FASTENER FOR A LACE

Abstract

A fastener includes a pull unit having first and second pull-lace portions, and an intermediate part connected between the pull-lace portions. A tightening unit includes first and second lace holders connected pivotally to each other, and two clamps connected slidably and respectively to the lace holders. The first lace holder has two first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings, and two first pull-lace connectors connected to the first pull-lace portion. The second lace holder has two second rod sections, two hook portions extending respectively through the hook-connecting rings and fixed to the intermediate part, and two second pull-lace connectors connected to the second pull-lace portion. Each clamp has two ends attached slidably to the respective first or second rod sections such that each clamp divides a space between the first or second rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 099119450, filed on Jun. 15, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fastener, and more particularly to a fastener for a lace.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional fastener for a lace 4 having two distal lace segments 41, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,980, includes a metal base 1, an anchoring member 102 connected to the metal base 1, two clamp assemblies 2 connected respectively to two opposite sides of the metal base 1, and a pull unit 3 connected to the metal base 1. Each clamp assembly 2 includes a lace holder 201 connected pivotally to a respective side of the metal base 1, and a clamp 202 slidable on the lace holder 201. The anchoring member 102 penetrates through the pull unit 3 to fix the same on the metal base 1. The pull unit 3 has two pull-lace portions 301 connected respectively to the lace holders 201 of the clamp assemblies 2. When the pull-lace portions 301 are pulled, the clamp assemblies 2 can pivot relative to the metal base 1, and the clamps 202 of the clamp assemblies 2 can slide on the lace holders 201 of the respective clamp assemblies 2 to thereby permit loosening of the distal lace segments 41.

Because the aforesaid fastener uses the metal base 1 to connect with the lace holders 201 of the clamp assemblies 2 and the anchoring member 102 to fix the pull unit 3 to the metal base 1, the aforesaid fastener includes many components, which complicates assembly and increases its manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastener that has simple components, that is easy to fabricate and assemble, and that has low manufacturing costs.

According to this invention, a fastener for a lace having two spaced-apart lace segments comprises a pull unit and a tightening unit. The pull unit has opposite first and second pull-lace portions, and an intermediate part connected between the first and second pull-lace portions. The tightening unit is disposed below the pull unit, and includes a first lace holder extending beneath the first pull-lace portion, a second lace holder connected pivotally to the first lace holder and extending beneath the second pull-lace portion, and first and second clamps connected slidably and respectively to the first and second lace holders. The first lace holder has two spaced-apart first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings each connected to a respective one of the first rod sections, a first cross rod section opposite to the hook-connecting rings and transverse to the first rod sections, and two first pull-lace connectors each connected between the first cross rod section and one of the first rod sections. The hook-connecting rings are disposed beneath the intermediate part. The first pull-lace connectors are connected to the first pull-lace portion. The second lace holder has two spaced-apart second rod sections, two hook portions each connected to a respective one of the second rod sections, a second cross rod section opposite to the hook portions and transverse to the second rod sections, and two second pull-lace connectors each connected between the second cross rod section and one of the second rod sections. The hook portions extend respectively through the hook-connecting rings and the intermediate part, and are fixed to the intermediate part. The second pull-lace connectors are connected to the second pull-lace portion. The first clamp has two ends attached respectively and slidably to the first rod sections such that the first clamp divides a space between the first rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two opposite sides of the first clamp. The second clamp has two ends attached respectively and slidably to the second rod sections such that the second clamp divides a space between the second rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two opposite sides of the second clamp. The lace entry holes of the first and second clamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in a bottom-to-top direction, and the lace exit holes of the first and second clamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in a top-to-bottom direction.

The efficiency of the present invention resides in the fact that by pulling the first and second pull-lace portions, the first and second lace holders can move therealong, so that each of the first and second clamps can move relative to the respective one of the first and second lace holders to thereby permit loosening of the respective lace segments. Further, the components of the present invention are simple, and are easy to fabricate and assemble. Hence, the cost thereof can be reduced to a minimum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a conventional fastener;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fastener according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment in an assembled state;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shoe incorporating the fastener of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating how two lace segments can be loosened by pulling a pull unit;

FIG. 7 illustrates how first and second lace holders of the preferred embodiment can be interconnected; and

FIG. 8 illustrates interconnection of the first and second lace holders and the pull unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The above-mentioned and other technical contents, features, and effects of this invention will be clearly presented from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in coordination with the reference drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, a fastener 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted to be incorporated on a shoe 300 (see FIG. 5) having a shoelace 200. The shoelace 200 has an anchoring segment 210 strung on eyelet tabs 310 of the shoe 300, and two spaced-apart lace segments 220 each of which is connected to the anchoring segment 210 at one end. The fastener 100 includes a pull unit 10, a tightening unit 20, a protective sleeve 30, and a retaining ring 40. It should be noted herein that, except for FIG. 5, the fastener 100 is magnified and drawn to scale in the accompanying drawings for the sake of clarity.

The pull unit 10 has opposite first and second pull-lace portions 12, 13, and an intermediate part 11 connected between the first and second pull-lace portions 12, 13. The pull unit 10 is formed by interconnecting two ends of a lace, after which a middle part of the lace intersects the interconnected ends.

The tightening unit 20 includes a first lace holder 21 extending beneath the first pull-lace portion 12, a second lace holder 22 connected pivotally to the first lace holder 21 and extending beneath the second pull-lace portion 13, and first and second clamps 23, 23′ connected slidably and respectively to the first and second lace holders 21, 22. Each of the first and second lace holders 21, 22 is formed by bending a one-piece metal rod. The first lace holder 21 has two parallel and spaced-apart first rod sections 211, two hook-connecting rings 212 each connected to a respective first rod section 211, a first cross rod section 213 opposite to the hook-connecting rings 212 and transverse to the first rod sections 211, and two first pull-lace connectors 214 each connected between the first cross rod section 213 and one of the first rod sections 211. The hook-connecting rings 212 lie substantially on a plane coplanar with the first rod sections 211 and the first cross rod section 213, and lie below the intermediate part 11. Each first pull-lace connector 214 is formed as a loop adjacent to a respective end of the first cross rod section 213, and penetrates through the first pull-lace portion 12. In variations of the preferred embodiment, each first pull-lace connector 214 may be fixed to the first pull-lace portion 12 by other methods such as adhesion, binding, or by using a fastener. Alternatively, the first pull-lace portion 12 may be inserted into each of the first pull-lace connectors 214.

The second lace holder 22 has two parallel and spaced-apart second rod sections 221, two hook portions 222 each connected to a respective second rod section 221, a second cross rod section 223 opposite to the hook portions 222 and transverse to the second rod sections 221, and two second pull-lace connectors 229 each connected between the second cross rod section 223 and one of the second rod sections 221. The hook portions 222 extend respectively through the hook-connecting rings 212 and the intermediate part 11, and are fixed to the intermediate part 11. Each hook portion 222 has an inverted-L shaped configuration, and has a first hook segment 222′ connected transversely to a corresponding one of the second rod sections 221, and a second hook segment 222″ connected transversely to the first hook segment 222′ and extending from the first hook segment 222′ toward the first hook segment 222′ of the other hook portion 222. The first hook segments 222′ of the hook portions 222 extend respectively through the hook-connecting rings 212, and penetrate through the intermediate part 11. The second hook segments 222″ of the hook portions 222 press a top face of the intermediate part 11. Each second pull-lace connector 224 is formed as a loop adjacent to a respective end of the second cross rod section 223, and penetrates through the second pull-lace portion 13. In variations of the preferred embodiment, each second pull-lace connector 224 may be fixed to the second pull-lace portion 13 by other methods such as adhesion, binding, or by using a fastener. Alternatively, the second pull-lace portion 13 may be inserted into each of the second pull-lace connectors 224.

The first clamp 23 has two ends attached respectively and slidably to the first rod sections 211 such that the first clamp 23 divides a space between the first rod sections 211 into a lace entry hole 215′ and a lace exit hole 215″ on two opposite sides of the first clamp 23. The lace entry hole 215′ is proximate to the hook-connecting rings 212, whereas the lace exit hole 215″ is proximate to the first cross rod section 213.

The second clamp 23′ has two ends attached respectively and slidably to the second rod sections 221 such that the second clamp 23′ divides a space between the second rod sections 221 into a lace entry hole 225′ and a lace exit hole 225″ on two opposite sides of the second clamp 23′. The lace entry hole 225′ is proximate to the hook portions 222, whereas the lace exit hole 225″ is proximate to second cross rod section 223.

The protective sleeve 30 is sleeved around the second hook segments 222″ of the hook portions 222.

The retaining ring 40 surrounds the intermediate part 11 of the pull unit 10, a junction of the first and second lace holders 21, 22, and the protective sleeve 30.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, when it is desired to incorporate the fastener 100 on the shoe 300, each lace segment 220 is extended through the lace entry hole 215′, 225′ of the first or second clamp 23, 23′ in a bottom-to-top direction, over the respective clamp 23, 23′, through the lace exit hole 215″, 225″ of the respective clamp 23, 23′ in a top-to-bottom direction, and out of the respective clamp 23, 23′. The first and second pull-lace portions 12, 13 and the lace segments 220 cooperate to form a double-bow configuration.

After a user's foot (not shown) is slipped into the shoe 300, the lace segments 220 can be pulled apart from each other to tighten the shoe 300. When the shoe 300 is tightened, the eyelet tabs 310 are forced apart by the user's foot in the shoe 300, thereby applying tension on the shoelace 200. At the same time, each of the first and second clamps 23, 23′ is forced by a corresponding one of the lace segments 220 to move toward the corresponding one of the first or second cross rod section 213, 223 such that each lace segment 220 is clamped between the clamp 23, 23′ and the respective first or second cross rod section 213, 223 for maintaining a tightened state of the shoe 300.

With reference to FIG. 6, when the first and second pull-lace portions 12, 13 are pulled upward, through connections of the first and second pull-lace connectors 214, 224 with the first and second pull-lace portions 12, 13 and the hook-connecting rings 212 with the hook portions 222, the first and second lace holders 21, 22 are correspondingly pivoted upward. This results in moving each of the first and second clamps 23, 23′ away from the respective ones of the first and second cross rod sections 213, 223. That is, the first clamp 23 can move toward the hook-connecting rings 212 along the first rod sections 211, and the second clamp 23′ can move toward the hook portions 222 along the second rod sections 221, thereby releasing each lace segment 220 from being clamped between the first or second clamp 23, 23′ and the respective first or second cross rod section 213, 223. Hence, each lace segment 220 is loosened, and can move from the lace exit hole 215″, 225″ toward the lace entry hole 215′, 225′.

Therefore, to loosen the lace segments 220 of the shoelace 200, the first and second pull-lace portions 12, 13 of the pull unit 10 are pulled upward to move the first and second lace holders 21, 22 upward, thereby releasing the first and second clamps 23, 23′ from pressing against the respective lace segments 220 of the shoelace 200.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, during assembly of the present invention, a thin metal rod is bent to form the first lace holder 21 which has the first pull-lace connectors 214, the first cross rod section 213, and the first rod sections 211. Before the hook-connecting rings 212 are formed, the ends of the first rod sections 211 opposite the first pull-lace connectors 214 are straight. The first pull-lace portion 12 is then inserted into the first pull-lace connectors 214, and the first clamp 23 is mounted slidably onto the straight ends of the first rod sections 211. The straight ends of the first rod sections 211 are then bent to form the hook-connecting rings 212. Another thin metal rod is bent to form the second lace holder 22 which has the second pull-lace connectors 224, the second cross rod section 223, and the second rod sections 221. Before the hook portions 222 are formed, the ends of the second rod sections 221 opposite the second pull-lace connectors 224 are straight. The second pull-lace portion 13 is then inserted into the second pull-lace connectors 224, and the second clamp 23′ is mounted slidably onto the straight ends of the second rod sections 221. The straight ends of the second rod sections 221 are then bent upward to form the hook portions 222. The intermediate part 11 of the pull unit 10 is first penetrated by the hook portions 222, which are then each bent to form the first and second hook segments 222′, 222″, so that the second hook segments 222″ of the hook portions 222 press against the intermediate part 11. Subsequently, a curved shaped metal plate is used to surround the second rod sections 222″ of the hook portions 222 by bending two opposite ends of the curved shaped metal plate toward each other to form the protective sleeve 30. Finally, the retaining ring 40 is used to surround the intermediate part 11, a junction of the first and second lace holders 21, 22, and the protective sleeve 30, thereby completing the assembly of the present invention (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Hence, the pull unit 10, the tightening unit 20, the protective sleeve 30, and the retaining ring 40 of the present invention have simple structural configurations and are easy to fabricate and assemble, thereby minimizing production costs of the fastener 100. Further, each of the first and second lace holders 21, 22 uses the pull-lace connectors 214, 224 to directly connect with the pull-lace portions 12, 13 of the pull unit 10, and uses the hook portions 222 to penetrate the intermediate part 11 of the pull unit 10, thereby interconnecting effectively the pull unit 10 and the tightening unit 20.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A fastener for a lace having two spaced-apart lace segments, comprising: a pull unit having opposite first and second pull-lace portions, and an intermediate part connected between said first and second pull-lace portions; anda tightening unit disposed below said pull unit and including a first lace holder extending beneath said first pull-lace portion, a second lace holder connected pivotally to said first lace holder and extending beneath said second pull-lace portion, and first and second clamps connected slidably and respectively to said first and second lace holders, said first lace holder having two spaced-apart first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings each connected to a respective one of said first rod sections, a first cross rod section opposite to said hook-connecting rings and transverse to said first rod sections, and two first pull-lace connectors each connected between said first cross rod section and one of said first rod sections, said hook-connecting rings being disposed beneath said intermediate part, said first pull-lace connectors being connected to said first pull-lace portion, said second lace holder having two spaced-apart second rod sections, two hook portions each connected to a respective one of said second rod sections, a second cross rod section opposite to said hook portions and transverse to said second rod sections, and two second pull-lace connectors each connected between said second cross rod section and one of said second rod sections, said hook portions extending respectively through said hook-connecting rings and said intermediate part and fixed to said intermediate part, said second pull-lace connectors being connected to said second pull-lace portion, said first clamp having two ends attached respectively and slidably to said first rod sections such that said first clamp divides a space between said first rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two opposite sides of said first clamp, said second clamp having two ends attached respectively and slidably to said second rod sections such that said second clamp divides a space between said second rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two opposite sides of said second clamp;wherein said lace entry holes of said first and second clamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in a bottom-to-top direction, and said lace exit holes of said first and second clamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in a top-to-bottom direction.

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein each of said hook portions has an inverted L-shaped configuration, and has a first hook segment connected transversely to a corresponding one of said second rod sections, and a second hook segment connected transversely to said first hook segment and extending from said first hook segment toward said first hook segment of the other one of said hook portions, said first hook segments of said hook portions extending respectively through said hook-connecting rings and penetrating through said intermediate part, said second hook segments of said hook portions pressing a top face of said intermediate part.

3. The fastener of claim 2, further comprising a protective sleeve sleeved around said second hook segments of said hook portions.

4. The fastener of claim 3, wherein each of said first and second lace holders is formed by bending a one-piece metal rod, each of said first pull-lace connectors being formed as a loop when extending toward said first cross rod section and penetrating through said first pull-lace portion, each of said second pull-lace connectors being formed as a loop when extending toward said second cross rod section and penetrating through said second pull-lace portion.

5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said hook-connecting rings lie substantially on a plane coplanar with said first rod sections and said first cross rod section, said hook-connecting rings lying below said intermediate part.

6. The fastener of claim 5, further comprising a retaining ring surrounding said intermediate part of said pull unit.