Abstract:
An improved method for fastening shoes with shoelaces having a first end and an opposing second end includes a spanning member having a hole to accommodate the first end, and a slot preferably sized for an interference fit with the second end. The first end is passed through the hole and knotted, preventing it from passing back through the hole. The second end is pulled to tighten the shoelace, knotted and anchored in the slot, maintaining, the taut shoelace securely in place. With multiple holes and multiple slots, the tautness of a shoelace can be adjusted. The spanning member remains in place on a shoe when not in use, held by the knot in the first end. For convenience, a user may tie another knot in the second end, with a loop sized to receive as finger, for easily grasping the second end and sliding it into a slot.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Shoelaces remain conventional for fastening most footwear. Manipulating a shoelace to tie the ends together in the traditional double slip knot, or similar configuration can be challenging for small children to learn and execute, and equally challenging for persons suffering limited motor skills, for example due to arthritis or a neurological disorder. For this reason, mechanisms have been developed in the art to tighten shoes on a wearer without the need for tying a particular slip knot in the laces each time the user dons the shoes. 
         [0002]    Although many mechanisms exist for securing shoes on a wearer without laces at all, (e.g., hook and loop straps, gusseted elastic at the tongue, etc.), shoelaces remain ubiquitous for dress shoes, casual shoes, sport shoes, boots and others. For this reason apparatus have been developed to speed up and simplify the process of securing shoelaces. These apparatus typically consist of a small fastener piece having openings or slots to accommodate shoelaces. In most cases, the shoelaces must travel through several holes and slots in order to promote retention, which makes them difficult to use. Additionally, they frequently require laces to be wrapped around structures on the apparatus as well as moving in and out of holes and slots. 
         [0003]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastening mechanism for laced shoes having a simple design that is inexpensive to manufacture. Another object is to provide a fastening mechanism that is easily installed on a shoe and which allows a shoelace to be easily and quickly affixed under tension. A further object is to provide a fastener that can remain affixed to a shoe when not in use, and which is customizable according to preference. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An improved method is presented for fastening as tie shoe being worn on a user&#39;s foot, the shoe having a shoelace with a first end and an opposing second end. In order to practice the method, a spanning member is provided having a hole sized to allow the first end of the shoelace to pass through the hole, and having a slot sized for an interference fit with the second end of the shoelace. The first end is passed through the hole, and a knot thrilled in the first end to prevent the first end from passing back through the hole. The second end is then tied in a knot and pulled in order to draw the shoelace taut. The second end is then slid into the slot, which anchors the second end in the slot and maintains the shoelace taut to secure the tie shoe on the user&#39;s foot. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment of the method, the spanning member includes multiple slots allowing the position of the second end, and tautness of the shoe, to be adjusted. Since the second end is adjustable by virtue of slot position, a user may form a knot in the second end adjacent the slot to further anchor the second end in the slot. It may be preferable for the user to also form a loop in the second end. The loop is preferably sized to receive a finger of the user for easily grasping the second end and sliding it into a slot. 
         [0006]    To increase adjustability and tautness, a user may take the additional step of passing the first end through a slot before passing it through the hole. This has the action of taking up more of the shoelace and allowing additional tightening when the fastener is placed on a shoe. After wearing the shoe, a user can disengage the second end from the slot to loosen the shoelace. By leaving the first end attached to the spanning member when unfastening the tie shoe, the fastener is prevented from being lost and is always ready for use. This is helpful for the general public in addition to those for whom tying laced shoes is difficult. 
         [0007]    To make securing and loosening the shoelace using the fastener easier, the hole is preferably formed closer to the medial side of the tie shoe, and the slot formed closer to lateral side of the tie shoe. This way the fastener is always oriented so that a user&#39;s hand need not cross over the shoe to reach the second end for placing it in the slot. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment the method of fastening a tie shoe having a shoelace with a first end and an opposing second end includes providing a spanning member having a hole sized to allow the first end of the shoelace to pass through the hole and a slot sized to accommodate the second end. The first end is passed through the hole and a knot formed in the first end to prevent it from passing back through the hole. A loop is formed in the second end and the second end pulled taut so that the shoelace is also taut. The second end is then placed in the slot to prevent the loop from passing through the slot, thereby maintaining the shoelace taut and securing the shoe on the user&#39;s foot. 
         [0009]    As with the first embodiment, the spanning member may have multiple slots, and the first end can be passed through one of the slots to effectively shorten the shoelace. Similarly, the second end can be removed from the slot to loosen the shoelace while leaving the first end attached to the spanning member. 
         [0010]    Structurally, the fastener can be described as a device for adjustably tensioning a shoelace in a laced shoe having an upper medial eyelet and an upper lateral eyelet, with the shoelace having a first end and an opposing second end. The fastener includes a spanning member having a perimeter and at least one hole extending through the spanning member. The hole is sized to allow the first end to pass freely through the hole. A slot extends from the perimeter inward into the spanning member, and the slot is sized to hold the second end in an interference fit when a user secures it in a slot. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment the hole is sized to prevent as knot tied on the first end from passing through the hole. To help make the shoelace as taut as possible, the spanning member may be elongated, spanning across the upper medial eyelet and the upper lateral eyelet of the shoe. To help ensure proximity to the eyelets, the spanning member may be contoured to nest against the shoe. For adjustability, the the spanning, member may have multiple slots, and the slots may having entrances along opposite sides of the perimeter, which a user can engage according to preference. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the slot and the second end are sized relative to each other to prevent the second end from sliding through the slot when the shoe is worn. To facilitate a tight grip on the second end, the slot may have a narrowed entrance at the perimeter, or it may have a reduced width at the terminal end to constrict the second end and hold the shoelace in a taut position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an adjustable shoelace fastener. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the shoelace fastener holding a shoelace. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the shoelace fastener having opposing slots. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the shoelace fastener affixed to a shoe. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a front view of the shoelace fastener with bilaterally symmetrical holes and slots. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a bottom view of the shoelace fastener with bilaterally symmetrical holes and slots. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the shoelace fastener with a shoelace installed to take up extra slack. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the shoelace Fastener having an area for displaying indicia. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the shoelace fastener having a fanciful shape. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided n the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a fastening device  10  for fixing a shoelace  12  under tension is shown. The shoelace  12  is a single string or cord having a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The first end  14  and the second end  16  are inserted into a spanning member  18  which holds them under tension. The spanning member  18  may be a substantially flat planar piece or may have a substantial thickness as shown. The spanning member  18  is defined by a perimeter  20  extending around the spanning member&#39;s  18 . 
         [0024]    One or more holes  22  extend through the spanning member  18  and are disposed inward of the perimeter  20 , and one or more slots  24  are formed in the spanning member  18  extending inward of the perimeter  20 . In order to secure the shoestring  12  in the spanning member  18 , a knot  26  is tied near the first end  14 . With the first end  14  prevented from passing through a hole  22  due to the knot  26 , the shoelace  12  may be tightened and the second end  16  inserted into a preferred slot  24  and fixed in place. The second end  16  must also be knotted (not shown) to prevent the second end  16  from travelling back through the slot  24 . 
         [0025]    Although the slots  24  may take a variety of forms, including straight walled slots or V-shaped slots (not shown), in a preferred embodiment the slots  24  have a narrowed entrance  28  to prevent the second end  16  from exiting the slot  24 , and may have an enlarged terminal end  30 . The enlarged terminal end  30  also helps prevent the second end  16  front exiting the slot  24 . To help with inserting the shoelace  12  into a slot  24 , the slots  24  may include bevels  32  to provide a tapered entrance to assist with seating the second end  16 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in a second embodiment  100  the spanning member  102  may have the holes  22  and slots  24  of the first embodiment, and include one or more opposing slots  104  on an opposite sides of the perimeter  106  of the spanning member  102 . Also shown in FIG. is a loop  36  formed in the second end  16 , which allows a user (not shown) to easily place the second end  16  in a slot  24  with only one finger not shown). Since the loop  36  is larger in circumference than the shoelace  12 , the loop  36  can be used in instances when a greater amount of tension in the shoelace  12  is required. The loop also can be used to release the second end  16  with just one finger. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in a third embodiment of the fastener  200 , the spanning member  202  may be elongated for installation on larger shoes  38 , boots or similar footwear. In this embodiment vertical slots  204  are shown at a distance from the hole  206 . The vertical slots  204  receive the second end  16  from the front of the spanning member  202 . Here the shoelace  12  is shown in an untied state to illustrate that the spanning member  202  may be permanently left on the shoe  38  so a user can secure and unsecure the shoelace  12  by simply affixing and removing the second end  16  from a vertical slot  204 . 
         [0028]    In this embodiment, as with the others, the spanning member  202  presents the vertical slots  204  on the lateral side  44  of the shoe  38  while presenting the hole  206  on the medial side  42  of the shoe  38 . The shoe  38  can be more easily fastened because a user need not reach across the shoe  38  to reach the loop  36  (not shown) and place it in a vertical slot  204 . A user can simply knot the second end  16  and place it in a vertical slot  204  as desired. Once the second end  16  is knotted no further lace tying or knotting is necessary to put on and take off the shoe  38 . If a user prefers to have the second end  16  on the medial side  42  of the shoe, the spanning member  202  may simply be reversed. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , in fourth embodiment, it may be desirable for the fastener  300  to fit either a right sided or left sided shoe. In this embodiment, in order for the spanning member  302  to effectively anchor on the shoelace  12  (not shown) in either orientation, holes  304  are disposed on both sides of the spanning member  302 , with center slots  308  disposed between them. Preferably, the holes  304  and center slots  308  are arranged bilaterally, so a shoelace  12  can be placed under the same degree of tension regardless of the orientation of the spanning member  302 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  5 B, the spanning member  300  is shown in side view having an arc allowing the spanning member to present two or more levels of tension to a wearer. First, the spanning member  300  may be installed complimentary to the shoe  36  (not shown), which provides a less flexible degree of tension on the shoelace  12  (not shown). Alternatively, the spanning member  300  may be installed so that the arc bends away from the shoe  36 . In this manner, flexibility in the spanning member  302  allows the spanning member  302  to flex back and forth toward the shoe  36 . This configuration is useful for instance in the case of joggers, to avoid pinching of the shoe  16  when running, increasing circulation and comfort for the wearer. Also shown in  FIG. 5B , the center slots  308  may have exaggerated tapered entrances  310  to make sliding the second end  16  into and out of the center slots  308  easier. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in a fifth embodiment of the fastener  400 , it is possible to use the spanning member  402  to reduce the amount of excess shoelace  12 , effectively shortening the shoelace  12  by passing the first end  14  of the shoelace  12  through the hole  404  and also passing it through one or more angled slots  406  disposed at a distance from the hole  404 . By having more of the shoelace  12  taken up by running the first end  14  through the angled slots  406 , when the second end  16  is anchored in a non-angled slot  408  across the spanning member  402 , more tension is placed on the shoelace  12 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , in a sixth embodiment, the fastener  500  includes a spanning member  502  having a generally oblong shape, and including an enlarged area  504  between the hole  506  and a side slot  508 . The enlarged area  504  is a convenient location for affixing indicia  510  such as a brand logo, image, safety information, emergency information, or I.D. information. Because the spanning member  502  will typically be located at the top of the shoe  38  (not shown), any indicia  510  can be easily seen. Contemplated indicia  510  also include educational images for use on children&#39;s shoes, such as displaying ‘right’ or ‘left’, or identification information including an adult&#39;s phone number for example. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, the fastener  600  may include a spanning member  602  having a perimeter  604  made in a predetermined decorative shape to make attractive and fanciful adornments for a shoe  38  (not shown). Although the exemplary embodiment is a round button, the spanning member  602  could be made having a more complex perimeter  604  pattern reflecting a particular theme, such as an animal, or character. In the illustrated embodiment, the hole  606  and an side slot  608  are shown incorporated into a disk shaped spanning member  602 . 
         [0034]    Having described the devices of the preferred embodiments, now their operation, function and use is discussed. 
         [0035]    In order to secure shoes using the first embodiment fastener  10 . The first end  14  of a shoelace  12  on a laced shoe  38  is inserted through the hole  22 . A knot  26  is formed in the first end  14  so that it cannot pass back through the hole  22 . Preferably, this operation is performed close to the shoe  38 . With the first end  14  fixed in place, the shoelace  12  is drawn to a desired degree of tautness. The second end  16  is then knotted and placed in a slot  24 . It may be desirable for a user to tie a loop  36  in the second end  16  so the second end  16  can simply be grasped by a user&#39;s linger. This also has the benefit of preventing the second end  16  from traveling hack through the slot  24 . 
         [0036]    When a user desires to remove the shoe  38 , the second end  16  can be simply slid out of the slot, allowing the shoelace  12  to be loosened. Because the spanning member  18  is held in place tin the shoe  38  by virtue of the knot  26 , which will not travel through the hole  22 , the spanning member  18  can be left on the shoe  38  when not in use until it needs to be worn again. Also, because the knot in the second end  16  can be left in place, a user need not re-tie the shoelace  12  after initial installation. 
         [0037]    In this manner, the fastener  10  is helpful for very young children, who can utilize the invention to secure their shoes without having to learn complicated tying techniques. The fastener  10  is also helpful for people with deficient motor skills, or anyone desiring to fasten their shoes using one hand, or even one finger. By not having to have extra lacing material, there is a cost savings to manufacturers, and users need not tie laces to prevent then from dragging on the ground. 
         [0038]    To fasten a shoe  38  using the second embodiment fastener  100 , a user has the option and may prefer sliding the second end  16  into the opposing slot  104  when convenient to do so. For fastening larger shoes, such as boots, the third embodiment fastener  200  may be used. In this embodiment, the spanning member  202  is arced to nest against the shoe  38 . The vertical slots  204  make installing the second end  16  easier. To fasten a shoe according to the fourth embodiment fastener  300 , the flexible arced spanning member  302  may be used. In this embodiment, the spanning member  302  may be placed so that it nests against the shoe  38  for a close fit, or it may be reversed. If reversed, flexibility in the spanning member  302  allows it to flex with movement, which is useful in activities like running to avoid pinching a user&#39;s foot at the top of the shoe  38 . 
         [0039]    To use the fifth embodiment fastener  400 , a user passes the first end  14  through the spanning member  402  more than once, by inserting the first end through the hole  404  and also through the slanted slot  406  before knotting the first end  14 . With more of the shoelace  12  taken up by the spanning member  402 , when the second end  16  is knotted and inserted in the vertical slot  408 , the shoelace  12  is prevented from dragging on the ground. When using the sixth embodiment fastener  500 , the spanning member  502  is affixed in a similar manner, by threading the first end  14  through the hole  506  and knotting it, then knotting the second end  16  and placing it in the slot  508 . This is done so in a manner placing the spanning member  502  up against the shoe  38  making the indicia  510  clearly visible. In a similar manner, the seventh embodiment fastener  600  is installed in the same way, placing the fancifully shaped spanning member  602  against the shoe  38  to present the decorative perimeter  604  shape to viewers, 
         [0040]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the Invention are sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is understood, however, that the detail of the preferred embodiments presented are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, in as much as equivalents thereof and other modifications which come within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification.