Loop for shoelace utilizing asymmetric pulley

Abstract

A loop for a shoelace utilizing an asymmetric pulley, including: a plurality of shoelace loops mounted to each of eyelet tabs of a shoe using respective rivets, wherein each of the shoelace loops includes: an asymmetric pulley having a pulley groove for guiding a shoelace without allowing the shoelace to be removed therefrom by itself and opposite circular side surfaces provided on opposite sides of the pulley groove, in which a diameter of a first one of the opposite side surfaces is larger than a diameter of a second one; a pulley holder having a structure suitable for sitting the pulley therein; and a rotating pin rotatably mounting the pulley to the pulley holder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application no. 20-2011-0002816, filed in the Republic of Korea on Apr. 4, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates, in general, to a loop for a shoelace utilizing an asymmetric pulley and, more particularly, to a loop for a shoelace utilizing an asymmetric pulley, in which the asymmetric pulley is used in the shoelace loop and a ratchet is mounted to a lower surface of a part of the pulley, thereby allowing a user to easily lace the shoelace in a shoe and allowing the user to easily tighten, tie and loosen the shoelace.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]In conventional shoes, eyelets are formed in opposite eyelet tabs of a shoe upper or grommets are fixed in the eyelets so as to form a passage for a shoelace or rings are attached to the eyelet t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention proposes a loop for a shoelace that utilizes an asymmetric pulley. The asymmetric pulley is designed to prevent the shoelace from coming loose after it has been pulled and tightened. The loop also allows the user to easily lace and tighten the shoelace, as well as loosen or remove it. The use of the asymmetric pulley in the shoelace loop also prevents abrasion of the shoelace and increases its lifespan. The loop is advantageous in that it saves time and provides a more comfortable and secure shoe lacing experience."

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, it is not easy to insert the shoelace into the eyelets, the grommets or the rings of the conventional shoes due to the friction between the shoelace and the eyelets, the grommets or the rings.

Further, it is also difficult to tighten or loosen the shoelace of the conventional shoes due to the friction between the shoelace and the eyelets, the grommets or the rings so that it takes quite a long time to insert, tighten or loosen the shoelace.

Particularly, the eyelets that are formed in the lowest portions of the eyelet tabs are close to the vamp of the shoe upper so that it is not easy to insert or remove the shoelace into or from those eyelets.

Further, to tighten the shoelace in the conventional shoes, it needs to gradually tighten the shoelace upwards step by step from the portions of the shoelace that pass through the lowest eyelets, the lowest grommets or the lowest rings to the upper portions of the shoelace so that it takes quite a long time to tighten the shoelace and it is not easy to tighten the shoelace in such a way that the shoe fits the foot.

To take off the shoes, one needs to gradually loosen the shoelace downwards step by step from the portions of the shoelace that pass through the uppermost eyelets, the uppermost grommets or the uppermost rings to the lower portions of the shoelace so that it is not easy to take off the shoes.

Particularly, boots, such as mountain-climbing boots or work boots, make the problem worse.

However, the conventional shoelace loop using the pulley is problematic in that it is difficult to insert or remove the shoelace into or from the shoelace loop and when making a knot in the shoelace after tightening the shoelace, the shoelace may become undesirably loose.

However, the shoelace tightening piece is problematic in that it is not easy to tighten or loosen the shoelace using the tightening piece and when tightening and loosening the shoelace using the tightening piece, the shoelace may be easily worn by the tightening piece.

Further, the tightening piece spoils the appearance of the shoe.

Images