SHOE LACING SYSTEM

Abstract

A shoe lacing system includes a shoelace attachment portion disposed on a tongue of the shoe lacing system between a pair of shoelace receivers, the shoelace attachment portion includes notches disposed on the shoelace attachment portion to receive and couple the shoelace. The shoe lacing system can include a pair of sliding members coupled underneath a pair of shoelace receivers that are adapted to move along a track underneath the pair of sliding members, the ends of each of the loop segments are coupled to either one of the pair of shoelace receivers or one of the pair of sliding members. The shoe lacing system can include shoelace loops that are tensioned by pulling each of the shoelace loops and crossing and coupling each of the shoelace loops to notches disposed outside of each of the pair of shoelace outlets. Additionally, a shoe lacing kit is provided that incudes at least one shoelace lacing system component, and one or more pads having piercing pins protruding from a side thereof, the one or more pads capable of securing the at lest one shoelace lacing system component to a portion of a shoe. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing device, comprising a first portion and a second portion hingedly attached to the first portion, the second portion including a hook or an opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 15/446,988, filed Mar. 1, 2017, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 14/583,739, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,622,543, filed Dec. 28, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved shoe lacing system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Shoelaces have been used to secure shoes and boots for several thousand years. Although early shoelaces were made of leather, most shoelaces today are made of a cloth material, such as cotton. The conventional method of using shoelaces involves initially threading the shoelace through alternating eyelets until a pair of shoelace ends extend freely from the last eyelets. The user inserts his or her foot in the shoe or boot, and the shoelace ends are pulled to tighten the shoe around the foot. Typically, the pair of shoelace ends is tied in a bow to secure the shoelace. Of course, the same procedure must be done for each of a pair of shoes.

Although shoes and booting using traditional shoe lacing are still widely used, there are several shortcomings. One of the most frequent difficulties is that often shoelaces can become untied which can present a tripping hazard particularly when the user is unaware his or her shoelaces are untied. Additional problems with traditional shoe lacing include the time it takes a user to tie the shoes and the fact that the shoelace ends can become unraveled. Although the ends of shoelaces are typically encased with a plastic tip called an aglet, the aglet can break fairly easily. Once an aglet breaks, the shoelace end becomes unraveled and it becomes difficult to thread the shoelace back through the eyelets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a shoe lacing system, comprising a shoelace forming a continuous loop; a pair of shoelace receivers disposed on corresponding opposite sides of a shoe, the pair of shoelace receivers receiving the shoelace extending through an interior channel within each of the pair of shoelace receivers; and a shoelace attachment portion disposed on a tongue of the shoe, the shoelace attachment portion including a plurality of notches to receive and couple the shoelace thereby securing a user's foot within the shoe. The shoe is secured by pulling on an end of the shoelace and coupling the shoelace to a selected one of the notches, and it can be unsecured by releasing the shoelace from the notch.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing system, comprising a shoelace having a plurality of loop segments; a pair of shoelace receivers each disposed on corresponding opposite sides of a tongue of a shoe; a pair of sliding members coupled underneath the pair of shoelace receivers that are adapted to move along a track underneath the pair of sliding members, the ends of each of the loop segments coupled to either one of the pair of shoelace receivers or one of the pair of sliding members; and a shoelace attachment portion disposed on the tongue of the shoe between the pair of shoelace receivers, the shoelace attachment portion including a plurality of notches to receive and couple one of the loop segments securing the shoe.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing system, comprising a pair of shoelace loops including a first shoelace loop and a second shoelace loop; a pair of shoelace outlets each having a plurality of holes, the pair of shoelace loops coupled underneath the pair of shoelace outlets and extend through the holes; and a plurality of notches disposed outside of each of the pair of shoelace outlets, the notches including a first set of notches and a second set of notches. The shoelace loops are tensioned by pulling each of the shoelace loops and crossing the first loop through the second loop and coupling each of the shoelace loops to a selected notch.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing kit, comprising at least one shoelace lacing system component, and one or more pads having piercing pins protruding from a side thereof, the one or more pads capable of securing the at lest one shoelace lacing system component to a portion of a shoe. In various embodiments, the shoelace lacing system component can include a shoelace attachment portion or a pair of shoelace receivers, for example.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe lacing device, comprising a first portion and a second portion hingedly attached to the first portion, the second portion including a hook or an opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe lacing system, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the shoe lacing system of FIG. 1 in an unsecured configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a shoe lacing system, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a shoe lacing system, according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the shoe lacing system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a device for retrofitting a shoe with a shoe lacing system component, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the retrofitting device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the retrofitting device being used to fit another component.

FIG. 9 illustrates a shoe lacing system using a shoe lacing device, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the shoe lacing device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a shoe lacing device, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a shoe lacing system using the shoe lacing device of FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a shoe lacing system 100 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the invention. The shoe lacing system 100 is shown in its secured configuration. As shown, the shoe lacing system 100 includes a shoelace 110, a pair of shoelace receivers 120 and a shoelace attachment portion 130. The shoelace 110 forms a continuous loop rather than having free ends. The shoelace receivers 120 are disposed on corresponding opposite sides of a shoe 105. The pair of shoelace receivers 120 receives the shoelace 110 that extends through the pair of shoelace receivers 120. The pair of shoelace receivers 120 each has a plurality of holes 115 which accept the shoelace 110. The shoelace 110 then may travel through an interior channel within each of the pair of shoelace receivers 120.

The shoelace attachment portion 130 may be lengthwise disposed on a tongue 132 of the shoe lacing system 100 between the pair of shoelace receivers 120. The shoelace attachment portion 130 can be attached by bolting, adhering, or stitching, for example, to the tongue 132. As shown, the shoelace attachment portion 130 includes a plurality of notches 135 disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 130 to receive and couple the shoelace 110 thereby securing the user's foot (not shown) within the shoe 105 without tying the shoelace 110. The notches 135 may be raised notches or the like. Although three notches 135 are illustrated in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that any suitable number of notches 135 may be disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 130. The selection of a particular notch 135 by the user when securing the shoe lacing system 100 helps determine the tightness of the fit of the shoe 105 on the user's foot.

Although the shoe lacing system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is used in combination with an “athletic” shoe 105 (a sneaker), it is to be understood that the shoe lacing system 100 could be used in combination with any suitable piece of footwear such as a dress shoe, a boot, a sandal, or the like. It is further to be understood that although a single shoe 105 is shown (which fits a right foot), the shoe lacing system 100 would actually be used for each of a pair of shoes.

FIG. 2 illustrates the shoe lacing system 100 in an unsecured configuration. To secure the shoe 105, the user simply pulls on the end of the shoelace 110 and toward the front of the shoelace 110, and couples the shoelace 110 to one of the notches 135 on the shoelace attachment portion 130. To unsecure the shoe 105, the user pulls the end of shoelace 110 off of the notch 135 that the shoelace 110 is coupled to and releases the shoelace 110 from the notch 135.

Referring to FIG. 3, a shoe lacing system 200 is illustrated, according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown, the shoe lacing system 200 includes a shoelace 210, a pair of shoelace receivers 220 and a pair of sliding members 230. Notably, the shoelace 210 is not a continuous loop but rather a plurality of loop segments 212. Although FIG. 3 illustrates seven loop segments 212, a different number of loop segments 212 may be used. The loop segments 212 include a first loop segment 212A, a second loop segment 212B, a third loop segment 212C, a fourth loop segment 212D, a fifth loop segment 212E, a sixth loop segment 212F and a seventh loop segment 212G. The pair of shoelace receivers 220 are each disposed on corresponding opposite sides of the shoe lacing system 200. The pair of sliding members 230 are coupled underneath the pair of shoelace receivers 220, and can be adapted to move along a track 234 underneath the pair of sliding members 230. The ends of each of the loop segments 212 may be coupled to either one of the pair of shoelace receivers 220 or one of the pair of sliding members 230 and fastened with a plurality of sewn thread 213 or the like fastener. The first loop segment 212A, the second loop segment 212B, the third loop segment 212C, the fourth loop segment 212D, the fifth loop segment 212E, the sixth loop segment 212F and the seventh loop segment 212G provide support between the pair of shoelace receivers 220 and the pair of sliding members 230, as well as provide an ornamental appearance. The seventh loop segment 212G is coupled to an end 230A of each of the pair of sliding members 230 and can be pulled to move the pair of shoelace receivers 220 and the pair of sliding members 230 along the track 234 thereby extending the seventh loop segment 212G. Additionally, the shoe lacing system 200 may include a shoelace attachment portion 240. The shoelace attachment portion 240 may be disposed on a tongue 232 of the shoe lacing system 200 between the pair of shoelace receivers 220. The shoelace attachment portion 240 may include a plurality of notches 235 disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 240 to receive and couple the seventh loop segment 212G, thereby securing the user's foot (not shown) within the shoe 205 without tying the shoelace 210 or the like. The notches 235 may be raised notches 235A or the like. Although three notches 235 are illustrated, it is to be understood any suitable number of notches 235 may be disposed on the shoelace attachment portion 240. The seventh loop segment 212G of the loop segments 212 may be tensioned pulled and secured onto a desired notch 235 thereby determining the tightness of the fit of the shoe 205.

Referring to FIG. 4, a shoe lacing system 300 is illustrated, according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown, the shoe lacing system 300 includes a pair of shoelace loops 310, a pair of shoelace outlets 320 and a plurality of notches 330. The pair of shoelace loops 310 includes a first shoelace loop 310A and a second shoelace loop 310B. The pair of shoelace outlets 320 each includes a plurality of holes 322. The pair of shoelace loops 310 is coupled underneath the pair of shoelace outlets 320 and extends through the holes 322. The notches 330 may be disposed outside of each of the pair of shoelace outlets 320 on the shoe 305. The notches 335 may be raised notches 335A or the like. The notches 330 may include a first set of notches 332 and a second set of notches 334. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first set of notches 332 and the second set of notches 334 each include three notches, but may include any suitable number of notches. The pair of shoelace loops 310 can be tensioned by pulling each of the pair of shoelace loops 310 and crossing the first loop 310A through the second loop 310B and coupling each of the pair of shoelace loops 310 to a desired notch 330, thereby determining the tightness of the fit of the shoe 305.

FIG. 5 illustrates is a side view showing one of the pair of shoelace loops 310 coupled to one of the notches 330 of the shoe lacing system 300.

FIG. 6 illustrates an attachment device 150 for retrofitting a shoe with a shoe lacing system component, according to an embodiment. As illustrated, the attachment device 150 includes a pad 148 having piercing teeth 152 protruding from a surface thereof. The piercing teeth 152 are anchored in the pad 148, and preferably are metal and include sharp edges with teeth. Although two piercing teeth 152 are shown, it is to be understood another number of piercing teeth 152 may suffice. As noted above with regard to the shoe lacing system 100, the shoelace attachment portion 130 may be lengthwise disposed on the tongue 132 of a shoe. Although it was mentioned that the shoelace attachment portion 130 could be attached by bolting, adhering, or stitching, for example, the shoelace attachment portion 130 may alternatively be attached using the attachment device 150. The attachment device 150 would be most useful for retrofitting a conventional shoe. For example, for the shoe lacing system 100, the pad 148 of the attachment device 150 would be placed underneath the tongue 132 such that the piercing teeth 152 extend entirely through the tongue 132. This arrangement is most clearly shown in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a piercing pin 152 penetrates through the tongue 130 terminating in a piercing cylinder 154. The piercing cylinder 154 can include a soft material or the like that acts as both a receiver of the piercing pin 152 and a protective cap. It is to be understood that the attachment device 150 could likewise be used to attach the attachment portion 240 to the tongue 242 with respect to the shoe lacing system 200.

Additionally, the attachment device 150 can be used to attach other components of a shoe lacing system. For example, in regard to the shoe lacing system 100, the attachment device 150 could be used to attach the shoelace receivers 120 to the side of the shoe 105. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the pad 148 is disposed on the inside side of the shoe 105 and the piercing pin 152 extends entirely through the side terminating in the shoelace receiver 120. In this case, the piercing pin 152 does not stick out from the shoelace receiver 120, and a piercing cylinder 154 is not used. However, in other embodiments, piercing cylinders 154 can be used, as above. It is to be understood that the attachment device 150 could likewise be used for other components such as the shoelace receivers 220 and 320, of embodiments 200 and 300, respectively. Advantageously, a shoe lacing kit can include one or more attachment device 130 and components to be attached. For example a shoe lacing kit can include a shoelace attachment portion 130, a pair of shoelace receivers 120, and several attachment devices 150. As another example, the shoe lacing kit can include a shoelace attachment portion 240, a pair of shoelace receivers 220, and several attachment devices 150. As yet another example the shoe lacing kit can include a pair of shoelace receivers 320, and several attachment devices 150. In general, the kit can include any component of a shoe lacing system with enough shoe attachment devices 150 to allow the components to be attached onto a shoe with conventional lacing.

Referring to FIG. 9, a shoe lacing system 400 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a shoe lacing device 450 used in conjunction with the shoe lacing system 400. The shoe lacing device 450 includes a first portion 405 and a second portion 420, the first portion 405 and the second portion 420 attached using a hinge 415 or the like. The shoe lacing device 450 incudes a hook 425 disposed on a first end of the device 450. The hook includes a first shoelace grasping portion 426 that is sufficiently wide enough to accommodate a first portion of a shoe lace 402s. The shoe lacing device 450 incudes a second shoelace grasping portion 412 that comprises part of the first portion 405 and the second portion 420 on a second end near the hinge 415. The second shoelace grasping portion 412 can include grasping ridges 410 or the like. Additionally, the first portion can include male pins 408, and the second portion 420 can include corresponding female receptors 407. In operation, a user positions the shoe lacing device 450 onto a laced (but untied) shoe, the hook 425 grasping a row of shoe lacing 402, pulling the device in an upward manner. A row of shoe lacing 402 near the top of the shoe is placed in the second shoe lace grasping portion 412, and the show lacing device 450 is closed. While the shoe lace ends 402t are shown freely hanging from the shoe illustrated in FIG. 9, it is to be understood that the ends 402t may be tucked into the shoe or even cut off. To remove the shoe lacing device 450, the user opens the device 450 and removes the shoe lacing 402 from the second shoe grasping portion 412 and then unhooks the lacing 402s from the first shoe grasping portion 420.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a shoe lacing device 480, according to an embodiment of the invention. The shoe lacing device 480 can be used for the shoe lacing systems 100 and 200 described herein, or similar shoe lacing systems. FIG. 12 shows the shoe lacing device 480 being used in conjunction with the shoe lacing system 200; it would be attached similarly to the shoelace 110 of shoe lacing system 100. The shoe lacing device 480 is similar to the shoe lacing device 450 except that the shoe lacing device 480 does not have the hook 425. Instead, the shoe lacing device has an opening 475 that is used to attach to a selected one of the notches 135/235. That is, the selected notch 135/235 would be received into the opening 475.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A shoe lacing kit, comprising:

at least one shoelace lacing system component; and

one or more pads having piercing pins protruding from a side thereof, the one or more pads capable of securing the at lest one shoelace lacing system component to a portion of a shoe.

2. The shoe lacing kit of claim 1, wherein the shoelace lacing system component includes a shoelace attachment portion.

3. The shoe lacing kit of claim 2, wherein the shoelace attachment portion is structured to be disposed on a tongue of the shoe, the shoelace attachment portion including a plurality of notches to receive and couple the shoelace.

4. The shoe lacing kit of claim 1, further comprising piercing cylinders.

5. The shoe lacing kit of claim 1, wherein the shoelace lacing system component includes a pair of shoelace receivers.

6. A shoe lacing device, comprising:

a first portion; and

a second portion hingedly attached to the first portion, the second portion including a hook;

wherein when the device is in an open position, the device is capable of receiving end portions of shoe lace threaded on a shoe; and when the device is in operation, the device assumes a closed position such the device firmly grasps the received end portions of the shoe lace and the hook tightly grasps onto another portion of the same shoe lace.

7. The shoe lacing system of claim 6, wherein the second portion is longer than the first portion.

8. The shoe lacing system of claim 6, wherein the first portion and the second portion include teeth for enhancing grasping onto the end portions of the shoelace.

9. A shoe lacing device, comprising:

a first portion; and

a second portion hingedly attached to the first portion, the second portion including an opening;

wherein when the device is in an open position, the device is capable of receiving end portions of shoe lace loop; and when the device is in operation, the device assumes a closed position such the device firmly grasps the received end portions of the shoe lace loop and a selected notch of a shoe lace attachment portion.