Gaiters with small cord fastening mechanism

Abstract

We provide a gaiter with a small string fixing mechanism that reliably prevents the gaiter body from shifting or riding up without the fixing string loosening. [Solution] The gaiter comprises a gaiter body 30, a fixing strap 20 that crosses the sole of the shoe, and a strap fixing mechanism 10. The mechanism has a strap insertion hole and a retaining recess for pushing in and holding the fixing strap. The opening width of the recess is formed to be narrower than the strap diameter, and the fixing strap 20 is bent and positioned from the strap insertion hole to the recess. As a result, despite its simple structure, it can be quickly and infinitely adjusted to any desired length even in harsh environments, and the synergistic effect of preventing detachment by press-fitting at the opening and frictional resistance by bending firmly holds the fixing strap 20 and reliably prevents the gaiter body 30 from shifting. This solves the problems that conventional bottom fixing devices have insufficient holding power and loosen in adverse conditions such as running on uneven terrain or through vegetation, or that the fixing device unintentionally releases due to interference from branches and leaves, causing the gaiter to shift.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaiter worn for the purpose of preventing foreign objects from entering shoes and used in outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, trail running, hunting, etc. In particular, by improving the strength and adjustment function of the bottom fixture of the gaiter body, it relates to a technology for effectively preventing the gaiter from shifting or slipping upward even under intense movements or adverse conditions.

Background Art

[0002] For the bottom fixing of conventional gaiters, rubber bands, synthetic resin straps, or metal wires are used, and a method of adjusting and fixing the length with a regulator such as a buckle or a surface fastener by passing these through the shoe sole is generally used. However, these conventional technologies have the following problems.

[0003] Problem of fixing force: Due to the intense footwork on uneven ground or the impact of landing, the holding force of conventional regulators is insufficient, and rubber bands or straps may slip, causing the gaiter body to shift or slip upward. Also, when running through thick vegetation, branches and leaves physically interfere with buckles or surface fasteners, and there is a problem that the regulator is unintentionally opened or released.

[0004] Problem of small size and light weight: In fields other than gaiters, an adjustment mechanism with a fixing force has been proposed, but it is difficult to apply to gaiters because it is large and heavy.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to reliably prevent the gaiter body from shifting or riding up, even under adverse conditions such as vigorous footwork on uneven terrain or running through dense vegetation, by providing a small and lightweight string fixing mechanism that allows for easy adjustment and retention of the string length. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the gaiter of the present invention comprises a gaiter body (30) that covers the leg, a fixing string (20) that crosses the lower end opening of the gaiter body (30) and is positioned along the sole of the shoe, and a string fixing mechanism (10) that secures the fixing string (20).

[0008] The string fixing mechanism (10) comprises a string insertion hole (11) through which the fixing string (20) passes, and a retaining recess (13) for pushing in and holding the fixing string (20), wherein the width of the opening of the retaining recess (13) is formed to be narrower than the diameter of the fixing string (20). Furthermore, the string slippage is suppressed by the frictional resistance generated by arranging the fixing string (20) in a bent position from the string insertion hole (11) to the retaining recess (13). [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained. The fixing strap (20) can be infinitely adjusted to any length according to the user's shoe shape and preference, and can be held firmly in place. As a result, even during strenuous exercise or when branches and leaves interfere, the fixing strap (20) will not loosen, and the gaiter body (30) will be reliably prevented from shifting or riding up. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A side view showing the entire gator according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front view showing the structure of a string fastening mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]A perspective view showing a gaiter, according to one embodiment of the present invention, attached to a shoe. [Figure 4] This figure shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which the fixing string is secured to the length adjustment recess at the upper center of the string fixing mechanism. [Figure 5] This figure shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which the fixing cord is guided from the length adjustment recess to the left and right retaining recesses, completing the fixing process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Figure 1 shows a gaiter according to this embodiment. The gaiter according to this embodiment comprises a gaiter body (30) that covers the legs, and a lace fixing mechanism (10), fixing laces (20), a tape-like member (40), and a front hook (50) provided on the gaiter body (30). The lace fixing mechanism (10) is attached by sewing to two places on the left and right lower ends of the sides of the gaiter body (30) via the tape-like member (40). The fixing laces (20) are positioned to cross the sole of the shoe, and by fixing their length using the lace fixing mechanism (10), the gaiter body (30) is made to fit snugly against the shoe. The front hook (50) is provided on the front of the gaiter body (30) and is a member that secures the front part of the gaiter body (30) to the shoe by engaging with the shoelaces.

[0012] Figure 2 shows the structure of the string fixing mechanism (10) of this embodiment. The string fixing mechanism (10) consists of a string insertion hole (11), a length adjustment recess (12), a retaining recess (13), and a mounting insertion hole (14). The string insertion hole (11) is provided in the center of the string fixing mechanism (10) and is a hole for passing the fixing string (20) through. The length adjustment recess (12) is provided above the string insertion hole (11) and is for clamping the fixing string (20) that has been passed through the string insertion hole (11) to temporarily set and adjust the length of the fixing string (20) at any point. The retaining recess (13) is provided on both sides of the length adjustment recess (12) and is for pushing in and locking the fixing string (20) that has been clamped by the length adjustment recess (12). As shown in Figure 2, the notch direction of the retaining recess (13) is approximately perpendicular to the notch direction of the length adjustment recess (12). Furthermore, the width of the opening of the retaining recess (13) is formed to be equal to or narrower than the diameter of the fixing string (20). The mounting insertion holes (14) are provided on both sides of the string insertion hole (11) and are connecting parts for fixing the string fixing mechanism (10) to the gaiter body (30) by inserting the tape-like member (40) through them. [Examples]

[0013] The procedure for attaching the gaiters using this string fastening mechanism (10) will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings (Figures 1 to 5).

[0014] Step 1: Putting on the gaiter body (30) and positioning the fixing laces (20) on the sole of the foot. The user first puts the gaiter body (30) onto their ankle. At this time, the fixing string (20) connected to the gaiter body (30) is positioned on the back side of the foot (heel side). Next, the user puts on their shoes. The fixing string (20) is provided to cross the sole of the shoe and is connected to the string insertion holes (11) of the string fixing mechanisms (10) located on the left and right sides of the gaiter body (30), and is secured by a knot (21) at its end to prevent it from falling out. The fixing string (20) is in a loose state, with no tension applied by the string fixing mechanisms (10). The user moves the fixing string (20) under the sole of the shoe, passing through the heel of the shoe, so that it goes around the sole. This operation positions the fixing string (20) in its initial position, crossing the sole between the left and right string fixing mechanisms (10).

[0015] Step 2: Securing the front hook (50) and adjusting the position of the gaiter body (30). The front hook (50) located at the front lower part of the gaiter body (30) is fastened to the shoelaces or other fasteners on the upper part of the shoe. After the front hook (50) is fastened, the user pushes the entire gaiter body (30) downward to position it so that it covers the opening of the shoe. Simultaneously with this position adjustment, the user pulls out the fixing string (20) on the knot (21) side of the lace fixing mechanism (10). This operation removes the slack in the fixing string (20), and the gaiter body (30) is temporarily positioned to lie along the outside of the shoe.

[0016] Step 3: Temporary fastening of the fixing cord (20) As shown in Figure 4, while the tension applied to the fixing string (20) in the second step is maintained, the fixing string (20) is inserted into the length adjustment recess (12) provided in the string fixing mechanism (10). This operation temporarily locks the length of the fixing string (20) and maintains the tension.

[0017] Step 4: Final retention of the fixing string (20) As shown in Fig. 5, the knot (21) side of the temporarily fixed fixing string (20) is pushed into the holding recess (13) of the string fixing mechanism (10) so as to pass through its inlet portion, and is sequentially passed through so as to be wound. At this time, since the notch directions of the length adjusting recess (12) and the holding recess (13) are substantially perpendicular, the fixing string (20) is locked in a sharply bent state. Due to the synergistic effect of this "prevention of detachment by press-fitting at the inlet portion" and "frictional resistance by bending", the fixing string (20) stably holds its length against a strong external tension. Further, by increasing or decreasing the number of winding times as necessary, it becomes possible to store and lock the excess fixing string (20) generated after fixing at an arbitrary length in the string fixing mechanism (10).

[0018] According to the present invention, with a simple structure that sequentially locks the fixing string (20) to the integrated string fixing mechanism (10), even in harsh environments such as when wearing gloves in cold regions or when mud adheres, the fixing string (20) can be adjusted steplessly according to the shoe size and tightening condition, and the length of the fixing string (20) can be adjusted and held quickly and easily. In particular, by setting the entrance of the holding recess (13) to be equal to or less than the diameter of the fixing string (20), reliable prevention of dropping due to press-fitting of the string is achieved. Furthermore, due to the steep bending friction caused by arranging the length adjustment recess (12) and the holding recess (13) substantially perpendicular to each other, even a slippery material exhibits an extremely high locking force. Note that, in order to hold the fixing string (20), at least one holding recess (13) is sufficient, and the length adjustment recess (12) is for temporary locking and is not an essential configuration. Also, the fixing string (20) is mainly composed of a braided string of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (Dyneema: registered trademark) compressed at a high density of about 2 mm in diameter. The fiber has a high strength comparable to that of a metal wire and an extremely low elongation, and can maintain the set length even under an impact load, minimizing the displacement of the gaiter body (30). Furthermore, the high-density braided structure without an outer skin has appropriate flexibility to firmly bite into the holding recess (13). In addition, it has extremely high wear resistance, and the risk of breakage due to damage in rocky areas or freezing is minimized. Furthermore, the string fixing mechanism (10) is not limited to the form of being arranged on both the left and right sides of the gaiter body (30), and it may be arranged on only one side and the other end may be directly fixed to the body. Regarding the attachment method of the string fixing mechanism (10), known fixing means such as caulking or adhesion can be appropriately adopted in addition to sewing.

Explanation of Signs

[0019] 10 String fixing mechanism 11 String insertion hole 12 Length adjustment recess 13 Holding recess 14 Mounting insertion hole 20 Fixing string 21 Knot 30 Gaiter body 40 Tape-like member 50 Front hook

Claims

1. A gaiter comprising a gaiter body (30) that covers the legs, a fixing string (20) that crosses the lower end of the gaiter body (30) and is positioned along the sole of the shoe, and a string fixing mechanism (10) that locks the fixing string (20), wherein the string fixing mechanism (10) comprises a string insertion hole (11) through which the fixing string (20) passes, and a retaining recess (13) that pushes in and holds the fixing string (20), wherein the width of the opening of the retaining recess (13) is formed to be narrower than the diameter of the fixing string (20), and the slippage of the string is suppressed by the frictional resistance generated by bending the fixing string (20) from the string insertion hole (11) to the retaining recess (13).

2. A string fastener comprising a string insertion hole (11) through which a fixing string (20) is passed, and a retaining recess (13) for pushing in and holding the fixing string (20), wherein the width of the opening of the retaining recess (13) is formed to be narrower than the diameter of the fixing string (20), and by bending the fixing string (20) from the string insertion hole (11) to the retaining recess (13), slippage is suppressed by the frictional resistance generated in the fixing string (20).

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