Patent Abstract:
A shoelace tying apparatus allows individuals with limited or no use of one hand to tightly tie footwear with standard shoelaces. The apparatus is lightweight and portable. The apparatus alleviates the need for special shoelaces or shoes, such as those equipped with hook-and-loop fasteners.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shoelace tying device to assist a user with limited hand dexterity in forming a knot in a shoelace. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shoelace tying is a daily activity that can be particularly difficult for people with limited fine motor hand skills. For instance, individuals stricken with birth defects, amputations, strokes, and arthritis can find shoelace tying difficult if not impossible. Such individuals are thus forced to seek the assistance of a care provider or to wear shoes that use hook-and-loop fasteners, e.g., Velcro strips, or shoes outfitted with specially made shoelaces that do not need to be tied in a conventional manner to secure the shoe around the individual&#39;s foot. Such specially made shoes and shoes outfitted with Velcro strips however are not always ideal. 
     For example, a tieless elastic shoelace has been proposed that has plastic disks at each end of the shoelace. The plastic disks are temporarily removed to allow the shoelace to be threaded through the eyelets of the shoe. Once the shoelace is threaded, the disks are secured to the ends of the shoelace and are operative as a stop to prevent the ends of the shoelace from being pulled back through the first eyelets. With such a configuration, the shoelace sets a maximum of the opening formed between the tongue and the counter of the shoe into which the individual can slip the foot into the shoe; however, the shoelace cannot be effectively tightened to snug the shoe around the foot. In this regard, the shoe may not provide the necessary support for the foot and ankle that is needed for athletic activity, such as walking. Another drawback of such special shoelaces is that the original shoelaces that come with the shoes must be removed and replaced, which can be difficult for an individual with limited fine motor skills in one or both hands. 
     Velcro strips, or other hook-and-loop fasteners, are effective in providing a snug fit of the shoe around the foot. However, shoes equipped with such fasteners are generally not visually appealing and thus are typically not preferred for formal wear or business attire. The individual must then either wear a conventional shoe and seek assistance in tying the shoelaces or wear the unsightly hook-and-loop fastener shoe that can negatively impact the individual&#39;s esteem and confidence. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a shoelace tying apparatus designed to aid individuals with limited or no use of one hand to tightly tie footwear with standard shoelaces. The apparatus is lightweight and portable. In addition, the apparatus alleviates the need for special shoelaces or shoes, such as those equipped with hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     The apparatus is generally comprised of a stand and a tying device. The stand includes a stand base, a stand arm, a collet, and a tying platform. The stand arm extends upwardly from the base and has a series of vertically spaced notches to which the collet may be selectively secured to accommodate various shoe types and sizes. The tying device is secured to the collet and thus the spacing between the tying device and the stand base may be adjusted by repositioning the collet on the stand arm. The tying device generally includes a pair of hooks, a rack and pinion system, anchor points, and cleats. Once the tying device is secured at a desired height relative to the stand arm, a user may wrap the ends of the shoelace around the anchor points and the hooks and then pull the ends through the cleats to secure the ends to the tying device. The hooks are connected to the rack and pinion system such that movement of one hook automatically causes an equal, but opposite movement of the other hook. Through a series of movements of the free ends of the shoelace and the hooks, which can be performed by an individual with limited dexterity, the shoelace can be tied to a user defined tightness and thus provide a snug fit of the shoe around the foot. 
     The shoelace tying procedure is summarized below: 
     A. Place shoe on stand base beneath tying device and adjust height of tying device as needed; 
     B. Push one of the hooks inwardly toward the center of the tying device; 
     C. Manually tie slip knot by pulling free ends of the lace down and outward through cleats; 
     D. Release shoelace from right cleat; 
     E. Wrap that free end of the shoelace around the right anchor point from front to back; 
     F. Pull that free end of the shoelace down through the left hook and then toward the front of the tying device, under the right hook; 
     G. Pull that free end of the shoelace again down through the right cleat; 
     H. Release the free end of the shoelace from the left cleat; 
     I. Slide that free end of the shoelace toward the back of the tying device, under all hooks and anchor points; 
     J. Wrap that free end of the shoelace around the left anchor point from back to front 
     K. Pull that free end of the shoelace down through the right hook; 
     L. Pull that free end of the shoelace down through the left cleat; 
     M. Pull outward on one of the hooks until a knot with a desired tightness is formed; 
     N. Release free ends from the cleats; 
     O. Push inward on one of the hooks to reset the hooks to their original position; and 
     P. Remove shoelace from hooks. 
     It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a shoelace tying apparatus that assists an individual with tying a shoelace to a desired tightness. The shoelace tying apparatus may be used with a shoe and its original laces thereby avoiding the need for replacement laces. The apparatus can tie the laces of athletic shoes, dress shoes, formal shoes, laced boots, and the like. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to assist an individual with limited dexterity with tying the laces of a shoe to provide a snug fit that is suitable for athletic activity, such as walking. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a shoelace tying device that is workable with conventional shoelaces. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a shoelace tying device of lightweight and rugged construction. 
     Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a shoelace tying apparatus includes a shoe platform, an arm extending from the shoe platform, and a tying platform connected to the arm and spaced from the shoe platform to define a shoe reception area. The apparatus further includes a pair of reciprocating hooks, anchors, and a pair of lace end retainers supported by the tying platform. Through a series of predefined movements of securing the lace ends to the lace end retainers, anchoring the lace about the anchors, and moving the hooks, a double-loop knot is formed in the shoelace. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a shoe tying device includes a first anchor and a second anchor, wherein the first anchor is configured to secure a first free end of a shoelace and the second anchor is configured to secure a second free end of the shoelace. The device also includes a first loop forming element and a second loop forming element that are linked with a rack and pinion arrangement including a first rack connected to the first loop forming element and a second rack connected to the second loop forming element. The rack and pinion arrangement is constructed such that rotation of the rack induced by lateral movement of one loop forming element causes equal and opposite lateral movement of the other loop forming element. Moreover, movement of the loop forming elements from a first position to a second position causes a pulling force to be applied to both free ends of the shoelace such that a first loop is formed in the first free end of the shoelace and a second loop is formed in the second free end of the shoelace with a knot formed between the loops. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a knot tying apparatus for forming a double-loop knot when presented with a slip knot is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of reciprocating hooks adapted to hold respective free ends of a shoelace in which the slip knot has been formed. A rack and pinion arrangement is connected to the pair of reciprocating hooks and is configured to cause movement of one of the pair of reciprocating hooks in response to movement of the other one of the pair of reciprocating hooks. The apparatus further has a pair of retainers configured to securely hold the free ends of the shoelace such that a knot is formed in the shoelace as the reciprocating hooks are moved away from one another. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of a shoelace tying apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the shoelace tying apparatus of  FIG. 1  shown relative to a shoe having a shoelace to be tied; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a gear cover removed exposing a rack and pinion gear arrangement; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the shoelace tying apparatus taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus with the gear cover removed and positioned at an initial position for tying the shoelace of a shoe shown in a shoe tying position; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus with the free ends of the shoelace shown secured to a pair of retainers; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus with the one end of the shoelace held by a loop forming element and an anchor; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus with the other end of the shoelace held by a loop forming element and an anchor; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus after some movement of the loop forming elements away from one another to begin formation of a pair of loops in the shoelace; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus with loops formed in the shoelace; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the shoelace tying apparatus with limited reversing of the loop forming elements to allow the loops to be released from the loop forming elements; and 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the shoe with a double-loop knot made therein using the shoelace tying apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 through 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , a shoelace tying apparatus  10  according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. The shoelace tying apparatus  10  may be used to tie shoelaces of an athletic shoe, casual shoe, dress shoe, laced boot, and other types of shoes having conventional shoelaces. The apparatus  10  generally includes a base  12  and a tying platform  14  held above the base  12  by a stand arm  16 . A collet  18  is used to retain the tying platform  14  against the stand arm  16 . The stand arm  16  includes a series of notches  20  defined along its length. The collet  18  includes rocker clamps  22  that allow the collet  18  to be positioned at any one of the notches  20  to thus allow a user to vary the distance between the tying platform  14  and the base  12 . The rocker clamps  22  have teeth (not shown) that are received in notches  20  of the stand arm  16  to lock the collet  18  and thus the tying platform  14  at a user-desired position on the stand arm  16 . This space between the tying platform  14  and the base  12  generally defines a shoe reception area  24 . A handle  26  is connected to the collet  18  to assist in moving the collet  18  along the stand arm  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the base  12  includes a pair of slip resistant strips  28 ,  30 . 
     The tying platform  14  also includes a shoelace tying device  32  that generally includes hooks  34 ,  36 , cleats  38 ,  40 , anchors  42 ,  44  and a rack and pinion gear arrangement  46 . The gear arrangement  46  includes a pair of racks  48 ,  50  spaced from one another and driven by a pinion  52 . The pinion  52  and the interfacing of the pinion  52  with the racks  48 ,  50  sits beneath a gear cover  54 . The anchors  42 ,  44  are mounted to the tying platform  14  by spring loaded pins  56 ,  58 , respectively, that allow the anchors  42 ,  44  to pivot during knot formation. The anchors  42 ,  44  also have upwardly extending anchor pins  60 ,  62 , respectively. As will be described, the free ends of a shoelace are held against the anchor pins  60 ,  62  during the shoelace typing process. 
     The cleats  38 ,  40  are designed such that the shoelace may only be pulled out of the cleats  38 ,  40  in one direction. As such, as a knot is being tied, which will be described in greater detail below, the cleats  38 ,  40  maintain tension on the shoelace. Once the knot is completed, the free ends of the shoelace may be pulled from the cleats  38 ,  40  opposite to the direction of loading to free the shoelace from the cleats  38 ,  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the cleats are oriented at a 20 degree angle from the plane of the tying platform  14  and at a 30 degree angle from the front of the tying platform  14 . In addition, it is preferred that the cleats are slightly recessed or sunken into the platform  14  to avoid contact with the hooks  34 ,  36  as the hooks  34 ,  36  are moved. 
     The shoelace tying apparatus  10  preferably includes an extension arm  64  that can be magnetically coupled to the stand arm  16  to effectively lengthen the stand arm  16  and increase the number of elevation points at which the tying platform  14  can be positioned. In one preferred embodiment, the extension arm  64  has a plug  65  that is received by an opening formed in the stand arm  16 . 
     Hook  34  is connected to rack  48  by a connecting member  66  that includes a pull handle  68 . Similarly, hook  36  is connected to rack  50  by a connecting member  70  that also has a pull handle  72 . The connection of the hooks  34 ,  36  with respective racks  48 ,  50  of the rack and pinion arrangement  46  allows a user to move the hooks  34 ,  36  in unison, but in opposite directions by pulling or pushing on only one of the handles  68 ,  72 . That is, the pinion  52  drives both racks  48 ,  50  to move equally but in opposite directions which in turn causes the hooks  34 ,  36  to move equally but in opposite directions. The racks  48 ,  50  are carried by respective slide bars  74 ,  76  that allow the racks  48 ,  50  to slide relatively freely along respective linear axes. Preferably, the slide bars  74 ,  76  are comprised of a material that allows the slide bars  74 ,  76  to slide along the platform  14  without the need for additional lubricant or oil. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 3 , the rocker clamps  22  are spring loaded which allows a user to squeeze ends  22   a  of the clamps  22  toward one another to disengage the teeth  22   b  of the clamps  22  from the stand arm  16  (or extension arm  64 , if applicable) and thus release the collet  18  from the stand arm  16 . While holding handle  26 , the user may then slide the collet  18  along the stand arm  16  to a desired position to accommodate the user and the size of the shoe, S, to be loaded into the shoe reception area  24 . 
     Operation of the shoelace tying apparatus  10  to form a knot in the shoelace  78  of a shoe S will be described with respect to  FIGS. 6 through 12 . As will be readily appreciated, the shoelace tying apparatus  10  is operative to form a conventional knot  80  in shoelace  78  of shoe S as shown in  FIG. 13 . For purposes of explaining the knot forming process, it will be assumed that the user has set the tying platform  14  to a desired height relative to the stand arm  16  as described above. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the shoelace tying apparatus  10  is designed to form a knot in a shoelace  78 ; however, the shoelace  78  must be presented with a slipknot  82  formed therein. In this regard, the shoelace tying apparatus  10  is best suited for a user with full use of at least one hand or sufficient dexterity in one hand to form such a slipknot  82 . The shoelace tying device  32  must also be set at an initial position which is shown in  FIG. 6 . In the initial position, the handles  68 ,  72  are pushed fully toward one another. This is achieved by pushing one of the handles  68 ,  72  inwardly toward the center of the platform  14 , e.g., toward pinion  52 . The rack and pinion arrangement  46  described above automatically causes the other rack  48  or  50  to move in the opposite direction. As such, both hooks  34 ,  36  can be positioned at the initial position by pushing on only one of the handles  68  or  72 . With the slipknot  82  formed in the shoelace  78 , the shoe S is presented to the shoe reception area  24 . 
     In the next step, shown in  FIG. 7 , the free ends  84 ,  86  of the shoelace  78  are secured in cleats  38 ,  40 , respectively. As described above, the cleats  38 ,  40  are designed to hold the free ends  84 ,  86 , respectively, so that tension is created in the shoelace  78 . The free ends  84 ,  86  are pulled until the slipknot  82  has a desired tightness. 
     In the next step, shown in  FIG. 8 , free end  86  is removed from cleat  40  and routed over anchor  44  and against hook  34 , then under anchor  44  and connecting member  70 , and then back into engagement with cleat  40 . As a result of this movement, a shoelace portion  88 , which is defined between slipknot  82  and free end  86 , is hooked around hook  34  and abuts against the left side of anchor pin  62 . The free end  84  of the shoelace  78  remains secured in cleat  38  which maintains tension in the slipknot  82 . 
     In the next step, shown in  FIG. 9 , the free end  84  of the shoelace  78  is disengaged from cleat  38  and routed beneath connecting members  66 ,  70 , up and around anchor  42 , against hook  36 , and then back into engagement with cleat  38 . This movement results in a shoelace portion  90 , which is defined between knot  82  and free end  84 , being routed around anchor  42  and into engagement with hook  36 . 
     In the next step, shown in  FIG. 10 , handle  72  is pulled away from the platform  14 , as designated by arrow  92 . This causes an equal yet opposite movement of handle  68  away from the platform  14 . More particularly, as handle  72  is pulled in direction  92 , hook  34  is pulled in the same direction. Hook  36  is pulled in the opposite direction. The tension in the shoelace  78  causes the anchors  42 ,  44  to pivot in a clockwise direction, signified by arrows  94  and  96 . This rotational movement of the anchors  42 ,  44  causes the portions  88 ,  90  to slide along the anchors  42 ,  44 . It is noted that each rack  48 ,  50  includes a rack stop  97 ,  99 , respectively, that limit how far the handles  68 ,  72  may be translated away from one another. 
     With continued movement of the handles  68 ,  72  and thus hooks  34 ,  36 , the shoelace portions  88 ,  90  will slide completely off the anchors  42 ,  44 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . When the shoelace portions  88 ,  90  have slid completely off the anchors  42 ,  44 , the tension placed on the anchors  42 ,  44  will be removed and the spring bias of the anchors  42 ,  44  will cause the anchors  42 ,  44  to return to their default positions against stops  101  and  103 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 11 , the aforementioned movement of the hooks  34 ,  36  causes loops  98 ,  100  to be formed in the shoelace  78  as well as a conventional knot  80 . The size of the loops  98  depends on how far handle  72  is moved away from the platform  14  and the amount of slack in the shoelace  78  between the free ends  84 ,  86  and the slipknot  82 . The cleats  38 ,  40  prevent the free ends  84 ,  86  of the shoelace  78  from being pulled back through the knot  80  as the hooks  34 ,  36  continue to be pulled away from the knot  80 . 
     In the next step, which is shown in  FIG. 12 , handle  72  is pushed back toward the platform  14 , as represented by arrow  102 . This reverse movement is necessary to release the tension between the hooks  34 ,  36  and the shoelace  78 . With the tension released, the loops  98 ,  100  can be disengaged from the hooks  34 ,  36  respectively, by movement of the loops  98 ,  100  away from the hooks  34 ,  36 , as represented by arrows  104  and  106 , respectively. It is preferred that the handle  72  is pushed in direction  102  back to its initial position, shown in  FIG. 6 . Such a movement resets both hooks  34  and  36 . The free ends  84 ,  86  may then be released from their respective cleats  38 ,  40  and the shoe S pulled away from the shoelace tying apparatus  10  resulting in a conventional shoelace tying knot  80 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     The aforementioned steps may then be repeated, as needed, for the other shoe. It will thus be appreciated that the present invention may be used to tie the shoelaces of a conventional shoe, including athletic, casual, business, and formal shoes. Thus, the present invention is particularly advantageous for users with limited hand dexterity who wish to wear conventional shoes without the need for caregiver assistance or special shoelaces. 
     In one alternate embodiment, the shoelace typing apparatus includes a fixed base and the shoe platform is movable along the stand arm. This alternate embodiment allows the shoe platform to be raised to accommodate users who have difficulty in bending fully to otherwise use the shoelace tying apparatus. 
     Many changes and modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of these changes will become apparent from the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3