Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GARMENT OPENER/CLOSER AND FASTENER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to closure devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Garments typically fastened with laces have inherent drawbacks. To
achieve the proper fit, one must properly tighten laces every time the garment
is
worn. A typical running shoe takes between 30 seconds and a minute to properly
lace up, and 15 seconds to remove. If the shoe is not properly laced, it loses
its
benefits to the user. The user has to achieve optimal fit every time the
garment is
put on, and the fit can never be uniform. For children, overweight adults,
people
with arthritis and the elderly, tying one's shoes is a difficult task.
In the case of shoes, hook-and-loop type fastener straps are used to
replace laces in some models and provide a faster mechanism than laces.
These, however, are not widespread. In US patent 5,117,567 to Berger
(assigned to Puma, AG), a cable can be tightened from a knob with the cable
passing through arc-shaped channels (taking the place of eyelets). Such
mechanisms are used in some specialty athletic shoes and sports boots.
Devices that cooperate with regular lace-up shoes to make opening and
closing are known in the art. None of such prior art devices have seen
widespread use.
In US patent 2,867,878 to Sundback, a zipper mechanism connects to a
shoe's laces to allow for loosening and tightening of the shoe by use of the
zipper. In a similar manner, US patent 2,994,935 to Buchholz provides a slide
mechanism actuating multiple laces guided through opening in a central body
with hooks at the end of the laces to engage the shoe's lace eyelets without
leaving conventional laces in place, and US patent 4,918,840 to Nardulli
provides a zipper shoe closure with loops to engage the shoe's lace eyelets.
In US patent 2,637,087 to Forrester, a pair of resilient wire arms are
connected to wing members having shoe eyelet engaging hooks. A toggle lever
operated slide closure pulls the wires together to close the shoe.
In the case of shoes, the need to improve the ease of loosening and
tightening a normally laced closure has been recognized for many decades.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been discovered that a pair of strips, each one of the strips
engaging laced garment eyelets on one side of a garment opening, can be
arranged to be in an open position with the garment loose and closed by
pinching with a hand the strips together to be in one or more closed positions
with the garment tight.
In footwear, the normally-laced closure in the shoe upper needs to
conform to the shape of foot upper if a snug and comfortable fit is to be
provided.
It has also been discovered that essentially rigid strips that are jointed or
articulated to pivot between open and closed positions can make use of the
conformability of laces connected between the strips and the shoe to provide
the
needed conformability for a snug and comfortable fit.
It has also been discovered that a variable position clasp operating
between strips can efficiently allow for changes between foot sizes, as occurs
for
example due to changes in socks.
In some embodiments, the strips are articulated at one end and have a
clasp at the other end. In some embodiments, the strips have eyelets for
receiving a lace tied between the strip and the garment. In some embodiments,
a
one-handed pinch action can be used to close the strips together and cause the
clasp to engage in a locked position.
The present invention overcomes the weaknesses of prior art such as
cost, fragility and complexity. It can be installed at the manufacturing level
or
after-market level by the consumer. The present invention can also be
customized with an array of accessories such as a step counter, watch, or a
light,
and decorated with jewelry or bijouterie.
The present invention facilitates fastening of laced articles such as
footwear. The present invention accelerates the fastening process, ensuring
that
every time the user puts on the garment, the fit and form of the garment is
uniform to the user's preference. It also permits one-handed operation for
attachment and removal of the garment, allowing the garment to open to its
full
capacity to accommodate the user, yet instantaneously closing as firmly and
snugly as it would be closed had it been laced with conventional laces.
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In addition, the present invention can add customizable elements: night
joggers or children who have running shoes without blinking lights can add
this
valuable safety feature to any shoe. People can express their own
individualism
by adding a wide array of decorative items into the pre-formed attachment
means on the present invention.
The present invention caters to everyone who does not have the time,
desire or ability to tie shoe laces. In particular, it is adapted for the
physically- or
mentally-challenged user due to its simplicity and efficacy. It can be
readjusted
after installation to accommodate a bandaged limb, different sock thickness,
and
other conditions that may affect the size of the user's feet or hands.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to a laced
running shoe.
Figure 2A is a partial oblique view from above of an upper part of the device
of a
first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2B is a plan view from above of the device of the first embodiment of
the
invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective with a side detail of the embodiment of Figure 4
with
customizations.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the first embodiment with laces and a rubber band
that
holds a shoe tongue in its upper position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The invention comprises two substantially semi-rigid plates that are affixed
firmly onto the shoe's upper portion either by permanent method at the shoe's
manufacture or by the end-user using the shoe's own laces, or any other
affixation means. The point of fixation is approximately in the region where
shoelaces are usually laced into said shoe. In the insertion mode, the plates
are
apart thus permitting the shoe to extend to its maximum width. In the closed
mode, user engages a retaining mechanism 42,44,45 on the plates 10,20 so that
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they are retained in close proximity to each other thus immobilizing the shoe
on
the user's foot.
To release, the user disengages the retaining mechanism and the plates
are released into insertion mode. The user can then remove the shoe from her
foot.
In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1,
fastening element 5, comprises left plate 10, right plate 20, a plate joining
mechanism 30 and a retaining element 40. The left and right plates 10 and 20
are provided with holes 50 that are substantially oval or obround to
accommodate different shoes which can have different distances between
known shoe's lace holes 60, but can also be inter-aligned with a known shoe's
lace holes 60. The oval holes 50 have a small tab to hold the laces in
position.
Customization or embellishments can be attached to top plate 10 via attachment
means 51 or cavity 52 (see Figure 4). The combination of the device and the
shoe in the first embodiment also comprises known elements, namely laces 70,
uppers 80 and shoe 90. The plates 10 and 20 can be made of plastic and either
be rigid or allow for some flexion. They can also be made of a rigid material,
such
as aluminum.
As seen in Figure 2A, left plate 10 has a tongue 15 that fits into a slot or
groove 16. During the scissor-like motion of the members 15 and 16, alignment
between plates 10 and 20 is ensured as the fastening device is opened and
closed. As seen in Figure 2B, a clasp or retaining element has a pawl 44 and a
rack 45. While the clasp shown has a pawl and rack mechanism that is arranged
on the top of the device, the clasp can also be arranged on the front of the
device. In place of a rack, a single position clasp mechanism can be used.
While
it is preferred that the clasp be operable to lock with a single handed
action, a
hook-and-loop closure or snap closure requiring two hands may also be
provided. It will also be appreciated that a suitable clasp can be provided by
a
ratchet knob mechanism, similar to what is implemented in US Patent 5,117,567
to Berger (assigned to Puma, AG).
The articulation or hinge of Figure 2B is designed to allow the plates 10
and 20 to be easily assembled by inserting one in the other when the plates
are
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opened to 90 degrees. Once closed to be within the operating angular range of
0
to 45 degrees, the joint 30 cannot be separated.
As a further alternative for the closure, as is illustrated in US patent
1,933,467 to Yartyan teaches using a rack or hook receptacles on the shoe
tongue. Such an arrangement can be modified to operate with the strips of the
present invention to provide the clasp.
Referring back to Figure 1, fastening element 5 is attached to shoe 90 by
laces 70; laces 70 are interlaced through shoe 90's lace holes (i.e. eyelets)
60
and plate holes (i.e. eyelets) 50 in such a manner that plates 10 and 20 are
securely attached to upper portions of uppers 80. User customizes each shoe 90
by putting shoe 90 on her foot, setting fastening element 5 into closed
position,
unlacing all laces 70 from shoe 90, overlaying fastening element 5 over uppers
80 and lacing laces 70 through lace holes 60 and plate holes 50 in such a
manner that fastening element 5 is snugly secured to uppers 80, and shoe 90 is
properly set on user's foot. User then fastens lace 70 ends through the
uppermost lace holes 50 (the two closely spaced circular holes) so that laces
70
are immobilized and cannot loosen. The pair of closely spaced apertures for
tying loose ends of laces can alternatively be replaced by an external clamp
device, as is known for use with laces. The user can then undo retaining
element
40 converting fastening element 5 into insertion mode and remove her foot.
Laces 70 will remain in their positions, and the next time the user converts
fastening element 5 to closed mode, laces 70 will be in their predetermined
tension for proper shoe 90 fit.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, the user may choose to close the device
completely, namely with the pawl in the last position, while tightening the
shoe
well and wearing only a very thin sock. Thicker socks, swollen feet, or simply
a
desire to have a looser fit can all be accommodated by using a closed position
of
clasp 40 that is less tight.
Fastening element 5 is attached in such a manner that plate joint 30 is
oriented towards the toe of shoe 90 with fastening element 5 firmly fastened
to
uppers 80.
The lacing method does not need to be as shown in Figure 1. It will be
appreciated that the lace passing through the first and/or second lace eyelets
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can cross the tongue without being opened and closed by the device 5. The
device 5 can then be used to act on the upper eyelets. Passing the laces
through
the eyelets as shown in Figure 1 has the ability to allow for some shifting of
the
uppers 80 relative to the plates 10, 20 to conform to the shape of the user's
foot.
This ability to allow the laces to slide within the holes 50 provides for a
comfortable fit as the plates are adjusted in position for different levels of
tightness. In this way, the tension on the eyelets 60 is essentially evenly
distributed, even if the device changes its configuration while assuming
different
closed positions. However, a one-to-one connection between the shoe eyelets
60 and the plates 10, 20 is also possible.
Figure 1 shows fastening element 5 in insertion mode, permitting uppers
80 to stretch to their maximum capacity thus allowing user's foot (not shown)
to
enter shoe 90. Referring to Figure 2A, the fastening element 5 is in its first
closed
position. The tongue 15 and the slot 16 are arranged to keep the closed device
with the plates correctly aligned. The closure 40 has a pawl with teeth 44
engaging a curved rack 45.
To convert from closed mode to insertion mode, a user pulls up hook 42
(Fig 2a) and releases the plates. Outwardly acting tension of the user's foot
would push open fastening element to the maximum allowable width of uppers
80 (see Fig 1) and the user would be able to remove her foot from shoe 90.
Figure 3 is yet another embodiment with plate articulation 30 comprising a
flexible member, and retaining element comprising teeth 44 and grooves 45.
Figures 4 and 5 demonstrate additional variants of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The fastening element comprises a unitary
piece with plate articulation 30 comprising a bridge between left plate 10 and
right plate 20. Customizations such as a light, pedometer, watch or any other
small device 53 can be attached to attachment 51. Embellishment 54 such as
jewelry or bijouterie can be inserted into cavity 52.
Figure 6A shows how the lace passes through upper hole 65 from below,
the lace leaves a loop before passing from the top through lower hole 66,
after
passing through lower hole 66, the lace passes through said loop, holding
firmly
the lace so said lace cannot slide from its desired adjusted position.
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Figure 6B shows how a rubber band is engaged onto plate 20 inner tab or
hook 62 and plate 10 inner 62, passing through tongue loop 63, holding this
way
the tongue. This replaces the shoe's lace from passing through the tongue loop
63 in the conventional manner.
Many other variations of the present invention are possible. This invention
is not limited to shoes and boots, but can be adapted to skates, gloves (e.g.
ski
gloves and boxing gloves), period garments such as corsets, space suits and
protective gear such as firefighter garments, sports equipment, V-neck shirts
and
sweaters, and other items that are typically laced up.
The device, can be made of a malleable material, such as metal, a mix of
rubber and metal, or any other malleable material so the device can be set up
for
use in a boot where it needs to be adjusted to two different surfaces like the
laced part of the boot that covers the foot and the laced part that covers the
ankle and leg. For this purpose, one can use also two non malleable devices
having one attached of each of the surfaces.
The clasp mechanism can be made as illustrated in the different
embodiments and also can be made using a rubber band, leather or fabric strip
affixed to one of the devices strip, passing by one loop in the other devices
strip
and coming back to the strip it is attached to, letting the user close it or
open it as
in a regular belt or a wrist watch, or it can have a clamp or a jam cleat in
order to
adjust the two strips of the device together in different adjustment
positions.
Such a clamp or jam cleat clasp mechanism can make use of one or both of the
free ends of laces, if desired.
The clasp mechanism can also be replaced or used in combination with
Velcro hook and loop type fastener, where the Velcro can be placed where the
alignment structure of Figure 2A is now, and then the Velcro can be used to
hold
the strips together in different adjustment positions. For example, if a
Velcro
attachment is used in the embodiment of Figure 3 where the articulation
permits
flexion of the upper ends in the axial direction, then the Velcro can be
applied on
the front and back surfaces of the strips. Such a Velcro attachment maintains
the
strips in their closed position and also prevents any axial movement, and thus
does not have an alignment structure in the strips or articulation.
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The device can also be attached to the garment at the factory, having it
sewn or glued to the garment in question by replacing the apertures on the
strips
with a structure that allows the device to be sewn or glued to the garment.
In the case of a shoe retailer, it is possible to use the present invention to
have customers quickly try on new pairs of shoes by installing the device on
the
shoes and using a wide range of closed positions to accommodate most wearers
of the shoe. This makes it faster and easier to try on a shoe. If the device
is not
installed at the factory, a shoe retailer may install the device in shoes in
the store
when the store is not busy and thus promote faster service to customers when
the store is busy. The device can then be included in the sale price of the
new
shoes, sold separately, or removed from the laces by the salesperson or at the
cash.
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