SHOELACE TYING AIDE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING OF THE SHOELACE TYING PROCESS

A shoelace tying device which acts as a learning aide and assistant for individuals who may lack the capacity either mentally and/or physically to fully grasp and complete all of the steps required to tie one's shoe laces. The device consists of a solid thin piece of material which fastens to a shoe's shoelace with a clip on its backside. The device also consists of four holes on the top which pass from front to back and two hooks on the bottom end of the device. The two inner holes are used to cinch the starting knot of a double bow knot tight and hold it in place. The two outer holes and hooks are used to assist in forming and holding the loops in place while the user forms the knot using their method of choice. In addition, the front contains an image which is intended to excite and inspire the user to learn one or more of the many loop type methods used to tie one's shoelaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-17depict a shoelace tying device (1) made of a solid material such as plastic, wood or metal, which is intended to permanently attach to the users shoe until they decide to remove it and aide in the shoe tying process while also having an aesthetic appeal.

The device (1) is approximately 1.5″ wide by 1.75″ tall by 0.125″ in depth. The device (1) contains four holes (2a,2b,3a,3b). The two inner holes (3a,3b) are approximately 0.125″ in diameter and should be large enough to accommodate threading a shoelace through. The two outer holes (2a,2b) are approximately 0.25″ in diameter and should be large enough to accommodate a shoelace while allowing it to slide through easily. The center point of the inner holes (3a,3b) is approximately 0.125″ from the top edge and 0.25″ outward from the vertical center line of the device. When used correctly these inner holes (3a,3b) are designed to act as a cinch for the starting part of the common shoelace knot (FIG. 4) which allows for less finger dexterity by the user and also helps to keep the shoelace tied. When clip (4) is attached to the top two crossing shoelaces the device is designed to align the two inner holes (3a,3b) where the starting knot would normally be formed. The center point of the outer holes (2a,2b) are approximately 0.25″ from the top edge and 0.25″ outward from the vertical center line of the device. The outer holes (2a,2b) are angled approximately 45 degrees outward from the front of the device to the back of the device to allow the shoelace to be pulled out the backside of the device with minimum interference or obstruction from the shoe. At the bottom of the device (1) are two hooks (5a,5b), which are designed to hold the loop down, in place and give an approximate size in which to form the loop when tying a loop type knot with the shoelace.

FIG. 6portrays the device (1) attached to the shoelace using the clip (4) on the back of the device (1). The device's clip (4) is attached to the top pair of crossing shoelace segments and is designed to keep the device securely on the shoe up until the user chooses to deliberately remove it.

FIG. 7illustrates the starting knot used to create the double bow knot. To create the starting knot with the device thread the right shoelace end (6a) up from the back of the device and through the right inner hole (3a). The left shoelace end (6b) is then threaded up from the bottom of the device and through the left inner hole (3b). The shoelace ends (6a,6b) are crisscrossed to form an “X” by placing the left shoelace end (6b) over the right shoelace end (6a). Next, the left shoelace end (6b) goes over and under the right shoelace end (6a) to form the starting part of the knot as demonstrated inFIG. 7. This part of the knot is then cinched tight when the user pulls both shoelace ends (6a,6b) firmly. This is how the device is used to create a tight left over right starting knot and common with a right handed person. As an alternative, the user may also create a right over left starting knot which a left handed person may have a tendency towards.

It is important to note that no matter which method the user chooses to complete the double bow knot with, the device will securely hold the starting knot tight allowing the user to focus on and master just a portion of the shoelace tying task.

FIGS. 9-17demonstrate just some of the potential shoelace tying methods for tying the common double bow shoelace knot, which are made possible by the device (1). The device (1) was designed to act as a tool to help not only in executing the double bow knot but in executing any type knot where a loop is required in tying the shoelace (e.g., the Scottish Knot).

Descriptions ofFIGS. 9-17to follow are explained based on the user's perspective who is wearing the shoe while tying the shoelace and most likely correspond to a right handed person's tendencies. Alternatively, the device also supports the opposing motions used for the shoelace tie process which maybe more common for a left handed person.

FIG. 9andFIG. 10illustrate how to complete a double bow knot using an option commonly known as the double loop method. To perform the double loop method using the device, form a left over right starting knot (FIG. 7). Next, thread the shoelace end (6a) through the outer hole (2b) to form loop (7b). Thread shoelace end (6b) through outer hole (2a) to form loop (7a). This forms and holds in place without user intervention the two loops (7a,7b) required to perform the double loop method. If the user fumbles the loops (7a,7b) will remain and prevent the frustration of having to repeat the forming of the loops (7a,7b). To complete the knot, form an “X” with the left loop (7a) over the top of the right loop (7b). Next, pull the top loop (7a) over and under the bottom loop. Pull both loops firmly. As a slight alternative, the user can let the device hold the right loop (7a) and use two hands on the left loop (7b) to wrap it around and under the device held loop (7a) if need be. Thus, demonstrating one of the advantages of the device.

FIG. 11andFIG. 12illustrate how to complete a double bow knot using an option commonly known as the single loop method. To perform the single loop method using the device, form a left over right starting knot. Next, thread the shoelace end (6b) through the outer hole (2a). This forms and holds the single loop (7a) in place without the user's involvement. If the user fumbles the loop will remain and prevent the frustration of having to repeat the forming of the loop. To complete the knot, take shoelace end (6a) and wrap it around the pre-formed loop (7a) and then through itself by pulling the piece of shoelace end (6a) up and through which is closest to the loop (7a). Again, the user has the option of allowing the device to hold the loop (7a) in place while being able to use two hands to manipulate the shoelace end (6a) around the loop (7a) and through itself to complete the knot (FIG. 12). This allows the user to visually see and learn how the knot is formed without the frustration of simultaneously holding both shoelace ends (6a,6b) to form the knot.

FIG. 13,FIG. 14andFIG. 15illustrate how to complete a double bow knot using the single loop method and the hooks (5a,5b) of the device. To teach or perform the single loop method using the hooks (5a,5b) of the device form a left over right starting knot. Next, thread the shoelace end (6b) over and under the hook (5b) of the device (1) and then through the right outer hole (2a). This teaches the user how large a proper loop should be and holds the single loop (7a) in place required to perform the single loop method without user intervention. In addition, it also allows the user to get a different perspective on how the knot is tied. If the user fumbles the loop (7a) will remain and prevent the frustration of having to repeat the forming of the loop (7a). Next, take shoelace end (6a) and wrap it over and under the hooked loop (7a) as demonstrated inFIG. 14. Then use one hand to lift a piece of shoelace end (6a) upward to form a new loop. While holding the new loop, remove the hooked loop (7a) and pull each loop firmly to complete the knot.

FIG. 16andFIG. 17illustrate how to complete a double bow knot using a less known option. To perform this option using the device, form a left over right starting knot (FIG. 7). Next, thread the shoelace end (6a) through the outer hole (2b) to form loop (7b). Thread shoelace end (6b) through outer hole (2a) to form loop (7a). This forms and holds in place without user intervention the two loops (7a,7b) required to perform this method. If the user fumbles the loops (7a,7b) will remain and prevent the frustration of having to repeat the forming of the loops (7a,7b). Based on a left over right starting knot, the laces will naturally want to twist so the shoelace end (6a) is toward the heel side of the shoe and the shoelace end (6b) is toward the toe side of the shoe. As another way of stating the same, loop (7a) should form flowing from the bottom of the device (1) to the top of the device (1) as lace end (6b) stems from the starting knot and through outer hole (2a) and loop (7b) should form from top of the device to the bottom of the device as lace end (6a) stems from the starting knot and through outer hole (2b). If the loops (7a,7b) are not formed in this manner, then manually adjust them by twisting them 180 degrees so they are. Next, take hold of the loop segments (7a,7b) which are closest to the end of the lace. Then simultaneously push right loop (7a) segment through left loop (7b) and push left loop (7b) segment through right loop (7a). As the segments pass through the loops each segment should switch hands and the shoelace segments should be pulled firmly to complete the knot.