Shoelaces and ribbon-shaped endless material

Abstract

Shoelaces (10) for lacing a shoe with a central part (11) and two side regions (12) extending outwards from this central part (11), wherein a transition region (13) is arranged between the side regions (12) and the central part (11) characterized by that the central part (11) has a round or oval cross-section and that the side regions (12) have a flat cross-section.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a shoelace for lacing a shoe and a continuous ribbon material for producing such shoelaces. Shoelaces themselves have been known for many decades and are a common method of fastening shoes to a user's feet. Depending on the type of shoe, different types of shoelaces are used.

[0002] Common types of shoelaces are flat, round, or oval, made from textile fibers, such as natural or artificial grass or a blend of both, often by knitting, weaving, or braiding. There are also leather laces cut from the material, often with a square cross-section. However, these are usually only used in leather shoes worn with suits, etc.

[0003] Sports, trekking or hiking shoes often have a large number of eyelets through which the shoelace must be threaded in order to fasten the shoe to the foot. To do this, it is important that the shoelace is positioned centrally on the shoe and then pulled tight during use and secured with a knot, such as a bow. It is important that the shoelace slides easily through the eyelets on the shoe so that it can be tightened and loosened again after use, and that the knot or bow does not accidentally come undone while the shoe is being worn. A shoelace with an oval or round cross-section slides better through the eyelets, while a shoelace with a flat cross-section is more comfortable to handle and the knot holds better.

[0004] DE 7 135 645 U describes a shoelace produced by knitting. The shoelace has a flat cross-section, but upon leaving the knitting machine, it rolls up into a roughly round cross-section parallel to its longitudinal extension. If a knot is made in the ends of this shoelace, there is a risk that it will unintentionally come undone. Furthermore, handling these shoelaces, especially tightening them, can be uncomfortable for the operator.

[0005] DE 1 628 741 U describes a shoelace with a marking that shows the operator where the center of the lace is when threading it, so that the lace is inserted symmetrically into the shoe. After threading the shoelace into the shoe, the markings can be removed. Paper markers are suggested as markers. The disadvantage of this is that it is difficult to correct the lace if it becomes distorted in the shoe once the marking has been removed. This type of marking is also only applicable to flat shoelaces, since the surface of round or oval laces is not suitable for marking.

[0006] Finally, DE 200 17 334 U1 shows a flat shoelace with several sections. There is a middle section and two outer sections, each with a first section adjoining the middle section and a second section adjoining the first section. In the first two sections, the cross-section of the flat shoelace is smaller than in the middle and second sections. The middle section is intended to ensure that the shoelace stays in place in the shoe and does not slip. The smaller cross-section of the first two sections allows them to slide more easily through the eyelets and ensure better force distribution. The second sections can be easily hooked into eyelet hooks in the shaft area of a boot and are wear-resistant. Furthermore, they can be easily tightened by an operator without the material cutting into the hands.The disadvantage of this type of lace is that the first sections have less material than the rest due to their smaller diameter, creating a weak point. If the laces are frequently tightened tightly by an operator, they can break in the area of the first sections.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a shoelace that is easy to thread and slides smoothly through the eyelets of the shoe, but which is also comfortable for an operator to handle, in which the knot does not untie accidentally, and which is stable even under frequent tensile loads. A further object of the invention is to provide a ribbon-like endless material from which such shoelaces can be produced easily and inexpensively. These objects are achieved by the characterizing features of claims 1 and 9, which are of particular importance as follows.

[0008] The shoelace has a middle section and two side sections extending outwards from it. While the middle section has a round or oval cross-section, the two side sections have a flat cross-section. This allows the shoelace to glide easily around the eyelets of the shoe and to be tightened well thanks to even force distribution. The side sections, which are gripped by an operator to tighten the shoe, are comfortable to the touch and do not cut into the hand. Even a knot used to secure the shoelace to the shoe is less likely to untie accidentally. Because the shoelace is only differently shaped but has no fewer threads in its middle section, the shoelace is robust and does not wear out as quickly or break easily, even after repeated use.In a preferred embodiment, the shoelace has a marking at the outer ends of the side sections. This determines the repeat, i.e., the length of a shoelace in a continuous band. The marking can also be provided with a round or oval cross-section. This allows the shoelace to be cut mechanically, and a shoelace needle, which is placed on the end of the shoelace to prevent it from fraying, holds better.

[0009] Furthermore, the shoelace can preferably be designed in two or more colors. With two colors, the center section can have only one color visible from the outside, while the threads of the other color are located inside the shoelace. In the side sections, one surface of the flat shoelace can have the first color and the other surface the second color. This makes the difference between the center section and the side sections particularly clear to an operator.

[0010] The transition areas and / or the markings can be color-coded. The transition areas thus help the operator thread the laces symmetrically into the shoe. The color pattern at the marking makes it easier to detect the end of the repeat by machine, attach a shoelace needle, and then cut to separate the two laces.

[0011] Particularly preferred is the one-piece shoelace. This allows it to be manufactured as a continuous strip, from which only the individual laces need to be cut. This is particularly cost-effective.

[0012] Suitable manufacturing processes include weaving, knitting, warp-knitting, or braiding. The shoelaces can be made from a variety of materials, such as natural or synthetic fibers, man-made fibers such as viscose, lyocell, or similar, or other spun fibers, or even a mixture of the above.

[0013] A ribbon-shaped endless material is provided from which the described shoelaces can be produced. The endless material according to the invention only needs to be cut at the appropriate points to produce the shoelaces. Shoelace pins can be placed at these points before the shoelaces are separated, so that each shoelace has a shoelace pin that prevents the shoelace from fraying. The area where the shoelaces are separated can be marked, allowing for easy and uncomplicated automated application of the shoelace pin at the correct location and automated separation.

[0014] Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings. The figures illustrate the invention in an exemplary embodiment. They show: Fig. 1: a shoelace according to the invention as part of an endless product, in perspective, Fig. 2: a shoelace according to the invention made from the endless material of Fig. 1, perspective.

[0015] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a shoelace 10 according to the invention as part of a continuous product. The central part 11 and the two side regions 12 are visible. The central part 11 has a round cross-section, while the side regions 12 have the shape of a flat shoelace. Between the central part 11 and the side regions 12, a transition region 13 is provided in each case, in which the shoelace 10 changes its cross-sectional shape.

[0016] At the outer end 14 of each side section 12, there is a marking 15 that marks the repeat. To produce a shoelace 10 from the continuous fabric, the continuous fabric is split in the area of the marking 15. Beforehand, a shoelace needle 18 can be applied to the marking 15 to prevent fraying of the finished shoelace 10. The next side section 12 of the next shoelace 10 directly follows the marking 15, as shown in Fig. 1. The finished shoelace 10 with shoelace needle 18 and split marking 15 is shown in Fig. 2. The shoelace needle 18 is arranged above the marking 15, and the marking 15 is split in the middle to form two shoelaces 10.

[0017] The side areas 12, which consist of flat material, have two sides 16, 17, which in a preferred embodiment have two different colors. The middle part 11, on the other hand, can then have only one color on its outer side, while the threads of the other color are guided inside the middle part 11. This makes it particularly easy for an operator to distinguish between the various areas of the shoelace 10.

[0018] The transition areas 13 and the markings 15 can then be patterned in both colors, e.g., striped. The patterned transition areas 13 assist an operator in threading the laces symmetrically into the shoe. The patterned markings 15 simplify automatic and mechanical separation of the individual laces 10 from the continuous material, as they indicate the repeat. The corresponding areas can, for example, be striped, whereby the width and / or number of stripes can differ between the markings 15 and the transition areas 13.

[0019] Finally, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments presented here merely represent exemplary implementations of the invention. This is not limited to them. Rather, modifications and variations are still possible. For example, the lengths of the middle section, the side areas, and the marking are not shown to scale, but depend on the length of the finished shoelace. The diameters and cross-sections of the shoelaces are also not to scale, but are shown only as examples and may vary. The width of the shoelace and / or the length of the transition may also vary. The continuous product can comprise a plurality of shoelaces of the same length and identical structure, or shoelaces of different lengths and / or designs. List of reference symbols: 10 shoelaces 11 Middle section 12 page area 13 Transition area 14 Outer end of 12 15 Marking 16 A surface of 12 17 Other surface of 12 18 shoelace needle QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 7 135 645 U

[0004] DE 1 628 741 U

[0005] DE 200 17 334 U1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Shoelaces (10) for lacing a shoe with a central part (11) and two side regions (12) extending outwards from this central part (11), wherein a transition region (13) is arranged between the side regions (12) and the central part (11) characterized by , that the central part (11) has a round or oval cross-section and that the side regions (12) have a flat cross-section. [2] Shoelaces (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that a marking (15) with a round or oval cross-section is provided at each of the outer ends (14) of the side regions (12). [3] Shoelaces (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the shoelace (10) is designed in two colours. [4] Shoelaces (10) according to claim 3, characterized bythat in the central part (11) only one of the two colours is recognizable, while one surface (16) of the side regions (12) has the first colour and the other surface (17) of the side regions (12) has the second colour. [5] Shoelaces (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by that the transition areas (13) and / or the marking (15) have a pattern with both colors. [6] Shoelaces (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the shoelace (10) is made in one piece. [7] Shoelaces (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the shoelace (10) is woven, knitted, crocheted or braided. [8] Shoelaces (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the outer ends (14) of the side areas (12) are each provided with a shoelace needle (18). [9] Band-shaped endless material for the production of shoelaces according to one or more of claims 1 to 8.

Images