CA3007830A1

CA3007830A1 - Shoe fastener and extension tool

Info

Publication number: CA3007830A1
Application number: CA3007830A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Hagop Zoulamian
Original assignee: Ziplace Inc
Current assignee: Ziplace Inc
Priority date: 2017-06-14
Filing date: 2018-06-12
Publication date: 2018-12-14
Also published as: US20180360167A1

Abstract

Described is a shoe fastener for use with a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces.
The shoe fastener includes a zipper haying a zipper clasp and a tape. The tape has a width on each side of the zipper clasp that is sized and shaped to accommodate tape eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp. Upon inserting the shoe fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the tape eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.

Description

SHOE FASTENER AND EXTENSION TOOL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present specification relates generally to fasteners, and more specifically relates to footwear fasteners and associated tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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[0002] Footwear is widely recognized as an important personal possession used daily by many people. For many footwear users, their use of footwear also serves important fashion and social functions. The quantity and range of footwear available for purchase in the marketplace is huge. In addition to variation reflective of quality, dimensions, and intended use, much variety is provided to satisfy individual preferences with regard to such aspects as color, design, and material.

[0003] Many items of footwear incorporate laces as a means of closing the items of footwear to assist in holding the footwear securely around a foot. Some people have difficulty using laces or related closing features. For example, many young children have not yet learned to tie laces, many people may have trouble tying laces due to age-related decline, illness, injury, the effects of medication, developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities.

[0004] People who have difficulty with laces and related closing features and tools may accordingly lose access to a great number of potential footwear selections, and may find themselves limited to a comparatively small selection from which to satisfy their needs and desires. This may be particularly true for casual and athletic footwear, which are generally manufactured in a lace-up configuration and which may not function as well when in a non-lace-up configuration such as a slip-on, front-zipper, or VelcroTM configuration.

[0005] Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a shoe fastener for use with a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces, the shoe fastener comprising: a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape, wherein the tape has a width on each side of the zipper clasp; and a plurality of tape eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp; the tape width being sized and shaped to accommodate the tape eyelets; wherein upon inserting the fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the tape eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a shoe fastener kit comprising: a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces; and a fastener comprising a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape, and a plurality of tape eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp; wherein upon inserting the fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the tape eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.

[0008] According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a zipper comprising: a zipper clasp; a tape on each side of the zipper clasp; and a plurality of eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp.

[0009] According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a shoe fastener for use with a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces, the shoe fastener comprising: a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape, wherein the tape is made of a soft, pliant, and flexible material; an extension element made of a soft, pliant, and flexible material, and attached to each side of the tape; and a plurality of fastener eyelets in each side of the extension element; wherein upon inserting the fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the fastener eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.

[0010] According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides an extension tool for manipulating a zipper, comprising: an extension defining a first end and an opposing second end; a handle, the handle secured to the first end of the extension; and an interactive element, the interactive element secured to the second end of the extension.

[0011] Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried into effect, and in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a front view of a shoe fastener according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 2 is another front view of the shoe fastener of FIG. I;

[0015] Figure 3 is a back view of the shoe fastener of FIG. 1;

[0016] Figure 4 is another back view of the shoe fastener of FIG. I;

[0017] Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views of lace-up shoes of the prior art;

[0018] Figure 6 is a partial top perspective view of the shoe fastener of FIG. I inserted in and secured to a shoe, with the zipper in a closed position;

[0019] Figure 7 is another partial top perspective view of the shoe fastener of FIG. 6;

[0020] Figure 8 is another partial top perspective view of the shoe fastener of FIG. 6, with the zipper in an open position;

[0021] Figure 9 is another partial top perspective view of the shoe fastener of FIG. 6, with the zipper in an open position;

[0022] Figure 10 is another partial top perspective view of the shoe fastener of FIG. 6, with the zipper in an open position;

[0023] Figure 11A is a front perspective view of a shoelace having a stop in the form of a knot at a free end, according to an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 11B is a front perspective view of a shoelace having a stop in the form of a spherical bead at a free end, according to an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 12A is a fragmentary perspective view of a shoe fastener kit without extra laces, according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 12B is a fragmentary perspective view of a shoe fastener kit provided with extra laces, according to an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 13 is a top view of a shoe fastener having an extension element, according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 14 is a front view of a telescoping tool for assisting with moving the zipper of the shoe fastener, according to an embodiment; and

[0029] Figure 15 is a front view of a non-telescoping tool for assisting with moving the zipper of the shoe fastener, according to an embodiment.

[0030] Like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 there are shown different views of a shoe fastener 10, according to an embodiment. As indicated, shoe fastener 10 is a zipper type fastener, and includes zipper elements such as a slider 12, a pull tab or puller 14, interlocking teeth 16, a top stop 18, and a box or bottom stop 20. For convenience, these elements, which function to close the zipper by bringing interlocking teeth 16 together, or open the zipper by separating teeth 16, may collectively be designated as zipper clasp 22.

[0032] Shoe fastener 10 also includes a tape 24, which is a fabric that holds or is secured to elements of zipper clasp 22. Shoe fastener 10 may accordingly be viewed as a fabric, namely tape 24, incorporating a central zipper clasp 22. In some embodiments, zipper clasp 22 may run the length of fastener 10 such that tape 24 can be separated into two strips of tape, while in some embodiments a bottom end of zipper clasp 22 may not be openable, and in some embodiments zipper clasp 22 may terminate some distance from a bottom edge of tape 24 and may be separated from the bottom edge by a width of fabric. A fully separable tape 24 may be desirable where a user wishes to more fully open a pair of shoes, while a closed bottom end of zipper clasp 22 may make the use of fastener 10 less complicated or more durable or user friendly. As shown in the figures, tape 24 has a tape width 26 on either side of zipper clasp 22, which may be measured to include the width of the teeth 16 as in FIG. 2 or without including the teeth 16 as in FIGs. 3 and 4.

[0033] Figures 1 and 3 are front and back views, respectively, of shoe fastener 10 in which slider 12 is pulled to the top of zipper clasp 22 so that fastener 10 is closed. Similarly, FIGS. 2 and 4 are front and back views, respectively, of shoe fastener 10 in which slider 12 is pulled to the bottom of zipper clasp 22 so that fastener 10 is fully or mostly opened.

[0034] According to an embodiment, shoe fastener 10 further includes a plurality of eyelets 28 in tape 24. Eyelets are small holes, usually round, and may be finished along the edge, as in cloth or leather or metal or plastic. Eyelets are provided for the passage of a lace or cord. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 tape 24 has eight eyelets 28, with a set of four eyelets 28 on either side of zipper clasp 22. Eyelets 28 may also be referred to as tape eyelets 28 since they are in tape 24.

[0035] Figures 5A and 5B show lace-up shoes 30 of the prior art. As indicated, shoe 30 includes an upper 32, shoe eyelets 34 in upper 32, and shoelaces or laces 35 (laces not shown in FIG. 5B). As is well known, a pair of laces 35 are provided with a pair of shoes 30, so that there is one shoelace or lace 35 for each shoe 30. It is to be appreciated that lace-up shoes 30 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B can only be fastened by lacing or threading laces 35 through shoe eyelets 34.

[0036] According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, laces 35 may be removed from shoe 30, and shoe fastener 10 inserted into shoe 30, adjacent to upper 32. Laces 36, as described further below, may be threaded through tape eyelets 28 and shoe eyelets 34 to secure shoe fastener 10 to shoe 30. Upon being secured, shoe 30 may be fastened and unfastened by operating zipper clasp 22 of shoe fastener 10.

[0037] Shoe fastener 10 may be sized and shaped to be substantially similar to the size and shape of the particular shoe 30, or general type of shoes 30, with which fastener 10 is to be used.
In particular, there may be the same number of tape eyelets 28 as shoe eyelets 34, and the spacing of tape eyelets 28 from one another may be substantially similar to a spacing of shoe eyelets 34 from one another. In this way each tape eyelet 28 may be positioned substantially adjacent to its corresponding shoe eyelet 34.

[0038] In shoe fastener 10 of FIG. 1, each of the eight eyelets 28 has been designated to reflect its unique position: 28A1 to 28A4, and 28B1 to 28B4, where "A" and "B"
indicate the two sides of zipper clasp 22, and "I" to "4" indicate position from higher to lower on tape 24.
Similarly, in FIG. 7, which is a closer view of installed fastener 10 than FIG. 6, shoe eyelets 34 have been similarly labelled 34A1 to 34A4, and 34B1 to 34B4.

[0039] The spacing of tape eyelets 28 may be selected and oriented in two directions:
spacing between eyelets on the same side of zipper clasp 22, and spacing between corresponding eyelets on opposing sides of zipper clasp 22. For example, the spacing between eyelets 28A1 and 28A2, and the spacing between eyelets 28A1 and 28B1.

[0040] It is to be appreciated when viewing these figures that the relative spacing between adjacent tape eyelets 28 on either side of zipper clasp 22 is substantially similar to that between adjacent eyelets 34 on shoe 30. For example, the spacing between tape eyelets 28A1 to 28A2 and that between shoe eyelets 34A1 and 34A2. Similarly, the separation distance between tape eyelets on opposing sides of zipper clasp 22, i.e. 28A1 - 28B1, 28A2 - 28B2, 28A3 - 28B3, and 28A4 - 28B4, is substantially similar to the separation distance between corresponding shoe eyelets, i.e. 34A1 - 34B1, 34A2 - 34B2, 34A3 - 34B3, and 34A4 - 34B4. For example, the separation distance 37 between tape eyelets 28A3 and 28B3 is substantially similar to separation distance 37 between shoe eyelets 34A3 and 34B3, as shown in respective FIGS. 1 and 7.

[0041] The spacing between eyelets of fastener 10 will usually be in keeping with standard shoe configurations, which may mean unequal or irregular spacing depending on the shoe 30.
For example, the shoes 30 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B have regular, equal spacing between shoe eyelets 34. Accordingly, shoe fasteners 10 designed for these shoes will have tape eyelets 28 that are similarly regular and equally spaced. By contrast, other shoes may have irregular spacing between adjacent eyelets on the same side of a zipper or between eyelets on opposing sides of a zipper. Some shoes may also have eyelets in a recognizable pattern other than standard eyelet patterns, such as eyelets on one side of a zipper offset from the opposing eyelets on the other side of the zipper. These and other arrangements of eyelets may be mirrored in various embodiments of fastener 10.

[0042] Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that when designing shoe fastener 10, tape width 26 of tape 24 is sized and shaped to accommodate the size, number, and spacing of tape eyelets 28. In particular, tape width 26 is sized and shaped so that separation distance 37 between tape eyelets 28 on opposing sides of zipper clasp 22 is substantially similar to separation distance 37 between corresponding shoe eyelets 34 on opposing sides of upper 32.

[0043] The diameter of tape eyelets 28 is substantially similar to the diameter of shoe eyelets 34, and further is sufficiently large to accommodate the thickness of laces used with shoe 30, with which fastener 10 is to be used.

[0044] In a conventional pair of shoes 30 there is provided a pair of laces, i.e. two laces 35, one for each shoe. Each lace 35 is threaded through all shoe eyelets 34 of shoe 30, crisscrossing between eyelets 34 on either side of upper 32.

[0045] According to an embodiment, a pair of shoe fasteners 10 for use with a pair of shoes 30 may use two pairs of modified laces 36 each, or four laces 36 in total for a set of two shoes.
Laces 36 may be substantially similar to laces 35 but modified to each fasten one side of a shoe upper 32 to one side of a fastener 10 rather than to fasten one side of a shoe upper 32 to the other side of the shoe upper 32. Accordingly, each pair of two laces 36 may be used with each shoe 30, to secure shoe fastener 10 to shoe 30. Each lace 36 may be threaded through tape eyelets 28 and shoe eyelets 34 on one side of zipper clasp 22 and upper 32 only, rather than employing one lace per shoe in a criss-cross configuration.

[0046] As shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, lace 36A is threaded through the "A"
side, i.e. through eyelets 34A4 and 28A4, through eyelets 34A3 and 28A3, through eyelets 34A2 and 28A2, and through eyelets 34A I and 28A1. Similarly lace 36B is threaded through the "B"
side, i.e. through eyelets 34B4 and 28B4, through eyelets 34B3 and 28B3, through eyelets 34B2 and 28B2, and through eyelets 34B1 and 28B1. Figures 8, 9 and 10 are other views showing how each lace 36 is threaded through eyelets on either side of upper 32 and zipper clasp 22.

[0047] Many conventional shoelaces include an aglet at each end of each lace. The aglet is a stiff section at the end provided primarily to increase the durability of the end and to make it easier to hold the lace and feed it through the shoe eyelets. According to an embodiment, lace 36 may have an aglet 38 at one end and a stop 40 at the other or opposing end, or termination point, of the lace, rather then having an aglet at each end. Stop 40 may be any type of material, item or structure that is sufficiently large and firm that it is difficult to pass through shoe eyelet 34 and/or tape eyelet 28. Stop 40 may be, for example, a knot 42 formed from the free end or termination point of lace 36, or a hard-spherical bead 44 with a central bore into which the free end of lace 36 may be inserted and glued, or a spherical bead formed on the end of lace 36 or some other stop. In these examples, the knot and spherical bead are sized and shaped to be at least as large as the open diameter of shoe eyelet 34 and/or tape eyelet 28. Figures 11A and 11B
respectively show examples of laces 36 with stop 40 in the form of knot 42 and spherical bead 44, shown with eyelet 38 for reference.

[0048] Shoe fastener 10 may include or not include a set of extra laces 36.
When laces 36 are included, there would be two pairs or four individual laces 36. Each lace 36 would have a stop 40 at one end and be sufficiently thin so that the other free end may be passed or threaded through tape eyelets 28. Each lace 36 would also be sufficiently long to thread through tape eyelets 28 of fastener 10 on a side of zipper clasp 22, and through corresponding shoe eyelets 34 on a corresponding side of upper 32. For example, each lace 36 provided with shoe fastener 10 of FIG. I would be sufficiently long to pass through the four tape eyelets 28A1-28A4, or equivalently eyelets 28B1-28B4, and their corresponding shoe eyelets 34 on a corresponding side of upper 32. Since different shoes 30 may be used with fastener 10, a standard or typical thickness of upper 32 of the type of shoe 30 that would use the particular shoe fastener 10 may be used to help determine the extra length needed to thread through shoe eyelets 34. In some embodiments the length of laces 36 would correspond to the number of eyelets expected in a shoe with which a fastener is to be used.

[0049] In some embodiments, only a subset of the eyelets of a shoe will be utilized in fastening fastener 10 to a shoe. For example, it may be convenient to manufacture one or more standard sizes of fasteners, such as large, medium and small sized fasteners, which may have dimensions and eyelet configurations designed to match average shoe dimensions and eyelet configurations. The use of laces to secure fasteners to shoes allows for some flexibility in aligning eyelets of fasteners and eyelets of shoes.

[0050] When laces 36 are not included with shoe fastener 10, the regular laces 35 provided with the shoe may be used. For example, in some embodiments regular laces 35 are cut at around their midpoint, and the free or terminal end so formed in each resultant segment may be tied into a knot 42 or otherwise attached to an appropriate item like spherical bead 44 to form stop 40. In this way, conventional laces 35 may be converted to laces 36 sized and shaped for use with shoe fastener 10.

[0051] Tape 24 of shoe fastener 10 may be a fabric made from a soft, pliant and flexible material. This material may include, for example, cloth or canvas fabrics, or a layer of other material such as leather or moulded plastic or rubber.

[0052] Shoe fastener 10 is a zipper type fastener that, unlike zippers of the prior art, is not stitched or otherwise fixedly attached to a shoe. Since shoe fastener 10 uses laces 36 threaded through eyelets 28 and 34 to attach to shoe 30, fastener 10 is removable since laces 36 may be unthreaded at any time.

[0053] Zipper clasp 22 may be a one-stage or a two-stage type. In a one-stage type the bottom of fastener 10 does not come apart, and in a two-stage type the bottom of fastener 10 may also be opened to allow the tape to be opened into two unconnected sections, as one may open the bottom of a zipper on a jacket. A benefit of the two-stage type is that it may be easier for a user to remove their foot from shoe 30 after the zipper is separated, as the tongue of shoe 30 can be raised higher. From an aesthetic perspective, it also provides a different style to the user.

[0054] Shoe fastener 10 may also be provided with shoes 30 as part of a shoe fastener kit 46.
According to an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 12A, shoe fastener kit 46 may include a pair of shoes 30, having uppers 32, eyelets 34 in uppers 32, and a pair of regular laces 35. Shoe fastener kit 46 would also include a pair of shoe fasteners 10, each fastener 10 having zipper clasp 22, tape 24, and a plurality of tape eyelets 28 in tape 24 on each side of zipper clasp 22.

[0055] Tape 24 of shoe fastener 10 provided with kit 46 may be sized and shaped so that separation distance 37 between tape eyelets 28 on opposing sides of zipper clasp 22 is the same as or substantially similar to separation distance 37 between shoe eyelets 34 on opposing sides of upper 32 of shoe 30 provided with shoe fastener kit 46. The number of tape eyelets 28 in fastener may be the same as the number of shoe eyelets 34 in shoe 30. The spacing of tape eyelets 28 in fastener 10 from one another may be the same or substantially similar to the spacing of shoe eyelets 34 from one another in shoe 30.

[0056] According to an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 12B, shoe fastener kit 46 may further include four extra laces 36, where each extra lace 36 is sized and shaped to thread through tape eyelets 28 on a side of zipper clasp 22 and shoe eyelets 34 on a corresponding side of upper 32. The extra laces 36 would include stops 40 at one end, the stops 40 being sized and shaped to be sufficiently large so that the stopped end cannot be threaded through tape eyelets 28.

[0057] It is to be appreciated that a user of shoe fastener kit 46 would have the option to select whether to wear shoes 30 as a lace-up with the provided regular laces 35, or alternatively insert fastener 10 and use shoes 30 with zipper clasp 22. In the embodiment of FIG. 12A, extra laces 36 are not provided, and a user may cut regular laces 35 to form two pairs, or four laces, 36, each with stops 40 such as knot 42 as shown in FIG. 11A. A user may also choose to obtain or prepare laces 36 separately, keeping regular laces 35 intact. In that case, as well as with the embodiment of FIG. 12B in which extra laces 36 are included in kit 46, the user could select either option, lace-up or zipper, and change between them as desired.

[0058] A further aspect of shoe fastener kit 46 is that, in addition to fastener 10 and laces 36 being sized and shaped to fit the particular shoe 30, tape 24 of fastener 10 may be comprised of the same material as upper 32 of shoe 30. This material may be soft, pliant, and flexible.
Alternatively, if not exactly the same material, the material of tape 24 may have the same thickness, colour, style, and/or pattern as the material of upper 32. It is to be appreciated that, since in kit 46 the particular shoe 30 to be used with fastener 10 is known, the material of tape 24 may be selected to have a complementary or aesthetically pleasing look, composition, or combination of features when used as an insert with the particular shoe 30 in kit 46.

[0059] According to an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 13, shoe fastener 10 may comprise a zipper having zipper clasp 22 and tape 24, where tape 24 is made of a soft, pliant, and flexible material, and an extension element 48 attached to each side of tape 24 that is also made of a soft, pliant, and flexible material. The plurality of eyelets 28 may be in each side of extension element 48.

[0060] Shoe fastener 10 in this embodiment may be inserted adjacent to the upper 32 of shoe 30. Laces 36 may be threaded through shoe eyelets 34 and fastener eyelets 28 in extension element 48 to secure fastener 10 to shoe 30, upon which shoe 30 may be fastened and unfastened by operating zipper clasp 22.

[0061] A user interested in having a zipper enclosure for a lace-up shoe may obtain shoe fastener 10 as an insert or as part of a kit 46. As an insert, shoe fastener 10 may be designed specifically for use with a particular shoe 30, or for a more general type of shoe 30. As a kit, shoe fastener 10 will be designed specifically for use with shoe 30 provided in the kit.

[0062] Upon selection, the user may remove laces 35 that are part of lace-up shoe 30, and insert shoe fastener 10 by placing fastener 10 adjacent to the upper 32 of the shoe, so that tape eyelets 28 are adjacent to shoe eyelets 34. The user will thread laces 36 through eyelets 28 and 34, securing fastener 10 to shoe 30. Laces 36 may either be provided with fastener 10 or as part of kit 46, or may be made by the user from laces 35 by cutting laces 35 and tying the free end to form stop 40, or may be provided separately. When inserted and secured to shoe 30, zipper clasp 22 may be used to fasten and unfasten shoes 30.

[0063] In the prior art, eyelets are located in thick leather material attached to another fabric.
By contrast, the tape of shoe fastener 10 is made of a flexible material, and the eyelets 28 are located in the tape itself. In this way, shoe fastener 10 is integral and one-piece with zipper clasp 22. This design provides better flexibility, durability, and comfort to the user, particularly for a casual type of shoe 30.

[0064] People such as the elderly, the disabled, young children, and others unable to tie shoes will no longer be restricted to the tiny market of shoes that do not use laces. Shoe fastener 10 provides these groups of people the opportunity to select from the endless number of lace-up shoes, and use them with zipper fasteners. Since shoe fastener 10 is removable, young children and others who may have only a temporary problem using laces can use the zippers provided by fastener 10, and then go back to laces when they are ready. This is economically efficient, since it enables these users to preserve their investment in lace-up shoes as they do not have to purchase new shoes.

[0065] Tools may also be provided for use with footwear zippers, to allow users of the tools to more easily reach the zippers on footwear they are wearing. Such tools may incorporate a handle and an extension extending from the handle, to allow users to grasp the handle and manipulate relatively distant zippers using the opposite end of the extension.
The extension may also include a hook or other interaction element on the zipper interactive end of the extension, to more easily enable the user to manipulate a zipper. In some embodiments the extension may be of variable length, such as telescopic, while in other embodiments the extension may have a fixed length. The handle may be adjustable relative to the extension, to allow a user to adjust the orientation of the handle relative to the extension for a more convenient and effective manipulation of a zipper. Such a tool may also be designed to be easily and conveniently stored, such as by incorporating a projection, such as from the handle, to allow the tool to be easily hung from a hook when not in use.

[0066] FIG. 13 shows a tool 1300 for use with zippers. Tool 1300 is provided for use with footwear, such as boots or shoes, which incorporate a zipper. Tool 1300 may be used to pull up a zipper or to push down a zipper without requiring the user to stoop down to reach the zipper with one or both of their hands. As depicted, tool 1300 includes a handle 1310 for gripping in the hand of a user, and a telescopic extension 1320. The telescopic structure of telescopic extension 1320 allows a user to choose a desired length of tool 1300, for example a taller user may require telescopic extension 1320 to extend further in order for the user to easily manipulate a zipper on an item of footwear when the user is wearing the item of footwear.

[0067] In some embodiments, telescopic portions of a telescopic extension may be held relative to one another so that a user may choose a desired length of the telescopic tool and may subsequently use the tool both to push and to pull without loss of the desired length setting. Such a hold may be a friction hold or may be a result of structural components, such as mechanical or magnetic buttons provided on the tool.

[0068] Telescopic extension 1320 includes an interaction element on the end opposite the handle, the interaction element provided to allow a user to more easily manipulate a zipper using tool 1300. As depicted, the interaction element is a rigid v-shaped projection 1330, including a first projection 1331 extending parallel to the body of extension 1320 and a second projection 1332 extending perpendicular to the body of extension 1320. Projection 1330 allows a user to deploy second projection 1332 as a hook, while first projection 1331 acts as a support for the material manipulated by second projection 1332.

[0069] Handle 1310 includes a projection 1340 provided to cooperate with a hook, such as to allow tool 1300 to be hung up in an entry way or other convenient location.

[0070] As depicted in FIG. 15, a tool 1400 may be provided, including a handle 1410 and an extension 1420. Extension 1420 is of fixed length. A fixed length may be preferred in some embodiments as a telescopic structure may be more expensive to manufacture or less durable or for other reasons. Handle 1410 may pivot to allow a user to freely adjust the handle rotationally relative to the extension, to allow the user to adjust the handle's orientation relative to the interaction element 1430 on extension 1420. Tool 1400 also includes a projection 1440 provided to cooperate with a hook.

[0071] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe fastener for use with a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces, the shoe fastener comprising:
a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape, wherein the tape has a width on each side of the zipper clasp; and a plurality of tape eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp;
the tape width being sized and shaped to accommodate the tape eyelets;
wherein upon inserting the fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the tape eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.

2. The shoe fastener of claim 1, further including four extra laces, each extra lace being sized and shaped to thread through the tape eyelets on a side of the zipper clasp and the corresponding shoe eyelets on a corresponding side of the upper.

3. The shoe fastener of claim 2, wherein the extra laces include a stop at one end, the stops being sized and shaped larger than the tape eyelets, wherein the stopped end cannot be threaded through the tape eyelets.

4. The shoe fastener of claim 1, wherein the tape width is further sized and shaped so that a separation distance between tape eyelets on opposing sides of the zipper clasp is substantially similar to a separation distance between shoe eyelets on opposing sides of the upper.

5. The shoe fastener of claim 1, wherein the number of tape eyelets is the same as the number of shoe eyelets.

6. The shoe fastener of claim 1, wherein a spacing of tape eyelets from one another is substantially similar to a spacing of shoe eyelets from one another.

7. The shoe fastener of claim 1, wherein the zipper is one of: a one-stage type of zipper and a two-stage type of zipper.

8. The shoe fastener of claim 1, wherein the tape is made of a soft, pliant, and flexible material.

9. The shoe fastener of claim 8, wherein the tape material is from the group consisting of:
cloth, canvas, plastic, and rubber.

10. A shoe fastener kit comprising:
a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces; and a shoe fastener comprising a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape, and a plurality of tape eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp;
wherein upon inserting the shoe fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the tape eyelets to secure the shoe fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.

11. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, wherein the tape is sized and shaped so that a separation distance between tape eyelets on opposing sides of the zipper clasp is substantially similar to a separation distance between shoe eyelets on opposing sides of the upper.

12. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, wherein the number of tape eyelets is the same as the number of shoe eyelets.

13. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, wherein a spacing of tape eyelets from one another is substantially similar to a spacing of shoe eyelets from one another.

14. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, further including four extra laces, each extra lace being sized and shaped to thread through the tape eyelets on a side of the zipper clasp and the shoe eyelets a corresponding side of the upper.

15. The shoe fastener kit of claim 14, wherein the extra laces include a stop at one end, the stops being sized and shaped to be sufficiently large so that the stopped end cannot be threaded through the tape eyelets.

16. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, wherein the tape of the fastener is comprised of the same material as the upper of the shoe.

17. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, wherein the tape is comprised of a material having at least one of: the same thickness as the upper, the same color as the upper, the same style as the upper, and the same pattern as the upper.

18. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, wherein the tape of the fastener and the upper of the shoe are each made from a soft, pliant, and flexible material.

19. The shoe fastener kit of claim 10, further comprising a zipper pull tool, the tool having an extension and having a handle and an interaction element secured to opposing ends of the extension.

20. A shoe fastener for use with a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces, the shoe fastener comprising:
a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape, wherein the tape is made of a soft, pliant, and flexible material;
an extension element made of a soft, pliant, and flexible material, and attached to each side of the tape; and a plurality of fastener eyelets in each side of the extension element wherein upon inserting the fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the fastener eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.