Abstract:
A device and method for securely tying a shoelace. Two ends of a shoelace are secured within two bobbin ports and the shoelace is wrapped around a bobbin as the bobbin is rotated. A ratchet is attached to the bobbin, rotates with the bobbin, and enables the bobbin to be locked in place (securely tying the shoelace). A frame enables access to the shoelace before, during, and after the shoelace tying procedure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/805,897 filed Mar. 27, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to shoelace tying devices and methods. More particularly, the disclosure discusses securely tying shoelaces in a manner which enables a person to establish and maintain desired shoelace tightness. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A shoelace used to tie a shoe can become loose and/or untied. This can create safety, comfort, and efficiency problems for the shoe. Furthermore, many people lack the physical dexterity to properly tie shoelaces. Hence, there is a need for an alternative shoelace tying device and method. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a device for tying a shoelace comprises: a bobbin with two ports, wherein the ports are configured to accept and firmly hold the two ends of a shoelace; a frame which comprises a bottom portion on which the bobbin rests, a top portion configured with an opening to secure the bobbin and allow the bobbin to rotate, and two supporting members which connect the top portion to the bottom portion, wherein each member includes a port configured to accept a shoelace; and a ratchet which is attached to the bobbin, configured to rotate with the bobbin, and rests atop the frame. 
         [0005]    The bobbin with two ports can be cylindrical and is able to rotate to collect a shoelace around its axis. 
         [0006]    The frame is configured to enable a user to access a shoelace, secure the shoelace ends to the bobbin ports, and adjust the shoelace around the bobbin axis if required. The frame is configured to rest upon the upper surface of the tongue of a shoe. 
         [0007]    The ratchet comprises a gear and a pawl. The gear portion is attached to the bobbin and rotates with the bobbin. The pawl can be spring loaded or can exist as a switch embodiment. The switch embodiment enables a user to freely turn the gear when open and locks the gear when closed. The spring loaded embodiment enables rotation in one direction unless the pawl is physically held open, in which case rotation in both directions is allowed. 
         [0008]    In a separate embodiment, the device further comprises shoelace docking means. The shoelace docking means consists of a metallic portion with two shoelace tunnels, the tunnels configured to accept and hold two different ends of a shoelace, and a magnet embedded within the frame bottom portion. 
         [0009]    In a separate embodiment, the device further comprises a customizable relief design button. 
         [0010]    In a separate embodiment, the device further comprises a beaded chain leash. 
         [0011]    The method to use a shoelace tying device to tie a shoelace with aglets comprises: placing the shoelace tying device on a tongue of a shoe between the last two eyelets of the shoe which are laced, wherein the shoelace tying device comprises: a bobbin with two ports, wherein the ports are configured to accept and firmly hold the two ends of a shoelace; a frame which comprises a bottom portion on which the bobbin rests, a top portion configured with an opening to secure the bobbin and allow the bobbin to rotate, and two supporting members which connect the top portion to the bottom portion, wherein each member includes a port configured to accept a shoelace; and a ratchet which is attached to the bobbin, configured to rotate with the bobbin, and rests atop the frame; feeding each shoelace aglet into a corresponding support port and bobbin port; and rotating the ratchet until a desired shoelace tension is achieved. 
         [0012]    The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments on the present disclosure will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as the realization of additional advantages thereof, by consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly. 
         [0013]    The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoelace tying device, illustrated with laces attached thereto, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a magnified cross-section of the top of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a left-side view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a right-side view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a back view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a shoelace tying device. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of shoelace docking means. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a shoe with a shoelace tying device installed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a shoelace tying device further comprising shoelace docking means. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a shoelace tying device with a magnet embedded in the frame bottom portion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,088, awarded to Ha, describes a shoelace tightening device. The Ha device comprises a rotation member, bobbin, and housing. The Ha device must be affixed to a shoe instead of resting freely upon the shoe. The Ha housing does not enable free access to the shoelace after it has been wound around the bobbin. The Ha switch must be held open to enable a shoelace to be unwound. The Ha device also incorporates an elastic tension means to maintain rotation member tension, which creates a potential failure point for the device. 
         [0029]    The device of the present disclosure overcomes the limitations of Ha. Specifically, the device of the present disclosure does not need to be affixed to the shoe, a user has access to the shoelace since a frame is used instead of a housing enclosure, and elastic tension means for the rotation member is not used. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoelace tying device, illustrated with laces attached thereto, according to an embodiment of the invention. Shown are the device  101  and a shoelace  102 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a shoelace tying device. Shown are a bobbin  201 , frame  202 , frame top portion  203 , frame bottom portion  204 , frame supporting members  205 , gear  206 , pawl  207 , bobbin ports  208 , frame member ports  209 , a customizable relief design button  210 , tension dial column  215 , and a beaded leash chain  211 . The pawl  207  comprises a lever spring  212 , lever arm  213 , and locking control switch  214 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a magnified cross-section of the top of a shoelace tying device. Shown are frame top portion  203 , gear  206 , a customizable relief design button  210 , tension dial column  215 , a lever spring  212 , lever arm  213 , locking control switch  214 , housing cap pinholes  301 , on/off decal  303 , lever tooth  304 , lever pivot pin  305 , and switch pivot pin  306 . In a separate embodiment, lever arm  213  and lever tooth  304  consist of a single-piece lever arm with multiple teeth with the same functionality. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a shoelace tying device. Shown are frame top portion  203  and frame member ports  209 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a shoelace tying device. Shown is a frame bottom portion  204 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a left-side view of a shoelace tying device. Shown are a frame supporting member  205 , frame member port  209 , tension dial column  215 , and housing cap  302 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a right-side view of a shoelace tying device. Shown are a frame supporting member  205 , frame member port  209 , tension dial column  215 , housing cap  302 , and a locking control switch  214 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a shoelace tying device. Shown are a bobbin  201 , frame  202 , bobbin ports  208 , tension dial column  215 , a locking control switch  214 , and a housing cap  302 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a back view of a shoelace tying device. Shown are a bobbin  201 , frame  202 , bobbin ports  208 , tension dial column  215 , a locking control switch  214 , and a housing cap  302 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a shoelace tying device. Shown are a bobbin  201 , frame  202 , gear  206 , bobbin ports  208 , frame member ports  209 , tension dial column  215 , a beaded leash chain  211 , housing cap  302 , on/off decal  303 , lever tooth  304 , lever pivot pin  305 , locking switch pivot pin  306 , a lever spring  212 , lever arm  213 , locking control switch  214 , and bobbin mounting sleeve  1001 . In a separate embodiment, frame  202  and bobbin mounting sleeve  1001  consist of a single-piece frame with the same functionality. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of shoelace docking means. Shown are a shoelace dock  1101 , magnet  1102 , and shoelace ports  1103 . A shoelace is threaded through the shoelace ports  1103  and the magnet  1102  is configured to enable a shoelace tying device  101  to magnetically attach to the shoelace dock  1101 . Hence, the shoelace tying device  101  would further comprise the shoelace docking means. 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a shoe with a shoelace tying device installed. Shown are a shoe  1201  and shoelace tying device  101 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a shoelace tying device further comprising shoelace docking means. 
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a shoelace tying device with a magnet embedded in the frame bottom portion. 
         [0044]    The method steps required to tie and untie a shoelace are listed below. 
       Tying 
       [0045]    1. String-up the laces of the shoe evenly, so that their ends are the exactly same length when finished. 
         [0046]    2. Once the shoe is on, tighten up the laces to your desired tension (check and adjust laces if they are not the same length when finished with this step). 
         [0047]    3. Move the lock control switch  214  on the shoelace tying device  101  to the position where “ON” is covered by the switch and “OFF” is visible. 
         [0048]    4. Place the shoelace tying device  101  on top of the shoe&#39;s tongue in-between the last two strung-up laces. 
         [0049]    5. While holding the frame  203  of the device  101  with 1 hand, use your other hand to take one aglet (i.e. plastic shoestring end) and feed it through the frame member port  209  on the side of the shoelace tying device  101 . 
         [0050]    6. Once through the frame member port  209 , insert the aglet into one of the bobbin ports  208  on the bobbin  201 . (The bobbin  201  can be rotated slightly to allow the aglets to be inserted into the bobbin ports  208  easier). 
         [0051]    7. Repeat steps 5 &amp; 6 on the opposite side of the shoelace tying device  101  for the 2 nd  shoestring. (Note: the other aglet should be entered through the bobbin port  208  on the opposite side of where the 1 st  aglet was inserted) 
         [0052]    8. Turn the tension dial column  215  knob to position the bobbin ports  208  in a way that the aglets align straight across from one frame member port  209  to the opposite frame member port  209 . This may require lightly pulling some of the slack from one or both laces feeding into the frame member ports  209 . (Note: If either of the aglets are pulled out of the frame member ports  209  during this step, reinsert the aglet and repeat this step) 
         [0053]    9. Once both ends are anchored to the bobbin  201 , move the lock control switch  214  on the shoelace tying device  101  to the position where “OFF” is covered by the switch and “ON” is visible. 
         [0054]    10. For shorter laces (3 to 5 inches), use one hand to hold the device  101  in place on the shoe&#39;s tongue and use the other hand to turn the tension dial column  215  knob clockwise to tighten up the laces to your desired tension.
       11a. For longer laces, once step 9 is completed. Give the tension dial column  215  knob a ¼ to ½ turn clockwise to secure the laces in the shoelace tying device  101 .   11b. With one hand; lift the device  101  up above the shoe&#39;s tongue until all the slack is removed from the attached laces. Now, while holding the device  101  parallel to the shoe&#39;s tongue; use the other hand to turn the tension dial column  215  knob clockwise . . . while slowly lowering the device  101  down into place on the shoe&#39;s tongue. Once the device  101  can rest on the shoe&#39;s tongue, continue to turn the knob clockwise until the laces reach your desired tension.       
 
       Untying 
       [0057]    1. Move the lock control switch  214  on the shoelace tying device  101  to the position where “ON” is covered by the switch and “OFF” is visible. 
         [0058]    2. Using one hand, with the index finger and thumb . . . grip the device frame  203  right below the tension dial column  215  knob and lightly pull up and towards the toes (at a 45 degree angle). Strings should unwind from the bobbin  201  and detach from the device  101 . 
         [0059]    All patents and publications mentioned in the prior art are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference, to the extent that they do not conflict with this disclosure. 
         [0060]    While the above examples provide a description of the process of the present invention, they should not be read as limiting the process of the present invention. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.