Abstract:
The purpose of this device is to secure, contain, and protect the tied shoelaces found on the majority of shoes in today&#39;s world. Especially in the case of children, elderly, or athletes, the shoelaces frequently come undone. At best, this can be a nuisance to have to bend over and re-tie them every so often. At worst, untied laces can cause the wearer to trip and possibly injure him/herself. This device prevents any such instances from occurring by ensconcing the tied laces in a cocoon of sorts, never allowing them to come undone or bounce around haphazardly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a shoelace protector for protecting tied shoelaces, and more particularly to a folding apparatus that can be worn during high activity to prevent the shoelaces from becoming loose and untied, and therefore protecting both the shoelaces and the wearer. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are many ways to secure one&#39;s foot to a shoe. The most common and traditional way is with shoelaces. Shoelaces are strings that crisscross up the throat area of a shoe. At their terminal end, shoelaces are tied by a bow knot at the upper part of the shoe throat. A universal problem with shoelaces is that the shoelace bow may become loose and unravel. When the shoelace bow unravels, the shoelaces become loose. When the shoelaces become loose, the shoe loses its tight fit on the foot increasing the risk of the shoe coming off. Also, the aglets, or the plastic or metal tips at the end of laces, can be damaged, which can cause the shoelaces to fray. Furthermore, the shoelaces can become free and dangle with possible entanglement and injury. At a minimum, the laces have to be retied and may have to be retied numerous times, causing major distraction and inconvenience. Also, the wearer may not always be aware of an untied shoelace, which can be a safety hazard particularly for young children, the elderly, and athletes who might trip by unknowingly stepping on the untied shoelace. 
         [0003]    The prior art is replete with devices to secure shoelaces. In most cases, these prior art devices involve latches that attach certain individual parts of the tied laces to the shoe. For example, some of the prior art devices function as a shoelace knot retainer to secure the knot to the shoe, whereas other devices are designed to hold the shoelace bow in its place. While these latches help in securing just the knot or the bow, they leave the ends of shoelaces free to dangle, which greatly increases the possibility of getting pulled, snagged or caught on objects. As such, there has been a need for a better device which secures the tied shoelace in a comprehensive manner, not just a select few parts. 
         [0004]    Several prior art devices sought to overcome the above deficiency by presenting a solution involving protective covers that conceal the tied shoelaces. For example, one prior art device comprises a hard shell casing around the entire front of the shoe in order to cover the shoelaces. Other similar prior art devices include containers such as a pouch, or a hinged metal box to enclose the tied shoelaces. 
         [0005]    These protective covers while effective in concealing the shoelaces, still do not prevent the knot and bow from loosening. Especially during sports activity there is wide and frequent ankle movement causing a pull tension on the knot and bow, which can result in loosening and untying of shoelaces even while enclosed within a container device. As such, an invention is needed which not only protects the tied shoelaces from being pulled, snagged or caught; but also applies additional friction to the entire knot and bow structure to prevent it from loosening. 
         [0006]    Additional prior arts include embodiments used for purely aesthetic purposes, such as keeping sides of the bows symmetric, arranging the bowtie and loose ends in a particular manner, and more. While such prior arts may make the shoelaces seem more pleasurable or fashionable, they do not help or aid the actual functionality of the shoelaces. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, many prior art embodiments can only be used on a shoe of a specific size and measurement. As there are no standards for shoe sizes, other than the length of the shoe—variations in throat length and width, low-top vs. high-top shoes, would require such device to be “custom fit” for each show type—rendering it impractical for mass commercial applications. Also, majority of the prior art devices are semi-permanently attached to the shoe, thus making it cumbersome to remove the device from one pair of shoes, to be reused on another. Therefore, a person who typically owns multiple pairs of shoes, would need as many pairs of such devices—making them a costly proposition. 
         [0008]    Although helpful, the prior art devices do not address the primary reason why shoelace bows become loose as explained below. 
         [0009]    A knot is created by a one-dimensional line segment wrapped around itself. The two free ends are then fused together to form a closed loop. A load on this line segment creates tension that pulls the line back through the knot in the direction of the load. This action generates friction that resists the tension. Even with secure knots, slippage may occur when the knot is first put under real tension. This slippage can be mitigated by leaving plenty of line beyond the working end outside of the knot. This is the principal of the bow. 
         [0010]    On the other hand, knots may also fail without enough load or tension. Without proper tension, the knot may simply come apart when there is not enough friction to keep the knot closed. To prevent shoelaces from unraveling, a device must not only protect the shoelace bow but also help maintain the proper tension and friction within or on the bow. 
         [0011]    In brief, the present invention satisfies a desire in the industry for a more efficient apparatus to prevent the loosening, untying or entanglement of the shoelace bow. In addition, it addresses the need for a better alternative which neither requires a “custom fit” to a particular shoe-size, nor is “semi-permanently attached” to the shoe—thus making it very cost effective by sharing and reusing a single apparatus among multiple pairs of shoes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in both low activity and high activity shoes that protects and prevents the loosening or untying of a tied shoelace bow. The present invention is particularly applicable to activities where the shoelace bow is subjected to many hours of possible snagging, catching or pulling while under varying degrees of tension and friction. The shoelace protector apparatus comprises of various material consisting of a main body, a shoe tongue, left and right wings, and two opposing flaps. The shoelace bow and loose ends are threaded through sleeves on the main body and wings of the apparatus. The wings and flaps are then folded upon each other and are secured together by, for example, hook-and-loop (VELCRO) fasteners. The completed shoelace protector apparatus not only protects the bow from snagging, catching or pulling, but also applies additional pressure, friction and tension on the shoelace bow to prevent it from loosening or untying. Also, the apparatus itself cannot fall out as it is held snugly by means of an extended tongue inserted into the shoe, between the throat of the shoe and the top of the wearer&#39;s foot. This unique feature makes the apparatus securely attached to the shoe while wearer&#39;s foot is inside the shoe, and it automatically detaches the apparatus when the shoe is removed—thus making it reusable with any other shoes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the present invention of the shoelace protector  2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the shoelace protector with its sleeves and end-pockets, along with hook-and-loop fasteners. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows how the main body  8  of shoelace protector folds at the neck  6  over the tongue  4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows how the tied shoelaces  20  are threaded through the sleeves  18  and into the end-pockets  22  of wings  10 . Then, wings  10  are folded upon the main body  8 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows how the inner flaps  12  fold on top of the wings  10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows how the outer flap  13  folds on top of the inner flaps  12 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a completely assembled shoelace protector  2  containing the tied shoelaces securely tucked inside. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows the present invention of the shoelace protector  2  in situ, and the tongue  4  being inserted into the shoe. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows the tongue  4  fully inserted into the shoe, while the remainder of the shoelace protector  2  extends above the throat of the shoe. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  illustrates how the main body  8  folds upon the throat of the shoe, and the untied shoelaces are pulled through the hole  14  of the main body  8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  shows the tied shoelaces  20  threaded through the sleeves  18  and into the end-pockets  22  on wings  10 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  shows the wings  10  folded upon the main body  8 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  shows the inner flaps  12  folded on top of the wings  10 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  shows the outer flap  13  folded upon the main body, creating a fully assembled shoelace protector as would be used by a consumer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The present invention relates to a shoelace protector apparatus for use with shoes or boots in order to protect the tied shoelace from becoming untied, loosening or interfering with an activity being performed. The extended tongue of the apparatus is placed under the throat of the shoe while slipping the foot inside the shoe, and is held tightly in place by the foot of the wearer underneath it. The shoelaces are pulled through the hole in the main body of the apparatus, and are tied together in the form of a bow knot as usual. The shoelace bow and remaining loose ends are then threaded through sleeves, and tucked inside the end pockets of the wings. These novel sleeves apply additional friction to the shoelace bow and knot. The wings are then folded upon the main body, and are secured together by adjoining flaps. The completed apparatus not only protects the bow from snagging, catching or pulling but also applies additional pressure, friction and tension on the shoelace bow to prevent it from loosening or untying. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows the shoelace protector apparatus of the present invention. The shoelace protector  2  generally consists of a tongue  4  of variable length, neck  6 , main body  8 , wings  10 , inner flaps  12 , and outer flap  13 . The main body  8  contains a hole  14  to which the untied shoelaces enter from the bottom of the shoelace protector  2  to the top of the shoelace protector  2 . The wings  10  and flaps  12 ,  13  contain numerous fastener devices  16 . The fastener devices are preferably hook-and-loop (VELCRO) system. The hook-and-loop (VELCRO) fasteners consist of two components: typically, two lineal fabric strips that are attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.) to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first component features tiny hooks and the second features even smaller and “hairier” loops. When the two components are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and the two pieces fasten or bind temporarily. The position of the fasteners devices  16  varies with different embodiments of the present invention. These fasteners devices  16  may also be positioned either on top or bottom of the main body  8 , wings  10  and/or flaps  12 ,  13 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the unique sleeves  18  and end-pockets  22  of the present invention. These sleeves  18  comprise of a fabric loop that is sewn or attached onto the main body  8  and wings  10 . The sleeve  18  is designed so that the shoelace bow and remaining loose ends can pass through it. The end-pockets  22  are sewn or attached at the end of wings  10 , and are designed to hold the ends of the bow, remaining shoelace and aglets. In one embodiment, the sleeve  18  and end-pocket  22  fabric is preferably elastic so that the shoelace bow and remaining loose ends can pass easily through it with a little stretching of the elastic, while providing a tight enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, a number of sleeves  18  are placed on a longitudinal line across the length of both the main body  8  and wings  10  of the shoelace protector  2 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows the first step of assembling the shoelace protector  2 . In this step, the main body  8  is folded at the neck  6  over the tongue  4 . The hole  14  is positioned directly over the untied shoelaces so that they may be pulled through the hole  14  and tied on top of the main body  8 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, flexible wires (or similarly bendable plastic strips) run across the length of main body  8  and flaps  12 ,  13 , so that fully assembled apparatus can bend and contour around the throat of the shoe, as opposed to sticking out horizontally. In a preferred embodiment, wires are attached in two places: (i) where the neck  6  and flaps  12  joins the main body  8 , and (ii) where the flap  13  joins the main body  8 . 
         [0032]    Also, in a preferred embodiment, a pair of magnetic strips are attached in the middle of flap  13  as well as along the tongue  4  (where it joins the neck  6 ), so that when the apparatus is fully assembled, the magnet on flap  13  is positioned over the hole  14 , allowing it to bind with the opposite magnet on tongue  4  underneath, thus making sure the assembled apparatus securely clings to the throat of the shoe. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows shoelaces passed through the hole  14  and tied into a bow knot over the main body  8 . The tied shoelaces  20  (including the actual knot, the bow, and the remaining loose ends with aglets) are slipped under the sleeves  18  on both left and right sides of the entire length of the main body  8  and wings  10 . The ends of the bow, remaining shoelace and aglets are tucked inside the end-pockets  22  of wings  10 . The purpose of the sleeves  18  and the end-pockets  22  is to apply pressure, friction and tension to shoelace bow knot and hold the tied shoelaces  20  in place onto the main body  8  and the wings  10  of the shoelace protector  2 . Subsequently, the left and right wings  10  are folded on top of the main body  8 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows wings  10  folded on top of the main body  8  thus covering the tied shoelaces  20 , as well as applying additional pressure and friction. This further reduces the possibility of the shoelaces coming undone. Subsequently, the inner flaps  12  are folded on top of the already folded wings  10 , and securely attached by means of hook-and-loop (VELCRO) fasteners. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows the final step of the outer flap  13  being folded on top of the inner flaps  12 , and securely attached by means of hook-and-loop (VELCRO) fasteners. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  depicts completely assembled shoelace protector  2  with the tied shoelaces covered on all sides and secured by three layers of protection. This completely eliminates the possibility of the shoelaces becoming untied, loosened or interfering with an activity being performed. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows the application of this apparatus on a hiking shoe. While putting on the shoe, the wearer inserts the tongue  4  of the shoelace protector  2  underneath the shoe&#39;s throat. The tongue  4  is tightly held in place between the throat of the hiking shoe and the foot of the wearer. This makes the apparatus securely attached to the shoe while wearer&#39;s foot is inside the shoe, and the apparatus is automatically detached when the shoe is removed—thus making the apparatus reusable with any other shoes. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  shows the tongue  4  fully inserted inside the shoe up to the neck  6 , while the main body  8 , wings  10  and flaps  12 ,  13  of the shoelace protector  2  extend above the throat of the shoe. 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  shows the neck  6  of the shoelace protector  2  folded over the throat of the shoe, so that the bottom side of the main body  8 , wings  10  and flaps  12 ,  13  is flipped over. The shoe&#39;s untied laces are then pulled through the hole  14  of the shoelace protector  2 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  shows the shoelaces tied into a bow knot  20 . One of the bow loops and one loose end of the shoelace is then inserted through the sleeves  18  along the left side of main body  8  and the left wing  10 ; and tucked inside the end-pocket  22  of the left wing  10 . Similarly, the second bow loop and the second loose end of the shoelace is inserted through the sleeves  18  along the right side of main body  8  and the right wing  10 ; and then tucked inside the end-pocket  22  of the right wing  10 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  shows the wings  10  folded and attached onto the main body  8  of the shoelace protector  2 . The left wing  10  is folded in the middle so that VELCRO  16  on the left wing  10  attaches to its counterpart VELCRO on the main body  8 . Similarly, the right wing  10  is folded in the middle so that VELCRO  16  on the right wing  10  attaches to its counterpart VELCRO on the main body  8 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 13  shows the inner flaps  12  folded over wings  10  of the shoelace protector  2 . The inner left flap  12  is folded on top of already folded left wing  10  so that VELCRO  16  on the inner left flap  12  attaches to its counterpart VELCRO at the back of folded left wing  10 . Similarly, the inner right flap  12  is folded on top of already folded right wing  10 , so that VELCRO  16  on the inner right flap  12  attaches to its counterpart VELCRO at the back of folded right wing  10 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 14  shows the outer flap  13  folded and attached onto the inner left and right flaps  12  of the shoelace protector  2 . The outer flap  13  covers the entire length and width of the folded left and right wings  10  and inner left and right flaps  12 . The left VELCRO  16  on the outer flap  13  attaches to its counterpart VELCRO at the back of folded inner left flap  12 . Similarly, the right VELCRO  16  on the outer flap  13  attaches to its counterpart VELCRO at the back of folded inner right flap  12 . At this point the shoelace protector  2  is completely assembled—fully covering and protecting tied shoelaces from all sides.