CLOSURE FOR SHOELACES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure for clamping shoelaces of shoes in place, having a clamping device, by means of which the shoelaces (18, 20) can be fixed in place, and which is arranged in a housing (312) forming a chamber for receiving the ends of the shoelaces (18, 20). For creating a shoelace closure, which prevents the ends of the shoelaces from dangling loosely, the shoelaces (18, 20) can be introduced through at least one opening (320, 322) into the chamber, and the clamping device is embodied in the chamber, where at least one clamping face is immovably maintained on the housing (312). A cover (316), closing off the chamber, is movable between an open position, in which the clamping device and the ends of the shoelaces are easily accessible, and a closed position, in which the chamber, along with the ends of the shoelaces located therein, is closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure for securing shoelaces in place in shoes, having a housing constituting a chamber for receiving the ends of the shoelaces, and a clamping device holding the tightened shoelaces, wherein the shoelaces can be introduced into the chamber through at least one opening.

When the shoes have been tied, shoelace closures are used for tightening the shoelaces and for fixing them in their position. Because of the shoelace closure, making a loop and knotting it is no longer required for fixing the shoelaces in place. Shoelace closures are becoming increasingly popular, for example in connection with athletic shoes which are worn in every day use, and closures are known, by means of which the two ends are clamped. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,548 describes a shoelace closure, by means of which the shoelaces are maintained in a clamping device. As a rule, the shoelaces project here out of a clamping device, which constitutes a safety risk, because it might for example be possible to trip over a protruding shoelace. Since shoelaces are dimensioned in such a way that it is possible to tie their ends together, it is possible for very long drooping ends to result, when the ends are knotted together. For this it is suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,548 to cut the ends of the shoelaces to the desired length. However, because of this the maximum width of the shoe, with which the shoelaces can still be used, is fixed. Moreover, the cut-to-order shoelaces can only be used in connection with a fitted shoelace closure, since its length is no longer sufficient for a customary knot with a loop.

Furthermore, a closure is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,200,895, in which a wedge-shaped insert pushes the shoelaces against a stop face in order to prevent them from being pulled out. Moreover, a closure is represented in DE 297 10 932 U2, in which the shoelaces have been inserted into grooves of a closure and are maintained therein by means of a cover. A closure clamp is known from CH 271 364, in which the tied-together shoelaces are tightened and fixed in place by a clamp. In European Patent EP 0 337 044 A1 the shoelaces are maintained in a holder by means of pivotable clamping faces. In British Patent 2 404 839 A1, the fixation of the shoelaces in place is provided by displaceably maintained clamping wedges. French Patent 2 798 264 describes a closure for fixing a customary loop in place. German Utility Model DE 201 10 381 U1 provides a lockable cover of the tie and the loop, while a lockable housing for receiving a customary loop is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,198. Finally, a closure is described in EP 0 540 251 A1, which is fixed in place on the area of the shoelaces which has been inserted and in which the shoelaces are placed into a sort of hook. For tightening and storing, the hook is movable by means of a rotatable housing part, and the shoelace ends are wound on a drum inside the closure. This closure cannot be easily removed from the shoe, and a certain amount of time and effort is required for installing and adjusting it on a shoe for the first time.

The object of the present invention is to produce a shoelace closure which prevents loosely dangling shoelace ends and can be installed very easily.

In accordance with the invention, the object is attained by a closure of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the clamping device is embodied in the chamber and in which at least one clamping face is stationary on the housing, and a cover closing the chamber is provided, which can be moved between an open position, in which the shoelaces and the clamping device are accessible, and a closed position, in which the chamber with shoelaces contained in it is closed.

An advantage of the shoelace closure in accordance with the invention consists in that it is possible to stow the two ends of the shoelace quickly and dependably in the housing. The entire excess length, which customarily is required for a bow and a loop, can be stowed here. The ends of the shoelaces no longer droop loosely from the shoe, so that it is no longer possible to step on a loose shoelace end with the other shoe and to stumble. Moreover, the unintentional loosening of the shoelace ends is prevented. It is possible by means of the housing and the cover to embody the shoelace closure as a compact body. It is therefore particularly suitable for modern athletic shoes, in which great value is put on the design, and in which it is intended to match the materials used by means of a modern and unusual design. Since the clamping device is arranged in the housing, it is not necessary to fasten it to the shoe for tightening the shoelace ends. Instead, the ends of the shoelaces are fixed on each other, similar to a loop, by means of the housing, instead of on the shoe. On the other hand, the clamping device is maintained by the housing, which rests on the shoe, in such a way that it is easy to operate it, in contrast to loosely arranged clamping devices, which must be held by the user for it being possible to operate them. Because the shoelace closure does not require any special arrangements or devices on the shoe, it is for example well suited to retrofitting shoes, for use with different shoes, or also for a quick change to other shoes. Special fixation in place, in particular the looping of the shoelaces through the eyes in the shoe, is no longer required. Furthermore, the cover protects the ends of the shoelaces against fraying. In addition, the clamping device with its moving parts is also protected against dirt or also damage.

In a useful embodiment of the invention, the cover is pivotably fastened to the housing, so that it no longer needs to be held separately by the user when operating the clamping device.

A type of embodiment is furthermore preferred, in which the housing is concavely shaped on its underside in order to be better seated on the curved top of the shoe in the area of the instep. In this case the housing is preferably flexibly elastic in such a way that it is matched to the shape of the area where it is applied, which results in even greater wear comfort, since a pointed pressure of the closure on the foot is prevented.

The housing is preferably oblong, and two openings for respectively one shoelace each are arranged on the underside, which results in a space-saving embodiment. Because of the openings being formed on the underside of the housing, the closure can be directly placed on those locations on the shoe, at which the two shoelace ends respectively exit from an eye, so that starting at the eyes, the shoelace ends extend completely covered into the shoelace closure.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a clamping device for the shoelaces is respectively formed by a gap, which tapers toward one end, so that the shoelace is clamped in the tapered area. The two gaps can be formed in different ways inside the housing, and they can be very easily constructed in the form of a plastic part in the course of manufacturing the housing. Initially, the shoelaces are passed through the openings into the chamber, where they are easily accessible through the opened cover. The shoelaces can then be easily tightened and introduced in the tightened state into the gap respectively assigned to them and can be clamped.

The gaps preferably point toward each other with their tapering areas, so that the clamping forces can be well absorbed by the housing and no forces are being built up in the direction of rotation.

An embodiment is particularly practical in which the openings for introducing the ends of the shoelaces into the chamber are located between the gaps. With such an embodiment it is for example possible to easily tighten the shoelaces by simply pulling them apart and then introducing them in the gap ends on the outside and fixing them against sliding through.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, each of the gaps is constituted by a strip projecting inward from the housing and by the housing bottom. In this case the two strips have a hook-like shape, and the housing bottom underneath the strip can be open or closed. With an open housing bottom it is possible to clamp the shoelace in a particularly effective manner between the sharp edges of an opening and the sharp edges of the strip. Each of the edges is designed in such a way that, on the one hand, large clamping forces are being built up, but that on the other hand the shoelace is not possibly damaged because of a too sharp design.

For the possibly most user-friendly, i.e. rapid and simple storage of the shoelaces, the loose areas of the shoelaces can be wound around the strips. To this end, the extended area of the gap is embodied to be slightly longer and larger then would be necessary for actual clamping.

In a further preferred embodiment, a protrusion is formed on the housing, behind which the ends of the shoelaces can be fixed in place so that they do not hinder the closing of the cover.

In an alternative type of embodiment, the clamping device is formed by at least one releasable clamping place having a rigid and a movable clamping face in order to obtain an as simple as possible clamping mechanism. The rigid clamping face is formed directly on the housing, so that the number of required parts is reduced to a minimum. This has an advantageous effect on the production process and on the expense of the shoelace closure. A spring pushes the movable clamping face in the direction toward the rigid clamping face in order to fix the shoelaces in place. By means of the spring force it is assured that the ends of the shoelaces are always fixed in place with the same clamping force.

A clamping device with self-locking properties or with a mechanical dead center device for pushing the movable clamping face against the ends of the shoelaces and for fixing the latter in place between the clamping faces in this way, is provided in another embodiment variation. For introducing the ends of the shoelaces, the clamping faces can be brought into an opening position, in which it is no longer necessary to exert any force, which increases the ease of use.

Preferably a first and a second clamping location are provided at a defined distance from each other on the housing in order to fix respective ends of shoelaces in place.

In one embodiment variation, the movable clamping faces of the first and second clamping location are provided on a single closure element, so that a simple mechanism of the clamping device results.

The closure element is preferably movably maintained on the housing for obtaining a compact clamping device. For effective clamping, the direction of movement of the movable clamping face is located substantially parallel in respect to the rigid clamping faces, and the shoelaces are thicker than the distance between the rigid and the movable clamping faces.

In a preferred type of embodiment the movable clamping faces are constituted by a first and a second closure element. Because of this the two ends of the shoelaces can be introduced into the respective clamping location independently of each other and clamped. The two closure elements are pivotably fastened on the housing in order to assure a simple and dependable fixation in place of the shoelaces. In order to be able to arrange the openings for introducing the ends of the shoelaces, even in case of different shoe types, shoe widths or types of lacing, at the place at which the shoelaces emerge from the eyes, the length of the housing is matched to the position of the ends of the shoelaces, and the length of the housing is 2 to 14 cm. In this way it is possible to employ the closure for the broadest possible spectrum, for example for baby shoes or very large basketball shoes.

It is provided in an advantageous further development of the invention to employ a releasable housing lock between the cover and the housing.

By means of the releasable lock it is possible to dependably lock the housing when it is carried. The lock can for example be a customary snap-in mechanism, or also a hook-and-loop, zipper, magnetic or snap fastener.

In what follows, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained by means of the attached drawings. Shown are in:

FIG. 1, a longitudinal sectional view through a shoelace closure,

FIG. 2, an exploded drawing of the shoelace closure in accordance with FIG. 1,

FIG. 3, a view from above on the shoelace closure with the cover removed,

FIG. 4, a clamping location of the shoelace closure in a perspective plan view,

FIG. 5, the clamping location in accordance with FIG. 4 in the course of introducing the shoelace,

FIG. 6, the clamping location in accordance with FIG. 5, with the ends of the shoelaces fixed in place,

FIG. 7, an exploded drawing of a further type of embodiment of a shoelace closure,

FIG. 8, the shoelace closure in accordance with FIG. 7 with the cover closed,

FIG. 9, a further type of embodiment of the shoelace closure,

FIG. 10, a further type of embodiment of the shoelace closure in an isometric plan view from above,

FIG. 11, the housing bottom of the shoelace closure in accordance with FIG. 10,

FIG. 12, an isometric plan view of the shoelace cover in accordance with FIG. 10 from obliquely below,

FIG. 13, a lateral view of the closure in accordance with FIGS. 10 to 12,

FIG. 14, a lateral view of the closure in accordance with FIG. 13 in the opened state,

FIG. 15, a front view of the closure in accordance with FIG. 10 in the opened state,

FIG. 16, the closure in accordance with FIG. 15 in the closed state,

FIG. 17, a view from above on the closure in the closed state,

FIG. 18, a rear view of the closure in accordance with FIGS. 16 and 17,

FIG. 19, a view from above on the closure in the opened state,

FIG. 20, a longitudinal sectional view through the closure in accordance with FIGS. 10 to 19,

FIG. 21, a longitudinal section in accordance with FIG. 20 in an exploded view,

FIG. 22, an isometric representation of the exploded view in accordance with FIG. 21, and

FIGS. 23 a to 23h, a sequence of the individual steps when using the closure in accordance with FIGS. 10 to 22.

A shoelace closure is represented in FIG. 1 in a sectional view, which has a housing 12 with a releasable clamping device in the form of two clamping places 14, 16, which are provided at a defined distance from each other. Respective ends 18, 20 of a shoelace of a shoe, not represented here, can be inserted into the clamping places 14, 16 and fixed in place in them. The housing 12 is concavely formed on its underside, so that it can rest better against the top of the shoe in the area of the instep of the foot. The housing 12 can be slightly flexibly elastic, so that it can be matched to the shape of the resting place on the shoe. The housing 12 has an oblong shape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and is designed with a chamber, which receives the ends 18, 20 of the shoelaces and the clamping places 14, 16. A cover 22 is provided for locking the chamber, which can be fixed in place on the housing by means of a releasable housing lock 24. The housing lock 24 has a customary snap-in mechanism, and the snap can be released by a push device 26.

For passing the ends 18, 20 of the shoelaces through, respective openings 28, 30 are provided at the ends of the housing 12, which are oriented toward the underside of the housing in the direction toward the shoe. For fixing the shoelaces in place, their ends 18, are respectively introduced through the openings 28, 30 into the clamping places 14, 16, which are arranged between the openings 28, 30.

Each of the two clamping places 14, 16 has a rigid clamping face 32 and a movable clamping face 34, each of which is provided with teeth 36 arranged offset in respect to each other. In order to be able to produce the closure as simply and cost-effectively as possible, the rigid clamping faces 32 have been formed directly on the housing 12. The movable clamping faces 34 are constituted by a closure element 38, 40. Each of the two closure elements 38, 40 is pivotably fastened on the housing 12. For pushing the movable clamping faces 34 in the direction toward the rigid clamping faces 32, a spring 42 is respectively provided at the clamping places 14, 16. For opening the clamping places 14, 16, the closure elements 38, 40 are provided with an operating lever 44, so that the movable clamping face 34 can be moved away from the rigid clamping face 32 by simply pushing the lever down in order to be able to introduce ends 18, 20 of the shoelaces between the clamping faces 32, 34. For tightening the shoelaces, its ends are pulled through below the closure elements 38, 40 of the clamping place 14, 16. When the desired degree of tensioning has been achieved, the operating lever 44 of the closure element 38, 40 is released, so that the spring 42 pushes the movable clamping face 34 in the direction toward the rigid clamping face 32. By means of teeth, or other profiling provided on the clamping faces 32, 34, the ends 18, 20 of the shoelaces are dependably fixed in place. For releasing the ends 18, 20 of the shoelaces, the operating lever 44 is pushed down, so that the end 18, 20 of the shoelaces can be pulled out of the clamping place 14, 16. The distance between the two clamping places 14, 16 is preferably selected to be such that both operating levers can be simultaneously operated with one hand.

Following the tightening and fixation in place of the shoelace, its ends 18, 20 protruding out of the clamping place 14, 16 are stowed in the chamber formed by the housing 12. The housing 12 is subsequently locked by means of the cover 22 by simply pressing the cover 22 down, so that the lock 24 of the cover 22 snaps in. By means of this the ends 18, 20 of the shoelaces are protected against becoming dirty or damaged, for example frayed. Additionally, the cover 22 also protects the clamping places 14, 16 from dirt and damage. Moreover, the ends 18, 20 of the shoelaces no longer can get inadvertently caught someplace in the course of a walk or run, for example on a branch in the woods, which, in connection with customary tying of the shoelaces by means of knot and a loop, can lead to the undoing of the knot and stumbling.

A further embodiment variation of a shoelace closure is represented in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. Two openings 114, 116 are provided in a housing 112 for the introduction of ends of shoelaces. A single closure element 118 is provided for fixing the ends of the shoelaces in place, in which two movable clamping faces 120 are pushed by means of a spring 122 in the direction of two rigid clamping faces 124 provided on the housing 112. The direction of movement of the movable clamping faces 120 of the closure element 118, which is movably maintained on the housing 112, substantially extends parallel in respect to the respective rigid clamping face 124. Because the distance between the rigid clamping faces 124 and the movable clamping faces 120 is less than the thickness of the ends of the shoelaces, the latter are dependably held between the clamping faces 124, 120.

For introducing the ends of the shoelaces into the clamping places constituted by the closure element 118, the closure element 118 is moved by pushing the closure element 118 into a receptacle 126 provided on the housing 112. For fixing the ends of the shoelaces in place, the closure element 118 is released, so that the spring 122 displaces the clamping faces 120 toward each other and fixes the ends of the shoelaces in place in the narrow gap between the movable clamping faces 120 and the rigid clamping faces 124.

Thereafter, a cover 128 is placed on the housing 112, which receives the clamping mechanism, as well as the protruding ends of the shoelaces, and protects them from damage and soiling. The cover 128 is fixed in place by means of a housing closure 130 having a customary snap-in mechanism. A pushbutton 132, which releases the snapped-in connection of the housing closure 130, is provided for opening the housing closure 130.

So that the user is capable of releasing the fixation of the ends of the shoelaces as rapidly and simply as possible, without first having to remove the cover 128 from the housing 112, the closure element 118 is accessible, even with the cover 128 placed on it.

FIG. 9 describes a further type of embodiment of the shoelace closure in accordance with FIG. 7. The ends of the shoelaces are introduced from below through one or several non-represented openings into a housing 212. A single closure element 214 is provided for fixing the ends of the shoelaces in place, in which a movable clamping face 216 is pushed by means of a spring 218 in the direction of a rigid clamping face 220 provided on the housing 212. The direction of movement of the movable clamping face 216 of the closure element 214 movably maintained on the housing 212 lies substantially parallel in respect to the rigid clamping face 220. Because the distance between the rigid clamping face 220 and the movable clamping face 216 is less than the thickness of the ends of the shoelaces, the latter are dependably maintained between the clamping faces 216, 220.

For introducing the ends of the shoelaces into the clamping places constituted by the closure element 214, the closure element 214 is moved into a receptacle 222 provided on the housing 212. For fixing the ends of the shoelaces in place, the closure element 214 is released, so that the spring 218 displaces the clamping faces 216, 220 in respect to each other and fixes the ends of the shoelaces in the narrow gap between the movable clamping face 216 and the rigid clamping face 220.

Thereafter, a cover 224 is placed on the housing 212 and is fixed in place by means of a housing closure 226 with a customary snap-in mechanism. The same as the closure element 118 in FIGS. 7 and 8, the closure element 214 is also accessible when the cover 224 has been installed.

The housing 12, 112, 212 and the cover 22, 128, 224 are preferably made of plastic, so that the shoelace closure can be designed in a multitude of ways, for example by color applications or embossing or texturizing. The cover 22, 128, 224 can be designed to be exchangeable in order to be able to combine a housing 12, 112, 212 with covers 22, 128, 224 in different designs. Trademarks or company names can be applied to the top of the cover 22, 128, 224.

A further type of embodiment of a closure 310 for clamping shoelaces on shoes is represented in FIGS. 10 to 23.

The closure 310 has a housing 312, which forms a chamber for receiving the ends of shoelaces. For being placed on the instep area of a shoe, the housing 312 is designed to be concave on its underside and is flexibly elastic in such a way that it can be matched to the shape of the place of application.

The oblong housing 312 has a bottom plate 314, on which a cover 316, which closes the chamber off, is pivotably maintained. In order to temporarily fix the cover 316 in place in the closed state, a releasable housing closure 318 is provided between the cover 316 and the housing 312, in respect to which the cover 316 is pivotably maintained on the bottom plate 314 (also see FIGS. 14 and 15). The housing closure 318 is embodied with a snap-in mechanism, which is released by pushing a button 319.

On its underside, the housing 312 has two openings 320, 322, through which the shoelaces are introduced into the chamber. A clamping device 324, by means of which the shoelaces can be fixed in place, is provided inside the chamber on the bottom plate 314, while the clamping device 324 is immovably maintained in respect to the housing 312. For each shoelace, the clamping device 324 has a gap 326, 328, open on one side, which tapers from the introduction opening in the direction toward the gap for clamping the shoelaces. Each of the gaps 326, 328 is constituted by a strip 330, 332 projecting away from the housing 312 into the chamber interior and by the edges of cutouts in the housing bottom, while the two openings 320, 322 are arranged between the aligned, divergent gaps pointing away from each other. For example, the strips 330, 332 are T-shaped in cross section, and the tapering gaps 326, 328 are the result of a profiled flank, which moves away from the housing bottom toward the outside.

In regard to their length, the strips 330, 332 have such dimensions that it is possible to wind the loose areas of the shoelaces around the strips 330, 332 in the outer areas of the gaps 326, 328. In order to be able to better stow the ends of the shoelaces, the housing closure 318 is designed as a protrusion 334, behind which the ends of the shoelaces can be pushed, so that they no longer laterally protrude when the cover 316 is closed.

Finally, a decorative clip 336 is provided on the top of the cover 316, on which it is possible to arrange, besides decorative elements, also company logos, advertising, etc. The clip 336 is pushed onto the cover 316 and is maintained thereon by means of small snap-in projections (see FIGS. 20 to 22).

In FIGS. 23a to 23h the employment of the shoelace closure 310 in accordance with FIGS. 10 to 22 is schematically represented in connection with an athletic shoe, but the shoelace closure 310 can of course also be employed with other types of shoes. Initially the shoelace closure 310 is opened by pressing the pushbutton 319. Subsequently, the shoelaces 18, 20 are introduced from below through the holes 320, 322 on the underside of the housing 312, while in the example shown, the holes 320, 322 are not arranged between the strips 330, 332, but laterally next to the introduction openings of the gaps behind the strips 330, 332. Thereafter, the shoelace closure 310 is positioned centered on the shoe, so that the holes 320, 322 are located over the places on the shoe at which the shoelaces 18, 20 exit from the eyes in the shoe. Subsequently the shoelaces 18, 20 are tightened as required by pulling the shoelaces first outwardly and, following their crossing, are pulled upward a short distance from the shoe and at a slight angle, so that the shoelaces 18, 20 are clamped in the gaps 326, 328 behind the strips 330, 332 (see FIG. 23c, step “a”). Here, the clamping effect takes primarily place because of the tapering gap 326, or respectively 328. In addition, a clamping effect is also achieved by the shoelaces 18, 20 crossing over each other.

Alternatively to the tapering gap 326, 328 it is also possible to design the gap with a uniform opening width, in which case the clamping effect is only achieved by the shoelaces 18, 20 crossing each other several times. However, in that case the tension on them must be maintained longer when winding them around the strips.

When the desired stability, i.e. the desired keeping of the shoe on the foot, has been achieved, in accordance with FIG. 23c the shoelaces 18, 20 are each wound in a small circular motion from the bottom to the top around the projecting strips 330, 332. To this end, the shoelaces 18, 20 are clamped in place by subsequently pulling them upward (see FIG. 23d, step “b”).

Thereafter, the remaining free, i.e. loose, areas of the two shoelaces are alternatingly wound around the free ends of the strips 330, 332, as represented in FIG. 23e. So that the ends of the shoelaces are not caught between the bottom plate 314 and the cover 316 when closing the cover 316, the ends are pushed with a slight pressure underneath the housing closure 318 designed as a protrusion, for which the ends of those shoelaces are especially suited, whose ends are designed with a plastic or metal sleeve (FIG. 23f). The cover is finally closed, and the cover 316 is securely held because of the snap-in of the closure mechanism. For opening, the locking button 319 is pushed again and the cover 316 is opened, while opening can be made easier in that the pivotable connection is designed to have a pre-stress in the closed state. With the cover closed, the decorative clip is easily visible on the top of the shoelace closure 310, which can be used, for example, for applying a company logo or other advertising element (see FIG. 23h).

Claims

1. A closure for securing shoelaces in place in shoes, having a housing constituting a chamber for receiving the ends of the shoelaces, and a clamping device holding the tightened shoelaces, wherein the shoelaces can be introduced into the chamber through at least one opening, characterized in that the clamping device is formed in the chamber, and at least one clamping face is immovably fixed on the housing, and that a cover, which closes the chamber off, is provided and is movable between an open position, in which the shoelaces and the clamping device are accessible, and a closed position, in which the chamber, with the ends of the shoelaces located in it, is closed.

2. The closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cover is pivotably fastened on the housing.

3. The closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the housing is concavely shaped on its underside and is preferably flexibly elastic in such a way that it can be matched to the shape of the place of application.

4. The closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the housing is oblong, and that two openings are arranged on the underside for respectively one end of a shoelace.

5. The closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device for the shoelaces is embodied by respectively one gap, which tapers toward one end, so that the shoelace is clamped in the tapered area.

6. The closure in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the gaps point toward each other with their tapered ends.

7. The closure in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the openings are located between the gaps.

8. The closure in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the gaps are respectively formed by a strip protruding inward from the housing and by the housing bottom.

9. The closure in accordance with claim 8, characterized that the loose ends of the shoelaces can be wound around the strips.

10. The closure in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that a protrusion is formed on the housing, behind which the ends of the shoelaces can be fixed in place.

11. The closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device is constituted by at least one releasable clamping place having a rigid and a movable clamping face, and the rigid clamping face is formed directly on the housing, while a spring presses the movable clamping face in the direction of the rigid clamping face.

12. The closure in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that a clamping device with self-locking properties or with a mechanical dead center device is provided for pushing the movable clamping face against the ends of the shoelaces and to fix the latter in place between the clamping faces in this way.

13. The closure in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that a first and a second clamping place are provided at a defined distance from each other on the housing.

14. The closure in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the movable clamping faces of the first and second clamping places are provided on a single closure element.

15. The closure in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that the closure element is movably maintained on the housing, so that the direction of movement of the movable clamping faces extends substantially parallel in respect to rigid clamping faces, and the shoelaces are thicker than the distance between the rigid and the movable clamping faces.

16. The closure in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the movable clamping faces are constituted by a first and a second closure element, each of which is pivotably fastened on the housing.

17. The closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a releasable housing closure is provided between the cover and the housing.