Shoelace fastener

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for securing and stowing a lace (2) of a lacing system, in particular end portions of a lace of a shoe having a lacing system, comprising a lace-guiding plate (3) having a first through-hole (4) through which to guide or thread in the lace (2) of the lacing system, comprising a clamping element (6) for clamping and releasing the clamping of the lace (2) guided through the first through-hole (4), and comprising a cover device (7) for protectively enveloping a loose end portion of the lace (2) guided through the first through-hole (4), wherein the clamping element (6) can be displaced relative to the lace-guiding plate (3) between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the clamping action in the clamping position of the clamping element (6) can be achieved in conjunction with the lace-guiding plate (3).

Description

[0001] SHOE STRAP CLOSURE

[0002] The invention relates to a device for securing and storing the straps of a lacing system, in particular the shoelaces of a shoe with a lacing system.

[0003] Devices for tightening shoelaces and stowing loose shoelace ends are known from US patents 2,636,237 A and 1,0716,363 B 1. In these devices, shoelaces can be passed through a hole in the device, the loose ends wound around the device, and finally, an elastic cap of the device placed over the wound shoelaces. With the known devices, both shoelaces of a shoe's lacing system can be tightened or stowed away.

[0004] A similar device is known from ES 1 203 443 U, which allows individual straps of a shoe lacing system to be stowed away. For this purpose, a strap of the lacing system is passed through an opening in the device, then a loose end section of the strap is wound around the device, and finally an elastic protective cap of the device is placed over the wound-up strap.

[0005] From US patent 4,290,173 A, a device and a method for securing straps are disclosed, wherein a strap is threaded through an opening in the device and wound around the device within a notch. The notch, or its base, creates a clamping effect, so that the strap is ultimately secured and stowed.

[0006] The devices and methods known from the prior art have the disadvantage that the respective device either does not offer sufficient functionality for tightening a lacing system or is inadequately designed with regard to a permanent clamping effect for fixing the laces of a lacing system, so that the continued security of the tightened state of the lacing system secured by the device cannot be guaranteed, especially under high stress on a shoe with this lacing system and thus under high stress on the lacing system and the device itself. The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device by means of which the intended state of a lacing system can be guaranteed under high stress.

[0007] This problem is solved by a device and a method according to the claims.

[0008] The device according to the invention for securing and stowing a strap of a lacing system, in particular a shoelace of a shoe with a lacing system, specifically end sections of a shoelace of a shoe with a lacing system, comprises a strap guide plate with a first opening for passing through or threading the strap of the lacing system, a clamping element for clamping and releasing a clamping of the strap passed through the first opening, and a covering device for protectively encasing a loose end section of the strap passed through the first opening, wherein the clamping element is displaceable relative to the strap guide plate between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the clamping effect in the clamping position of the clamping element can be effected in operative connection with the strap guide plate.

[0009] For the purposes of this invention, a "band" is understood to mean, in particular, a shoelace or a similar cord. A band or bands can specifically be part of a lacing system of a shoe, by means of which the shoe can be closed or securely fastened.

[0010] The device according to the invention has the advantage that a proper state of a lacing system, or in particular of end sections of a strap of a lacing system, can be ensured under high stress.

[0011] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the clamping element can be repositioned relative to the belt guide plate by means of a screw device, a clamping lever with an eccentric clamping section, or a ratchet device with a release button. This allows for easy operation of the device while ensuring the clamping state and other functions of the device remain secure.

[0012] For the purposes of the invention, a screw device can be understood as a pair consisting of a screw and a thread. The clamping element may comprise a screw or a section with an external thread, wherein the screw or section with the external thread corresponds to an internal thread or a thread in the band guide plate. Thus, the clamping element can be screwed towards the band guide plate to clamp a band, or moved away from the band guide plate by screwing accordingly to release the clamp.

[0013] For the purposes of the invention, a pawl device can be understood to be, for example, a ratchet system or similar device. The pawls allow the clamping element to be moved, for example, towards the clamping position, while the pawls prevent release towards the release position even as the clamping element is being moved towards the clamping position. Releasing the clamping element and the associated movement into the release position can be accomplished, for example, by means of a release button, whereby form-complementary locking elements are disengaged from the pawls.

[0014] Furthermore, the strap guide plate may include a second opening for guiding or threading another strap of the lacing system. This allows the device to be used more effectively for tightening a lacing system with two loose ends of a strap. In addition, the second opening may be positioned opposite the first, making the device particularly easy to handle when lacing a shoe, thus further improving the tightening of the lacing system.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment also includes a cover device that is elastically designed and coupled to the clamping element. In an open position, the cover device exposes a winding area for winding a loose end section of a strap. In a covered position, the cover device encloses or surrounds the winding area and at least partially the strap guide plate by turning it inside out, thus allowing the loose end section of the strap to be fixed in position within the winding area. This enables the secure storage of loose end sections, allowing for the safe use of a lacing system with loose end sections and preventing, or at least significantly hindering, the release of such a lacing system.According to further training, it is possible for the clamping element and the strap guide plate to be designed as turned parts, so that a strap of a lacing system or components surrounding the lacing system, such as a shoe, are not damaged. This also prevents a user from tripping because of the device.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the cover element in the winding area has a circumferential groove with an opening width that decreases in the direction of a rotational axis of the device. This improves the clamping effect of a loose end section of a band wrapping around the device, thus simplifying its use and, in particular, facilitating the fitting of the cover.

[0017] Furthermore, it may be provided that an elastic tensile limiting element is formed in the first opening to make it more difficult to thread a belt through the opening, in particular in the direction of the outer surface of the belt guide plate which is inclined away from the clamping element.

[0018] For the purposes of the invention, a tension limiting element can be, for example, an elastic rubber lip, elastic nubs, or a barbed element. In any case, the tension limiting element is intended to make it difficult for a user of the device to thread a loose end section of a strap through the first opening, so that after a lacing system has been tightened using the device, the loose end section threaded through the first opening retains at least approximately its relative position to the first opening or is at least approximately fixed in position relative to the strap guide plate. This makes tightening easier for a user of the device.

[0019] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0020] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a first position state of a possible embodiment of the device;

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a second position of the possible embodiment of the device; Fig. 3 shows the second position of the possible embodiment of the device during further use;

[0023] Fig. 4 shows a third positional state of the possible embodiment of the device;

[0024] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations must be applied analogously to the new position if the position changes.

[0025] Figures 1 to 4 show representations of a possible embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, wherein the device 1 is shown in different positional states. In this sense, a positional state is understood to be a specific orientation, positioning, or arrangement of the individual components of the device 1 relative to one another. Figure 1 shows a first positional state, Figure 2 and Figure 4 show...

[0026] Figure 3 shows a second position state and Figure 4 a third position state, with Figures 2 and 3 differing with regard to the use of the device 1 in the second position state. For improved readability, the same reference numerals or component designations are used for identical parts in Figures 1 to 4.

[0027] Figures 1 to 4 are described and explained together below.

[0028] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, the device 1 is particularly suitable for securing and stowing a strap 2 of a lacing system, especially a shoelace of a shoe with a lacing system. The device 1 comprises a strap guide plate 3 with a first opening 4 for passing through or threading a strap 2 of the lacing system, a clamping element 6 for clamping and releasing the strap 2 passed through the first opening 4, and a cover 7 for protectively encasing a loose end section of the strap 2 passed through the first opening 4.

[0029] The clamping element 6 is displaceable relative to the belt guide plate 3 between a clamping position and a release position, whereby the clamping effect in the clamping position of the clamping element 6 is effected in operative connection with the belt guide plate 3. In the Fig.

[0030] In the first opening, the clamping element 6 is moved into its release position. This allows a strap to be threaded through the first opening. The device 1 may also have a second opening 5. This allows multiple straps, or in particular individual straps, to be threaded through separate openings 4 and 5. For example, if a shoe's lacing system comprises two loose ends of a strap 2, each loose end can be threaded through a separate opening 4 and 5 in the strap guide plate 3. Subsequently, such a lacing system can be tightened by pulling on both loose ends of the strap 2. This pulls the device 1 towards the tongue of a shoe with the lacing system, thus tightening the lacing system.In particular, it can be provided that the second opening 5 is formed opposite the first opening 4, as is the case in the possible embodiment shown.

[0031] With regard to tightening a lacing system using the device 1, it can also be provided that an elastic tension limiter element is formed in the first opening 4 to make it more difficult to thread a strap 2 through the first opening 4, particularly in the direction of the outer surface of the strap guide plate 3, which is inclined away from the clamping element 6. For the purposes of the invention, a tension limiter element is understood to be, for example, an elastic rubber lip, elastic nubs, or a barbed element.In any case, the purpose of the tension limiter is to ensure that a loose end section of a strap 2 is difficult for a user of the device 1 to pass through the first opening 4, so that a loose end section of a strap 2, threaded through the first opening 4, retains at least approximately its relative position to the first opening 4 after a lacing system has been tightened by the device 1, or is at least approximately fixed in position to the strap guide plate 3. This makes tightening easier for a user of the device 1.

[0032] Figure 2 shows the second position of the device 1. After the lacing system has been tightened by pulling on both loose ends of a strap 2 of the lacing system, the clamping element 6 can be moved into its clamping position. In Figure 2, the clamping element 6 is shown in its clamping position.

[0033] 2 The clamping element 6 is displaced into its clamping position, such that the band or the loose end sections of a band 2 are fixed in position relative to the device 1. The clamping element 6 can preferably be displaced between the release position and the clamping position by means of a screw and an internal thread, i.e., by means of a screw device 8. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the displacement of the clamping element 6 relative to the band guide plate 3 is enabled by means of a clamping lever with an eccentric clamping section or by means of a pawl device with a release button.

[0034] Figure 3 again shows the second position of a possible embodiment of the device 1 during further use. Since the secured state of a strap 2 is now fixed in position by moving the clamping element 6 into the clamping position, a loose end section of the strap 2 can be wound around the device 1. For this purpose, a winding area 9 of the device 1 can be provided or designed. Such a winding area 9 can also have a section with a circumferential notch, recess, or groove 10, so that an end section of a strap 2 can be wound more easily onto the device 1. In this regard, it can be provided in particular that the clamping element 6 and the strap guide plate 3, or preferably the entire device 1, are designed as turned parts.

[0035] Finally, Fig. 4 shows the third position of the possible embodiment of the device 1, where it can be seen that now both the end sections of the strip 2 wound around the device 1, as well as the clamping element 6 and at least partially the strip guide plate 3 are enclosed by the cover 7, so that the strip 2 is protected and held in position. In any case, it can be provided that the cover 7 is elastically designed and coupled to the clamping element 6, wherein in an open position the cover 7 exposes a winding area 9 of the device 1 for winding a loose end section of a strip 2, as can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and in a covered position it encloses or surrounds the winding area 9 and at least partially the strip guide plate 3 by turning the cover 7 inside out, as shown in Fig.4 is shown, so that the loose end section of the band 2 can be fixed in position in the winding area 9.

[0036] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.

[0037] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0038] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g., the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e., all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0039] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

[0040] Reference numeral list

[0041] device

[0042] band

[0043] B guide plate

[0044] First breakthrough

[0045] Second breakthrough

[0046] Clamping element

[0047] Cover device

[0048] Screw device

[0049] Changing area

[0050] Nut

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for securing and stowing a strap (2) of a lacing system, in particular a shoelace of a shoe with a lacing system, comprising a strap guide plate (3) with a first opening (4) for passing through or threading a strap (2) of the lacing system, a clamping element (6) for clamping and releasing a clamping of the strap (2) passed through the first opening (4), and a covering device (7) for protectively enclosing a loose end section of the strap (2) passed through the first opening (4), characterized in that the clamping element (6) is displaceable relative to the strap guide plate (3) between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the clamping effect in the clamping position of the clamping element (6) can be effected in operative connection with the strap guide plate (3).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping element (6) can be displaced relative to the belt guide plate (3) by means of a screw device (8) or by means of a clamping lever with an eccentric clamping section or by means of a ratchet device with a release button.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the band guide plate (3) comprises a second opening (5) for passing through or threading a further band (2) of the lacing system.

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second opening (5) is formed opposite the first opening (4).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover device (7) is elastically designed and is coupled to the clamping element (6), wherein the cover device (7) in an open position exposes a winding area (9) of the device (1) for winding a loose end section of a belt (2) and in a covered position encloses or surrounds the winding area (9) and the belt guide plate (3) by turning the cover device (7) inside out, so that the loose end section of the belt (2) can be fixed in position in the winding area (9).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping element (6) and the band guide plate (3) are designed as turned parts.

7. Device (1) according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the cover device (7) has a circumferential groove (10) in the winding area (9) with an opening width that decreases in the direction of an axis of rotation of the device (1).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic tension limiting element is formed in the first opening (4) to make it more difficult to thread a band (2) through the first opening (4), in particular in the direction of the outer surface of the band guide plate (3) which is inclined away from the clamping element (6).

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