Patent Publication Number: US-10786045-B2

Title: Lace ratcheting device—metal jacket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application is Continuation In Part of application Ser. No. 15/722,755 Filed on Oct. 2, 2017. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is related to devices for fastening and keeping fastened laces, chords, ropes, strings and alike. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—PRIOR ART 
     Many devices were invented for shoe lace tightening. The most commercially successful is U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,867 by Azam which is widely used in fastening laces of skiing and skates boots. The tightening principle is a spring loaded gear wheel which can move in wedge shaped passage which widens forwards and narrows backwards. The laces pass through that passage and can be fastened by pulling the laces forwards which in turn pulls forwards the gear wheel towards the wider part of the passage where the laces are free to move. When the pulling stops the laces pull the gear wheel backwards, which narrows the passage and blocks the laces&#39; backwards motion. The laces can be released by pulling the gearwheel forwards with a knob. There are few noticeable disadvantages to this popular invention. The device must be installed on heavy-solid footwear which eliminates its use with regular shoes and the user must constantly pull the knob to keep the releasing. In addition, the teeth of gearwheel and opposite teeth cause severe lace wear. Similar approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,282 by Borsoi and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,273 by Stramare. The lace buckle device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,240 by Li is used widely in coat laces. It has a lace passage controlled by a spring loaded piston that blocks lace motion when the spring is released. Except for the similar name there is no similarity to our invention. This buckle controls only one lace and does not have a ratchet operation at all. When the user wants to release or fasten the lace the user has to press the spring loaded piston, release the lace and pull at the same time. When the spring is released, the buckle returns to b the lace. Similar devices are sold as “shoe buckles” for fastening shoe laces. The main disadvantage of such shoe buckles is that they do not have a ratcheting operation, which enables one to fasten the laces just by pulling. The shoe buckles require one to fasten the laces with one hand while keeping the buckle in position with the other hand and then switching the buckle into position. This results in cumbersome and inefficient fastening. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,000 Liu uses for lace tightening a teethed rotating bar. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,241 by Borel and in several others such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,358 to Christy and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,241 by Yu et al. use fastening devices which are based on pipes or channels which have diagonal teeth to block reverse motion of the lace. The pipes are installed on the shoes in different locations. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,004 Huber teaches a lace mechanism. Huber&#39;s mechanism employs a pair of spring loaded pivoted arms which have sets of sharp teeth that when pressed against the laces block their motion in both directions. Thus, Huber&#39;s mechanism is not a lace ratchet mechanism because it does not allow further lace tightening once it is. In its state, the laces are released in both directions simply by pressing the arms of Huber&#39;s mechanism. Huber&#39;s mechanism is impractical because the sharp teeth tend to cause a lot of lace wear when the laces are fastened before. Huber&#39;s mechanism structure is complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, similar to the lace buckle, the user needs to fasten both laces with one hand while pressing the arms with the second hand to keep the mechanism in position. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,994 Jih-Liang Lin teaches a shoe lace fastener which fasten the lace using jagged arm on top and jagged base on bottom. The device structure includes many complex parts and is expensive to manufacture. Such a structure also is impractical because it will wear the lace very quickly. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,362 to Hammerslag et al. teaches Real based closure system. U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,994 to Lin teaches Shoelace with shoelace fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,273 to Stramare et al. describes Shoes with directional conditioning device for laces. U.S. Pat. No. 8,231,074 to Hu et al. describes Lace winding device for shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 8,230,560 to Luzlbauer teaches Fastening system for shoes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,185,948 to Ben-Arie describes a Buckle Lace Fastening Device (BLFD) which also enables lace ratcheting. However, the BLFD is using resilient gates which do not rotate but bend. In addition, the mechanism of the BLFD, which is based on rotating the gripping wall is entirely different from the mechanism of the current invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,046,937 to Beers et al. describes an Automatic lacing system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,289 to Liu describes a Fastener for fasting together two lace systems. U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,050 to Hammerslag describes a Footwear lacing system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,161 to Taylor describes a Lace tying device. U.S. Pat. No. 7,313,849 to Liu describes a Fastener for lace. U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,285 to Liao describes a Shoe lace fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,701 to Dalgaard describes Footwear variable tension lacing systems. U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,308 Funk describes a lace securing and adjusting device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,829 Hsu describes a U shaped lace buckle. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,079 to Manzano describes a Shoelace fastening assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,871 to Culverwell describes Footwear fastening. U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,559 to Munsell Jr. describes a Shoelace fastening apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,787 to Chang describes a Fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,777 to Shelton describes a Shoelace tightening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,774 to Duren teaches a Shoe fastening attached device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,511 to Kubo describes a Shoelace fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,401 to Hanson teaches a Shoelace tightening and device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,315 to Osawa et al. describes a Shoe fastening device and plate shaped member thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,675 to Shai describes a Fastener for shoelace. U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,669 to Sampson teaches a Multiuse fastener system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,171 to Cardaropoli teaches a Shoe fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,053 to Rudd teaches a Shoe fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,882 to Berger teaches a Shoe with central fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,539 to Curry teaches a Lace fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,581 to Gould teaches a Device and method for securing a shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,273 to Huttle teaches Shoe lace fastening. U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,159 to Dougherty teaches a Fastener for lace or rope or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,432 to Bunch et al. teaches a Shoe upper with lateral fastening arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,878 to Semouha teaches a Fastener mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,373 to Maslow teaches Laced shoe and method for tying shoelaces. U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,081 to Lott teaches a Shoelace tightener. U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,949 to Seidel teaches Fastening means for sports shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,918 to Baumann teaches a Fastener for lace shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,964 to Vogiatzis teaches a Footwear fastening system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,573 to Gimeno teaches Fastening Device for Lace Up Shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,847 to Waters teaches a Lace Fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,593 to Leick teaches a Lace Device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,817 to Curet teaches an Apparatus and Method for Lacing. 
     US PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     In US 2011/0094072 to Lin describes a Shoelace with Shoelace Fastener. In US 2010/0115744 to Fong describes a Lace Fastener. In US 2009/0172929 to Huang describes a Device for tying Shoe laces. In US 2008/025068 to Stramare describes a Shoe with Directional Conditioning Device for lace or the like. In US 2007/0169380 to Borsoi teaches a Device for B Flexible Strands. In US 2006/0213085 to Azam teaches an Article for Footware with Linkage Tightening Device. In US 2005/0005477 to Borsoi teaches a Lace B Device. In US 2003/0226284 to Grande teaches a Lacing System For Skates. In US 2002/0002781 to Bourier teaches a Lace Tightening Device Having a Pocket for Storing a B Element. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In conclusion, all the above inventions do not propose a Lace Fastening Device which combines all of the following desired properties which we included in our invention:
         1. Our Lace Ratcheting Device (LRD) enables users to fasten regular laces by a unidirectional ratchet operation, i.e. the user has just to pull the lace and the lace remains fully fastened after the pulling stops until the user releases it.   2. The lace can be manually released easily and quickly by the user.   3. The device has a simple structure, which is suited for low cost manufacturing from plastics.   4. Repeated use of the device causes minimal lace wear that is achieved by the special structure of the turning gate which has at its front side only one sharp blade with a smooth side plane. The blade does not wear the lace when it blocks the lace because it just pressurizes it against the opposite gripping wall and it does not cut into the lace. Also, when the lace slides forward the blade turns forwards and the lace slides engaging the smooth side of the blade.   5. The device can fasten any standard lace and can be easily installed on footwear, garments or other objects.   6. The tapered front end of the LRD&#39;s turning gate which controls the lace was covered with sheet metal jacket in order to sharpen its blade and protect it against breaking and wearing.   7. Another significant innovation is the introduction of a clasp which is attached to the LRD and ties to the LRD one or two loose ends of the laces. Other lace fastening devices employ separate clasps which ties the two loose front ends of the lace. But such a separate clasp dangles freely on top of the footwear.       

     The invention includes various lace ratcheting configurations of a basic lace ratcheting device. These configurations facilitate easy fastening and keeping fastened of: laces, ropes, strings and alike. The basic Lace Ratcheting Device (LRD) is small in dimensions and can be installed on shoes or on other objects which need fastening of laces, ropes, strings and alike. The LRD can be used to fasten laces simply by inserting the laces into LRDs and pulling them. The LRD has a self locking ratcheting mechanism what it means is a mechanism that automatically restricts the lace motion backwards when the lace is pulled backwards and the mechanism applies a blocking force in proportion to pulling force. The ratcheting mechanism has two states: “active” and “inactive”. In the active state the device works as a lace ratchet i.e. allowing the lace to be pulled forwards but blocks or severely restricts any lace motion backwards. After the user has fastened the laces they remain fastened until the mechanism is switched into an inactive state. In the inactive state the lace is allowed to move freely forwards and backwards. Each LRD has a channel for fastening one lace. In one embodiment of the LRD, the channel comprises of four walls: a gripping wall, a top wall opposite to the gripping wall, a lower side wall approximately normal to the gripping wall and an upper side wall opposite to the lower side wall. A turning gate (made of solid material) is rotatably installed within the channel on a fulcrum i.e. an axle fitted into a bearing. The axle is centered at the turning gate&#39;s axis of rotation. The turning gate comprises of a front end and a rear end wherein the axis of rotation is situated between the two ends. The front end is opposite the gripping wall and there is a gap between the front end and the gripping wall. The lace is passing through the gap. The turning gate&#39;s rear end serves as a releasing lever. In one embodiment, a preloaded helical torsion spring is mounted on the axle. In other embodiments one could use other kinds of springs. The spring is installed preloaded with a bias which tends to turn the gate in backwards direction i.e. towards an active state in which the front end applies pressure force on the lace which is squeezed in the gap against the gripping wall. Thus, the idle state of the turning gate is in active state and it is switched into inactive state only when the user applies manual pressure on the lever which exceeds the bias and turns the turning gate forwards, thus releasing the pressure force the front end applies on the lace in the gap. The turning gate has a front end which has a single tapered edge i.e. sharp edge with a smooth side i.e. the front end is tapered i.e. sharp and has a smooth side at its lower side. The lace passes through a gap between the front end of the turning gate and the channel&#39;s gripping wall situated opposite to the front end of the turning gate. The gap width is controlled by a ratcheting mechanism operated by the lever. 
     When the ratcheting mechanism is in the active state, the gap is narrowed such that the front end applies a pressure force which is squeezing the lace in the channel with its tapered i.e. sharp edge. At this state the mechanism and acts as a lace ratchet. It means that the turning gate allows forwards fastening motion of the lace but blocks or severely restricts any lace translation in backwards direction. In order to have a ratcheting operation, the turning gate is installed in a forwards leaning diagonal orientation in the channel such that its front end is closer to the gripping wall then its axis of rotation. Also, in a forwards leaning diagonal orientation, the turning gate&#39;s front end is closer to the channel&#39;s exit than the turning gate&#39;s axis of rotation. The ratchet operation of the gate stems from the forward leaning diagonal orientation of the turning gate, which allows forwards lace motion when the lace is moved forwards. Moving forwards the lace which is squeezed in the gap, drags the turning gate&#39;s front end forwards due to the friction force which exists between the lace and the front end because of the pressure force applied by the front end on the lace. When the front end moves forwards also the turning gate turns forwards as well. Due to the forwards leaning diagonal state of the turning gate, when its front end is moved forwards it also moves laterally inwards i.e. away from its gripping wall, thus increasing the width of the gap between the front end and its gripping wall which results in diminished pressure force of the front end on the lace. Reduced pressure force on the lace results in reduced friction between the lace and the surface of the gripping wall and also reduced friction between the lace and the front end and enabling (facilitating) even easier forwards motion of the lace. 
     On the other hand, if the lace moves backwards it also drags the turning gate&#39;s front end backwards since the front end is squeezing the lace and has a mutual friction force with the lace. When the front end moves backwards also the turning gate turns backwards as well. Due to the forwards leaning diagonal orientation of the gate, the motion backwards of the front end has also a lateral outwards component which moves the front end towards the gripping wall thus further narrowing the gap which increases the pressure force of the front end on the lace and further restricting backwards lace motion. Thus, in an active state the gate acts as a lace ratchet i.e. allows lace forwards motion but blocks lace&#39;s backwards motion. When the ratcheting mechanism is switched into inactive state, the turning gate is turned forwards by the user and the gap is widened more than the lace&#39;s width the pressure force of the front end on the lace is diminished and the lace is entirely released because it can move freely forwards or backwards in the channel. The user can easily switch the ratcheting mechanism from active to inactive state simply by manually pressing on the lever, which is the rear end of the turning gate. If the manual pressure is greater than the torsion spring&#39;s preloading bias, the gate turns forwards and increases the gap&#39;s width, thus inactivating the LRD. When the manual pressure ceases the preloaded torsion spring turns the gate backwards into an active state. The LRD can be manufactured at low cost because it has a simple structure with only few parts, which could be made from plastics. To protect the tapered front end of the turning gate which controls the lace it was covered with sheet metal jacket in order to sharpen its blade and protect it. 
     The LRD&#39;s structure is different from other lace fastening devices in few important aspects. Primarily, the LRD enables a lace ratcheting operation which is “self locking” it means that in the blocked state pulling the blocked lace with more force, only increases also the blocking force. In addition, our LRD was configured to employ a ratcheting mechanism which causes only minimal wear of the lace since it employs in the channel a novel structure with a diagonally forwards leaning rotating gate with a single tapered i.e. sharp front end which has a smooth side at its lower side opposite the gripping wall. When the lace is moved forwards, the tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end of the turning gate rotates forwards this also turns the smooth side of the tapered i.e. sharp edge to be approximately parallel with the lace and the lace is sliding on the smooth side of the tapered i.e. sharp edge—which does not wear the lace. At the same time, the forwards rotation also widens the gap and reduces lace friction and wear while the lace is moved forwards. Since the lace is blocked from moving backwards, there is no lace wear in the backwards motion as well. In addition, the LRD&#39;s gripping wall is manufactured with a smooth surface to minimize lace wear when it moves in the gap as well. In contrast, other lace fastening devices employ gates with serrated surfaces and/or with sharp teeth structures in order to block lace movement in their blocked state. However, sharp teeth structures cause significant lace wear even when they turn into their unblocked state since their teeth remain pointed at the lace and the lace still touches them as it moves even in a wider gap. 
     A pair of LRDs in a parallel configuration can be used as a shoe “Ratchet Lace Buckle”, which is not attached to the shoe but enables fastening two ends of each shoe lace. The LRDs are attached to one another in a parallel configuration of their channels by attaching the LRDs at their gripping walls. Such a shoe buckle, which is not attached to the shoe, enables easy fastening and releasing of the shoe laces. The two gate levers of the turning gates protrude from openings in the channels&#39; top walls, on the two opposite sides of LRD&#39;s parallel configuration. This enables the user to unlock both LRDs easily by pressing the levers with two fingers of one hand. 
     Both of the “Ratchet Buckle” structures of the parallel configuration and a triangular configuration of two LRDs is designed to lie flat on top of the shoe when the laces are fastened. Each of the channels at the entry opening has a recess at the lower side wall. Each of the channels at entry opening also has a rear segment of the lower side wall next to and behind the recess. The laces are inserted into the channel via the recesses. When the lace is fastened on the shoe, the lace applies a downwards force on the recess. The downwards force is countered by a natural reaction upwards force which is applied on the rear segment by the shoe. The downwards force and the reaction upwards force create a moment of force which is equivalent to a torque that tends to turn each of the LRDs in the LRDs&#39; parallel configuration towards the shoe. Hence, the moment of force clutches the LRDs&#39; parallel configuration onto the top the shoe. 
     In another lacing configuration, two single LRDs can be attached to the two sides of each shoe for fastening of two lace ends of the same lace. A single LRD can also be used to fasten laces of trousers or coats simply by tying one lace end to the LRD and using the LRD to fasten the other lace&#39;s end. All the LRD configurations described above can be implemented by LRDs with helical torsion springs manufactured from elastic material wires which have two wire ends. The rear support LRD has a channel attached pin which supports one wire end at the rear side of the turning gate while the second wire end is supported by the turning gate. The frontal support LRD has a channel&#39;s top wall support which supports one wire end at the front side of the turning gate while the second wire end is supported by the turning gate. 
     The LRD has many advantages over previous devices primarily due to its efficient and easy fastening operation by a ratchet mechanism which requires the user just to pull the lace. An important advantage of the LRD is its self locking ratcheting mechanism it means that in the active blocking state pulling the blocked lace with more force, only increases also the blocking force. This prevents the lace from slipping. Once the lace is pulled, it remains fastened until the ratcheting mechanism is switched from active state into inactive state whereby it disables the ratchet mechanism and releases the lace. Another advantage of the LRD is the ability to manually switch the ratcheting mechanisms of two LRDs in parallel configuration and also in triangular configuration from active state into inactive state simply by squeezing the two opposite gate levers using just two fingers of one hand. Additional advantage over all the other lace ratchets is the LRD causes very low wear on the laces because it does not block or restrict the lace movement using jagged surfaces. Handling laces with fastening devices which have jagged surfaces or which have sharp teeth, as all other lace fasteners do, results in fast wear of the laces. The diagonal orientation of the turning gate&#39;s tapered front end i.e. the sharp edges at the front ends of the turning gates in the LRDs, cause very little lace wear because each tapered i.e. sharp edge has a smooth side on which the lace slides when it is fastened. The LRD was worn and tested daily by the Applicant for more than two years on various shoes without any noticeable lace wear. 
     Another recent improvement is the sheet metal covering of the turning gate&#39;s front end, which sharpens it and protects it against breaking and wearing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled two joined LRDs (Lace Ratcheting Devices) in a parallel configuration. The joined LRDs are coupled with a lace clasp which ties the loose front ends of the laces. The parts&#39; orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRDs&#39; parallel configuration. 
         FIG. 2  shows a 3D isometric drawing of the turning gate, the turning gate&#39;s sheet metal jacket and the rivet which serves as the axle for the turning gate and also couples the turning gate&#39;s sheet metal jacket to the front end of the turning gate. 
         FIG. 3  describes in a 3D isometric drawing, the two joined channels of the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration. To display all the features of the LRD it is shown without the clasp. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates in a 3D isometric drawing, the LRD&#39;s turning gate, a cross section of the LRD&#39;s turning gate and the turning gate&#39;s sheet metal jacket. 
         FIG. 5  depicts in a 3D isometric drawing, a cross section of an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs in an inactive state in which the turning gates are not pressuring the laces in the channels. The drawing includes all the parts of the LRD parallel configuration and also two laces which are passing through the two parallel channels in released state. In order to illustrate the inner workings of the LRD mechanism  FIG. 5  is simplified and the clasp is not included in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6  shows in a 3D isometric drawing, a cross section of an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs in an active state in which the turning gates are pressuring the laces in the channels. The drawing includes all the parts of the parallel configuration and also two laces which are passing through the two parallel channels in restricted state. In order to illustrate the inner workings of the LRD mechanism  FIG. 6  is simplified and the clasp is not included in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7  shows in a 3D isometric drawing a cross section of an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs in an active state in which the turning gates are pressuring the laces in the channels. The drawing includes all the parts of the parallel configuration and also two laces which are passing through the two parallel channels in restricted state. The two laces loop backwards and are tied at the clasp which is attached behind to the LRDs. 
         FIG. 8  shows in a 3D isometric drawing of an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs in an active state in which the turning gates are pressuring the laces in the channels. The drawing includes all the parts of the parallel configuration and also two laces which are passing through the two parallel channels in a restricted state. The two laces loop backwards and are tied at the clasp which is attached behind to the LRDs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled two joined LRDs (Lace Ratcheting Devices) in a parallel configuration  1 . The joined LRDs are coupled with a lace clasp which ties the loose front ends of the laces. The parts&#39; orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRDs&#39; parallel configuration. The two joint channels of the RLDs in parallel configuration  1  are depicted in  FIG. 1  in which the apertures  8  which serve a bearings for the axles  4  are denoted both on the joint channels  1  and on the two turning gates  2 . The turning gates  2  have tapered front ends  18  and rear ends  17  which are used for manual release of the laces. The front end of the turning gate  18  also has a smooth side  19  on which the lace slides when it is translated forwards i.e. the direction from the inlet openings  13  to the outlet openings  5 . The openings  9  in the turning gates  2  and also in the metal jackets  3  are needed for extending outside the spring&#39;s  7  arm which provides frontal support to the turning gate  2 . The two outlet openings  5  of the joint channels are shown in  FIGS. 3,5,6,7  whereas the two inlet openings  13  are denoted in  FIG. 1 . The openings  13  are used as recesses for laces&#39; entry while the clamp  23  is used as a rear segment which receives upwards reaction force to the laces pressing downwards force on recesses  13 . The clasp  23  which serves also as a rear segment  23  receives reaction force from the footwear below and generates together with recesses  13  a moment force. The moment force turns the LRD&#39;s channels downwards towards the top surface of the footwear and keeps the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration flat on top of the footwear. The apertures  8  are also denoted on the sheet metal jacket  3  where they are used to anchor the metal jacket  3  to the turning gate  2  by inserting the axles  4  into apertures  8 . The turning gate&#39;s tapered front end  18  is covered by the metal jacket  3  which protects and sharpens the tapered front end  18  by replacing it with the metal jacket&#39;s sharp front end  6 . The springs  7  also are mounted on the axles  4 . More detailed depictions of all these parts are included in the following figures. The clasp  23  is coupled to the LRDs at their rear end is used to clasp together the loose ends (lace tips) of the laces  14  (shown as  28  in  FIGS. 7,8 ). The clasp  23  includes four sharp wedges  27  which are installed in alternate arrangement such that they leave very narrow passages when the cover  26  is installed. This ensures that the lace tips are tightly clasped when the cover  26  is installed inside the clasp&#39;s housing  23 . The cover has two side wedges  24  which when inserted into a pair of mating slots  29  secure the cover  26  firmly inside the clasp&#39;s housing  23 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a 3D isometric drawing of the turning gate  2 , the turning gate&#39;s sheet metal jacket  3  and the rivet  4  which serves as an axle for the turning gate and also attaches the turning gate&#39;s sheet metal jacket to the front end  18  of the turning gate  2  by inserting the rivet  4  into the apertures  8  of the metal jacket  3  and also into the turning gate  2 . The turning gate&#39;s tapered front end  18  is covered by the metal jacket  3  which protects and sharpens the tapered front end  18  by replacing it with the metal jacket&#39;s sharp front end  6 . The front end  18  also has a smooth side  19  which facilitates smooth lace sliding. The turning gate  2  has also a rear end  17  which is used for manual lace releasing by deactivating the LRD. The turning gate  2  has a cavity  11  which is configured to house the spring  7  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In order to hold the spring  7  more firmly during installment, it is being seated on the cone  10  which has the aperture  8  at its center. The opening  9  in the cavity  11  is configured to allow the spring&#39;s  7  arm to extend outside the turning gate and to provide frontal support to the turning gate  2 . The support  12  is used to strengthen the cavity  11  walls. 
       FIG. 3  describes in a 3D isometric drawing, the two joined channels of the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration. In order to display all the features of the LRD it is shown without the clasp  23 . The outlet openings  5  of the joint channels are shown in  FIG. 3  whereas the inlet openings  13  also are denoted in  FIG. 3 . The openings  13  are used as recesses for laces&#39; entry while the protrusion  15  which is attached with the clasp  23  is used as a rear segment which creates a moment force when the fastened laces are pressed against the recesses  13 . The moment force turns the LRD&#39;s parallel channels downwards towards the top surface of the footwear and keeps the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration flat on top of the footwear. The apertures  8  serve as bearings for the axles  4  (shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ). The gripping wall  16  is also shown. The top wall  20  which is opposite the gripping wall  16  is used to provide frontal support to the spring  7 . The lower side wall  21  includes the recesses  13  for the laces&#39; entries. The apertures  8  in the upper side wall  22  and in the lower side wall  21  serve as the main bearings for the axles  4 . The laces outlets  5  are also denoted in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates in a 3D isometric drawing, the LRD&#39;s turning gate  2 , a cross section of the LRD&#39;s turning gate  2  and the turning gate&#39;s sheet metal jacket  3 . When installed, the turning gate&#39;s tapered front end  18  is covered by the metal jacket  3  which protects and sharpens the tapered front end  18  by replacing it with the metal jacket&#39;s front end  6 . The front end  18  also has a smooth side  19  which facilitates smooth lace sliding. The turning gate  2  has also a rear end  17  which is used for manual lace releasing by deactivating the LRD. The turning gate  2  has a cavity  11  which is configured to house the spring  7  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In order to hold the spring  7  more firmly during installment, it is being seated on the cone  10  which has the aperture  8  at its center. The opening  9  in the cavity  11  is configured to allow the spring&#39;s  7  arm extend outside the turning gate  2  and provide frontal support for the turning gate  2 . The support  12  is used to strengthen the cavity  11  walls. 
       FIG. 5  depicts in a 3D isometric drawing, a cross section of an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs in an inactive state in which the turning gates  2  are not pressuring the laces  14  in the channels.  FIG. 5  includes all the parts of the LRDs&#39; parallel configuration and also two laces  14  which are passing through the two parallel channels  1  in a released state. In order to illustrate the inner workings of the LRDs mechanism  FIG. 5  is simplified and the clasp  23  is not included in  FIG. 5 . The two joint channels of the LRDs in parallel configuration  1  are depicted in  FIG. 5 , in which the apertures  8  which serve a bearings for the axles  4  (shown in  FIGS. 1,2 ) are shown both on the joint channels  1  and on the two turning gates  2 . The turning gates  2  have tapered front ends  18  and rear ends  17  which are used for manual release of the laces. The front end  18  also has a smooth side  19  which facilitates smooth lace sliding. The laces  14  also can slide along the smooth surface  16  of the gripping wall. The openings  9  in the turning gates  2  and also in the metal jackets  3  are needed for extending outside the spring&#39;s  7  arm which finds at the upper wall  20  a frontal support to the turning gate  2 . The outlet openings  5  of the joint channels are shown in  FIG. 5  whereas the inlet openings  13  also are denoted in  FIG. 5 . The openings  13  are used as recesses for laces&#39; entry while the protrusion  15  which is coupled with the clasp  23  (shown in  FIGS. 7,8 ) is used as a rear segment which creates a moment force when the fastened laces  14  are pressed against the recesses  13  in the lower side wall  21 . The moment force turns the LRD&#39;s channels downwards towards the top surface of the footwear and keeps the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration flat on top of the footwear. The turning gate&#39;s tapered front end  18  is covered by the metal jacket  3  which shields and sharpens the tapered front end  18  by replacing it with the metal jacket&#39;s sharp front end  6 . The springs  7  also are mounted on the axles  4 . The two turning gates  2  are shown in cross section in  FIGS. 5,6,7 . This allows to show the springs  7 , the spring openings  9  and the cavities support  12 . 
       FIG. 5  also shows a cross sectional 3D isometric drawing of the turning gate  2 , The turning gate  2  has also a rear end  17  which is used for manual lace releasing by deactivating the LRD. In  FIG. 5  the rear ends  17  are pressed and deactivate the LRD and therefore the laces  14  are in a released state. The turning gate  2  has a cavity  11  which is configured to house the spring  7 . The opening  9  in the cavity  11  is configured to allow the spring&#39;s  7  arm extend outside the turning gate  2  to provide frontal support to the turning gate  2  at the upper wall  20  which is opposite the gripping wall  16 . The support  12  is used to strengthen the cavity  11  walls. 
       FIG. 6  shows in a 3D isometric drawing, a cross section of an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs  1  in an active state in which the turning gates  2  are pressuring the laces  14  in the channels.  FIG. 6  includes all the parts of the parallel configuration and also two laces  14  which are passing through the two parallel channels in a restricted state because the LRD is in active state. In order to illustrate the inner workings of the LRDs mechanism  FIG. 6  is simplified and the clasp  23  is not included in  FIG. 6 . 
     The two joint channels of the RLDs in parallel configuration  1  are depicted in  FIG. 6 , in which the apertures  8  which serve a bearings for the axles  4  (shown in  FIGS. 1,2 ) are shown both on the joint channels  1  and on the two turning gates  2 . The turning gates  2  (shown as cross sections) have tapered front ends  18  and rear ends  17  which are used for manual release of the laces. The front ends  18  also have smooth sides  19  which facilitate smooth lace sliding. The laces  14  can also slide along the smooth surface  16  of the gripping wall. The openings  9  in the turning gates  2  and also in the metal jackets  3  are needed for extending outside the spring&#39;s  7  arm, which provides frontal support to the turning gates  2  at the upper walls  20 . The outlet openings  5  of the joint channels are shown in  FIG. 6  whereas the inlet openings  13  also are denoted in  FIG. 7 . The openings  13  are used as recesses of the lower side wall  21 , for laces&#39; entry while the protrusion  15  which is coupled with the clasp  23  (shown in  FIGS. 7,8 ) is used as a rear segment which creates a moment force when the fastened laces  14  are pressed against the recesses  13 . The moment force turns the LRD&#39;s channels downwards towards the top surface of the footwear and keeps the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration flat on top of the footwear. The turning gate&#39;s tapered front end  18  is covered by the metal jacket  3  (also shown in cross sectional view) which protects and sharpens the tapered front end  18  by replacing it with the metal jacket&#39;s front end  6 .  FIG. 6  shows the LRD in active state in which the front ends  6  are pressuring the laces  14  against the gripping wall  16  and restrict their motion backwards i.e. from left to right in  FIG. 6 . When the laces  14  are pulled forwards they slide smoothly with minimum wear while engaging with the smooth sides  19  of the front ends  18  and also engaging the smooth surface of the gripping wall  16 . The springs  7  also are mounted on the axles  4 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional 3D isometric drawing of the turning gate  2 , The turning gate  2  has also a rear end  17  which is used for manual lace releasing by deactivating the LRD. In  FIG. 7  the rear end  17  is not pressed and therefore activates the LRDs and the front ends  6  pressurize the laces  14  against the gripping walls  16  and the laces  14  are in restricted states. The turning gate  2  has a cavity  11  which is configured to house the spring  7 . The opening  9  in the cavity  11  is configured to allow the spring&#39;s  7  arm extend outside the turning gate  2  to provide frontal support to the turning gate  2  at the top wall  20 . The support  12  is used to strengthen the cavity  11  walls. 
       FIG. 7  shows in a 3D isometric drawing, a cross section of an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs  1  in an active state in which the turning gates  2  are pressuring the laces  14  in the channels.  FIG. 7  includes all the parts of the parallel configuration and also two laces  14  which are passing through the two parallel channels in a restricted state because the LRD is in active state. In order to illustrate the inner workings of the LRDs mechanism clasp  23  is also included in  FIG. 7 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7,8  the front loose ends of laces  14  loop backwards underneath the parallel RLDs configuration  1  and the laces&#39; loose front ends  28  arrive at the bottom of the clasp  23  which is coupled with the parallel configuration of the parallel configuration of the RLDs  1  at its rear end. The clasp  23  which is coupled to the LRDs at their rear end is used to clasp together the lace tips i.e. the loose ends of the laces  14  (shown as  28  in  FIGS. 7,8 ). The clasp  23  includes four sharp wedges  27  which are installed in alternate arrangement such that they leave very narrow passages when the cover  26  is installed. This ensures that the lace tips are tightly clasped when the cover  26  is installed inside the clasp&#39;s housing  23 . The cover has two side wedges  24  which when inserted into a pair of mating slots  29  secure the cover  26  firmly inside the clasp&#39;s housing  23 . Initially, before engaging with the LRDs&#39; parallel configuration  1 , the two laces  14  exit from the footwear at exits  25 . 
     The two joint channels of the RLDs in parallel configuration  1  are depicted in  FIG. 7 , in which the apertures  8  which serve a bearings for the axles  4  (shown in  FIGS. 1,2 ) are shown both on the joint channels  1  and on the two turning gates  2 . The turning gates  2  (shown as cross sections) have tapered front ends  18  and rear ends  17  which are used for manual release of the laces. The front ends  18  also have smooth sides  19  which facilitate smooth lace sliding. The laces  14  can also slide along the smooth surface  16  of the gripping wall. The openings  9  in the turning gates  2  and also in the metal jackets  3  are needed for extending outside the spring&#39;s  7  arm, which provides frontal support to the turning gates  2  at the upper walls  20 . The outlet openings  5  of the joint channels are shown in  FIG. 7  whereas the inlet openings  13  also are denoted in  FIG. 7 . The openings  13  are used as recesses of the lower side wall  21  for laces&#39; entry while the protrusion  15  which is coupled with the clasp  23  (shown in  FIGS. 7,8 ) is used as a rear segment which creates a moment force when the fastened laces  14  are pressed against the recesses  13 . The moment force turns the LRD&#39;s channels downwards towards the top surface of the footwear and keeps the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration flat on top of the footwear. The turning gate&#39;s tapered front end  18  is covered by the metal jacket  3  (also shown in cross sectional view) which protects and sharpens the tapered front end  18  by replacing it with the metal jacket&#39;s front end  6 .  FIG. 7  shows the LRD in active state in which the front ends  6  are pressuring the laces  14  against the gripping wall  16  and restrict their motion backwards i.e. from left to right in  FIG. 7  while allowing the laces to move forwards i.e. from right to left in  FIG. 7 . When the laces  14  are pulled forwards they slide smoothly with minimum wear while engaging with the smooth sides  19  of the front ends  18  and also engaging the smooth surface of the gripping wall  16 . The springs  7  also are mounted on the axles  4 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional 3D isometric drawing of the turning gate  2 , The turning gate  2  has also a rear end  17  which is used for manual lace releasing by deactivating the LRD. In  FIG. 7  the rear end  17  is not pressed and therefore activates the LRDs and the front ends  6  pressurize the laces  14  against the gripping walls  16  and the laces  14  are in restricted states. The turning gate  2  has a cavity  11  which is configured to house the spring  7 . The opening  9  in the cavity  11  is configured to allow the spring&#39;s  7  arm extend outside the turning gate  2  to provide frontal support to the turning gate  2  at the top wall  20 . The support  12  is used to strengthen the cavity  11  walls. 
       FIG. 8  shows in a 3D isometric drawing, an assembled parallel configuration of two LRDs  1  in an active state in which the turning gates  2  are pressuring the laces  14  in the channels.  FIG. 8  includes all the parts of the parallel configuration and also two laces  14  which are passing through the two parallel channels in a restricted state because the LRD is in active state. In order to illustrate the inner workings of the LRDs mechanism clasp  23  is also included in  FIG. 8 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7,8  the front loose ends of laces  14  loop backwards underneath the parallel RLDs configuration  1  and the laces&#39; loose front ends i.e. lace tips of laces  28  arrive at the bottom of the clasp  23  which is coupled with the parallel configuration of the parallel configuration of the RLDs  1  at its rear end. The clasp  23  which is coupled to the LRDs at their rear end is used to clasp together the loose front ends of the laces  14  (shown as  28  in  FIGS. 7,8 ). The clasp  23  includes four sharp wedges  27  which are installed in alternate arrangement (two wedges opposite to the other two in each side) such that they leave very narrow passages when the cover  26  is installed. This ensures that the lace tips are tightly clasped when the cover  26  is installed inside the clasp&#39;s housing  23 . The cover has two side wedges  24  which when inserted into a pair of mating slots  29  in the clasp&#39;s housing  23  secure the cover  26  firmly inside the clasp&#39;s housing  23 . Initially, before engaging with the LRDs&#39; parallel configuration  1 , the two laces  14  exit from the footwear at exits  25 . 
     The two joint channels of the RLDs in parallel configuration  1  are depicted in  FIG. 8 , in which the apertures  8  which serve a bearings for the axles  4  (shown in  FIGS. 1,2 ) are shown on the joint channels  1 . The turning gates  2  have rear ends  17  which are used for manual release of the laces. The inlet openings  13  also are denoted in  FIG. 8 . The openings  13  are used as recesses of the lower side wall  21  for laces&#39; entry while the protrusion  15  which is coupled with the clasp  23  (shown in  FIGS. 7,8 ) is used as a rear segment which creates a moment force when the fastened laces  14  are pressed against the recesses  13 . The moment force turns the LRD&#39;s channels downwards towards the top surface of the footwear and keeps the LRD&#39;s parallel configuration flat on top of the footwear.  FIG. 8  shows the LRD in active state in which the front ends  6  are pressuring the laces  14  against the gripping wall  16  and restrict their motion backwards i.e. from left to right in  FIG. 8  while allowing the laces to move forwards i.e. from right to left in  FIG. 8 . When the laces  14  are pulled forwards they slide smoothly with minimum wear while engaging with the smooth sides  19  of the front ends  18  and also engaging the smooth surface of the gripping wall  16 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a 3D isometric drawing of the turning gate  2 , The turning gate  2  has a rear end  17  which is used for manual lace releasing by deactivating the LRD. In  FIG. 8  the rear end  17  is not pressed and therefore activates the LRDs and the front ends  6  pressurize the laces  14  against the gripping walls  16  and the laces  14  are in restricted states.