Shoe fastening mechanism

Description

BACKGROUND

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention is related to the field of shoe securing and fastening devices, and pertains more particularly to a lace substitute for conventional shoes constructed with dual flaps on opposing sides of a tongue.

[0002] Many shoe lacing systems have been designed to provide a faster and more convenient way of securing a shoe onto the foot. The vast majority of these systems are “lace closure systems” which accomplish this task in part by means of a lace or pliable fibre through which tension is applied. Some examples not withstanding are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,353,483; 5,469,640; and 5,471,769. Problems inherent in lace closure systems include unwanted tightening of knots caused by tension in laces occurring through everyday use of shoe, and weakening and eventual breakage of lace at points where lace rubs against eyelets of shoe, and may also be impractical or undesirable by persons with rheumatoid arthritis, or with weight problems, or injuries which make it difficult for them to bend over for the period of time required to perform lace closure.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,614 is designed to achieve relatively rapid fastening by non lace closure methods, but still requires somewhat meticulous finger activity and pressure to adjust the strap and effect secure fastening of flaps. U.S. Pat No. 4,999,899 uses a lever for contiguous motion for closure which is an advantage but still employs use of a lace as an integral means for the transferring of tension and the consequent directing together of opposing flaps and fastening of shoe. This intermediate process is totally eliminated in the present invention and thus eliminates the problems inherent with lace closure methods as mentioned above.

[0004] The present invention attempts to overcome the above described deficiencies by describing a shoe fastening system which effects rapid fastening with contiguous motion and which can be constructed out a rigid durable material such as plastic, composite material, or even metal.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe fastening device which effects rapid fastening of shoe.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shoe fastening device that is durable and reliable in construction and in particular more durable than conventional lacing systems.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shoe fastening device which offers adjustable tensioning in such a way so as to allow user to comfortable fasten shoe onto foot.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shoe fastening device that allows fastening using gross motor hand activity.

[0009] Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shoe fastening device which can be easily and cost effectively manufactured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device incorporated onto a shoe.

[0011]
FIGS. 2A and 2B are isometric views of the device with extendable members extended, and where FIG. 2A shows sections of intermediary portion removed and FIG. 2B shows tongue and intermediary portion removed.

[0012]
FIGS. 3A and 3B are front views of the device showing extendable members in collapsed and extended states respectively.

[0013]
FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of an extended extendable member with sections of uppermost bearing assemblage on lower counter rotating segment removed.

[0014]
FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view showing a lock and release mechanism located on side of device and with sections of catch members that overlap hook members removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A a device incorporated onto a shoe comprises a intermediary portion 14 where 14 is fundamentally a rectangular shaped planar member and orientated so that is planar surfaces are parallel to the plane of the instep of the shoe and so that it shares a longitudinal median with shoe. Secured to the undersurface of 14 each via a respective connecting portion 16 are two axles 18a and 18b indicated in FIG. 3B that are laterally spaced apart and parallel to the said longitudinal median. Supporting 14 and connecting it to the shoe are extendable members each comprising two counter rotating segments, an upper 20, and a lower 22, FIG. 2A, that are hinged together. A pair of similarly orientated extendable members are secured onto either flap of a shoe. FIG. 2B gives an unobstructed view of the four extended extendable members. Both segments 20 and 22 are fundamentally planar elongate members that can rotate towards or away from each other collapsing or extending respectively their respective extendable member. As should be understood by viewing FIGS. 2A and3B, similarly located ends 20a of upper segments 20 located on the same side of shoe are rotatably secured to the same axle being either 18a or 18b. This enables the upper segments 20 to rotate towards and away from undersurface of intermediary portion as that portion is lowered or raised respectively. Located on the other end 20b of each upper segment 20 is an axle 24, FIGS. 3B and 4, parallel to the longitudinal median and which has two journalling ends 24a and 24b that laterally project out from either side of its respective segment 20. Referring to FIG. 3B each axle 24 is securable to any of three bearing assemblages 26a, 26b, and 26c located on a planar surface of a respective lower segment 22 closer to end 22a of that respective lower segment. The figures only show the axles 24 of the upper segments 20 secured to their respective lower segment at bearing assemblage 26a. Each of the bearing assemblages 26a, 26b, and 26c comprises a pair of bearing supports 28 seen in FIG. 4 that are laterally spaced apart from each other and each defining a slot 28a through which a respective end 24a or 24b of axle 24 passes through coming to rest in a recess 28b by snapped engagement. With each end of the axle journalled to a respective bearing 28 the axle's respective upper segment 20 can rotate towards and away from the lower 22 and thus the upper and lower segments are hinged together. An axle 24 can be disengaged from any of the bearing assemblages 26a, 26b, or 26c by pulling its ends 24a and 24b out of and through each's respective bearing recess 28b and slot 28a respectively resulting in a snapped disengagement of axle and bearing assemblage and thus respective segments. As seen in Fig.3B and 2A the other ends 22b of the lower segments that are not hinged to an upper segment are each rotatably secured to elongate mounts 30 and 31 via a respective bearing assemblage, each said assemblage comprising two bearings 32a and 32b located on said mounts and where ends 22b of any two lower segments 22 located on the same side of shoe are secured to the same mount 30 or 31. Any two bearing assemblages located on the same mount are coaxial and since the extendable members are identical, and for the device to work properly all axles 24 should each be secured to a bearing assemblage occupying the same position on its lower segment as all of the others do on their respective lower segments. To change the operational length of the lower segment 20, where for purposes used in this disclosure the operational length of either segment is defined as the length of that segment between the axis of 24 and the other axis of rotation located on that segment, which for the lower segment is the length between axis of 24 and that defined by bearings 32a and 32b, the bearing assemblage 26a, or 26b, or 26c on which a respective upper segment is rotatably secured must also be changed. Using the above definition of the operational length of a segment it should clearly be seen that the operational length of the upper segment 20 is effectively its entire length.

[0016] As seen in FIG.3B located at either end of each extendable member is a U-spring 34 and 35. Each U-spring 34 located at the ends of the extendable members that are secured to14 has a portion 34a pressing against undersurface of 14 and another portion 34b pressing against a surface of a respective upper segment 20 thereby urging rotation of upper segment away from undersurface of 14 into a downwardly rotated position. Likewise the U-springs 35 located at the ends of the extendable members that are secured to mounts each has a portion 35a pressing against a surface 38 of its respective mount and another portion 35b pressing against surface of a respective lower portion urging the lower segments to rotate upwards away from the plane of the instep of shoe. As a consequence of the urging forces generated by the U-springs the extendable members become extended as seen in FIGS. 2A,2B,and 3B thus elevating 14 away from the plane of the instep in which state it remains unless a force overcoming the cumulative forces of the U-springs directs 14 downwards. It should be noted that even though U-springs located at the ends of the extendable members are used in this embodiment to induce the extended state of said members, any means that can be used to induce extension of the extendable members without hindering normal operation of the device including any other kind of spring devices such as coils acting on any of the joints in any combination where said joints include the joints where the counter rotating segments 20 and 22 are hinged to each other can be used. Located on the end of 14 towards the back of the shoe is a hook element 36 insertable into a slit 37 made in the tongue of shoe thus securing the upper portion of the tongue to the back end of 14, FIGS.1 and 2A. When intermediary portion 14 is elevated so is the upper portion of the secured tongue causing the tongue to rotate upward and if 14 is directed downwards towards the plane of the instep so does the upper portion of tongue causing tongue to rotate downward.

[0017] If 14 is directed downwards to the position shown in FIG. 3A the extendable members collapse in unison in an accordion like fashion and the lower counter rotating segments 22 rotate towards the plane of the instep of shoe above the upper surface of tongue where each occupies some floorspace. To avoid lower segments located on opposing sides of the shoe coming into conflict with each other by vying for the same floorspace or a portion thereof as they collapse, no two extendable members located on opposing sides of the shoe are situated directly across from each other as seen in FIG. 2B, but rather each extendable member occupies a separate nonoverlapping longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis of the shoe with extendable members on an opposing sides occupying succeeding positions so that when collapsed the extendable members on opposing sides of the shoe occupy succeeding positions in the plane of the instep above the tongue and along the longitudinal axis of the shoe.

[0018] Incorporated into this embodiment is a lock and release mechanism which serves to keep intermediary portion in the lowered position of FIG. 3A until it is intentionally released to be automatically directed upwards by the forces generated by the U-springs 34 and 35. Located on either side of the intermediary portion and laterally spaced apart are a pair of hook elements 40, seen in FIGS.3A and 5, each having an upper surface 40a parallel to the plane of the instep of shoe and which projects out from its respective side of intermediary portion. With reference to FIGS.2A and 2B, mounts 30 and 31 are elongated members each steadfastly secured to an opposing flap of shoe and both parallel to the longitudinal axis of shoe. Located in either mount 30 and 31 respectively are uniform elongate slots 42a and 43a each which lead into and form part of uniform elongated passages 42 and 43 respectively as well. Elongate passages 42 and 43 are also parallel to the longitudinal axis of shoe and in each are located uniform elongate longitudinally slidable members 44 and 45 each confined to longitudinal sliding movement along its respective passage. Located on a top edge of each 44 and 45 that projects out of its respective elongated slot are catch elements 46 each defining a planar undersurface 46a as indicated in FIG. 3B parallel to plane of instep and projecting from the said top edge of its respective slidable member towards the longitudinal median of shoe. Each end of a longitudinally extendable and retractable elongate bridge member 48 seen in FIG.2B where said member 48 is perpendicularly orientated to longitudinal median of shoe is secured to an opposing front end of 44 and 45 thereby indirectly connecting 44 and 45. This connection however ensures that any longitudinal displacement experienced by 44 is experienced in unison by 45. Bridge member 48 comprises two longitudinally slidable portions 48a and 48b that slidably adjust to accommodate any lateral displacement of the flaps and consequently 44 and 45 which may occur when shoe is fastened or loosened respectively. Both 44 and 45 maintain set but loosely kept rest positions in their respective passages via a U-spring 50, indicated in FIG. 5 and seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B. U-spring 20 has an end 50a secured to mount 30 and the another end 50b secured to slidable member 44. A finger operated portion 52 projects perpendicularly from the side of 44 and when directed back results in the sliding back in unison of both slidable members 44 and 45 which causes the U-spring 50 to deform seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

[0019] For fastening to occur the operational length of 22 when flaps and elongate mounts 30 and 31 are in their loose unfastened state must be less than that of 20. Thus axles 24 of all the upper rotating segments are secured to similarly located bearing assemblages 26a, or 26b, or 26c to effect this condition.

[0020] Starting with intermediary portion14 in the elevated position as seen in FIG. 3B and with slidable members 44 and 45 in their rest position, 14 is directed downwards to ultimately acquire the position seen in FIG. 3A. As this occurs the extendable members collapse in unison in an accordion like fashion. As extendable members collapse their respective counter rotating members change from a primarily vertical orientation to a primarily horizontal one, and the ends 20b of upper rotating segments 20 rotate towards the undersurface of 14 while the lower counter rotating segments 22 simultaneously rotate towards the plane of the instep of shoe. Also as this is occurring the upper rotating segments 20 pull or direct their respective lower rotating segments 22 at the points of securement which is either 26a, or 26b, or 26c towards the opposing side of the shoe to which the extendable member they form is secured. As this occurs the opposing flaps of the shoe to which the lower rotating segments are secured are directed towards each other effecting fastening. Eventually as 14 is directed downwards each of the hook elements 40 located on 14 comes into contact with and snaps downward past a respective and resilient catch element 46 which instantaneously bends and snaps back to its original shape thereby allowing downward passage of the hook element. Once the hook elements are located below their respective catch elements they are prevented from moving upwards since a portion of undersurface 46a, shown as removed sections in FIG. 5, of each catch element overlaps and engages a portion of upper surface 40a of a respective hook element consequently obstructing upward movement of hook elements 40 and consequently intermediary portion 14 to which they are secured. Furthermore catch elements do not bend to allow upward passage of hook elements. Upon directing the finger operative portion 52 towards back of shoe the slidable members and catch elements located thereupon are simultaneously directed back and upon being directed back far enough the undersurfaces 40a of the catch elements no longer overlap to engage portions of upper surfaces 46a of respective hook elements thus 14 is released be directed upwards, and is.

[0021] For a user who when employing use of the device still prefers to have the his or her shoe laced, even though superfluous, can use the device as a means to automatically loosen laces which are untied by having the intermediary portion push up on the segments of lacing that traverse from one flap to the other. This occurs assuming the frictional forces generated by lacing which is in contact with the eyelets and the weight of the shoe tongue secured to intermediary portion are negligible or at least significantly less that the cumulative force generated by the U-springs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A fastening device comprises a intermediary portion securable to the top end of tongue of shoe and supported by extendable members which elevate the intermediary portion when extended and lower it when folded. A spring means however continually urges and keeps the extendable members extended and consequently keeps the intermediary portion and secured top portion of tongue elevated unless an external force directs the intermediary portion downwards.

Claims

1. A fastening device comprising an elongated intermediary portion defining a fundamentally planar undersurface, and extendable members each comprising elongated counter rotating segments and where said members define ends rotatably secured to said portion and others rotatably secured to mounts.
2. The device of claim 1 where said counter rotating segments number two and where each segment is connected to its respective other via a joint permitting both to rotate in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal median defined through said portion.
3. The device of claim 2 where position of said joint along the length of either of respective said segments is variable.
4. The device of claim 1 having a lock and release means.
5. The device of claim 1 having a means to accommodate lateral displacement of said mounts on opposing sides of a longitudinal median defined through said portion.
6. The device of claim 1 having a means to continually urge extendable members into an extended state.

Shoe fastening mechanism

Information

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

Claims