LACING SYSTEM FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR
A lacing system for clothing or footwear is disclosed, having one or more laces, wherein the laces have at least part of at least one non-smooth surface and which are rotated in the path between a closing flap and the other of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, so as to maintain a parallel and adherent relationship to each other. A kit for obtaining a lacing system to be applied to a garment or to a shoe is also disclosed.
The present invention relates to a lacing system for clothing and footwear, which allows a garment or a shoe to be tied and untied very quickly, simply and safely, also correctly adjusting the extent of a closure and the desired tension to be applied to the part of the body affected by the garment or to the foot.
Footwear is part of clothing from unmemorable time. Since ancient times, indeed, foot protection while walking, especially against obstacles, sharp objects, stinging plants, puddles, dirt, ice and heat, has been extremely important.
Generally, a shoe looks like a set of parts, normally present in each item. Therefore, each shoe has a sole, usually a heel (even if there are ones not having it at all or having a simple protrusion of the sole itself) and an upper. The foot rests on the sole and is covered and protected against the outside by the upper. The word “upper” herein covers a very broad meaning, since, for example in sandals, it is widely open or completely replaced by a certain number of stripes and does not give the foot a complete covering.
A critical point in footwear is precisely the upper. Indeed, it must be sufficiently open to allow the foot to be inserted therein. However, the opening required to insert the foot is per se such as to allow the latter to escape from the upper itself, thus losing the shoe. For this reason, all known footwear, even the oldest ones, provide means for keeping the shoe anchored to the foot during walking, normally narrowing the opening for the insertion of the foot. Such anchoring means (closure) must, however, be able to allow the desired exit of the foot for the removal of the shoe at the end of its use.
The means for keeping the shoe anchored to the foot are the most diverse. In sandals (which are perhaps the oldest type of footwear), there is a belt that is normally passed through a special buckle. Usually, the belt has a series of through holes, normally equidistant, within which a barb can be inserted, which is present in the buckle: the belt is inserted into the buckle, pulling it until the foot is as tight as desired, then the barb of the buckle is inserted into the desired through hole—the closest to the optimal tension—so as to firmly lock the belt, tightening it approximately as desired. Normally, the tension remains stable throughout the walk. A system of this type, suitable for sandals, is however rather unsightly in other types of shoe and is quite rare to be seen. Moreover, it is not excluded the case of particularly thin or, on the contrary, large or wide feet, for which the through holes are normally arranged in unsuitable positions, so as to make the shoe excessively wide (with the risk of a wrong walk or even to lose the shoe anyway) or excessively tight (with the risk of obstructing blood circulation and making the feet sore).
The most common type of closure for footwear is still nowadays represented by laces. These are ropes of different materials (usually textiles or leather/hide leather) that are inserted in through holes on the two sides of the opening of the upper, protected by special eyelets made of rigid material (metal or plastic), sending each end of the lace on two sides alternatively and leaving the two ends free at the instep. Pulling the ends of the lace, the opening of the upper narrows, tightening the upper around the foot, to the desired size. At this point, the laces are tied together, normally to form a bow, which blocks the laces at the desired tension. This system, simpler than the previous one, present a first drawback in that, with the tension exerted by the walk, the two ends of the lace tend to move with respect to each other and to the parts to which they are tied, thus tending to enlarge the opening, often until it opens completely, so that those who wear shoes, during a walk, often have to bend down to retie them. Furthermore, the bow is not easy to do and it can even be prohibitive, for example, for children, but sometimes also for the elderly.
Thoughts similar to those made so far apply, mutatis mutandis, to the lacing of clothing, such as trousers, skirts, evening dresses, aprons or for the adjustment of hats and gloves, in which sometimes also the position of the lacing system increases the difficulties. For the sake of brevity, the state of the art related to the lacing of trousers and hats is briefly discussed.
In trousers, the most widespread closure system at the sides of the body consists of a button placed on a flap that engages in a correspondingly sized slot, placed on the opposite flap, performing the closure and keeping the two flaps together. Although conceptually simple, inserting the button in the slot can be rather uncomfortable, if the slot is tight, or it may not be sufficiently stable, if the slot is wide. However, a certain strength is needed, which can result in a problem for the elderly and for children. Sometimes, then, the position of at least one of the two flaps is such as to make the button and/or the slot almost inaccessible (or in any way difficult to access). It should also be noted that this lacing system absolutely does not allow the adjustment of the tension, since for a button and a slot only one tension is possible, which could adapt in a non-optimal way to the wearer of the trousers. Thus, it is common for trousers, once buttoned up, to be too wide or too tight, making them uncomfortable in both cases. In general, if they are too wide, an attempt is made to work with a belt, but the results are not optimal, while the braces are now mostly perceived as anachronistic.
The lacing of hats is different. There are systems that allow also the adjustment of tension, so as to adapt to the circumference of the head that carries the hat. The most widespread system is the one using Velcro or similar. There is also a system with a pierced tongue, the holes of which can be adapted to a pin present on an opposite tongue. However, it is not possible to lock the desired tension state, since Velcro does not allow the two flaps to be brought closer together and the pin-hole system allows only moderate tension states.
In footwear, a solution to the drawbacks of the laces has been proposed by the manufacturers of children's shoes, which have created the straps: a rather wide strip, carried on one side of the upper, which is inserted in a slot on the other side of the upper, then turning it over on itself; the strip is then closed with a Velcro type system. This system, which is usually quite functional, is however not very aesthetic (completely unsuitable for elegant footwear) and does not allow a uniform closing of the opening on the upper.
The applicant, with the application WO2016/020 898 had proposed a lacing system for footwear, comprising a shoe, with an upper with right and left edges and a pair of laces. The laces are characterised by the presence of at least one hole and at least one slit on its surface. The shoe has at least one pair of eyelets, one on the right edge and one on the left edge. The closure of said upper is obtained by passing one end of each of said laces first through an eyelet, then through the groove present on the same lace, then sending the other end towards the other side. Each of the laces has a second slit, apt to allow the end of the other string to pass through its inside, while the other end enters the first slit. In this way, to move the left and right edges towards each other to close the upper, the ends of the laces are simultaneously pulled outwards. Although this system is very simple to be used, it still exhibits some drawbacks. In particular, it is in any case necessary to provide stop devices, preferably consisting of pins, fixed to the upper, which must be inserted in one of the through holes provided on each of the laces. In this way, it can be a bit complicated to reopen the shoe after walking and it may be required to use some force, both to lock and to unlock the lace in the pin; on the other hand, although conceptually this system must function even without these stopping devices, in fact the walk, in a relatively short time, leads to the reopening of the shoe, with problems that are thus again created.
GB 2 394 165 relates to a shoe lace, comprising a cord, stiffened with a metal wire core and having a stop on one end, manufactured as a plate with two holes on its surface. The other end is manufactured as in normal laces. The cord is passed between two holes of the upper and fixed, twisting the stop. And by causing the end of a normal lace to go through the two holes of the stop.
The underlying problem of the invention is to propose a lacing system for clothing or footwear that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and allows to easily fasten and unfasten the clothing or footwear to which it is applied, when the garment or shoe is fastened, the closure remaining stable and with the desired degree of tension which remains stable and which can be chosen in a substantially exact manner. This object is achieved through a lacing system for clothing or footwear, comprising one or more laces, characterised in that said laces are overlapped, coupled and rotated around the axis of the coupling surface in at least one path between one closing flap and the other of the garment or of the upper of the shoe or in at least one path between the slots of the components anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe or in at least one path between the slots of the components or of the end anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe. The dependent claims disclose preferred features of the invention.
Further features and advantages of the invention will anyhow be more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given by mere way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present invention is described in relation to a shoe, but it is apparent that the same concepts apply —mutatis mutandis—to any item of clothing.
According to a first embodiment,
Components 12W and 17W, as shown in
Components 12 and 17, as shown in
The laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11; 10F, 11F of
Advantageously the laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11; 10F, 11F are manufactured flat, so as to increase mutual adherence when they are coupled.
Advantageously also the components 12, 17 are manufactured flat, so as to facilitate their interaction with the laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11, and to facilitate their anchoring to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe.
According to the present invention, the lace 1, or the laces 5 and 7, or 10 and 11, and the components 12, 17, or the laces 10F, 11F, can be made of a material characterised by reversible deformations, such as natural polymers (such as rubber) or synthetic (e.g. PVC, silicone, rubbers, polyurethane, TPU) which preferably have a shore value ranging between 60 and 100 or a coupling of said materials, which improves the closing properties of the clothing or of the upper. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the same laces and components can be made of natural or synthetic leather or a coupling thereof, or in combination with a film of non-stretching material that limits the deformability of the leather; moreover, according to the present invention, the same laces and components can be made by weaving natural material (for example cotton) or synthetic material (for example nylon, polyester, polypropylene). Furthermore, the components 12W, 17W of
The embodiment of
An alternative embodiment using the laces 10, 11 of
It is pointed out that the eyelets 41, 42 and 44, 45 of the respective flaps 39, 40, must be sized in such a way as to allow the simultaneous passage of the body 4M of lace 10 and of the body 9M of lace 11.
The embodiment shown in
The embodiment shown in
It has surprisingly been verified that the twisting activated in the path between one flap (23; 39) and the other (24; 40), together with the use of laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11, characterised by at least part of at least one non-smooth surface, and together with the winding path made by the overlapped and coupled laces in the path between the eyelets 25 and 26; 31 and 32 or 41 and 42; 44 and 45 of the flaps 23, 24 or 39, 40, in the above described mode, as in
In
The end 2 of the lace 1 is first passed through the shoe outside into the eyelet 57, then into the eyelet 52, then into the shoe inside, through the eyelet 55, then towards the outside, through the eyelet 54 and the slot 16 of the component 12W, respectively, then into the slot 15 of the same component 12W; then it is proceeded with the other end 3 of the lace 1 which is first passed through the shoe outside to the inside of the eyelet 53, then into the eyelet 56, then towards the shoe inside, through the eyelet 51, then towards the outside, through the eyelet 50 and the slot 21, then into the slot 20 of the same component 17W. From here, it is caused to go through the space between the flaps 48 and 49 and is twisted with at least 120°, preferably at least 150°, most preferably by at least 180°, preferably clockwise with respect to the source flap, to then enter, in turn, overlapping and coupling its half-body 9T with the half-body 4T, into the eyelets of the component 12W, in the order 15 and 16 respectively, coming out on the side of the flap 49. Then, the end 2 of the lace 1 placed in the direction of the flap 48 is grabbed again and is twisted with at least 120°, preferably at least 150°, most preferably by at least 180°, preferably clockwise with respect to the source flap, and overlapping and coupling its half-body 4T with its half-body 9T, is caused to enter, in turn, into the slots of component 17W respectively, in order, 20 and 21, coming out on the side of the flap 48.
It is apparent that in this application the components 12W, 17W, further than performing the function of opening for the shoe, extend each flap of the upper, configuring a sort of additional eyelet, identified by the slot 20, beside the eyelet 50 and from the slot 15, beside the eyelet 54; in substance, the components 12W, 17W are configured as a same appendix of the flaps to which they are applied. It is noted that the winding path of the coupled laces crossing the slots of components 12W, 17W, introduces an increase in resistance to sliding between the half-bodies or between the bodies of the laces, which allows the opening of the garment or of the upper of the shoe exclusively by manually operating the ends of the components 12W and 17W.
In this embodiment, the end 2; 3 of the lace 1 is passed through the eyelets 57, 52, 55, 54; 53, 56, 51, 50 arranged in pairs and in a line on the opposite closing flaps 48; 49 of the garment or of the upper and said ends 2; 3 of the lace 1 are inserted, respectively, into eyelets 16 and 15 which are present on the component 12W and into eyelets 21 and 20 which are present on the component 17W, then, is the path between the eyelets 15, 20 of the components 12W, 17W, the half-bodies 4T and 9T of the lace 1 are overlapped, coupled and rotated, then, said ends 2; 3 are inserted, overlapping and coupling the half-bodies 4T and 9T, respectively, into eyelets 20, 21 found on component 17W and into eyelets 15, 16 found on component 12W.
In this embodiment, the crossmembers 6T and 8T of the laces 5, 7 are apt to anchor into the eyelets 57 and 53 present on the flaps of the upper, and the end 2; 3 of the laces 5, 7 is caused to go through the eyelets 57, 52, 55, 54; 53, 56, 51, 50 arranged in pairs and in a line on the opposite closing flaps 48; 49 of the garment or of the upper and said ends 2; 3 of the lace 5, 7 are inserted, respectively, into eyelets 16, 15 which are present on the component 12W and into eyelets 21, 20 which are present on the component 17W, then, the path between the eyelets 15, 20 of the components 12W, 17W, the bodies 4 and 9 of the lace 5, 7 are overlapped, coupled and rotated, then said ends 2; 3 are inserted, overlapping and coupling the bodies 4 and 9, respectively, into eyelets 20, 21 found on component 17W and into eyelets 15, 16 found on component 12W.
It is apparent that, in this application, components 12, 17, in addition to perform the function of opening for the shoe, extend each flap of the upper, configuring a sort of additional eyelet identified by the path between the two slots 19 and 20, beside the eyelet 50 and by the path between the two slots 14 and 15, beside the eyelet 54; substantially, the components 12, 17 are configured as a same appendix of the flaps to which they are applied. It is noted that the winding path made by the coupled laces crossing the slots of components 12, 17, introduces an increase in resistance to sliding between the half-bodies or between the bodies of the laces, which allows the opening of the garment or of the upper of the shoe exclusively by manually operating the ends of the components 12 and 17. In this embodiment, the end 2; 3 of the lace 1 is passed through the eyelets 57, 52, 55, 54; 53, 56, 51, 50 arranged in pairs and in a line on the opposite closing flaps 48; 49 of the garment or of the upper and said ends 2; 3 of the lace 1 are inserted, respectively, into eyelets 13, 16, 15, 14 which are present on the component 12 and into eyelets 18, 21, 20, 19 which are present on the component 17, then, in the path between the eyelets 14, 19 of the components 12, 17, the half-bodies 4T and 9T of the lace 1 are overlapped, coupled and rotated, furthermore said ends 2; 3 are inserted, overlapping and coupling the half-bodies 4T and 9T, respectively, into eyelets 19, 20, 21 found on component 17 and into eyelets 14, 15, 16 found on component 12.
The end 2 of the lace 5 is first passed through the shoe inside to the outside into the eyelet 57, pulling until abutting the crossmember 6T against the eyelet 57, then into the eyelet 52, then into the shoe inside through the eyelet 55, then towards the outside, respectively through, in turn, the slot 13 of the component 12, the eyelet 54 and the slot 16 of the component 12, then into the slots 15 and 14 of the component 12; it is continued with the end 3 of the lace 7 which is first passed from the shoe inside to the outside into the eyelet 53, pulling until abutting the crossmember 8T on the eyelet 53, then into the eyelet 56, then towards the shoe inside, through the eyelet 51, then towards the outside, respectively through, in turn, the slot 18 of the component 17, the eyelet 50 the slot 21, 20 and 19 of the component 17. From here, it is caused to go through the space between the flaps 48 and 49 and is twisted with at least 120°, preferably at least 150°, in the most preferred way by at least 180°, preferably clockwise with respect to the source flap, to then enter, overlapping and coupling its body 9 to the body 4 of the lace 5, into the eyelets of component 12, respectively 14, 15 and 16, coming out on the side of the flap 49. Then, the end 2 of the lace 5 placed in the direction of the flap 48 is grabbed again and is twisted with at least 120°, preferably at least 150°, most preferably way by at least 180°, preferably clockwise with respect to the source flap, and overlapping and coupling its body 4 to the body of lace 7, caused to enter the eyelets 19, 20 and 21, respectively, of component 17, coming out on the side of the flap 48. It is noted that the eyelets 19, 20, 21 of component 17, and the eyelets 14, 15, 16 of component 12, must be sized in such a way as to allow the simultaneous passage of the body 4 of lace 5 and of the body 9 of lace 7.
In this embodiment, the crossmembers 6T and 8T of the laces 5, 7 are apt to anchor into the eyelets 57 and 53 present on the flaps of the upper, and the end 2; 3 of the laces 5, 7 is passed through the eyelets 57, 52, 55, 54; 53, 56, 51, 50 arranged in pairs and in a line on the opposite closing flaps 48; 49 of the garment or of the upper and said ends 2; 3 of the laces 5, 7 are inserted, respectively, into eyelets 13, 16, 15, 14 which are present on the component 12 and into eyelets 18, 21, 20, 19 which are present on the component 17, then, in the path between the eyelets 14, 19 of the components 12, 17, the bodies 4 and 9 of the lace 5, 7 are overlapped, coupled and rotated, furthermore, said ends 2; 3 are inserted, overlapping and coupling the bodies 4 and 9, respectively, into eyelets 19, 20, 21, found on component 17, and into eyelets 14, 15, 16, found on component 12.
It has been observed that the slots 15, 16; 20, 21 present on said components 12W; 17W, are sized to allow the simultaneous passage of the body 4M of the same lace with the body 9M of the other lace. Each narrower end 2; 3 of the lace 2, 3, is passed, in order, from the inside of the shoe, towards the outside through at least one eyelet 62; 61 present on a closing flap 60; 59 of the garment or the upper of the shoe, in a first slot 16; 21 present in component 12W; 17W, in a second slot 15;
20 of the same component 12W; 17W, then, in the path between the slots 15, 20 of components 12W, 17W, the bodies 4M and 9M of the laces 10, 11 are overlapped, coupled and rotated, then each of said end 2, 3, coupling and overlapping a body on the other, is inserted into the second slot 20; 15 of the other component 17W; 12W, and finally again into the first 21; 16 slot of the other component 17W; 12W.
Also in such cases, it occurred that the twisting activated in the path between the slots 20, 15 of components 17W, 12W anchored to the flaps 48, 49; 59, 60, together with the employment of laces characterised by at least part of at least one non-smooth surface, and with the winding path made by the overlapped and coupled laces in the path between the slots 15, 16 and 20, 21 of components 12W, 17W anchored to the flaps 48, 49; 59, 60, in the modes described above in
In this embodiment, the crossmembers 6M and 8M of the laces 10, 11 are anchored in the slots 13, 18 present in the components 12 and 17, while the slots 14, 15, 16; 19, 20, 21 present on said components 12; 17, are sized to allow the simultaneous passage of the body 4M of the same lace with the body 9M of the other lace, and each narrower end 2; 3 is passed, in order, from the inside of the shoe towards the outside through at least one eyelet 62; 61 present on a closing flap 60; 59 of the garment or the upper of the shoe, in a first slot 16; 21 present in component 12; 17, in a second slot 15; 20 of the same component 12; 17, and in a third slot 14; 19 of the same component 12; 17, then, in the path between the slots 14, 19 of components 12, 17, the bodies 4M and 9M of the laces 10, 11 are overlapped, coupled and rotated, then each end 2, 3, coupling and overlapping a body on the other, is inserted in the third slot 19; 14 of the other component 17; 12, then in the second slot 20; 15 and finally again in the first slot 21; 16 of the other component 17; 12.
Also in such cases, it occurred that the twisting activated in the path between the slots 19, 14 of components 17, 12 anchored to the flaps 48, 49; 59, 60, together with the use of laces characterised by at least part of at least one non-smooth surface, and with the winding path made by the overlapped and coupled laces in the path between the slots 14, 15, 16 and 19, 20, 21 of components 12, 17 anchored to the flaps 48, 49; 59, 60, in the modes described above in
According to this embodiment, the two laces 10 and 11F have a body 4F or, respectively, 9F, a narrower end 2 or, respectively, 3 and a broader end 12F or, respectively, 17F which comprises at least three slots 14, 15, 16; 19, 20, 21 within which the body 4F of the same lace and the body 9F of the other lace can simultaneously pass and each narrower end 2; 3 is passed, in order, from the inside of the garment or of the shoe, outwards, through at least one eyelet 62; 61 present on a closing flap 60; 59 of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, in a first slot 16; 21 present in the broader part 12F; 17F of the same lace 10F; 11F, in a second slot 15; 20 of the same lace and in a third slot 14; 19 of the same lace, then in the path between the slots 19, 14 present in the broader part 17F; 12F; the bodies 4F and 9F of the lace 10F, 11F are overlapped, coupled and rotated, then said end 2, 3 is inserted, always overlapping and coupling the respective bodies 4F and 9F, in the third slot 19; 14 of the other lace 11F; 10F, then in the second slot 20; 15 and finally again in the first slot 21; 16 of the other lace 11F; 10F.
In
The end 17F of the lace 11F is then placed over the flap 64, so that the slot 21 is centred on the eyelet 66 and the end 3 faces the flap 65; the end 3 is then folded and inserted from the shoe outside to the inside, at first into the eyelet 67, paying attention to keep the slots 19, 20 of the end 17F on the outside part of the shoe, then the end 3 is inserted into the eyelet 66, then, in order, into the slots 21, 20 and 19 of the end 17F, then the end 3 is placed facing the flap 65.
From here, it is caused to go through the space between the flaps 64 and 65 and is twisted with at least 120°, preferably at least 150°, most preferably at least 180°, preferably clockwise with respect to the source flap, to then enter, overlapping and coupling its body 9F with the body 4F of the lace 10F, into the slots of the end, in the order 14, 15 and 16 of the end 12F, coming out on the side of the flap 65. Then, the end 2 of the lace 10F, placed in the direction of the flap 64, is grasped again, is then twisted with at least 120°, preferably at least 150°, most preferably at least 180° with respect to the source flap, preferably clockwise with respect to the source flap and overlapping and coupling its body 4F with the body 9F of the lace 11F, then inserted into the slots 19, 20, 21 of the end 17F, coming out on the side of the flap 64.
In
Also in such last cases, it has been observed that the twisting activated in the path between the slots 19, 14 of the ends 17F, 12F anchored to the flaps 59, 60; 64, 65, together with the use of laces characterised by at least part of at least one non-smooth surface, and with the winding path made by the overlapped and coupled laces then inserted into the slots 14, 15, 16; 19, 20, 21 of the ends 12F, 17F anchored to the flaps 59, 60; 64, 65, in the modes described above in
The lacing system shown in the embodiments of
The shoe can be worn when the lacing system according to the present invention is open. The foot is inserted into the shoe and, in order to close it, the ends 2 and 3 are pulled outwards, in the direction of moving away from one another. In this way, the half-bodies 4T, 9T and the bodies 4, 9; 4M, 9M; 4F, 9F will slide with respect to one another, so as to bring the two flaps 23, 24; 39, 40; 48, 49; 59, 60; 64, 65 closer each other. Once the closure has reached the required tension, the pulling stops. In this way, the shoe is closed and allows optimal walking, without the risk of losing the shoe and without undesirable gaps of the shoe with respect to the foot. A synergy is developed between the surface finish of the laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11; 10F, 11F, each characterised by at least part of at least one non-smooth surface, with the activated twisting between the coupled half-bodies 4T, 9T or between the coupled bodies 4, 9; 4M, 9M; 4F, 9F in the path between the flaps 23, 24; 39, 40 of the garment or of the upper of the shoe or in the path between the slots 15, 20 of the components 12W, 17W or in the path between the slots 14, 19 of the components 12, 17 or of the end 12F, 17F anchored to the flaps 48, 49; 59, 60; 64, 65, together with the use of a winding path between the slots 25, 26 and 31, 32; 41, 42 and 44, 45 of the flaps 23, 24; 39, 40 or between the slots 15, 16 and 20, 21 of components 12W, 17W or between the slots 14, 15, 16 and 19, 20, 21 of components 12, 17 or of the ends 12F, 17F anchored to the flaps 48, 49; 59, 60; 64, 65, when the laces are in position, allowing to give up to any further locking system of the lacing in position. Of course, it is also possible to insert one or more systems for locking of the laces, so as to maximise the resistance to the opening of the shoe, but this addition is not per se necessary and could be considered completely redundant and superfluous. The use of laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11; 10F, 11F also in the non-smooth materials used as preferred according to the present invention, without activating the coupling and the twisting, results in the opening of the shoe in rather short times. Therefore, only the combination according to the present invention allows to achieve the desired result. The twisting in pairs of the half-bodies or the bodies of the laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11; 10F, 11F, in fact, on the one hand, compresses the same on one another, increasing the friction for their mutual sliding and, on the other hand, creates a conformation with greater flexural stiffness, which absorbs the action of the foot on the laces themselves, that would tend to open the shoe.
Preferably, the laces 1 or 5, 7 or 10, 11 perform a winding path around the flaps 23, 24 and 39, 40, as shown in
In the mode of execution of
In the mode of execution of
In the mode of execution of
A similar winding path is present in the mode of execution shown in
In each of the above modes, the windingness produced by the overlapping and coupling of the laces 1 or 5, 7 or 10, 11 or 10F, 11F, in the path between the eyelets 25, 26 and 31, 32, or 41, 42 and 44, 45, or between the slots 15 and 20 of the components 12W or 17W or between the slots 16, 15, 14 and 21, 20, 19 of the components 12, 17 or of the ends 12F, 17F, therefore determines a further synergistic action (further friction) which avoids in an even more complete manner the unwanted sliding able to open the flaps 23, 24 or 39, 40 or 48, 49 or 59, 60 or 64, 65 with respect to one another if the laces are stressed orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the laces (action produced by the foot during walking), while maintaining the possibilities of reciprocal sliding when forces are used directly along the longitudinal axis of the laces (action of manual traction of the ends 2, 3 of the laces produced by the user); thus making manual opening simple and easy and impossible to open with the sole action of the foot during walking.
When it is desired to remove the shoes, there are two possibilities, depending on the type of embodiment used. In the cases illustrated in
In the case of the embodiments shown in
It is also possible to provide grasping points, for example by sewing them to the flaps 23, 24 or 39, 40, with which to pull the flaps 23 and 24 or 39 and 40 in the direction of widening, to obtain the opening of the shoe without the need for components 12W and 17W or 12 and 17. However, such grasping points can be the same components 12W and 17W or 12 and 17, respectively, according to the configuration of
Tension adjustment can also be done by pulling the ends 2 and 3 outwards. Then, if an excessive tension were to be reached, components 12W and 17W or 12 and 17 could be pulled outwards. If the tension is released beyond the desired point, it is possible to pull again the ends 2 and 3 until reaching the desired tension, and so on, until the tension that is considered optimal for the user needs is reached.
The lacing system according to the present invention allows to fasten the footwear in an extremely simple manner, entrusting to the same movement (the traction towards the outside) both the opening and the closure of the shoe, the opening not being able to take place with the sole action of the foot, but only by exerting traction on components 12W, 17W or 12, 17 or on the ends 12F, 17F. Furthermore, the adjustment takes place in a stable manner, able to withstand the stress created by normal walking and even intense sports activity.
In practice, the twisting activated in the path between one flap and the other or between the slots of components 12W, 17W or of components 12, 17 or the ends 12F, 17F, together with the use of laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11; 10F, 11F, characterised by at least part of at least a non-smooth surface, and together with the winding path made by the overlapped and coupled laces in the path between eyelets of the same flap, or in the path between slots on the same component 12W, 17W or 12, 17 or on the ends 12F, 17F eliminates the possibility of mutual sliding between the half-bodies 4T, 9T of the lace 1 or between the bodies 4, 9; 4M, 9M of the laces 5, 7; 10, 11, if stressed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the laces (action produced by the foot during walking), while maintaining the possibility of mutual sliding unchanged if forces acting directly along the longitudinal axis of the laces are used (manual pulling action of the ends 2, 3 of the laces generated by the user); thus making manual opening simple and easy and impossible the opening with the sole action of the foot during walking.
Lacing is optimal for those who follow the fashion of keeping shoes without strings or with strings unfastened, while still allowing the comfort normally ensured by the lace. Moreover, with the lacing system according to the present invention the block is obtained at the desired tension in a much simpler and more precise manner than with traditional laces or with buckles, which makes the system particularly suitable for children, the elderly and people with reduced motion capacity.
The lacing system according to the present invention can be carried directly by a shoe, being sold already mounted on the shoe. However, it can also be applied to any existing shoe, provided it has eyelets for laces; for this reason, the present invention comprises a kit for obtaining a lacing system to be applied to a shoe, characterised in that it comprises at least one lace 1 or at least two laces 5, 7; 10, 11 together with the components 12W, 17W or the components 12, 17, or at least two laces 10F, 11F and instructions designed to indicate to the user how to apply the laces and the components to a shoe.
The lacing system according to the present invention is suitable for both formal and sports footwear and even for some of the technical ones (hiking boots, safety shoes and the like).
Furthermore, the lacing system according to the present invention can be applied to trousers, skirts, evening dresses and aprons or for the adjustment of hats, gloves or for the adjustment of the closure of bags and backpacks.
The present invention also relates to a kit for obtaining a lacing system to be applied to a garment, an accessory or a shoe as previously described, characterised in that it comprises one or more laces 1; 5, 7; 10, 11; together with components 12W, 17W or components 12, 17 or at least two laces 10F, 11F and instructions apt to indicate to the user how to apply the laces to an item of clothing, accessory or shoe.
The present invention also relates to a shoe, characterised in that it comprises a lacing system as described above.
Finally, the present invention also refers to an item of clothing, characterised in that it comprises a lacing system as described above.
It is understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as limited by the particular arrangement illustrated above, which represents only an exemplary embodiment of the same, but different variants are possible, all within the reach of a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention itself, as defined by the following claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
- 1 Lace
- 2 Point end (of 1 or of 5 or of 10 or of 10F)
- 3 Point end (of 1 or of 7 or of 11 or of 11F)
- 4T half-body (of 1)
- 9T half-body (of 1)
- 4 Body (of 5)
- 4M Body (of 10)
- 4F Body (of 10F)
- 5 Lace
- 6T Crossmember (of 5)
- 6M Crossmember (of 10)
- 7 Lace
- 8T Crossmember (of 7)
- 8M Crossmember (of 11)
- 9 Body (of 7)
- 9M Body (of 11)
- 9F Body (of 11F)
- 10 Lace
- 10F Lace
- 11 Lace
- 11F Lace
- 12 Component (of 1 or of 5 or of 10)
- 12F End of Lace 10F
- 12W Component (of 1 or of 5 or of 10)
- 13 Slot (of 12)
- 14 Slot (of 12 or of 12F)
- 15 Slot (of 12, of 12W or of 12F)
- 16 Slot (of 12, of 12W or of 12F)
- 17 Component (of 1 or of 7 or of 11)
- 17F End of Lace 11F
- 17W Component (of 1, of 7 or of 11)
- 18 Slot (of 17)
- 19 Slot (of 17 or of 17F)
- 20 Slot (of 17, of 17W or of 17F)
- 21 Slot (of 17, of 17W or of 17F)
- 22 Shoe
- 23 Left flap of upper (of 22)
- 24 Right flap of upper (of 22)
- 25 Eyelet (of 22)
- 26 Eyelet (of 22)
- 27 Eyelet (of 22)
- 28 Eyelet (of 22)
- 29 Eyelet (of 22)
- 30 Eyelet (of 22)
- 31 Eyelet (of 22)
- 32 Eyelet (of 22)
- 33 Eyelet (of 22)
- 34 Eyelet (of 22)
- 35 Eyelet (of 22)
- 36 Eyelet (of 22)
- 37 Shoe
- 39 Left flap of upper (of 37)
- 40 Right flap of upper (of 37)
- 41 Eyelet (of 37)
- 42 Eyelet (of 37)
- 43 Eyelet (of 37)
- 44 Eyelet (of 37)
- 45 Eyelet (of 37)
- 46 Eyelet (of 37)
- 47 Shoe
- 48 Left flap of upper (of 47)
- 49 Right flap of upper (of 47)
- 50 Eyelet (of 47)
- 51 Eyelet (of 47)
- 52 Eyelet (of 47)
- 53 Eyelet (of 47)
- 54 Eyelet (of 47)
- 55 Eyelet (of 47)
- 56 Eyelet (of 47)
- 57 Eyelet (of 47)
- 58 Shoe
- 59 Left flap of upper (of 58)
- 60 Right flap of upper (of 58)
- 61 Eyelet (of 58)
- 62 Eyelet (of 58)
- 63 Shoe
- 64 Left flap of upper (of 63)
- 65 Right flap of upper (of 63)
- 66 Eyelet (of 63)
- 67 Eyelet (of 63)
- 68 Eyelet (of 63)
- 69 Eyelet (of 63)
Claims
1. Lacing system for clothing or footwear, comprising one or more laces, wherein said laces are overlapped, coupled and rotated around the axis of the coupling surface in at least one path between one closing flap and the other of the garment or of the upper of the shoe or in at least one path between the eyelets of the components anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe or in at least one path between the eyelets of the components or of the end anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe.
2. Lacing system of claim 1, wherein the laces overlapped and coupled perform at least a winding path around the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe or at least a winding path around the components or the components or the ends anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe.
3. Lacing system of claim 2, wherein the ends of the laces are first inserted alternatively from inside to outside and from outside to inside into the eyelets which are present on closing flaps of the garment or the upper of the shoe, and in that the ends of the laces are then inserted alternatively from inside to outside and from outside to inside into the eyelets which are present on the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, overlapping and thereby coupling the respective half-bodies of the lace or the bodies of the laces and in that, furthermore, the end, alone, is inserted in the eyelet on the side of the closing flap of the garment or of the upper of the shoe.
4. Lacing system of claim 2, wherein the ends of the laces are inserted first into the slots, alternatively from the intrados to the extrados, from the extrados towards the intrados of the components, anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, and in that the ends are inserted, in turn, into the slots alternatively from the intrados towards the extrados and from the extrados to the intrados of the components anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, overlapping and thereby coupling, in the path comprised between the slots, the half-bodies of the lace or the bodies of the laces.
5. Lacing system of claim 2, wherein the ends of the laces are inserted first into the slots, alternatively from the intrados to the extrados, from the extrados to the intrados and from the intrados to the extrados of the components or of the ends, anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, and in that the ends are threaded, in turn, into the slots, alternatively from the extrados to the intrados, from the intrados towards the extrados and from the extrados to the intrados of the components or of the ends, anchored to the closing flaps of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, overlapping and thereby coupling, in the path between the slots, the half-bodies of the lace or bodies of the laces.
6. Lacing system of claim 1, wherein a lace is used comprising two ends and a single body, ideally divided by a left portion and a right portion.
7. Lacing system of claim 1, wherein it provides two laces which have, respectively, one end, a body and a crossmember apt to engage with the eyelets which are present in the flaps of the garment or of the shoe.
8. Lacing system of claim 1, wherein it provides two components which have on their surface a series of eyelets, among which the slots sized to allow at least the simultaneous passage of both the half-bodies of the lace or of both bodies of the laces or sized to allow at least the double passage of any lace available on the market.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. Lacing system of claim 1, which provides a lace which has two ends, wherein each end is passed through the eyelets arranged in pairs and in a line on the opposite closing flaps of the garment or of the upper and in that said ends of the lace are inserted, respectively, into slots which are present on one component and into slots which are present on a second component of the components, and in that in the path between the slots of the components, the half-bodies of the lace are overlapped, coupled and rotated, and in that, furthermore, said ends are inserted, overlapping and coupling the half-bodies, into slots which are respectively present on the one component and into slots which are present on the other component.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. Lacing system of claim 1, which provides two laces which have, respectively, one end, a body and a crossmember wherein the crossmembers are apt to engage with the eyelets of the flap of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, and in that each narrower end is passed, in sequence, from the inside of the garment or shoe, towards the outside through at least one eyelet which is present on a closing flap of the garment or of the upper of the shoe, into a first slot which is present in the respective component, into a second slot of the same component, and in that the bodies of laces are overlapped, coupled and rotated in the path between the slots of components, hence the end is inserted, overlapping and coupling the bodies, into the second slot of the other component, hence into the first slot of the other component.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. Lacing system of claim 1, wherein it is applied to trousers, skirts, evening dresses and aprons or for the adjustment of hats, gloves, bags and backpacks.
24. Kit for obtaining a lacing system to be applied to an existing garment, accessory or shoe of claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one lace or at least one pair of laces together with a pair of components or at least one pair of laces and instructions apt to indicate to the user how to apply the laces and the components to an item of clothing, to an accessory or to a shoe.
25. Shoe or accessory comprising, a lacing system of claim 1.
26. Item of clothing or accessory comprising a lacing system of claim 1.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 28, 2019
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2021
Inventor: Alberto ROMAGNOLI (Milano)
Application Number: 17/043,033