Lacing System for Shoes and Shoe Manufactured with Said Lacing System
A lacing system for footwear (1) is disclosed, comprising one or more shoelaces (2, 3; 16). Each edge of the upper (12) carries two gripping points, one (7(2), 7(3); 17) fastened to said edge of the upper and apt to obtain the opening of the shoe (1) and one (6(2), 6(3)) fastened to the opposite edge of said upper (12) and apt to obtain the closing of the footwear (1).
The present invention relates to a lacing system for shoes and a shoe manufactured with said lacing system.
The most widespread system which guarantees footwear tightness onto the foot employs shoe laces which, passing—usually forming a crossing through a number of eyelets (holes) practised in the edges of the upper, allow, if loosened, to slip the shoes off one's feet and, if tightened, to tighten the shoe, allowing walking under safe and comfortable conditions and without losing the shoe. Hence, making a knot, the shoe laces are locked in the desired tension state. Commonly shoe laces are made of a thin leather lace or of a stretchable or non-stretchable textile-fibre tape, ending with a plastic or metal reinforced area called “aglet” which serves to prevent fraying and to ease the introduction of the shoe lace into the eyelets. The most common shoe lace path is called “crossed” where both ends of a shoe lace pass from one eyelet to the opposite upper one. The knots by which shoe laces can be locked are varisous; among the most practised ones the classic (bow) knot or the double knot. Finally, it is highlighted that, in order to loosen lacing it is necessary to undo the knot and to pull the edges towards the shoe outside, into an opposite direction one with respect to the other. The traditional lacing with laces with knot exhibits apparent critical points: mainly the labour-intensiveness, the little practicality in performing the knot (which is difficult not only for children and elderly people) during the lacing operations, which operations, furthermore very different from those necessary for loosening the shoe; another critical point is the short durability (ease and resulting frequency of knot loosening, even when that is not desirable), with the risks related to any damages for whoever, walking, treads on the lace and falls.
Currently, other lacing systems are common on the market which have not solved the drawbacks listed above. Among these, the system which provides an assembly of distinct segments of elastic lace which are stretched between the two opposite eyelets for guaranteeing the necessary tension to constrain the foot to the shoe (ULACE™). It is highlighted that such system, by removing the classic knot, removes the drawbacks related thereto; however, by acting exclusively through the elasticity of the lace segments, it is not capable of accomplishing a stable tightening of the shoe to the foot; as a matter of fact, the shoe may be taken off and slipped on without acting on the lacing. Moreover, a lacing system is present on the market which provides to lock the end of the strings in the inner part of each shoe edge in correspondence of the last eyelet, with a pair of plastic plates (LACE ANCHORS™) where the lace is made to go through until locking it; such system, removing the classic knot, removes the drawbacks related thereto, however, it does not allow to accomplish a stable tightening of the shoe to the foot; as a matter of fact, in this case, too, the shoe may be taken off and put on, without acting on the lacing. Other systems, present on the market, force first to join the lace ends, then to insert them in a device provided with piston and spring (one hand holds the piston and the other pulls the lace ends), which, once released, locks lace sliding, finally the lace ends are gathered and anchored above the lacing (LOCK LACES™, YANKZ™), or around the foot neck (TAC LACE™). Such systems removing the classic knot, remove the drawbacks related thereto, however, the operations to perform to accomplish the tightening and the opening are not immediate and are instead rather difficult, maybe even more than the traditional bow: as a matter of fact, for the tightening it is necessary to apply, at the two ends of the joined laces, a remarkable force, equal to about twice the standard force necessary for tightening the single lace in conventional lacing (a difficult task not only for children and elderly people). Moreover, the tightening which is determined is not fully effective: as a matter of fact, assuming that each lace end puts in tension about half of the lacing path and assuming that it is likely that the paths are loosened differently, it is apparent that, by acting on the joined ends of the laces, hence supplying the same force to both ends, it is not possible to stretch both paths effectively, as would instead be if the force are applied simultaneously on both the individual ends. Following the search carried out among the lacing systems present on the market, it appears that there is none which allows, through a simple and immediate action, an effective and secure tightening for tightening the shoe to the foot and, through the same simple action, also an effective loosening of the shoe tightening.
US 2008/0 016 661 relates to a structure for adjusting the tension in a shoe lacing, comprising a lace and a series of fastening hooks. The lace carries on the surface thereof a plurality of openings for the engagement with the fastening hooks. It is provided to adjust the lace tension and to fasten the lace itself, suitably inserting the hooks into the holes found in the lace. In this system, however, the hooks serve only to maintain the tension on lace sections, but not to close the shoe, which occurs, in a conventional manner, by tying the lace ends with the classic bow.
WO2004/075 676 discloses a shoe lace apt not to loosen despite the movements and the stresses it undergoes. The laces have on the surface thereof a series of holes, arranged at regular intervals. The lace tips, generally made rigid, are of such a size to be able to be slid into the holes, creating an X-shaped tying, which does not come undone upon the inevitable foot movements. However, such a lacing system is complicated to untie and not always reliable in maintaining the desired tension status; moreover, there is no indication that the same movement may open and close the laces.
GB 2 334 661 discloses a locking system of a lace, consisting of two cams which engage with the lace. In order to increase the locking effect, the laces may be grooved to engage with teeth found on the cams.
DE 228 601 discloses a shoe closing system, comprising gripping elements for each lace end, which may be removably fastened to the upper. By joining such gripping elements to the upper, shoe lacing is obtained, by removing it, shoe loosening is obtained.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,381,949 discloses an eyelet for shoelaces, which comprises a rubber element fastened to the opening portion of a shoe and which comprises a head on the rubber element, having a lace-receiving opening which extends crosswise and substantially parallel to the joining edge of the opening. There is no mention to the opportunity of obtaining shoe opening and closing by the same movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,434,723 discloses eyelets having a lateral locking displacement on one side, arranged between the edge of the closing flap of a shoe and the other side of the eyelet. The displacement is a sort of pin arranged on a single point of the eyelet. It may receive and lock a lace against the movement, after having adjusted the lace tension. Neither here is any mention made to a single movement for opening and closing the shoe.
US2011/107619 discloses an external ring assembly of an eyelet, with a base element and with external rings of various shapes, sizes, ornaments and which may be detached from the base. Means are provided apt to fastened to the base or to the rings. These means protrude partly or entirely from the eyelet holes. Each ring may contain grooved layouts for the insertion of locking elements. Neither in this case is any mention made to the opportunity of opening and closing the shoe with a single movement.
GB 2 413 356 discloses a device for locking a lace in a shoe, comprising a body with an entry opening for communicating with a channel and with an outlet. The lace is inserted in the entry opening and runs through the channel, until the outlet. Lace-gripping and lace-locking means are provided, such means being fastened to the upper after the exit from the channel.
The object of the present invention is the accomplishment of a footwear lacing system, which allows, through a same simple and immediate action, both an effective, fast and secure tightening for tightening the shoe to the foot, and an effective and fast loosening of the tightening. In particular, the present invention allows to accomplish the tightening and the opening of a shoe performing in both cases the same movement, that is an outward pulling. It is highlighted how performing the same simple action to tighten and to loosen the shoe represents an important advantage and a great usefulness, not only for children and elderly people, in wearing or taking off shoes, even though for these users the present invention is particularly important. The object of the present invention is achieved, through a shoe lacing system, characterised in that on each edge of the upper there are present two mutually intersecting gripping points, one fastened to said edge of the upper and apt to obtain the opening of the shoe and one fastened to the opposite edge of said upper and apt to obtain the closing of the shoe.
The lacing system object of the present invention may be used in all types of footwear (shoes, boots, etc.), and in principle it may be a lacing method also for many other garments (coats, jackets, etc.). The present invention refers also to footwear manufactured with said lacing system as described above.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the following description, taken together with the attached drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof purely as an example referring to the non-limiting exemplifying case of men's footwear, wherein:
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In the case instead in which one wanted to lock the shoelace 2-shoelace 3 sliding, device 8 will be steadily anchored on a shoelace 2 or 3 (instead of on upper 12) and stem 10 with head 11 will lock the other shoelace 3 or 2 in the correspondence of an existing hole 4.
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A lacing system for footwear 1 is hence obtained wherein the closing of said footwear 1 is obtained by causing one end 6 of each shoelace 2, 3 to pass first through an eyelet 13 present on said upper 12 and through a slit 5A present on the same shoelace 2, 3 and sending the other end thereof 7 to the opposite side and wherein said gripping points on said edges of upper 12 are the ends 7(2), 6(3); 7(3), 6(2) of said shoelaces 2, 3. Preferably, each of said shoelaces 2, 3 has a second slit 5, apt to be run through by the end 6(2), 6(3) of another shoelace 3, 2, while the ends 6(2), 6(3) enter the first slits 5A of shoelaces 3, 2.
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On the position of device 8 there are many variants available to the person skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the present invention. As a matter of fact in
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Device 17 consists of an element 18 and of an element 19. Elements 18 and 19 may be of any shape, but are preferably tubular elements. Preferably, they are made of metal (for example, of aluminium or alloys thereof, of steel) or of a plastic material which exhibits the necessary rigidity and mechanical strength features. Device 17 comprises also an element 20 and an element 21. Elements 20 and 21 are preferably of a circular crown shape and serve to anchor device 17 to the upper 12 of footwear 1, in the correspondence of a hole practised intendedly or even in the correspondence of an existing eyelet.
According to the present invention, element 18 and element 19 are apt to be run through by shoelace 2 (see in that respe ct
On the end of element 18 opposite to the upper of footwear 1, gripping elements 22 can be provided. The shape of such gripping element 22 is not constraining for the purposes of the invention; however, it is suitable that it does not hinder (or hinders as little as possible) the passing of shoelace 2 which runs through element 18.
An element 23, preferably having the shape of a disc equipped with a peripheral groove, steadily fastened to element 21 may also be provided. Element 23 centrally has a through-hole 24 (see
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In the following the operation of the lacing system according to the present invention is going to be described.
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The path to be followed by shoelaces 2 and 3, according to the variant illustrated in
The shoelaces in the layout subject of the present invention allow to loosen or tighten the lacing; as a matter of fact, in order to mutually move away the left and right edge (and hence to loosen the shoe lacing to wear it or to remove it) the following simple operation is performed: the end 7(2) of shoelace 2 and the end 7(3) of shoelace 3 are simultaneously pulled outwards.
In order to move the left and right edges closer (and hence to tighten the lacing of the shoe) the following simple operation is performed: the end 6(2) of shoelace 2 and the end 6(3) of shoelace 3 are simultaneously pulled outwards. Once the left and right edge have been moved closer as described above, in order to guarantee the tension on the shoelaces and hence to avoid the loosening of the lacing, the lacing system subject of the present patent provides the presence of device 8. As can be seen in
Device 8 can be inserted into hole 31 arranged on upper 12, in order to prevent the sliding between shoelaces 2, 3 and upper 12.
The path to be followed by shoelaces 2, 3 and 16 is now going to be described, with reference to
On the left edge, the end of shoelace 3 is first caused to pass from the shoe inside towards the outside into eyelet of either one of the two edges and then the head of shoelace 3 is caused to pass through the slit 5 of shoelace 3. Such operation firmly locks shoelace 3 to the edge, for example to the left one. On the other edge, the end of shoelace 16 is first caused to pass from the shoe inside towards the outside in eyelet 13 and then the head of shoelace 16 is caused to pass through the slit 5 of shoelace 16. Such operation firmly locks shoelace 16 to the edge, for example to the right one. Shoelace 2 is hence used, the end of which is caused to pass through the eyelet 15 of a first edge, hence through the eyelet 14 of the opposite edge, hence through the eyelet 13 of the first edge and then through the slit 5A of shoelace 3 and 5A of shoelace 16, while the other end is cause to pass through the eyelet 15 of the edge opposite to the first one, hence through the eyelet 14 of the first edge, hence through the eyelet 13 of the edge opposite to the first one and then through the slit 5A of shoelace 16 and 5A of shoelace 3.
The shoelaces in the layout subject of the present invention allow to loosen or tighten the lacing; as a matter of fact, in order to mutually move away the left and right edge (and hence to loosen the lacing of the shoe to wear it or to remove it) the following simple action is performed: the end of shoelace 3 and the end of shoelace 16 are simultaneously pulled outwards.
In order to move closer the left and right edges (and hence to tighten the shoe lacing) the following simple action is performed: the two ends of shoelace 2 are simultaneously pulled outwards. Once the left and right edges have moved closer as described above, in order to guarantee the tension on the shoelaces and hence to avoid the loosening of the lacing, the lacing system subject of the present patent provides the presence of device 8.
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As regards the variant shown in
When one wants to reopen the shoe, for example to remove it, shoelaces 2, 3 are lifted from pin 8 and devices 28 are pulled outwards. Thereby the two edges of the upper are spread apart and shoe opening is achieved.
Thereby, the sliding in the same direction of two different, adjacent devices (28 and 29) implies two mutually opposite actions (opening and closing of shoe 1).
Advantageously, devices 28, 29 can be differentiated, for example by manufacturing device 28 in one colour and device 29 in another colour.
The variant shown in
Device 28 has an inner flap which allows the sliding of the lower shoelace towards the outside of shoe 1 and not in the opposite direction. Hence, pulling outwards device 29, the lower shoelace runs freely within device 28; when the action terminates and the shoelace tends to go back, device 28 locks it. In order to open shoe 1 it is hence necessary to act on device 28, unlocking the flap, so as to allow device 28 to slide outwards, allowing the sliding of lower shoelace 2, 3.
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Now the operation in connection with the second embodiment is going to be described, an operation very similar to the one seen for the first embodiment and for the variants thereof. Reference is made to
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The operation of device 17 and of some components thereof is visible particularly clearly in
The same operation is obtained with the variant represented in
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It is apparent that many are the variants available to the person skilled in the field, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Moreover, based on what has been described, it is pointed out that the present invention has all the features necessary to be considered an industrial application; the present invention finds out a product exhibiting economic interest susceptible of wide distribution, which can be obtained through an activity of raw material processing, semi-finished, to the finished product.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
- 1 Footwear
- 2 Shoelace (of 1)
- 3 Shoelace (of 1)
- 4 Hole (of 2 or 3)
- 5 Slit (of 2 or 3)
- 5A Slit (of 2 or 3)
- 6 End (of 2 or 3)
- 6(2) End (of 2)
- 6(3) End (of 3)
- 7 End (of 2 or 3)
- 7(2) End (of 2)
- 7(3) End (of 3)
- 8 Locking device (of 2 or of 3)
- 9 Base (of 8)
- 10 Stem (of 8)
- 11 Head (of 8)
- 12 Upper
- 13 Eyelet (of 1)
- 14 Eyelet (of 1)
- 15 Eyelet (of 1)
- 16 Shoelace (of 1)
- 17 Device (of 1)
- 18 Tubular element (of 17)
- 19 Tubular element (of 19)
- 20 Circular element (of 17)
- 21 Circular element (of 17)
- 22 Gripping element (of 17)
- 23 Disc element (of 17)
- 24 Hole (of 23)
- 25 Ring (of 23)
- 26 Toothed groove (of 18)
- 27 Hole (of 26)
- 28 Opening device (of 2 or 3)
- 29 Closing device (of 2 or 3)
- 30 Knurled area (of 2 or 3)
- 31 Hole (of 12)
Claims
1) Lacing system for footwear (1), characterised in that on each edge of the upper (12) two mutually intersecting gripping points are present, one (7(2), 7(3); 17) fastened to said upper edge and apt to obtain the opening of the footwear (1) and one (6(2), 6(3)) fastened to the opposite edge of said upper (12) and apt to obtain the closing of the footwear (1).
2) Lacing system for footwear (1), as in claim 1), characterised in that the closing of said footwear (1) is obtained by causing one end (6) of each shoelace (2,3) to pass first through one eyelet (13) present on said upper (12) and through a slit (5A) present on the same shoelace (2, 3) and sending the other end (7) of the shoelace (2, 3) to the opposite side and in that said gripping points on said edges of the upper (12) are the ends (7(2), 6(3); 7(3), 6(2)) of said shoelaces (2, 3).
3) Lacing system for footwear (1) as in claim 2), characterised in that at least one shoelace (2; 3) has a second slit (5), apt to be run through by the end (6(3); 6(2)) of another shoelace (3; 2), hence the ends (6(2), 6(3)) run through the slits (5A) of the shoelaces (3, 2).
4) Lacing system as in claim 2), characterised in that it furthermore comprises at least one fastening device (8), fastened on each edge of the upper (12) and apt to engage with a hole (4) present on the body of the shoelace (2, 3) to lock the sliding between shoelaces (2, 3) and upper (12).
5) Lacing system for footwear (1) as in claim 2), characterised in that it furthermore comprises a fastening device (8), fastened on at least one shoelace (2, 3) and apt to engage with a hole (4, 31), present on at least one shoelace (2, 3) or on the upper (12) to lock the sliding between shoelaces (2, 3) and upper (12).
6) Lacing system as in claim 2), characterised in that one end of said shoelace caused to run through an eyelet (13) is caused to pass also through a second eyelet (14), present on the same edge of the upper and adjacent thereto.
7) Lacing system as in 1), characterised in that the end of one shoelace (3) is caused to pass from the inside to the outside in the eyelet (13) of either one of the two edges and then the head of the shoelace (3) is caused to pass through the slit (5) of the shoelace (3), on the other edge, the end of another shoelace (16) is first caused to pass from the inside to the outside in the eyelet (13) and then the shoelace head is made to pass (16) through the slit (5) of the same shoelace (16), hence a third shoelace (2) is used, one end of which is caused to pass through an eyelet (15) of a first edge, hence through another eyelet (14) of the opposite edge, hence through a third eyelet (13) of the first edge and then into the slit (5A) of the first shoelace (3) and into the slit (5A) of the second shoelace (16), while the other end is caused to pass through an eyelet (15) of the edge opposite to the first one, hence through another eyelet (14) of the first edge, hence through a third eyelet (13) of the edge opposite to the first one and then into the slit (5A) of the second shoelace (16) and through the slit (5A) of the first shoelace (3), the fastening of the tension of said shoelaces (2, 3, 16) occurring by means of a locking device (8), present on the upper (12) or on at least one of the shoelaces (2, 3, 16).
8) Lacing system as in claim 1), characterised in that said gripping points consist of two devices (28), which allow the passing of shoelaces 2, 3 each one fastened to an individual shoelace (2, 3), while the other shoelace (3, 2) is free to slide within said device, and of two devices (29) each one fastened to an individual shoelace (3, 2) left free by the other device (28) ad within which the shoelace (2, 3) fastened to the other device (28) is free to slide.
9) Lacing system as in claim 2), characterised in that one end of each one of said shoelaces carries a knurled area (30), apt to form a ratchet gear with at least one of said devices (28) to obtain the locking.
10) Lacing system as in claim 1), characterised in that said gripping points on each edge consist of a device (17) anchored on such edge, which has a channel (18, 19) for the passing of one end (6(2)) of the shoelace (2) anchored on the opposite edge and is apt to geometrically couple with the end of the shoelace (2) after the introduction, and of the ends (6(2)) of said shoelaces.
11) Lacing system as in claim 10), characterised in that said device (17) consists of a preferably tubular, element (18) and element (19), apt to be run through by a shoelace (2).
12) Lacing system as in claim 10), characterised in that said device (17) also comprises an element (20) and an element (21), preferably of a circular-crown shape, to anchor the device (17) to the shoe upper.
13) Lacing system as in claim 10), characterised in that on the end of element (18) opposite to the upper (12) of the shoe (1) gripping elements (22) are provided.
14) Lacing system as in claim 10), characterised in that it also provides an element (23), preferably having the shape of a disc equipped with a peripheral groove, firmly fastened to element (21) and in that said element (23) centrally has a through-hole (24), aligned with elements (19 and 18), which allows the entry of shoelace (2) and the passing thereof inside element (19) and then of element (18) with the function of deviating the path of the shoelace (2).
15) Lacing system as in claim 14), characterised in that with said device (23) a ring (25), fastened to the surface of element (21) is also associated, which serves to guide shoelace (2).
16) Lacing system as in claim 10), characterised in that element (18) has at least one toothed groove (26) and a preferably threaded hole (27), which allows the insertion of a screw, of a cam or of a spring piston.
17) Footwear (1), characterised in that it comprises a lacing system as in claim 1.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 7, 2015
Publication Date: Aug 17, 2017
Inventor: Alberto ROMAGNOLI (Ostra)
Application Number: 15/502,620