METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AN EYESTAY COUPLING DEVICE
An eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology include a center body portion and a plurality of coupling elements arranged along an outer edge or periphery of the center body portion. The coupling elements are configured to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe in place of a shoelace. The center body portion is flexible in at least one direction to allow a user to insert or remove their foot from the shoe. When a foot is positioned within the shoe, the center body portion pulls the coupling elements inwards towards each other to provide a secure fit around the user's foot.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/679,130, filed Jun. 1, 2018, and incorporates the disclosure of the application by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGYShoelaces are among the most common method of securing footwear to a user. Shoelaces represent a relatively simple method of ensuring a comfortable fit to various types of footwear from casual shoes to athletic shoes to formal shoes and boots. Shoelaces can present problems for users that suffer from arthritis or other medical conditions that may limit a person's dexterity, mobility, and/or finer motor skills. For example, persons who suffer from back pain may have difficulty bending sufficiently to allow them to tie their shoes.
Alternative methods to secure footwear to a user exist and provide varying degrees of comfort and fit. For example, hook and loop fasteners have been used in place of shoelaces in athletic shoes, walking shoes, and general-purpose shoes. Although this type of fastening system works, it still requires that a user have the ability to bend downwards to adjust the hook and loop fastener. This type of fastener may also only provide limited points of adjustability since the typical width of a hook and loop type fastener results in two or possibly three fasteners being able to be positioned on a given shoe. Similarly, some shoes buckles may be used in place of shoelaces and provide similar benefits and drawbacks as those found with hook and loop fasteners. Furthermore, each of these systems require that the fastener be loosened or refastened each time a user puts on or takes off their shoe.
SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGYAn eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology includes a center body portion and a plurality of coupling elements arranged along an outer edge or periphery of the center body portion. The coupling elements are configured to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe in place of a shoelace. The center body portion is flexible in at least one direction to allow a user to insert or remove their foot from the shoe. When a foot is positioned within the shoe, the center body portion pulls the coupling elements inwards towards each other to provide a secure fit around the user's foot.
A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.
Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in a different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTSThe present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various materials, coupling mechanisms, dimensions, and geometries, which may carry out a variety of functions for selective attachment to a textile. In addition, the technology described is merely one exemplary application for the invention. Further, the present technology may employ any number of conventional techniques for securing one device to another.
Methods and apparatus for an eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with various types of footwear such as shoes, boots, slippers, or other objects commonly tightened with laces. Various representative implementations of the present technology may be applied to various types of shoes or garments as a replacement for laces or lacing.
Referring to
The center body portion 102 may comprise any suitable shape or dimension and may be selected according to any suitable criteria such as shoe size, type of footwear, or the like. For example, in one embodiment, the center body portion 102 may comprise a length of between about one inch and about seven inches and extend between a first eyelet 112 and a last eyelet 114 on each side of the shoe 110. The center body portion 102 may also comprise a sufficient width of between about one-eighth of an inch and about six inches to stretch across and cover at least a portion of a tongue 116 of the shoe 110.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the center body portion 102 may be configured to stretch and contract only along its width to draw the opposing eyelets of the shoe 110 towards each other during use. In an alternative embodiment, the center body portion 102 may be configured to stretch and contract along both its length and width to allow the eyestay coupling device 100 to fit a larger range of shoes.
Referring again to
The opposing side edges 106, 108 may be integrated with the center body portion 102 as a single piece of fabric or the opposing side edges 106, 108 may be coupled to opposing sides of the center body portion 102. For example, in one embodiment, the opposing side edges 106, 108 may comprise a thicker section of material as compared to the center body portion 102 that is formed by layers of the material or fabric. Alternatively, the opposing side edges 106, 108 may comprise a different material or fabric that is configured to resist stretching and is more resistant to abrasions or wear.
Referring now to
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In an alternative embodiment, and referring now to
Alternatively, the body portion 802 may comprise a stretchable section that is configured to be more or less stretchable than the center body portion 102. For example, in one embodiment, the body portion 802 may be configured to require a larger tensile force be applied before stretching compared to the tensile force required to stretch the center body portion 102. This may be useful during installation to allow the coupling elements 104 to be connected to the eyelets 900 of the shoe 110. Conversely, the body portion 802 may be configured to require a lower tensile force be applied before stretching compared to the force required to stretch the center body portion 102. This may allow the coupling elements 104 to stretch and accommodate a narrower width of the center body portion 102 that would be unable to span the gap between the opposing eyestays of the shoe 110.
Referring now to
For example, and with particular reference to
Alternatively, and with particular reference now to
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These and other embodiments for methods of creating an eyestay coupling device may incorporate concepts, embodiments, and configurations as described above. The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.
The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus embodiment may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present technology and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples.
As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
The present technology has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology, as expressed in the following claims.
Claims
1. An eyestay coupling device for a shoe having multiple eyelets, comprising:
- a stretchable center body; and
- a plurality of coupling elements disposed along an outer peripheral edge of the flexible body, wherein each coupling element is configured to be connected to an eyelet of the shoe.
2. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 1, wherein:
- the stretchable body comprises a plurality of body eyelets disposed along the outer peripheral edge; and
- each of the plurality of coupling elements is configured to couple a single body eyelet to a single shoe eyelet.
3. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 2, further comprising a second plurality of body eyelets disposed adjacent to the first plurality of eyelets.
4. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 2, wherein each coupling element comprises a dual-sided hook, wherein:
- a first end of the dual-sided hook is configured to connect to one of the body eyelets; and
- a second end of the dual-sided hook if configured to connect to one of the shoe eyelets.
5. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 4, further comprising a stretchable leg portion extending between the first and second ends of the dual-sided hook.
6. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 2, wherein each coupling element comprises:
- a post element configured to be slid through a body eyelet and a shoe eyelet; and
- a locking element configured to be positioned around the post element to secure the post element to the body eyelet and the shoe eyelet.
7. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 6, wherein the post element comprises:
- a head portion; and
- a post body having a locking element engagement section configured to hold the locking element in place on the post.
8. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 7, wherein:
- the locking element engagement section comprises a threaded section disposed along a middle portion of the post body; and
- the locking element comprises a nut configured to matably engage the threaded section.
9. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 8, wherein the threaded section does not extend all of the way to the head portion.
10. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 7, wherein:
- the locking element comprises a connector having an open center portion configured to fit around the post body; and
- the locking element engagement section comprises a protrusion disposed along an end portion of the post body opposite the head portion that is configured to prevent the locking element from sliding off of the post body.
11. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of coupling elements are disposed along opposing first and second side edges of the stretchable body.
12. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements comprise a hook extending outwardly from the opposing first and second side edges of the stretchable body that is configured to be connected to an eyelet of the shoe.
13. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 12, further comprising a stretchable leg portion extending between the side edge and the hook.
14. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements comprise:
- a post element configured to be slid through a body eyelet and a shoe eyelet; and
- a locking element configured to be positioned around the post element to secure the post element to the body eyelet and the shoe eyelet.
15. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 14, wherein the post element comprises:
- a head portion; and
- a post body having a locking element engagement section configured to hold the locking element in place on the post.
16. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 15, wherein:
- the locking element engagement section comprises a threaded section disposed along a middle portion of the post body; and
- the locking element comprises a nut configured to matably engage the threaded section.
17. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 16, wherein the threaded section does not extend all of the way to the head portion.
18. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 14, further comprising a stretchable leg portion extending between the side edge and the coupling element.
19. An eyestay coupling device according to claim 14, wherein:
- the locking element comprises a connector having an open center portion configured to fit around the post body; and
- the locking element engagement section comprises a protrusion disposed along an end portion of the post body opposite the head portion that is configured to prevent the locking element from sliding off of the post body.
Type: Application
Filed: May 30, 2019
Publication Date: Dec 5, 2019
Inventor: Hester LeShawn Charles (Chandler, AZ)
Application Number: 16/427,210