FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is related to devices for fastening and keeping fastened laces, chords, ropes, strings and alike.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—PRIOR ART
Many devices were invented for shoe lace tightening. The most commercially successful is U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,867 by Azam which is widely used in fastening laces of skiing and skates boots. The tightening principle is a spring loaded gear wheel which can move in wedge shaped passage which widens forwards and narrows backwards. The laces pass through that passage and can be fastened by pulling the laces forwards which in turn pulls forwards the gear wheel towards the wider part of the passage where the laces are free to move. When the pulling stops the laces pull the gear wheel backwards, which narrows the passage and blocks the laces' backwards motion. The laces can be released by pulling the gearwheel forwards with a knob. There are few noticeable disadvantages to this popular invention. The device must be installed on heavy-solid footwear which eliminates its use with regular shoes and the user must constantly pull the knob to keep the releasing. In addition, the teeth of gearwheel and opposite teeth cause severe lace wear. Similar approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,282 by Borsoi and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,273 by Stramare. The lace buckle device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,240 by Li is used widely in coat laces. It has a lace passage controlled by a spring loaded piston that blocks lace motion when the spring is released. Except for the similar name there is no similarity to our invention. This buckle controls only one lace and does not have a ratchet operation at all. When the user wants to release or fasten the lace the user has to press the spring loaded piston, release the lace and pull at the same time. When the spring is released, the buckle returns to b the lace. Similar devices are sold as “shoe buckles” for fastening shoe laces. The main disadvantage of such shoe buckles is that they do not have a ratcheting operation, which enables one to fasten the laces just by pulling. The shoe buckles require one to fasten the laces with one hand while keeping the buckle in position with the other hand and then switching the buckle into position. This results in cumbersome and inefficient fastening.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,000 Liu uses for lace tightening a teethed rotating bar. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,241 by Borel and in several others such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,358 to Christy and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,241 by Yu et al. use fastening devices which are based on pipes or channels which have diagonal teeth to block reverse motion of the lace. The pipes are installed on the shoes in different locations.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,004 Huber teaches a lace mechanism. Huber's mechanism employs a pair of spring loaded pivoted arms which have sets of sharp teeth that when pressed against the laces block their motion in both directions. Thus, Huber's mechanism is not a lace ratchet mechanism because it does not allow further lace tightening once it is. In its state, the laces are released in both directions simply by pressing the arms of Huber's mechanism. Huber's mechanism is impractical because the sharp teeth tend to cause a lot of lace wear when the laces are fastened before. Huber's mechanism structure is complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, similar to the lace buckle, the user needs to fasten both laces with one hand while pressing the arms with the second hand to keep the mechanism in position. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,994 Jih-Liang Lin teaches a shoe lace fastener which fasten the lace using jagged arm on top and jagged base on bottom. The device structure includes many complex parts and is expensive to manufacture. Such a structure also is impractical because it will wear the lace very quickly. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,362 to Hammerslag et al. teaches Real based closure system. U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,994 to Lin teaches Shoelace with shoelace fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,273 to Stramare et al. describes Shoes with directional conditioning device for laces. U.S. Pat. No. 8,231,074 to Hu et al. describes Lace winding device for shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 8,230,560 to Luzlbauer teaches Fastening system for shoes.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,185,948 to Ben-Arie describes a Buckle Lace Fastening Device (BLFD) which also enables lace ratcheting. However, the BLFD is using resilient gates which do not rotate but bend. In addition, the mechanism of the BLFD, which is based on rotating the gripping wall is entirely different from the mechanism of the current invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,046,937 to Beers et al. describes an Automatic lacing system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,289 to Liu describes a Fastener for fasting together two lace systems. U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,050 to Hammerslag describes a Footwear lacing system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,161 to Taylor describes a Lace tying device. U.S. Pat. No. 7,313,849 to Liu describes a Fastener for lace. U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,285 to Liao describes a Shoe lace fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,701 to Dalgaard describes Footwear variable tension lacing systems. U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,308 Funk describes a lace securing and adjusting device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,829 Hsu describes a U shaped lace buckle. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,079 to Manzano describes a Shoelace fastening assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,871 to Culverwell describes Footwear fastening. U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,559 to Munsell Jr. describes a Shoelace fastening apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,787 to Chang describes a Fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,777 to Shelton describes a Shoelace tightening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,774 to Duren teaches a Shoe fastening attached device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,511 to Kubo describes a Shoelace fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,401 to Hanson teaches a Shoelace tightening and device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,315 to Osawa et al. describes a Shoe fastening device and plate shaped member thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,675 to Shai describes a Fastener for shoelace. U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,669 to Sampson teaches a Multiuse fastener system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,171 to Cardaropoli teaches a Shoe fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,053 to Rudd teaches a Shoe fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,882 to Berger teaches a Shoe with central fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,539 to Curry teaches a Lace fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,581 to Gould teaches a Device and method for securing a shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,273 to Huttle teaches Shoe lace fastening. U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,159 to Dougherty teaches a Fastener for lace or rope or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,432 to Bunch et al. teaches a Shoe upper with lateral fastening arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,878 to Semouha teaches a Fastener mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,373 to Maslow teaches Laced shoe and method for tying shoelaces. U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,081 to Lott teaches a Shoelace tightener. U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,949 to Seidel teaches Fastening means for sports shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,918 to Baumann teaches a Fastener for lace shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,964 to Vogiatzis teaches a Footwear fastening system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,573 to Gimeno teaches Fastening Device for Lace Up Shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,847 to Waters teaches a Lace Fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,593 to Leick teaches a Lace Device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,817 to Curet teaches an Apparatus and Method for Lacing.
US Patent Applications
In US 2011/0094072 to Lin describes a Shoelace with Shoelace Fastener. In US 2010/0115744 to Fong describes a Lace Fastener. In US 2009/0172929 to Huang describes a Device for tying Shoe laces. In US 2008/025068 to Stramare describes a Shoe with Directional Conditioning Device for lace or the like. In US 2007/0169380 to Borsoi teaches a Device for B Flexible Strands. In US 2006/0213085 to Azam teaches an Article for Footware with Linkage Tightening Device. In US 2005/0005477 to Borsoi teaches a Lace B Device. In US 2003/0226284 to Grande teaches a Lacing System For Skates. In US 2002/0002781 to Bourier teaches a Lace Tightening Device Having a Pocket for Storing a B Element.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In conclusion, all the above inventions do not propose a Lace Fastening Device which combines all of the following desired properties which we introduced into our invention:
- 1. The device enables users to fasten regular laces by a ratchet operation, i.e. the user has just to pull the lace and the lace remains fully fastened after the pulling stops until the user releases it.
- 2. The lace can be released easily and quickly by the user.
- 3. The device has a simple structure, which is suited for low cost manufacturing.
- 4. Repeated use of the device causes minimal lace wear.
- 5. The device can fasten any standard lace and can be easily installed on footwear, garments or other objects.
The invention includes various lace ratcheting configurations of a basic lace ratcheting device. These configurations facilitate easy fastening and keeping fastened of: laces, ropes, strings and alike. The basic Lace Ratcheting Device (LRD) is small in dimensions and can be installed on shoes or on other objects which need fastening of laces, ropes, strings and alike. The LRD can be used to fasten laces simply by inserting the laces into LRDs and pulling them. The LRD has a self locking ratcheting mechanism with two states: “active” and “inactive”. In the active state the device works as a lace ratchet i.e. allowing the lace to be pulled forwards but blocks or severely restricts any lace motion backwards. After the user has fastened the laces they remain fastened until the mechanism is switched into an inactive state. Each LRD has a channel for fastening one lace. In one embodiment of the LRD, the channel comprises of four walls: a gripping wall, a top wall opposite to the gripping wall, a lower side wall approximately normal to the gripping wall and an upper side wall opposite to the lower side wall. A turning gate (made of solid material) is rotatably installed on a fulcrum i.e. an axle fitted into a bearing within the channel. The axle is centered at the turning gate's axis of rotation. The turning gate comprises of a front end and a rear end wherein the axis of rotation is situated between the two ends. The front end is opposite the gripping wall and there is a gap between the front end and the gripping wall. The lace is passing through the gap. The turning gate's rear end serves as a lever. In one embodiment, a preloaded helical torsion spring is mounted on the axle. In other embodiments one could use other kinds of springs. The spring is installed preloaded with a bias which tends to turn the gate in backwards direction i.e. towards an active state in which the front end applies pressure force on the lace which is squeezed in the gap against the gripping wall. Thus, the regular state of the turning gate is in active state and it is switched into inactive state only when the user applies manual pressure on the lever, which exceeds the bias and turns the turning gate forwards, thus releasing the pressure force the front end applies on the lace in the gap. The turning gate has a front end which has a single tapered edge i.e. sharp edge with a smooth side i.e. the front end is tapered i.e. sharp and has a smooth side. The lace passes through a gap between the front end of the turning gate and the channel's gripping wall situated opposite to the front end of the turning gate. The gap width is controlled by a ratcheting mechanism operated by the lever.
When the ratcheting mechanism is in the active state, the gap is narrowed such that the turning gate applies a pressure force which is squeezing the lace in the channel with its tapered i.e. sharp edge and acts as a lace ratchet. It means that the turning gate allows forwards fastening motion of the lace but blocks or severely restricts any lace translation in backwards direction. In order to have a ratchet operation, the turning gate is installed in a forwards leaning diagonal orientation in the channel such that its front end is closer to the gripping wall then its axis of rotation. Also, in a forwards leaning diagonal orientation, the turning gate's front end is closer to the channel's exit than the turning gate's axis of rotation. The ratchet operation of the gate stems from the forward leaning diagonal orientation of the turning gate, which allows forwards lace motion when the lace is moved forwards. Moving forwards the lace which is squeezed in the gap, drags the turning gate's front end forwards due to the friction force which exists between the lace and the front end because of the pressure force applied by the front end on the lace. When the front end moves forwards also the turning gate turns forwards as well. Due to the forwards leaning diagonal state of the turning gate, when its front end is moved forwards it also moves laterally inwards i.e. away from its gripping wall, thus increasing the width of the gap between the front end and its gripping wall which results in diminished pressure force of the front end on the lace. Reduced pressure force on the lace results in reduced friction between the lace and the surface of the gripping wall and also reduced friction between the lace and the front end and enabling (facilitating) even easier forwards motion of the lace.
On the other hand, if the lace moves backwards it also drags the turning gate's front end backwards since the front end is squeezing the lace and has a mutual friction force with the lace. When the front end moves backwards also the turning gate turns backwards as well. Due to the forwards leaning diagonal orientation of the gate, the motion backwards of the front end has also a lateral outwards component which moves the front end towards the gripping wall thus further narrowing the gap which increases the pressure force of the pront end on the lace and further restricting backwards lace motion. Thus, in an active state the gate acts as a lace ratchet i.e. allows lace forwards motion but blocks lace's backwards motion. When the ratcheting mechanism is switched into inactive state, the gap is widened more than the lace's width the pressure force of the front end on the lace is diminished and the lace is entirely released because it can move freely forwards or backwards in the channel. The user can easily switch the ratcheting mechanism from active to inactive state simply by manually pressing on the lever, which is the rear end of the turning gate. If the manual pressure is greater than the torsion spring's preloading bias, the gate turns forwards and increases the gap's width, thus inactivating the LRD. When the manual pressure ceases the preloaded torsion spring turns the gate backwards into an active state. The LRD can be manufactured at low cost because it has a simple structure with only few parts.
The LRD's structure is different from other lace fastening devices in few important aspects. Primarily, the LRD enables a lace ratcheting operation which is self locking it means that in the blocked state pulling the blocked lace with more force, only increases also the blocking force. In addition, our LRD was configured to employ a ratcheting mechanism which causes only minimal wear of the lace since it employs in the channel a novel structure with a diagonally forwards leaning rotating gate with a single tapered i.e. sharp front end which has a smooth side. When the lace is moved forwards, the tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end of the turning gate rotates forwards this also turns the smooth side of the tapered i.e. sharp edge to be approximately parallel with the lace and the lace is sliding on the smooth side of the tapered i.e. sharp edge—which does not wear the lace. At the same time, the forwards rotation also widens the gap and reduces lace friction and wear while the lace is moved forwards. Since the lace is blocked from moving backwards, there is no lace wear in the backwards motion as well. In addition, the LRD's gripping wall is manufactured with a smooth surface to minimize lace wear when it moves in the gap as well. In contrast, other lace fastening devices employ gates with serrated surfaces and/or with sharp teeth structures to block lace movement in their blocked state. However, sharp teeth structures cause significant lace wear even when they are in their unblocked state since their teeth remain pointed at the lace and the lace still touches them as it moves even in a wider gap.
A pair of LRDs in a parallel configuration can be used as a shoe “Ratchet Buckle”, which is not attached to the shoe but enables fastening two ends of each shoe lace. The LRDs are attached to one another in a parallel configuration of their channels by attaching the LRDs at their gripping walls. Such a shoe buckle, which is not attached to the shoe, enables easy fastening and releasing of the shoe laces. The two gate levers of the turning gates protrude from openings in the channels' top walls, on the two sides of LRD's parallel configuration. This enables the user to unlock both LRDs easily by pressing the levers with two fingers of one hand. To eliminate the protruding gate levers, two LRDs can be used as a “Ratchet Buckle” also in a triangular configuration. In the triangular configuration, the two gripping walls form the two sides of a triangle and the two levers, which protrude from openings in the top walls are touching one another at the triangle's center. The two channels are hinged to a small connecting plate and are free to turn one LRD with respect to the other LRD. The user can unlock both LRDs easily by pressing on the gripping walls on both sides of the triangular configuration. This causes the channels to rotate one towards the other and at the same time to press the gate levers which are facing one another. The triangular configuration has the advantage that it has more elegant look since it does not have protruding gate levers.
Both of the “Ratchet Buckle” structures of the parallel configuration and triangular configuration of two LRDs is designed to lie flat on top of the shoe when the laces are fastened. Each of the channels at the entry opening has a recess at the lower side wall. Each of the channels at entry opening also has a rear segment of the lower side wall next to and behind the recess. The laces are inserted into the channel via the recesses. When the lace is fastened on the shoe, the lace applies a downwards force on the recess. The downwards force is countered by a natural reaction upwards force which is applied on the rear segment by the shoe. The downwards force and the reaction upwards force create a moment of force which tends to turn the LRD towards the shoe. Hence, the moment of force clutches the LRD onto the top the shoe.
In another lacing configuration, two single LRDs can be attached to the two sides of each shoe for fastening of two lace ends of the same lace. A single LRD can also be used to fasten laces of trousers or coats simply by tying one lace end to the LRD and using the LRD to fasten the other lace's end. All the LRD configurations described above can be implemented by LRDs with helical torsion springs made from elastic material wires which have two wire ends. The rear support LRD has a channel attached pin which supports one wire end at the rear side of the turning gate while the second wire end is supported by the turning gate. The front support LRD has a channel's top wall support which supports one wire end at the front side of the turning gate while the second wire end is supported by the turning gate.
The LRD has many advantages over previous devices primarily due to its efficient and easy fastening operation by a ratchet mechanism which requires the user just to pull the lace. An important advantage of the LRD is its self locking ratcheting mechanism it means that in the blocked state pulling the blocked lace with more force, only increases also the blocking force. This prevents the lace from slipping. Once the lace is pulled, it remains fastened until the ratcheting mechanism is switched from active state into inactive state whereby it disables the ratchet mechanism and releases the lace. Another advantage of the LRD is the ability to switch the ratcheting mechanisms of two LRDs in parallel configuration and also in triangular configuration from active state into inactive state simply by squeezing the two opposite gate levers using just two fingers of one hand. Additional advantage over all the other lace ratchets is that is does not block the lace using jagged surfaces. Handling laces with devices which have jagged surfaces, which have sharp teeth, as all other lace fasteners do, results is fast wear of the laces. The diagonal orientation of the tapered i.e. sharp edges at the front ends of the turning gates in the LRDs, cause very little lace wear because each tapered i.e. sharp edge has a smooth side on which the lace can slide when it is fastened. The LRD was worn and tested daily by the Applicant for more than a year on various shoes without any noticeable lace wear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate projections of cross sections of an embodiment of a LRD with its ratcheting mechanism in active and inactive states respectively. FIGS. 1 and 2 describe a LRD embodiment with torsion spring which has a rear support.
FIG. 3 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing of the parts of a rear spring support embodiment of a disassembled LRD. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD.
FIG. 4 describes two rear spring support embodiments of a LRD, which are installed on two sides of a shoe for lace fastening.
FIG. 5 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of rear spring support LRDs (named in the claims as lace ratcheting system) which are attached to one another in a parallel configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 5 are in active state.
FIG. 6 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of rear spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a parallel configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 6 are in inactive state.
FIG. 7 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of rear spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a parallel configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRDs.
FIG. 8 illustrates a parallel configuration of two rear spring support embodiments of two LRDs, which are used to fasten two ends of one shoe lace serving as a shoe ratchet buckle.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate projections of cross sections of a front spring support embodiment of a LRD with its ratcheting mechanism in active and inactive states respectively.
FIG. 11 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing the parts of a front spring support embodiment of a disassembled LRD. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD.
FIG. 12 describes two front spring support embodiments of the LRD, which are installed on two sides of a shoe for lace fastening arrangement.
FIG. 13 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of front spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a parallel configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 13 are in active state.
FIG. 14 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of front spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a parallel configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 14 are in inactive state.
FIG. 15 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of front spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a parallel configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRDs.
FIG. 16 illustrates a parallel configuration of two front spring support embodiments of two LRDs which are used to fasten two ends of a single shoe lace serving as a shoe ratchet buckle.
FIG. 17 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of front spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a triangular configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 17 are in active state.
FIG. 18 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of front spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a triangular configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 18 are in inactive state.
FIG. 19 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of front spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a triangular configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRDs.
FIG. 20 illustrates a triangular configuration of two front spring support embodiments of LRDs, which are used to fasten two ends of a single shoe lace serving as a shoe ratchet buckle.
FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate projections of cross sections of a front spring support embodiments of a LRD for a single lace fastening with their ratcheting mechanisms in active and inactive states respectively. Such LRDs could be used to fasten laces in clothing articles, etc.
FIGS. 23 and 24 depict the lace sliding operation on the smooth sides of the front ends of turning gates of the LRDs while fastened. FIGS. 23 and 24 show the lace sliding on the smooth sides of the tapered i.e. sharp edges of gates of LRDs with rear and front spring support respectively.
FIG. 25 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of rear spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a triangular configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 25 are in active state.
FIG. 26 shows a cross section projection drawing of a pair of rear spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a triangular configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs in FIG. 26 are in inactive state.
FIG. 27 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of rear spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a triangular configuration as a “Ratchet Buckle”. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRDs.
FIG. 30 illustrates a triangular configuration of two rear spring support embodiments of LRDs, which are used to fasten two ends of a single shoe lace serving as a shoe ratchet buckle.
FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate projections of cross sections of a rear spring support embodiments of a LRD for a single lace fastening with their ratcheting mechanisms in active and inactive states respectively. Such LRDs could be used to fasten laces in clothing articles, etc.
FIG. 31 illustrates a lace clasp for clasping together two laces. The clasp in FIG. 31 is illustrated at unlocked position.
FIG. 32 describes the clasp in a locked position while clasping together two laces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate projections of cross sections of an embodiment of a rear supported spring LRD with ratcheting mechanisms in active and inactive states respectively. The LRD's housing 1A provides the walls for the channel 1C which houses the turning Gate 2C which is mounted on an axle 5. The channel 1C also houses the lace 6. The turning gate 2C is mounted on axle 5. Also mounted on the axle a helical torsion spring 3 which has a bias that tends to rotate the turning gate 1C in backwards turning direction (clockwise direction). Backwards turning moves the turning gate 2C into an active state of the ratcheting mechanism. The turning Gate 2C in FIG. 1 which is in a active state squeezes the lace 6 in the Gap between the Gate's tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end 2B and the channel's gripping wall 1B. In FIG. 2 the turning Gate 2C is in inactive state because the Gate 2C is turned in counterclockwise direction (also called forwards turning) and the Gap between the Gate's tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end 2B and its gripping wall 1B is wider than the width of lace 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the user has been switching the ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state. This is being done by turning forwards the turning Gate 2C into an inactive state by pressing downwards on the lever 2A with the user's finger 10. To enable the inactivation operation, the lever 2A protrudes from the channel's 1C top wall 1A. As can be observed in FIGS. 1, 2 the turning Gate 2C is in a forwards leaning diagonal orientation in the channel 1C such that its front end 2B is closer to the gripping wall 1B then its axis of rotation centered at axle 5. Also, in a forward leaning diagonal orientation, the turning gate's tapered i.e. sharp edge at front end 2B is closer to the channel's exit than the turning gate's axis of rotation centered at axle 5. The forward direction arrow 9 is pointed towards the channel's exit. The ratchet operation of the turning gate 2C stems from the forward leaning diagonal orientation of the turning gate, which allows forward lace 6 motion (to the right) when the lace is moved forwards and at the same time, drags the gate's front end 2B forwards due to mutual friction between the lace 6 and the front end 2B. Because of the diagonal orientation of the gate 2C, when its front end 2B moves forwards (i.e. in the arrow 9 direction) it also moves laterally inwards i.e. away from its gripping wall 1B, thus increasing the width of the gap between the front end 2B and its gripping wall 1B and enabling even easier forward motion of the lace. The LRD structure is designed to minimize lace wear. For this reason the gripping wall 1B surface and the smooth side 2F of the tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end 2B are smoothed. When the lace 6 is being fastened i.e. moved in forwards direction and causing the turning gate to turn forwards, the turning gate turns the tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end 1B away from the lace and the lace slides on the smooth side 2F of the tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end 2B and on the smoothed surface of the gripping wall 1B with minimal wear.
On the other hand, if the lace moves backwards (i.e. opposite to the arrow 9 direction) it also drags the gate's front end 2B backwards due to mutual friction between the lace 6 and the front end 2B. Due to the diagonal orientation of the gate, the motion backwards has also a lateral outwards component which moves the front end 2B towards the gripping wall 1B thus further narrowing the gap and blocking further backwards lace motion. This effect is called “self locking mechanism” where increasing the pulling backwards force which is applied on the lace 6, also increases the blocking force of the LRD. Thus, in an active state the gate acts as a lace ratchet i.e. allows lace forwards motion but blocks backwards motion. When the ratcheting mechanism is switched into inactive state the gap is widened enough such that the lace is entirely released because it can move freely forwards or backwards in the channel. The ratcheting mechanism can be switched from active to inactive state by manually pressing at lever 2A attached to each gate and rotating the gate forwards (i.e. in counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). The manual pressure in FIG. 2 is applied by the user's finger 10. When the manual pressure ceases the preloaded spring 3 rotates the turning gate 2C backwards (i.e. in clockwise direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) into an active state.
In the Gate's 2C forward leaning diagonal orientation, pulling the lace 6 in forwards direction (to the right) which is denoted by the arrow 9, due to mutual Gate-lace friction causes the Gate's front end 2B to move in a combined forwards and laterally inwards motion (i.e. moving upwards and away from the gripping wall 1B) motion. The lateral inwards movement increases the width of the Gap and also turns the tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end 2B away from the lace 6, thus allowing the lace to move forwards more easily with less friction and wear because it slides on the smooth side 2F and on the smoothed gripping wall 1B. On the other hand, pulling the lace 6 in backwards direction (to the left) which is opposite to the arrow 9, causes the turning Gate's front end 2B to move in a combined backwards and laterally outwards motion (i.e. moving towards the gripping wall 1B). The laterally outwards movement reduces the width of the Gap, thus squeezing the lace even harder therefore preventing the lace to move further backwards. The bulge 7 which is installed on the gripping wall 1B, increases the b force of the turning Gate 2C by forcing the lace to bend when the front end 2B squeezes it. Both the gripping wall 1B and the bulge 7 have smooth surfaces to minimize the wear of the lace passing in the gap.
The helical torsion spring 3 which is mounted on the axle 5 is preloaded and has a bias which constantly pushes the turning Gate 1C to turn backwards (i.e. in clockwise direction in FIG. 1). Thus, the spring 3 keeps the LRD in an active state when the user is not pressing on the lever 2A. To switch the Gate's ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state, the user's finger 10 has to press the Gate's lever 2A downwards overcoming the spring's 3 bias. The helical torsion spring 3 has two wire ends one wire end exits the turning gate via opening 2D and is supported by rear pin 4. The rear pin 4 was attached to the channel 1C to support the spring's 3 wire end, i.e. to provide rear support to the spring. The other wire end of the spring is supported by the turning gate's wall. In FIG. 1 the lace 6 exits the shoe's eyelet 8 and enters the channel 1C. The lace 6 in FIG. 1 is fastened and enters the channel 1C via the recess 1D in the lower side wall. The downwards pressure of the fastened lace 6 on the recess 1D in the lower side wall and the upwards reaction pressure of the shoe on the channel's rear segment 1E of the lower side wall create a moment force which forces the LRD to rotate downwards, thus clutching the LRD flat on top of the shoe. The lever 2A protrudes from an opening in the top wall 1A.
FIG. 3 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled LRD with rear spring support. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD. Pin 5 serves as an axle to the turning Gate 2C. The turning gate 2C is shown with its front end 2B and its lever 2A. Hole 2E which serves as a bearing for axle 5 is not denoted in FIGS. 1 and 2 to prevent overcrowding. Opening 2D which serves as a passage for the spring's 3 arm in the rotating gate, is shown only in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 due to its rear side location, which is not shown in FIG. 3. Rear pin 4, which is riveted to the housing 1A in holes 1G serves as a rear support for the spring 3. The axle 5 is riveted to the LRD housing 1A at holes 1F.
FIG. 4 describes two LRDs 1A which are installed on a shoe's top 22. The laces 6 which exit the eyelets 8, enter the LRDs 1A and are fastened backwards. The hooks 21 serve as lace end holders to prevent lace dangling.
FIG. 5 depicts a cross section drawing of a pair of rear support LRDs which are attached to one another in a parallel configuration. The ratcheting mechanisms of these LRDs are in active states and the laces 6 are fastened. The LRDs' housing 1A provides the walls for the channels 1C which house the turning Gates 2C which are mounted on axles 5. Each of the channels 1C also house a lace 6. The turning Gates 2C in FIG. 5 which are in active states squeeze the laces 6 in the Gaps between the Gates' front ends 2B and the channels' gripping walls 1B. In FIG. 6 the turning Gates 2C are in inactive states because the Gates 2C are rotated in forwards turning direction and the Gap between the Gates' tapered i.e. sharp edges at their front ends 2B and their gripping walls 1B is wider than the widths of laces 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the user has been switching the ratcheting mechanism into inactive states by applying manual pressure on the levers 2A by fingers 10. This is being done by rotating forwards the turning Gates 2C into inactive states by pressing on the levers 2A with the users' fingers 10. As can be observed in FIG. 5, the turning Gates 2C are in a forward leaning diagonal orientations. In these orientations pulling the laces 6 in forwards direction (to the right) which is denoted by the arrows 9, causes the Gates' front end to move in a combined forwards and laterally inwards motion (i.e. moving away from their gripping walls 1B) motion. The lateral inwards movements increase the widths of the Gaps and also turns the tapered i.e. sharp edges at their front ends 2B away from the laces 6, thus allowing the laces to move forwards more easily with less friction and wear. On the other hand, pulling the laces 6 in backwards directions (to the left) which is opposite to the arrows 9, causes the turning Gates' front ends to move in a combined backwards and laterally outwards motions (i.e. moving towards the gripping walls 1B). The laterally outwards movements reduce the widths of the Gaps, thus squeezing the laces even harder therefore preventing the laces to move further backwards. The bulges 7 which are installed on the gripping walls 1B, increase the blocking force of the turning Gates 2C even further by forcing the laces to bend when the front ends 2B squeezes them. Both the gripping walls 1B and the bulges 7 have smooth surfaces to minimize the wear of the lace passing in the gap.
In FIGS. 5 and 6 the helical torsion springs 3 which are mounted on the axles 5 are preloaded and have a bias which constantly pushes the turning Gates 1C to turn backwards. Thus, the springs 3 keep the LRDs in an active state when the user is not pressing on the gate levers 2A. To switch the Gates' ratcheting mechanisms into inactive states, the user 10 has to press the levers 2A (which protrude from the channels' top walls on both sides of the parallel configuration) overcoming the springs' 3 biases—as shown in FIG. 6. The rear pins 4 were placed to support the springs' 3 first wire ends and provide rear spring supports. The second wire ends of the springs is supported by the turning gates' walls. In FIG. 5 the laces 6 exit the shoe's eyelets 8 and enter the channels 1C. The laces 6 in FIG. 5 are fastened and enter the channels 1C via the recesses 1D in the lower side walls which are situated at the lower sides walls of the entrances of the channels 1C. The downwards pressure of the fastened laces 6 on the recesses 1D create as a reaction an equal counter upwards pressure of the shoe on the channels' entrance rear segment 1E of the lower side wall next to and behind the recesses 1D. The downwards pressure coupled with the upwards pressure generate a rotating moment of force which tends to press the lower side walls of the LRDs parallel configuration against the top part of the shoe. Whereby, keeping the LRDs parallel configuration pressed flat on top of the shoe.
FIG. 7 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of rear spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a parallel configuration. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD. Pins 5, which are riveted to the LRD housing 1A at holes 1F serve as axles for the turning Gates 2C. The turning gates 2C are shown with their tapered i.e. sharp front ends 2B and their levers 2A. Holes 2E which serve as turning gates' 2C bearings for axles 5 is not denoted in FIGS. 5 and 6 to avoid overcrowding. Openings 2D which serve as passages for the springs' 3 first wire ends in the rotating gates, are shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7. Rear support for the spring 3 is provided by rear pins 4 which are riveted to the LRD housings 1A through holes 1G.
FIG. 8 illustrates how a parallel configuration of two LRDs 1A can be used to fasten two shoe laces serving as a shoe ratchet buckle. Laces 6 which exit from eyelets 8 of the shoe's top 22, enter the parallel configuration of two LRDs 1A and can be fastened simply by pulling forwards at the laces' ends. The fastened laces 6 can be released by pressing simultaneously on opposite levers 2A. The clasp 25A which clasps together the two lace ends is tucked under the lace in order to prevent lace dangling.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate projections of cross sections of an embodiment of a front spring support LRD with ratcheting mechanisms in active and inactive states respectively. The LRD's housing 11A provides the walls for the channel 11C which houses the turning Gate 12C which is mounted on an axle 15. The channel 11C also houses the lace 6. The turning Gate 12C in FIG. 9 which is in an active state squeezes the lace 6 in the Gap between the Gate's tapered i.e. sharp front end 12B and the channel's gripping wall 11B. In FIG. 10 the turning Gate 12C is in inactive state because the Gate 12C is rotated in counterclockwise direction (also called turning forwards direction) and the Gap between the Gate's tapered i.e. sharp edge at the front end 12B and its gripping wall 11B is wider than the width of lace 6. As shown in FIG. 10, the user has been switching the ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state. This is being done by rotating forwards the turning Gate 12C into an inactive state by pressing downwards on the lever 12A with the user's finger 10. As can be observed in FIG. 9, the turning Gate 12C is in a forward leaning diagonal orientation. In this orientation pulling the lace 6 in forwards direction (to the right) which is denoted by the arrow 19, causes the Gate's front end 12B to move in a combined forwards and laterally inwards motion (i.e. moving upwards and away from the gripping wall 11B) motion. The lateral inwards movement increases the width of the Gap and also turns the tapered i.e. sharp front end 12B away from the lace 6, thus allowing the lace to move forwards more easily with less friction and wear because the lace 6 slides on the gate's smooth side 12F and on the smoothed gripping wall 12B. On the other hand, pulling the lace 6 in backwards direction (to the left) which is opposite to the arrow 19, causes the turning Gate's front end 12B to move in a combined backwards and laterally outwards motion (i.e. moving towards the gripping wall 11B). The laterally outwards movement reduces the width of the Gap, thus squeezing the lace even harder therefore preventing the lace to move further backwards. The bulge 17 which is installed on the gripping wall 11B, increases the b force of the turning Gate 12C even further by forcing the lace to bend when the tapered i.e. sharp front end 12B squeezes it. Both the gripping wall 11B and the bulge 17 have smooth surfaces to minimize the wear of the lace passing in the gap.
The spring 13 which is mounted on the axle 15 is preloaded and has a bias which constantly pushes the turning Gate 11C to turn backwards (i.e. in clockwise direction in FIG. 9). Thus, the spring 13 keeps the LRD in an active state when the user is not pressing on the lever 12A. To switch the Gate's ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state, the user 10 has to press the Gate's lever 12A downwards overcoming the spring's 13 bias. In FIG. 9 the lace 6 exits the shoe's eyelet 8 and enters the channel 11C. The lace 6 in FIG. 9 is fastened and enters the channel 11C via the recess 110. The downwards pressure of the fastened lace 6 on the recess 110 in the lower side wall and the upwards counter pressure of the shoe on the channel's rear segment 11E of the lower side wall create a moment of force which forces the LRD to rotate downwards, thus keeping the LRD flat on the shoe.
FIG. 11 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled front support LRD. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD. Pin 15 serves as an axle to the Gate 12C is riveted to holes 11F in the LRD cannel's housing 11A. The turning gate 12C is shown with its tapered i.e. sharp front end 12B and its lever 12A. Hole 12E which serve as a bearing for axle 15 is illustrated in FIG. 11 but is not explicitly denoted in FIGS. 9 and 10 to prevent overcrowding. Opening 12D which serves as a passage for the helical torsion spring's 13 first wire end in the rotating gate, is shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11.
FIG. 12 describes two LRDs 11A which are installed on a shoe's top 22. The laces 6 which exit the eyelets 8, enter the LRDs 11A and are fastened backwards. The hooks 31 serve as lace end holders to prevent lace dangling.
FIG. 13 depicts a cross section drawing of a pair of front spring support LRDs which are attached to one another in a parallel configuration. The ratcheting mechanisms of these LRDs are in active states and the laces 6 are fastened. The LRDs' housing 11A provides the walls for the channels 11C which house the turning Gates 12C that are mounted on axles 15. Each of the channels 11C also house a lace 6. The turning Gates 12C in FIG. 13 which are in active states squeeze the laces 6 in the Gaps between the turning Gates' tapered i.e. sharp front ends 12B and the channels' gripping walls 11B. In FIG. 14 the turning Gates 12C are in inactive states because the turning Gates 12C are rotated in forwards direction and the Gap between the Gates' tapered i.e. sharp edges at their front ends 12B and their gripping walls 11B is wider than the widths of laces 6. As shown in FIG. 14, the user has been switching the ratcheting mechanism into inactive states. This is being done by rotating forwards the turning Gates 12C into inactive states by pressing on the levers 12A (which protrude from the top LRD walls) with two of the users' fingers 10. As can be observed in FIG. 13, the turning Gates 12C are in a forward leaning diagonal orientations. In these orientations pulling the laces 6 in forwards direction (to the right) which is denoted by the arrows 19, causes the Gates' front end to move in a combined forwards and laterally inwards motion (i.e. moving away from their gripping walls 11B). The lateral inwards movements increase the widths of the Gaps and also turns the tapered i.e. sharp front ends 12B away from the laces 6, thus allowing the laces to move forwards more easily with less friction and the laces slide on the smooth sides 12F of the front ends 12B and on the smoothed gripping walls 11B with minimal wear. On the other hand, pulling the laces 6 in backwards directions (to the left) which is opposite to the arrows 19, causes the turning Gates' front ends to move in a combined backwards and laterally outwards motions (i.e. moving towards the gripping walls 11B). The laterally outwards movements reduce the widths of the Gaps, thus squeezing the laces even harder therefore preventing the laces to move further backwards. The bulges 17 which are installed on the gripping walls 11B, increase the b force of the turning Gates 12C even further by forcing the laces to bend when the front ends 12B squeezes them. Both the gripping walls 11B and the bulges 17 have smooth surfaces to minimize the wear of the lace passing in the gap.
In FIGS. 13 and 14 the springs 13 which are mounted on the axles 15 are preloaded and have a bias which constantly pushes the turning Gates 11C to turn backwards. Thus, the springs 13 keep the LRDs in a active state when the user is not pressing on the gate levers 12A. To switch the Gates' ratcheting mechanisms into inactive states, the user 10 has to press the levers 12A overcoming the springs' 13 biases—as shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 13 the laces 6 exit the shoe's eyelets 8 and enter the channels 11C. The laces 6 in FIG. 13 are fastened and enter the channels 11C via the recesses 110 in the lower side walls which are situated at the lower side walls of the entrances of the channels 11C. The downwards pressure of the fastened laces 6 on the recesses 110 create as a reaction an equal counter upwards pressure of the shoe on the channels' entrance rear segments 11E. The downwards pressure coupled with the upwards pressure generate a rotating moment force which tends to press the bottom part of the LRDs parallel configuration against the top part of the shoe. Whereby, keeping the LRDs parallel configuration pressed flat on top of the shoe.
FIG. 15 shows a blow up 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of front spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a parallel configuration. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD. Pins 15 serve as axles to the turning Gates 12C. The turning gates 12C are shown with their tapered i.e. sharp front ends 12B and their levers 12A. Holes 12E which serve as a bearings for axles 15 are illustrated in FIG. 15 but are not explicitly denoted in FIGS. 13 and 14 to avoid overcrowding. The pins 15 are riveted into holes 11F in the LRD housings 11A. Openings 12D which serve as passages for the springs' 13 first wire ends in the rotating gates for front spring support, are shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15.
FIG. 16 illustrates how a parallel configuration of two LRDs 11A can be used to fasten two shoe laces serving as a shoe ratchet buckle. Laces 6 which exit from eyelets 8 of the shoe's top 22, enter the parallel configuration of two LRDs 11A and can be fastened simply by pulling forwards at the laces' 6 ends. The fastened laces 6 can be released by pressing simultaneously on opposite protruding levers 12A. The clasp 25A which clasps together the two lace ends is tucked under the lace in order to prevent lace dangling.
To eliminate the protruding gate levers, two LRDs can be installed in a triangular configuration. The triangular configuration of front spring support LRDs is illustrated in FIGS. 17-20. The two channel's gripping walls 11B form the two sides of a narrow triangle while the two levers 12A are facing one another between the channels at the triangle's center. The two channels' 11C housings 11A are hinged by two hinges 20B to a connecting plate 20A and can turn one with respect to the other. A cross section drawing of the triangular configuration LRD in active state is presented in FIG. 17. The triangular configuration LRDs in FIGS. 17-20 have springs 13 with front supports, i.e. the first wire ends of the helical torsion springs 13 are supported by the top walls. In the active state the triangular configuration LRDs have a triangle base which is wider than the base in inactive state since the two gate levers 12A, which are facing one another are protruding more from the channels 11C because the LRDs are in active state. The gate levers 12A in FIG. 18 are compressed, which is described by a cross section of the triangular configuration LRD in inactive state. The user (as shown in FIG. 18) can inactivate both LRDs easily by pressing on both sides of the triangular configuration i.e. on the channels' gripping walls 11B with two fingers 10 of one hand. The pressure causes the channels 11C to rotate one towards the other on hinges 20B and at the same time to press the gate levers 12A which are facing one another. When the gate levers 12A are pressed the turning gates 12C turn forwards on their axles 15 and cause their tapered i.e. sharp edges at their front ends 12B to move laterally inwards (i.e. away from their gripping walls 11B) in their respective channels. The front ends 12B motion increases the gaps between the gates' front ends 12B and their gripping walls 11B, which inactivates the ratcheting mechanisms of the LRDs and allows the laces 6 to move freely in their respective channels.
FIG. 19 illustrates a blow up 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of front spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a triangular configuration. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD. Pins 15 serve as axles to the turning Gates 12C. The turning gates 12C are shown with their tapered i.e. sharp front ends 12B and their levers 12A. Holes 12E which serve as a bearings for axles 15 are illustrated in FIG. 19 but are not denoted explicitly in FIGS. 17 and 18 to avoid overcrowding. The pins 15 which serve as axles are riveted into holes 11F in the LRD housings 11A. Openings 12D which serve as passages for front spring supports for the springs' 13 first wire ends in the rotating gates 12C, are shown in FIGS. 17, 8, 19. The two channels' housings 11A are hinged to one another by the two hinges 20B which are riveted to the connecting plate 20A.
The triangular configuration has the advantage that it has better outlined shape since it does not have protruding gate levers on both sides. Both the structures of the parallel configuration and triangular configuration of two LRDs are designed to lie flat on top of the shoe when the laces are fastened. This is achieved by entering the laces via recesses 110 in the lower side walls of the LRD channels. The downwards pressure of the laces when fastened on the recesses 110 and the equal upwards pressure which is generated as an equal reaction to the downwards pressure, is applied on the channels rear segments 11E, and create a rotation moment force which forces the lower side wall of the LRDs to lie flat on the top side of the shoe.
FIG. 20 illustrates how a triangular configuration of two front spring support LRDs 11A can be used to fasten two shoe laces serving as a shoe ratchet buckle. Laces 6 which exit from eyelets 8 of the shoe's top 22, enter the triangular configuration of two LRDs 11A and can be fastened simply by pulling forwards at the laces' ends. The fastened laces 6 can be released by pressing simultaneously on opposite channel sides 11A. The clasp 25A which clasps together the two lace ends is tucked under the lace in order to prevent lace dangling.
FIGS. 21 and 22 depict a single front spring support LRD which can be used to fasten laces of trousers, coats or other objects simply by tying one lace end to the LRD and using the LRD to fasten the other lace's end. Such a LRD is illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 by cross sections of an embodiment of a front spring support LRD with ratcheting mechanisms in active and inactive states respectively. The LRD's housing 11A provides the walls for the channel 11C which houses the turning Gate 12C which is mounted on an axle 15. The channel 11C also houses the lace 6. The turning Gate 12C in FIG. 21 which is in an active state squeezes the lace 6 in the Gap between the Gate's front end 12B and the channel's gripping wall 11B. In FIG. 22 the turning Gate 12C is in inactive state because the Gate 12C is rotated in counterclockwise direction (also called forwards direction) and the Gap between the Gate's tapered i.e. sharp front end 12B and its gripping wall 11B is wider than the width of lace 6. As shown in FIG. 22, the user has been switching the ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state. This is being done by rotating forwards the turning Gate 12C into an inactive state by pressing downwards on the lever 12A with the user's finger 10.
As can be observed in FIG. 21, the turning Gate 12C is in a forward leaning diagonal orientation. In this orientation pulling the lace 6 in forwards direction (to the right) which is denoted by the arrow 19, drags the Gate's front end 12B due to front end—lace mutual friction and forces it to move in a combined forwards and laterally inwards motion (i.e. moving upwards and away from the gripping wall 11B) motion. The lateral inwards movement increases the width of the Gap and also turns the tapered i.e. sharp front end 12B away from the lace 6, thus allowing the lace to move forwards more easily with less friction and wear. On the other hand, pulling the lace 6 in backwards direction (to the left) which is opposite to the arrow 19, drags the turning Gate's front end 12B and forces it to move in a combined backwards and laterally outwards motion (i.e. moving towards the gripping wall 11B). The laterally outwards movement reduces the width of the Gap, thus squeezing the lace even harder therefore restricting the lace to movement further backwards. The bulge 17 which is installed on the gripping wall 11B, increases the blocking force of the turning Gate 12C even further by forcing the lace to bend when the front end 12B squeezes it. Both the gripping wall 11B and the bulge 17 have smooth surfaces to minimize the wear of the lace passing in the gap.
The helical torsion spring 13 which is mounted on the axle 15 is preloaded and has a bias which constantly pushes the turning Gate 11C to turn backwards (i.e. in clockwise direction in FIG. 21). Thus, the spring 13 keeps the LRD in an active state when the user is not pressing on the lever 12A. To switch the Gate's ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state, the user 10 has to press the Gate's lever 12A downwards overcoming the spring's 13 bias. In FIG. 21 the lace 6 exits the garment's eyelet 8 and enters the channel 11C. The lace 6 in FIG. 21 is fastened and enters the channel 11C via the recess 110 in the lower side wall. The downwards pressure of the fastened lace 6 on the recess 110 and the upwards counter pressure of the garment on the lower side wall's rear segment 11E create a moment force which forces the LRD to rotate downwards, i.e. towards the garment thus keeping the LRD flat on the garment. The garment LRD is tied to the second end of the lace 6 by the pressing ring 23. Thus, fastening force of the lace 6 end on the LRD towards the left is countered by the force towards the right exerted by the other lace's end, which is attached to the LRD by the ring 23.
FIGS. 23 and 24 depict the lace sliding operation on the smooth sides of the front ends of gates of rear and front spring support LRDs respectively, while fastened. FIGS. 23 and 24 show the sliding on the smooth sides of the front ends of gates of LRDs with rear and front spring support respectively. Referring to FIG. 23, when lace 6 is fastened it drags the front end 2B of the turning gate 2C forwards (i.e. towards the right—arrow 9). This turns the gate 2C forwards and the lace which was squeezed in the gap by the tapered i.e. sharp end of the front end 2B is now in touch with the tapered i.e. sharp edge's smooth side 2F. This enables it to slide on the smooth side 2F with minimal wear. The other side of the lace 6 is touching the smooth surface of the gripping wall 1B which also does not wear the lace 6.
Referring to FIG. 24, (which depicts front spring support LRD) when lace 6 is fastened it drags the front end 12B of the turning gate 12C forwards (i.e. towards the right arrow 19). This turns the gate 12C forwards and the lace which was squeezed in the gap by the tapered i.e. sharp end of the front end 12B is now in touch with the tapered i.e. sharp edge's smooth side 12F. This enables it to slide on the smooth side 12F with minimal wear. The other side of the lace 6 is touching the smooth surface of the gripping wall 11B which also does not wear the lace 6.
To eliminate the protruding gate levers, two LRDs can be installed in a triangular configuration. The triangular configuration of rear spring support LRDs is illustrated in FIGS. 25-27. The two channel's gripping walls 1B form the two sides of a narrow triangle while the two levers 2A are facing one another between the channels at the triangle's center. The two channels' 2C housings 2A are hinged by two hinges 20B to a connecting plate 20A and can turn one with respect to the other. A cross section drawing of the triangular configuration LRD in active state is presented in FIG. 25. The triangular configuration LRDs in FIGS. 25-27 have springs 3 with rear supports, i.e. the first wire ends of the helical torsion springs 3 are supported by the rear pins 4. In the active state the triangular configuration LRDs have a triangle base which is wider than the base in inactive state since the two gate levers 2A, which are facing one another are protruding more from the channels 1C because the LRDs are in active state. The gate levers 2A in FIG. 26 are compressed, which is described by a cross section of the triangular configuration LRD in inactive state. The user can inactivate both LRDs easily by pressing on both sides of the triangular configuration i.e. on the channels' gripping walls 1B with two fingers 10 of one hand. The pressure causes the channels 1C to rotate one towards the other and at the same time to press the gate levers 2A which are facing one another. When the gate levers 2A are pressed the turning gates 2C turn forwards on their axles 5 and cause their tapered i.e. sharp edges at their front ends 2B to move laterally inwards (i.e. away from their gripping walls 1B) in their respective channels. The front ends 2B motion increases the gaps between the gates' front ends 2B and their gripping walls 1B, which inactivates the LRDs and allows the laces 6 to move freely in their respective channels.
FIG. 27 illustrates a blow up 3D isometric drawing of the parts of an embodiment of a disassembled pair of rear spring support LRDs which can be attached to one another in a triangular configuration. The parts' orientations correspond to their actual orientations in the assembled LRD. Pins 5 serve as axles to the turning Gates 2C. The turning gates 2C are shown with their tapered i.e. sharp front ends 2B and their levers 2A. Holes 2E which serve as a bearings for axles 5 are illustrated in FIG. 27 but are not denoted explicitly in FIGS. 25 and 26 to avoid overcrowding. The pins 5 are riveted into holes 1F in the LRD housings 1A. Openings 2D which serve as passages for the springs' 3 first wire ends in the rotating gates 2C, are shown in FIGS. 25, 26, 27. The two channels' housings 11A are hinged to one another by the two hinges 20B which are riveted to the connecting plate 20A. Rear pins 4 which provide rear support to the springs 3, are riveted to holes 1G in the channels 1A.
The triangular configuration has the advantage that it has better outlined shape since it does not have protruding gate levers on both sides. Both the structures of the parallel configuration and triangular configuration of two LRDs are designed to lie flat on top of the shoe when the laces are fastened. This is achieved by entering the laces into the channels 1C via recesses 1D in the lower side walls of the LRD channels. The downwards pressure of the laces when fastened on the recesses 1D and the equal upwards pressure which is generated as an equal reaction to the downwards pressure, is applied on the lower side wall's rear segments 1E, and create a rotation moment force which forces the bottom side of the LRDs to lie flat on the top side of the shoe.
FIGS. 28 and 29 depict a single rear spring support LRD which can be used to fasten laces of trousers, coats or other objects simply by tying one lace end to the LRD and using the LRD to fasten the other lace's end. Such a LRD is illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 by cross sections of an embodiment of a rear spring support LRD with ratcheting mechanisms in active and inactive states respectively. The LRD's housing 1A provides the walls for the channel 1C which houses the turning Gate 2C which is mounted on an axle 5. The channel 1C also houses the lace 6. The turning Gate 2C in FIG. 28 which is in an active state squeezes the lace 6 in the Gap between the Gate's front end 2B and the channel's gripping wall 1B. In FIG. 29 the turning Gate 2C is in inactive state because the Gate 2C is rotated in counterclockwise direction (also called forwards direction) and the Gap between the Gate's tapered i.e. sharp front end 2B and its gripping wall 1B is wider than the width of lace 6. As shown in FIG. 29, the user has been switching the ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state. This is being done by rotating forwards the turning Gate 2C into an inactive state by pressing downwards on the lever 2A with the user's finger 10.
As can be observed in FIG. 28, the turning Gate 2C is in a forward leaning diagonal orientation. In this orientation pulling the lace 6 in forwards direction (to the right) which is denoted by the arrow 9, drags the Gate's front end 2B due to front end—lace mutual friction and forces it to move in a combined forwards and laterally inwards motion (i.e. moving upwards and away from the gripping wall 1B) motion. The lateral inwards movement increases the width of the Gap and also turns the tapered i.e. sharp front end 2B away from the lace 6, thus allowing the lace to move forwards more easily with less friction and wear. On the other hand, pulling the lace 6 in backwards direction (to the left) which is opposite to the arrow 9, drags the turning Gate's front end 2B and forces it to move in a combined backwards and laterally outwards motion (i.e. moving towards the gripping wall 1B). The laterally outwards movement reduces the width of the Gap, thus squeezing the lace even harder therefore preventing the lace to move further backwards. The bulge 7 which is installed on the gripping wall 1B, increases the blocking force of the turning Gate 2C even further by forcing the lace to bend when the tapered i.e. sharp front end 2B squeezes it. Both the gripping wall 1B and the bulge 7 have smooth surfaces to minimize the wear of the lace passing in the gap.
The first wire end of the helical torsion spring 3 is supported by the rear pin 4 while the second wire end of the helical torsion spring 3 is supported by the gate 2C wall. The helical torsion spring 3 which is mounted on the axle 15 is preloaded and has a bias which constantly pushes the turning Gate 1C to turn backwards (i.e. in clockwise direction in FIG. 28). Thus, the spring 3 keeps the LRD in an active state when the user is not pressing on the lever 2A. To switch the Gate's ratcheting mechanism into an inactive state, the user 10 has to press the Gate's lever 2A downwards overcoming the spring's 3 bias. In FIG. 28 the lace 6 exits the garment's eyelet 8 and enters the channel 1C. The lace 6 in FIG. 28 is fastened and enters the channel 1C via the recess 1D in the lower side wall. The downwards pressure of the fastened lace 6 on the recess 1D and the upwards counter pressure of the garment on the lower side wall's rear segment 1E create a moment force which forces the LRD to rotate downwards, thus keeping the LRD flat on the garment. The garment LRD is tied to the second end of the lace 6 by the pressing ring 23. Thus, fastening force of the lace 6 end on the LRD towards the left is countered by the force towards the right exerted by the other lace's end, which is attached to the LRD by the ring 23.
FIG. 30 illustrates how a triangular configuration of two rear spring support LRDs 1A can be used to fasten two shoe laces serving as a shoe ratchet buckle. Laces 6 which exit from eyelets 8 of the shoe's top 22 enter the triangular configuration of two LRDs 1A and can be fastened simply by pulling forwards at the laces' 6 ends. The fastened laces 6 can be released by pressing simultaneously on opposite channel sides 1A. The clasp 25A which clasps together the two lace ends is tucked under the lace in order to prevent lace dangling.
FIG. 31 illustrates a lace clasp for clasping together two laces. The lace clasp in FIG. 31 is illustrated at unlocked position. The arm 25A is rotatably installed on a clasp axle 25D in a clasp housing 25B which is made of an elastic u-shaped channel. The arm 25A which is made of rigid material, has two wedge shaped protrusions 25C, which are configured to fit into two rectangular openings 25E in the clasp housing 25B wall. When the arm 25A is in an upright position, the clasp is in unlocked position. When the arm 25A is rotated into leveled position, the two wedge shaped protrusions 25C are inserted into the two rectangular openings 25E by momentarily widening the elastic u-shaped channel 25B as they move downwards. The wedges 25C hold the arm 25A at a leveled position which is also the locked position. To rotate the arm 25A into unlocked position i.e. upright position, one has to momentarily widen the elastic u-shaped channel and to extract the two wedge shaped protrusions from the rectangular openings 25E. This could be done using a screwdriver.
FIG. 32 describes the clasp in a locked position i.e. when the arm 25A is at leveled position. When the arm 25A is at leveled position, it presses downwards on the two laces 6 and squeezes the laces 6 into the u-shaped channel 25B. Hence, at the locked position the clasp clasping together two laces. As shown in FIGS. 8, 6, 20 and 30, the lace clasp can be anchored by pushing it under the front shoe lace and there it prevents dangling shoe laces.
Patent Grant
10390590
