Lace Structure

Abstract

A lace structure includes a plurality of weaving threads and a plurality of resilient threads which are interlaced in a lengthwise direction to form an elongate lace which defines a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections arranged in an alternating manner. Each of the second sections of the lace has a weaving density greater than and a width smaller than that of each of the first sections. In such a manner, each of the first sections of the lace has a wide face with a low density, and each of the second sections of the lace has a narrow face with a high density. Thus, each of the first sections of the lace has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections, so that the lace has a stepwise elastic function.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lace and, more particularly, to a lace structure for shoes.

2. Description of the Related Art

A lace is available for shoes to form a knot on the shoes so as to provide a fastening effect to the shoes. However, the conventional lace has a constant length and does not have enough resilience so that the conventional lace cannot fit the shoes of different sizes, thereby decreasing the versatility of the conventional lace. Thus, when the lace is too long after being knotted, the residual part of the lace extends to an excessive extent and affects the appearance of the shoes, thereby decreasing the aesthetic quality of the shoes, and causing an uncomfortable sensation to the user. In addition, the residual part of the lace is too long and is easily stepped by the user or other person, so that the knotted portion of the lace easily becomes loosened. Further, the residual part of the lace easily interferes with the user's movement, so that the user easily falls down and gets hurt. Further, when the residual part of the lace depends on the ground, the lace is easily contaminated and worn out due to frequent rubbing. Further, when the user is riding a bicycle, the residual part of the lace is easily tangled with the chain of the bicycle, thereby causing danger to the user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a lace structure whose maximum tensile extent is limited.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lace structure that prevents the knot from becoming loosened.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a lace structure having a color vision effect.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a lace structure comprising an elongate lace which is interwoven by a stitching machine. The lace includes a plurality of weaving threads and a plurality of resilient threads which are interlaced in a lengthwise direction. The lace presents a successive shape during a weaving process and defines a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections arranged in an alternating manner. The second sections of the lace are respectively arranged between the first sections. Each of the second sections of the lace has a weaving density greater than that of each of the first sections. Each of the second sections of the lace has a width smaller than a width of each of the first sections. In such a manner, each of the first sections of the lace has a wide face with a low density, and each of the second sections of the lace has a narrow face with a high density. Thus, each of the first sections of the lace has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections, so that the lace has a stepwise elastic function.

Preferably, each of the second sections of the lace has two ends each formed with a loose zone.

Preferably, the loose zone has a weaving manner the same as that of each of the first sections and each of the second sections of the lace. Alternatively, the loose zone has a weaving manner different from that of each of the first sections and each of the second sections of the lace.

Preferably, the loose zone has a weaving density smaller than that of each of the second sections of the lace.

Preferably, each of the first sections of the lace has a length the same as or different from a length of each of the second sections of the lace.

Preferably, the resilient threads of the lace have a quantity smaller than that of the weaving threads of the lace.

Preferably, the weaving threads of the lace have different colors to present the lace with multiple colors.

Alternatively, the weaving threads of the lace have the same color to present the lace with a single color.

Preferably, the weaving threads and the resilient threads are interlaced in the lengthwise direction to construct the lace, so that the lace has a tubular shape.

Preferably, the lace has an interior defining a plurality of cavities.

Preferably, the cavities of the lace are located in the first sections and the second sections and are connected with each other.

Preferably, an inner core is received in the cavities of the lace and is hidden in and encompassed by the first sections and the second sections of the lace.

Alternatively, the weaving threads and the resilient threads are interlaced in the lengthwise direction to construct the lace, so that the lace has a flat shape.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, each of the first sections of the lace has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections, and the lace has a stepwise elastic function, so that when the lace is extended, only the width of each of the first sections is changed by extension of the lace.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the first sections and the second sections of the lace are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the maximum tensile length of the lace is limited, thereby preventing the lace from being broken due to an excessive pulling stress.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, when the lace is tied, the second sections of the lace functions as a binding point, so that the lace is knotted closely and tightly by provision of the first sections having a greater width.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, each of the second sections of the lace has two ends each formed with a loose zone, so that when the lace is stretched by an external force, the first sections of the lace are displaced to and limited by the loose zones of the second sections, thereby preventing the lace from slipping and becoming loosened, and thereby enhancing the fastening effect of the lace.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the weaving threads of the lace have different colors to present the lace with multiple colors, so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the lace, so that the lace has an outstanding appearance, thereby satisfying the requirement of the consumers.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic planar view of a tubular lace structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a locally cross-sectional view of the tubular lace structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a locally enlarged view of the tubular lace structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a locally cross-sectional view of a tubular lace structure in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic planar view of a flat lace structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a locally enlarged view of the flat lace structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a lace structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongate lace 1 which is interwoven by a stitching machine.

The lace 1 includes a plurality of weaving threads and a plurality of resilient threads which are interlaced in a lengthwise direction. The lace 1 presents a successive shape during a weaving process and defines a plurality of first sections 11 and a plurality of second sections 12 arranged in an alternating manner. The second sections 12 of the lace 1 are respectively arranged between the first sections 11. Each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1 has a weaving density greater than that of each of the first sections 11. Each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1 has a width “W2” smaller than a width “W1” of each of the first sections 11. In such a manner, each of the first sections 11 of the lace 1 has a wide face with a low density, and each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1 has a narrow face with a high density. Thus, each of the first sections 11 of the lace 1 has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections 12, so that the lace 1 has a stepwise elastic function.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1 has two ends each formed with a loose zone 121. Preferably, the loose zone 121 has a weaving manner the same as that of each of the first sections 11 and each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1. Alternatively, the loose zone 121 has a weaving manner different from that of each of the first sections 11 and each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loose zone 121 has a weaving density smaller than that of each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the first sections 11 of the lace 1 has a length “L1” the same as or different from a length “L2” of each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resilient threads of the lace 1 have a quantity smaller than that of the weaving threads of the lace 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weaving threads of the lace 1 have different colors, so that the lace 1 presents multiple colors. Alternatively, the weaving threads of the lace 1 have the same color, so that the lace 1 presents a single color.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weaving threads and the resilient threads are interlaced in the lengthwise direction to construct the lace 1, so that the lace 1 has a tubular shape and has an interior defining a plurality of cavities 13. The cavities 13 of the lace 1 are located in the first sections 11 and the second sections 12 and are connected with each other.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an inner core 14 is received in the cavities 13 of the lace 1 and is hidden in and encompassed by the first sections 11 and the second sections 12 of the lace 1.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the weaving threads and the resilient threads are interlaced in the lengthwise direction to construct the lace 1, so that the lace 1 has a flat shape.

Accordingly, each of the first sections 11 of the lace 1 has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections 12, and the lace 1 has a stepwise elastic function, so that when the lace 1 is extended, only the width of each of the first sections 11 is changed by extension of the lace 1. In addition, the first sections 11 and the second sections 12 of the lace 1 are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the maximum tensile length of the lace 1 is limited, thereby preventing the lace 1 from being broken due to an excessive pulling stress. Further, when the lace 1 is tied, the second sections 12 of the lace 1 functions as a binding point, so that the lace 1 is knotted closely and tightly by provision of the first sections 11 having a greater width. Further, each of the second sections 12 of the lace 1 has two ends each formed with a loose zone 121, so that when the lace 1 is stretched by an external force, the first sections 11 of the lace 1 are displaced to and limited by the loose zones 121 of the second sections 12, thereby preventing the lace 1 from slipping and becoming loosened, and thereby enhancing the fastening effect of the lace 1. Further, the weaving threads of the lace 1 have different colors to present the lace 1 with multiple colors, so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the lace 1, so that the lace 1 has an outstanding appearance, thereby satisfying the requirement of the consumers.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A lace structure comprising:

an elongate lace which is interwoven by a stitching machine;

wherein:

the lace includes a plurality of weaving threads and a plurality of resilient threads which are interlaced in a lengthwise direction;

the lace presents a successive shape during a weaving process and defines a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections arranged in an alternating manner;

the second sections of the lace are respectively arranged between the first sections;

each of the second sections of the lace has a weaving density greater than that of each of the first sections;

each of the second sections of the lace has a width smaller than a width of each of the first sections;

each of the first sections of the lace has a wide face with a low density, and each of the second sections of the lace has a narrow face with a high density; and

each of the first sections of the lace has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections, so that the lace has a stepwise elastic function.

2. The lace structure of claim 1, wherein each of the second sections of the lace has two ends each formed with a loose zone.

3. The lace structure of claim 2, wherein the loose zone has a weaving manner the same as that of each of the first sections and each of the second sections of the lace.

4. The lace structure of claim 2, wherein the loose zone has a weaving manner different from that of each of the first sections and each of the second sections of the lace.

5. The lace structure of claim 2, wherein the loose zone has a weaving density smaller than that of each of the second sections of the lace.

6. The lace structure of claim 1, wherein each of the first sections of the lace has a length the same as or different from a length of each of the second sections of the lace.

7. The lace structure of claim 1, wherein the resilient threads of the lace have a quantity smaller than that of the weaving threads of the lace.

8. The lace structure of claim 1, wherein the weaving threads of the lace have different colors to present the lace with multiple colors.

9. The lace structure of claim 1, wherein the weaving threads of the lace have the same color to present the lace with a single color.

10. The lace structure of claim 1, wherein the weaving threads and the resilient threads are interlaced in the lengthwise direction to construct the lace, so that the lace has a tubular shape.

11. The lace structure of claim 10, wherein the lace has an interior defining a plurality of cavities.

12. The lace structure of claim 11, wherein the cavities of the lace are located in the first sections and the second sections and are connected with each other.

13. The lace structure of claim 11, wherein an inner core is received in the cavities of the lace and is hidden in and encompassed by the first sections and the second sections of the lace.

14. The lace structure of claim 1, wherein the weaving threads and the resilient threads are interlaced in the lengthwise direction to construct the lace, so that the lace has a flat shape.