Shoe lacing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe lacing device (1), the device comprising a housing (5) and a bottom (11) capable of being attached to the upper of a shoe having eyelets and from which any laces have been removed, the bottom (11) closing the housing (5), the housing (5) enclosing a circuit board (6) of the device (1) and a motor (10) of the device (1), the motor (10) being capable of being controlled and monitored by the circuit board (6), the housing (5) further enclosing a winding roller (9) of the device (1), the winding roller (9) being configured to be driven in rotation directly by the motor (10) and to wind tightening laces (7) of the device (1) which comprise hooks (8) at the ends thereof, the hooks (8) being configured to allow the tightening laces (7) to be hooked onto the eyelets so as to tighten the eyelets when the tightening laces (7) are wound around the roller (9) upon activation of the motor (10).

Description

SHOE LACING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to lacing devices that allow the user to lace their shoes automatically and in an assisted and motorized manner, by replacing the laces with the device.

[0002] The present invention aims to provide a particularly ergonomic and lightweight lacing device, designed to be worn permanently on the shoe to keep it tight on the user's foot without the user having to perform the tedious operation of manually lacing their shoe.

[0003] We know of lacing systems that allow a shoe to be tightened, but either they consist of particular arrangements of laces, for example in document US20190000189, and not a replacement of the laces, or they consist of tightening something other than shoes, as in document CN218635441, and do not concern laces, and the existing replacement of a classic eyelet lacing system on a shoe.

[0004] The known solutions are lengthy and complex to implement, and often lead to tangled shoelaces, in addition to being heavy and requiring the shoelaces to be placed on the shoe and on each individual lace every time the shoe is used.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages and to offer a system capable of combining the advantages of speed, simplicity and reliability for its implementation, and this on a wide range of existing shoes with laces and eyelets for laces.

[0006] In view of the foregoing, the invention relates to a lacing device comprising a housing and a base adapted to be fixed on the top of a shoe having eyelets and from which all laces have been removed, said base closing the housing, said housing containing an electronic board of the device and a motor of the device, said motor being adapted to be controlled and controlled by said electronic board, said housing further containing a winding roller of the device, said winding roller being configured to be driven in rotation directly by said motor and to wind tightening laces of the device which have hooks at their ends, said hooks being configured to allow the tightening laces to be hooked to the eyelets so as to tighten said eyelets when winding said tightening laces around the roller when the motor is activated.

[0007] Preferably, the device includes two side release buttons suitable for manually loosening the tightening laces by rotating the winding roller.

[0008] For example, the hooks have a loop shape that can be closed or almost closed on itself in order to allow the tightening laces to be held in place.

[0009] Advantageously, a motor activation push button is provided on top of the device.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the motor activation push button is extended by an upper shell covering the housing.

[0011] In one embodiment, the upper shell is mounted on the case by a pivot joint.

[0012] Advantageously, the device includes a means of elastically redirecting the upper shell away from the casing.

[0013] The device may further provide that the elastic return means includes a spring mounted in compression between the upper shell and the housing.

[0014] Preferably, the motor and electronic board are electrically powered by a removable electric battery.

[0015] The invention also relates to a device in which the motor is a brushless motor.

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon detailed study of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] represents a visualization system according to the invention, in perspective view on a shoe.

[0018] represents the device in two copies in front and side view.

[0019] represents the device in exploded view.

[0020] represents the device in a cut-off side view.

[0021] represents the device in top view before it is placed on a shoe.

[0022] The illustration shows the device of the invention, which is a shoe lacing device.

[0023] The device 1 includes a housing 5 and a base 11 suitable for being fixed to the top of a shoe 2 having lacing holes called eyelets 3 and from which all laces have been removed, as illustrated by Figures 1 and 2.

[0024] The base 11 closes the housing 5, for example via screws 13 passing through said base 11 to the housing 5, said housing 5 containing an electronic board 6 of the device 1 and a motor 10 of the device 1.

[0025] The motor 10 is capable of being commanded and controlled by said electronic card 6.

[0026] As illustrated by the figure, the housing 5 also contains a winding roller 9 of the device 1.

[0027] The winding roller 9 is configured to be driven in rotation directly by said motor 10 and to wind tightening laces 7 of device 1.

[0028] The drawstrings 7 have hooks 8 at their ends.

[0029] The hooks 8 are configured to allow the tightening laces 7 to be hooked to the eyelets 3 so as to tighten said eyelets 3 when said tightening laces 7 are wound around the roller 9 when the motor 10 is activated, for example in the winding direction 19 illustrated by the.

[0030] Device 1 thus forms a housing adaptable to all shoes with eyelets and which is installed via these eyelets 3 after prior removal of the classic laces of the shoe 2, while allowing the two lateral parts of the shoe 2 to be tightened.

[0031] The tightening is then automated via programming of the electronic board 6 allowing the implementation of the chosen tightening force.

[0032] Shoe lacing is thus made easier by device 1, which allows autonomy for people with reduced mobility or those who more generally have problems lacing their shoes, such as children, the elderly, people suffering from certain disabilities or illnesses or pains, particularly joint pain.

[0033] Device 1 adapts to several types of shoes depending on the number of eyelets, since it is possible to choose to only attach certain hooks 8 if there are more hooks 8 than eyelets 3.

[0034] Preferably, the device 1 further includes two side release buttons 14 suitable for allowing manual loosening of the tightening laces 7 by rotating the winding roller 9.

[0035] Thus, the loosening of device 1 to loosen shoe 2 to remove it is done via a mechanical unlocking.

[0036] It is thus possible to loosen the tightening laces 7 and remove the shoe 2 from the foot without forcing it and / or remove the device 1 from said shoe 2 without forcing it.

[0037] For example, the hooks 8 have a loop shape that can be closed or almost closed on itself so as to allow the tightening laces 7 to be retained.

[0038] Device 1 therefore adapts easily to various types of shoes and users.

[0039] Advantageously, a motor activation push button 10 on top of device 1.

[0040] Alternatively, means can be provided for capturing the presence of the user's foot for the activation of device 1 without the intervention of hands, for example by means of a capacitive sensor coupled to the electronic board 6 and placed in the shoe 2.

[0041] Alternatively, a software application associated with device 1 can be provided to perform tightening and loosening by remote control via a remote server and a multifunction phone or computer.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the motor activation push button 10 is extended by an upper shell 4 covering the housing 5.

[0043] These parts can, for example, be made of injected or molded plastic.

[0044] This allows for very easy actuation while providing a protective cover for the assembly, so that device 1 is sealed and protected against the environment.

[0045] In one embodiment, the upper shell 4 is mounted on the housing 5 by a pivot joint 12.

[0046] The pivot joint 12 is for example formed of two hinges passing through the housing 5 by means of and the upper shell 4 by means of lateral openings 15,16.

[0047] Advantageously, an elastic return means 17 of the upper shell 4 away from the housing 5.

[0048] The device may further provide that the elastic return means 17 includes a spring 17 mounted in compression between the upper shell 4 and the housing 5.

[0049] Preferably, the motor 10 and the electronic board 6 are electrically powered by a removable electric accumulator.

[0050] They are held in position in the housing 5 by plastic extensions 18 surrounding the motor 10 and the electronics 6.

[0051] Device 1 is recharged, for example, via a battery, a cell or several rechargeable or interchangeable cells, or by means of recharging by movement, such as shaking or the user's walking movements.

[0052] The invention also relates to a device in which the motor 10 is a brushless motor, which reduces electrical consumption and makes the device particularly efficient, durable and quiet.

[0053] Thus, for the user, it is enough to push the push button formed by the upper shell 4 downwards until the motor 10 is activated.

[0054] Once activated, the motor 10 rotates the drive roller 10 which has laces 7, which progressively tightens these laces 7 and pulls the hooks 8 previously installed in the eyelets 3 of the shoe 2 in the direction of the arrows 20 of the.

[0055] Pushing the spring-loaded cover down until the buttons click into place is a convenient way to operate the electronic board 6 and the motor 10.

Claims

Shoe lacing device (1) comprising a housing (5) and a base (11) adapted to be fixed to the top of a shoe (2) having eyelets (3) and from which all laces have been removed, said base (11) closing the housing (5), said housing (5) containing an electronic board (6) of the device (1) and a motor (10) of the device (1), said motor (10) being adapted to be controlled and operated by said electronic board (6), said housing (5) further containing a winding roller (9) of the device (1), said winding roller (9) being configured to be driven in rotation directly by said motor (10) and to wind tightening laces (7) of the device (1) which have hooks (8) at their ends,said hooks (8) being configured to allow the drawstrings (7) to be hooked onto the eyelets (3) so as to tighten said eyelets (3) when said drawstrings (7) are wound around the roller (9) when the motor (10) is activated. Device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising two lateral loosening buttons (14) suitable for allowing manual loosening of the tightening laces (7) by rotating the winding roller (9). Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the hooks (8) have a loop shape that can be closed or almost closed on itself so as to allow the retention of the tightening laces (7). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a motor activation push button (10) on the top of the device (1). Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the motor activation push button (10) is extended by an upper shell (4) covering the housing (5). Device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the upper shell (4) is mounted on the housing (5) by a pivot joint (12). Device (1) according to claim 6, further comprising an elastic return means (17) of the upper shell (4) away from the housing (5). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastic return means (17) comprises a spring (17) mounted in compression between the upper shell (4) and the housing (5). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the motor (10) and the electronic board (6) are electrically powered by a removable electric accumulator. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the motor (10) is a brushless motor.

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