Patent Publication Number: US-2015059136-A1

Title: Shoestring Lock

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to shoes and shoestrings and, more particularly, to a shoestring tying, untying and retaining device for use with any conventionally laced shoe. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Devices for retaining shoestrings is known in the prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,607 discloses a shoe string retaining device having a connection eyelet forming a flat ring connected to a lower retaining tube affixed horizontally. The lower retaining tube forming a tapered interior sidewall having a lace entry orifice formed at one end and opposite a lace exit and impingement orifice. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,048 discloses a shoestring lock including top and bottom plates that cross and grip the laces as the top plate is rotated 180 degrees to the bottom plate and snap locked thereto. 
     Furthermore, some of the previous inventions have utilized “Cord Locks” adapted to shoestrings but have altered the shoestrings in some way or utilized a specialized shoestring. 
     The conventional way for tightening shoes onto the foot is to “lace” the shoestring through eyelets in a zigzag manner and tie the ends of the shoe lace into a bow or other type of knot. With this conventional way for tightening and loosening shoes, the user needs to tie a knot and untie a knot whenever they are putting on or taking off the shoes. Moreover, the conventional knot may become loose because there is no shoestring retaining device. Therefore, it is desirable to have a device that offers an easier and quicker means of tightening, locking, and loosening the shoestrings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an easy alternative to tying/untying shoestrings. 
     A second object of the present invention is to direct shoestrings into an attractive loop configuration and secures the ends of the shoestring. 
     A third object of the present invention is the ability to manipulate the length of the loop configuration and the ability to utilize longer as well as shorter shoelaces. 
     This present invention provides an alternative to tying shoestrings. The current device incorporates a typical shoestring into an attractive configuration. The device not only secures a typical shoestring to hold the shoe in place, it directs the lace into an attractive loop configuration and secures the ends of the shoestring. It&#39;s important that the shoestring is tight enough to secure the shoe to the foot and that the end of the lace is secure to prevent it from tripping the user. This invention accomplishes both and is easy to apply and once in place can quickly and securely tighten and loosen the laces of a shoe for easy and secure, on and off. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a shoestring lock which can facilitate tying and untying the shoestring and secure the ends of the shoestrings in place. 
     The shoestring lock according to the present invention comprises: a body having a front side, a back side, two lateral sides, a bottom side and a top opening and all the sides together forming an inner cavity, a front side opening and a back side opening and both the openings are aligned and connected to form a body opening and the body opening has an upper end; a slide having a front side, a back side, two lateral sides, a top side, an underside, a hollowed section on the outer surface of the underside of the slide, two outward projections each located on the front and back side respectively for keeping the slide from pushing out of the top of the body, a front side opening and a back side opening and both the openings are aligned and connected to form a slide opening and the slide opening has a lower end; and a spring located in the cavity of the body and is held in place by the bottom of the body; wherein the slide partially residing inside the cavity of the body with the hollow section on the underside engaging the top of the spring and moving down and up along a longitudinal axis of the body through the body&#39;s top opening when the slide top is pressed or released; and wherein the slide opening and the body opening aligned when the slide top is pressed to allow the shoestring to be fed through and the shoestring is secured between the lower end of the slide opening and the upper end of the body opening. 
     The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. For example, instead of a single opening that would contain and secure the laces, a two opening lace lock could be utilized with each opening containing one lace. Another example would be a thin vertical design vs. the present thicker horizontal design. 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 present invention. 
     The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1  shows a front top view of the Shoestring Lock which is attached to the shoe/shoe laces. 
         FIG. 2  shows a back top view of the Shoestring Lock attached to the shoe/shoe laces. 
         FIG. 3  shows the internal mechanism of the shoestring lock. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view showing each individual components of the internal mechanism of the shoestring lock disassembled. 
         FIG. 5  shows the secure pad with a non-slide surface under surface. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view showing expandable ends engaging the outside edges of the upper body opening. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the shoestring lock with the secure pad in place. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the shoestring lock with slide top pushed, aligning the openings. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the shoestring lock with an exterior design. 
         FIG. 10  is a back view of the shoestring lock with an exterior design. 
         FIG. 11  shows a back top view of the shoestring lock which is attached to the shoe/shoe laces. 
         FIG. 12  shows a back top view of the shoestring lock on a shoe where the ends of the shoe lace are put under the shoestring. 
         FIG. 13  shows a back top view of the shoestring lock on a shoe where the ends of the shoe lace are tucked into the side pockets. 
         FIG. 14  shows a back top view of the shoestring lock secured to a shoe (on a person&#39;s foot) with the laces tightened. 
         FIG. 15  is a view showing how to loosen the shoestring by pressing down on the shoestring lock. 
         FIG. 16  is a view showing the shoestring lock is pushed outwards to loosen the Shoestring. 
         FIG. 17  is a view showing the shoestring lock secured to a shoe (on a person&#39;s foot) with the laces loose. 
         FIG. 18  is a view showing how to tighten the shoestring by pressing down on the shoestring lock. 
         FIG. 19  is a view showing the shoestring lock secured to a shoe (on a person&#39;s foot) with the laces tightened. 
         FIG. 20  shows an alternate plain design where there is no decorative outer surface. 
         FIG. 21  shows lace ends cut off and a knot is tied at the end of each lace end. 
         FIG. 22  shows a front view of the alternate plain design secured on a shoe. 
         FIG. 23  shows a second plain design that eliminates the need to cut and tie the lace ends. 
         FIG. 24  shows a side view of said design. 
         FIG. 25  shows the second plain design with the beginning part of shoelace lock utilization. 
         FIG. 26  shows an underside view of  FIG. 25   
         FIG. 27  shows and underside view of the lace ends being secured. 
         FIG. 28  shows the completed sequence of a secured shoelace to the second plain design. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     This invention presents an alternative to tying shoestrings. The current device incorporates a typical shoestring into an attractive configuration. The device not only secures a typical shoestring to hold the shoe in place, it directs the lace into an attractive loop configuration (that resembles the loops of a traditionally tied shoestring) and secures the ends of the shoestring. It&#39;s important that the shoestring is tight enough to secure the shoe to the foot and that the end of the lace is secure to prevent it from tripping the user. This invention accomplishes both and is easy to apply and once in place can quickly and securely tighten and loosen the laces of a shoe for easy and secure, on and off. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is disclosed a front top view and a back top view of a shoestring lock of the present invention ( 200 ) attached to the shoe/shoe laces. 
       FIG. 3  shows the internal mechanism ( 100 ) of the shoestring lock ( 200 ).  FIG. 4  shows each individual components of the internal mechanism ( 100 ) of the shoestring lock ( 200 ) disassembled. The Slide ( 1 ) which sits within the Body ( 2 ) and is tensioned upward via the Spring ( 3 ). Slide Restrictors ( 4 ) which are outward projections on each side of the Slide ( 1 ) keep the Slide ( 1 ) from pushing out of the top of the Body ( 2 ). Pushing down on the Slide Top ( 5 ) aligns the Slide Opening ( 6 ) with the Body Opening ( 7 ). Shoestrings can then be fed through the aligned openings. Releasing the Slide ( 1 ) allows the Spring ( 3 ) which is held in place by the bottom of the Body ( 2 ) and a hollowed section on the under side of the Slide ( 1 ) known as the Slide Bottom Spring Retainer ( 8 ) to tension the Slide Opening ( 6 ) against the upper edge of the Body Opening ( 7 ) via the Slide Restrictors ( 4 ), which in combination with the non-slide surface covering  50  of the Slide Bottom ( 9 ), will secure the shoestrings to the Shoestring Lock ( 200 ). 
     For extra holding force on the shoestrings, the non-slide surface covering ( 50 ) with an Upper Secure Pad ( 10 ) and a Non-Slide Under Surface ( 12 ) can be added to the upper edge of the Body Opening ( 7 ) as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 .  FIG. 5  shows the non-slide surface covering  50 .  FIG. 6  is a side view showing expandable ends ( 11 ) engaging the outside edges of the upper body opening.  FIG. 7  is a front view with the non-slide surface covering  50  in place.  FIG. 8  is a front view with slide top ( 5 ) pushed, aligning the slide and body openings ( 6 ) and ( 7 ). The Expandable Ends ( 11 ) engage each outside edge of the upper Body Opening ( 7 ) holding it in place. With the Upper Secure Pad ( 10 ) in place, once the laces are fed through the openings and the Spring ( 3 ) tension is released, the Slide Bottom ( 9 ) will now engage the Non-slide Under Surface ( 12 ) of the Upper Secure Pad ( 10 ) which will tightly secure the laces. 
       FIG. 9  shows a front view of the Shoestring Lock with an exterior design  200  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  shows a back view of the Shoestring Lock with the exterior design of  FIG. 9 . The design possibilities are endless, from plain to animal figures or even sports related (football, basketball, etc.). The Shoestring Lock  200  could incorporate the inner locking mechanism ( 100 ) and the exterior design ( 110 ) as two entities secured to each other, or the inner mechanism ( 100 ) and the exterior design ( 110 ) could be molded as one. Two alternate plain designs, where there is no decorative exterior surface, is shown in  FIG. 20  and again in  FIG. 23   
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-13  for a method to apply the shoestring lock of the present invention on the shoestring. To apply to a shoestring, the Slide Top ( 5 ) is pressed (aligning the Slide Opening and the Body Opening) and the lace ends are pushed (from the back) through the aligned openings and one through each of the Frontal Holes ( 13 ). The lace ends are then pushed backward through the Side Holes ( 14 ) and through the Side Pocket Openings ( 15 ), leaving two Forward Loops( 16 ). Next each lace end is threaded (under the laces) into the opposite Side Pocket Openings ( 15 ) and into the Side Pockets ( 17 ) (which hides each lace end). An alternate design could eliminate the Side Pockets and instead could use a retaining clip or a pocket on the sides or underside (of the Shoestring Lock) see  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 23 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the Shoestring Lock ( 200 ) secured to a shoe (on a person&#39;s foot) with the lace tightened. Referring to  FIG. 15  for a method to loosen the shoestring once the shoestring lock of the present invention is secured to the shoe. To loosen the Shoestring Lock ( 200 ), simply push the Slide Top ( 5 ) (which releases the tension between the Slide Opening ( 6 ) and the Body Opening ( 7 ) or more specifically releases the tension between the Non- slide surface of Slide Bottom ( 9 ) and the Non-slide under surface ( 12 ) of the Upper Secure Pad ( 10 )) and slide the Shoestring Lock ( 200 ) outward (as shown in  FIG. 16 ).  FIG. 17  shows the Shoestring Lock ( 200 ) secured to a shoe (on a person&#39;s foot) with the laces loose. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-19  for a method to re-tighten the shoestring after the shoestring lock ( 200 ) of the present invention is secured to a shoe and the shoestring is loosened. To tighten the laces simply push the Slide Top ( 5 ) (releasing the tension between the Slide Opening( 6 ) and the Body Opening ( 7 )). With the other hand pull the laces through the Frontal Holes ( 13 ) until the desired shoestring tightening is obtained, then simply release the tension on the Slide Top ( 5 ) which will then tighten/secure the laces/shoe to the foot. 
       FIG. 20  shows an alternate (plain) design of the shoestring lock ( 300 ), where there is no decorative outer surface. As with the other design, The Slide Top ( 5 ) is pushed and the shoestrings are directed through the Slide and Body openings. With this design, the lace ends are cut off and a knot is tied at the end of each lace end. Next each lace end is then slid downward between the top of each Side Tensioner ( 18 ) and the Body ( 2 ) into the Space of the Side Tensioner ( 19 ) (each lace forms a forward loop). The Side Tensioners ( 20 ) hold the ends of the lace to the Body ( 2 ). The knot prevents the lace from pulling through the Side Tensioners ( 17 ). To eliminate the need to cut and tie a knot this design could have a pocket or retaining clip on the bottom side which would accept, secure, and hide the lace ends (which would eliminate the need for cutting and tying a knot). These alternate designs illustrate the importance of securing the ends of the laces and that there are numerous ways to do so. 
       FIG. 21  shows lace ends cut off and a knot is tied at the end of each lace end.  FIG. 21  shows the shoestring is secured using the alternative (plain) design of the Shoestring Lock ( 300 ) of the present invention without showing a shoe. 
       FIG. 22  shows the Shoestring Lock ( 300 ) secured to a shoe (on a person&#39;s foot) with the laces tightened. 
       FIG. 23  shows a second plain design that eliminates the need to cut and tie the lace ends. Retainer  22 , Retainer Projection  23  and Guide Hole  21  are visible in this view. Conversely, this design would work by tying a knot in each lace behind the guide hole and eliminating the retainer and retainer projection. 
       FIG. 24  shows a side view of said design. Here the guide hole  21  and retainer  22  is shown as entities attached to the body. 
       FIG. 25  shows the second plain design with the beginning part of shoelace lock utilization. Here the slide top is pushed and the shoestring ends are directed through the slide and body openings. When the slide top is released the non slide surface of the slide and the non slide under side of the secure pad will engage and firmly hold the shoelace. Next forward loops are formed by each lace end being threaded through a guide hole. this design eliminates the need to cut and tie the ends of the shoelace. Depending on the overall length of the shoelace and the desired length of the forward loops the amount of lace behind the guide holes can be manipulated by how it is configured into a retainer. 
       FIG. 26  shows an underside view of  FIG. 25 . 
       FIG. 27  shows and underside view of the lace ends being secured. the laces cross and each is secured into the far end of a retainer. If longer forward loops are desired the lace ends could be secured into the near end of each retainer. Conversely since the retainers outwardly project from the body the lace ends could be wrapped around a retainer before being inserted into the retainer using more lace end and effectively shorten the forward loop. Also, there could be a small retainer projection in the middle end of each retainer. The retainer projections come to a graduated apex that would make the retainer slightly smaller than a shoelace end at its apex that would hold the lace end securely within the retainer. 
       FIG. 28  shows the completed sequence of a secured shoelace to the second plain design. 
     While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.