ANTI-SLIP SHOE STRING

Abstract

A shoe string coated with rubber substance in order to grip and stay tied. The coating can be in strip form or patterns. Rubber protrusions on the shoe laces grip together where the knot is formed to form more resistance causing the laces to stay tied for longer periods of time.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates shoestrings, and more particularly to shoe strings designed to retain a knot in a tied condition.

A common problem with shoe strings is that they may become untied too easily. This may happen when the knot securing the tied string comes undone. The untied strings are an inconvenience as well as a safety hazard. In athletic events, an untied string may result in play stoppage and in some circumstances may result in the athlete being eliminated from competition due to performance degradation due to loose foot ware.

While the conventional bow knot may be tied in a double knot, it is more difficult to undo, particularly for youngsters. However, with current shoestring construction, even the double knot may come undone.

There are other gadgets that are produced to keep laces tied, like clips and straps, however these may not be permitted for athletic competitions and may not provide an attractive appearance.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved shoe string that reduces the incidence of untied shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an anti-slip string is disclosed. The anti-slip string includes a woven fabric material formed as a string. The string having an outer surface. An elastomeric material is adhered to the outer surface of the string as one or more elastomeric bodies protruding from the outer surface of the string.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the string includes a top surface and a bottom surface.

In other embodiments, the elastomeric material is a silicone material. The one or more protruding bodies are formed in a repeating pattern on one or more of the top surface and the bottom surface.

In other embodiments, the one or elastomeric bodies are disposed along a majority of a longitudinal length of the string.

In yet other embodiments, the elastomeric bodies are disposed in a knot region of the string.

In other aspects of the invention, a method of retaining a string in a knotted condition is disclosed. The method includes providing a length of woven fabric material formed as a string having an outer surface. An elastomeric material is applied to the outer surface of the string as one or more elastomeric bodies protruding from the outer surface.

The method may also include tying the string in a knot so that the elastomeric bodies of a first segment of the string are juxtaposed in frictional opposition with the elastomeric bodies of a second segment of the string within the knot.

In certain embodiments of the method, the step of applying the elastomeric material includes printing a liquid silicone on the outer surface of the string. The elastomeric bodies are defined in a pattern on the outer surface of the string.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anti-slip shoelace, shown in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the anti-slip shoelace, shown with breaks to indicate varying lengths.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the anti-slip shoelace, with breaks to indicate varying lengths.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the anti-slip shoelace, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved anti-slip shoe string to enhance the retention of the string in a knot 24 on the wearer's shoe. As stated above, shoe strings become untied too easily. The invention claimed here solves this problem.

As seen in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-4, an improved shoe string according to embodiments of the present invention include a shoe string base 10 to which an elastomeric gripping material 12, such as rubber, is applied to an outer surface of the shoe string 10 to prevent a knot 24 from untying. The shoe string 10 may be formed of a plurality of polyester strands that are woven by machine very tightly for improved strength of the shoe string 10. In some embodiments, the shoe string 10 is formed in a woven tubular length having a hollow core. The woven tub length may be flattened to define a top and a bottom surface.

The elastomeric gripping material 12 may be applied as one or more elastomeric bodies 12 protruding from a surface of the shoe string 10. The elastomeric bodies 12 may be applied as one or more longitudinal bands disposed along a longitudinal length of the shoe string 10. Alternatively, the elastomeric bodies 12 may be applied in a spiral about the shoe string 10. In yet other embodiments, the elastomeric bodies 12 may be applied as a patterned shape, or with lettering for branding or identification purposes.

As will be appreciated the shoe string 10 of the present invention may be cut to a desired length depending on the application, such as a shorter length for a child's shoe or a much longer length for an adult high top sneaker or boot.

As seen in reference to FIG. 3, the elastomeric gripping material 12 may be applied in a desired pattern on the shoe string 10 will provide a gripping interface between the interfacing surfaces of the shoe string 10 when tied, causing the shoe string 10 to remain tied.

The elastomeric material 12 on the shoe string 10 grip together where the knot 24 is formed to form more resistance causing the shoe string 10 to remain tied for longer periods of time. The engagement of the elastomeric material 10 with the tongue 22 of the shoe 20 also prevents slippage of the tongue 22 to facilitate maintaining the tongue 22 with its proper alignment within the shoe 20 when worn by the user.

The elastomeric material 12 may be applied along an entire length of the shoe string 10 or may be applied to a region or a portion of the shoe string 10 proximal to the ends of the shoe string 10, where the knot 24 is intended to be tied, or where the elastomeric material 12 may engage with a desired portion of the tongue 22.

The shoe string 10 may also include heavy duty end reinforcements 14 formed of a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) material.

While described in the context of shoe strings, the strings of the present invention can be used anywhere where things need to be tied and the knot 24 secured until the user would like to loosen.

The elastomeric material 12 may be applied on the shoe string 10 in a liquid silicone form or may be thermally bonded. The elastomeric material 12 cures to form a rubberized or elastomeric protrusions 12 that remain on the shoe string 10. In some embodiments, a liquid silicone may be printed on an exterior surface of the shoe lace 10. When the liquid silicone is dried it forms a tacky surface to the shoe lace 10.

When the shoe string 10 is tied the tacky rubber of the elastomeric material 12 grips to the other opposing surfaces of the shoe string 10 when formed in the knot and the laces stay tied. The reinforced PVC endcaps last longer than traditional endcaps. The elastomeric material 12 may be applied in lines, dots, or any number of designs. When the shoe string 10 is tied and the elastomeric material 12 touches, forming a high frictional resistance, allowing the knot 22 to remain tied longer.

In use, people would use these shoe strings 10, especially children, elderly and athletes, to tie their shoes or cleats with confidence that the laces will remain tied. They can also use the anti-slip strings to keep other items tied, for example drawstrings for clothing items. Likewise, the anti-slip shoe strings 10 may also be utilized for other situations where retention of a knot in a length of string or rope would be advantageous, such as a boating tether and the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An anti-slip string, comprising: a woven fabric material formed as a string, the string having an outer surface; andan elastomeric material adhered to the outer surface of the string as one or more elastomeric bodies protruding from the outer surface of the string.

2. The anti-slip string of claim 1, wherein the outer surface includes a top surface and a bottom surface.

3. The anti-slip string of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric material is a silicone material.

4. The anti-slip string of claim 3, wherein the one or more elastomeric bodies are formed in a repeating pattern on one or more of the top surface and the bottom surface.

5. The anti-slip string of claim 4, wherein the one or more elastomeric bodies are disposed along a majority of a longitudinal length of the string.

6. The anti-slip string of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric bodies are disposed in a knot region of the string.

7. A method of retaining a string in a knotted condition, comprising: providing a length of woven fabric material formed as a string, the string having an outer surface; andapplying an elastomeric material to the outer surface of the string as one or more elastomeric bodies protruding from the outer surface.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: tying the string in a knot so that the elastomeric bodies of a first segment of the string are juxtaposed in frictional opposition with the elastomeric bodies of a second segment of the string within the knot.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of applying the elastomeric material further comprises: printing a liquid silicone on the outer surface of the string.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the elastomeric bodies are defined in a pattern on the outer surface of the string.