Shoelace structure and a shoelace assembly thereof
The shoelace structure with dual-colored shoelaces and buckles addresses the monotony of traditional shoelaces by offering enhanced visual appeal and customization, enhancing shoe aesthetics.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- APONTE GEORGE WILLIAM
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Traditional shoelaces for shoes are monotonous in design and lack variety, primarily consisting of a single color, which may not appeal to consumers seeking aesthetic diversity.
A shoelace structure featuring a pair of shoelace strings of different colors, each with a buckle at one end and an aglet at the other, attached to a clip with grooves, allowing for enhanced visual appeal and customization.
The solution provides a visually appealing and customizable shoelace design that enhances the aesthetic appeal of shoes by incorporating multiple colors and designs, catering to consumer preferences.
Smart Images
Figure US20260215543A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to a shoelace assembly for a shoe. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a shoelace structure for a shoelace assembly.BACKGROUND
[0002] Shoe, generally, includes a single shoelace of a single color for securing the shoe with a foot of a wearer.SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect of the disclosure, a shoelace structure for a shoe is disclosed. The shoelace structure includes a shoelace string having a first end and a second end. The shoelace structure also includes a buckle arranged at the first end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
[0004] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the buckle includes a ring structure defining a cavity and a partition wall attached to the ring structure and dividing the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The shoelace string is attached to the partition wall.
[0005] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the shoelace structure further comprises an aglet arranged at the second end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
[0006] In another aspect of the disclosure, a shoelace assembly for a shoe is disclosed. The shoelace assembly includes a clip defining a pair of grooves, and a pair of shoelace structures engaged to the clip. Each of the pair of shoelace structures includes a shoelace string and a buckle attached to the shoelace string. The shoelace string extends through one of the pair of grooves and includes a first end and a second end. The buckle is arranged at the first end of the shoelace string, and is arranged abutting the clip.
[0007] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the buckle includes a ring structure defining a cavity and a partition wall attached to the ring structure and dividing the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The shoelace string is attached to the partition wall.
[0008] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, each of the pair of shoelace structures further comprises an aglet arranged at the second end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
[0009] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a first shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a first end of the clip and a second shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a second end of the clip.
[0010] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first shoelace structure includes a first shoelace string having a first color and the second shoelace structure includes a second shoelace string having a second color different from the first color.
[0011] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes a sole, and a shoe upper attached to the sole and arranged supported on the sole. The shoe upper includes a pair of eyestays having a plurality of eyelets. The shoe also includes a shoelace assembly attached to the pair of eyestays and having a clip defining a pair of grooves. The clip is arranged between the pair of eyestays. The shoe assembly further includes a pair of shoelace structures engaged to the clip. Each of the pair of shoelace structures includes a shoelace string having a first end and a second end, and a buckle attached to the first end of the shoelace string. The shoelace string extends through one of the pair of grooves and eyelets. The buckle is arranged at the first end of the shoelace string, and is arranged abutting the clip.
[0012] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the buckle includes a ring structure defining a cavity and a partition wall attached to the ring structure and dividing the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, wherein the shoelace string is attached to the partition wall.
[0013] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, each of the pair of shoelace structures further comprises an aglet arranged at the second end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
[0014] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, a first shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a first end of the clip and a second shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a second end of the clip.
[0015] In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the first shoelace structure includes a first shoelace string having a first color and the second shoelace structure includes a second shoelace string having a second color different from the first color.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a shoe, in accordance with an
[0017] embodiment of the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the shoe, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a shoe assembly having a pair of shoelace structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the shoe assembly of FIG. 3 depicting the pair of shoelace structures arranged separated from a clip of the shoe assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a first shoelace structure of the pair of the shoelace structures and depicting a first buckle arranged separated from a first shoelace, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a second shoelace structure of the pair of the shoelace structures and depicting a second buckle arranged separated from a second shoelace, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the clip of FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Example embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the drawings, the sizes, positions, etc., of components, features, elements, etc., as well as any distances therebetween, are not necessarily to scale, and may be disproportionate and / or exaggerated for clarity.
[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be recognized that the terms “comprise,”“comprises,” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless otherwise specified, a range of values, when recited, includes both the upper and lower limits of the range, as well as any sub-ranges therebetween. Unless indicated otherwise, terms such as “first,”“second,” etc., are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, one element could be termed a “first element” and similarly, another element could be termed a “second element,” or vice versa. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.
[0026] Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “about,”“thereabout,”“substantially,” etc., mean that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.
[0027] Spatially relative terms, such as “right,”“left,”“below,”“beneath,”“lower,”“above,” and “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature, as illustrated in the drawings. It should be recognized that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if an object in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can, for example, encompass both an orientation of above and below. An object may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.
[0028] Unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be direct or indirect. Similarly, unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be rigid or non-rigid.
[0029] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, even elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings.
[0030] Many different forms and embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure and so this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.
[0031] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.
[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Also, wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shoe 100 having a sole 102, a shoe upper 104 attached to the sole 102 and supported on the sole 102, and a shoelace assembly 200 extending through eyelets 106 of the shoe upper 104 is shown. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shoelace assembly 200 includes a clip 202 and a pair of shoelace structures 204, 206 removably attached to the clip 202. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, and 7, the clip 202 includes an elongated plate 210 having a first end 212 and a second end 214 arranged opposite to the first end 212. The elongated plate 210 defines a first groove 218 arranged proximate to the first end 212 relative to the second end 214, and a second groove 220 arranged proximate to the second end 214 relative to the first end 212. In the embodiment, the grooves 218, 220 are arranged symmetrically on either side of a central axis of the elongated plate 210. The grooves 218, 220 extend through an entire thickness of the elongated plate 210, and hence extends from a first surface 230, i.e., upper surface 230, of the elongated plate 210 to a second surface i.e., lower surface, of the elongated plate 210. In the embodiment, a length of the elongated plate 210 is greater than a width of the elongated plate 210. The length of the elongated plate 210 may be selected such that the clip 202 is easily arranged between free edges of two eyestays 110, 112 of the shoe upper 104 and on a tongue 116 of the shoe upper 104, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, a length of the clip 202 i.e., elongated plate 210 is selected to be smaller or equal to a width of the tongue 116 at a location proximate to a toe box 120 of the shoe upper 104.
[0034] The pair of shoelace structures 204, 206 includes a first shoelace structure 204 removably coupled to the eyestays 110, 112 and extending through eyelets 106 of the eyestays 110, 112, and a second shoelace structure 206 is removably coupled to the eyestays 110, 112 and extends through eyelets 106 of the eyestays 110, 112. In the embodiment, best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the first shoelace structure 204 includes a shoelace, for example, a first shoelace 240, and a buckle, i.e., a first buckle 242, attached to the first shoelace 240. As shown, the first shoelace 240 includes a first shoelace string 244 having a first end 246 and a second end 248, and a first aglet 250 attached one of the ends, for example, the second end 248 of the first shoelace string 244. The first end 246 of the first shoelace string 244 is arranged attached to the first buckle 242.
[0035] In the embodiment, the first buckle 242 includes a ring structure 252, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, defining a cavity 254, and a partition wall 256 connected to the ring structure 252 and dividing the cavity 254 into a first cavity portion 258 and a second cavity portion 260. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring structure 252 includes a substantially rectangular shape, however, the ring structure 252 may include any other suitable shape, such as, but not limited to, a square shape, a trapezoidal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or any other shape known in the art. Further, dimensions of the ring structure 252 are selected to be greater than dimensions of the associated groove, i.e., the first groove 218 of the clip 202. The first shoelace string 244 is attached to the partition wall 256. In the embodiment, the first shoelace string 244 is attached to the partition wall 256 by forming a loop around the partition wall 256 and attaching, for example, stitching, a free end of the loop with the first shoelace string 244 itself, as best shown in FIG. 4.
[0036] Similarly, referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the second shoelace structure 206 includes a second shoelace 262 and a second buckle 264 attached to the second shoelace 262. The second shoelace 262 is similar to the first shoelace 240, and includes a second shoelace string 266 and a second aglet 268 attached to a second end 270 of the second shoelace string 266. The second shoelace string 266 is similar to the first shoelace string 244 except that the first shoelace string 244 is of a first color, while the second shoelace string 266 is of a second color different from the first color. As with the first shoelace string 244, a first end 272 of the second shoelace string 266 is attached to the second buckle 264 in a manner similar to the attachment of the first buckle 242 with the first shoelace string 244. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the second buckle 264 is similar to the first buckle 242, and includes a ring structure 274 defining a cavity 276, and a partition wall 278 dividing the cavity 276 into a first cavity portion 280 and a second cavity portion 282. The second shoelace string 266 is looped around the partition wall 278 of second buckle 264 in the engagement of the second buckle 264 and the second shoelace string 266.
[0037] In an assembly of the shoelace structures 204, 206 with the clip 202, as shown in FIG. 3, the first shoelace structure 204 is arranged on a first side of the clip 202, while the second shoelace structure 206 is arranged on a second side of the clip 202. As shown, in the engagement of the first shoelace structure 204 with the clip 202, the first shoelace string 244 extends through the first groove 218 of the clip 202 with the first buckle 242 arranged contacting the second surface of the plate 210. Also, the ring structure 252 i.e., cavity 254 is disposed aligned with the first groove 218 such that the ring structure 252 is arranged surrounding the first groove 218 and contacting the second surface of the plate 210. Similarly, in the engagement of the second shoelace structure 206 with the clip 202, the second shoelace string 266 extends through the second groove 220 of the clip 202 with the second buckle 264 arranged contacting the second surface of the plate 210. The second buckle 264 i.e., the cavity 276 is disposed aligned with the second groove 220 such that the ring structure 274 is arranged surrounding the second groove 220 and contacting the second surface of the plate 210.
[0038] Further, referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the engagement of the shoelace assembly 200 with the shoe upper 104, the clip 202 is arranged on the tongue 116 of the shoe upper 104 and between the two eyestays 110, 112. As shown, the clip 202 is arranged proximate to the toe box 120, shown in FIG. 2, of the shoe upper 104 i.e., at a location proximate to the connection of the tongue 116 of the shoe upper 104 with a toe cap or a vamp 132 of the shoe upper 104. Also, the clip 202 is arranged on the tongue 116 with the second surface of the plate 210 arranged facing an upper surface of the tongue 116, while the first surface 230 is exposed to environment. Accordingly, the first buckle 242 is arranged underneath the plate 210 and between the clip 202 and the tongue 116, with the first buckle 242 abutting the second surface of the clip 202. Similarly, the second buckle 264 is arranged underneath the plate 210 and between the clip 202 and the tongue 116, with the second buckle 264 abutting the second surface of the plate 210 of the clip 202. Moreover, the first buckle 242 is arranged proximate to the first eyestay 110 relative to the second eyestay 112, while the second buckle 264 is disposed proximate to the second eyestay 112 relative to the first eyestay 110. Furthermore, the first shoelace string 244 extends through the first groove 218 and extends through the eyelets 106 of the eyestays 110, 112. Similarly, the second shoelace string 266 extends through the second groove 220 and is arranged extending through the eyelets 106 of the eyestays 110, 112. In this manner, two shoelace structures 204, 206 having two shoelace strings 244, 266 are engaged with the shoe upper 104. In this manner, the shoe 100 includes two shoelaces i.e., shoe strings of the different colors.
[0039] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the mere fact that different features are recited in mutually different dependent or independent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be advantageously used, such as a combination remaining within the scope of the aspects of the disclosed embodiments.
Claims
1. A shoelace structure for a shoe, the shoelace structure comprising:a shoelace string having a first end and a second end; anda buckle arranged at the first end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
2. The shoelace structure of claim 1, wherein the buckle includes a ring structure defining a cavity and a partition wall attached to the ring structure and dividing the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, wherein the shoelace string is attached to the partition wall.
3. The shoelace structure of claim 1 further comprises an aglet arranged at the second end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
4. A shoelace assembly for a shoe, the shoelace assembly comprising:a clip defining a pair of grooves; anda pair of shoelace structures engaged to the clip, each of the pair of shoelace structures comprisesa shoelace string extending through one of the pair of grooves and having a first end and a second end, anda buckle arranged at the first end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string, wherein the buckle is arranged abutting the clip.
5. The shoelace assembly of claim 4, wherein the buckle includes a ring structure defining a cavity and a partition wall attached to the ring structure and dividing the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, wherein the shoelace string is attached to the partition wall.
6. The shoelace assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the pair of shoelace structures further comprises an aglet arranged at the second end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
7. The shoelace assembly of claim 4, wherein a first shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a first end of the clip and a second shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a second end of the clip.
8. The shoelace assembly of claim 7, wherein the first shoelace structure includes a first shoelace string having a first color and the second shoelace structure includes a second shoelace string having a second color different from the first color.
9. A shoe, comprising:a sole;a shoe upper attached to the sole and arranged supported on the sole, the shoe upper including a pair of eyestays having a plurality of eyelets; anda shoelace assembly attached to the pair of eyestays and comprisesa clip defining a pair of grooves and arranged between the pair of eyestays, anda pair of shoelace structures engaged to the clip, each of the pair of shoelace structures comprisesa shoelace string having a first end and a second end, wherein the shoelace string extends through one of the pair of grooves and eyelets, anda buckle arranged at the first end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string, wherein the buckle is arranged abutting the clip.
10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the buckle includes a ring structure defining a cavity and a partition wall attached to the ring structure and dividing the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, wherein the shoelace string is attached to the partition wall.
11. The shoe of claim 9, wherein each of the pair of shoelace structures further comprises an aglet arranged at the second end of the shoelace string and attached to the shoelace string.
12. The shoe of claim 9, wherein a first shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a first end of the clip and a second shoelace structure of the pair of shoelace structures is attached proximate to a second end of the clip.
13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the first shoelace structure includes a first shoelace string having a first color and the second shoelace structure includes a second shoelace string having a second color different from the first color.