DE19710702A1 - In-line roller boot lacing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A clamp (14) fixed to the boot prevents the lace (2) end moving open relatively at one end whilst allowing the lace to move in the closing direction (29). The lace deflectors (3) present a curved contact face (18) to the lace, with a radius of curvature greater than the lace diameter. The deflectors have a rotary roller presenting the curved specifically peripherally grooved contact face (18). The deflectors are so positioned in relation to the boot surface as to ensure that the lace runs parallel to the boot surface at each deflector (3). The clamp has a housing complete with lace hole, the clamp swivelling in the housing and fitted with a roughened or toothed surface (28) pointing towards the lace hole. The clamp swivel axis (15) is exocentric to the clamp housing and arranged near the lace hole entry (16). The clamp is swivelled open by a fitted tie (6) to allow lace movement both ways and the clamp is pre-loaded into closed setting by means of a spring. In the case of crossed lacing, the two lace ends are joined into a loop, using both clamps for both ends of the laces. In this case, both clamp ties are joined up to form a second loop to be passed in turn through a closed ring made of rubber and also traversed by the laces between the two fitted clamps.

Description

The invention relates to a lace-up shoe according to the preamble of claim 1.

Lace-up shoes, including lace-up boots are and especially to be used for sports purposes Boots such as snowboard boots, inline skate boots, hiking boots, mountaineering boots, etc. are laces, through through several eyelets at the top of the boot is threaded, laced, the two ends of the lacing knots are knotted to fix the lacing.

A major advantage of lace-up shoes is that that the pressure exerted by the boot or shoe on the foot is distributed relatively evenly and still the shoe can be soft and flexible. In contrast, at so-called buckle boots the pressure distribution unequal moderate, which is why boots with locking buckles predominantly have a relatively hard plastic shell.  

A disadvantage of lace-up shoes is that they are tightened of the shoelace and knotting its two ends can only be accomplished with two hands. Another Disadvantage, especially with laced boots with longer ones Shoelaces is that the friction of the shoelace on the individual eyelets is relatively large and due to the Redirection of the laces on the individual eyelet with the tractive effort increases. Will the traction only exerted on the ends of the laces, so the boot in the upper area, in particular in the shaft, relatively tightly laced in relation to the area of the boot tip, which then leads to an uneven pressure distribution results in the instep of the foot. In practice you help yourself hence with the laces starting from the boots tip progressively stretched from eyelet pair to eyelet pair becomes what makes lacing even more tedious.

The object of the invention is therefore, the lace-up to improve the kind mentioned above that its Handling is easier and especially fixing the lacing can be done with one hand.

This object is achieved by the specified in claim 1 Features resolved. Advantageous refinements and training The invention can be found in the subclaims.

The basic idea of the invention is one or both Ends of the shoelace through a shoe attached to the to fix automatically working clamping device. The Clamp fixes the laces only in Opening direction while closing the lacing let slips slip. The user then only has to pull on the laces until the desired closing force is reached, whereupon the clamping device is then turned on set the position of the shoelace automatically fixed.

So that the lacing force is possible with this simple handling is evenly distributed, is further provided  that deflection elements for the laces have a radius of curvature have, which is larger than the diameter of the laces kels. This is the frictional force at the individual deflection elements compared to the known eyelets set and a pulling force at the upper entry end of the laces leads to the fact that this over its whole Length is stretched substantially uniformly.

The deflection elements can be used to further reduce the Friction also have a rotatable roller, which is preferred has a groove around its circumference, which has the laces leads.

The deflection elements are preferably arranged and in relation to the surface of the shoe in its environment aligned so that the laces in the area of the deflection element runs parallel to the surface of the shoe. So that the shoelace does not have to be the same as with conventional ones Eyes a curved one formed by the shoe surface Change level from the top to the bottom of the upper seln, which further reduces the friction.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping device tion a housing with a passage opening for the laces as well as a pivotally mounted clamp in the housing element with a toothed or roughened clamping surface. The pivot axis of the clamping element is eccentric Passage opening near the inlet side.

A tension member is preferably attached to the clamping element, by means of which the clamping element in an open position can be pivoted, in which the laces in both directions of movement can be moved. Preferably is the clamping element by a spring in the closed position biased.

In a variant of the invention, in which the laces is laced in a conventional manner so that its two  Ends up to the entry-side shaft of the shoe are separate on the shoe for each of these ends Clamps and both ends of the laces Senkels are joined together to form a loop the. The user then only pulls on this loop and tightens both ends of the shoelace when released the loop through the two clamps automatically be fixed. Similarly, the traction elements of the ver two clamping devices to a second loop agrees. If the user pulls on this second loop, so both clamps are opened at the same time and release the shoelace.

According to a development of the invention, this is the second Loop the two traction elements through a ring-like third Loop, through which the shoelace or itself crossing ends of the shoelace in the area between the toe and entry into the clamp or clamping devices are threaded. The user pulls on this third loop, the two clamps are directions open and at the same time through this Also pull the laces in the opening direction through the Clamps pulled and thereby the laces relaxed. With one handle, everyone is comfortable Opening the shoe performs the required tasks. The third loop is preferably made of a rubber-elastic chemical material.

In a variant of the invention is one end of the laces fixed in the forefoot area of the shoe and the laces shoulder is free of crossings on the individual deflection elements led to the upper, where the other end in one fixed only on the shoe clamp device becomes. According to another variant of the invention, there are two separate laces are provided, one of which is the front foot area to the instep, while the other covers the Covering the area from the instep to the shaft. It depends on a conventional cross lacing or the above  Single lacing is used, then there are four or two Clamping devices available. It is also possible that to combine both types of lacing, for example by in the forefoot area the cross-over lacing and in the shaft rich single lacing is used. It is too possible to lace the shoe only in the forefoot area, while another attachment is used in the shaft area will, such as B. with a belt around the shaft Velcro or the like.

In the following the invention is based on exemplary embodiments play in more detail in connection with the drawing explained. It shows:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lace-up shoe according to a first embodiment of the inven tion.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a Schnelssen kels with deflecting element and clamping device.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section a of the deflecting element of Fig. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the deflection element of FIG. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a cross section of another game Ausführungsbei a deflecting element;

Fig. 6 is a side view of a lace-up according to a further development of the invention;

Fig. 7-12 perspective sketches of a lace-up shoe different variants of the lacing.

The same reference numerals in individual figures denote the same or functionally corresponding parts.

First, reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a lace-up boot 1 using the example of a single-track roller skate (so-called inline skate). The lace-up shoe 1 has a shoelace 2 which is threaded through a plurality of deflection elements 3 . In this exemplary embodiment, the deflection elements 3 are each arranged in pairs, the individual pairs being distributed from the area of the boot tip to the shaft area of the boot. The shoelace 2 is threaded here in a conventional manner, so that sections of the shoelace cross in the area between adjacent pairs of deflecting elements 3 . In the area of the boot shaft, both ends of the shoelace 2 are each guided through a clamping device 4 , which fixes the respective part of the shoelace. The clamping device acts automatically in one direction and clamps the shoelace 2 in such a way that it cannot be pulled in the direction of the shoe tip by the clamping device 4 . This direction is called the opening direction. In the opposite direction, referred to as the closing direction (see arrow 29 in Fig. 2), the respective section of the shoelace 2, however, can be pulled freely by the clamping device 4 , whereby the shoelace 2 is stretched and thus the shoe 1 is laced. The two ends of the shoelace 2 are connected to one another beyond the clamping devices 4 to form a loop 5 . For this purpose, a somewhat wider webbing can be used, at the two ends of which the respective ends of the shoelace 2 are fastened.

The clamping devices 4 each have a pulling element 6 or 7 , with which they can be opened. The two traction elements 6 and 7 are likewise connected to one another to form a second loop 8 , the second loop 8 being guided in the exemplary embodiment shown up to the upper region of the tongue of the boot 1 .

In Fig. 1 a strap 9 is shown, which is wrapped around the shaft 10 of the boot. This belt 9 can be provided with a Velcro fastener and enables an even finer adjustment of the closing force in the shaft area. The two ends of the shoelace 2 combined to form the loop 5 can be passed under this belt 9 . The same applies to the two traction elements 6 and 7 , so that the two loops 5 and 8 are held by the belt 9 while the shoe is being worn.

To close or tie the shoe, the user only has to pull the loop 5 upwards in the direction of the shin, which tightens the laces. The clamped position is automatically fixed by the clamping elements 4 . The "lacing" of the shoe can be done with one hand. Conversely, the user only has to pull the second loop 8 upwards towards the shin to open the shoe, which opens the Klemmvor directions 4 and relieves the shoelaces and is thus relaxed.

So that when opening and closing the shoe the lace can easily slide along the deflection elements 3 , these are provided with a curvature whose radius of curvature is relatively large in relation to the diameter of the laces angle 2 . The laces on the deflection elements 3 are therefore curved relatively slightly, as a result of which the friction is reduced. Furthermore, the deflection elements 3 are arranged and aligned in relation to the surface of the boot in their immediate vicinity so that the shoelace runs parallel to the surface of the shoe in this area.

In order to further facilitate the "lacing" of the boot and to enable the user to easily find a setting once felt to be optimal, three stopper clamps 11 are provided on the cords in the area between the clamping devices 4 and the adjacent deflecting elements, which are used when tensioning of the shoelace come to a stop against the inlet side of the clamping devices 4 and thus prevent further tightening of the shoelace. This stopper clamps 11 can be adjusted by the user with regard to their position and consist, for example, of an annular element and a clamping screw which presses against the laces threaded through the annular element.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the deflecting elements 3 are each held on a belt strap 12 , which is guided laterally downwards into the area of the shoe sole and also inside the boot or outside (see FIG. 6) around the underside of the foot is. With these straps, a more even force distribution is sufficient.

Fig. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a portion of the lace 2 to a clamping device 4 and a deflection element. 3 The deflection element 3 has a curved contact surface 18 , the radius of curvature 19 of which is greater than the diameter of the shoelace 2 . The deflection element 3 is closed in this embodiment, ie a passage opening 21 for the shoelace 2 is limited by the contact surface 18 and an opposite end wall 22 , so that the shoelace must be threaded through the opening 21 . The deflection element can, as shown in Fig. 3, also be open, so that the contact surface 18 is accessible from the side and the shoelace is only inserted from the outside there. Fig. 4 shows the corresponding sectional views of these two variants.

To further reduce the friction, as shown in FIG. 5, the deflection element 3 can also have a roller 23 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 25 and has a circumferential groove 24 for better guidance of the shoelace 2 . The role is stored in a rectangular housing 17 and arranged eccentrically in the housing that the through opening 21 is formed.

Of course, it is also possible to store the roller in a housing that is open on one side in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3.

The clamping device 4 has a clamping housing 13 in which a clamping element 14 is pivotably mounted on an axis 15 . The axis 15 is close to the entry side 16 for the shoelace 2 and near the side edge, so that the clamping element 14 can change a passage between its roughened or toothed clamping surface 28 and the wall 28 'opposite this. If the lace 2 in the direction of the arrow ("closing direction") 29 is moved relative to the clamping device 4 , the clamping element 14 pivots in the opening direction, so that the shoelace can be pulled relatively unhindered by the clamping device. If the shoelace 2 is opposite to the direction 29 , that is to say moved in the opening direction, it pivots the clamping element 14 in the closing direction by friction on the toothed clamping surface 28 , as a result of which the passage occurs and the shoelace is clamped. In order to ensure that the clamping element 14 also comes into contact with the shoelace during this movement, it can be prestressed by a spring 30 in the direction of the shoelace or the wall 28 '.

At the opposite end of the axis 15 of the Klemmelemen tes 14 , for example via an eyelet 31 , the traction element 6 (or 7 ) is attached, by means of which the clamping element 14 can be brought into the open position.

Instead of the clamping device shown in FIG. 2, other types of rope clamps can also be used, as are known, for example, from sailing. In a particularly simple known form of the rope clamps, only a V-shaped groove with the obliquely extending projections or teeth protruding into the opening is provided, which also clamp the laces. However, opening is not so convenient since the laces must first be pulled in the closing direction with some force in order to be released from such a clamping device.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a laced boot 1 according to a further development of the embodiment of FIG. 1. In order to facilitate the opening of the boot, an annular loop 32 is provided, which is preferably rubber-elastic and forms a closed ring. Through this loop 32 , the second loop 8 , which is connected to the traction elements ( 6 , 7 ) for opening the clamping devices 4 , is threaded through and at the same time the shoelace 2 in the area between the entry side 16 of the clamping devices 4 and the uppermost pair of deflection elements 3 in front of the clamping devices. With the crosswise guidance of the shoelace used here, the corresponding crossing is then arranged within the loop 32 .

The length of the second loop 8 and the third loop 32 are to each other and relative to the through the third Sly fe 32 durchgefädelten lace 2 tuned so that in a relaxed third loop 32, the clamping means 4 can get into their closed position. Is pulled on the third loop 32 in the direction of arrow 33 , so opening of the Klemmvor directions 4 is first effected via the second loop 8 . With further pull on the third cunning fe 32 , the shoelace is then pulled in the opening direction, ie opposite to the direction of arrow 29 of FIG. 2, by the opened clamping device and thus facilitating the opening of the lacing.

Fig. 6 shows another variant with regard to the straps 12 , namely that these straps can be carried out under the sole of the rock.

FIGS. 7 to 12 show different variants of the Schnü tion. In Fig. 7 a simple, cross-free lacing is shown. One end of the shoelace 2 is fixed in the Vorderfußbe rich on a bracket 34 on the boot and then zigzag-shaped over the individual deflection elements 3 cross tongue-free up to a single, arranged in the shaft area of the boot rock clamp 4 . The free end 35 of the shoelace 2 can still be provided with a gripping fe 36 . Because the shoelace runs free of crossings, the friction when lacing the boot is further reduced.

In Fig. 8, the shoelace is crossed in a conventional manner. In this variant, the lacing is only in the area of the forefoot to the instep, while the boot shaft 10 is not laced. Instead, for example, the belt 9 shown in Fig. 1 with Velcro can be used.

In Fig. 9, the lacing types of Figs. 7 and 8 are combined with each other. In the forefoot area up to about the instep, the lacing of FIG. 8 is used with the laces crossed. One end 2 'of the shoelace is then connected to the other shoelace, for example knotted, so that from the deflecting element 3 ' only one end 2 '' corresponding to the lacing of FIG. 7 is guided upwards, in this embodiment also only a Klemmvorrich device 4 is required. A handle loop 36 can then be attached to the free end 2 ″.

Fig. 10 shows a continuous, crossed lacing accordingly, the embodiment of FIG. 1st

FIG. 11 shows two crossed laced with two separate laces 2.1 and 2.2. A first shoelace 2.1 is provided analogous to the embodiment of FIG. 3 for the forefoot area to the instep and closed there to a cunning fe 5.1 . At the upper end two Klemmvor devices 4.1 are then provided. In the same way, a second independent shoelace 2.2 is provided in the shaft area and again two clamping devices 4.2 . With this lacing, the forefoot area and the shaft area can be adjusted separately and enables the user to adjust the forces in these areas differently. In FIG. 12 the lacing variants with the simple lacing according to FIG. 7 in the shaft area and the crosswise lacing of FIG. 8 are used in the forefoot area. Of course, an exchange is also possible.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the lace-up shoe can also have an inner shoe according to the invention, wherein this inner shoe also a full shoe or boot can be, so that the lace-up shoe according to the invention Can take over the function of a binding for sports equipment and for example on a snowboard, a single track Roller skate etc. is attached, the user then with a normal sports shoe as an inner shoe in the then as Binding acting shoe according to the invention.

Claims (15)

1. lace-up shoe with a shoelace ( 2 ) and Umlenkele elements ( 3 ) for deflecting and holding the shoelace, characterized in that on the shoe ( 1 ) at least one clamping device ( 4 ) is attached, which automatically moves a relative movement of the end of the shoelace in the opening direction prevents and a relative movement in the closing direction ( 29 ) allows and that the deflection elements have a curved contact surface ( 18 ) for the laces ( 2 ), the radius of curvature ( 19 ) is greater than the diameter of the laces. 2. lace-up shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflecting elements ( 3 ) have a rotatably mounted roller ( 23 ), the outer circumference of which forms the contact surface. 3. lace-up shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that the roller ( 23 ) has a circumferential Ril le ( 24 ). 4. lace-up shoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the deflecting elements ( 3 ) with respect to the surface of the shoe ( 1 ) are arranged and aligned in their environment so that the shoelace ( 2 ) in the region of the respective deflecting element ( 3 ) runs parallel to the surface of the shoe. 5. lace-up shoe according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping device ( 4 ) has a housing ( 17 ) with a passage opening for the shoelace and a pivotally mounted in the housing clamping element ( 14 ) with a toothed or roughened clamping surface ( 28 ) which faces the passage opening and that the pivot axis ( 15 ) of the clamping element ( 14 ) is arranged eccentrically to the housing and close to an inlet side ( 16 ) for the shoelace ( 2 ). 6. Schnürschuh according to claim 5, characterized in that on the clamping element (14) is a pulling element (6) is mounted, by means of which the clamping element (14) can be pivoted in an opening position, in which the lace in both directions of movement is Beweg Lich. 7. lace-up shoe according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping element ( 14 ) is biased by a spring ( 30 ) in the closed position. 8. lace-up shoe according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that with a crossing guide of the laces kels ( 2 ) the two ends of the laces are connected to form a loop ( 5 ) and that the shoe ( 1 ) for each of the A separate clamping device ( 4 ) is attached to the ends of the shoelace. 9. lace-up shoe according to claim 8, characterized in that the traction elements ( 6 , 7 ) of the two clamping devices ( 4 ) are connected to one another to form a second loop ( 8 ). 10. lace-up shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that a formed as a closed ring third loop ( 32 ) is provided, through which the second loop ( 8 ) is passed and through which the shoelaces ( 2 ) in the area between the Klemmvor directions ( 4th ) and the closest Umlenkelemen th ( 3 ) is passed. 11. lace-up shoe according to claim 10, characterized in that the third loop ( 32 ) is made of rubber-elastic material. 12. Lace-up shoe according to one of claims 1 to 7, 10 or 11, characterized in that one end of the shoelace ( 2 ) fixed in the forefoot area of the shoe and the shoelace ( 2 ) cross-free on the individual deflection elements to the shoe shaft ( 10 ) is performed where the other end of the lace is fixed in a single clamp device attached to the shoe ( 4 ). 13. Lace-up shoe according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that two separate shoelaces are provided, one of which covers the forefoot area to the instep and the other covers the area from the instep to the shaft, with separate clamping devices for each of the separate shoelaces ( 4.1 , 4.2 ) are provided. 14. lace-up shoe according to claim 13, characterized in that two separate shoelaces are provided, one of which is guided cross-wise and the other without crossing, one shoelace ( 2.1 ) the forefoot area and the other shoelace ( 2.2 ) the shaft area of the shoe covered. 15. lace-up shoe according to one of claims 1 to 7, 10 or 11, characterized in that only one shoelace is provided, which is laced cross-wise in the front foot area and that an en de ( 2 ') of the shoelace in the midfoot or shaft shaft is rich is connected to the other part of the shoelace and that the other end ( 2 ') of the shoelace is guided in simple, non-crossing lacing.