Patent Publication Number: US-10786046-B2

Title: Fastening device for footwear

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a replacement for shoe laces, and more particularly to shoe fastening system  1  that is easy to attached and detach and customizable by the wearer. 
     Shoes have become a major part of ones outfit in recent times as fashion as crossed the world. One area of the shoe that has not gotten as much attention are the laces. While the laces on most shoes remain the string that is sent through the loops, the only real variation to this is the color or the material the laces are made out of. 
     Other forms of fastening shoes such as hook and loop fasteners, buckles, and clasps have been used but do not have the same aesthetically pleasing look as the laces do. In most cases, the elastic straps on current market (ends are permanently attached to the body of the shoe) cannot be removed to be replaced when the elastic become defective, cut, slit, or discolored. While the laces are easy to replace they are they do not add any features to the shoe. 
     However, the laces and other forms of shoe fastening methods and devices do not leave a lot for the wearer to customize the look of the shoe. Therefore there is a need for a fastening device that allows the wearer to customize the shoe in various ways and provide an alternative method of fastening ones shoe with ease. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of an embodiment of the present invention disclose a shoe fastening system designed to engage the eyelet holes of a shoe, comprising an anchor, wherein the anchor has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has means to detachably engage with an eyelet of a shoe and the second end has a connection means. An attachment member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to securely fit within the connection means of the anchor and the second has a closed loop. A strap, wherein the strap is sized to fit through the closed loop of the attachment member and is a predetermined length and width. A locking mechanism fitted to receive the strap and engage the strap to keep the strap at a specific length. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a shoe fastening system designed to retrofit into a shoe with a plurality of holes, comprising an anchor comprising, a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the body has a predetermined shaped groove, a cover flap having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the cover flap is attached to the body at the second end and an open is present distal to the second end of the cover flap, a backing flap having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the backing flap is attached to the second end of the body and an opening is present distal to the second end of the backing flap, a pin is secured to the opening of the backing flap, and sized to securely fit through the opening of the cover flap. A strap comprising, a first latch having a first end and second end, wherein the first end has an extension sized to fit within the groove of the body of the anchor, and the second end has an opening, a band of a predetermined length, sized to fit through the opening of the first latch, and a second latch having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has an extension sized to fit within the groove of the body of the anchor, and the second end has an opening which the band passes through. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts front view of a boot with a plurality of fastening system  1   s  installed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the fastening system  1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top view of the fastening system  1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the fastening system  1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a top view of an anchor, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a top view of an anchor, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a top view of an anchor, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a top view of a buckle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  depicts the rear view of a charm, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an isometric view of the boot, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The products of the present invention provide a shoe fastening device and method of using that allow users with various handicaps to easily and independently fasten their shoes, and also allows the opportunity for wearers to customize their shoes. The device is a replacement for laces, hook and loop fasteners, clasps, and buckles and provides an easy method of fastening shoes based on the wearers desires. 
     As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. 
     All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
     It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a boot  100  with a plurality of fastening system  1   s  attached to the boot  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the boot  100  has a plurality of different fastening system  1   s  installed. Several of the fastening system  1   s  are attached to the boot  100  via a single anchor  200   a  and  200   b , and the remainder of the fastening system  1   s    200  are attached to the boot  100  via a double anchor  200   c  and  200   d.    
     The boot  100  may be, any footwear that has a plurality of eyelets which are designed for laces or other string fastening system  1   s  to tie the boot  100  so it is tightly fit to the wearers feet. The boot  100  may be replaces with a sneaker, running shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, or the like. 
     The fastening system  1  is comprised of an anchor  200   a - 200   d  and a strap assembly  400   a - 400   e  as well as a ball joint (described in figures to follow). The fastening system  1  is designed to transpose the space between two eyelets of the boot  100  to tighten the boot  100  to the wearers foot. In the shown embodiment, the fastening system  1   s  are installed across each pair of eyelets and are substantially parallel to one another. In additional embodiments, the fastening system  1   s  may overlap, crisscross, or are installed in various holes of the boot  100 . The number of fastening system  1   s  may be altered based on the wearers style and preference. 
     The anchors  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c , and  200   d  are designed to secure the fastening system  1  to the boot  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the anchors may be a single style  200   a  and  200   b  or may be a double style  200   c  and  200   d . The anchor  200   a  and the anchor  200   b  differ in style and look, wherein the anchor  200   a  has a wider design, where the anchor  200   b  has a slimmer design. The anchors may have a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. The anchor  200   c  and the anchor  200   d  different in that the space between the fastening portions is webbed in anchor  200   c  and in anchor  200   d  there is an open space. In additional embodiments, anchors  200   c  and  200   d  maybe various shapes, sizes, and designs. In additional embodiments, there may be anchors with three or more fasteners. This allows the wearer to various looks and styles as well as have various combinations for the feel and tightness of the boot  100 . The single anchors  200   a  and  200   b  provide more opportunity to tighten the boot  100  at more eyelets, while the double anchors  200   c  and  200   d  results in less straps so less control over the tightness of the boot  100 . 
     The strap assemblies  400   a - 400   e  are used to traverse the space between the anchors provide the adjustability to tighten the boot  100  on to the wearer&#39;s foot. In the depicted embodiment, there are five different styles of strap assemblies  400 . In additional embodiments, there may be more or less different strap assemblies  400   a - 400   e  and additional types of strap assemblies used. 
     Strap assembly  400   a  is adjusted by the use of a slide. Strap assembly  400   b  is adjusted a plurality of openings in the strap assembly  400   b  with a frame-style buckle that is sized to fit inside the openings. Strap assembly  400   c  is adjustable by a plurality of openings in the strap assembly  400   c  and a frame style buckle that is sized to fit inside the openings and the strap has a predetermined section which has elastic properties to provide a more variable fit. Whereby when the wearer flexes the boot  100  the strap assembly  400   c  stretched to accommodate this, thereby keeping the boot  100  at a more consistent tightness to the wearer. Strap assembly  400   d  is a box frame style buckle, where the buckle has teeth or extensions that protrude through the strap material and when engaged with the strap material lock the buckle in place. Strap assembly  400   e  uses a hook and loop style fastener. Various of means of locking the strap in place may be employed. For example, the locking mechanism could be plate style buckle, a clamp style buckle, a hook and loop style buckle, or the like. The strap may be a variety of lengths and thicknesses depending on the size of the boot  100  and the preference of the wearer. For example, the strap may have a larger width if the two-prong anchor  400   c  and  400   d  are used. 
     The strap itself may be made from various types of cloth or material. In some embodiments, the material may be leather, cotton, wool, denim, nylon, polyesters, elastics, elastane, flannel, rayon, bamboo, hemp, or a combination of various materials in a single strap. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the fastening system  1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The fastening system  1  is comprised of an anchor (shown is anchor  200   a  but may be replaced with the additional embodiments of the anchor), ball joint  300 , and strap assembly  400   a ; which is comprised of strap  402  and a slide  404  (other embodiments of the strap assemblies may be used to replace strap assembly  400   a ). In the depicted embodiment, the anchor  200   a  is used on both sides of the strap assembly  400   a . In additional embodiments, various anchors may be used on one or both ends of the strap assembly  400   a.    
     The ball joints  300  are designed to have a sphere  302  attached to a loop  306  via a rod  304 . The sphere  302  may be a variety of shapes provided that the anchor is able to receive the sphere  302 . For example, the sphere  302  may be a cube, an octahedron, a prism a cone, or various other three dimension shapes. The rod  304  is sized so that the sphere  302  extends a predetermined distance from the loop  306  so that, the sphere  302  may engage with the anchor without the loop  306  interfering. The diameter of the rod  304  is also sized to fit within the groove in the anchor. In some embodiments, the loop  306  is permanently attached to the strap  402 . In additional embodiments, the loop  306  is removable from the strap  402 . In the depicted embodiment, the same anchors  200   a  and ball joints  300  are used. In additional embodiments, a variety of ball joins  300  and anchors may be used when assembling the fastening system  1   
     In the depicted embodiment, the ball joint  300  is made from steel. In additional embodiments, the ball joint may be made from various metals such as aluminum, brass, bronze, various types of steel, plastics such as polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly carbonate, polypropylene, or a composite material. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a top view of the fastening system  1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the ball joint  300  is inserted into the anchor  200   a . This shows how the sphere  302  fits within the grooved portion of the anchor  200   a  and how the grooved portion of the anchor  200   a  is sized to fit the rod  304  of the ball joint  300 . The anchor  200   a  is sized and shaped to receive the sphere  302  of the ball joint  300 . Once engaged the sphere  302  is secured in the anchor and is designed to remain engaged through the activity level of the wearer. However, these fastening system  1   s  may be easily disengaged even with minimal dexterity. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the fastening system  1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the ball joint  300  is inserted into the anchor  200   a . This shows how the sphere  302  fits within the grooved portion of the anchor  200   a  and how the grooved portion of the anchor  200   a  is sized to fit the rod  304  of the ball joint  300 . The anchor  200   a  is sized and shaped to receive the sphere  302  of the ball joint  300 . The side view shows how the sphere  302  is secured on a substantial portion of the surface of the sphere  302 . In the depicted embodiment, the grooved portion of the anchor  200   a  is curved to substantially mimic the surface of the sphere  302  to create a more secure fit. The grooved portion of the anchor  200   a  may be sized and shaped to receive the various shapes of the sphere  302 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a top view of the anchor  200   a , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The anchor  200   a  is comprised of two sections, the grooved section  202   a  and the attachment section which are connected along a center portion  218  of the attachment section. In the depicted embodiments, the two sections are held together by pins  220 . In additional embodiments, the two sections may be held together by welding, crimping, or they may be a unitary design. 
     The grooved section  202   a  is comprised of a substantially flat section  212 . The end of the flat section  212  which is not attached to the attachment section is curved to form a first locking portion  214  and a second locking portion  216 . The locking portions  214  and  216  are curved and bent to create a gap  224  which leads into an opening  222 . As depicted in the previous figures, this gap  224  and opening  222  are sized and shaped to receive the sphere  302  and are sized to fit the rod  304 . The shape which the locking portions  214  and  216  is dependent upon the shape of the sphere  302  which is inserted. 
     In additional embodiments, the grooved section  202   a  instead of having the folded members has a closed loop the extends the length of anchor parallel to the center portion. The sphere  302  of the ball joint  300  is a hook, which is sized to connect with the closed loop. In additional embodiments, the sphere  302  is replaced with a spring-loaded clasp which slides into the closed loop and once passes a specific distance the spring-loaded clasp engages the closed loop. 
     The attachment section is comprised of a piece of flexible material  210  which is attached to the center portion  218  substantially in the middle of the piece of flexible material  210  to create two even portions of the material overlapping one another forming a top member  210   a  and a bottom member  210   b . In the depicted embodiment, the top member  210   a  has a cover  204  which has an opening  206  set in a predetermined location. The lower member  210   b  has an end cap  202  with a protrusion  208  extending towards the top member  210   a . The protrusions  208  is positioned so that the protrusion  208  is able to be inserted into the opening  206  in the top member  201   a . The protrusion  208  is sized to extend a predetermined distance through the opening  206  so that the protrusion  208  may extend through the thickness of the boot  100  material and pass through the thickness of the end cap  204  and lock. The protrusion is a split end peg with an engagement lip that is sized to fit through the opening  206  but expands and locks in place once the engagement lip of the protrusion passes through the opening  206 . In additional various other fastening means, may be used such as buttons, clips, clasps, pins, pegs, bumpers, split drive pins, or other detachable fastening means. 
     The flexible material  210  may be made from, but not limited to, leather, cotton, wool, denim, nylon, polyesters, elastics, elastane, flannel, rayon, bamboo, hemp, or a combination of various materials. 
     The end cap  204  and  202  may be made from, but not limited to, various metals such as aluminum, brass, bronze, various types of steel, plastics such as polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly carbonate, polypropylene, or a composite material. 
     The grooved section  202   a  may be made from, but not limited to, various metals such as aluminum, brass, bronze, various types of steel, plastics such as polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly carbonate, polypropylene, or a composite material. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a top view of an anchor  200   e , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. A similar grooved section  202   a  is employed, but the attachment section is an additional embodiment. The attachment section is comprised of a T-lock which is comprised of a center member  230  attached to a cross member  226  via a pin  228 . The pin  228  allows the cross member  226  to rotate and the center member  230  and the cross member  226  are sized to fit through the eyelet of the boot  100 . When installed the cross member  226  locking the fastening system  1  in place. The cross member  226  is designed to rotate about the pin and fit within the gap present in the center member  230  so that the members are substantially parallel with one another and would be sized to fit through the eyelet of a boot  100 . 
     The center member  230  and the cross member  226  may be made from, but not limited to, various metals such as aluminum, brass, bronze, various types of steel, plastics such as polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly carbonate, polypropylene, or a composite material. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a top view of an anchor  200   f , in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. This anchor is designed for a boot  100  where there is no eye lets, but instead has a closed loop which the laces would pass through. The anchor  200   f  is comprised of a curved locking member  233 , an adjustment member  236  attached to the curved locking member  233  via a rotatable pin, and a strap lock  240  attached to the adjustment member  236  via a rotatable pin. The strap lock  240  attaches directly to the strap which is used and is able to rotate to adjust for the wearer walking and flexing the show. The curved locking member  230  is designed to have a straight section which curves up into portion  233 . The curved portion  233  presses against the straight section of the curved locking member  230  to keep the loop of the boot  100  from disengaging. In additional embodiments, the strap lock  240  may be replaced with a grooved section  202   a.    
     The strap lock  240 , the adjustment member  236 , pins  234  and  238 , and the curved locking member  233  may be made from, but not limited to, various metals such as aluminum, brass, bronze, various types of steel, plastics such as polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly carbonate, polypropylene, or a composite material. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a top view of a buckle  404   b , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The buckle  404   b  is comprised of a central pin  410  and a looped member  408 . The pin passes through a plurality of openings in the looped member  408  to create the buckle. The looped member  408  has a plurality of openings  412  positioned in predetermined locations and are of predetermined sizes. Various types of buckles, or clasps may be used provided they have the openings  412 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts the rear view of a charm  600 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The charm  600  may be a variety of pictures, letters, numbers, emblems, shapes, sizes, or the like. On the rear side of the charm  600  are at least one pin  602  which is sized and shaped to engage and lock with the openings  412  of the buckle  404   b . They are designed to be disengageable with the buckle  404   b  so that the charm  600  can be removed and replaced at the wearers discretion. 
       FIG. 10  depicts an isometric view of the boot  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, various fastening systems  1  are shown employing anchors  200   b  and  200   e . This shows how the two different anchors are attached through the eyelets  102  of the boot  100 . Additionally, various buckles are shown on the strap with various charms attached to the buckles. 
     The process of manufacturing and installing the fastening system  1   200  is highlighted throughout this Specification, in the Figures and in the steps below. And while the below does illustrate one method of installing the fastening system  1   200 , based on the various types of bands  402 , latches, and means of tightening. Portions of these steps may be modified to adjust to this. 
     First step is to take the anchor  202  and insert the pin  208  through the hole in the boot  100 . Once the pin  212  is through the hole and a portion of the pin  208  is exposed above the top of the surface of the boot  100 . The cover  206  of the anchor  202  is then secured over the pin  208  so that the pin  208  passes through the opening in the cover  206 . Once the pin  208  passed through the opening the anchor is in the locked position. To unlock the anchor  202  reverse these steps. 
     The latches on each of the strap  300  are placed within the groove of the anchors so that the latches fit securely within the groove. In some embodiments, the latch is designed to snap fit into the groove so that there is an audible and physical cue that the latch is properly inserted into the groove. 
     Once both latches are inserted into the grooves of the anchors  202 , the wearer will adjust the band  102  to the desired tightness via the prescribed method of tightening based on the type of band  306 . In some instances, the band  402  is elastic and there is no need to tighten the band  102  as it will automatically retract to its original size. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.