TIGHTENING DEVICE FOR STRINGS, SHOELACES, STRING AND LIKE ELONGATED AND PLIABLE ELEMENTS HAVING FREE ENDS

Abstract: A device for tightening laces, strings and like elongated and flexible elements having free ends, wherein the device comprises an outer sleeve (1) and an inner spring-biassed lock plunger assembly (2) which can be moved axially in the sleeve. The sleeve and the lock plunger assembly have through-penetrating, mutually corresponding holes at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and assembly respectively. The free ends of the element are intended to be inserted through these holes after having moved the lock plunger assembly in the sleeve to a position in which the holes are in register with one another. The sleeve (1) and the lock plunger assembly (2) both have two through-penetrating, end-receiving holes (10, 11 and 20, 21 respectively), the distance between the holes (10, 11) in the sleeve (1) being shorter than the distance between the holes (20, 21) in the lock plunger assembly (2). A spring-force generating spring (23) is mounted between two parts (22, 24) of the lock plunger assembly (2), each of these parts being provided with a respective one of the two holes (20, 21) in the lock plunger assembly.

Description: TIGHTENING DEVICE FOR STRINGS, SHOELACES, STRING AND LIKE ELONGATED AND PLIABLE ELEMENTS HAVING FREE ENDS. TECHNICALFIELD The present invention relates to a device for securing or tightening laces, strings and like elongated and pliable elements having free ends, and more particularly to a tightening device that includes an outer sleeve and an inner spring-biassed lock plunger assembly which is accommodated in said sleeve and moved axially therein, wherein the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly include mutually corresponding through-penetrating holes which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly respectively, wherein the free ends of said elongated element are intended to be inserted through said holes after having adjusted the lock plunger assembly in said sleeve from an inoperative position to a position in which said holes register with one another. BACKGROUND ART Devices for tightening string, shoelaces, and other elongated and pliable elements, are known to the art. For instance, tightening devices (buttons) are retailed in Stockholm for use with the elastic laces of jogging shoes and training shoes. One drawback with these tightening devices is their limitation to elastic laces. Another shoelace locking or securing device is also available in Sweden and originates from the U.S. This device is recommended for use when needing to change quickly from cycling shoes to running shoes and is comprised of a plastic body which includes a metal spring, wherein the laces are held firmly by the spring so as to obviate the need of tying-up the laces. However, practical tests have shown that this locking device is unable to sustain a load of 4-5 kg, which is necessary if it is to be made comparable with conventional lace knots. European Patent Application 0,314,628 teaches a shoelace locking device which is intended to secure a shoelace during different stages of tying a knot in the lace, and also after a knot has been tied. First and second toothed jaws together define an opening and are intended to be attached to a shoe with the opening pointing away therefrom. The design of the jaws enables the shoelace to be inserted into and held by the lock after the lace has been tied, and the knot itself can also be accommodated in a cavity in the lock. The object of the device is to prevent the knot from loosening easily. In any event, however, it is also necessary to tie the laces in a traditional fashion. The object of the present invention is to provide a novel tightening and securing device with which the aforementioned drawbacks are eliminated, among other things. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly of a tightening device of the kind defined above each have two through-passing holes which are intended to receive said free ends of the elongated element, wherein when the lock plunger assembly is in an inoperative position, the distance between the holes in the sleeve is shorter than the distance between the holes in the lock plunger assembly. A spring-force generating spring is mounted between two parts of the lock plunger assembly, each of said parts being provided with one of said two holes in the lock plunger assembly. These and other characteristic features of an inventive tightening device are apparent from the following Claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a section view of a tightening device: Fig. 2 illustrates a sleeve forming part of the tightening device shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 illustrates a lock plunger assembly forming part of the tightening device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows the sleeve of Fig. 2 from beneath; Fig. 5 is a sectioned side view of an upper part of the lock plimger assembly shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a sectioned side view of a bottom part of the lock plunger assembly shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 shows the tightening device of Fig. 1 with the lock plunger assembly pressed into the sleeve, so that respective upper holes in the lock plunger assembly and the sleeve are mutually coaxial; Fig. 8 shows the tightening device of Fig. 1 with the lock plunger assembly pressed into the sleeve so that respective bottom holes in the lock plunger assembly and the sleeve are mutually coaxial; and Fig. 9 shows the tightening device with a shoelace threaded therein. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The securing or tightening device illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a sleeve 1 and a lock plunger assembly 2 mounted in the sleeve. The lock plunger assembly includes an upper part 22, a lower part 24 and a pressure spring 23 which acts between the parts 22 and 24. As will be seen from Fig. 2, the sleeve 1 has two through-penetrating holes 10 and 11 through which the ends of a shoelace for instance are intended to be inserted. The hole 10 is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and the longitudinal sides of the hole have a pointed part 101 which projects in towards the centre of the hole midway along respective long sides. That end of the sleeve 1 which lies distal from the hole 10 is provided with an arcuate recess 12, which enables the lock plunger assembly 2 to be pressed more easily within the sleeve, such that the nearest located holes 11 and 21 in the sleeve and lock plunger assembly respectively will be essentially in register with one another. An inwardly jutting edge 13 at the upper end of the sleeve 1 forms a stop means which limits upward movement of the lock plunger assembly in the sleeve, see also Fig. 4. As will be seen from Fig. 3, the lock plunger assembly 2 has two holes 20 and 21 , with the hole 20 being located in the upper part 22 and the hole 21 in the lower part 24. The hole 20 has the same shape as the hole 10 in the sleeve 1 , and the hole 21 has the same shape as the hole 11 in said sleeve. The distance between the holes 10 and 11 is shorter (about 1.5 cm) than the distance between the holes 20 and 21 when the spring is at rest. In the upper part 22 of said assembly, a part located nearest the hole 20 is much narrower nearest the side of the hole that faces the spring 23 than the remainder of said upper part on the spring side thereof, so as to form a cam 221 which amplifies the locking effect on a shoelace inserted through the hole 20, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, for instance. The upper part 22 of the lock plunger assembly includes shoulders 25 which coact with the stop edges or shoulders 13 on the sleeve 1, whereas the lower part 24 of said means includes projections 26 which by virtue of engagement with the top and bottom defining edges of the hole 11 (Figs. 7 and 8) hold said part 24 in the sleeve 1. The end surface of the part 24 distal from the hole 21 is arcuate in shape (convex). The aforedescribed tightening device will now be illustrated with reference to its use in connection with a shoelace. In the Fig. 7 illustration, the upper part 22 of the lock plunger assembly 2 shown protruding from the top of the cylinder 1 in Fig. 1 has been pressed down with the thumb to bring the hole 20 of the lock plunger assembly into register with the hole 10 in the sleeve 1. The two free ends of a shoelace can how be threaded through the two holes 10, 20 and the upper part 22 of said means then released. In the Fig. 8 illustration, the bottom part 24 of the lock plunger assembly 2 which in Fig. 1 is shown to protrude from the bottom of the sleeve, has been pressed in with the thumb against the action of the spring 23, so as to bring the hole 21 of the lock plunger assembly into register with the hole 11 in the sleeve I. The ends of the shoelace can now also be threaded through the two holes 11, 21 and the bottom part 24 then released. After having threaded the shoelace through the holes at both ends of the tightening device, the spring 23 is allowed to expand and therewith cause the shoelace to be secured firmly at two locations in the tightening device, see Fig. 9. As a result of the configuration of the bottom part 24, the shoelace is secured far less firmly in the bottom holes 11, 21 than in the top holes 10, 20. When wishing to adjust the length of the shoelace, only the top part 22 need be pressed into the sleeve so as to enable the tightening device to be moved along the shoelace to an appropriate position.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for securing or tightening laces, strings and like elongated and pliant elements having free ends, said device comprising an outer sleeve (1 ) and an inner spring-biassed lock plunger assembly (2) which is accommodated in said sleeve and can be moved axially therein, wherein the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly include mutually corresponding, through-penetrating holes that extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly and through which holes the free ends of said elongated element can be inserted after having moved the lock plunger assembly (2) in the sleeve ( 1 ) from an inoperative position to a position in which said holes register with one another, characterized in that the sleeve (1) and the lock plunger assembly (2) each have two through-penetrating holes (10, 11 and 20, 21) for receiving said free ends, wherein the distance between the holes (10, 11) in the sleeve is shorter than the distance between the holes (20, 21) in the lock plunger assembly when said assembly is in an inoperative position; and in that a spring-force generating spring (23) is mounted between two parts (22, 24) of the lock plunger assembly (2), each of said two parts being provided with a respective one of said two holes (20, 21) in the lock plunger assembly. 2. A tightening device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a part (22) of the lock plunger assembly (2) nearest the hole (20) in said part and nearest the side of the hole (20) facing towards the spring (23) is much narrower than the remainder of the lock plunger assembly, so as to form a cam (221) which faces towards said hole (20) and which functions to amplify locking of said ends. 3. A tightening device according to Claim 2, characterized by an arcuate recess ( 12) at one end of the sleeve (1 ), said recess functioning to facilitate pressing of the lock plunger assembly (2) inwardly within the sleeve (1) at said end such as to bring respective holes (1 1 and 21) in the sleeve (1) and the lock plunger assembly (2) into register with one another. 4. A tightening device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that at least one (10 and 20) of respective holes in the sleeve (1) and the lock plunger assembly (2) is elongated with the long sides of the hole disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly respectively and has a pointed part (101 and 201 respectively) which face in towards the centre of the holes (10, 20) midway of respective long sides. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 22 May 1996 (22.05.96); original claim 1 amended; remaining claims unchanged (2 pages)] 1. A device for securing or tightening laces, strings and like elongated and pliant elements having free ends, said device comprising an outer sleeve (1) and an inner spring- biassed lock plunger assembly (2) which is accommodated in said sleeve and can be moved axially therein, wherein the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly include mutually corresponding, through-penetrating holes that extend perpen- dicular to the longitudinal axes of the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly and through which holes the free ends of said elongated element can be inserted after having moved the lock plunger assembly (2) in the sleeve (1) against the action of a spring force from an inoperative position to a position in which said holes register with one another, characterized in that the lock plunger assembly (2) includes two piston parts (22, 24) which are moveably arranged in a mutually common outer sleeve (1) and each have a through- penetrating hole ( 20, 21) for receiving said free ends, and further includes a pressure spring (23) which is common to and which acts between said piston parts, wherein the outer sleeve (1) has two pairs of ends-receiving holes (10, 11) and surrounds the two piston parts (22, 24) and the pressure spring (23) located therebetween. 2. A tightening device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a part (22) of the lock plunger assembly (2) nearest the hole (20) in said part and nearest the side of the hole (20) facing towards the spring (23) is much narrower than the remainder of the lock plunger assembly, so as to form a cam (221) which faces towards said hole (20) and which functions to amplify locking of said ends. 3. A tightening device according to Claim 2, characterized by an arcuate recess (12) at one end of the sleeve (1), said recess functioning to facilitate pressing of the lock plunger assembly (2) inwardly within the sleeve (1) at said end such as to bring respective holes (11 and 21) in the sleeve (1) and the lock plunger assembly (2) into register with one another. 4. A tightening device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that at least one (10 and 20) of respective holes in the sleeve (1) and the lock plunger assembly (2) is elongated with the long sides of the hole disposed perpendic¬ ular to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve and the lock plunger assembly respectively and has a pointed part (101 and 201 respectively) which face in towards the centre of the holes (10, 20) midway of respective long sides.

Inventors: HOLMBERG JOHAN, HOLMBERG, JOHAN
Applicants: HOLMBERG JOHAN, HOLMBERG, JOHAN
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A43C7
IPC codes: A43C7, F16G11