DEVICE

Abstract

A device for the securing of a knotted shoelace with at least one groove for placing the knot, wherein the device is to be secured by the knot and the shoelace on a shoe, and can be positioned between the knot and the shoe. It is intended by way of the device that the shoelace should be simple to tie and, at the same time, fixed securely. The device including at least one cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic, wherein the cushion includes the groove or the contact surface for the shoelace and for the knot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for securing a knotted shoelace with at least one groove or one contact mounting for the placement of a knot, wherein the device is to be secured on a shoe by the knot and the shoelace, and can be positioned between the knot and the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A generic device is already known from GB 2 447 314 A, which is secured on a shoe by means of a shoelace. This device comprises a receiver with a brake, with two opposed tooth arrangements. The brake groove delimits a space in which the two ends of the shoelace can be knotted, wherein the shoelaces are clamped in the brake.

From WO 2008/007855 A1 a further generic device for securing a knotted shoelace is known, which is secured to a shoe by a shoelace. This comprises a receiver with side holes through which the shoelace ends are guided upwards onto the device. Two jaws provided on the receiver form a groove-shaped brake, in which the knot of the shoelace is clamped by corresponding tooth arrangements on the jaws.

In the relevant prior art, means are also described for the securing of a shoelace which are not secured to a shoe in the generic manner when the shoelace is knotted, and with which the knot is also not secured. Known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,544,225 A are means for securing a shoelace with which the loose ends protruding from the knot and the loops of the shoelace are fixed in means which are secured separately to the shoe. For clamping the protruding ends and the loops of the knot, the means are provided on the inside with an elastic plastic material. According to the prior art documents CH 410 549 A and AU 657 361 B2, the shoelace is not knotted. The ends of the not knotted are fixed in elastic receivers by frictional resistance, such that this securing arrangement replaces a knot. Described in the prior art document U.S. Pat. No. 3,276,083 A is a mechanism into which the ends of the shoelace are threaded, and in which, by the rotation of individual parts of the mechanism in relation to one another, the shoelace is secured by frictional resistance and positive fit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of configuring and arranging a device in such a way that the shoelace is to be tied in the usual way, and, at the same time, the knot is secured before being loosened, regardless of the thickness and material properties of the shoelace, without subjecting the shoelace to greater mechanical stress than usual.

The object is solved according to the invention in that the device comprises at least one cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic, wherein the cushion comprises the groove or contact mounting for the shoelace and for the knot. In this situation, on the one hand the soft and elastic property of the plastic are exploited, and, on the other, the slide and adherence friction increased by the properties of the plastic. Such a cushion has soft and elastic properties like rubber, which, due to its strongly adherent friction surface, restricts the relative movement of a shoelace. By contrast with lace brakes, the factor involved is not how thick the shoelace is. The tighter the shoelace is tied, or the more contact pressure is imposed by the shoelace onto the cushion, the greater the friction and the less the relative movement between the shoelace and cushion. Due to the elasticity of the material and the pressure exerted during tying between the shoelace and cushion, the sliding properties of the shoelace on the cushion are substantially reduced. During tying, the traction has the effect on the shoelace that the shoelace with the knot penetrates into the elastic groove, which displaces the elastic material of the cushion, and, in consequence, it is in part almost entirely surrounded by the elastic material. As a result of this, a movement relative to one another of the individual sections of the shoelace arranged in the groove in the cushion, which form the knot, is braked, which prevents the loosening of the knot.

The cushion forms a friction surface for the shoelace and the knot. The cushion is made of a soft and elastic plastic, produced by polycondensation, which exhibits a high resilience, wherein, due to a pressure which can be produced during the tying of the knot by the shoelace onto the cushion in a direction Y onto the shoe, the friction surface is enlarged due to the penetration of the shoelace into the cushion. The more the shoelace penetrates into the soft and elastic plastic, the more it is surrounded by the cushion. With the contact pressure the penetration depth increases. This leads to the surface area with which the shoelace and cushion touch one another becomes greater, the deeper the shoelace penetrates into the cushion. In this way the friction surface area increases, and therefore the friction between the shoelace and the cushion.

It can also be advantageous if the device exhibits a stable formed contact mounting as a bearing for a single-part or an at least two-part cushion, wherein the contact mounting is arranged in a direction Y beneath the cushion, and the cushion or the two cushion parts are connected by positive fit and/or material joining and/or non-positive fit. The respective cushion is stabilized by the contact mounting, since the cushion cannot be deformed in the region of the surface. At the same time, the possibility is limited of the cushion extending in a disproportionate amount to the side, since the cushion is at least partially secured to the stable formed contact mounting. In addition to this, the cushion is protected by the surface, since it is now only indirectly in contact with the shoe by way of the surface, and therefore, for example, during walking it no longer rubs directly against the shoe.

It is particularly advantageous if a two-part cushion with a groove between the two cushion parts is arranged on the contact mounting. In this situation, the groove is narrower than the shoelace or the knot, as a result of which the shoelace and the knot are clamped between the two cushion parts. In this situation, the knot and the shoelace lie on the contact mounting, which connects the two cushion parts. The base of the groove can then be formed by a contact area of the contact mounting or by an additional section of the elastic plastic or the cushion, or can be coated with elastic plastic. For this two-part configuration, it is particularly advantageous if the cushion is secured to the contact mounting. For this purpose, hooks, anchors, and eyes or other profiles can be provided on the contact mounting, which are cast into the respective cushion. In this situation the groove exhibits a length which corresponds to the entire length of the cushion.

It can likewise be advantageous if the single-piece cushion exhibits a linear indentation, wherein the indentation exhibits a length which corresponds to the total length of the cushion. The indentation serves as a positioning aid for a shoelace.

It is also advantageous if the groove and/or the indentation tapers in a direction Y and/or in a direction Z, at right angles to the direction Y or the groove has different widths in a direction X. Due to the tapering, the shoelace is easier to lay into the groove from one side if the groove is selected as very narrow in order to create more pressure on the shoelace. Different widths have the advantage that a shoelace could be clamped differently tight.

With regard to the tying of the knot, it is advantageous if a cut-out opening is provided in the cushion or between the two parts of the cushion, which is wider in a direction X than the groove. The knot of the shoelace is placed in the cut-out opening. The opening is larger or smaller, depending on the thickness of the shoelace.

In view of an universal use for shoelaces with different thicknesses it is advantageous if the groove has a depth in a direction Y between 5 mm and 14 mm or of 9 mm as well as a width in a direction X between 3 mm and 11 mm or of 7 mm as well as a length in a direction Z between 4 mm and 12 mm or of 8 mm. The cut-out opening and/or the groove can penetrate the entire cushion in direction Y.

It is advantageous in particular if the plastic for the cushion is formed with an elongation at break of up to 400% and/or a Shore hardness D in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between 6 and 90 and/or a Shore hardness A in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between 25 and 95, and/or the compression modulus of the plastic is greater than 10⁸ Pa and/or the transverse shrinkage in accordance with Standard DIN EN ISO 527-1 is less than 0.7. The Shore hardness D in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 varies, depending on the composition of the plastic, between 6 and 90, in particular between 8 and 29, and preferably in increments of three points in each case, beginning with the value 8 and ending in the last increment with 29. The Shore hardness A in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 varies, depending on the composition of the plastic, between 25 and 95, in particular between 40 and 80 and preferably in increments of five points in each case, beginning with the value 40 and ending in the last increment with 80.

Due to the pressure of the shoelace, there may be a substantial elongation in the region of the plastic, inasmuch as the shoelace lies on the plastic. An elongation at break of up to 400% is advantageous inasmuch as this property prevents the plastic from tearing at the location referred to. It can also be advantageous, however, if the plastic exhibits an elongation at break of up to 200%. In a further advantageous embodiment, the plastic exhibits an elongation at break of up to 300%. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the plastic exhibits an elongation at break of up to 500%.

In order for the shoelace to be able to penetrate sufficiently deep into the plastic, the plastic must not be too hard. The deeper the shoelace penetrates into the plastic, the larger the friction surface between the shoelace and the plastic. The plastic must also not be too soft, however, since with a softer plastic the clamping effect is reduced. For this reason it is advantageous if the plastic is formed with a Shore hardness D of between 5 and 40. It is particularly advantageous if the Shore hardness D of the plastic is between 5 and 30. It is most advantageous if the Shore hardness D of the plastic is between 10 and 40. It can also be advantageous, however, if the Shore hardness D of the plastic is between 10 and 30.

The strongest possible clamping effect is guaranteed if the volume of the cushion remains as constant under pressure. In this way the possibility can be prevented that the plastic counteracts the outside pressure, inasmuch as its volume becomes greater. The compression modulus K of the plastic is defined as

K:=−dp(dV/V),

where dp is the pressure change and dV/V represents the relative volume change. A compression modulus greater than 10⁸ Pa is thereby advantageous. However, a compression modulus of greater than 10⁷ Pa can also be advantageous. More advantageous is a compression modulus of over 10⁹ Pa. Most advantageous of all is a compression modulus of over 10¹⁰ Pa.

In order to increase the clamping effect and at the same time the surface area between the shoelace and the cushion, it is advantageous if, as far as possible, the plastic does not give way to the pressure loading in the orthogonal direction. This is ensured if the transverse shrinkage q of the plastic is less than 0.7, wherein the transverse shrinkage q is defined by the equation

dh/h=−q dl/l

with the relative height change of the cushion dh/h and the relative length change of the cushion dl/l. It can be advantageous if the transverse shrinkage of the plastic is less than 0.6. It is more advantageous if the transverse shrinkage of the plastic is less than 0.5. Most advantageous is if the transverse shrinkage of the plastic is less than 0.4.

It can also be advantageous if a cover is provided for the cushion, wherein the cover, together with the contact mounting, is secured to the cushion and/or to the contact mounting at least partially, indirectly or directly, by positive fit and/or material joining and/or non-positive fit. In this situation provision can be made for the cover to be provided with a cavity space which corresponds to the shape of the cushion, and the cushion is positioned at least partially in the cavity space, wherein the contact mounting at least partially closes the cavity space. Due to the cover, the cushion can only give way to the pressure of the shoelace within the volume delimited by the cavity. On the one hand, this enhances the clamping effect, and, on the other, it is additionally ensured that the surface between the shoelace and the cushion is as large as possible. It is of advantage if the cover comprises a slot, wherein the slot exhibits a length which corresponds to the entire length of the cover, and wherein the groove and the slot run parallel above one another, such that the shoelace can be guided through the slot into the groove.

It can further be advantageous if an adherence friction coefficient between the surface of the shoelace and the surface of cushion is greater than 0.7 and/or the slide friction coefficient is greater than 0.3. This is achieved with thermoplastic elastomers. In this situation it can be of advantage if a system consists of a device and a shoelace and/or a transponder and/or a shoe.

Transponders are used, for example, during races in order to measure the time of the athlete. It is also conceivable, however, to place sensors at or in the device. These can, for example, read out data such as pace frequency, temperature, or air humidity, and, as appropriate, send this data to a Smartphone or any other desired receiver, which evaluates and presents this data, in order in this way to provide the athlete with information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in the claims and in the description and represented in the figures. The figures show:

FIG. 1b is a principle sketch of a device for securing a knotted shoelace, which is secured to a shoe;

FIG. 1b is a sectional view of a two-part cushion with knotted shoelaces in the X-Y section;

FIG. 1c is a sectional view of a one-part cushion with a groove with knotted shoelaces in the X-Z section;

FIG. 1d is an exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a without a shoe, in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a one-part cushion in the X-Y section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Represented in FIG. 1a is a system consisting of a device 1 and a shoe 2 with shoelaces 21, with which the device 1 is secured by the knotting of the shoelace 21 on the shoe 2. The device 1 comprises a two-part cushion 3, such that a groove 32 is formed between the two cushion parts 3. The material of the cushion 3 exhibits similar rubber-like properties as hardened silicone. The cushion 3 is provided such as to be knotted with the shoelace 21 on a shoe 2, in order to fix the knot 22 and the shoelace 21 and to prevent the loosening of the knot 22.

As is represented in greater detail in FIG. 1b, the two cushion parts 3 are arranged next to each other on the contact mounting 4. The device 1 lies with the contact mounting 4 on the shoe 2. In this situation, due to the pressure exerted when tying, the shoelace 21 penetrates with its knot 22 into the groove 32, and lies on the actual contact surface 41 of the contact mounting 4. Due to the elasticity of the cushion 3, a counter-pressure 61, indicated by arrows, is exerted on the knot 22. As a result, friction occurs between the outer parts of the shoelace 21, which form the knot, and the cushion 3.

In order to secure the cushion 3, the contact mounting 4 can be created on a structure, not shown, which the cushion 3 is cast onto and into. Such structures of the contact mounting 4 can consist of hooks, anchors, and eyes, by means of which a positive fit with the cushion 3 is guaranteed. Apart from a possible positive fit connection, the cushion 3 is secured to the contact mounting 4 by adhesive forces, which are produced at the laminating of the contact mounting 4 to the cushion 3.

The two-part cushions 3 consist of two parts arranged closely next to one another in a direction X orthogonal to the direction Y. In a special embodiment, the groove 32 formed between the two cushions 3 can taper in the direction Y towards the contact mounting 4. The length of the groove 32 corresponds essentially to the length of the cushion 3. If the shoelace 21 is introduced in the direction Y entirely between the two cushions 3, the pressure 6, and therefore the slide friction and adherence friction, of the cushions 3 onto the shoelace 21 are maximum. At the same time, the shoelace 21 on the contact mounting 41 lies directly on the contact surface 4.

According to FIG. 1c, the device 1 comprises a one-part cushion 3, which is positioned between the shoe 2 and the knotted shoelace 21. The single-piece cushion 3 is structured in a similar manner to the two-part cushion 3. As a difference in respect of the single-part cushion 3, a connection is provided between the two cushion parts in the base of the groove 32, such that the cushion 3 exhibits a u-shaped profile (not shown) in the X-Y section. The advantage in relation to the two-part cushion 3 is that, beneath the shoelace 21 and beneath the knot 22, between the contact mounting 4 and the shoelace 21 there is also soft and elastic material present, which fixes the knot 22 better. The knot 22 of the shoelace 21 is clamped together with the shoelace 21 in between the two cushion parts 3.

Represented enlarged in FIG. 1d is the device 1 represented in FIG. 1a. Here, as also in FIG. 1c, it can be seen that, in addition to the groove 32, a cut-out opening 33 is also provided in the groove 32, into which, when the shoelace 21 is tied, the knot 22 is introduced. By way of the cut-out opening 33, essentially four circumferential side surfaces are formed, which are in contact with the knot 22 and the parts of the shoelace 21 surrounding the knot 22. Due to the fact that the one-part cushion 3 is also arranged underneath the knot 22, a fifth surface, namely the base of the cut-out opening 33, is available for the creation of the friction.

Represented in FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 with a one-part cushion 3 in the knotted state. The cushion 3 comprises, instead of a groove 32, a contact surface 31 for the shoelace 21. As a result, the position of the shoelace 21 on the cushion 3 is variable, because the contact surface 31 does not differ, or not substantially, in its geometry from the geometry of the remaining surface of the cushion 3 in the region of the contact surface 31. The region of the cushion 3 beneath the shoelace 21, like the contact mounting 4, is represented in the X-Y section. Due to the pressure 6, incurred during tying, of the shoelace 21 onto the cushion 3 in a direction Y from above, the shoelace 21 on the contact surface 31 of the cushion 3 penetrates into the cushion 3, or, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1b to 1d, into the groove 32. The elastic cushion 3 counteracts the deformation due to the shoelace. In this situation, the friction surface increases, as does the pressure 6 between the cushion 3 and the shoelace 21. At the same time, the cushion 3 exerts a counter-pressure 61 onto the shoelace 21 and onto the knot 22, and clamps the shoelace 21 and the knot 22 securely. The slide friction and adhesion friction which are thereby incurred grow with the increase in the pressure 6 produced by the shoelace 21.

Claims

1. A device for securing a knotted shoelace, comprising: at least one groove or a contact surface for inserting a knot, wherein the device is to be secured by the knot and by the shoelace on a shoe and can be positioned between the knot and the shoe, wherein the device comprises at least one cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic, wherein the cushion comprises the groove or the contact surface for the shoelace and for the knot.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a dimensionally and inherently stable contact mounting as a bearing for a one-part or an at least two-part cushion, wherein the contact mounting is arranged in a direction Y under the cushion and the cushion is connected to the contact mounting by positive fit and/or material joining and/or non-positive fit.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein arranged on the contact mounting is a two-part cushion with a groove between the two cushion parts.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the groove tapers in a direction Y and/or in a direction Z at right angles to the direction Y or the groove has different widths in a direction X.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a cut-out opening is provided in the cushion or between the two parts of the cushion, which in a direction X is wider than the groove.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the groove has a depth in a direction Y between 5 mm and 14 mm or of 9 mm as well as a width in a direction X between 3 mm and 11 mm or of 7 mm as well as a length in a direction Z between 4 mm and 12 mm or of 8 mm.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the plastic for the cushion is formed with an elongation at break of up to 400% and/or a Shore hardness D in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between 6 and 90 and/or a Shore hardness A in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between 25 and 95, and/or the compression modulus of the plastic is greater than 108 Pa and/or the transverse shrinkage in accordance with Standard DIN EN ISO 527-1 is smaller than 0.7.

8. A system consisting of the device according to claim 1, and a shoelace and/or a transponder and/or a shoe.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein an adherence friction coefficient between the surface of the shoelace and the surface of the cushion is greater than 0.7 and/or the sliding friction coefficient is greater than 0.3.

10. A system consisting of the device according to claim 5, and a shoelace and/or a transponder and/or a shoe.

11. A device for securing a shoelace of a shoe, secured by a knot, wherein the device comprises: at least one receiver and/or a contact mounting, which can be laid on the shoe in a direction Y between the knot and the shoe, wherein the receiver comprises a contact surface for the shoelace and is configured in the form of a cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic produced by polycondensation, which exhibits a high resilience, wherein, due to a pressure which can be induced during the tying of the knot of the shoelace onto the cushion in the direction Y, the contact surface can be enlarged by the penetration of the shoelace into the cushion.