Patent Publication Number: US-2017354205-A1

Title: Lace point

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The technology described herein relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for fastening items. More specifically, this technology relates to a device, system, and associated methods for fasteners to secure laces within a shoe in a fashionable, untied arrangement. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shoes and shoelaces are known in the background art. Maintaining laces in a secure position has proven a challenge over time. Devices, systems, and methods such as shoe string fasteners, lace fasteners, eyelet safety ties, hooks, knot retainers, knot securing devices, shoe lace securing systems, shoelace retention devices shoe lace clips, shoe lace locks, and so forth, are known in the background art. However, there are many substantial deficiencies and shortcomings with these known devices and systems. 
     Related utility patents known in the art include the following: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 423,808, issued to Potts on Mar. 18, 1890, discloses a fastener for shoestrings, bags, etc. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 493,202, issued to Abney on Mar. 7, 1893, discloses a shoe lace fastening. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 662,519, issued to Beach on Nov. 27, 1900, discloses a shoestring fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 730,031, issued to Leopold on Jun. 2, 1903, discloses a lace fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 743,954, issued to Thoma on Nov. 10, 1903, eyelet safety tie. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 756,940, issued to Conger on Apr. 12, 1904, discloses a shoe lace fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 886,792, issued to Gayton on May 5, 1908, discloses a shoe lace fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,094,262, issued to Spangenberg on Apr. 21, 1914, discloses a shoe lace fastening device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,531,410, issued to Osterholt on Jun. 5, 1924, discloses a shoe lace fastening device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,624,564, issued to Shetzline Aug. 25, 1926, discloses a shoe lace fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,629,684, issued to De Haan on Nov. 25, 1925, shoe string fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,879,475, issued to Poon on Aug. 22, 1930, discloses a shoe fastener device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,038,851, issued to Nagamatsu on Apr. 19, 1935, discloses a hook. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,305,552, issued to Nyhagen on Jan. 8, 1942, discloses a shoelace fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,650,399, issued to Torelli on Aug. 3, 1951, discloses a knot retainer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,370, issued to Epstein on Feb. 7, 1961, discloses a shoelace fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,508, issued to Bennett on May 13, 1968, discloses a shoe tie. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,172, issued to Burton on Sep. 22, 1981, discloses a knot retainer for shoelaces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,439, issued to Riti on Sep. 29, 1981, discloses a knot securing device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,138, issued to Blum on Oct. 8, 1985, discloses a reusable tying device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,293, issued to Blum on Nov. 19, 1985, discloses a reusable tying device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,159, issued to Dougherty on Mar. 10, 1987, discloses a fastener for a lace or rope or the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,936, issued to Brecher on Nov. 1, 1988, discloses stay-tied shoe laces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,787, issued to Walls on Nov. 14, 1989, discloses a shoelace knot securing device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,428, issued to Gessner on Oct. 27, 1992, discloses a shoelace securing system. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,511, issued to Kubo on Nov. 21, 1995, discloses a shoelace fastening device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,483, issued to Polk on Jun. 22, 1999, discloses a shoelace and tied knot securing apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,177, issued to Jonegejan on Jul. 20, 1999, discloses a shoelace retention device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,028, issued to Hicks on Nov. 9, 1999, discloses a shoe lace clip. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,548, issued to Jackson on Feb. 22, 2000, discloses an elastic shoelace and fastener. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,379, issued to Fernandez on Sep. 5, 2000, discloses a fastener device for strings. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,606, issued to Glendon on Jan. 30, 2001, discloses a shoelace lock. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,607, issued to McCrary on Jun. 5, 2001, discloses a shoe string retaining device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,214, issued to Hyde on Jun. 19, 2001, discloses a holding device for fastening laces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,186, issued to Kleinmann on Jan. 15, 2002, discloses a device for retaining and/or blocking shoelaces in particular for sport shoes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,999, issued to Fellouhe on Nov. 5, 2002, discloses a sport boot including an integrated lace storing device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,610, issued to Ahsley on Nov. 30, 2004, discloses a shoe lace fastener. 
     Related design patents known in the art include the following: 
     U.S. Pat. No. D460,858, issued to Zebe on Jul. 30, 2002, discloses a footwear retaining device with cam cleat longitudinal line retaining clip and rear clip for retaining lacing tip. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D462,163, issued to Zebe on Sep. 3, 2002, discloses a footwear retaining device with cam cleat longitudinal line retaining clip and adjustable length lacing. 
     Related patent application publications known in the art include the following: 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0029745, filed by Atherinos and published on Feb. 4, 2016, discloses a clip set for retaining the tightness of a laced shoe. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0081432, filed by Caron and published on Mar. 24, 2016, discloses a decorative locking device for a shoelace. 
     The foregoing patent and other information reflect the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and are tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the technology described herein. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor&#39;s claimed invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a device, system, and method for a device, system, and associated methods for fasteners to secure laces within a shoe in a fashionable, untied arrangement. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a lace point to secure a portion of a lace in a shoe, the shoe being loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe. The lace point includes: a thin plate adapted for use adjacent to a shoe eyelet of a shoe and adapted to receive a lace adjacent to and entering and exiting the shoe eyelet; and at least one constricted receptacle slot defined within the thin plate, adapted to constrict the lace, and through which the lace passes in order to secure the lace fixed in place and to which the lace is thereby further deterred from movement. The lace point secures a portion of a lace in a shoe, the shoe being loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the lace point is comprised of rubber. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the lace point is comprised of foam. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the lace point is comprised of plastic. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the lace point comprises a tear shape and a point at one end, thereby adapted to further secure the lace point against a shoe eyelet and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the at least one constricted receptacle slot comprises a plurality of constricted receptacle slots. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the at least one constricted receptacle slot comprises a three constricted receptacle slots of generally equal length and crossing one-another at a midpoint of each slot and equidistant is space apart from one another to form a general star-shape pattern, thereby adapted to provide further resistance to a lace and to secure the lace point against a shoe eyelet and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the three constricted receptacle slots are one quarter of an inch in length, thereby adapted to provide further resistance to a lace and to secure the lace point against a shoe eyelet and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the three constricted receptacle slots are three sixteenths of an inch in length, thereby adapted to provide further resistance to a lace and to secure the lace point against a shoe eyelet and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the lace point is one-half of an inch in width and one half of an inch in height and one eighth of an inch in thickness. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the lace point is one-half of an inch in width and three fourths of an inch in height and one eighth of an inch in thickness. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the at least one constricted receptacle slot is comprised of computerized numerical control (CNC) machine knife cut. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a shoe. The shoe includes: at least one lace point comprising: a thin plate adapted for use adjacent to a shoe eyelet of a shoe and adapted to receive a lace adjacent to the shoe eyelet; at least one constricted receptacle slot defined within the thin plate, adapted to constrict the lace, and through which the lace passes in order to secure the lace fixed in place and to which the lace is thereby further deterred from movement. The lace point secures a portion of a lace in a shoe, the shoe being loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe. 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe, wherein the at least one lace point is integrally formed within the shoe eyelet at a point of manufacture. 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe, the at least one constricted receptacle slot comprises a plurality of constricted receptacle slots. 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe, the lace point comprises a tear shape and a point at one end, thereby adapted to further secure the lace point against a shoe eyelet and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point. 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe, the at least one constricted receptacle slot comprises a three constricted receptacle slots of generally equal length and crossing one-another at a midpoint of each slot and equidistant is space apart from one another to form a general star-shape pattern, thereby adapted to provide further resistance to a lace and to secure the lace point against a shoe eyelet and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point. 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe, the at least one constricted receptacle slot is comprised of computerized numerical control (CNC) machine knife cut. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a method for securing a portion of a lace in a shoe, the shoe being loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe. The method includes: utilizing at least one lace point comprising: a thin plate adapted for use adjacent to a shoe eyelet of a shoe and adapted to receive a lace adjacent to and entering and exiting the shoe eyelet; at least one constricted receptacle slot defined within the thin plate, adapted to constrict the lace, and through which the lace passes in order to secure the lace fixed in place and to which the lace is thereby further deterred from movement; and wherein the lace point secures a portion of a lace in a shoe, the shoe being loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe; placing at least one lace point adjacent to the shoe eyelet; threading the lace through the lace point and shoe eyelet; and maintaining the lace in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe. 
     In at least one embodiment of the method, the method also includes placing at least one lace point adjacent to and on each side, both interior and exterior, of the shoe eyelet. 
     Thus, advantageously, the device, system, and methods disclosed herein provide a device, system, and associated methods for lace point fasteners to secure laces within a shoe in a fashionable, untied arrangement. The device is very cost efficient and can be added to shoes and laces as an add-on product or integrally formed with a shoe at the time of manufacture. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the technology in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the technology in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technology described herein. 
     Further objects and advantages of the technology described herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like device components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a lace point, illustrating, in particular, a cutout through which a lace is threaded, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a front planar view of the lace point; 
         FIG. 3  is a back planar view of the lace point; 
         FIG. 4  is a top planar view of the lace point; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom planar view of the lace point; 
         FIG. 6  is a left side planar view of the lace point; 
         FIG. 7  is a right side planar view of the lace point; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a pair of lace points illustrating, in particular, a method for two lace points shown in use securing a lace within a shoe in an untied position, each on an inside shoe surface adjacent to lace holes, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of two pairs of lace points illustrating, in particular, a method for two lace points on each side shown in use securing a lace within a shoe in an untied position, each on an inside shoe surface adjacent to lace holes, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of two pairs of lace points illustrating, in particular, a method for two lace points on each side shown in use securing a lace within a shoe in an untied position, each on an inside shoe surface adjacent to lace holes, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 11  is a view of two pairs of lace points illustrating, in particular, a method for two lace points on each side shown in use securing a lace within a shoe in an untied position, each on an inside shoe surface adjacent to lace holes, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 12  is a view of two pairs of lace points illustrating, in particular, a method for two lace points on each side shown in use securing a lace within a shoe in an untied position, one pair of lace points an inside shoe surface adjacent to lace holes, and a second pair of lace point on an outside shoe surface adjacent to lace holes, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; and 
         FIG. 13  is a view of a pair of lace points illustrating, in particular, a method for installing each lace point in a manner embedded within the lace holes of the shoe, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a device, system, and method for lace point fasteners to secure laces within a shoe in a fashionable, untied arrangement. The device is very cost-efficient and can be added to shoes and laces as an add-on product or, in an alternative embodiment, integrally formed with a shoe at the time of manufacture. 
     Referring now to the Figures, a lace point  10  is shown. The lace point  10  itself is depicted specially in the multiple views within  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 . The lace point  10  is adapted to secure a portion of a lace  54  in a shoe  50  and to hold it tightly to prevent sliding of the lace  54 . In this implementation of the technology, the shoe  50  is loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace  54  maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe  50  (see  FIG. 8 , for example). Various views and combinations of use of the lace point  10  in use are depicted within  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 13 . 
     The lace point  10  is made of a thin plate adapted for use adjacent to a shoe eyelet  56  of a shoe  50 . The lace point  10  is adapted to receive a lace  54  adjacent to and entering and exiting the shoe eyelet  56 . This is illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 8 , wherein a lace  54  is secured by a first lace point  10  on one side of the shoe  50  and a second lace point  10  one a second side of the shoe  50 . 
     Various combinations for placement and use of the lace points are anticipated by the inventor, as the wearer can determine an appropriate quantity, placement, and use of the lace points  10 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the lace point  10  is rubber. In at least one embodiment, the lace point  10  is foam. In at least one embodiment, the lace point  10  is plastic. 
     The lace point  10  includes at least one constricted receptacle slot  22 . The at least one constricted receptacle  22  is defined within the thin plate  10 . The at least one constricted receptacle  22  is adapted to constrict the lace  54 . The lace  54  passes through the at least one constricted receptacle  22  in order to secure the lace  54  fixed in place and to which the lace  54  is thereby further deterred from movement. The lace point  10  secures a portion of a lace  54  in a shoe  50 , the shoe  50  being loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe  50 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the lace point  10  is a tear shape. As depicted, for example, in  FIG. 1 , the lace point  10  is a tear shape. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, other shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, and so forth are anticipated as well as fanciful and non-uniform designs for lace points  10 . The lace point  10  that is a tear shape includes a point  14  at one end, thereby adapted to further secure the lace point  10  against a shoe eyelet  56  and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point  10 . 
     Regardless of the selected shape of the lace point  10 , each lace point  10  will generally include a top  12 , bottom (or point)  14 , and a left side  16  and a right side  18 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the at least one constricted receptacle slot  22  includes a multiplicity of constricted receptacle slots (see pattern  20  for example). As depicted, for example, in  FIG. 1 , the lace point  10  includes many slots in a defined pattern. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, other line patterns are anticipated as well as fanciful and non-uniform designs for the slots  22 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the at least one constricted receptacle slot  22  includes three constricted receptacle slots of generally equal length and crossing one-another at a midpoint of each slot and equidistant is space apart from one another to form a general star-shape pattern  20 . The star-shape pattern  20  is adapted to provide further resistance to a lace  54  and to secure the lace point  10  against a shoe eyelet  56  and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point  10 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the three constricted receptacle slots  22  in the general star-shape pattern  20  are one quarter of an inch in length, thereby adapted to provide further resistance to a lace and to secure the lace point against a shoe eyelet and resists pulls to the lace against the lace point. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point, the three constricted receptacle slots  22  in the general star-shape pattern  20  are three sixteenths of an inch in length, thereby adapted to provide further resistance to a lace  54  and to secure the lace point  10  against a shoe eyelet  56  and resists pulls to the lace  54  against the lace point  10 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the lace point  10  is one-half of an inch in width and one-half of an inch in height and one-eighth of an inch in thickness. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the lace point is one-half of an inch in width and three-fourths of an inch in height and one eighth of an inch in thickness. 
     In at least one embodiment of the lace point  10 , the at least one constricted receptacle slot  22  is comprised of computerized numerical control (CNC) machine knife cut. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a shoe  50 . The shoe  50  includes at least one lace point  10  having: a thin plate adapted for use adjacent to a shoe eyelet  56  of a shoe  50  and adapted to receive a lace  54  adjacent to the shoe eyelet  54 . The shoe  50  includes at least one constricted receptacle slot  22  defined within the thin plate  10 , adapted to constrict the lace  54 , and through which the lace  54  passes in order to secure the lace  54  fixed in place and to which the lace  54  is thereby further deterred from movement. The lace point  10  secures a portion of a lace in a shoe  54 , the shoe  50  being loosely secured upon a foot of a wearer by a lace  54  maintained in an untied, fashionable position within the shoe  50 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe  50 , wherein the at least one lace point  10  is integrally formed within the shoe eyelet  56  at a point of manufacture. By way of example, and as depicted specifically in  FIG. 13 , the lace point  10  is integrally formed with shoe eyelet  56 . This is integrally formed lace point  52 , embedded essentially within the space of the shoe eyelet  56 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe  50 , the at least one constricted receptacle slot  22  includes a multiplicity of constricted receptacle slots (see pattern  20 , for example). 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe  50 , the lace point  10  is a tear shape and a point  14  at one end, thereby adapted to further secure the lace point  10  against a shoe eyelet  56  and resists pulls to the lace  54  against the lace point  10 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe  50 , the at least one constricted receptacle slot  22  includes a three constricted receptacle slots of generally equal length and crossing one-another at a midpoint of each slot and equidistant is space apart from one another to form a general star-shape pattern (see pattern  20 ), thereby adapted to provide further resistance to a lace  54  and to secure the lace point  10  against a shoe eyelet  56  and resists pulls to the lace  54  against the lace point  10 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the shoe  50 , the at least one constricted receptacle slot  22  includes a computerized numerical control (CNC) machine knife cut. 
     Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the technology disclosed herein and are intended to be covered by the following claims.