Lacing device

Abstract

A lacing device is disclosed for fastening to a flexible piece of material. Further, a method of mounting a lacing device is also disclosed. The lacing device has a lace holding part, an intermediate fastening element and an inner fastening element. The inner fastening element is adapted to make, in the mounted state, permanent engagement with the intermediate fastening element. The lace holding part is detachable.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lacing device comprising at least one lace holding part, an inner fastening element and an intermediate fastening element for fastening to a flexible piece of material, said piece of material being located between said inner fastening element and said intermediate fastening element.

BACKGROUND ART

An example of a traditionally designed device of the type described by way of introduction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,594,416, which describes a button with an internal thread that is screwed on the externally threaded pin of a “link part”. The pin of the “link part” is hollow and also internally threaded, so that the underside of the “link part” can be made to abut against a fabric and be screwed to a plate provided with a pointed, threaded stud and located on the inside of the fabric. In fastening, the pointed stud of the plate is pressed through the fabric, after which the “link part” is threaded onto the stud and the button is in turn threaded onto the “link part”. No hole has to be prepared in the fabric in order to fasten the button. The object of the device is to provide a completely detachable button which, without requiring a prepared hole in the fabric, can be fastened to the same by pressing the stud through the fabric and then screwing on the link part and the button. The device is adapted to resemble a button, traditional for articles of clothing, which is passed through a corresponding button hole.

A button as described above is not intended to be exposed to great outer strain but is mainly a replacement for shirt and coat buttons. If the button should be exposed to great strain, such as jerks, impacts or great tensile stress, there is an eminent risk that the button would come loose from the fabric to which it is fastened.

EP 0 599 025 B1 discloses an example of a fastening device for waterproof shoes, where a lacing part in the form of an eyelet in a preassembly surrounds a formable plug which, when fastening the fastening device to an upper leather of a shoe, is penetrated by a rivet, after which the formable plug expands and seals against the upper leather. In another embodiment, it is shown how the formable plug is instead preassembled with the rivet before the upper leather and the lacing part are assembled. Owing to the elastic workability of the plug, the plug is after riveting exposed to constant prestressing. The seal is established by the formable plug after riveting being the interface to the hole in the upper leather and lying flat on the same. For the fastening device to be waterproof, the hole for the rivet in the formable plug must have an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the rivet.

This prior-art fastening device for waterproof shoes has the drawback that, after fastening to the upper leather, it constitutes a fixed portion of the shoe. For instance, for a sports shoe or casual shoe, which is exposed to great loads in use, a problem arises if the fastening device should break. In particular the outermost part, the lacing part, is exposed to stress from the environment and can break. In that case, it is not possible to exchange the lacing part without tearing the entire fastening device. Nor is it possible to replace the lacing part if it is incorrectly dimensioned.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to suggest a solution to the above problems by providing an improved lacing device. By lacing device is meant a device which is adapted to orient, check or in some other way limit the freedom of movement of a joint. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the device of the type mentioned by way of introduction being given the features that are evident from claim 1. Thus, the invention is based on the features that the lacing device uses a first permanent joint for fastening the actual lacing device to a flexible piece of material, for instance a piece of fabric, and that the lace holding device of the lacing device is not fastened to this permanent joint but is instead releasably and separately connected. Preferred embodiments are evident from the dependent claims. The object is also achieved by a method according to claims 26-28.

The lacing device provided according to the invention is extremely advantageous since it is safely and tightly mounted on the base while at the same time the component which is most exposed to mechanical strain is easily replaceable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which by way of example illustrate two currently preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the lacing device mounted on a shoe;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a mounted first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a mounted second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view, corresponding to FIG. 2, of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate a lacing device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a lace holding part 2, an intermediate fastening element 3 and an inner fastening element 4. The lace holding part 2 in turn comprises an outer fastening element 5 and a lace-catching element in the form of a lace hook 6. The drawings also show a flexible piece of material 7, to which the lacing device 1 is adapted to be attached.

The outer fastening element 5 in the lace holding part 2 is provided with external threads 8 and, for the purpose of being tightened and loosened, also at least one recess 9 for a screw tool. The lace hook 6 in the lace holding part 2 has a hook part 10, a fastening hole 11 for fastening the outer fastening element 5 from the outside, and a depression 12 which is formed to enclose and position to the hook part 10 of the lace hook 6. Positioning can take place by means of supplementary non-round or regularly polygonal shapes of the depression 12 of the lace holding part 2 and the intermediate element 3, respectively. In the mounted state, the hook part 10 of the lace hook 6 is laterally offset relative to the centre axis A of the lacing device 1 through the flexible piece of material 7.

The intermediate fastening element 3 has in turn an outer shape which is adapted to fit the depression 12 of the lace hook 6 and is also provided with internal threads 13 in order to fit together, in a lockable manner, with the outer fastening element 5 in the lace holding part 2. An alternative embodiment means that the lace holding part or the outer fastening element is fitted to the intermediate fastening element by snap action, in which case no threads are required. The underside of the intermediate fastening element 3 has an opening 14 with a surrounding shoulder 15 which when assembled with the flexible piece of material 7 is pressed into the same and fits tightly round the inner fastening element 4. This shoulder 15 ensures tightness in the attachment of the lacing device 1 to the flexible piece of material 7. Moreover, the intermediate fastening element 3 is arranged to form, in the mounted state in connection with the making of the permanent engagement between the intermediate fastening element 3 and the inner fastening element 4, a space 16 for holding deformation material of a deformed portion 17 formed by the upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4.

The inner fastening element 5 has a top face 19 and is made of a plastically deformable material in its upper part 18.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 4, the outer fastening element 5 is provided with a conical point 20 for the purpose of forming the deformed portion 17 of the upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 in the material holding space 16. In this embodiment, the inner fastening element 4 is open in its upper part 18 and thus has a limited, small top face 19.

The embodiment according to FIG. 5 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 only by the head of the inner fastening element 4a being enlarged in the lateral direction and provided with supplementary fastening rivets for its attachment to the piece of material 7.

Mounting of the lacing device 1 takes place in several steps. First, the upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 is inserted into a prepared hole in the flexible piece of material 7. Then the intermediate fastening element 3 is slipped onto the upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 with the flexible piece of material 7 located between these elements in such a manner that the upper part 18 is surrounded by the intermediate fastening element 3. The upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 can be deformed to a deformed portion 17 in the material holding space 16 by means of a striking tool which is inserted into the intermediate fastening element 3. Since the diameter of the deformed portion 17 is greater than the diameter of the opening 14 of the intermediate fastening element 3, the intermediate fastening element 3 and the inner fastening element 4 are now permanently engaged with each other.

For final assembly of the lacing device 1, the lace hook 6 is slipped onto the intermediate fastening element 3 in such a manner that the intermediate fastening element 3 is covered by the depression 12 of the lace hook 6, and the hook part 10 of the lace hook 6 is oriented as required. Finally, the outer fastening element 5 is inserted into the fastening hole 11 of the lace hook 6 and fastened in the internal threads 13 of the intermediate fastening element 3. The lace holding part 2 which is formed by the lace hook 6 and the outer fastening element 5 now abuts against the flexible piece of material 7 and surrounds and covers like a cap the major part of the intermediate fastening element 3.

It is also possible to mount the lacing device 1 by first mounting the lace holding part 2 and the intermediate fastening element 3 and subsequently placing the flexible piece of material 7 over the opening 14 of the intermediate fastening element 3 and applying a support against the lace holding part 2 on the other side of the lacing device. With the lace holding part 2 mounted in this way, it constitutes an abutment when making the permanent engagement between the intermediate fastening element 3 and the inner fastening element 4. The upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 is now applied against the flexible piece of material 7 in the position where the opening 14 of the intermediate fastening element 3 is located. By striking against the inner fastening element from below towards the intermediate fastening element 3, the upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 can now penetrate the flexible piece of material 7 and, when hitting the outer fastening element 5, form a deformed portion 17 in the material holding space 16.

An alternative way of mounting the lacing device 1 corresponds to the above-mentioned alternative embodiment according to FIG. 4. In this way, the intermediate fastening element 3 is inserted into the depression 12 of the lace hook 6, after which the outer fastening element 5 is inserted into the fastening hole 11 of the lace hook 6 and fastened in the internal threads 13 of the intermediate fastening element 3. Subsequently, the flexible piece of material 7 is placed over the opening 14 of the intermediate fastening element 3, and a support is applied against the lace holding part 2 on the other side of the lacing device. With the lace holding part 2 mounted in this way, it constitutes an abutment when making the permanent engagement between the intermediate fastening element 3 and the inner fastening element 4. The upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 is now applied against the flexible piece of material 7 in the position where the opening 14 of the intermediate fastening element 3 is located. By striking against the inner fastening element from below towards the intermediate fastening direction 3, the upper part 18 of the inner fastening element 4 can now penetrate the flexible piece of material 7 and, when hitting with the conical point 20 of the inner fastening element 5, form a deformed portion 17 in the material holding space 16. The permanent engagement between the intermediate fastening element 3 and the inner fastening element 4 can also be made by conventional riveting, gluing or by using snap action.

It will be appreciated that many modifications of the above-described embodiment of the invention are conceivable within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. The term lacing device also relates to a fastening device other than the device illustrated in the drawings for conventional shoe or boot laces which may be replaced by bands, straps, plastic joints, metal joints or the like.

The invention can also be applied in connection with joints of a type other than for shoes, such as pieces of clothing or flexible sheet material that is to be tied or secured.

In the case where the inner fastening element is provided with supplementary fastening rivets, the number of such rivets may vary according to the requirements as to strength and safety in positioning.

Claims

1. A lacing device comprising at least one lace holding part, an intermediate fastening element and an inner fastening element, for fastening to a flexible piece of material, said piece of material being located between said intermediate fastening element and said inner fastening element, the inner fastening element being arranged, in the mounted state, to make permanent engagement with the intermediate fastening element, and the lace holding part being detachable from the intermediate fastening element.

2. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the mounted state, said piece of material is held by clamping action between said intermediate fastening element and said inner fastening element.

3. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intermediate element is arranged to position, in the mounted state, said lace holding part by mutually engaging surface portions.

4. A lacing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the positioning occurs by way of supplementary non-round shapes of said intermediate element and a depression in said lace holding part.

5. A lacing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the positioning occurs by way of supplementary regularly polygonal shapes of said intermediate element and a depression in said lace holding parts.

6. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lace holding part is arranged to enclose, in the mounted state, the major part of said intermediate fastening element.

7. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lace holding part covers like a cap the major part of said intermediate fastening element.

8. A lacing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said lace holding part abuts against said flexible piece of material.

9. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lace holding part is arranged to be, in the mounted state, an abutment when making said permanent engagement between said intermediate fastening element and said inner fastening element.

10. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intermediate fastening element is arranged to form, in the mounted state, a material-holding space in connection with the making of the permanent engagement between said intermediate fastening element and said inner fastening element.

11. A lacing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said material-holding space adjoins said lace holding part and said inner fastening element.

12. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner fastening element at least partly is made of a plastically deformable material.

13. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner fastening element is arranged to make, in the mounted state, permanent engagement with the intermediate fastening element by deformation of the inner fastening element.

14. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner fastening element is arranged to make, in the mounted state, permanent engagement with the intermediate fastening element by riveting.

15. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner fastening element is arranged to make, in the mounted state, permanent engagement with the intermediate fastening element by gluing.

16. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner fastening element is arranged to make, in the mounted state, permanent engagement with the intermediate fastening element by snap action.

17. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lace holding part is arranged to make, in the mounted state, releasable engagement with the intermediate fastening element by threading.

18. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lace holding part is arranged to make, in the mounted state, releasable engagement with the intermediate fastening element by snap action.

19. A lacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lace holding part comprises an outer fastening element and a lace catching element.

20. A lacing device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the outer fastening element is arranged to make, in the mounted state, releasable engagement with the intermediate fastening element.

21. A lacing device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the outer fastening element is arranged to make, in the mounted state, releasable engagement with the intermediate fastening element by threading.

22. A lacing device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the outer fastening element is arranged to make, in the mounted state, releasable engagement with the intermediate fastening element by snap action.

23. A lacing device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said lace catching element in the mounted state is laterally offset relative the centre axis of the lacing device through the flexible piece of material.

24. A lacing device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said lace catching element is a lace hook.

25. A lacing device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said lace catching element is a lace eyelet.

26. A method of mounting a lacing device, comprising:

arranging a flexible piece of material between an inner fastening element and an intermediate fastening element;

permanently fastening the intermediate fastening element to the inner fastening element; and

releasably fastening a lace holding part to the intermediate fastening element.

27. A method of mounting a lacing device as claimed in claim 26, further comprising:

permanently fastening, by riveting, the intermediate fastening element to the inner fastening element.

28. A method of mounting a lacing device as claimed in claim 26, further comprising:

using a lace holding part as abutment in the permanent attachment of the intermediate fastening element to the inner fastening element.

29. A lacing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said intermediate element is arranged to position, in the mounted state, said lace holding part by mutually engaging surface portions.

30. A method of mounting a lacing device as claimed in claim 27, further comprising: using a lace holding part as abutment in the permanent attachment of the intermediate fastening element to the inner fastening element.