Shoelace fasteners

Abstract

To relate to a shoelace clasp.SOLUTION: A shoelace clasp 1 includes a plate-like body part 10 disposed between a pair of tightening parts of a shoelace and / or above the pair of tightening parts, a pair of lace insertion parts 20 formed to penetrate through the body part and allowing insertion of a shoelace for tightening the tightening parts, and a buffer part 30 formed on the body part and buffering force acting on a knot of the shoelace tied on the surface side of the body part. The shoelace clasp 1 prevents prescribed force from easily acting on the knot of the shoelace so as to prevent the knot of the shoelace from being loosened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoelace fastener. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shoelace fastener that prevents shoelaces from loosening.

Background Art

[0002] No matter how tightly shoelaces are tied, the knots will loosen and come undone while walking or running. It is thought that the loosening of the shoelace knots is caused by two forces acting on the knots. One is the impact when a person's foot presses on the ground, which is thought to cause elongation and loosening in the knot. The other is the tensile force that pulls the shoelace generated by the movement of swinging the foot on the loosened knot. Thus, these two forces, the impact of stepping on the ground and the swinging of the foot, are thought to act like an invisible hand, loosening the knot and pulling the end of the shoelace to untie the shoelace. Although various techniques for preventing shoelace knots from loosening have been proposed conventionally, the conventional techniques will be described based on patent documents.

[0003] The shoelace stopper of Patent Document 1 fixes the shoelace by tightening it at the connection part between the movable part that moves with the elastic force of a spring or the like and the shoelace passing hole. However, the shoelace stopper requires many components such as a movable part, a spring, a top plate part, and a top plate part, and is laborious to manufacture. The shoelace stopper of Patent Document 2 prevents the knot from being untied by attaching a rubber stopper to the part where the shoelace is tied in a butterfly knot. However, the shoelace stopper requires placing the rubber stopper placed under the shoelace in a state where it is pressed and tying the butterfly knot, and then sandwiching the knot with the rubber stopper after tying, which is laborious to attach.

[0004] The shoelace fastener of Patent Document 3 fixes the shoelace with a shoelace adjustment fixture. However, the shoelace adjustment fixture fixes the shoelace with a plurality of teeth and damages the shoelace as it is used. The shoelace stopper of Patent Document 4 fixes the shoelace by sandwiching it. However, the shoelace stopper and the shoelace fastener have a complicated structure and are laborious to manufacture. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-255210 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-218813 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-220908 [Patent Document 4] Utility Model Registration No. 3176578 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] This invention is based on the aforementioned social and technological background and aims to achieve the following objective: The shoelace fastener of this invention can prevent shoelaces from coming loose. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention employs the following means. (1) The shoelace fastener according to claim 1 comprises: a plate-shaped main body (10) positioned between and / or above the fastening parts of a lace-up shoe that is fastened with shoelaces; a pair of first retaining parts (20) formed on the main body that hold the fastening part side of the shoelace; and a soft cushioning part (30) formed on all or part of the main body that cushions the force acting on the knot of the shoelace tied on the surface side of the main body. The buffer portion (30) is a recess (31) formed so as to be recessed from the surface side to the back side of the main body portion. It is characterized by the following: (2) The shoelace fastener of claim 2 is the shoelace fastener of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second retaining portion (40) formed on the main body portion and holding the end of the shoelace. (3) The shoelace fastener of claim 3 is the shoelace fastener described in claim 2, The second retaining portion is formed by cutting out the side of the main body portion and is characterized by being a binding portion (142) for bundling the shoelaces. (4) The shoelace fastener of claim 4 is A shoelace fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first retaining portion is formed to penetrate the main body and is a through-hole through which the shoelace is inserted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the shoelace fastener of the present invention can prevent shoelaces from loosening. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a shoelace fastener 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the sequence of steps involved in attaching the shoelace fastener 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the shoelace fastener 101 of the second embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the steps involved in attaching the shoelace fastener 101. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (1) Outline of the Embodiment The shoelace fastener of this embodiment comprises a plate-shaped main body (10) positioned between and / or above the fastening parts of a lace-up shoe that is fastened with shoelaces, a pair of first holding parts (20) formed on the main body that hold the fastening part side of the shoelace, and a soft cushioning part (30) formed on all or part of the main body that cushions the force acting on the knot of the shoelace tied on the surface side of the main body. The shoelace fastener 1 makes it difficult for a predetermined force to act on the knot of the shoelace, and can prevent the knot of the shoelace from loosening.

[0011] (2) Details of the embodiment [First Embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the shoelace fastener 1 of the first embodiment, and is (a) a front view, (b) a side view, (c) a top view, (d) a bottom view, (e) an isometric view, (f) a rear view, and (g) an α-α cross-sectional view. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the shoelace fastener 1 in the order of being attached.

[0012] [Shoelace fastener 1] In the first embodiment, the shoelace fastener 1 is used in a string shoe S that tightens the tightening part Aj with the shoelace St. It is a tool that makes it difficult for a predetermined force to act on the knot Kn of the shoelace St and prevents the knot Kn of the shoelace St from loosening. As shown in FIG. 1, the shoelace fastener 1 includes a main body part 10, a first holding part 20, a buffer part 30 (concave part 31), a second holding part 40, and a decorative part 50. The shoelace fastener 1 is placed on the string shoe S with the shoelace St inserted through the first holding part 20 and is used by tying the shoelace St on the surface side of the main body part 10. The shoelace fastener 1 is formed of plate-shaped silicone having a predetermined thickness.

[0013] 〔Main body part 10〕 The main body part 10 is a plate-shaped member disposed between and / or above the tightening parts Aj of the string shoe S. The string shoe S used in this example is a shoe that can be adjusted to the size of the user's foot by passing the shoelace St through a plurality of pigeon holes formed in a pair of tightening parts Aj and tightening the tightening parts Aj. The main body part 10 is soft and elastically deformable, and is mainly made of silicone with a large friction coefficient and difficult to slip. For example, it is formed in a substantially butterfly shape with a width of 33 mm, a height of 19 mm, and a thickness of 3 mm. The main body part 10 is formed by filling a moldable type silicone of the material into a mold and heating and pressing it by compression molding.

[0014] The main body part 10 is symmetric about the left and right, and the upper piece 11 and the lower piece 12 are respectively configured on the left and right. The upper piece 11 is substantially rectangular with a horizontally long shape and a semi-circular corner, and is arranged to extend in the horizontal direction when observed from the plane. The upper piece 11 is formed with a first holding part 20 whose semi-circular outer shape coincides with the center position. The lower piece 12 is substantially pentagonal with a horizontally long shape and a semi-circular corner, and is arranged such that the left and right ends incline downward from the upper piece when observed from the plane. The lower piece 12 is formed with a second holding part 40 (second holding part 40) whose semi-circular outer shape coincides with the center position. The main body part 10 is formed with a substantially square buffer part 30 at the upper center.

[0015] 〔First holding part 20〕 The first holding part 20 is a member that is formed on the main body part 10, through which the shoelace St is inserted and which holds the shoelace St. The first holding part 20 is a through-hole formed in the upper piece 11 in order to fasten the shoelace St to the main body part 10. The inner diameter of the first holding part 20 is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shoelace St. A reinforcing part 25 for preventing breakage of the upper piece 11 is formed at the edge part of the first holding part 20. The reinforcing part 25 is formed in an annular shape that borders the first holding part 20 on the front and back surfaces of the upper piece 11.

[0016] 〔Buffer part 30 (recess 31)〕 The buffer part 30 (recess 31) is formed in all or part of the main body part 10, and is a soft part that buffers the force acting on the knot Kn of the shoelace tied on the front surface side of the main body part 10. The recess 31 is formed at the upper center of the main body part 10 so as to be positioned between a pair of first holding parts 20. The recess 31 is a substantially square indentation formed by indenting the main body part 10, and is formed to a size that can accommodate the knot Kn.

[0017] 〔Second holding part 40〕 The second holding part 40 is a member that is formed through the main body part 10 and holds the shoelace St that tightens the tightening part Aj. The second holding part 40 is a through-hole formed in the lower piece 12 in order to fasten the shoelace St to the main body part 10. The inner diameter of the second holding part 40 is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shoelace St. A reinforcing part 45 for preventing breakage of the lower piece 12 is formed at the edge part of the second holding part 40. The reinforcing part 45 is formed in an annular shape that borders the second holding part 40 on the front and back surfaces of the lower piece 12.

[0018] 〔Decorative part 50〕 The decorative part 50 is formed on the front surface side of the main body part 10, and is a decoration that decorates the main body part 10, and is formed of the same silicone as the main body part 10. The decorative part 50 is formed with a pattern including one or more selected from paintings, photos, graphics, symbols, characters, and figures on the outer periphery of the main body part 10. In this example, the decorative part 50 is formed such that the characters "XXX" protrude from the front surface of the main body part 10.

[0019] The decorative part 50 may be formed by creating a recess in the main body 10 and pouring liquid or gel-like silicone into the recess and allowing it to solidify. Alternatively, the decorative part 50 may be formed by creating irregularities on the surface of the main body 10 using a mold, or by creating irregularities by grinding the surface of the main body 10. Furthermore, the decorative part 50 may be formed by attaching one or more materials selected from synthetic resin, metal, gemstones, glass, shell, crystal, wood, and minerals to the surface or interior of the main body 10.

[0020] [How to use shoelace fastener 1] Next, the method of using the shoelace fastener 1 configured as described above will be explained with reference to Figure 2. In this example, the shoelace St is passed through multiple eyelets formed in the tightening part Aj and tied in a bow knot above the tightening part Aj. The shoelace St tied in this way will be described as follows: the part on the tightening part side from the eyelet to the knot Kn will be called the base part St1, the part that is tied and formed into a loop will be called the loop part St2, and the end part from the knot to the tip will be called the end part St3. As shown in Figure 2(a), the shoelace fastener 1 is placed above the tightening part Aj of the lace-up shoe S, and the shoelace St is inserted into the first retaining part 20.

[0021] The shoelace St is inserted into the first retaining part 20 from the back side of the shoelace fastener 1 and pulled out from the front side of the shoelace fastener 1. The inner diameter of the first retaining part 20 is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shoelace St, so the base part St1 of the shoelace St is secured in the first retaining part 20. Depending on the size of the user's foot, the pair of tightening parts Aj may be separated, in which case the shoelace fastener 1 is placed between the tightening parts Aj.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2(b), the shoelace St is tied on the surface side of the shoelace fastener 1. The knot Kn formed by tying the shoelace St is placed on the surface side of the recess 31 while housed in the recess 31. The recess 31 is made of silicone, which is soft, elastically deformable, has a high coefficient of friction and is not slippery, so it cushions the force acting on the housed knot Kn. In other words, when the user walks and their foot steps on the ground, the recess 31 absorbs the impact on the knot Kn, so the knot Kn does not stretch or loosen. If the shoelace fastener 1 is not used, the distance between the knot Kn and the shoelace S changes as the tightening part Aj of the shoelace S opens and closes, so the knot Kn is more likely to be subjected to impact. On the other hand, when the shoelace fastener 1 is used, even if the tightening part Aj of the shoelace S opens and closes, the base part St1 of the shoelace St is held in place by the first retaining part 20, so the knot Kn is less likely to be subjected to impact.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2(c), the shoelace St is inserted into the second retaining part 40. The shoelace St is inserted into the second retaining part 40 from the front side of the shoelace fastener 1 and pulled out from the back side of the shoelace fastener 1. Since the inner diameter of the second retaining part 40 is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shoelace St, the end St3 of the shoelace St is secured in the second retaining part 40. Even if a swinging motion of the foot occurs and a tensile force acts on the shoelace St, the tensile force does not reach the knot Kn because the end St3 of the shoelace St is secured in the second retaining part 40, and the knot Kn is not easily untied.

[0024] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 3 shows the shoelace fastener 101 of the second embodiment, and is (a) a front view, (b) a side view, (c) a top view, (d) a bottom view, (e) an isometric view, (f) a rear view, and (g) a β-β cross-sectional view. Figure 4 shows the shoelace fastener 101 being attached in sequence. The shoelace fastener 101 comprises a main body 110, a first holding part 20, a cushioning part 130, a second holding part 140 (notch 141, binding part 142), and a decorative part 50. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment described above, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0025] [Main body 110] The main body 110 is a plate-shaped member positioned between and / or above the tightening parts Aj of the lace-up shoe S. The main body 110 is made primarily from silicone, which is soft, elastically deformable, and has a high coefficient of friction that makes it slip-resistant. For example, it is formed in a roughly equilateral trapezoidal shape with a width of 34 mm, a height of 26 mm, and a thickness of 3 mm.

[0026] The main body 110 is symmetrical, with an upper piece 111 and a lower piece 112 on the left and right sides respectively. When viewed from above, the upper piece 111 extends horizontally and then curves downwards inward in a "V" shape or inverted "V" shape, with rounded corners. The upper piece 111 has first retaining portions 20 formed at the points where it bends. When viewed from above, the lower piece 112 has parallel top and bottom bases, tapers from top to bottom, and has a roughly trapezoidal shape with rounded corners. The main body 10 has a buffer portion 130 that protrudes outward from the upper center. Between the upper piece 111 and the lower piece 112, a notch 141 and a binding portion 142 are formed as a second retaining portion 140.

[0027] [Buffer portion 130 (protrusion portion 131)] The cushioning portion 130 (protrusion 131) is formed on all or part of the main body portion 110 and is a soft portion that cushions the force acting on the knot Kn of the shoelace St tied on the surface side of the main body portion 10. The protrusion 131 is formed on the upper center of the main body portion 10 so as to be located between the pair of first retaining portions 20. The protrusion 131 is a protrusion formed by making the main body portion 10 protrude and is formed to be large enough to come into contact with the knot Kn.

[0028] [Second holding part 140 (notch 141, binding part 142)] The second retaining portion 140 (notch 141, binding portion 142) is formed in the main body portion 110 and is a member that holds the shoelace St that tightens the tightening portion Aj. The notch 141 is an insertion opening formed by cutting out the left and right legs of the main body portion 110 in order to insert the shoelace St into the binding portion 142. The notch 141 is formed so that it is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shoelace St. The binding portion 142 is a through hole formed between the upper piece 111 and the lower piece 112 in order to fasten the shoelace St to the main body portion 110. The inner diameter of the binding portion 142 is formed so that it is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bundled shoelace St.

[0029] [How to use shoelace fastener 101] Next, the method of using the shoelace fastener 101 configured as described above will be explained with reference to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4(a), the shoelace fastener 101 is placed above the tightening portion Aj of the lace-up shoe S, and the shoelace St is inserted through the first retaining portion 20. The shoelace St is inserted into the first retaining portion 20 from the back side of the shoelace fastener 1 and pulled out from the front side of the shoelace fastener 101. Since the inner diameter of the first retaining portion 20 is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shoelace St, the base portion St1 of the shoelace St is secured in the first retaining portion 20. Depending on the size of the user's foot, the pair of tightening portions Aj may be separated, in which case the shoelace fastener 101 is placed between the tightening portions Aj.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4(b), the shoelace St is tied on the surface side of the shoelace fastener 1. The knot Kn formed by tying the shoelace St is placed on the surface side of the protrusion 131, in contact with it. The protrusion 131 is made of silicone, which is soft, elastically deformable, has a high coefficient of friction and is not slippery, so it cushions the force acting on the knot Kn in contact with it. In other words, when the user walks and their foot steps on the ground, the protrusion 131 absorbs the impact on the knot Kn, so the knot Kn does not stretch or loosen.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4(c), the ring portion St2 and the end portion St3 are bundled together and inserted into the notch 141 on both the left and right sides. The notch 141 elastically deforms and expands as the bundled ring portion St2 and end portion St3 are inserted. When the ring portion St2 and end portion St3 are further inserted into the binding portion 142, the elastically deformed notch 141 returns to its original state, and the bundled ring portion St2 and end portion St3 are bundled and held in place by the binding portion 142. The inner diameter of the binding portion 142 is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bundled shoelace St (ring portion St2 and end portion St3), so the shoelace St is secured in the binding portion 142. Even when a swinging motion of the foot occurs and a tensile force acts on the shoelace St, the shoelace St (the loop portion St2 and the end portion St3) is secured to the binding portion 142, so the tensile force does not reach the knot Kn, and the knot Kn is unlikely to come undone.

[0032] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified without departing from the object and spirit of the present invention. The main body portion 10 (110) may be formed of a hard material different from the cushioning portion 30 (130). The cushioning portion 30 (130) may be made of any other material that is soft, elastically deformable, has a high coefficient of friction and is not slippery, such as urethane, elastomer, rubber, or other synthetic resins. The first retaining portion 20 (120) and the second retaining portion 40 are formed as through holes, but they may be of any other shape as long as they can hold the shoelace St. For example, a notch may be formed in the first retaining portion 20, and the shoelace may be inserted and removed from the notch. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1: Shoelace fasteners 10: Main body 20: Cord insertion part 30:Buffer section 40: Holding part 50: Uneven part 60: Decorative part

Claims

1. A plate-shaped main body (10) positioned between and / or above the fastening parts of a lace-up shoe that is fastened with shoelaces, The main body is formed with a pair of first retaining parts (20) that hold the tightening part of the shoelace, The main body is provided with a soft cushioning portion (30) formed on all or part of the main body, which cushions the force acting on the knot of the shoelace tied on the surface side of the main body, The buffer portion (30) is a recess (31) formed so as to be recessed from the surface side to the back side of the main body portion. A shoelace fastener characterized by the following features.

2. A shoelace fastener as described in claim 1, A second retaining portion (40) formed in the main body portion, which holds the end of the shoelace, A shoelace fastener characterized by having the following features.

3. A shoelace fastener according to claim 2, The second retaining portion is formed by cutting out the side of the main body portion and is a binding portion (142) for bundling the shoelaces. A shoelace fastener characterized by the following features.

4. A shoelace fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The first retaining portion is formed by penetrating the main body and is a through-hole through which the shoelace is inserted. A shoelace fastener characterized by the following features.

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