Abstract:
A shoelace holder that includes one or more patches of hook material that either is built into the upper portion of a shoe or releasably attaches to the upper portion of a shoe. The securing device provides function as well as decoration to the shoe surface. The securing device holds the shoelace against the shoe body thereby preventing a tripping hazard whether the shoelace is tied or not.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to devices for securing ties such as cords, strings and laces and particularly knots of tied shoelaces of a shoe, and more particularly relates to an improved apparatus for holding shoelaces of a shoe in a position so that the knot (including the familiar bow-type tie) in such shoelaces does not become loose or untied even after vigorous activity such as running, jumping, sports and the like.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Flexible laces are typically used to securely fasten shoes, sneakers and other footwear. After the lace is tightened on the footwear, the ends are usually tied in a conventional bowknot. It is well known that such bowknots have a tendency to loosen or become untied, which is inconvenient and often hazardous, particularly when one is engaged in athletic activities.  
         [0005]     Many children become injured each year when they fall, as by tripping on untied shoelaces or because they tangle their untied shoelaces in objects that are near them. This problem is particularly acute with young toddlers that have trouble tying their own shoelaces.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, children will frequently tug or trip on the ends of the laces, thereby loosening or untying the bowknot. This places a burden on parents and other adults charged with supervision of children to continually retie the shoelaces. To overcome this problem, a parent will often tie a double knot to make it more difficult for the child to loosen or untie the knot by pulling on the ends of the laces. This double knot is difficult to untie, even for an adult, when the adult wishes to remove the child&#39;s shoes  
         [0007]     Several patents have been issued for constructions that attempt to solve the problem of shoelaces that become untied during use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,214 to Lee describes a shoelace binder that holds the laces in a secure arrangement, yet takes the place of a traditional bowknot.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,483 to Polk, U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,437 to Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,439 to Riti, U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,854 to Edens, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,787 to Walls describe shoe lace securing devices that are attached to the shoe strings and cover the bow knot to hold it in place and prevent it from untying.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,888 to Miller describes a retainer device to enclose the shoelaces after they have been tied such that no loose ends remain exposed.  
         [0010]     While the prior art may be effective to keep a shoelace knotted and prevent it from becoming loose, it also requires an extra, free standing device to be attached to the laces. None of the prior art discloses a shoelace securing device that is built into the shoe itself.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     A principal concept of the present invention is to provide a securing device that is part of the shoe construction and that prevents the shoelaces from coming untied. The securing device will make use of the hook portion of a typical hook-and-loop fastener.  
         [0012]     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a shoelace securing device that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoelace-securing device that can be integrated into the surface of the upper portion of a shoe. A related object of the present invention is to provide a shoelace-securing device that can be attached to the surface of the upper portion of a shoe.  
         [0014]     This invention enables a shoelace-securing device that includes one or more patches of hook material that either is built into the upper portion of a shoe or releasably attaches to the upper portion of a shoe. The securing device provides function as well as decoration to the shoe surface. The securing device holds the shoelace against the shoe body thereby preventing a tripping hazard whether the shoelace is tied or not.  
         [0015]     The various features of novelty that characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims of this application. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a shoe having the retaining device according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a left side elevational view of a shoe having the retaining device according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a right side elevational view of a shoe having the retaining device according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are left and right perspective views of a shoe employing the retaining device according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are left and right perspective views of a shoe employing the retaining device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.  
         [0023]     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1, 2 , and  3  show a shoe, indicated generally as  10 , having a securing device according to the present invention. The shoe  10  comprises an upper section  13  of suitable material and strength forming an enclosure  16  so as to hold the protective outsole  19  on the foot of a wearer. The enclosure  16  includes a lacing system  22  that tightens the upper section  13  around the foot. Typically, the lacing system comprises a single elongated shoelace  25  that can be tied in a releasable knot, such as a bow. Such shoelace  25  typically comprises cotton or nylon having a plastic piece on each end of the shoelace  25  called aglets  28 .  
         [0024]     According to the present invention, the shoe  10  further comprises one or more securing patches  31 . The insert portion of  FIG. 1  illustrate a plan view of a securing patch  31  and a side view of the securing patch  31  showing a plurality of flexible hooks on the patch  31 . The securing patches  31  comprise only the hook side of a typical hook-and-loop fastener, such as provided under the brand name Velcro®. Such securing patch  31  is designed to attach to the material of the shoelace  25 . The securing patch  31  may be of any size and shape to fit on the shoe  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the patch  31  can be constructed into the surface of the shoe  10  at various points and locations. In an alternate embodiment, the patch  31  can be provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive on its back that will adhere to the shoe  10 . The patch  31  can be used as an ornamental feature of the shoe  10 , as well as a functional retaining device.  
         [0025]     The securing patch  31  will stick to most substrates such as leather, nylon, cotton, plastic, and rubber, etc. and, because of its hook-like surface, will hold the loose ends of tied shoelaces to itself causing them to cling or attach. The securing patch  31  can be used in the construction of a variety of athletic, casual, and dress shoes for all ages and genders. In a preferred embodiment, the grade of securing patch  31  is not rough but a soft or fuzzy quality and is low lying. Uses a grade of securing patch  31  that is sleek and matches and/or exceeds the following criteria:  
         [0000]     Adiustability &amp; Versatility  
         [0026]     1. Serves as the counterpart or loop-side of a hook-and-loop fastener to attach the shoelaces  25  in a fused manner to hold the shoelaces  25  to the outside of the shoe  10 .  
         [0027]     2. Accommodates different sizes and thickness of shoelaces  25  through a “one-size-fits-all” patch.  
         [0028]     3. Appears in strips that come in a variety of diameters that are either fixed or flexible.  
         [0029]     4. Shifts and manipulates to different positions by detaching and reattaching strips for multiple reuses.  
         [0000]     Creativity &amp; Appeal  
         [0030]     1. Appeals to youth and is kid-friendly due to its lightweight, ease of use (peel and stick).  
         [0031]     2. Alleviates the need of individuals retying shoelaces multiple times throughout the day.  
         [0032]     3. Offers different colors, shapes, and designs for boys and girls, men and women of all ages.  
         [0033]     4. Presents a translucent/transparent or opaque backside of the retaining fastener (i.e., the top side of the hook side) giving a creative component to express individuality with the capacity on which to write or draw.  
         [0000]     Safety &amp; Security  
         [0034]     1. Provides a shoelace constraint and training tool for youth.  
         [0035]     2. Secures the laces to the surface of shoes thereby restricting and/or securely holding tied shoelaces in place.  
         [0036]     3. Adheres to shoelaces made of cotton, nylon, and the like, as well as other such materials with similar properties.  
         [0037]     4. Offers a pliable shoelace movement inhibitor that serves as a safety device.  
         [0038]     In use, the retaining device of the present invention is used by pressing the bows of a tied shoelace against one or more of the securing patches  31 , as shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b . First, the shoelace  25  is tied in a conventional manner, and then the loops of the bow are attached to the securing patch  31 .  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the retaining device of the present invention also permits the shoelace  25  to be held without the shoelace being tied. First, the shoelace may be tightened by a simple overhand twist, and then the remaining length of the shoelace  25  is attached to the securing patch  31 . The securing patch prevents the free ends of the shoelace  25  from being caught underfoot or on other objects causing a tripping hazard.  
         [0040]     The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.