Device for assisting in tying laces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for assisting in tying laces, characterized in that it comprises a first element having at least two pairs of holes, the holes of each pair being connected by a groove, and each pair of holes of the first element comprising a first hole having a size adapted to displace the lace within the hole and a second hole having a size adapted to prevent any displacement of the lace.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to rope retention devices, and more particularly to rope tying aids and methods of use. [Background technology]

[0002] Since the introduction of lace-up shoes, tying them has often, if not always, been a major step in the life of a child, teenager, or young adult.

[0003] We forget how much of a real source of confidence this was when we went through this step, but it's enough to remind us the next time our own children go through this challenge.

[0004] The process of tying shoes requires some time to become familiar with, often requiring a few minutes for the child to succeed or fail, at which point a nearby adult assists the child. In the context of a family, this may be a minor anecdote, given the small number of children per family, but it is quite different in the context of a school, where a teacher may have to assist over 20 children. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is therefore a need to develop tools that make it possible to encourage children to learn to tie their shoelaces whilst retaining a fun and, of course, stylish character.

[0006] Generally, shoe lacing involves two separate steps. The first step consists of creating a simple knot with the two laces and tightening the shoe. The second step consists of forming two loops in which a second simple knot is formed. The biggest difficulty for children is to simultaneously form two loops and tighten the loops while keeping the shoe tight.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present invention has an object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in particular to provide an apparatus and method for tying shoelaces that allows all steps of tying shoelaces to be easily performed in sequence. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To this end, a first aspect of the invention has at least two pairs of holes, each pair of holes being slot The present invention relates to a device for assisting in tying laces, comprising a first element connected by a first hole having a size adapted to pass a lace and a second hole having a size adapted to prevent any displacement of said lace, thereby allowing the lace to be easily secured in the second hole.

[0009] Advantageously, the device comprises a second element having at least two pairs of holes and arranged to overlap the first element, each pair of holes of the second element comprising a first hole adapted to pass the string in a first direction and a second hole adapted to pass the string in a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the string can form a loop on the device.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second elements are curved or straight planar elements, so that they can be easily adapted to several types of supports.

[0011] Advantageously, the first element and the second element are made of a material from the group comprising at least one of the following: metals, whether noble or not, rigid, semi-rigid or flexible polymers, organic compounds, ceramic materials, etc.

[0012] Advantageously, the first hole of the first element and the hole of the second element have a diameter comprised between 3mm and 8mm, preferably between 4mm and 5mm, ideally 4.5mm, so that the string can easily pass through the first hole.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the second hole of the first element has a diameter comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm, ideally 2.5 mm, so that in this embodiment the string can be easily fixed in the second hole.

[0014] Advantageously, at least one of the first and second elements has a size comprising a length of 2 cm to 10 cm, a width of 2 cm to 5 cm, and a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm, so that they can be easily positioned on the shoe.

[0015] Preferably, the first hole and the second hole of the first element are connected slot has a length comprised between 1 mm and 1 cm and a thickness comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. slot allows some type of string to pass from the hole where the string is free to the hole where the string is fixed.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, slot The thickness is between the first and second holes. slot This embodiment therefore allows for easy fastening of the lace with the first element.

[0017] Advantageously, when the two elements are arranged one above the other, the first hole of the first element faces the first hole of the second element, so that the two elements can be precisely superimposed on one another.

[0018] Preferably, the holes of the second element are arranged adjacent to each other according to a straight line, so that the holes of the two elements can be easily and accurately superimposed on each other.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for assisting shoe lacing, comprising the use of a device for assisting shoe lacing according to any one of claims 2 to 11, in which the lace passes transversely to the first element through a first hole of the first element and, when the lace is tightened, the lace is tethered to a respective slot and applying a second element onto the first element such that the lace passes through the first hole in a first direction from the bottom upwards and then passes through the second hole in a second direction opposite to the first direction, such that the lace forms a loop above the device. method The objects, advantages and particular features of the present invention are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0020] Preferably, the movement of the string relative to the first element is first transverse to the plane of the first element as the string passes through the hole, and then transverse to the plane of the first element as the string passes through the hole. slot It is a two-step movement that is parallel when sliding into the shoe. In this way, it is possible to tighten the laces with two separate movements that are easy to understand. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] Other advantages, objects and particular features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the device and method objects of the invention, which refers to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a first element of the device of the present invention. [Figure 1b] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one of two embodiments of the second element of the device of the invention. [Figure 1c] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one of two embodiments of the second element of the device of the invention. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a device for assisting in lacing placed on a shoe. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a device for assisting in lacing placed on a shoe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] This description is provided in a non-limiting manner, and each feature of the embodiments may be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.

[0023] Please note that in the current situation, the drawings are not to scale.

[0024] The present invention has at least two pairs of holes, each pair of said holes being slot and wherein each pair of holes of said first element comprises a first hole having a size adapted to pass a lace and a second hole having a size adapted to prevent any displacement of said lace, thereby allowing the lace to be easily secured in the second hole.

[0025] Thus, the user threads their string through the first hole and slot and fix the string in the second hole so that the string remains taut. The free end can be used according to the user, for example by using a second plate to make a knot or something else.

[0026] The first element is a recess, a side slot It should be noted that the element may include other types of elements such as:

[0027] Advantageously, the device comprises a second element having at least two pairs of holes and arranged to overlap the first element, each pair of holes of the second element having a first hole adapted to pass the string in a first direction and a second hole adapted to pass the string in a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the string can form a loop on the device.

[0028] 1a and 1b, which are not to scale, show a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for assisting in tightening a lace 3, the device comprising a first element 11 having at least two pairs of holes 12, 13, each pair of holes being the same as shown in FIG. slot The present invention comprises a first element connected by a wire 14 and a second element 21 having at least two pairs of holes 22, 23 in a square or linear shape so as to overlap the first element 11, as shown in Figures 1b and 1c. As can be seen, each pair of holes 12, 13 of the first element comprises a first hole 121, 131 having a size adapted to displace the lace therein and a second hole 122, 132 having a size adapted to prevent any displacement of the lace.

[0029] At the same time, each pair of holes 22, 23 of the second element 21 comprises a first hole 221, 231 adapted to pass said lace in a first direction, preferably from the outside, i.e. from the shoe side towards the opposite side, and a second hole 222, 232 adapted to pass the lace in a second direction opposite to the first direction, i.e. from the outside towards the shoe, so that the lace can form a loop on the device, i.e. on the side of the device opposite the shoe.

[0030] Preferably, the first element 11 and the second element 21 are curved or straight planar elements having a size of 2 cm to 10 cm in length, 2 cm to 5 cm in width and 1 mm to 5 mm in thickness, and are made of a material from the group including at least one of the following: metals, whether noble or not, rigid, semi-rigid or flexible polymers, organic compounds, and ceramic materials, etc.

[0031] Also preferably, the second holes 122, 132 of the first element have a diameter comprised within the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3 mm, ideally 2.5 mm, while the first holes 121, 131 of the first element and the holes 221, 222, 231, 232 of the second element have a diameter comprised within the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, preferably 4 mm to 5 mm, ideally 4.5 mm.

[0032] Similarly, the first holes 121 and 131 of the first element 11 are connected to the second holes 122 and 132. slot has a length comprised between 1 mm and 1 cm and a thickness comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. slot The thickness of 14 preferably decreases along its length between the first holes 121,131 and the second holes 122,132.

[0033] Similarly, although not shown, two elements 11, 21 When the elements are positioned one above the other, the first holes 121, 131 of the first element face the first holes 221, 231 of the second element.

[0034] The invention also relates to the use of the above-mentioned device, preferably including a method for assisting in lacing a shoe, comprising the steps of applying a first element 11 to a shoe so that the lace 3 passes through the first holes 121, 131 of the first element 11 transversely to the first element, and then applying the first element 11 to the shoe so as to minimize the length of the lace between the first holes 121, 131 and the shoe and to fix the lace in a tightened position, respectively. slot and adjusting the lace 3 to a tightening position, so as to displace the lace from the first holes 121, 131 to the second holes 122, 132, parallel to the plane of the first element 11, via 14.

[0035] Next, the second element 21 is applied to the first element 11 such that the lace 3 passes through the first holes 221, 231 in a first outward direction, and then the second element 21 is applied to the lace 3 such that the lace passes through the second holes 222, 232 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, such that the lace can form a loop on one side of the device opposite the shoe.

[0036] Thus, the movement of the string relative to the first element is first transverse to the plane of the first element 11 as the string crosses the hole, and then transverse to the plane of the first element 11 as the string crosses the hole. slot 14, while the motion involving the second element 21 is a double transverse motion of the second element.

[0037] Although the embodiments have been described with some embodiments, many variations, modifications, and variations will be or become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations that fall within the scope of the present disclosure. This is particularly the case for different arrangements and numbers of holes, shapes of said holes or usable elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 3. String 11 First Element Pair of holes 12, 13, 22, 23 14 slot 21 The second element 121, 131, 122, 132, 221, 222, 231, 232 holes

Claims

1. a first element having at least two pairs of holes, the holes of each pair being connected by a slot; a second element having at least two pairs of holes and positioned to overlie the first element; Each pair of holes in the first element has: a first hole having a size adapted to receive a string; a second hole having a size adapted to secure the lace in a fastened position; Each pair of holes in the second element comprises: a first hole adapted to pass the string in a first direction such that the string can form a loop on the device; and a second hole adapted to pass the string in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A device to assist in tying laces.

2. The first element and the second element are curved or straight planar elements.

2. The lace tying aid of claim 1.

3. said first element and said second element being made of a material from the group comprising at least one of the following: metals, whether noble or not, rigid, semi-rigid or flexible polymers, organic compounds, and ceramic materials; 3. A device for assisting in tying laces according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first hole of the first element and the hole of the second element have a diameter of 3 mm to 8 mm. A device for assisting in tying laces according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the second hole of the first element has a diameter of 0.5 mm to 5 mm; A device for assisting in tying laces according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. At least one of the first and second elements has a size comprising a length of 2 cm to 10 cm, a width of 2 cm to 5 cm, and a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm; A device for assisting in tying laces according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the slot connecting the first hole and the second hole of the first element has a length comprised between 1 mm and 1 cm and a thickness comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, A device for assisting in tying laces according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. a thickness of the slot decreases along a length of the slot between the first hole and the second hole. A device for assisting in tying laces according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. when the first and second elements are arranged one on top of the other, the first hole of the first element faces the first hole of the second element; A device for assisting tying laces according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. characterised in that the holes of the second element are arranged adjacent to one another according to a straight line. A device for assisting tying laces according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. applying the first element to the shoe such that the lace passes through the first hole of the first element transversely to the first element; adjusting the laces to the tightening position by passing the laces through their respective slots to fix the laces in the tightening position, minimizing the length of the lace between the first hole and the shoe, and displacing the laces from the first hole to the second hole parallel to the plane of the first element; applying a second element over the first element such that the lace passes through a first hole in a first outward direction and then passes through a second hole in a second direction opposite the first outward direction such that the lace forms a loop on one side of the device opposite the shoe; 11. A method for assisting shoe lacing comprising the use of a device for assisting shoe lacing according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the movement of the string relative to the first element is a two-stage movement, first transverse to the plane of the first element as the string passes through the hole, and then parallel as the string slides into the slot; 12. A method for assisting shoe lacing comprising use of the device for assisting shoe lacing according to claim 11.

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