Lace Wrap Ring Segmented Eyelet Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for clothing and footwear, such as eyelets and loopholes, often require robust solutions that combine the functionality of both to securely fasten items, but lack a unified design that efficiently integrates lace wrapping and secure attachment.

Innovation Solution

A lace wrap ring comprising a first eyelet with a head and shank, a washer, and a second eyelet with a snapping shank mechanism, allowing lace winding and secure coupling, which can function as both an eyelet and a loophole for enhanced fastening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a robust eyelet is made with metal head and shank folded to secure to fabric, then strength and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoideyelet structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into two separate eyelet components (first eyelet and second eyelet) that are inserted from opposite sides of the material. Each eyelet has its own head and shank, allowing independent insertion and simplifying installation while maintaining robust fastening through the combination of both components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second eyelet is nested within the first eyelet, with the shank of the second eyelet inserted through the head of the first eyelet. This nested arrangement creates a compact, integrated fastening structure that combines both eyelets into a unified robust connection point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If loopholes are used for fastening items of clothing and footwear, then ease of operation is improved, but strength and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelace fasteningVSAvoidfastening security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the features of eyelets (providing structural strength with heads and shanks) with the functionality of loopholes (allowing lace passage and wrapping). The resulting lace wrap ring combines the robustness of eyelet construction with the operational simplicity of loophole-style lacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combined eyelet-loophole structure serves multiple functions: it provides a strong anchoring point like an eyelet, allows lace passage like a loophole, and enables lace wrapping around the outer shank for enhanced fastening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to choose between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If lace is allowed to touch the ground, then convenience is improved, but hygiene and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelace accessibilityVSAvoidlace contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lace wrap ring extends the fastening structure outward from the material surface by allowing lace to wrap around the outer shank. This creates an elevated termination point for the lace, raising it above the ground level and preventing contact with contaminants while maintaining full lace functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3050455B1Lace wrap ring suitable to be applied to a hole formed in a material
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 AMBROSETTI
  • EP3050455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3050455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3050455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lace wrap ring (1, 101) suitable to be applied to a hole (200) formed in a material (201), said lace wrap ring (1, 101)comprising: a first eyelet (2, 102), comprising a head (3, 103) and a shank (4, 104), suitable to be inserted into said hole (200) from a first side of the material (201); a suitably shaped washer (5, 105) suitable to be inserted externally to the shank (4, 104) of the first eyelet (2, 102) from a second side of material (201), which is opposite to the first side; a second eyelet (6, 106), also comprising a head (7, 107) and a shank (8, 108), suitable to couple with the first eyelet (2, 102) with respective shanks (4, 8, 104, 108) thereof inserted in one another, with a distance (D1, D2) between the heads (3, 7, 103, 107) such as to allow the winding of at least one lace (202) around the outer shank (8, 108).