Shoelace tension guide

Abstract

To avoid such a problem that without tension applied to a shoestring, the shoestring becomes less tight, and therefore the foot will feel loose in the shoe, not as tight as it initially was, and to prevent such a risk that the conventional shoestring becomes loose, which basically provides an uncomfortable fit and causes the user's foot to move in the shoe or slip out of the shoe, exposing the user to many dangerous situations, thereby offering a steady fit to the user.SOLUTION: The present disclosure relates to a tension guide for a shoestring. The tension guide includes: a guide base 10 having a spring pocket 15; a tension spring 20 disposed in the spring pocket, whose both ends are elastically moved forward and backward as the shoestring 5 is pulled and released; and a guide cover 30 that covers the tension spring in the spring pocket. This gives continuing tension to a tied shoestring and, therefore, keeps the shoestring as tight as it initially was.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoelace tension guide, and more particularly to a shoelace tension guide that allows appropriate tension to be applied to a shoelace. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, shoe laces (wires) are almost always tied by the wearer directly with their hands.

[0003] Since there are some inconveniences associated with tying the string by hand, recently, various reel systems that use a dial system to tie the string have been proposed.

[0004] Currently, the wires (cables, strings) used in string tightening reel systems are strings made of nylon or polyethylene fibers, which are very smooth threads with high coefficients of friction and elasticity and high tensile strength.

[0005] Such laces have a high strength to weight ratio, are very durable and have very low elasticity.

[0006] The preferred laces are tightly braided and cinched woven. Tightly braided and cinched laces add stiffness to the finished lace.

[0007] The additional stiffness provided while tightening and braiding enhances pushing performance, and the string can be easily sewn through the string guides and inserted onto the spool, or through the guides to form a string loop that can be easily grasped by the user.

[0008] However, such conventional lace guides are not provided with any separate elastic means, and therefore the lace that passes through the lace guide and is wound onto the spool loosens its tightening force as time passes after it is tightened, and the upper expands to a certain extent from its initial volume due to the movement of the foot inside the upper, changes in the volume of the foot, and impacts applied.

[0009] In this case, the user will perceive that the laces will not be able to maintain the pressure that was originally applied.

[0010] That is, the laces may become loose from the reel system, causing the foot inside the shoe to feel looser than it was originally tightened.

[0011] In this case, the shoelaces may become loose, making the shoes uncomfortable to wear, and there are other problems, such as the possibility that the user's feet may move around inside the shoe or come off the shoe, exposing the shoes to various conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0027989 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a shoelace tension guide that provides continuous elasticity to the tied shoelace, thereby enabling the shoelace to maintain its initial tightening state, by providing a guide base with a spring pocket, a tension spring that is disposed in the spring pocket and whose both ends are elastically moved back and forth as the shoelace is pulled and released, and a guide cover that covers the tension spring in the spring pocket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, a shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a floor formed on one side of an upper surface, a base front wall disposed at a front end of the floor, a base rear wall disposed at a predetermined distance rearward of the base front wall, and a pair of base side walls that connect both ends of the base front wall and the base rear wall and extend upward a predetermined distance from the floor so that both ends of the shoelace are routed to the outside through the floor. A guide base having a spring pocket that is open at the top, and a spring pocket that is connected to the spring pocket and the pair of base side walls that connect both ends of the base front wall and the base rear wall and extend upward a predetermined distance from the floor. the tension spring being disposed on the floor of the base, with the shoelace passing through an internal through-hole, the center of which is tightly fixed between the front and rear walls of the base, and both ends of which are elastically moved back and forth by pulling and releasing the shoelace; and a guide cover which covers the tension spring of the spring pocket and which has a ceiling surface formed on one side of the bottom surface, front and rear cover walls which are disposed corresponding to the front and rear walls of the base and are joined to each other in contact with each other, and cover side walls which correspond to the base side walls and form lace-passing flow paths separated by a predetermined distance from each other.

[0015] In addition, in one embodiment of the shoelace tension guide of the present invention, the base front wall of the spring pocket has a curved wall structure in which the distance between it and the base rear wall increases as it approaches both ends, and the corresponding cover front wall of the guide cover can also have a curved wall structure in which the distance between it and the cover rear wall increases as it approaches both ends.

[0016] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the base front wall of the spring pocket may further be provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the base side wall to prevent both ends of the base front wall from being damaged by the shoelace in a state of being pulled by the tension spring.

[0017] Furthermore, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the base rear wall of the spring pocket may further be provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the base side wall to prevent both ends of the base rear wall from being damaged as the shoelace in the released state is pulled toward the rear of the base rear wall.

[0018] Furthermore, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover front wall of the guide cover may further be provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the cover side wall in order to prevent both ends of the cover front wall from being damaged by the shoelace in a state of being pulled by the tension spring.

[0019] Furthermore, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the rear cover wall of the guide cover may further be provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the cover side wall in order to prevent both ends of the rear cover wall from being damaged as the shoelace in the released state is pulled toward the rear of the rear cover wall.

[0020] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to an embodiment of the present invention, the tension spring may be a tension spring having a coil structure in which ring-shaped unit rings are continuously and closely contacted in a spiral direction.

[0021] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the spring pocket may be in close contact with one side of the floor surface between the front wall and the rear wall of the base, and may further include a movement prevention protrusion that is recessed between unit rings of the tension spring placed on the floor surface to prevent the tension spring from moving to both sides of the spring pocket.

[0022] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the spring pocket may be in close contact with one side of the front wall of the base between the front and rear walls of the base, and may further include a movement prevention protrusion that is recessed between unit rings of the tension spring placed on the floor surface to prevent the tension spring from moving to both sides of the spring pocket.

[0023] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the spring pocket may be in close contact with one side of the rear wall of the base between the front and rear walls of the base, and may further include a movement prevention protrusion that is recessed between unit rings of the tension spring placed on the floor surface to prevent the tension spring from moving to either side of the spring pocket.

[0024] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide cover may be in close contact with one side of the ceiling surface between the front wall and the rear wall of the cover, and may further include a movement prevention protrusion recessed between unit rings of the tension spring that is in close contact with the ceiling surface to prevent the tension spring from moving to both sides of the spring pocket.

[0025] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide cover may be further provided with a movement prevention protrusion that is intimately attached between the front and rear walls of the cover on one side of the front wall of the cover and recessed between unit rings of the tension spring that is intimately attached to the ceiling surface to prevent the tension spring from moving to both sides of the spring pocket.

[0026] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide cover may be further provided with a movement prevention protrusion that is intimately attached between the front and rear walls of the cover on one side of the rear wall of the cover and recessed between unit rings of the tension spring that is in close contact with the ceiling surface to prevent the tension spring from moving to both sides of the spring pocket.

[0027] Furthermore, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide base may be provided with a fixed position guide groove recessed downward on one side of an upper surface of a front and rear wall of the base, and the corresponding guide cover may be provided with a fixed position guide protrusion protruding downward on one side of a bottom surface of a front and rear wall of the cover, which is inserted into the fixed position guide groove so that the guide base and the guide cover are coupled to each other in a fixed position.

[0028] Furthermore, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the floor surface of the spring pocket and the ceiling surface of the guide cover may further be provided with a pressure control means for applying pressure above and below the tension spring to suppress movement before the tension spring is artificially pulled by the shoelace, and for releasing the pressure above and below the tension spring after the tension spring is artificially pulled by the shoelace.

[0029] Furthermore, in a shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure control means may be provided with narrow floor surfaces and narrow ceiling surfaces, the distance between which is slightly adjusted in order to apply pressure above and below the tension spring before the artificial tension of the shoelace, on the guide base and the guide cover, respectively, and extended floor surfaces and extended ceiling surfaces, the distance between which is significantly expanded in order to release the pressure above and below the tension spring after the artificial tension of the shoelace, and restore the tension spring to its original state.

[0030] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, a sliding portion having an inclined surface structure may be further provided between the narrow floor surface and the expanded floor surface to allow the tension spring to move smoothly during movement.

[0031] In addition, in the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention, a sliding portion having an inclined surface structure may be further provided between the narrow ceiling surface and the expanded ceiling surface to allow the tension spring to move smoothly during movement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a shoelace tension guide according to an embodiment of the present invention with a guide cover removed; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a guide base of a shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a guide cover of a shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a projected plan view illustrating an operation process of a shoelace tension guide according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 11A to 11C are projected plan views each showing an operation process of a shoelace tension guide according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a guide base 10, a tension spring 20, and a guide cover 30.

[0035] Here, it is preferable that a plurality of shoelace tension guides are provided on each side of a shoe upper (not shown) having a shoelace hook or through hole for hanging a shoelace of a general shoe.

[0036] The guide base 10 has a plate structure including a floor surface 11 formed on one side of the upper surface, a base front wall body 12 arranged at the front end of the floor surface 11, a base rear wall body 13 arranged a predetermined distance behind the base front wall body 12, and a pair of base side walls which connect both ends of the base front wall body 12 and base rear wall body 13 and extend upwardly a predetermined distance from the floor surface 11 so that both ends of the shoelace 5 are routed to the outside through the floor surface 11. The guide base 10 has a plate structure having a spring pocket 15 which is open at the top.

[0037] The tension spring 20 is placed on the floor 11 of the spring pocket 15, with the shoelace 5 passing through an internal through-hole 21, and has a coil-shaped tension spring structure with its center tightly fixed between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 of the base and both ends elastically moving back and forth when the shoelace 5 is pulled and released.

[0038] The guide cover 30 has a ceiling surface 31 formed on one side of the bottom surface, cover front and rear walls 32, 33 arranged to correspond to the front and rear walls 12, 13 of the base and joined to each other, and a cover side wall 34 forming a string passage 40 separated by a predetermined distance from each other in correspondence with the base side wall 14, and has a cover structure that covers the tension spring 20 of the spring pocket 15.

[0039] More specifically, the base front wall 12 of the spring pocket 15 has a curved wall structure in which the distance between it and the base rear wall 13 increases as it approaches both ends, and the corresponding cover front wall 32 of the guide cover 30 also has a curved wall structure in which the distance between it and the cover rear wall, which has a straight wall structure, increases as it approaches both ends.

[0040] The base front wall 12 of the spring pocket 15 is provided with a protruding damage prevention jaw 16 that protrudes a predetermined length toward the center of the base side wall 14 to prevent both ends of the base front wall 12 from being damaged by the shoelace 5 being pulled at both ends through a tension spring 20.

[0041] The base rear wall 13 of the spring pocket 15 is provided with protruding damage prevention jaws 17 that protrude a predetermined distance toward the center of the base side walls 14 to prevent both ends of the base rear wall 13 from being damaged as the shoelace 5 in the released state is pulled toward the rear of the base rear wall 13.

[0042] The cover front wall 32 of the guide cover 30 is provided with protruding damage prevention jaws 35 that protrude a predetermined length toward the center of the cover side wall 34 in order to prevent both ends of the cover front wall 32 from being damaged by the shoelace 5 being pulled at both ends through the tension spring 20.

[0043] The rear cover wall 33 of the guide cover 30 is provided with protruding damage prevention jaws 36 that protrude a predetermined distance toward the center of the cover side walls 34 to prevent both ends of the rear cover wall 33 from being damaged as the shoelace 5 in the released state is pulled toward the rear of the rear cover wall 33.

[0044] The tension spring 20 is a tension spring having a coil structure in which ring-shaped unit rings 22 are continuously and closely contacted in the spiral direction.

[0045] The spring pocket 15 is fitted on one side of the floor surface 11 between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 of the base and is recessed between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20 placed on the floor surface 11, and is provided with a plurality of movement prevention protrusions 11a to prevent the tension spring 20 from moving to either side of the spring pocket 15.

[0046] The spring pocket 15 is formed on one side of the front wall 12 of the base, in close contact with the front wall 12 and rear wall 13 of the base, and is recessed between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20 placed on the floor surface 11. A plurality of movement prevention protrusions 12a are provided to prevent the tension spring 20 from moving to both sides of the spring pocket 15.

[0047] The spring pocket 15 is provided with a plurality of movement prevention protrusions 13a which are dug between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20 placed on the floor surface 11 and in close contact with one side of the rear wall 13 of the base between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 of the base, to prevent the tension spring 20 from moving to either side of the spring pocket 15.

[0048] The guide cover 30 is fitted on one side of the ceiling surface 31 between the front and rear walls 32, 33 of the cover, and is provided with a number of movement prevention protrusions 31a which are recessed between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20 which is fitted closely to the ceiling surface 31, to prevent the tension spring 20 from moving to either side of the spring pocket 15.

[0049] The guide cover 30 is provided with a plurality of movement prevention protrusions 32a on one side of the cover front wall 32, which are in intimate contact between the cover front and rear walls 32, 33 and are recessed between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20 which is in intimate contact with the ceiling surface 31, to prevent the tension spring 20 from moving to both sides of the spring pocket 15.

[0050] The guide cover 30 is provided with a plurality of movement prevention protrusions 33a on one side of the rear cover wall 33, which are recessed between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20 that is in close contact with the ceiling surface 31 and is in close contact with the front and rear cover walls 32, 33, to prevent the tension spring 20 from moving to both sides of the spring pocket 15.

[0051] The guide base 10 is provided with fixed position guide grooves 12b, 13b recessed downward on one side of the upper surfaces of the front and rear walls 12, 13 of the base, and the corresponding guide cover 30 is provided with fixed position guide protrusions 33b protruding downward on one side of the bottom surfaces of the front and rear walls 32, 33 of the cover, so that the guide base 10 and the guide cover 30 are abutted against each other and joined at a fixed position when inserted into the fixed position guide grooves 12b, 13b.

[0052] An unexplained reference numeral 41 denotes an upper contact plate for allowing the guide base 10 to be placed in close contact with the upper of the shoe.

[0053] An example of the use of the shoelace tension guide according to one embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration is as follows.

[0054] First, tension spring 20 is placed in spring pocket 15 of guide base 10 which is fixedly disposed on both sides of the shoe upper.

[0055] At this time, with the central portion of the tension spring 20 being in close contact between the base front wall 12 and the base rear wall 13, the movement prevention protrusions 11a, 12a, 13a of the spring pocket 15 dig into the spaces between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20, so that the tension spring 20 can be stably fixed without tilting left or right.

[0056] Next, the shoelace 5 is passed through the internal through-hole 21 of the tension spring 20, and then the guide base 10 is covered with the guide cover 30.

[0057] Again, the movement prevention protrusions 31a, 32a, 33a of the guide cover 30 recess between the unit rings 22 of the tension spring 20, allowing the tension spring 20 to be fixed more stably without tilting left or right.

[0058] Here, the guide cover 30 has fixed position guide protrusions 32b and 33b inserted into the fixed position guide grooves 12b and 13b of the guide base 10, so that a fixed position assembly is completed.

[0059] Even in this state, the assembly between the guide base 10 and the guide cover 30 is completed to some extent, but a separate additional joining process may be performed to make the assembly more solid.

[0060] When a user puts on a shoe and attempts to tighten the shoelace 5 using the tension guide assembled in this manner, the user pulls the shoelace 5 in the direction that tightens it.

[0061] As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the shoelace 5 moves to the tip of the lace-routing flow path 40, which causes the tension spring 20 to bend into a rounded V-shape, thereby imparting elasticity to the shoelace 5.

[0062] In this way, the shoelace 5 is given a sustained elasticity until it is released, allowing the shoelace 5 to maintain its initial tightening state.

[0063] Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, the floor surface 50 of the spring pocket and the ceiling surface 60 of the guide cover are provided with a pressure control means for applying pressure above and below the tension spring 20 to suppress movement before the tension spring 20 is artificially pulled by the shoelace 5, and for releasing the pressure above and below the tension spring 20 after the tension spring 20 is artificially pulled by the shoelace 5.

[0064] Here, the pressure control means is structured so that, for the guide base and the guide cover, respectively, a narrow floor surface 51 and a narrow ceiling surface 61 are provided, the distance between which is slightly adjusted in order to apply pressure above and below the tension spring 20 before artificial pulling by the shoelace 5, and an extended floor surface 52 and an extended ceiling surface 62 are provided, the distance between which is significantly expanded so that the pressure above and below the tension spring 20 is released and restored to its original state after artificial pulling by the shoelace 5.

[0065] Between the narrow floor surface 51 and the extended floor surface 52, a sliding portion 53 having an inclined surface structure is provided to allow the tension spring 20 to move smoothly during movement.

[0066] Between the narrow ceiling surface 61 and the expanded ceiling surface 62, a sliding portion 63 having an inclined surface structure is provided to allow the tension spring 20 to move smoothly during movement.

[0067] An example of the use of the shoelace tension guide according to another embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration is as follows.

[0068] Here, the process is generally the same as that of tightening the shoelace 5, except that before the shoelace 5 is tightened, the tension spring 20 is pressed between the narrow floor surface 51 and the narrow ceiling surface 61, so that the tension spring 20 can firmly respond to undesired pulling on the shoelace 5. When the shoelace 5 is then pulled in the direction of tightening, the tension spring 20 slides on the sliding parts 53, 63 and moves to the extended floor surface 52 and the extended ceiling surface 62, returning to its original state and providing elasticity to the shoelace 5.

[0069] In this way, the shoelace tension guide of the present invention comprises a guide base 10 having a spring pocket 15, a tension spring 20 disposed in the spring pocket 15, both ends of which are elastically moved back and forth as the shoelace 5 is pulled and released, and a guide cover 30 which covers the tension spring 20 in the spring pocket 15. This provides continuous elasticity to the tied shoelace 5, enabling the shoelace 5 to maintain its initial tightening state. This prevents the feeling of the foot inside the shoe becoming looser than when it was initially tightened as the tightening force of the shoelace loosens, as occurs in conventional shoes where no elasticity is provided. In addition, it can prevent the user's foot from being exposed to various situations due to the user's foot moving inside the shoe or coming off the shoe, as well as providing the user with a sense of stability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 5. Shoelaces 10 Guide Base 11 Floor surface 11a Movement prevention protrusion 11a, 12a Movement prevention protrusion 12 Base front wall 12 Front wall 12, 13 Rear wall 12a Movement prevention protrusion 12b, 13b Fixed position guide groove 13 Base rear wall 13 Back wall 13a Movement prevention protrusion 14 Base side wall body 15 Spring Pocket 16 Damage Prevention Jaw 17 Damage Prevention Jaw 20 Tension spring 21 Internal through hole 22 Unit Ring 30 Guide cover 31 Ceiling surface 31a Movement prevention protrusion 31a, 32a Movement prevention protrusion 32 Cover front wall 32, 33 Rear wall 32a Anti-movement protrusion 32b, 33b Fixed position guide protrusion 33 Cover rear wall 33a Movement prevention protrusion 33b Fixed position guide protrusion 34 Cover side wall 35 Damage Prevention Jaw 36 Damage Prevention Jaw 40 String passage 41 Unexplained code 50 Floor 51 Narrow floor surface 52 Extended Floor 53 Sliding section 53, 63 Sliding section 60 Ceiling surface 61 Narrow ceiling surface 62 Extended Ceiling Surface 63 Sliding section

Claims

1. A shoelace tension guide, comprising: A floor surface formed on one side of the upper surface; a base front wall body disposed at a front end of the floor surface; a base rear wall disposed a predetermined distance behind the base front wall; a guide base including a pair of base side walls connecting both ends of the base front wall and the base rear wall, extending upward a predetermined distance from the floor surface, and allowing both ends of a shoelace to be routed to the outside through the floor surface at the upward extension ends, the guide base having a spring pocket with an open top; a tension spring that is disposed on the floor surface of the spring pocket, has an internal through-hole through which the shoelace passes, has a central portion tightly fixed between the front wall body and the rear wall body of the base, and has both end portions that are elastically moved back and forth by pulling and releasing the shoelace; A ceiling surface formed on one side of the bottom surface, a front wall and a rear wall of the cover, which are disposed corresponding to the front wall and the rear wall of the base and are joined to each other; a guide cover for covering the tension spring of the spring pocket, the guide cover including a cover side wall body that forms a string passageway spaced a predetermined distance from the base side wall body; Including, The base front wall of the spring pocket has a curved wall structure in which the gap between the base front wall and the base rear wall increases toward both ends, and the corresponding cover front wall of the guide cover also has a curved wall structure in which the gap between the cover rear wall and the guide cover increases toward both ends. The shoelace tension guide.

2. The base front wall of the spring pocket is further provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the base side wall to prevent both ends of the base front wall from being damaged by the shoelace in a state of being pulled by the tension spring. The shoelace tension guide according to claim 1.

3. The base rear wall of the spring pocket is further provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the base side wall to prevent both ends of the base rear wall from being damaged as the released shoelace is pulled toward the rear of the base rear wall. The shoelace tension guide according to claim 1.

4. The cover front wall of the guide cover is further provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the cover side wall to prevent both ends of the cover front wall from being damaged by the shoelace in a state of being pulled by the tension spring. The shoelace tension guide according to claim 1.

5. The rear cover wall of the guide cover is further provided with damage prevention jaws protruding a predetermined length toward the center of the side cover wall to prevent both ends of the rear cover wall from being damaged as the released shoelace is pulled rearward of the rear cover wall. The shoelace tension guide according to claim 1.

6. The tension spring is a tension spring having a coil structure in which ring-shaped unit rings are continuously and closely attached in a spiral direction. The shoelace tension guide according to claim 1.

7. The guide base is provided with a fixed position guide groove recessed downward on one side of the upper surface of the front and rear walls of the base, The corresponding guide cover is provided with a fixed position guide protrusion on one side of the bottom surface of the front and rear walls of the cover, which protrudes downward and is inserted into the fixed position guide groove so that the guide base and the guide cover are coupled to each other at a fixed position. The shoelace tension guide according to claim 1.

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