CA2039860A1 - Elastic shoe laces - Google Patents
Elastic shoe lacesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2039860A1 CA2039860A1 CA 2039860 CA2039860A CA2039860A1 CA 2039860 A1 CA2039860 A1 CA 2039860A1 CA 2039860 CA2039860 CA 2039860 CA 2039860 A CA2039860 A CA 2039860A CA 2039860 A1 CA2039860 A1 CA 2039860A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lace
- elastic
- core
- elastic members
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An elastic lace of the present invention comprises an inner core and an protective cover outwardly around the core. The core comprises a plurality of identical elastic members running straight through the lace. The cover frictionally engages the core and has a construction which opens with while at the same time prevents excessive stretching of the elastic members in the lace.
An elastic lace of the present invention comprises an inner core and an protective cover outwardly around the core. The core comprises a plurality of identical elastic members running straight through the lace. The cover frictionally engages the core and has a construction which opens with while at the same time prevents excessive stretching of the elastic members in the lace.
Description
2039~
SJ-8108-91 - 1 - 44~9~/0 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an elastic shoe lace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The concept of an elastic shoe lace is not a new concept. It is known that elastic shoe laces, if properly constructed have certain benefits over conventional shoe laces, for example, because of the give in an eiastic shoe lace, it can be used to tie a shoe in a manner such that the lace does not have to be undone or released in order to remove and then later refit the shoe.
The problem with prior art elastic shoe laCeS is that they have either been too weak to properiy hold a shoe in place or too stiff and strong to allow reieasing of a show without first undoing the lace. Attempts have been 20 made to overcome these difficulties but these attempts have resulted in undue complications and modifications which make proposed elastic lace constructions totally unfeasible.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides an elastic shoe lace which is efficient for both its intended purpose and from a design standpoint. More particularly the elastic lace of the present invention comprises an inner core and a 30 protective cover outwardly around the core. The core comprises a plurality of identical elastic members running straight through the lace with the cover frictionally engaging the core. The cover has a construction which opens with while at the same time prevents excessive stretching of 35 the elastic members within the lace. Accordingly, the cover 20~9~0 SJ-8108-91 - 2 - 4499~/0~
and the elastic members cooperate in a manner such that the elastic members provide the stretchability of the laCe while the cover controls this stretchability to a point that the elastic members are substantially free of damage due to over stretching of the lace.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIN~5 The above as well as other advantages and features 10 of the present invention will be described in greater detai according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an elastic shoe lace in a relaxed condition according to a preferreb 15 embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoe lace of Figure 1 in a stretched condition;
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the shoe lace of Figure l;
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the cover of the lace in Figure l;
Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the cover of the lace in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an elastic shoe 25 lace fitted with a special clip according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the clip from the lace of Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERR~D
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION: _ Figure 1 shows a lace generally indicate~ at 1.
This lace as better seen in Figure 3 comprises an inner core of elastic members 3 an~ an outer cover 5 over the inner 35 core. The lace further includes end pieces 7 typically in 2~39~
SJ-8108-91 - ~ - 4499B/Olo the form of hard plastic wraps tightly fitted around both the outer cover and the inner plasic core.
An important feature of the present invention is in the construction of the outer cover. This construction is braided or woven as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The braiding of the cover is such that it opens with extension of the lace from the Figure 1 relaxed condition to tne Figure 2 stretched condition. The inner core on its own would be capable of stretching substantially beyond the Figure 2 stretched condition but is prevented from stretchiny excessively by the braided cover, i.e. the construction of the cover will only allow it to stretch to a certain extent at which point it becomes taut and incapable of stretching or opening any further. The maximum stretching or opening of the cover is substantially less than that of the elastic core and therefore the cover guards against stretching of the elastic core to the point where the core would be subject to breakage. According to the preferreb embodiment of the present invention, lace 1 through the control provided by protective cover 5 is stretchable from a relaxeû
to a fully stretched condition which is about two to three times the length of the relaxed condition of the lace. lhis degree of stretching in conjunction with the actual 25 construction of the elastic core, to be described later in detail, results in the laces ability to tie a shoe in a manner such that the lace does not have to be released in order to take the shoe off and at the same time, the lace is sufficiently tight to securely hold the shoe to ones foot.
It a preferred construction, the outer cover 5 is braided from a cotton polyester material where the cotton itself has some give and provides a nice feel to the lace while the polyester adds substantially to the strength and 35 protective properties of the cover.
o ~ ~
SJ-8108-91 - 4 - 44~
Another important feature of the present invention lies in the construction of the elastic core. This core as well shown in Figure 3 of the drawings is formed from a bundle of individual elastic members which are frictionally engaged and held in position by the cover 5. The end wraps 7 by virtue of their tight fitting around the lace help to hold the elastic members from moving around within the cover.
The elastic members are all of identical construction. Each member runs straight through the laCe and has a rounded cross section which provides a very effective tight packed bundling of the members to conform with the rounded configuration of the overall laCe. ~n the particular arrangement shown, the bundle is formed by a total of fourteen elastic members although it could preferably include twelve to sixteen elastic members. There are a number of benefits resulting from the use of this relatively high number of elastic members. Firstly, they provide a very simple yet efficient construction for the core and as noted above, pack easily within the core.
Secondly, should any one of the elastic members be defective because there are so many of them, it will leave the remainder of the core substantially unaffected thereby maintaining the elastic qualities of the lace.
The lace can be fitted to a shoe in many different lacing patterns. Furthermore, it does not need to be tied at its opposite ends as does a conventional lace. Figure 7 shows a specific clip 9 which can be fitted to the lace so as to avoid tying of the lace ends. This clip simply comprises a main body portion having a pair of openings 11.
The lace slips through these openings as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings such that the clip locks onto the lace. The lace being stretched through the clip helps to hold the Clip 35 tightly on the lace.
;~3~
SJ-8108-91 - 5 - 4499~/010 The lace having the clip at one end is then pulleb by its other end through the eyelets in the shoe. The lace is then fitted with a second clip at its other end to hold it stretched in its shoe tying position.
It will now be seen from the descriptior, above how an elastic shoe lace of the present invention has a simple yet very efficient construction for use in tying up different types of shoes. The lace would be appropriately lû coloured and used for dress shoes as well as for different types of sports shoes. It has very limited exposure to breakage since once it has been fitted in position, the only extension of the lace is the relatively smali amount required for a slight opening of the shoe to get in on and 15 off ones foot. This is to be contrasted to a conventional lace which as most people will appreciate, will break at the most inopportune times when one is doing up ones laces.
Although various preferred embodiments of the 20 invention have been described in detaii, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
SJ-8108-91 - 1 - 44~9~/0 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an elastic shoe lace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The concept of an elastic shoe lace is not a new concept. It is known that elastic shoe laces, if properly constructed have certain benefits over conventional shoe laces, for example, because of the give in an eiastic shoe lace, it can be used to tie a shoe in a manner such that the lace does not have to be undone or released in order to remove and then later refit the shoe.
The problem with prior art elastic shoe laCeS is that they have either been too weak to properiy hold a shoe in place or too stiff and strong to allow reieasing of a show without first undoing the lace. Attempts have been 20 made to overcome these difficulties but these attempts have resulted in undue complications and modifications which make proposed elastic lace constructions totally unfeasible.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides an elastic shoe lace which is efficient for both its intended purpose and from a design standpoint. More particularly the elastic lace of the present invention comprises an inner core and a 30 protective cover outwardly around the core. The core comprises a plurality of identical elastic members running straight through the lace with the cover frictionally engaging the core. The cover has a construction which opens with while at the same time prevents excessive stretching of 35 the elastic members within the lace. Accordingly, the cover 20~9~0 SJ-8108-91 - 2 - 4499~/0~
and the elastic members cooperate in a manner such that the elastic members provide the stretchability of the laCe while the cover controls this stretchability to a point that the elastic members are substantially free of damage due to over stretching of the lace.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIN~5 The above as well as other advantages and features 10 of the present invention will be described in greater detai according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an elastic shoe lace in a relaxed condition according to a preferreb 15 embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoe lace of Figure 1 in a stretched condition;
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the shoe lace of Figure l;
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the cover of the lace in Figure l;
Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the cover of the lace in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an elastic shoe 25 lace fitted with a special clip according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the clip from the lace of Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERR~D
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION: _ Figure 1 shows a lace generally indicate~ at 1.
This lace as better seen in Figure 3 comprises an inner core of elastic members 3 an~ an outer cover 5 over the inner 35 core. The lace further includes end pieces 7 typically in 2~39~
SJ-8108-91 - ~ - 4499B/Olo the form of hard plastic wraps tightly fitted around both the outer cover and the inner plasic core.
An important feature of the present invention is in the construction of the outer cover. This construction is braided or woven as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The braiding of the cover is such that it opens with extension of the lace from the Figure 1 relaxed condition to tne Figure 2 stretched condition. The inner core on its own would be capable of stretching substantially beyond the Figure 2 stretched condition but is prevented from stretchiny excessively by the braided cover, i.e. the construction of the cover will only allow it to stretch to a certain extent at which point it becomes taut and incapable of stretching or opening any further. The maximum stretching or opening of the cover is substantially less than that of the elastic core and therefore the cover guards against stretching of the elastic core to the point where the core would be subject to breakage. According to the preferreb embodiment of the present invention, lace 1 through the control provided by protective cover 5 is stretchable from a relaxeû
to a fully stretched condition which is about two to three times the length of the relaxed condition of the lace. lhis degree of stretching in conjunction with the actual 25 construction of the elastic core, to be described later in detail, results in the laces ability to tie a shoe in a manner such that the lace does not have to be released in order to take the shoe off and at the same time, the lace is sufficiently tight to securely hold the shoe to ones foot.
It a preferred construction, the outer cover 5 is braided from a cotton polyester material where the cotton itself has some give and provides a nice feel to the lace while the polyester adds substantially to the strength and 35 protective properties of the cover.
o ~ ~
SJ-8108-91 - 4 - 44~
Another important feature of the present invention lies in the construction of the elastic core. This core as well shown in Figure 3 of the drawings is formed from a bundle of individual elastic members which are frictionally engaged and held in position by the cover 5. The end wraps 7 by virtue of their tight fitting around the lace help to hold the elastic members from moving around within the cover.
The elastic members are all of identical construction. Each member runs straight through the laCe and has a rounded cross section which provides a very effective tight packed bundling of the members to conform with the rounded configuration of the overall laCe. ~n the particular arrangement shown, the bundle is formed by a total of fourteen elastic members although it could preferably include twelve to sixteen elastic members. There are a number of benefits resulting from the use of this relatively high number of elastic members. Firstly, they provide a very simple yet efficient construction for the core and as noted above, pack easily within the core.
Secondly, should any one of the elastic members be defective because there are so many of them, it will leave the remainder of the core substantially unaffected thereby maintaining the elastic qualities of the lace.
The lace can be fitted to a shoe in many different lacing patterns. Furthermore, it does not need to be tied at its opposite ends as does a conventional lace. Figure 7 shows a specific clip 9 which can be fitted to the lace so as to avoid tying of the lace ends. This clip simply comprises a main body portion having a pair of openings 11.
The lace slips through these openings as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings such that the clip locks onto the lace. The lace being stretched through the clip helps to hold the Clip 35 tightly on the lace.
;~3~
SJ-8108-91 - 5 - 4499~/010 The lace having the clip at one end is then pulleb by its other end through the eyelets in the shoe. The lace is then fitted with a second clip at its other end to hold it stretched in its shoe tying position.
It will now be seen from the descriptior, above how an elastic shoe lace of the present invention has a simple yet very efficient construction for use in tying up different types of shoes. The lace would be appropriately lû coloured and used for dress shoes as well as for different types of sports shoes. It has very limited exposure to breakage since once it has been fitted in position, the only extension of the lace is the relatively smali amount required for a slight opening of the shoe to get in on and 15 off ones foot. This is to be contrasted to a conventional lace which as most people will appreciate, will break at the most inopportune times when one is doing up ones laces.
Although various preferred embodiments of the 20 invention have been described in detaii, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. An elastic lace comprising an inner core and a protective cover outwardly around said core, said core comprising a plurality of identical elastic members running straight through said lace, said cover frictionally engaging said core and having a construction which opens with and prevents excessive extension of said elastic members.
2. An elastic lace as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said protective cover has a braided construction.
3. An elastic lace as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said lace extends from a relaxed length to a stretched length, the stretched length being a maximum of about two to three times the relaxed length of said lace as controlled by said protective cover.
4. An elastic lace as claimed in Claim 1, including a bundle of said elastic members forming said core, each elastic member having a circular cross sectional configuration.
5. An elastic lace as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said bundle includes from twelve to sixteen of said elastic members.
6. An elastic lace as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said bundle includes fourteen of said elastic members.
7. An elastic lace as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said cover is made from a cotton polyester material.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039860 CA2039860A1 (en) | 1991-04-04 | 1991-04-04 | Elastic shoe laces |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039860 CA2039860A1 (en) | 1991-04-04 | 1991-04-04 | Elastic shoe laces |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2039860A1 true CA2039860A1 (en) | 1992-10-05 |
Family
ID=4147338
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039860 Abandoned CA2039860A1 (en) | 1991-04-04 | 1991-04-04 | Elastic shoe laces |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2039860A1 (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-04-04 CA CA 2039860 patent/CA2039860A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |