SHOE LACE DEVICE

Abstract

A shoe lace securing device is provided. The device has a body, and a plurality of straps that can hold the end portions of shoe laces in place. The laces are passed between the straps and the body, and then the body, with laces attached, is positioned on an inner portion of the shoe adjacent to a rear interior end of the shoe. When worn, the device allows a user to keep the shoes laced and secure, while not requiring an exterior knot.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to shoe lace securing systems. More particularly the present invention relates to a device to receive shoe laces and hold them in place in an interior quarter portion of a shoe, between a heel of a wearer and inner heel portion of the shoe.

Description of Related Art

A popular style in the shoe and sneaker field is to lace shoes such that terminal ends of the lace extend into the shoe, leaving no external free lace ends. However, lacing shoes in this manner typically ensures that the shoes cannot be conveniently or comfortably tied or otherwise secured. This leads to the shoes becoming loose and unkempt.

Therefore, what is needed is a device to allow a user to tighten and secure laces while passing the terminal ends of the laces into the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a shoe lace securing device is provided. The device is configured to hold lace end portions in place and configured to be positioned on an interior quarter portion of a shoe. The shoe lace device has a body and a plurality of straps. In one embodiment, the body is formed of a flexible and elongate material. The plurality of straps are attached to the body and are positioned in a widthwise direction across the body. The straps are configured to receive a first end portion of a shoe lace and a second end portion of a shoelace, with these end portions passing between the plurality of straps and the body.

In another aspect, a shoe is provided, this shoe has an upper body and a sole which together define an interior portion of the shoe, including an interior quarter portion where a user inserts a foot. The shoe has a shoe lace securing device positioned within the interior quarter portion of the shoe. The device is specifically positioned along the rear side end of the shoe interior quarter portion, where a heel of a foot would abut. The shoe lace device has a body and a plurality of straps. The body may be formed of a flexible and elongate material. The plurality of straps are attached to the body and are positioned in a widthwise direction across the body. The lace end portions are held to the device by passing between the body and the straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a shoe.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention installed in a shoe interior quarter portion.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention installed in a shoe interior quarter portion.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Generally, the present invention concerns a device to secure end portions of a shoe lace which are passed through a final lace hole in a shoe from an outside of the shoe into the shoe. The device receives the shoe laces and seats in an inner quarter portion of the shoe. A user may then place their foot into the shoe and the device (when holding the laces) may fit between a back of the user's heel and a rear heel portion (part of the quarter portion) of the inside of the shoe. As such, portions of the lace are on opposite sides of a foot when in the shoe. In another embodiment, however, both lace portions may be on a same side of the foot/shoe. This arrangement holds the laces in place from becoming too loose, and provides a stylish look to the shoe.

The device is formed generally of an elongate body sized to receive each of the lace end portions. The lace end portions may be arranged in opposite directions, or the same direction. In one embodiment, the body may be formed of any flexible material. In some embodiments, the body is formed of a soft and flexible material such as plastics, foams, rubbers, fabrics, and the like. The body is often rectangular or oval in shape, but may be any shape capable of receiving the end portions of the lace.

A strap or straps extend widthwise along the body. The straps are configured to receive the two end portions of the lace. End portions, as used herein, include the terminal ends of the lace, and regions of the lace close to the terminal ends. Lace end portions can be passed lengthwise along the body and held in place by passing between the body and the straps. In one embodiment, the straps may be elastic or other stretchable material. This may provide additional force to hold the straps to the body. The straps may be connected to the body or integrally formed with the body in any manner. In a particular embodiment, stitching may connect a strap to the body. In a further embodiment, a middle stitching positioned approximately on the widthwise center of the body may separate the strap into two separate areas. One area for a first lace end, and the other area for a second lace end. In one embodiment, five straps positioned widthwise along the length of the body may be used. In another embodiment, four straps positioned widthwise along the length of the body may be used. In some embodiments, a clip or other holding structure may be employed to hold the laces to the body.

In use, a user may pass a shoelace through the multiple lace holes in the shoe such that at the final lace hole, the lace is inserted from an outside of the shoe into the inside quarter portion of the shoe. The free end portions of the lace are then connected to the body by being passed, or laced through the strap or straps. A user may then position the body, having the lace end portions attached, into the shoe interior quarter portion, urging it into place so that it curves around a rear interior wall of the shoe where a heel of a user will be placed. Once in position the device may either be held in place by a connection to the shoe, such as a hook and loop connection (Velcro®), an adhesive, magnets, friction, tension, and the like. In another embodiment, no connector may be needed and the user's foot may hold the device in place. When in place, the shoe lace securing device prevents loosening of the shoe lace. Keeping the laces tight is achieved by the fact that the device body cannot move closer to the tongue of the shoe because it is blocked by the foot and/or held in place, as well as the fact that the laces are held in place by being held between the strap (or straps) and body.

In a further embodiment, the device may be built into a shoe, such that the body is integrated into the shoe interior, or such that the straps are directly connected to the shoe interior. Operation will be the same as discussed elsewhere in this disclosure. However, the shoe manufacturer, or an end user, may choose to directly connect the straps to the shoe during production.

Turning now to FIG. 1, an elevation view of an embodiment of the shoe lace securing device is provided. In this view, the body 10 is shown as a rectangular body. Straps 11 extend across the width of the body 10. Stitching 12 connects the straps 11 to the body 10 at the lengthwise edges of the body 10. Stitching 12 also connects an approximate middle of the straps 11 to an approximate middle of the body 10 to define a top and bottom area of the straps 11. As such, there are two areas on each strap 11 that a lace end portion (not shown) can pass under. Generally, one lace end portion can pass under the top area, while the other lace end portion can pass under the bottom area.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention with a shoe lace connected to the device, which is outside of the shoe. This view shows a condition of set up of the device. In use, the device is positioned within the shoe. Here, shoe 20 has lace 21. Lace 21 has a first end portion 23 and second end portion 24, and is passed through multiple lace holes 22 of the shoe 20. As can be seen, at a final lace hole 22, the lace passes from an outside to an inside of the shoe. The first lace end portion 23 passes between body 10 and straps 11 in the bottom portion of the straps 11 defined by stitching 12. In another embodiment, the first end portion 23 may alternate over and under the straps 11. An elasticity of straps 11 in some embodiments may help hold the lace 23 to the body 10. Similarly, the second lace end portion 24 passes between body 10 and straps 11 in the upper portion of the straps 11 defined by stitching 12. In this embodiment, the second lace end portion 24 is passed in an opposite direction along the body 10 from the first lace end portion 23.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention installed in an inner quarter portion of a shoe. Shoe 20 defines the interior quarter portion 25 of the shoe. The body 10 of the device is seen aligned against a rear interior end of the shoe 20 interior quarter portion 25, where a heel of a foot would abut or be adjacent to. Lace 21 passes through lace hole 22 from the outside of the shoe and into the shoe quarter portion 25. First end portion 23 and second end portion 24 of the lace 21 pass between the straps 11 and body 10 and are thus held in place. The configuration of the device allows the shoe 20 to have a stylish appearance while also keeping the lace on the shoe tight and secured in place. It should be understood that other lacing methods may also be used with the shoe and shoe lace securing device of the present invention, including bar lacing, cross lacing, and the like.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention built into an inner quarter portion of a shoe. Shoe 20 defines interior quarter portion 25. Straps 11 are attached directly to a rear interior end of the shoe 20 interior quarter portion 25, where a heel of a foot would abut or be adjacent to. Lace 21 passes through lace hole 22 from the outside of the shoe 20 and into the shoe quarter portion 25. First end portion 23 and second end portion 24 of the lace 21 pass between the straps 11 and interior quarter portion 25 and are thus held in place.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention with a shoe lace connected to the device, which is outside of the shoe. This view shows a condition of set up of the device. In use, the device is positioned within the shoe. Here, shoe 20 has lace 21. As noted with regard to FIG. 2, the first lace end portion 23 passes between body 10 and straps 11 in the bottom portion of the straps 11 defined by stitching 12. Similarly, the second lace end portion 24 passes between body 10 and straps 11 in the upper portion of the straps 11 defined by stitching 12. In this particular embodiment, a flap 51 extends from the body 10 and is configured to fold over the body and lace end portions 23, 24. Flap 51 can be secured in place in a covering position in any manner. In the embodiment shown, a hook and loop connector (such as Velcro®) 52, 53 allow the flap 51 to be secured in place. Other similar securing structures may include, but are not limited to magnets, buttons, snaps, weight, adhesive, tongue and groove, and the like.

While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.

Claims

1. A shoe lace device comprising:

a body, the body being a flexible and elongate material;

a plurality of straps attached to the body and positioned across a width of the body, the straps configured to receive a first end portion of a shoe lace and a second end portion of a shoelace by the first and second end portions passing between the plurality of straps and the body; and

wherein the body is configured to be positioned within an interior quarter portion of a shoe adjacent to a rear interior end of the shoe.

2. The shoe lace device of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a hook and loop connector on a rear of the body opposite to the straps.

3. The shoe lace device of claim 1 wherein the body is connectable to the interior quarter portion of the shoe by an adhesive.

4. The shoe lace device of claim 1 wherein the body is formed of a flexible elongate material.

5. The shoe lace device of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of straps is connected to the body at an approximately middle widthwise portion of the body, the connection defining a top area of the strap on one side of the stitching, and a bottom area of the strap on the opposite side of the stitching.

6. The shoe lace device of claim 1 wherein when the device is inserted into a shoe, such that a pressure between an interior portion of the shoe and a heel of a wearer holds the device in place.

7. The shoe lace device of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of straps is formed of an elastic material.

8. The shoe lace device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of straps are attached to a front side of the body.

9. The shoe lace device of claim 1 further comprising a clip positioned on the body configured to hold the first and second lace end portions in place.

10. A shoe having a lacing device, the shoe defining an interior quarter portion where a user inserts a foot, and defining a plurality of lace holes through which a lace is passed, the lace having a first end portion and a second end portion; and

a shoe lace device comprising: a body, the body being a flexible and elongate material; a plurality of straps attached to the body and positioned across a width of the body, the straps receiving the first end portion of the shoe lace and the second end portion of the shoelace by the first and second end portions passing between the plurality of straps and the body; and wherein the body is positioned within the interior quarter portion of the shoe adjacent to a rear interior end of the quarter portion of the shoe.

11. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the body comprises a hook and loop connector on a rear of the body opposite to the straps, the hook and loop connector connecting the body to the shoe interior quarter portion.

12. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the body is built into the shoe interior quarter portion.

13. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the body of the shoe lace device is formed of a flexible elongate material

14. The shoe of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of straps is connected to the body at an approximately middle widthwise portion of the body, the connection defining a top area of the strap on one side of the stitching, and a bottom area of the strap on the opposite side of the stitching, the lace first end portion positioned between the top area of the strap and the body, the lace second end portion positioned between the bottom area of the strap and the body.

15. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the body is positioned such that a pressure between an interior portion of the shoe and a heel of a wearer holds the device in place when the shoe is worn.

16. The shoe of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of straps of the shoe lace device is formed of an elastic material.

17. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the plurality of straps of the shoe lace device are attached to a front side of the body

18. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the lace first end portion passes in a first direction along the body such that a terminal end of the first lace end portion is adjacent to a first end of the body, and wherein the lace second end portion passes in a second opposite direction along the body such that a terminal end of the second lace end portion is adjacent to a second end of the body which is opposite to the first end of the body.

19. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the lace passes through a final lace hole from an outside of the shoe to the interior quarter portion of the shoe.

20. A shoe having a lacing device, the shoe defining an interior quarter portion where a user inserts a foot, and defining a plurality of lace holes through which a lace is passed, the lace having a first end portion and a second end portion; and

a shoe lace device comprising: a plurality of straps attached to the interior quarter portion and spaced apart from each other, the straps receiving the first end portion of the shoe lace and the second end portion of the shoelace by the first and second end portions passing between the plurality of straps and the shoe interior quarter portion.