Shoelace fastening apparatus

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6192559
  • Patent Number
    6,192,559
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, February 23, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 27, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A shoelace locking apparatus. The apparatus comprises a body attachable to a first end of a shoelace and a cup. The body defines a laterally opening locking passage therein for receiving a second end of the shoelace. The cup may be integral with the body or with a separate extension component. By tying a knot in a desired location in the second end of the shoelace and stretching the lace, the second end of the lace may be moved into an engaged position in which tension in the stretched lace tends to maintain the knot in the cup. The apparatus may also comprise a lock attachable to the second end of the shoelace such that the lock is also positioned in the cup and rotatable to a locking position preventing undesired longitudinal movement of the lock and shoelace.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates to fastening or locking devices for shoelaces, and more particularly, to a shoelace fastening apparatus for quickly fastening and releasing the two ends of a shoelace without the necessity of tying a knot with the ends.




2. Description of the Prior Art




It is well known that shoelaces require tying and untying the two ends thereof at every use, and many times the laces come undone prematurely which, of course, is not desired. Also, tying of shoelaces is difficult or impossible for some wearers. For example, parents may be required to spend time and exertion tying young children's laces. Once tied, children may play with the knot, step on a lace end, or otherwise cause the laces to work free through normal walking. For children and adults, laces which come undone prematurely represent at best more work to retie and at worst an opportunity for a tripping accident. Also, persons with problems with manual dexterity, such as arthritis sufferers, may find tying shoelaces to be difficult if not impossible. The present invention solves these problems by providing a shoelace fastening device which users can operate with much less effort, dexterity and time than is necessary for tying laces and which eliminates the possibility of premature unfastening.




A variety of devices have been developed for locking shoelaces without requiring the tying thereof. For the most part, these devices are overly complicated such that they are not practical and can necessitate a portion of the apparatus be physically attached to the shoe, thus either requiring that the device be made an integral part of the shoe originally or requiring a permanent modification of the shoe subsequently. The present invention does not require any changes to the shoe itself, but is quickly and easily attached and detached only from the shoelaces. Thus it is applicable to all laced shoes currently in the stream of commerce and easily transferable between pairs of shoes.




A problem with previous quick-release shoelace locks is that they may accidentally become disengaged relatively easily. As with tied laces, if a locking device is too easy to release, young children may take them off when it is desired that they not do so. The present invention solves this problem by providing a locking mechanism which guards against unwanted manipulation by children. This child-proof feature should provide a boon to parents who probably already have their hands full in dealing with young children without being concerned about keeping their shoes on.




Another problem with previous quick-release shoelace locks is that those that are not integral with the shoe may easily come entirely separated from the shoe when not in use. This invention solves that problem by providing a method of attachment to one end of the lace that does not release when the device is not in use, and therefore prevents the unintended separation of the device from the shoe. At the same time, complete separation is possible if desired.




Finally, an optional extension further assists in the manipulation of the device by handicapped users.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is a device for fastening and locking shoelaces. Different embodiments are described herein, but all primarily utilize on the tension inherent in a stretched shoelace to hold the apparatus in its engaged position and secondarily utilize mechanically interlocking components to resist tampering.




The invention may be described as an apparatus for connecting ends of a shoelace comprising a body adapted for attachment to a first end of the shoelace and a cup adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace such that tension in the shoelace tends to hold the knot in the cup. The body defines a laterally opening locking passage therein adapted for receiving a second end of the shoelace. The body further preferably defines a retaining passage therein adapted for receiving the first end of the shoelace therethrough. A knot tied in the first end of the shoelace is prevented from passing through the retaining opening because of the size thereof.




The body may have a protrusion thereon adjacent to the locking passageway for reducing a portion of the locking passage in size and thereby providing resistance to movement of the second end of the shoelace therethrough.




In a first embodiment, the cup is integrally formed with the body and disposed at an end of the locking passage. Normally, when in a locking position, the knot tied in the second end of the shoelace engages a shoulder in the cup. Alternatively, the apparatus may further comprise a lock adapted for attachment to the second end of the shoelace and positionable in the cup. The lock has a locking position substantially preventing inadvertent removal thereof from the cup. As illustrated herein, the body further comprises a lock retainer in the cup, and the lock has a notch thereon. Longitudinal movement of the lock in the cup is possible when the notch is aligned with the lock retainer, and longitudinal movement of the lock in the cup is substantially prevented when the lock is rotated with respect to the body to the locking position. The notch and lock retainer are substantially flat. The lock preferably has a knurled edge thereon.




In a second embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an extension separable from the body and positionable in a locking position adjacent to an end of the locking passage in the body. The cup is integrally formed with the extension. The body defines a recess at an end of the locking passage, and a portion of the extension extends into the recess when in the locking position. Lateral movement of the extension is prevented when the extension is in the engaged position.




The first embodiment of the invention may also be described as an apparatus for connecting ends of a shoelace comprising a body adapted for attachment to a first end of the shoelace and defining a locking passage therein adapted for laterally receiving a second end of the shoelace, and a lock adapted for attachment to the second end of the shoelace and positionable in a locked position in the locking passage. The locking passage comprises a cup in which the lock is positioned when the lock is in the locked position. The locking opening also has an elongated portion extending from the cup. The cup and elongated portion of the locking passage are in communication with a laterally opening slot defined in the body.




The first embodiment of the shoelace locking apparatus of the present invention may also be described as comprising a body defining a first opening therein for longitudinally receiving a first end of the shoelace therethrough, a second opening for receiving a second end of the shoelace therein, and a laterally opening slot in communication with a second opening. The second opening has an elongated portion and an enlarged portion with the enlarged portion being adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace. The second end of the shoelace may be moved laterally through the slot into the second opening such that the knot tied in the second end of the shoelace may be subsequently moved longitudinally into the enlarged portion of the second opening. This slot is sized such that lateral movement of the knot therethrough is prevented.




The second embodiment of the shoelace locking apparatus may be described as comprising a body and an extension. The body defines a first opening therein for longitudinally receiving a first end of a shoelace therethrough, a second opening for receiving a second end of the shoelace therein, a recess in communication with an end of the second opening, and a laterally opening slot in communication with the second opening and recess such that the second end of the shoelace may be moved laterally through the slot. The extension is adapted for receiving the second end of the shoelace therethrough and has an enlarged portion for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace. The extension has a portion adapted for extending into the recess in the body when the extension is in a locking position. The extension is sized such that lateral movement thereof through the lateral opening slot in the body is prevented. Tension in the shoelace tends to hold the extension in the engaged position.




An important object of the present invention is to provide a shoelace fastening apparatus which quickly and easily may be used to tighten and release shoelaces.




Another object is to provide a shoelace fastening device which can be used with any existing laced shoe without reinforcement, retrofitting or modification of the shoe, and which can be easily transferred between shoes.




Another object of the invention is to provide a positive shoelace fastening system that is not susceptible to the forces and dynamics which tend to loosen the slip knots commonly employed when tying shoes.




A further object of the invention is to provide a shoelace fastening device which requires a simple, deliberate action on the part of the user to disengage it.




Another object of the invention is to provide a locking device for preventing young children and toddlers from unfastening their shoes.




Still another object of the invention is to provide a shoelace locking device which is secured to the shoelace even when not in use so that the locking device is not easily lost.




An additional object of the invention is to provide a shoelace locking device which allows an opportunity for fashion statements and/or advertising on shoes as a result of the design of the locking device.




Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate such embodiments.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

shows a first embodiment of the shoelace fastening or locking apparatus of the present invention in a locking position on a shoe.





FIG. 2

is a side elevation view of the first embodiment.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of an optional lock used in the first embodiment.





FIG. 4

is an end view of the first embodiment of the shoelace fastening apparatus showing the lock in an unlocked position.





FIG. 5

shows an end view with the lock in the locked position.





FIG. 6

is a cross section taken along line


6





6


in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 7

illustrates a perspective view of an extension in a second embodiment of the shoelace fastening apparatus.





FIG. 8

is a longitudinal cross section of the extension of the second embodiment.





FIG. 9

is a cross section similar to

FIG. 6

showing the second embodiment apparatus in a fastening or locking position.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Different embodiments of the apparatus will now be described. In all of the embodiments, the fastening apparatus of the present invention places the shoestring in tension and uses this tension to hold the apparatus in the engaged position. This is accomplished by positioning a knot in the shoelace in a cup portion of the apparatus. This cup prevents inadvertent removal of the knot therefrom so that the shoelace is positively engaged by the apparatus when the apparatus is in the engaged position and may only be released when the apparatus is placed in an disengaged position.




Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to

FIG. 1

, a first embodiment of the shoelace fastening or locking apparatus of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the numeral


10


. Apparatus


10


is adapted for use in releasably connecting ends of a shoelace


12


of a shoe


14


. As shown in

FIG. 1

, shoe


14


includes a sole


16


, an upper


18


and a tongue


20


in addition to shoelaces


12


. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that shoelace locking apparatus


10


may be used with any of a variety of shoe constructions using laces, and the invention is not intended to be limited to the shoe configuration illustrated in FIG.


1


. In other words, apparatus


10


is used to connect a first end


22


and a second end


24


of virtually any shoelace


12


.




In the drawings, first embodiment shoelace locking apparatus


10


is shown having a body


26


and a lock


28


. As will be further described herein, lock


28


is actually an optional component and is not necessary for a functioning shoelace fastening device. However, lock


28


provides a more secure connection and one which is much less likely to be circumvented by small children.




Referring now to

FIGS. 2-6

, the details of apparatus


10


will be discussed.




Body


26


is preferably of a one-piece construction. In particular, but not by way of limitation, it is contemplated that body


26


could be easily molded of a plastic material. However, other materials would work just as well. Also, body


26


could be formed of multiple pieces.




Body


26


is illustrated as having a generally parallelepiped configuration. However, body


26


does not have to be any particular shape, and it is contemplated that it can be molded into a variety of shapes to provide ornamentation as a fashion statement or to provide a medium for placing advertising thereon. Regardless of the shape or configuration of body


26


, the body preferably defines a first passage or opening


30


extending longitudinally therethrough and a second passage or opening


32


extending longitudinally therethrough and substantially parallel to the first passage.




First passage


30


is generally a cylindrical opening adapted for receiving first end


22


of lace


12


therethrough. As seen in

FIGS. 1 and 6

, by tying a knot


34


in first end


22


of lace


12


after passing the lace through first passage


30


, body


26


is retained on the first end of the lace, and knot


34


prevents the lace from being pulled back through because of the engagement of the knot with a first end


36


of body


26


. Thus, first passage


30


may be referred to as retaining passage


30


.




Second passage


32


comprises an elongated portion


38


and an enlarged portion


40


which is adjacent to a second end


42


of body


26


. Enlarged portion


40


may also be referred to as a cup


40


which is integrally formed with body


26


. The cup may also be in an extension component separable from the body, as described in the second embodiment herein.




As best seen in

FIGS. 4 and 5

, a longitudinally extending slot


44


provides lateral communication between second passage


32


and side


46


of body


26


. Thus, it may be said that second passage


32


opens laterally with respect to body


26


.




Slot


44


is shown extending at approximately 90E from side


46


, but as an alternative could be at a different angle so that simply pulling sideways on shoelace


12


will not release it. Rather, lace


12


would have to be pulled at the angle of slot


44


with the object to make inadvertent disengagement less likely.




Except where intersected by slot


44


, elongated portion


38


of second passage


32


is generally cylindrical. Enlarged portion or cup


40


of the second passage is also cylindrical and has a diameter larger than that of the elongated portion


38


. Thus, a shoulder


48


, having an annular configuration truncated by slot


44


, extends between elongated portion


38


and enlarged portion


40


of second passage


32


.




As best seen in

FIGS. 4-6

, a first or upper lock retainer


50


and a second or lower lock retainer


52


are disposed in enlarged portion or cup


40


of second passage


32


. First and second lock retainers


50


and


52


are spaced longitudinally from shoulder


48


such that a gap


54


is defined therebetween. As will be further discussed herein, gap


54


is slightly larger than the thickness of lock


28


so the lock can fit therein. Referring to

FIGS. 4 and 5

, first and second lock retainers


50


and


52


are substantially flat and extend as chords with respect to the partial circle defined by enlarged portion


40


of second passage


32


.




Adjacent to first end


36


of body


26


, a pair of facing protrusions


56


extend inwardly in slot


44


. As will be further described herein, protrusions


56


serve to lightly retain a portion of second end


24


of shoelace


12


in body


26


adjacent to the protrusions.




Referring now to

FIG. 3

, lock


28


is generally in the form of a substantially flat disc defining a central hole


58


therethrough. Lock


28


is generally circular with an outer edge


60


which is preferably knurled. A first or upper notch


62


and a substantially parallel second or lower notch


64


truncate the generally circular configuration of lock


28


and extend as chords thereacross. The spacing between first and second notches


62


and


64


is slightly less than the spacing between first and second lock retainers


50


and


52


.




In the operation of apparatus


10


, regardless of whether lock


28


is used, first end


22


of shoelace


12


is extended longitudinally through first, retaining passage


30


in body


26


, and knot


34


is tied in the lace as previously described to attach and retain body


26


to the shoelace.




As previously mentioned, lock


28


is optional. When lock


28


is not used, a knot


66


is formed in second end


24


of shoelace


12


at the desired position. Shoelace


12


is stretched along the length of body


24


with knot


66


clearing second end


42


of body


26


, after which second end


24


of the shoelace may be moved laterally inwardly through slot


44


into second passage


32


. By tying knot


66


in the appropriate position along the length of second end


24


of shoelace


12


, the stretching of lace


12


will result in enough tension being applied to it so that the lace pulls knot


66


toward shoulder


48


in body


26


. Knot


66


thus directly engages shoulder


48


in body


26


, and is held there by the tension in stretched shoelace


12


, thereby retaining second end


24


of shoelace


12


in body


26


and fastening lace


12


on shoe


16


. Thus, second passage


32


may be referred to as fastening passage


32


. This is a satisfactory arrangement when it is not necessary or desired to more securely lock shoelace


12


into apparatus


10


. Removal is accomplished simply by pulling longitudinally outwardly on second end


24


of lace


12


, so that knot


66


clears end


42


of body


26


, and moving the lace back transversely outwardly through slot


44


so that it is disengaged from body


26


.




In the operation of the embodiment of apparatus


10


utilizing lock


28


, second end


24


of shoelace


12


is passed through hole


58


in lock


28


. As seen in

FIGS. 1 and 6

, a knot


66


is formed in second end


24


of shoelace


12


to retain lock


28


thereon.




Second end


24


of lace


12


is positioned in body


26


and locked therein in the following manner. Second end


24


of lace


12


is stretched longitudinally beside body


26


(toward the right in

FIG. 1

) so that knot


66


and lock


28


are beyond second end


42


of body


26


. At this point, second end


24


of lace


12


may be moved laterally inwardly into second passage


32


through slot


44


. In this way, lock


28


and knot


66


are generally aligned with enlarged portion or cup


40


of second passage


32


so that the lock and knot


66


may be moved longitudinally into the cup (to the left in FIGS.


1


and


6


). By tying knot


66


in the appropriate position along the length of second end


24


of lace


12


, the stretching of lace


12


will result in enough tension being applied to it so that the lace tends to pull lock


28


and knot


66


toward shoulder


48


in body


26


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 4 and 6

, notches


62


and


64


on lock


28


are aligned with lock retainers


50


and


52


in body


26


so that lock


28


may be moved longitudinally into gap


54


. As seen in

FIG. 5

, lock


28


may be rotated 90E in gap


54


so that notches


62


and


64


are no longer aligned with lock retainers


50


and


52


. In

FIG. 5

, lock


28


is shown after being rotated clockwise 90E, but those skilled in the art will see that the lock could just as easily be rotated counterclockwise. In this locking position, lock retainers


50


and


52


will be seen to prevent longitudinally outward movement of lock


28


. Thus, lace


12


is locked on shoe


16


, and second passage


32


may be referred to in this embodiment as locking passage


32


.




When so engaged, the portion of second end


24


of shoelace


12


adjacent to protrusions


56


is lightly retained in body


26


as previously described. The flexible material of the typical shoelace


12


allows it to be passed fairly easily between protrusions


56


, but the lace will not simply fall therethrough.




To release second end


24


of shoelace


12


, lock


28


is rotated back 90E in either direction so that notches


62


and


64


are each aligned with one of lock retainers


50


and


52


, at which point pulling on the end of the shoelace will move knot


66


and allow lock


28


to pass between retainers


50


and


52


and then longitudinally outwardly through cup


40


. Once knot


66


and lock


28


clear end


42


of body


26


, second end


24


of shoelace


12


may be moved laterally outwardly through slot


44


so that it is disengaged from body


26


.




FIGS.


2


and


4


-


6


also illustrate another alternate construction. In this embodiment, at least one divot


68


is indented into the surface of shoulder


48


in body


26


. As illustrated, there are four such divots


68


, but the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular number. A corresponding number of raised bumps


70


are formed on lock


26


in the same spacing as divots


68


. At least when lock


28


is positioned in the locking position shown in

FIG. 5

, bumps


70


on the lock are aligned with divots


68


in body


26


and extend therein to help prevent inadvertent rotation of lock


28


within enlarged portion


40


of second passage


32


in body


26


. Thus, in this alternate embodiment, resistance is provided against rotation of lock


28


, but this resistance is easily overcome by simultaneously relieving the bearing pressure of the knot


66


on the lock


28


while rotating the lock


28


. In this way an advanced level of mental and physical ability is required to rotate the lock


28


while chance movement is substantially eliminated.




With or without divots


68


and bumps


70


, a degree of manual dexterity is required to rotate optional lock


28


to its unlocked position. To unlock apparatus


10


with lock


28


, one pulls on lace


24


so that knot


66


no longer exerts a longitudinally directed force on lock


28


, rotates lock


28


so that notches


62


and


64


are again aligned with lock retainers


50


and


52


, and guides lock


28


with knot


66


outwardly from body


26


until both clear the end


42


. Adults will be able to carry out these steps in order to move lock


28


to the unlocked position, but small children and toddlers will not as likely be able to do so. Thus, a parent can fasten a child's shoelaces, and the child will be deterred from disengaging the shoelaces and removing the shoes.




In still another variation of apparatus


10


, a cap


70


may be positioned over enlarged portion


40


of second passage


32


as shown in phantom lines in

FIG. 2

to enclose knot


66


and also lock


28


if present. Cap


70


could be tethered to body


26


, such as by being molded as an integral, flexible part of the body or as a separate piece attached thereto.




Referring now to

FIG. 9

, a second embodiment of the shoelace locking apparatus of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the numeral


100


. As with first embodiment apparatus


10


, second embodiment apparatus


100


is adapted for use in releasably connecting first and second ends


22


and


24


of a shoelace


12


.




Apparatus


100


comprises a body


102


and an extension or knob


104


. Body


26


is preferably of a one-piece construction, such as molded plastic, but other materials and multiple pieces would also work.




Body


102


is illustrated as having a generally parallelepiped configuration, but does not have to be of any particular shape. It is contemplated that body


26


may be molded into a variety of shapes to provide ornamentation as a fashion statement or to provide a medium for placing advertising thereon. Regardless of the shape or configuration of body


102


, the body preferably defines a first passage or opening


106


extending longitudinally therethrough and a second passage or opening


108


extending longitudinally therethrough and substantially parallel to the first passage.




As in first embodiment apparatus


10


, first passage


30


in second embodiment


100


is generally a cylindrical opening adapted for receiving first end


22


of lace


12


therethrough. As seen in

FIG. 9

, by tying a knot


34


in first end


22


of lace


12


after passing the lace through first passage


106


, body


102


is retained on the first end of the lace, and knot


34


prevents the lace from being pulled back through because of the engagement of the knot with a first end


110


of body


102


. Thus, first passage


106


may be referred to as a retaining passage


106


.




Second passage


108


comprises an elongated portion


112


and an enlarged recess


114


adjacent to a second end


116


of body


102


. As illustrated in

FIG. 9

, body


102


is identical to body


26


in first embodiment apparatus


10


, and the previously described enlarged portion


40


is the same as recess


114


in the second embodiment. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific body illustrated, and bodies


102


and


26


need not be identical.




A longitudinally extending slot


118


provides lateral communication between second passage


108


and one side of body


102


. Thus, it may be said that second passage


108


opens laterally with respect to body


102


.




Slot


118


preferably extends at approximately 90E from the side of body


102


, but as an alternative could be at a different angle so that simply pulling sideways on shoelace


12


will not release it. Rather, lace


12


would have to be pulled at the angle of slot


118


with the object to make inadvertent disengagement less likely.




Except where intersected by slot


118


, elongated portion


112


of second passage


108


is generally cylindrical. Recess


114


is also cylindrical and has a diameter larger than that of elongated portion


112


. Thus, a shoulder


120


, having an annular configuration truncated by slot


118


, extends between elongated portion


112


and recess


114


of second passage


108


.




Referring also to

FIGS. 7 and 8

, extension


104


has a generally conical outer surface


122


extending from a cylindrical outer surface portion


124


. Cylindrical outer surface portion


124


is adapted to fit within recess


114


, as seen in

FIG. 9

, when in a locking position, as will be further described herein.




Extension


104


defines a bore


126


therein which is approximately the same size as elongated portion


112


of second opening


108


in body


102


. Extension


104


also defines an enlarged opening or cup


128


which opens outwardly at an outer end


130


of the extension. An inner end


132


of extension


104


is adapted for engagement with shoulder


120


and body


102


when apparatus


100


is in the fastening position shown in FIG.


9


.




In the operation of second embodiment


100


, second end


24


of shoelace


12


is inserted through bore


126


in extension


104


. A knot


34


is formed in second end


24


of lace


12


and positioned such that it engages a curvilinear surface


134


in cup


128


. That is, knot


66


prevents second end


24


of lace


12


from being pulled back through bore


126


in extension


104


.




By grasping extension


104


on conical surface


122


thereof, extension


104


is easily pulled to stretch second end


24


of lace


12


so that the extension clears second end


116


of body


102


. Second end


24


of shoelace


12


may then be moved laterally inwardly through slot


118


into second passage


108


. Cylindrical outer surface


124


of extension


104


is aligned with recess


114


in body


102


, and the extension is released. The tension in stretched shoelace


12


will keep knot


66


engaged with cup


128


and pull cylindrical outer surface


124


of extension


104


into recess


114


such that inner end


132


of the extension engages shoulder


120


, thereby placing apparatus


100


in the engaged position shown in FIG.


9


. Thus, as with first embodiment


10


and its variations, the tension in shoelace


12


keeps second embodiment apparatus


100


in its engaged position. Disengagement is accomplished simply by pulling on extension


104


and reversing the process.




It will be seen, therefore, that the shoelace locking apparatus of the present invention is well adapted to carry out the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments of the apparatus have been shown for the purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts may be made by those skilled in the art. All such changes are encompassed without the scope and spirit of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for connecting ends of a shoelace comprising:a body adapted for attachment to a first end of the shoelace, said body defining a laterally opening locking passage therein extending the length of said body and adapted for laterally receiving a second end of the shoelace; and a cup adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace such that tension in the shoelace tends to hold the knot in said cup when in an operating position on a shoe.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cup is integrally formed with said body and disposed at an end of the locking passage.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein lateral movement of said knot through said locking passage is prevented.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body defines a retaining passage therein adapted for receiving the first end of the shoelace therethrough such that a knot tied in the first end of the shoelace is prevented from passing through the retaining opening.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body has a protrusion thereon adjacent to said locking passage for reducing a portion of the locking passage in size and thereby providing resistance to movement of the second end of the shoelace laterally therethrough.
  • 6. An apparatus for connecting ends of a shoelace comprising:a body adapted for attachment to a first end of the shoelace and defining a locking passage therein extending the length of said body and adapted for laterally receiving a second end of the shoelace therethrough; and a lock adapted for attachment to the second end of the shoelace and positionable in a locked position in said locking passage.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a cup in which said lock is positioned when said lock is in said locked position.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:said cup is integrally formed with said body; and said locking passage has an elongated portion extending from said cup.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said cup and elongated portion of said locking passage are in communication with a laterally opening slot defined in said body.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said lock comprises a disc defining a hole therein for receiving the second end of the shoelace therethrough.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said disc has a knurled outer edge.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said body defines a retaining opening therein for receiving the first end of the shoelace therethrough.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:said cup defines a divot therein; said lock has a bump extending therefrom; and said bump extends into said divot when said lock is in said locking position.
  • 14. A shoelace locking apparatus comprising a body defining:a first opening therein for longitudinally receiving a first end of the shoelace therethrough; a second opening for receiving a second end of the shoelace therein, said second opening having an elongated portion and an enlarged portion, said enlarged portion being adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace; and a laterally opening slot in communication with said second opening such that the second end of the shoelace may be moved laterally through the slot into the second opening after the knot is tied in the second end of the shoelace such that the knot may be subsequently moved longitudinally into said enlarged portion of said second opening, said slot being sized such that lateral movement of the knot therethrough is prevented.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:a lock defining a hole therein for receiving the second end of the shoelace therethrough, said lock being positionable in said enlarged portion of said second opening in said body such that tension in the shoelace holds said lock in said second opening.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said lock has a knurled edge.
  • 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said body has a protrusion thereon extending into said slot adjacent to said second opening to reduce a size of a portion of said slot and thereby provide resistance to lateral movement of the second end of the shoelace therepast.
  • 18. A shoelace locking apparatus comprising:a body defining: a first opening therein for longitudinally receiving a first end of a shoelace therethrough; a second opening for receiving a second end of the shoelace therein; a recess in communication with an end of the second opening; and a laterally opening slot in communication with said second opening and recess such that the second end of the shoelace may be moved laterally through the slot; and an extension adapted for receiving the second end of the shoelace therethrough and having an enlarged portion for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace, said extension having a portion adapted for extending into said recess in said body when said extension is in a locking position, said extension being sized such that lateral movement thereof through the lateral opening slot in the body is prevented, wherein tension in the shoelace tends to hold the extension in the engaged position.
  • 19. An apparatus for connecting ends of a shoelace comprising:a body adapted for attachment to a first end of the shoelace, said body defining a laterally opening locking passage therein adapted for receiving a second end of the shoelace; a cup adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace such that tension in the shoelace tends to hold the knot in said cup, said cup being integrally formed with said body and disposed at an end of the locking passage; and a lock adapted for attachment to the second end of the shoelace and positionable in said cup, said lock having a locking position substantially preventing inadvertent removal thereof from said cup.
  • 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein:said body further comprises a lock retainer in said cup; and said lock has a notch thereon, such that longitudinal movement of said lock in said cup is possible when said notch is aligned with said lock retainer, and longitudinal movement of said lock in said cup is substantially prevented when said lock is rotated with respect to said body to said locking position.
  • 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said notch and lock retainer are substantially flat.
  • 22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said lock has a knurled edge.
  • 23. An apparatus for connecting ends of a shoelace comprising:a body adapted for attachment to a first end of the shoelace, said body defining a laterally opening locking passage therein adapted for receiving a second end of the shoelace; a cup adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace such that tension in the shoelace tends to hold the knot in said cup; and an extension separable from said body and positionable in an engaged position adjacent to an end of said locking passage in said body, wherein said cup is integrally formed with said extension.
  • 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein:said body defines a recess at an end of said locking passage; and a portion of said extension extends into said recess when in the engaged position.
  • 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein lateral movement of said extension is prevented when said extension is in the engaged position.
  • 26. An apparatus for connecting ends of a shoelace comprising:a body adapted for attachment to a first end of the shoelace and defining a locking passage therein adapted for laterally receiving a second end of the shoelace, said body comprising a lock retainer in said locking passage; and a lock adapted for attachment to the second end of the shoelace and positionable in a locked position in said locking passage, wherein: said lock has a notch thereon; said lock may be moved longitudinally in said locking opening when said notch is aligned with said lock retainer; and said lock is rotatable to said locked position such that said notch and lock retainer are unaligned and longitudinal movement of said lock in said locking passage is thereby substantially prevented.
  • 27. A shoelace locking apparatus comprising:a body defining: a first opening therein for longitudinally receiving a first end of a shoelace therethrough; a second opening for receiving a second end of the shoelace therein, said second opening having an elongated portion and an enlarged portion, said enlarged portion being adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace; and a laterally opening slot in communication with said second opening such that the second end of the shoelace may be moved laterally through said slot into said second opening such that the knot tied in the second end of the shoelace may be subsequently moved longitudinally into said enlarged portion of said second opening, said slot being sized such that lateral movement of the knot therethrough is prevented; said body comprising a lock retainer in said enlarged portion of said second opening; and a lock defining a hole therein for receiving the second end of the shoelace therethrough, said lock being positionable in said enlarged portion of said second opening in said body such that tension in the shoelace holds said lock in said second opening, said lock having a notch thereon such that said lock may be moved longitudinally in said enlarged portion of said second opening in said body when said notch is aligned with said lock retainer, said lock being rotatable in said enlarged portion such that said notch is not aligned with said lock retainer, thereby substantially preventing longitudinal movement of said lock.
  • 28. A shoelace locking apparatus comprising:a body defining: a first opening therein for longitudinally receiving a first end of a shoelace therethrough; a second opening for receiving a second end of the shoelace therein, said second opening having an elongated portion and an enlarged portion, said enlarged portion being adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace; and a laterally opening slot in communication with said second opening such that the second end of the shoelace may be moved laterally through said slot into said second opening such that the knot tied in the second end of the shoelace may be subsequently moved longitudinally into said enlarged portion of said second opening, said slot being sized such that lateral movement of the knot therethrough is prevented; wherein said body has a shoulder extending between said elongated and enlarged portions of said second opening in said body; and a lock defining a hole therein for receiving the second end of the shoelace therethrough, said lock being positionable in said enlarged portion of said second opening in said body such that tension in the shoelace holds said lock in said second opening, wherein said lock engages said shoulder when in a locking position.
  • 29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein:said shoulder defines a divot therein; and said lock comprises a raised portion thereon facing said shoulder, said raised portion extending into said divot when said lock is in said locking position.
  • 30. A shoelace fastening apparatus comprising a body defining:a first opening therein for longitudinally receiving a first end of a shoelace therethrough; a second opening for receiving a second end of the shoelace therein; a recess in communication with an end of the second opening and adapted for receiving a knot tied in the second end of the shoelace; and a laterally opening slot in communication with said second opening in said recess such that the second end of the shoelace may be moved laterally into and out of the second opening and recess through the slot without untying the knot and move longitudinally so that the knot is placed in the locking position in the recess; whereby, tension is applied to both ends of the shoelace which tends to hold the body in the operating position.
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