WO2008062484A1

WO2008062484A1 - Accessory for footwear with laces suitable for preventing the unfastening of the laces

Info

Publication number: WO2008062484A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000811
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Spadacini; Ruggero Cominelli
Original assignee: Giuseppe Spadacini; Ruggero Cominelli
Priority date: 2006-11-21
Filing date: 2006-11-21
Publication date: 2008-05-29

Abstract

This concerns an accessory to be applied to footwear provided with laces in order to prevent the latter from unfastening after they have been fastened. Said accessory consists of an elongated body (2) provided with a connecting device (4) and with at least one, preferably two, connecting elements (7,8) that are inserted into said connecting device locking at least the fastened laces on its interior.

Description

ACCESSORY FOR FOOTWEAR WITH LACES SUITABLE FOR PREVENTING THE UNFASTENING OF THE LACES.

Technical Field ^v The invention relates to the technical sector for the production of footwear accessories.

Background Art

The majority of footwear on the market is fastened with laces of various kinds. The fastening of footwear by means of laces has for some time been preferred by sportspeople, but presents the problem of having to be held in position during the movement of the foot. The problem of the unfastening of the lace knot is particularly troublesome above all during competitions.

Similar problems are presented by some work footwear, children's footwear or generally those with slightly rigid or smooth laces.

The problem is such that numerous attempts have been to resolve it, but among these the only valid solution until now is that of the double knot.

However, even this solution does not fulfil the necessary functionality nor the characteristics with respect to practicality, cost or limited encumbrance on the shoe, so much so that, in fact, is it standard practice to double knot the laces to prevent them from unfastening, a system that is not always effective or comfortable.

The main limitations of the solutions proposed until now are related to the lack of simplicity with respect to application and usage, given that each time the shoe is removed the lace holding device must be removed or moved from its position. \

The solution proposed reconciles the multiple requirements disclosed above. The invention in question only interferes minimally with the shoe, it does not create problems for the foot, it provides very simple usage, it remains connected to the shoe when the latter is unlaced or removed and furthermore lends itself to the possibility of aesthetic personalisation, in order to be an accessory with little visual impact on the shoe or vice-versa a decoration and/or an instrument for advertising.

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention consists of a strip of tongue-shaped material, preferably in moulded rubber, having a connecting device (5) in the central area. With respect to the central connecting device, the two opposite parts (8) (7) of the strip are made in such a way that both can be folded towards the centre and can be joined to said device. One of the 1;wo parts has pebbling (10) on one face.

The strip has a suitable form and dimensions to be arranged between the tongue and the laces, the latter already being inserted into the suitable eyelets of the shoe and laced up according to the preferred method.

The positioning can be made with the shoe lasted or not.

The part having the pebbling must be placed by the side of the pin and turned upwards.

The part of the invention turned towards the toe of the foot, must be refolded around one or more of the lace crossings, preferably around the third, and joined to the central connecting device. This operation allows the invention to be held in connection to the shoe also when it is not completely fastened and each time that it is removed. The invention is in this way mounted on the shoe in the "opened" state.

Once the shoe has been fastened completely, namely after having tightened the crossings and knotted the laces in the usual way, in order to use the lace holding function of the invention, the part of the strip directed towards the pin must be folded around the knot or bow and it must also be joined to the central connecting device. The laces, through the part engaged in the knot and in the bow, remain in this way confined on the interior of the invention, that blocks them and prevents the knot from unfastening. This effect is favoured by the pebbling that comes into contact with the laces. In this way the invention is mounted on the shoe in the "closed" state.

The invention does not present any part that comes into contact with the foot.

The limited encumbrance of the device, together with the possible flexibility and softness characteristics of the chosen material do not compromise the elasticity of the shoe. Its particular shape, its lightness and the strength of the rubber used, allow complete adaptability to the movements of the foot without producing any discomfort.

The device can be made in plastic, rubber, leather, leather textured paper or cloth or with assemblies of two or more of said materials.

With particular reference to Figure 5, a possible practical embodiment of the invention is shown as an example.

The footwear accessory (1) is made in rubber, with a mixture so as to confer on the system the extensibility and rigidity comparable with that of the shoe to which it is applied.

The accessory (1) consists of an elongated body (2) having in its central part, preferably not centred with regards to the two ends, a connecting device (4). Said connecting device is made by means of a mushroom-shaped peg including a head (5) and a shank (6). The shank (6) of the connecting device (4) rests on the elongated body (2) and is integral with it.

The elongated body (2) includes two areas (3) sufficiently flexible to allow the folding of the body itself. The two flexible areas (3) are found on opposite sides with respect to the central connecting device (4). Two slots (7) and (8) are obtained on the two ends of the elongated body with such dimensions that they can be inserted onto the mushroom-shaped connecting device (4), in the sense that the head (5) can pass through each slot (7 and 8).

The shank (6) of the mushroom-shaped device (4) has a height (H) superior or equal to the total thickness (S1) and (S2) of the elongated body (2), measured in correspondence with the slots (7) and (8).

The shank (6) of the mushroom-shaped device (4) furthermore has a section (9) with an area equal to or lower than that of slots (7) and (8). i

The perimeter of the slot (8) furthest from the peg (4) is, taking into account the elasticity of the material, as a whole lower than the perimeter of the head (5) of the peg (4), in such a way that the head (5) can only pass through the slot (7) by means of a voluntary action.

On part of the surface of the elongated body (2) comprised between the mushroom-shaped device (4) and the slot (7), pebbling (10) is present that has the function of increasing the friction of this part of the surface of the elongated body (2).

The surface (11), placed on the side of the elongated body (2) opposite to that which has the mushroom-shaped peg (4), is coloured and personalized. With particular reference to Figures 1 to .4, one possible application of the invention to a sport shoe is shown as an example.

The accessory (1) is placed on the shoe (30) between the tongue (31) and the laces (32), the mushroom-shaped device (4) projects in correspondence with the third crossing of the laces. The longer side of the elongated body (2) is turned towards the pin with the pebbling turned upwards. The part turned towards the toe of the foot is refolded (20) around the third crossing and the head (5) of the mushroom-shaped device (4) is forced to pass through the slot (8).

Once the shoe has been fastened (Figure 3) with the knot and the bow (33) over the accessory (1), the part of the elongated body (2) turned towards the pin is refolded around it (21) and the liead (5) of the mushroom-shaped device (4) is forced through the slot (7).

The laces, by means of the part engaged in the knot and in the bow, remain confined on the interior of the invention (22).

Only the lower surface (11) of the accessory (1) remains in view.

With reference to the Figures of the annexed drawings, an accessory for holding the laces of a shoe so that they do not unfasten once they have been fastened according to the present invention is characterised in that it includes an elongated body (2) provided with a connecting device (4) and at least one, preferably two, elements (7) (8) placed on at least one of its ends and capable of being attached to said connecting device, after having refolded towards the centre said end of the elongated body, in order to include part of the laces on its interior.

Said connecting device (4) is found in the central part of the accessory, preferably not centred with respect to the two ends.

A first end, provided with the joining element (8) to the central connecting device, is folded over itself, connecting to said device and remaining steadily blocked in position, containing on its interior at least part of the laces of the shoe not engaged in the knot, thus allowing the locking of the accessory to the laces.

The second end, provided with a joining element (7) to the central connecting device, is folded over itself after which the laces are fastened, including on its interior said fastening prior to folding, in order then to be joined to the central connecting device (4).

The folding of the first end that allows the locking of the accessory to the laces can be turned downwards or upwards, the attachment of said end to the central connecting device is movable and the connection is removed each time the shoe must be unlaced, or vice-versa when it is restored after the shoe has been fastened.

In the area (3) in which at least one end is folded, workings are provided that facilitate the folding operation.

In the area in which the end including the fastening of the lace is folded, pebbling (10) is provided that makes the blocking of the fastening of the lace more stable.

Advantageously, said pebbling is substituted by stitching or applications.

Advantageously, the central connecting device (4) is produced by means of at least one peg placed on the elongated body, and said joining element placed on the end consists of at least one, preferably two, slots obtained on the elongated body on at least one of its ends and suitable for being inserted onto said peg once said end is refolded over said peg.

The peg has a mushroom-shaped form, including a head, a shank and a plate-shaped base, the base of said peg being integral with the body of the device, preferably incorporated with it. \

Advantageously, the base of said peg is made up of the same elongated body of the accessory.

The two slots (7) (8) are obtained on the two ends of the elongated body, in such a way that by folding both ends toward the peg, the slots pass the head remaining blocked below it. Advantageously, the shank of the peg has a height corresponding at least to the thickness of one end of the elongated body in correspondence with the slot.

Advantageously, the shank of the peg has a height corresponding at least to the thickness of the two ends of the device in correspondence with the slots.

Advantageously, the shank of said peg has a thickness equal to or lower than the thickness of at least one slot obtained on the elongated body of the accessory.

The footwear accessory that is the object of the invention is inserted below the laces, above the tongue of the shoe, with the central connecting device projecting preferably in correspondence with the third lace crossing.

The footwear accessory that is the object of the invention is made in a monobloc of moulded rubber or is made from a monobloc of elastically deformable plastic material or is produced by means of plastic forming and/or pressure die casting.

Advantageously, the elongated body of the accessory that is the object of the invention is made entirely or partially in leather, leather textured cloth or paper or is produced by assembling two or more of said materials by adhesion or stitching.

Advantageously, the peg of the connecting device described above is fixed to the elongated body of the accessory and passes through a hole obtained on it, the diameter of said shank of said peg is less than or equal to that of a hole obtained on the elongated body of the accessory on the interior of which said peg is inserted and the length of said shank is at least equal to the total thickness of the elongated body of the accessory, in correspondence with the area that it passes and with at least one end having the slot. Advantageously, the accessory that is the object of the invention is produced in one or more moulded rubber parts or in one or more parts of elastically deformable plastic material or is produced in one or more parts obtained by plastic forming and/or pressure die casting.

Advantageously, the accessory in question can be incorporated or integral with the tongue or with another part of the shoe. The shoe can therefore be sold already provided with this accessory.

The invention includes furthermore a shoe with the accessory in question incorporated, applied and/or applicable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate one possible technical solution for the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows the plan view and the side view of a sports shoe with the invention positioned on it.

Figure 2 shows the plan view and the side view of a sports shoe with the invention mounted on it and the laces not yet fastened.

Figure 3 shows the fastening of the laces of a sports shoe with the invention mounted on it in the Opened state.

Figure 4 shows the plan view and the side view of a sports shoe with the invention mounted on it in the Closed state: the laces are fastened and blocked by the invention.

Figure 5 shows the design in plan view and¹ in view side of the invention.

Claims

1. Accessory for blocking the laces of a shoe so that they do not unfasten once they have been fastened, characterised in that it includes an elongated body (2) provided with a connecting device (4) and with at least one, preferably two, elements (7) (8) placed on at least one of its ends and suitable for being attached to said connecting device, after having refolded toward the centre said end of the elongated body, in order to include on its interior part of the laces.

2. Footwear accessory according to claim 1 , characterised in that said connecting device (4) is found on the central part of the accessory, preferably not centred with respect to the two ends.

3. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that a first end, provided with the joining element (8) to the central connecting device, is folded over itself, connecting to said device and remaining steadily blocked, containing on its interior at least part of the laces of the shoe not engaged in the knot, thus allowing the locking of the accessory to the laces.

4. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that one end, provided with the joining element (7) to the central connecting device, is folded over itself after which the^'Jaces are fastened, including on its interior said fastening prior to folding, subsequently to be attached to the central connecting device (4).

5. Footwear accessory according to claim 3, characterised in that the folding of the first end that allows the locking of the accessory to the laces can be turned upwards or downwards.

6. Footwear accessory according to claim 4, characterised in that the attachment of said end to the central connecting device is movable and the connection is removed each time the shoe must be unlaced, and vice-versa the two parts are again joined after the shoe has been fastened.

7. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that in the area (3) in which at least one end is folded, workings are provided that facilitate the folding operation. I

8. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that in the area in which the end including the fastening of the laces is folded, pebbling (10) is provided that increases the stability of the blocking of the fastening of the lace that is held in position.

9. Footwear accessory as in claim 8, characterised in that said pebbling is substituted by stitching or applications.

10. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said central connecting device (4) is produced by means of at least one peg placed on the elongated body, and said joining element placed at the end consists of at (east one, preferably two, slots that are obtained on the elongated body on at least one of its ends and that are suitable for being inserted onto said peg once said end is refolded over said peg.

11. Footwear accessory according to claim 10, characterised in that said peg has a mushroom-shaped form, including a head, a shank and a plate- shaped base.

12. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims from 10 to 11 , characterised in that the base of said peg is integral with the body of the device, preferably incorporated with it.

13. Footwear accessory according to one or . more of claims 10 to 11 , characterised in that the base of said peg is made up of the same elongated body of the accessory.

14. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that it includes two slots (7) (8) obtained on the two ends of the elongated body, so that by folding both ends towards the peg, the slots pass over the head remaining blocked below it.

15. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the shank of the peg has a height corresponding at least to the thickness of one end of the elongated body in correspondence with the slot.

16. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the shank of the peg has a height coiγesponding at least to the thickness of the two ends of the device in correspondence with the slots.

17. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 10 to 16, characterised in that the shank of said peg has a thickness equal to or lower than the width of at least one slot obtained on the elongated body of the accessory.

18. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims from 1 to 17, characterised in that it is inserted below the laces of a shoe, above the tongue of the shoe, with the central connecting device projecting preferably in correspondence with the third lace crossing.

19. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that it is made in a moulded rubber monobloc.

20. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that it is produced in a monobloc of elastically deformable plastic material.

21. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that it is produced by means of plastic forming and/or pressure die casting.

22. Footwear accessory according to one or more of claims from 1 to 18, characterised in that the elongated body is entirely or partially made of leather, leather textured cloth or paper.

23. Footwear accessory according to claim 22, characterised in that the elongated body is produced by assembling two or more of said materials by adhesion or stitching.

24. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 9 to 17, characterised in that said peg is fixed to the body of the accessory, and passes through a hole obtained on it.

25. Footwear accessory according to claim 24 characterised in that the diameter of said shank of said peg is lower than or equal to that of a hole obtained on the elongated body of the accessory on the interior of which said peg is inserted.

26. Device according to claim 24 characterised in that the length of said shank is at least equal to the total thickness of the elongated body of the accessory, in correspondence with the area that it passes through and with at least one end having the slot.

27. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 24 to 26, characterised in that it is produced in one or more moulded rubber parts.

28. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 24 to 26, characterised in that it is produced in one or more parts of elastically deformable plastic material.

29. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 24 to 26, characterised in that it is produced in one or more parts obtained by plastic forming and/or pressure die casting. v

30. Footwear accessory according to any of claims 1 to 29 characterised in that it is incorporated or integral with the tongue or with another part of the shoe.

31. Shoe with the accessory according to one or more of claims from 1 to 29 incorporated, applied and/or applicable.