Shoe Lace Securing Device

Abstract

An apparatus of a footwear securing device, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shoelace, wherein the shoelace is configured to lace through one or more loop holes positioned on the footwear. The apparatus includes at least two retention devices positioned on a proximal end of the shoelace. The apparatus includes at least two retention devices positioned on a distal end of the shoelace. The at least one of the at least two retention devices on the proximal end of the shoe lace are configured to be removably attached from at least one of the at least two retention devices on the distal end.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates, in general, to footwear and in particular to shoelace retention devices for footwear. In particular, this disclosure relates generally to a lace retaining device for helping children tie their shoes.

BACKGROUND

Shoelaces are one of the most important utility devices for footwear. People wearing various types of footwear require shoelaces that are certain lengths, colors, quality, width, and girth. Without the proper shoelaces a pair of shoes becomes difficult to wear, lacks fashion, and in some instances can create a serious health and safety hazard. For years, shoelaces have been used to be arranged through a serious of securing mechanisms along the opening of a pair of footwear, through one or more loop holes. The tying of these shoelaces allows one to securely fit the footwear in place around their foot. The aforementioned lacing arrangement can be arranged for sandals, work footwear, boots, sneakers, formal footwear, etc. Once the shoelaces are secured, the wearer can pull on the shoelaces to ensure that there is a proper fit, and tie the shoelaces accordingly.

Similarly, children at a very young age are taught the skill of tying their shoes. This task has been taught to kids of all ages for over a hundred years, in order to help with independence, allow personal growth, and to ensure their health and safety when an adult isn't around. There are several strategies that are often taught to children in order to help them grasp the shoe tying concept. In one option, children are taught to tie their shoes the traditional way, where one or more loops are formed through a simple tying motion. In a second more simpler option for children, they are taught to create two bunny ears, that are then tied together in order to shorten the steps, and the process for their developing memories.

One of the problems with teaching young children to tie their shoes laces, is that they are still developing their fine motor skills in order to be able to secure the shoes laces in place, while they secure the laces to form a knot. Often times, due to the lack of being able to secure the loops, or the laces, there can be lace loops that when tied protrude from the knot, typically in different directions. As such, this can result in an unsightly and sloppy look to the footwear. In addition, the loops can get caught on the other piece of footwear or on other objects when walking, which can cause the loops to come undone from the knot. This can result in the footwear coming loose and requiring the laces to again be tightened and tied in a knot.

As such, there is a long felt need for a device that is configured to assist young children with tying their shoes laces. A device with this assisting capability will allow young children to be able to learn how to tie their shoe laces more quickly. In addition, there can be a decrease in safety hazards and unsightly shoe lace tying.

SUMMARY

An apparatus of a footwear securing device, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shoelace, wherein the shoelace is configured to lace through one or more loop holes positioned on the footwear. The apparatus includes at least two retention devices positioned on a proximal end of the shoelace. The apparatus includes at least two retention devices positioned on a distal end of the shoelace. The at least one of the at least two retention devices on the proximal end of the shoe lace are configured to be removably attached from at least one of the at least two retention devices on the distal end.

In one embodiment, the at least two retention devices positioned on the proximal end are affixed to the shoelace with adhesive.

In one embodiment, at least two retention devices positioned on the distal end are affixed to the shoelace with adhesive.

In one embodiment, the at least two retention devices of the on the proximal end of the shoe laces and the at least two retention devices on the distal end are configured to form hook and loop fasteners.

In one embodiment, the hook and loop fasteners are configured to be one or more shapes selected from the group of one or more of hearts, a square, a rectangle, a mustache, a lightning bolt, a literal element, a sports-related element or a custom design or polygon shape.

It is briefly noted that upon reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize various means for carrying out these intended features of the invention. As such it is to be understood that other methods, applications, and systems adapted to the task may be configured to carry out these features and are therefore considered to be within the scope and intent of the present invention, and are anticipated. With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein are embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems pertaining to recognizing unattended humans who required supervision. This description includes drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe laces device operable in a pair of footwear, in accordance with an example; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe laces device, in accordance with an example.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments, therefore, should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to different view illustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments of the invention. As such, the actual thickness of the layers can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. A region illustrated or described as square or rectangular will typically have rounded or curved features due to normal manufacturing tolerances. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

An apparatus of a footwear securing device, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shoelace, wherein the shoelace is configured to lace through one or more loop holes positioned on the footwear. The apparatus includes at least two retention devices positioned on a proximal end of the shoelace. The apparatus includes at least two retention devices positioned on a distal end of the shoelace. The at least one of the at least two retention devices on the proximal end of the shoe lace are configured to be removably attached from at least one of the at least two retention devices on the distal end.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe laces device operable in a pair of footwear. The devices according to the present invention can be made of many different materials, with some be made of a durable of rigid material such as polypropylene plastic. The different embodiments can be arranged in many different ways with different numbers of pieces. The footwear can be one or more of a tennis shoe, sandals, dress shoes, casual shoes, and formal shoes. The laces can be configured to lace between one or more loop holes, or lace retaining mechanisms that are embedded or secured within the material of each shoe. Each of the laces are configured with one or more retaining devices that allows an individual or a child to easily secure their laces in order to more easily tie their shoes.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe laces device. Each shoe lace on a pair of shoes, is configured with at least two retention devices on a distal end and a proximal end of the shoe lace. Each of the retention devices are configured to be attached to each of the proximal end and the distal end of the shoe laces via an adhesive. The adhesive can be selected from one or more of glue, double sided tape, or another adhesive that would suitably attach the retention devices to the shoe lace. Each of the retention devices comprise of a receiving side, opposite of the adhesive side. Each of the receiving ends are configured to receive another receiving end from another retention devices. In some instances, the retention devices can be also configured to be a set of fasteners For example, when tying the shoe, the fasteners are strategically placed on the shoelace so that when you attach a retention device on a proximal end and a distal end, it creates a loop so a child wouldn't have to pinch the loop in order to tie their shoes. Once the loop is created, the retention devices are configured to hold the loop that was created, in order for the child to more effectively, efficiently, and easily tie the shoe. It is understood that many other different holding mechanisms or retention devices can be used such as snaps, buttons, Velcro®, in order to hold the two retention devices in place. In some instances the fasteners can be any shape, and also can be selected from the group of one or more of a square, a rectangle, a mustache, a lightning bolt, a literal element, a sports-related element or a custom design or any other polygon shape that would facilitate fastening.

Example embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the intended spirit and scope of example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited to these embodiments. Modification within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus of a footwear securing device, comprising:

a shoelace, wherein the shoelace is configured to lace through one or more loop holes positioned on the footwear;

at least two retention devices positioned on a proximal end of the shoelace; and

at least two retention devices positioned on a distal end of the shoelace;

wherein at least one of the at least two retention devices on the proximal end of the shoe lace are configured to be removably attached from at least one of the at least two retention devices on the distal end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two retention devices positioned on the proximal end are affixed to the shoelace with adhesive.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, at least two retention devices positioned on the distal end are affixed to the shoelace with adhesive.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two retention devices of the on the proximal end of the shoe laces and the at least two retention devices on the distal end are configured to form hook and loop fasteners.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hook and loop fasteners are configured to be one or more shapes selected from the group of one or more a square, a rectangle, a mustache, a lightning bolt, a literal element, a sports-related element, a custom design or polygon shape.