Abstract:
A lace or draw string fastening system can include a clamping unit and a capture element. The clamping unit can clamp onto the laces, such as shoe laces, to tighten the shoes and the capture element can capture and contain the free ends of the laces that extend from the clamping unit to prevent tripping by securing them to other portions of the laces or the article that houses the laces. The fastening system can be used in a shoe lace fastening system without the need for knot tying. The clamping unit can clamp the laces together at the top of the shoe to hold the laces tight while the capture element can contain or secure the free ends of the shoe lace to the shoe or the laces adjacent the toe to prevent tripping.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and any and all benefits as provided by law of U.S. design application Ser. No. 29/362,997 filed 3 Jun. 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Technical Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention generally relates to methods and mechanisms for securing garments and fabric using laces. More particularly, this invention relates to a locking mechanism and system for fastening or locking laces, such as shoe laces to prevent the laces from coming untied and to avoid the user tripping over the lace ends. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    Laces have been in widespread use for hundreds of years. Laces are typically threaded through holes in flexible materials, such as fabrics and leather to fasten and secure the material to a person or an object. Laces can be used to fasten or tighten a cover over an object allowing the object to be subsequently uncovered. Typically, laces are used with clothing, such as shirts, sweaters and shoes to tighten or fasten the article of clothing to the person. 
         [0008]    The conventional shoe lace is typically a smooth linear member made of cloth, leather or plastic. The shoe lace is generally flexible and can be threaded through a series of holes or eyelets arranged in the upper portion of the shoe so as to tighten the opening in the shoe, through which the wearer&#39;s foot is inserted, to prevent the shoe from coming off the foot. 
         [0009]    In use, the shoe lace is loosely threaded through holes or eyelets of the shoe upper. Next, a foot is first inserted into the shoe and the two ends of the shoe lace are pulled so as to bring the openings in the shoe upper together, thereby tightening the shoe around the foot. The two ends of the shoelace are then tied so as to prevent the inadvertent loosening of the shoe. 
         [0010]    This ancient process is cumbersome. The tying process is time consuming and subject to error, particularly with children. Shoelaces frequently become loose and then untied creating a hazard and potential for injury. As a result various alternatives have been developed. Some shoes avoid laces altogether using straps with buckles or hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro™. Unfortunately, these alternatives do not provide the same ability to tighten shoes the way shoelaces do. 
         [0011]    Many U.S. patents have been directed to providing improved fastening systems for shoelaces. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,157,813, 5,158,428, 5,335,401, 5,572,778, 5,613,283, 5,649,342, 5,657,557 and 5,852,857. Although these patents disclose a wide variety of fasteners, none of these addresses all of the disadvantages listed above. 
         [0012]    Much of the shoelace fastening devices are similar to U.S. Pat Nos. 6,026,548, 6,681,460, 6,612,003, 6,581,256, in that they include a spring loaded or biased device that includes holes or openings. The device is compressed or biased open against the spring and the shoelaces are inserted through the holes or opening and pulled tight. The device is then released and the spring causes the device to clamp on the shoelaces, clamping them in place. 
         [0013]    Other lace fastening devices are similar to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,564,670 and 5,477,593, in that they include a wheel or a gear that moves in a narrowing channel. The shoelaces are threaded between the wheel and the side walls of the channel and pulled tight. The tension on the shoelaces causes wheel to pinch the lace against the walls of the channel, locking it in place. 
         [0014]    Despite this prior art, there is a widely recognized need for an improved system for securing a laced shoe on the foot of its wearer--a system that will promote a snugger fit of the shoe, avoid the need to tie shoelace ends, and eliminate unwanted shoelace loosening. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0015]    The present invention is directed to a fastening system for holding one or more laces or lace ends in an intended position in order, for example, to maintain a garment or a cover in position. The fastening system generally includes a first clamping unit for controlling the tightness of the laces or the lace ends and a second clamping unit for securing the portion of the lace or laces or lace ends that extend from the first clamping unit so that they can be secured to the garment or cover to prevent them from dangling and becoming caught or otherwise causing a nuisance. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the various embodiments of invention, the first clamping unit can be adapted for clamping tightly on to one or more laces, such as strings or cords, typically used to fasten a garment, such as a shoe lace or draw-string. The first clamping unit can be used, for example, to tie shoe laces by pulling the laces tight and clamping the laces together in place at the top of the shoe to replace the traditional knot. As part of a system according to one embodiment of the invention, a second clamping unit can be clamped onto or otherwise attached to the free ends of the shoe lace and a hook or loop can be used to hook the second clamping device to the laces adjacent the toe of the shoe to secure or capture the dangling ends of the shoe laces and prevent them from being tripped over or getting tangled. 
         [0017]    In addition to shoe laces, the device can be used to clamp other laces, strings and cords, including, for example, boot laces, athletic equipment laces, hood draw-strings, jacket draw-strings, pants draw-strings and other garment based laces and draw-strings. Further, the invention can be used with other devices, such as, curtains, draperies and blinds to retain or lock their draw-strings and pull cords. 
         [0018]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the first clamping unit can include a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled to the clamp base. The cam element can include a cam lever and a cam that can be rotated between an open position and a closed position, wherein the cam becomes closer to the clamp base as the cam element is rotated toward the closed position. In the closed position, the cam presses the shoe laces against the clamp base to lock the lace tightly clamping device in position. 
         [0019]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the clamp base can include a bottom wall and the shoe laces can be threaded through the base and extend along the bottom wall, such that, in the closed position, the shoe laces are clamped between the cam element and the bottom wall. 
         [0020]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the clamp base includes a cross bar and the shoe laces can be threaded through the base and around the cross bar, such that, in the closed position, the shoe laces are clamped between the cam element and the cross bar. 
         [0021]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cam lever can include a pivot element at one end, enabling the cam element to rotate with respect to the clamp base. The pivot element can extend transverse to the cam lever. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the cam can extend from the pivot and be oriented at an angle with respect to the cam lever. In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the cam can extend from the cam lever at a position between the pivot element and the opposite end of the cam lever. 
         [0022]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cam element can rotate about a pivot pin that extends through a portion of the base and through a portion of the cam element. 
         [0023]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cam can be oriented with respect to the cam lever such that when the cam element is in the closed position, the cam is closest to or in contact with the clamp base. 
         [0024]    In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, the cam can be oriented respect to the cam lever such that when the cam element is in the closed position, the cam is near but not at its closest position to the clamp base and the force applied by the tightened laces tends to cause the cam to increase its clamping force on the laces. 
         [0025]    In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, the clamp base can include a pair of side walls and the cam element can rotate about a pivot pin that extends transverse to the cam lever through a portion of each of the side walls of the base. The cam lever can include one or more projecting portions extending transverse to the cam lever, such that, in the closed position, the projecting portions engage the side wall of the clamp base. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the side walls of clamp base can include depressions for receiving the projection portions on the cam lever. 
         [0026]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, a lace tying or locking system can include a first clamp and a second clamp. The first clamp can include a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled to the clamp base and adapted to clamp tightly on one or more laces that that are positioned between the clamp base and the cam element. The first clamp can be used to securely tie the laces of shoe to prevent them from coming loose without the need for a knot. The second clamp can be used to restrain one or more free ends of the lace to prevent tripping. The second clamp can include a first jaw and a second jaw connected by a hinge that enables the second jaw to rotate with respect to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. The second clamp can also include a latch that secures the second jaw in the closed position to securely clamp on to the end or ends of the shoe lace. The second clamp can include a fastening element, such as a hook or clip, that enables the second clamp to be fastened to a portion of the shoe. 
         [0027]    In use, the pair of shoe lace ends can be threaded between the clamp base and cam element of the first clamp and after the laces are pulled tight, the first clamp can be slid along the laces up against the shoe. A force applied to the cam lever can be used to rotate it into the closed position locking the laces tightly between the cam and clamp base and locking the laces in a tightened position without tying a knot. The second clamp can be attached to the free ends (or the dangling portion) of the shoe laces by closing the jaws on the free ends of the laces and latching the jaws closed. The hook or clip on the second clamp can be used to hook or clip the laces extending between the eyelets of the shoe to hold the free ends in place on the shoe. In some embodiments of the invention, the shoe laces can be cut to size such that the clip of the second clamp can catch the portion of the shoe lace extending between the bottom two eyelets adjacent the toe of the shoe. 
         [0028]    In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, free ends can be tied together or take for form of a loop and the second clamp can take the form of a hook or loop that can captures the looped end and fasten it to a portion of the exposed laces of the shoe. 
         [0029]    In accordance with implementations of the invention, one or more of the following capabilities may be provided. The present invention allows a pair of shoe lace ends to be securely fastened without the need for tying a knot and easily released without having to untie the laces. The present invention allows the laces to be easily tightened or loosened without having to untie and then re-tie the laces. Unlike conventional methods of tying shoe laces, the present invention allows the free ends of the shoe lace to be restrained such that they are not easily caught on an object or stepped on, thus reducing the risk of the shoes becoming untied or the user tripping over them. 
         [0030]    These and other capabilities of the invention, along with the invention itself, will be more fully understood after a review of the following figures, detailed description, and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a front and a section view of a clamp for fastening one or more laces in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show a front and a section view of a clamp for fastening one or more laces in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of a clamp for fastening one or more laces according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  shows a bottom view of a clamp for fastening one or more laces in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show a front and a section view of a clamp for securing the free ends of one or more laces in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show a front and a section view of a clamp for securing the free ends of one or more laces in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  shows a top view of a toe clamp for securing the free ends of one or more laces according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  shows a bottom view of a toe clamp for securing the free ends of one or more laces in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show the lace fastening system according to an embodiment of the present invention installed on a shoe. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show a front and a section view of a clamp for fastening one or more laces in a closed position according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  shows a section view of a clamp for fastening one or more laces in a closed position according to a further alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0042]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  show an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    The present invention is directed to clamping device and a clamping system for clamping one or more laces or lace ends, such as strings or cords, typically used to fasten a garment or object, such as a shoe lace or a draw-string. The clamping device can be used to tie shoe laces by pulling the laces tight and securely clamping the laces together to replace the traditional bow knot. The traditional bow knot is easily untied and the loops of the bow are easily caught on objects resulting in the shoe becoming untied or the user tripping. 
         [0044]    As part of a system, the first clamping unit or device that holds the laces securely “tied” while a second clamping or capture device can be attached to the free ends of the shoe lace and a hook or clip can be used to attach the second clamping device to the laces or show adjacent the toe of the shoe. The lace ends can be cut short to reduce the likelihood of them becoming caught on something or the user tripping. It should be noted that in accordance with the present invention, even where the ends become caught on something, there is little risk of the shoe becoming untied as pulling on the laces will not release the clamping unit to untie the shoe as with traditional shoe tying knots. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 1 through 6  show a first clamping unit or device  2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the first clamping unit  2  can include a clamp base  10  and a cam element  20  that is rotatably coupled to the clamp base  10 . The cam element  20  can include a cam lever  22  and a cam  24 . The first clamping unit  2  can include a pivot mechanism  30  that enables the cam element  20  to rotate between an open position as shown in  FIG. 4  and a closed position as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the cam  24  extends from the cam lever  22  at a position between the pivot mechanism  30  coupled at one end of the cam lever  22  and the free end  22   a  of the cam lever  22 . In other embodiments, the cam  24  can extend from the pivot mechanism  30  as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the clamp base can include lateral side walls and one or more cross members, including cross bar  12  and stop  14 , extending between the lateral side walls  16 . In operation, one or more shoe laces can be threaded through the bottom between the pivot mechanism  30  and cross bar  12 , over and around the cross bar  12  and then back out between the cross bar  12  and the stop  14 . When the cam element  20  is moved into the closed position as shown in  FIG. 2 , the shoe laces become clamped between the cam  24  and the cross bar  12 . In addition, the tension on the portion of laces extending between the pivot mechanism  30  and the cross bar  12  tends to keep the cam element  20  in the closed position. The stop  14  serves to prevent the cam element  20  from rotating beyond the closed and locked position. 
         [0047]    In accordance with the invention, when the cam element  20  is in the closed position, there can be little or no space between the cam  24  and the cross bar  12 , depending on the intended use of the device. As one of ordinary skill would appreciate, the first clamping unit can be applied to many different types of laces, cords and strings and the first clamping unit can be constructed from many different types of materials having a wide range of flexibility and yield characteristics. For example, where the first clamping device is made from a rigid plastic or metal material, some space can be provided between the cam  24  and the cross bar  12  to prevent the clamping action resulting from the cam element  20  being moved into the closed position from causing the first clamping device to cut or otherwise damage the laces, cord or string. In other embodiments of the invention, where first clamping device is made from a more flexible or yielding plastic or metal material, no space or an interference configuration can be used to maintain the desired clamping forces on the laces, cord or string. Stronger and more durable materials, such as metals and durable plastics, can be selected for more rigorous applications, for example, professional and extreme sports as well as other rigorous activities. In one embodiment, where the first clamping device  2  is made from nylon 6 or nylon 66, no space or a slight interference configuration has been found to provide acceptable clamping action. The position of the cam  24  along the cam lever  22  and the length of the cam lever  22  can be selected to control the desired clamping force on the laces, cord or string. As a person of ordinary skill would appreciate, a longer cam lever  22  allows greater leverage to provide greater clamping forces. 
         [0048]    In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the first clamping unit  2  can me made from metals or metal alloys, such as, brass, aluminum, titanium, steel or cast iron. In other embodiments, the first clamping device  2  can be made from plastic materials, such as, nylon, nylon 6, nylon 66, polypropylene, ABS, PVC, Delrin™, polycarbonate and fiberglass or carbon reinforced plastic materials. In some embodiments, the clamp base and the cam element can be made from different materials. 
         [0049]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pivot mechanism  30  can include a pair of posts extending laterally from the sides of the cam element  20  at one end of the cam lever  22 . The posts of the pivot mechanism  30  can extend transverse to the cam lever  22 . The posts can snap into appropriately sized holes in the lateral sides  16  of the clamp base  10 , enabling the cam element  20  to rotate with respect to the clamp base  10  between an open position as shown in  FIG. 4  and a closed position as shown in  FIG. 2  by moving the free end of the cam lever  22 . Other pivot mechanisms  30  can be used. For example, a pin can extend through holes in the lateral side walls of the clamp base  10  and a hole in the cam element  20 , enabling the cam element  20  to rotate with respect to the clamp base  10 . Alternatively, posts (or other projecting elements) can extend inward from the lateral side walls of the clamp base  10  and engage holes in the cam element  20  that enable the cam element  20  to rotate with respect to the clamp base  10 . In further embodiments of the invention, a hinge or flexible material can be used to couple the cam element  20  to the clamp base  10 , enabling the cam element  20  to rotate from an open position to a closed position. In some embodiments, the cam lever  22  can include projecting portions or nibs  26  that extend transverse to the cam lever  22 . In operation, the nibs  26  create an interference fit of the cam lever  22  with the side walls  16  of the clamp base  10  to help keep the cam element  20  in the closed position. In some embodiments of the invention, the side walls  16  can include a ridge or a corresponding hole or depression to further engage the nib  26  and to help keep the cam element  20  in the closed position. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 7 through 12  show a second clamping device or toe clip  4  according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , the second clamping device  4  can include a first jaw  40  rotatably connected to a second jaw  50  by a hinge  60 . The second jaw  50  rotates with respect to the first jaw  40  between an open position as shown in  FIG. 10  and a closed position shown in  FIG. 8 . The second clamping device  4  can also include a latching mechanism  80  which serves to secure the jaws  40  and  50  in the closed position. As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first jaw  40  and the second jaw  50  can include teeth  42  and teeth  52  respectively to enable the second clamping device  4  to securely clamp on to and grip one or more laces, cords or strings. The second clamping device  4  can also include fastening element, such as, a hook or clip  70 , to enable the second clamping device  4  to be hooked or clipped to a portion of a lace, a shoe or other garment. In other embodiments, the toe clip  4  that captures the ends of the laces can be secured to other areas of the shoe (the sides or back) to accommodate sporting activities that involve, for example, kicking or toe dragging (e.g. tennis). 
         [0051]    The hinge  60  can be a flexible plastic material hinge as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10  or it can be formed from interlocking loops which rotate around a hinge pin. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, the second clamping device can be applied to many different types of laces, cords and strings and the second clamping device can be constructed from many different types of materials having a wide range of flexibility and yield characteristics. Tougher materials such as metals and more durable plastics can be used for some applications and softer materials, typically common plastics, can be used for less rigorous applications. 
         [0052]    The latching mechanism  80  can include tabs  82  which extend from the first jaw  40  and catch the sides or elements of the second jaw  50 , such that when the second jaw  50  is rotated into the closed position, the latching mechanism  80  maintains the jaws in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 8 . The latching mechanism  80  can be released by pinching the tabs  82  inward or pressing them outward to allow the jaws to move to the open position. Other latching mechanisms, such as a loop or a catch mechanism can be used. 
         [0053]    In the closed position, the second clamping device  4  can clamp on to the free ends of one or more shoe laces in order to fasten the free ends to the shoe as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The second clamping device or toe clip  4  can be latched closed on the free ends of a shoe lace and then the hook or clip  70  can be used to secure the toe clip  4  to the laces near the toe of the shoe. In one embodiment, the toe clip  4  can be clipped onto the portion of the shoe lace that extends between the eyelets near the toe of the shoe. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show a shoe lace fastening system according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the ends of the shoe lace can be threaded through the first clamping device  2  and with the first clamping device  2  in the open position, the shoe lace ends can be pulled to adjust the shoe to the desired fit and tightness. The first clamping device  2  can be slid along the lace ends up against the shoe and the cam element  20  can be moved to the closed position, locking the shoe lace at the desired fit and tightness. By pulling the laces and sliding the first clamping device  2  toward or away from the shoe, the tension on the lace can be further increased or decreased to adjust the fit and tightness of the shoe. The toe clip  4  can be clamped onto the free ends of the shoe lace by latching the jaws  40  and  50  closed, enabling the teeth  42  and  52  to engage the shoe lace ends. The hook or clip  70  can clip onto the portion of the lace near the toe to fasten the toe clip  4  to the shoe as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show an alternate embodiment of the first clamping device  2 . In this embodiment, the first clamping device includes a clamp base  10  and cam element  20  rotatably coupled to the clamp base  10 . The cam element  20  can include a cam lever  22  and a cam  24 . The first clamping device  2  can include a pivot mechanism  30  that enables the cam element  20  to rotate between an open position and a closed position as shown in  FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, the height of the cam  24  (i.e. the distance between the rotational axis and the highest point on cam  24 ) and the cam spacing distance (i.e. the distance between the rotational axis and the bottom wall  12  of the clamp base  10  as well as the flexibility and yield properties of the first clamp device  2  can be chosen to provide the desired clamping force. For example, where the first clamping device  2  is constructed of a hard metal or rigid plastic material, the cam spacing distance can be selected to be greater than the cam height. In other embodiments, where the first clamping device  2  is constructed of a more flexible metal or plastic material, the cam spacing distance can be selected to be equal to or less than the cam height. Where the cam spacing distance is less than the cam height, the tension on the shoe laces will tend to keep the cam element in the closed position and any increase in the tension on the shoe laces will tend to cause an increase in the clamping force. 
         [0056]    In this embodiment, one or more laces  8  can be threaded through opening  18 A in the front of the first clamping device  2 , between the cam element  20  and the clamp base  10 , and extend along the bottom wall  12  of the clamp base  10  and out opening  18 B at the back of the first clamping device  2 . When the cam lever  22  is closed, the cam  24  clamps the lace  8  against the bottom wall  12  of the clamp base  10 , locking it in place. 
         [0057]      FIG. 17  shows an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 16 , wherein the clamp base  10  includes a cross bar  12  and the cam element  20  includes a cam  24  extending from the pivot mechanism  30  and oriented at a smaller angle with respect to the cam lever  22 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the shoe lace  8  can be threaded over the cross bar  12  and can be clamped between the cam  24  and the cross bar  12 , when the cam lever  22  is moved to the closed position, resting against stop  14 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  show alternative embodiments of the invention. In accordance with these embodiments, the free ends of the shoe lace that extend from the first clamping unit  2  can form a loop, either by tying the shoe with the free ends at the toe or by tying the free ends together. While a second clamping unit can be used to clamp on to the looped shoe lace, a hooking or looping capture element  5  can be used in an alternative embodiment of the invention. The loop capture element  5  can include a hook (e.g., an “S” hook), or closeable loop (e.g., a carabiner type loop shown in  FIG. 18B ) or a wound wire loop that encircles the looped end of the shoe lace and ties it to the laces threaded through the shoe as shown in  FIG. 18A . 
         [0059]    In some embodiments of the present invention, both the cam  24  surface and the bottom wall  12  surface or the cross bar  12  surfaces can include grooves or be textured or patterned to enable the first clamping device to more securely clamp on to the lace. 
         [0060]    In other embodiments, the first clamping device  2  and/or the second clamping device  4  can be adorned with indicia, such as, sports team logos and sporting equipment manufacture logos and trademarks, as well as the name and/or likeness of amateur or professional athletes, or simply the wearer&#39;s name or number. In some embodiments of the invention, the toe clip  4  can be adapted to receive a decorative disc that clips on to or over the toe clip  4 . The decorative disc can include indicia, such as, sports team logos and sporting equipment manufacture logos and trademarks, as well as the name and/or likeness of amateur or professional athletes, or simply the wearer&#39;s name or number. 
         [0061]    Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Further, while the description above refers to the invention, the description may include more than one invention.