Patent Publication Number: US-2010115744-A1

Title: Lace fastener

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to lace fastening devices, and more particularly to a knotless lace-fastening device, which is attached to a lace so as to firmly maintain the tied state of the lace on items such as footwear, bags, garments, packages, sports equipment, etc. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     For the purpose of explaining the lace fastening device in accordance with the present invention and not limiting the scope of the present invention, an ideal example will be a footwear using lace. 
     Generally, most footwear, which uses lace, threaded through eyelets of a footwear, are designed to enable a wearer to adjust the lace to a tightening degree that retain the footwear in place on the feet of the wearer. 
     However, the shoelace-type footwear has several disadvantages for people with learning disabilities or physical disabilities, such as, arthritis or difficulty tying or untying the shoelace whenever putting on or taking off the footwear, which are commonly experience by young children and the elderly. There are also the possibilities of tripping caused by the shoelace becoming inadvertently loosened and untied while walking. 
     Various related devices have come into the market to address this problem. However, most devices do not conveniently allow for easy adjustment of the shoelaces of the footwear to be tightened or loosened, as well as, the inconvenience of the footwear to gradually loosen while walking. There are also devices having multiple parts, which are not user friendly, as well as, the high manufacturing costs and relatively poor durability. While fasteners made of VELCRO have the disadvantages of its weak gripping capability and strength that further decline after repeated usage and laundering. 
     Therefore, in view of the inconvenience of tying a shoelace, it would be desirable to have an inexpensive, durable, user friendly and easy to use device for tightening and loosening laces. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Therefore, the present invention has been designed to resolve the above-mentioned problems, and it is a product that functions as a lace fastening device which can easily accommodate any type of lace, be it thick or thin, round or flat. At the same time the present invention enables the lace to be easily and rapidly fasten and unfasten when putting on and taking off one&#39;s footwear. 
     The present invention aims to prevent a lace from becoming inadvertently loosened and untied while being fasten to the footwear. It also enables both hanging ends of the lace to be secured after fastening and neatly clipped. 
     In relation with the present invention, the suitable form of releasable and fastening means can be accomplished by the provision of a lace fastening devise comprising: a housing (consist of the gripping plate attached to the housing base) having an aperture into which both free ends of the lace are threaded to penetrate through, a gap spacer (optional), a safety strap that also stabilises the housing, and a pair of lace clips to retain the free ends of the lace. The housing in which both free ends of the lace, penetrating through the lace aperture, is pulled to tighten the footwear, has lateral slots acting as guide members for the lace with one side of the gripping plate surface having serrations with low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace when the lace is pulled within the lateral slots, whereas, when the lace is released after being pulled, the serrations, which are designed to give a high friction grip, prevent the lace from sliding back towards the central aperture, which is justified by the alignment of the plate aperture and central aperture. 
     Preferably, the pair of lateral slots that also function as lace passages to be obliquely designed as a space defined between an upper surface and a lower surface of the housing, respectively, the inclined serrations may be obliquely positioned as the upper surface, while the smooth lower surface is positioned horizontally flat, thereby causing the lateral slots to be narrow inwardly or wider outwardly, forcing the lace to move inward to the narrower space and being secured by the gripping actions of the serrations after tightening the lace onto the footwear. 
     Preferably, the safety leash may be made out of fabric, which is adjustable, attachable and detachable to the housing and the footwear, that include a metal chain at one end of the leash. 
     Preferably, the lace-fastening device may further comprise a pair of lace clips to be use with the housing, which both hanging ends of the lace are fitted and secured. The lace clips may be mounted on the footwear or the said items by means of sewing or gluing or both. The lace clips may have a hole on each three ends of its base to allow for sewing means. 
     This invention may further provide an effective and convenient alternative to known devices for fastening laces or the like on footwear, bags, garments, packages, sports equipment, etc. The present invention, comprising of three triangular durable members, which consist of; a housing as the main component for fastening and releasing of lace; a pair of lace clips as sub-components, will function as clips for attaching the loose ends of the lace to the footwear or said items. The housing will be attached to the footwear via a safety leash as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . While the pair of lace clips made out of durable plastic will be attached to the footwear or said items by means of sewing or gluing or both methods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings with the accompanying detailed descriptions will further clarify the practicality of the above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present inventions: 
         FIG. 1  Shows an exploded axonometric view of the lace-fastening device, incorporating all the component parts of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  Shows an axonometric view illustrating the lace-fastening device in  FIG. 1  with all the component parts completely assembled in the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  Is a perspective view illustrating a state wherein the lace-fastening device shown in  FIG. 2  is installed on to a user&#39;s footwear in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 4  Is a perspective view of the lace-fastening device shown in  FIG. 2  which is installed on to a user&#39;s footwear in a tightened and locked position. 
         FIG. 5  Is an axonometric view illustrating the sequence of steps in tightening the lace-fastening device onto the footwear. 
         FIG. 6  Is an axonometric view illustrating the sequence of steps in loosening and releasing the lace-fastening device from the footwear. 
         FIG. 7  Is a top plan view illustrating the lace-fastening device shown in  FIG. 1 , in a state wherein the adjustable safety strap ( 7 ), strap chain ( 6 ) and lace-clip device ( 4 ) are omitted. 
         FIG. 8  Illustrates the bottom plan view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  Illustrates the right elevation view as shown in  FIG. 7  or as the left elevation view in  FIG. 8 , which includes all component parts of the invention except for the gap spacer ( 2 ), safety strap ( 7 ), strap chain ( 6 ) and lace-clip device ( 4 ). 
         FIG. 10  Illustrates the left elevation view as shown in  FIG. 7  or as the right elevation view in  FIG. 8 , which excludes the gap spacer ( 2 ). 
         FIG. 11  Illustrates the front elevation view as referred to in  FIG. 7  and in  FIG. 8 , which excludes the gap spacer ( 2 ). 
         FIG. 12  Illustrates the rear elevation view as referred to in  FIG. 7  and in  FIG. 8 , which excludes the gap spacer ( 2 ). 
         FIG. 13  Is a cross-section view of the component parts of  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , showing the plate aperture ( 1 B), the central aperture ( 3 A), the gripping plate ( 1 ), the housing base ( 3 ), the strap chain aperture ( 3 D), the serration member ( 1 A), and the chain groove ( 3 B). 
         FIG. 14  Is a cross-section view of the component parts of  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , showing the plate aperture ( 1 B), the central aperture ( 3 A), the gripping plate ( 1 ), the housing base ( 3 ), and the serration member ( 1 A). 
         FIG. 15  Illustrates the bottom plan view of the gripping plate ( 1 ), which consists of the serrations ( 1 A), the plate aperture ( 1 B), the screw aperture ( 1 C), and the plate slit ( 1 D). 
         FIG. 16  Illustrates the top plan view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ) in  FIG. 1 , whereby the aperture for sewing ( 4 A), the tooth ( 4 B), the base ( 4 E), and the head ( 4 F) are visible. 
         FIG. 17  Illustrates the bottom plan view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ) in  FIG. 16 , whereby the aperture for sewing ( 4 A) and the base ( 4 E) are visible. 
         FIG. 18  Illustrates the rear elevation view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ), as referred to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , which shows the aperture groove ( 4 D), base ( 4 E), and head ( 4 F). 
         FIG. 19  Illustrates the front elevation view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ), as referred to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , which shows the ridge ( 4 C), tooth ( 4 B), base ( 4 E), and head ( 4 F). 
         FIG. 20  Illustrates the left elevation view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ), as referred to  FIG. 16 , which shows the ridge ( 4 C), tooth ( 4 B), base ( 4 E), and head ( 4 F). 
         FIG. 21  Illustrates the right elevation view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ), which is symmetrical to  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  Is a cross-section view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ), as referred to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , showing the ridge ( 4 C), base ( 4 E), and head ( 4 F). 
         FIG. 23  Is a cross-section view of the lace-clip device ( 4 ), as referred to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , showing the aperture for sewing ( 4 A), tooth ( 4 B), ridge ( 4 C), aperture groove ( 4 D), base ( 4 E), and head ( 4 F). 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     To best describe the invention and its component parts, reference to examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings will now be made in detail. Application of the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive to the scope of the present invention, and limited only by the appended claims. The lace fastening device in accordance to the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 23 . 
     The lace fastening device, which comprises of the following enumerate components; gripping plate ( 1 ), gap spacer ( 2 ), housing base ( 3 ), lace-clip device ( 4 ), screw ( 5 ), strap chain ( 6 ) and safety strap ( 7 ). 
     Shown in  FIG. 1  is the exploded axonometric view of the present invention that illustrates the assembly of the lace fastening device. In the assembly process of the lace fastening device, which comprises of the gripping plate ( 1 ) and the optional gap spacer ( 2 ) that are fixed to the housing base ( 3 ) by means of using two screws ( 5 ) that complete the main housing. Consequently, this method of assembly allows the user to have the option of customising the colour of the gripping plate ( 1 ), gap spacer ( 2 ), and housing base ( 3 ) to his or her own preference based on the availability of the parts concern in the market. The installation of the gap spacer ( 2 ) is optional for a thicker lace that can be use with the present invention. 
     Although the housing base ( 3 ) and the lace-clip device ( 4 ) has a triangular plan shape in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 23 , one of the ordinary skill will recognise that it is not limited to any specific shape or size that could be used without departing from the scope of the invention and the incorporation of other components of the device. 
     In the component parts of  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 9 to 15 , the lace passages are defined by the gap between the gripping plate ( 1 ) and the housing base ( 3 ). The gripping plate ( 1 ) which has the incline serration members ( 1 A), as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , which also function as locking teeth, are obliquely positioned as the upper surface, while the housing base ( 3 ), which function as a horizontally flat smooth lower surface, causes the lace passages to be narrow inwardly or wider outwardly. The gap spacer ( 2 ) is only incorporated in the device between the gripping plate ( 1 ) and the housing base ( 3 ) if the need to increase the gap of the lace passages arises, such as the use of a thicker lace. 
     In restricting the movement of the housing base ( 3 ) and the attached gripping plate ( 1 ) from rotating either to the left or to the right, while the lace ( 9 ) is being pulled to tighten the lace fastening device to the footwear ( 8 ), the safety strap ( 7 ) which is detachable from the footwear, is secured to the housing base ( 3 ) and the footwear ( 8 ) (refer to  FIGS. 1 to 4 ). Preferably the shape of the plate aperture ( 1 B) and the central aperture ( 3 A) to be oval as this will also help avoid rotation of the housing base ( 3 ) and the attached gripping plate ( 1 ) when the lace ( 9 ) is being pulled. In addition, the safety strap ( 7 ) is securely attached to the footwear ( 8 ), by means of the lace ( 9 ) being inserted through the strap loop ( 7 A) before being weaved through the eyelets of the footwear. The position of the housing can be adjusted by securing the safety strap to the other row of lace on the footwear. The safety strap ( 7 ) comprises of a strap chain ( 6 ) that is locked at the strap chain aperture ( 3 D) of the housing base ( 3 ). The lace fastening device is therefore securely attached to the footwear while still maintaining the flexibility of the device to move upwards, when footwear is loosen or downwards when footwear is tighten. 
     Considering that once the lace have been tighten, both free hanging ends would need to be secured to the footwear. Therefore, a pair of lace-clip device ( 4 ) is to be used as part of the lace fastening device. As illustrated in  FIGS. 16 to 23 , the lace-clip device ( 4 ), which comprises of three aperture for sewing ( 4 A), tooth ( 4 B), ridge ( 4 C), aperture groove ( 4 D), base ( 4 E), and head ( 4 F), is glued and sewn through the aperture for sewing ( 4 A) to the sides of the footwear, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Shown in  FIG. 4 , once inserted into the slit in between the base ( 4 E) and head ( 4 F) of the lace-clip device ( 4 ), the free hanging ends of the tighten lace are secured by the gripping force of the tooth ( 4 B) and the ridge ( 4 C). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the sequence of steps for fastening the device as follows:
     1. The two loose ends of the lace are threaded through the central aperture ( 3 A) and the plate aperture ( 1 B).   2. The lace is then pulled horizontally above the gripping plate ( 1 ) towards direction A, until reaching the optimal tightness.   3. Both ends of the tensioned lace are then swivel to direction B, while still maintaining the optimal tightness of the lace.   4. The lace in tension is then guided through the cap slit ( 1 D) and is pull towards direction A, through the lace passage defined by the gap between the gripping plate ( 1 ) and the housing base ( 3 ).   5. Once the two loose ends of the lace have been pulled to the optimal tightness, they are then release to allow the serration member ( 1 A) to naturally grip and secure the tightness of the lace onto the footwear.   6. The loose ends of the lace are then retained by the lace-clip device ( 4 ), through insertion in between the ridge ( 4 C) and tooth ( 4 B) of the head ( 4 F) and base ( 4 E), respectively.   
       FIG. 6  illustrates the sequence of steps for loosening the lace from the device as follows:
     1. The loose ends of the lace are pulled off from the retaining grip of the lace-clip device ( 4 ).   2. Both loose ends of the lace are then pulled slightly towards direction A to release the lace from its current locked condition.   3. While still maintaining the tensions of the lace, both ends of the lace are then swivel towards direction B at the same time to be parallel to each other.   4. Once both ends are align with the plate slit ( 1 D), they are then raise vertically towards direction C, passing through the plate slit ( 1 D) and entering the plate aperture ( 1 B). Both free ends of the lace can now be loosen or taken off from the housing base ( 3 ).   
     When fastening or loosening the device to or from the footwear, it is advisable to hold the lace close to the housing base while pulling or guiding the lace. 
     Thus, the lace fastening device which is symmetrical on both left and right side will be fashionable, user friendly and provide an even tension when the lace is pulled to tighten. Also the housing of the present invention can be detached from or attached to the footwear or said items at the user&#39;s preference.