Patent Application
20190014863
The present invention relates generally to shoe lace securing systems. More particularly the present invention relates to a device to receive shoe laces and hold them in place in an interior quarter portion of a shoe, between a heel of a wearer and inner heel portion of the shoe.
A popular style in the shoe and sneaker field is to lace shoes such that terminal ends of the lace extend into the shoe, leaving no external free lace ends. However, lacing shoes in this manner typically ensures that the shoes cannot be conveniently or comfortably tied or otherwise secured. This leads to the shoes becoming loose and unkempt.
Therefore, what is needed is a device to allow a user to tighten and secure laces while passing the terminal ends of the laces into the shoe.
The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, a shoe lace securing device is provided. The device is configured to hold lace end portions in place and configured to be positioned on an interior quarter portion of a shoe. The shoe lace device has a body and a plurality of straps. In one embodiment, the body is formed of a flexible and elongate material. The plurality of straps are attached to the body and are positioned in a widthwise direction across the body. The straps are configured to receive a first end portion of a shoe lace and a second end portion of a shoelace, with these end portions passing between the plurality of straps and the body.
In another aspect, a shoe is provided, this shoe has an upper body and a sole which together define an interior portion of the shoe, including an interior quarter portion where a user inserts a foot. The shoe has a shoe lace securing device positioned within the interior quarter portion of the shoe. The device is specifically positioned along the rear side end of the shoe interior quarter portion, where a heel of a foot would abut. The shoe lace device has a body and a plurality of straps. The body may be formed of a flexible and elongate material. The plurality of straps are attached to the body and are positioned in a widthwise direction across the body. The lace end portions are held to the device by passing between the body and the straps.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Generally, the present invention concerns a device to secure end portions of a shoe lace which are passed through a final lace hole in a shoe from an outside of the shoe into the shoe. The device receives the shoe laces and seats in an inner quarter portion of the shoe. A user may then place their foot into the shoe and the device (when holding the laces) may fit between a back of the user's heel and a rear heel portion (part of the quarter portion) of the inside of the shoe. As such, portions of the lace are on opposite sides of a foot when in the shoe. In another embodiment, however, both lace portions may be on a same side of the foot/shoe. This arrangement holds the laces in place from becoming too loose, and provides a stylish look to the shoe.
The device is formed generally of an elongate body sized to receive each of the lace end portions. The lace end portions may be arranged in opposite directions, or the same direction. In one embodiment, the body may be formed of any flexible material. In some embodiments, the body is formed of a soft and flexible material such as plastics, foams, rubbers, fabrics, and the like. The body is often rectangular or oval in shape, but may be any shape capable of receiving the end portions of the lace.
A strap or straps extend widthwise along the body. The straps are configured to receive the two end portions of the lace. End portions, as used herein, include the terminal ends of the lace, and regions of the lace close to the terminal ends. Lace end portions can be passed lengthwise along the body and held in place by passing between the body and the straps. In one embodiment, the straps may be elastic or other stretchable material. This may provide additional force to hold the straps to the body. The straps may be connected to the body or integrally formed with the body in any manner. In a particular embodiment, stitching may connect a strap to the body. In a further embodiment, a middle stitching positioned approximately on the widthwise center of the body may separate the strap into two separate areas. One area for a first lace end, and the other area for a second lace end. In one embodiment, five straps positioned widthwise along the length of the body may be used. In another embodiment, four straps positioned widthwise along the length of the body may be used. In some embodiments, a clip or other holding structure may be employed to hold the laces to the body.
In use, a user may pass a shoelace through the multiple lace holes in the shoe such that at the final lace hole, the lace is inserted from an outside of the shoe into the inside quarter portion of the shoe. The free end portions of the lace are then connected to the body by being passed, or laced through the strap or straps. A user may then position the body, having the lace end portions attached, into the shoe interior quarter portion, urging it into place so that it curves around a rear interior wall of the shoe where a heel of a user will be placed. Once in position the device may either be held in place by a connection to the shoe, such as a hook and loop connection (Velcro®), an adhesive, magnets, friction, tension, and the like. In another embodiment, no connector may be needed and the user's foot may hold the device in place. When in place, the shoe lace securing device prevents loosening of the shoe lace. Keeping the laces tight is achieved by the fact that the device body cannot move closer to the tongue of the shoe because it is blocked by the foot and/or held in place, as well as the fact that the laces are held in place by being held between the strap (or straps) and body.
In a further embodiment, the device may be built into a shoe, such that the body is integrated into the shoe interior, or such that the straps are directly connected to the shoe interior. Operation will be the same as discussed elsewhere in this disclosure. However, the shoe manufacturer, or an end user, may choose to directly connect the straps to the shoe during production.
Turning now to
While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.
