Patent Application
20050273988
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an article for tightening together the ends of laces. While not so limited, the article is useful in tightening together the ends of shoe laces on a shoe.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In my prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/090,032, filed Mar. 5, 2002, entitled “Lace Tightening Article”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,358, issued Sep. 23, 2003, there is described a lace tightening article. The description in that patent is incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the lace tightening article in that patent includes a pair of elongated body portions, one for each end of a lace, each of the elongated body portions including a pair of flexible tubular members with lengthwise retaining passages therein through which the ends of the lace pass.
A primary object of this invention is an article for simplifying the tying of laces for children or others who may suffer from a disability.
Another object is simplifying the installation of the article on the laces.
These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, one illustrative embodiment of which comprises an improved article for tightening together opposite end portions of a shoe lace on a shoe including: a first lace end portion receiving device having; a first elongated tubular body portion of flexible material, a pair of first elongated, flexible tubular members forming the first elongated body portion, each of the first elongated tubular members including a lengthwise retaining passage therein, the first elongated tubular members receiving a loop end portion of one end portion of the shoe lace, the one end portion of the shoe lace extending in one direction through the passage in one of the first tubular members and in the opposite direction through the passage in the other first elongated tubular member, thereby holding the one end portion of the shoe lace; a second lace end portion receiving device having; a second elongated tubular body portion of flexible material, a pair of second elongated, flexible tubular members forming the second elongated body portion, each of the second elongated tubular members including a lengthwise retaining passage therein, the second elongated tubular members receiving a loop end portion of one end portion of the other end of the shoe lace, the other end portion of the shoe lace extending in one direction through the passage in one of the second tubular members and in the opposite direction through the passage in the other second elongated tubular member, thereby holding the other end portion of the shoe lace.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a lubricant is disposed within the retaining passages of the first and second pairs of elongated tubular members to facilitate movement of the lace through the retaining passages when the lace tightening article is being applied to the lace. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, an applicator tube is placed on the ends of the shoe lace for pushing the shoe lace through the retaining passages in the first and second elongated tubular members, whereby the laces are easily fed through the first and second elongated tubular members.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the ends of each of the elongated tubular members are flared outwardly to facilitate installation of the articles onto the laces.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, wherein:
A shoe 11 is shown in
First 15 and second 16 ends of the shoe lace 12 extend through the top holes or loops 14U.
In
The lace 12 is looped through the device 17 by pushing it up through the first passage 20 and down the second passage 21 and in the manner to be described in more detail hereafter.
It should be noted that the ends of the tubular members are flared outwardly to make it easier to install the device on the lace.
The same procedure of looping a lace through a device is followed with the opposite end 16 of the lace 14.
Each device is typically 2¾ inches long with passages of 1/4 inch diameter and made as a single piece from non-toxic, flexible plastic. The plastic is such as to retain the lace within the passages without slippage and when tied together, to be described hereafter, to remain tied. The device 17 can be made available in a variety of colors. The tubular members flare out between one eighth and one quarter inch.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a lubricant 22 is provided within the passages 20,21. Typically, when the device 17 is being formed, there is a simultaneous, dual extrusion, with the outside surface being tacky, and the inside passage forming a slippery liner. The lubricant, as, for example, powdered talc, is introduced into the material forming the slippery interior liner. Although talc is mentioned specifically, any common lubricant may be introduced which serves to facilitate movement of the lace through the interior passages 20,21.
Referring to
Then, as illustrated in
In
There is no requirement to attach anything to the shoes or modifying the shoes themselves in any way.
It is not necessary for the lace to touch itself. Fraying of the lace is minimal since there is no knotting of the lace or rubbing between parts of a lace. The laces can not go back into the lace holes.
The laces do not come loose thus avoiding tripping from a loose lace.
It is easier for a child to tie this than tying a lace and is a teaching tool for when a child is able to tie a lace alone.
Older persons will find it easier to use than lacing one's shoes.
The invention may also be used with laces for other types of footwear, clothing, packaging and containers.
It should be obvious that changes, additions and omissions may be made in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
