening means 6 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a typical nut and screw combination however as stated previously a variety of different fasteners can be utilized so long as they facilitate secure engagement such as for example: rivets, pins, screws, hooks or any other suitable method can be utilized for affixing the buckle mechanism and can include adhesion, plastic rivet, stitching and the like. Particularly, as shown in FIG. 5 the means for fastening 6 includes a nut 30 is inserted though the back portion of said lace openings 8 and 10 providing for the receiving screw, rivet or pin 34. The fastening means 6, and in particular the nut and screw combination of the second embodiment enables the resulting in a firm and secure mounting of the strap type securing device to the footgear 4.

[0027] The engagement of the securing mechanism is realized by bringing the strap 24 through the receiving loop 28, firmly pulling the strap 24 which will bring forth tensioning between lace openings 8 & 10. Engaging the surfaces of 26 & 26a by joining them together, will maintain the tension between lace openings 8 & 10 and result in a secure condition.

[0028] The third embodiment of the present invention is best illustrated in FIGS. 7 & 8. In this particular embodiment, the securing mechanism 2 consists of two primary components affixed to the footgear 4. A hook 32 is attached to the top part of the footgear 4 utilizing the existing lace holes on the surface of the footgear 4. A screw, rivet or pin 34 is inserted through the bottom of the lace openings 8 & 10 firmly securing the hook 32 to the footgear. The hooks 32 could be used in place of all or part of the existing lace holes. A standard shoelace is used to tighten together the opposing ends of the footgear 4.

Claims

1. A mountable securing device for fastening footwear, comprising:

(a) at least two opposing surfaces on said footwear, whereby each surface having a plurality of openings, said openings having a front and back surface;

(b) a pair of fastening assemblies having a housing member and a engaging device;

(c) a base having at least two complementary openings to said footwear surface openings;

(d) said base having a securing means;

(e) said housing member adapted to complementary fit to the back of said footwear surface opening; and

(f) said engaging device adapted to complementary fit to said front surface of said footwear surface opening;

(g) whereby when said housing member engages said engaging device said securing means of said base is enabled fastening said footwear.

1. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said engaging device of said fastening assembly is a receiving screw.

2. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said footwear further comprising lace-type footwear.

3. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said fastening assembly is selected from a group consisting of a nut, rivet, pin, screw and hook.

4. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said securing means of said base is one continuous surface adapted for engagement.

5. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said securing means of said base having at least two surfaces adapted for engagement.

6. A mountable securing device of claim 5, whereby said continuous surface overlaps securing engagement.

7. A mountable securing device of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises a locking member pivotally connected between said footwear surfaces.