Abstract:
This invention primarily discusses the recent improvements to U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944. The focus is on quick tightening/loosening of the lock that is formed between the ligature and the frame, managing the extra ligature length, decorating the system, improving performance and, extending the design to a wearable having structures similar to pants. In some applications a short ligature that passes underneath ligature loops and in others a donut-shaped object is used to solve tightening/loosening problems. Tucking the extra ligature length under an elastic strap or inside a slot formed within the frame manages the ligature. To enhance the performance of the system methods that reduce the friction between the ligature and the frame are discussed. Specifically, the use of back-to-back eyelet system, curved pathways between holes and, frictionless rollers are detailed. The invention discusses the used of a raised crisscross(s) as an additional method to enhance the performance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 entitled “One-Way Clutching Methods Between A Ligature And A Frame And Their Applications” explains methods of forming a one-way locking system between a frame that bears a cluster(s) of 2 holes or 3 holes and a ligature. The invention also explores several applications of the methods. In particular, the cited invention explains the adaptation of the locking system to all wearable including shoes. The subject matter of this invention is a collection of major improvements to the cited invention. One of the shortcomings of either 2 holes or 3 holes methods when applied to a wearable is the lack of any practical ways to manage the extra ligature length that hangs from the wearable after the wearable is tightened. This invention outlines several methods for managing the extra ligature lengths. Other shortcomings include lack of a quick method for loosening or tightening the wearable. This invention outlines practical methods to resolve these issues. Additionally, this invention outlines methods for color coding and using a 3-holes or 2-holes system to decorate a wearable. Further, several new methods for reducing friction between the ligature and the wearable are discussed. In general, the friction between the ligature and the frame is the major factor that affects the performance of the system. Reducing or eliminating the friction enhances the performance of the system drastically. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is a continuation of work on U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 entitled “One-Way Clutching Methods Between A Ligature And A Frame And Their Applications”. This invention outlines several important improvements to the mentioned invention as follows:
       a) Presents methods for quick tightening and loosening of a system that is comprised of a wearable that has one or more openings and a ligature for pulling the opposing sides of the openings close to each other. The wearable may have an integrated cluster(s) of 3-holes or 2-holes or an external body with integrated 3-hole or 2-hole clusters may be employed to interact with the wearable through the ligature. In either case, in a preferred practice, a short ligature is passed underneath the loops formed by the main ligature between mentioned holes. Pulling the short ligature pulls the loops and system unlocks. The use of the short ligature also enhances the system by introducing decorative dimensions to the system. Use of a colorful short ligature introduces highly useful color-coding that helps user identify where to pull to loosen/tighten. Additionally, colorful objects maybe added to the short ligature to enhance the ecstatic of the system.   b) Since leaving the free length of the main ligature hanging loose maybe dangerous, this invention proposes securing ends of the ligature together by a knot or other means. To make sure that the main ligature remains attached to the wearable the invention proposes passing the mentioned knot under an elastic strap that is attached to the wearable. In some application one may employ a straight or curved slot instead of the elastic strap.   c) To form an eyelet system that has smooth and curved contours on both top and bottom, this invention outlines methods for replacing each eyelet of a wearable with two back-to-back eyelets.   d) To reduce the friction between the ligature and wearable, the invention proposes using low friction rollers wherever the ligature and the wearable interact.   e) To eliminate the sharp cornering of the ligature between holes of a system that uses a cluster of 3-holes or 2-holes, the invention proposes use of smooth and curved pathways between holes.   f) In applications where a ligature(s) forms crisscrosses within the body of a wearable, the invention proposes setting the top crisscross at a higher elevation. This allows users quick access to the crisscross. The easy access is crucial in quick tightening or loosening of the system.   g) The invention outlines methods for quick adjustment of wearable opening(s) by incorporating sets of 3-holes cluster(s) along the opening of the wearable. In other application such as pants, the mentioned sets of cluster(s) cluster of holes may be positioned along the pant&#39;s waist. The same design extends itself as a replacement for elastic band(s) that some wearable use as a mean to keep the wearable tight.       
 
         [0010]    In all applications either the cluster(s) of holes is directly an integrated part of the wearable or a separate structure that has an integrated cluster(s) of holes is employed to interact with the wearable through the ligature. Because of structural and/or functional differences between the two cases, this patent application treats the two cases as separate claims when applicable. 
         [0011]    While most of the figures in this patent application show a specific wearable (i.e. a footwear), the designs are applicable to all kinds of wearable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  Shows a wearable (a shoe) where an external body (commercially named Shoe Zappy) and a ligature interact with the wearable to create a system that does not need tying/untying. This figure particularly shows the problem of free hanging ligature. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  Shows the use of a short ligature that passes underneath loops. The figure shows that the short ligature is passing under the “Zappy Loops” and forms a knot with the main ligature. The colorful short ligature enhances the system in several ways. The short ligature provides a color-coded means for quick loosening of the system and manages the free hanging length of the main ligature. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  Shows how free hanging lengths of main and short ligatures maybe used as decorative means. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  Shows a wearable with an integrated 3-hole cluster, the ligature and, a donut-shaped object that is used for quick loosening of the system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  Shows how two connected donut-shaped objects maybe employed as a mean for loosening the ligature lock at both sides of a wearable opening simultaneously. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  figure shows how an extension of the donut-shaped object maybe used as a decorative mean. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  Shows the use of an elastic strap for managing the extra ligature lengths 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  Shows the use of a slot within the body of a wearable for managing the extra ligature lengths. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  Shows an eyelet system where eyelets have smooth and curved surface on the top and a rough flat surface on the bottom. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  Shows how a back-to-back eyelet system maybe formed. Fully folding and securing in place the two identical eyelet-bearing wearable layers shown in the figure create the back-to-back eyelet system where eyelets of the system have smooth and curved surfaces both on top and bottom. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  Shows the use of roller-projection means as a replacement for eyelets in a wearable. The rollers ( 25 ) are able to rotate with respect to the projection ( 24 ). The projection is secured to the wearable at one end. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  Shows an arrangement where roller-projection means are sandwiched between two layers of wearable material. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  Shows the front and the back views of a ligature path as it loops between holes of a structure that has a cluster of 3-holes. The figure shows that the ligature forms a sharp corner loop ( 28 ) between holes  10  and  11  at the back. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  Shows how a smooth guide ( 29 ) maybe employed as a mean of reducing friction between a ligature and a wearable and eliminating the sharp cornering of the ligature. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  Shows how an external body ( 30 ) comprised of a cluster of 3-holes having a smooth pathway between two of its holes may employ projected arms in order to connect with a wearable in a removable fashion. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13A  Shows how an external body ( 30 ) comprised of a cluster of 3-holes may be attached permanently to a wearable. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  Shows how raised eyelets ( 33 ) maybe employed to create a raised crisscross. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 entitled “One-Way Clutching Methods Between A Ligature And A Frame And Their Applications” explains how a ligature can lock itself, in one direction, onto a frame that has a cluster(s) of 2 holes or 3 holes. Applications of the methods when applied to a wearable shows how a ligature maybe used as means for pulling, in a lockable manner, opposing sides of the wearable opening(s) close to each other. While 2 holes or 3 holes cluster arrangements can be an integrated part of a wearable structure, in some applications it is more practical to employ an external structure with an integrated 2-holes or 3-holes cluster(s) instead of forming the cluster of 2-holes or 3-holes within the body of the wearable.  FIG. 1  shows such external structure that is designed based on the 3-holes arrangement and can be used to tie/untie a wearable. One or more of the mentioned structures maybe employed. When applied to footwear such structure assumes the name of Shoe Zappy. 
         [0030]    One shortcoming of either 2 holes or 3 holes methods is the lack of any practical ways to manage the extra ligature length that does hang from the wearable after the wearable is tightened. The other shortcoming is lack of any practical method to loosen the system quickly.  FIG. 1  shows this problem for a case that the wearable is a shoe and a Shoe Zappy is used. In  FIG. 1  (and all other figures) the wearable is marked as  1 , shoe Zappy is marked as  2 , the ligature loop formed between two of the holes (named Zappy Loop) marked as  3  and the extra ligature length is marked as  4 . This invention proposes a new method that addresses both mentioned shortcomings. The new method has the following highly desirable functional and cosmetic features: 1) the extra ligature length is totally managed, 2) when tied, the loops closely resembles customary tying and, 3) the method offers several decorative options, 4) the method provides means for a quick loosening of the system. 
         [0031]    The cited method, in a preferred practice, employs a short colorful ligature that passes under either or both mentioned Zappy Loops. The ends of the short and the main ligature are then secured together by a knot or other means. The design is clear from  FIG. 2  where the short ligature is marked as  5  forming a knot with the main ligature  4  at  6 . The system unties when the said knot  6  is pulled. The system ties when ligature segments marked  7  are pulled. Another advantage of using a short ligature is that knot  6  can be secured in place permanently by application of spot heat. It must be noted that instead of a (short) ligature one may use a rigid or non-rigid material. However, a rigid material may not function ideally. 
         [0032]    The free segments of both the main ligature and the short ligature that are hanging beyond the said knot  6  do not have any functional use, this segments are either cutout or, the segments may be used for decoration purposes. Decorative items may be added to the segments for this purpose.  FIG. 3  shows how the free hanging lengths marked as  8  can be used to hold decorative items  9  in place. 
         [0033]    The previous section explained applications where an external object (with a cluster(s) of holes) interacted with a wearable through a ligature. In this section applications where a cluster(s) of 3-holes (or 2-hole) are an integrated part of the wearable are discussed. A BiaBo wearable is a wearable where at least one cluster of 3-holes (or the 2-holes) is an integrated part of the wearable. The cluster of holes and a ligature looped properly through them create a system that can pull, in a lockable manner, the opposing sides of the wearable opening(s) close to each other. In a preferred practice, the mentioned 3-holes cluster forms a triangle. Pulling the ligature at a proper location ties or unties the wearable. A BiaBo wearable designed based on the mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 have two major shortcomings. One is the lack of any practical method to manage the extra ligature length(s) and the other is the lack of any practical ways to loosen the system quickly. Both these shortcomings are addressed in this invention. 
         [0034]    To provide an easy method for unlocking (loosening) the system, the new design calls for using, in a preferred practice, a donut-shaped object. The object, in a preferred practice, should be made from the same material as the ligature. To be functional BiaBo loop (see  FIG. 4 ) must pass through the donut-shaped object&#39;s hole. In  FIG. 4  the wearable is marked as  1 , the cluster of 3-holes are marked as  10 ,  11  and  12 , the ligature is marked as  13  and the donut-shaped object is marked as  14 . As shown in the figure the donut-shaped object passes through BiaBo loop  15 . Pulling the donut-shaped object pulls BiaBo loop  15  and the system unlocks. When ligature  13  is pulled the system locks. In some applications, a variation of this design calls for using two connected donut-shaped objects.  FIG. 5  shows one such structure. In this  FIG. 16  marks the link that connects the two donut-shaped loops  14 . Here pulling link  16  loosens the ligature lock at both sides of the wearable opening simultaneously.  FIG. 5A  shows how an extension of the donut-shaped object maybe used for decorative purposes. 
         [0035]    One of the shortcomings of using the mentioned donut-shaped object is that if pulled excessively, the ligature may get pulled out from the holes and the system falls apart. To prevent this situation one may secure both ends of the main ligature together by a knot or other means. An added advantage is that pulling this knot will tighten and lock the system in place. The said knot prevents the system from falling apart no matter how much the donut-shaped object(s) are pulled. Now, the problem is how to manage the free hanging ligature length. In order to manage the extra ligature length one may use an elastic strap that is secured to the body of the wearable. The knot formed by the ligature ends then can be tucked under the elastic strap. In  FIG. 6  the elastic strap is marked as  18  and the knot formed by the ligature ends is marked as  17 . In some applications, a straight or curved slot that is cut onto the wearable body maybe used instead of the elastic strap.  FIG. 7  shows this situation where the slot is marked as  19 . 
         [0036]    The mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,944 outlines a 3-holes and 2-holes methods for a one-way locking of a ligature to a frame. In some applications such as footwear (i.e. when the frame is a footwear), metal eyelets maybe used to form the cluster of 3 or the 2 holes. However, eyelets generally have smooth and curved surface on top and relatively rough and flat surface underneath. This is shown in  FIG. 8A  where the bottom of eyelets is marked as  20  and their top as  21 . In the cited invention the ligature makes a sharp loop between sets of holes. The sharp loop that has to interact with the rough surfaces of the back of the eyelets may prevent the system from functioning properly. Additionally, the sharp loop causes the ligature to wear out quickly and creates excessive friction between the ligature and the wearable. Both problems adversely affect system&#39;s performance. Several designs are presented here to resolve the problems. The first design involves replacing every eyelet of the wearable with a set of two back-to-back eyelets. To create a back-to-back eyelet system, two identical layers of material maybe used. Each of the said identical layers bear similarly positioned regular eyelets. The two layers are then secured together such that the backs of the eyelets touch each other.  FIG. 8B  shows partially folded layers. Here the back of one eyelet-bearing layer is marked as  22  and the back of the other layer is marked as  23 . When fully folded along the symmetry line and secured in place, a system of back-to-back eyelets will be created. The back-to-back arrangement eliminates the contact between the ligature and the rough surfaces. In addition to eliminating the rough surfaces, the back-to-back arrangement also provides much-desired curved surfaces (both on top and underneath the eyelet). The elimination of the rough surface and the introduction of the curved surfaces boost the performance of the system and extend the life of the ligature. 
         [0037]    In some applications the ligature forms several crisscrosses along the opening of the wearable. The ability to tighten all crisscrosses at once by pulling the ends of the ligature is highly desirable. In footwear the foot of the user pushes the ligature (i.e. shoelace) against the shoe tongue and the shoe body making it hard to tighten crisscrosses simultaneously. Eliminating this problem is particularly important for BiaBo-type footwear where an integrated cluster of 3 or 2 holes arrangements provide an alternative method to customary tying/untying. As explained above, in BiaBo footwear the ligature ends are normally tied together and that makes it harder to tighten crisscrosses. Furthermore, solving this problem for BiaBo footwear eliminates the need for first tightening the crisscrosses before the final pull of the knot formed by the ligature ends to locks the system in place. The proposed solution is to replace eyelets of the wearable with upwardly projected low friction straight or curved bars. In this manner, the ligature remains on top of the wearable and pressure by user from inside does not affect the ligature. To reduce the friction even further, rollers may be used over the curved bars.  FIG. 9  shows how such system functions. Here the curved bars are marked as  24 , the rollers are marked as  25  and ligature is marked as  13 . Here the bars are secured to the wearable at one end. An alternative design is to sandwich said bars in place between two layers of the wearable materials.  FIG. 10  shows such a system. In this figure the two layers of the wearable material are marked as  26  and  27  and the low friction bars as  24  and rollers as  25 . 
         [0038]    In order to further enhance the performance of BiaBo wearable it is highly desirable to reduce the friction between the ligature and the wearable in the area where the cluster(s) of 3 or 2 holes are positioned.  FIG. 11  shows a cluster of holes and the ligature path through them. The figure shows the top and bottom view of the path that ligature  13  must take when interacting with holes  10 , 11  and  12 . The figure shows how ligature  13  makes a sharp loop between holes  10  and  11  on the backside. The sharp loop is marked as  28 . Because ligature  13  has to move between holes  10 , 11  and  12  as one tightens or loosens the system, smooth and free movement of the ligature enhances the performance. In the case that the wearable is a shoe, segments of the ligature in the area shown in  FIG. 11  maybe in direct contact with the user&#39;s foot. The direct contact and the forces exerted by user&#39;s foot on the ligature prevent a much-desired free movement of the ligature between the holes as one tightens or loosens the system. To eliminate the contact between user&#39;s foot and the ligature and eliminate the sharp cornering of the ligature this invention proposes using a curved pathway between holes and in particular between holes  10  and  11 . The pathway maybe opened or closed (like a tunnel). Such pathway eliminates the sharp cornering and provides a highly desirable smooth and curved path for ligature as well.  FIG. 12  shows how such curved pathway maybe employed. The figure shows a portion of the wearable where a cluster of 3-holes is positioned. Here the pathway is shown as a curved tunnel  29 . The figure also shows the path of the ligature between holes and through the pathway. The design easily extends itself to situations where an external structure bearing a cluster of 3-holes (or 2-holes) is used to interact with a wearable. Here the external structure bearing the curved pathway maybe removable. To interact with the wearable, the structure may employ extended arms that fit into fabric loops that are a part of the wearable.  FIG. 13  shows a typical design. In this figure the external structure is marked as  30 , the guide between holes  10  and  11  is marked as  29  and arms to secure body  30  to the wearable are marked as  31  and a fabric loop that is secured to and are part of the wearable is marked as  32 . In some applications such as footwear where many styles and sizes are already manufactured, one expensive choice is to modify all sizes and styles into BiaBo-type footwear (where cluster of holes are an integrated part of the body), at the factory. Alternative, less expensive and, more practical approach is to attach the cited external structure to existing footwear permanently. This can simply be accomplished by securing one end of the structure to the wearable through commercially available means such as eyelets.  FIG. 13A  shows a typical application where structure  30  is secured to wearable  1  by means of eyelets  33 . 
         [0039]    To further enhance the performance of a BiaBo wearable this invention proposes a method that allows a user to quickly tighten all crisscrosses. The method centers on setting the top 4 eyelets of the wearable at elevation above other eyelets of the wearable. The 4 top eyelets form the top crisscross. Pulling the top crisscross tightens all other crisscrosses throughout the wearable body. When the top crisscross is elevated, the user can hold it easier for pulling. To create an elevated eyelet, one may use several layers of the material underneath the eyelets to be elevated.  FIG. 14  shows elevated top eyelets as  34  and the top crisscross as  35 . 
         [0040]    In some applications it might be more practical to employ several sets of 3-holes or 2-holes clusters to interact with the wearable. For example in footwear, integrating several 3-holes clusters along the length of the opening of the footwear allows users to use separate shoelaces for each segment of the footwear. This gives users the option of keeping different segments of the footwear at different tensions. Similarly in other wearable such as pants the use of several 3-holes or 2-holes arrangement along the waist of the pants allows users to have more control over loosening/tightening of their pant. This also eliminates the need for a using a belt. Obviously, either external structures bearing cluster of 3-holes (or 2 holes) are employed or the cluster of holes are made as an integrated part of the pants along the waist. The use of sets of 3-holes or 2-holes clusters, either integrated or as separate structures, also extends to all wearable where an elastic band(s) is used as means to keep the wearable tight and under tension.