Shoelace holder

Abstract

A shoelace retainer is integrated with a shoe having a shoelace. The retainer features a one or more flaps permanently or releasably attached to the shoe at a position for receiving the free ends of the shoelace. The bottom surfaces of the flaps include releasable attachments such as hook and loop fastening elements. The retainer also features one or more tabs in functional alignment with the flaps. The tabs have hook and loop fastening elements adapted to engage the elements of the hook and loop fastener on the bottom side of the lateral flap. The tabs and flaps are adapted to releasably secure the free ends and bows of a tied shoelace. An elastic tongue joint is optionally provided to facilitate extension of the tongue.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation in part and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11 / 558,198, filed Nov. 9, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention generally relates to laced footwear, and more particularly, to a shoelace holder integrated with the footwear and adapted to releasably secure the free ends and bows of shoelaces to prevent the shoelaces from untying and to prevent distracting movement of the shoelaces.BACKGROUND[0003]Shoelaces are thin cords fitted (i.e., laced) to shoes (i.e., shoes, sneakers, boots or any laced footwear) to prevent the shoe from slipping off by accident. Lacing entails running the shoelaces through the holes, eyelets or lugs typically in a crisscross pattern to form a strong adjustable network. A shoelace can be untied and loosened in a familiar manner, permitting the shoe to open wide to admit the wearer's f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]In yet another aspect of the invention, the tongue is attached to a strip of elastic material (i.e., an elastic coupling) sewn or otherwise secured into the vamp of the shoe. The elastic coupling facilitates tugging, adjusting and positioning of the tongue for comfort and positioning of laces, tabs and flaps.

Problems solved by technology

Another shortcoming is improper sizing, with laces typically being too long and likely to annoyingly swing and / or drag along the ground.

Modern shoelaces often incorporate various synthetic fibers, which look better and wear longer, but are generally more slippery and thus far more prone to coming undone than those made from traditional fibers.

The problem of untying can also be attributed in part to the method of tying.

Unfortunately, this commonly used knot and other variations are terribly insecure and conducive to coming loose.

The problem of untying can also be attributed in part to improper length.

Laces that are too short are difficult to properly tie.

If laces are too long, the ends may drag.

Employing a different lacing method that consumes either more or less lace is a tedious and inconvenient way to address this problem.

Cutting the laces removes the aglets, which results in frayed unattractive ends.

For example, double knotting is effective, but produces an unappealing mound that can be frustrating to undo.

While such devices may be effective, they are unsightly, inconvenient to use and annoying to wear.

Additionally, such devices concentrate on maintaining the knot, but do nothing to prevent the free ends and loops of the tied laces from swinging or dragging along the ground.

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