US20110088229A1

US20110088229A1 - Bow Knot Clamp

Info

Publication number: US20110088229A1
Application number: US12/580,068
Authority: US
Inventors: Demetrius Thomas Simmons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-15
Filing date: 2009-10-15
Publication date: 2011-04-21

Abstract

Disclosed is a footwear such as shoes, sneakers and the like are provided with a clamp including a first and a second member, the first member having a post extending said second member in a complementary relation, and the second member in a complementary relation, and the second member being connected to the first in a hinge-like relation, the second member having an opening therein for receiving the post attached to the first member. The post is attached to the first member in a complementary relation to the opening in the second member, such that when the bow knot clamp is in a closed position the post remains attached to the first member, extends toward the fabric of the shoe laces being supported, and is received by the opening in the second member, whereby the fabric of the shoe laces being supported is substantially held fixed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Shoes, sneakers and other footwear which utilize a lace to securely fasten the footwear become untied at inconvenient and sometimes hazardous times. Particularly with respect to sport activities, it can actually stop play altogether until the laces are properly tied to avoid the shoe being dislodged from the foot or the wearer from tripping over the laces by inadvertently stepping on the unfastened end.
With respect to children in their play activities, loosening of the bow-knot places a burden on parents and other adults around them because the task of retying the laces may be beyond the child's capability. It is also difficult to perform this task while wearing gloves or mittens or may be beyond the abilities of many physically handicapped persons.
Heretofore, a variety of devices have been suggested to prevent shoelaces from becoming untied, but they exhibited a number of problems which have detracted from their acceptance. These devices are often cumbersome and complicated to use. Furthermore, many such devices may not be configured to remain on the shoes when they are stored, or if attached to the shoe, they interfere with the comfort thereof or are simply so complicated to use that they are unacceptable.
More recently, devices have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,291,439 4,428,101 4,553,293 and 4,571,854 which includes strips of interlocking material (including hook and loop elements) for securing the bow-knots of tied laces or engage the laces to provide a knotless fastening. These devices are not secured to the footwear and require manipulation, both for installing on the laces or shoes and for the operation thereof, which may be unacceptable for children or the handicapped. In addition, they may generally not be stored with the shoe since they would interfere with tying of the laces when the shoe is first being placed on the wearers foot or with loosening of the laces for removal of the shoe.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,138 a device is disclosed which is secured to the tongue of the shoe and consists of elastic means for engaging opposed sides of the bow-knot to impede the knot from becoming untied while simultaneously exposed the bow-knot and maintaining the normal appearance thereof. The device, however, requires manipulation by the user to tension the engaging means so as to impede the knot from becoming untied which may be beyond the ability of a handicapped person or a child.
Thus, there is a need for devices which can be used even by children and persons having physical impediments, to impede the untying of a bow-knot formed to fasten laces on shoes; and particularly, for such device which is secured to the footwear and can be stored therewith without interfering with the putting-on or taking-off of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bow knot clamp is made up of metal which is made of three pieces that work together. The second member which is shown in FIG. 1 holds all pieces together. The first member which is shown in FIG. 2B is what's used to hold down the shoe laces to the second member. The actuating cam member applies the pressure to the first member, causing the first member to clamp down to the second member as shown FIG. 1. When the actuating cam member is up there is no pressure.
The bow knot clamp is to prevent shoe laces from loosing it's bow and coming untied. Once shoe laces are tied the knot of the bow fits between first and second members. Once actuating cam member clamp down the first member applies enough pressure to prevent the shoe laces from coming untied. With this your able to maintain the shoe laces from getting dirty and step on. Bow knot clamp also helps from having to keep retying your shoe laces and keep the shoe laces from fraying up. Bow knot clamp main duty is to apply pressure to the shoe laces; keep them from getting dirty; keep the shoe lace bow tight; getting damage and keep the bow tie in the shoe laces. The design on the drawing are plain but the invention may be shaped differently, such being pyramid, square, round, and/or triangle shape. The device may be made out of different material such as metal wood, plastic, composites, and etc. The device may also have a fashionable design on the face of it to give it a more appealing look.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bow knot clamp operation.

FIG. 1A is the exploded view of the bow knot clamp showing how it's put together.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the through hole.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the bow knot clamp showing the hinge means.

FIG. 3 is showing how the device looks and fits onto a shoe of the laces of a bow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Is an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The bow knot clamp has a first member 12, which include a teeth-like post 14, facing a second member 16, and has the teeth like post 14 there through. Second member 16 further includes inwardly extending sidepieces 18 which have opening for receiving opposed side projections extending from an actuating cam member 20. Actuating cam member 20 is pivotally attached to a base plate, illustrated as second member 16, by means of opposed side projections which are confined within the opening in side piece 18, actuating cam member 20 includes a depending cam section which is designed to contact and depress the clamping plate, first member 12, when the handle portion of 20 is moved down against the backward surface of first member 12, such depression cause post 14 to move toward second member 16.
Through hole member 22 is attached to second member 16, as shown in FIG. 2B. The bow knot clamp fits over the knot of the bow of the shoe laces between first member 12 and second member 16. The actuating cam member 20 is than depress down causing first member 12 toward second member 16. Post 14 will than clamp down on the shoe laces causing it not to move. Through hole 22 allows you to use a string or chain to hang the bow knot clamp onto the shoe holes preventing from losing it.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a clamping device for a knot in a bow of shoe laces, and is more particularly concern with a device to prevent children shoe laces coming untied from shoes while playing; also acting as a decorative attachment for shoes.
Young children who wear shoes with laces frequently come untied causing a hazard for the child in that the child may trip on the laces; therefore, adults spend considerable time re-tying the laces. The shoe laces them selves would become damage and dirty; taking away the look from the shoe and becoming unappealing

Claims

1. Apparatus for preventing shoe laces from loosing it's bow, and coming untied,

Comprising:

A clamp including a first and second member, said first member having teeth like post extending towards said second member in a complementary relation; Said second member being pivotally attached to the first member by means of opposed side projections which are confined within openings in attachments to the second member, Said first member having teeth like post extending towards said second member; An actuating cam member including a clamping plate and a depending cam section lying adjacent to the first member, and pivotally attached to the second member by means of opposed side projections which are confined within the openings of the attachments to the second member, said actuating cam member exerting a sufficient force to maintain the bow knot clamp in a close position; and said teeth like post being attach to the first member in a complementary relation to the opening in the second member, said opening extending toward the second member, such that when the bow knot clamp is in a closed position the teeth remains attached to the first member, extends through the shoe laces being supported, is received by the second member, whereby the fabric of the garment being supported is substantially held fixed.

2. A through hole that is attached to said second member, through hole allows a chain or string to run through it and hang bow knot clamp on shoe holes or etc.