EP1795085A1 - Extensible self-locking lace, in particular for manufacturing shoe laces - Google Patents

Abstract

The shoelace (1) has a flexible envelope for covering an elastic core which is constituted of rubber threads. The envelope has a twisted loop (12) stretched under a traction action applied to the lace on both sides of the twisted loop for lacing and tightening a shoe on a foot. The twisted loop is reformed after relaxation of the traction action for maintaining the tightening of the shoe using the lace.

Description

The present invention relates to an extensible and self-locking binding cord, and in particular a shoe lace, which allows a full and permanent support of the foot in a shoe, whatever its use, without having to tie the lace.

Traditionally, maintaining the foot in a lace shoe is performed with a non-stretchable lace passed through eyelets or hooks attached to the sides of the upper of the shoe. Such a lace is composed of son of synthetic and / or natural woven or non-woven materials devoid of elastic properties. The tightening of the boot on the foot must therefore be carried out by successive traction on the strands of the lace between each eyelet or consecutive hook until the pressure of the upper of the shoe on the foot is sufficient to walk or run without the foot moving or slipping into the shoe. Once a satisfactory yaw tension is reached, the strands of the lace are tied by the wearer of the shoe to maintain this tension.

However, since the foot tends to swell in the shoe during the day or during an effort (for example during a sports activity), the tension provided by the lacing performed during the setting of the shoe becomes sometimes oppressive, embarrassing or even offensive to the wearer of the shoe which forces him to change the tightening during the day or during activity.

In addition, it is common that, because of the swelling of the foot in the shoe after it has been worn a few hours, the lace is loosened by itself which forces the wearer of the shoe to redo his lace knot sometimes very frequently depending on the thickness is the constituent material of the lace.

Also, if the use of conventional laces, as mentioned above, is relatively simple and therefore little questioned, the fact remains that it is not optimal in term comfort and maintenance efficiency for the users, especially for the practice of physical, sports or professional activities, during which the solicitations and efforts of the feet in the shoes are important.

To improve the tightening of the shoe by laces and the maintenance of tension thereof, various solutions have already been proposed in the state of the art.

The document US 2005/0217089 describes in particular a lace having portions of different width or diameter, distributed alternately over the entire length of the lace. The thin portions of the lace are intended to cooperate with the eyelets of a shoe while the wider portions of the lace limit, they, the sliding thereof in said eyelets and improve the behavior of the knot performed to block the tightening of the shoe. shoe using lace after lacing. However, this lace has several disadvantages. In particular, it does not allow adjustment of the tightening of the boot on the foot according to the pressure of the foot. In addition, the establishment of the lace is difficult when passing large portions in the eyelets of the shoe.

Document is also known FR 2 820 003 A1 a twisted lace that allows the lacing of the shoe without making knots. Although advantageous in that it eliminates the need for knots to perform the tightening, this lace has no adjustment properties of the tightening of the shoe to the morphology of the foot of the user, without this the latter himself has to modify the tightening of the lace.

We finally know of the document DE 20 10500 U1 a lace having roughnesses on the surface of the ends of the strands thereof, so as to improve the blocking of the knot made to maintain the tightening of the shoe by the lace by limiting the sliding of the strands of the lace between them. However, this lace also does not allow an automatic adjustment of the tightening to the morphology of the foot in the shoe.

The usual laces, such as those known from the state of the art are therefore unsuitable for comfort problems or even injuries related to excessive tightening of the shoe by the lace during effort when the morphology of the foot evolves and / or that the mechanical stresses of the foot on the upper of the shoe are extreme.

The object of the invention is to provide a solution to these problems. Another object of the invention is to provide a lace which is simple in structure and use and which can adapt to all types of shoes to meet the needs of the largest number of users.

The solution to the technical problems mentioned above lies, according to the invention, in an extensible and self-locking lace, comprising a non-elastic flexible envelope encasing an elastic core consisting of elastic son, preferably rubber, said envelope comprising false balls . These false balls are able, on the one hand, to stretch under a pulling action applied to the lace on either side of said false balls to allow the lacing and tightening of a shoe on a foot and able, d on the other hand, to reform after relaxation of said pulling action to maintain the tightening of said shoe by said lace. In addition, said elastic core and the false balls particularly advantageously allow an adaptation and a distribution of the tightening of said shoe by said lace according to the morphological variations of the foot in said shoe.

Thus, the proposed lace of the invention has both an elastic nature allowing a tightening and optimal support of the foot in the shoe regardless of the morphology of the foot and a self-locking character, conferred by false balls, which allows a single adjustment of the tightening of the shoe and thereafter a permanent locking of the lace on the shoe without having to make knots or to use ancillary tools for locking the strands.

In practice, the lace of the invention is installed on the shoe while a foot is already introduced. The lace is passed in lacing means of the shoe, traditionally positioned on the upper flanks of the upper of the shoe, pulling on both sides fake balls so as to lengthen the latter to pass those in said lacing means. After passage of the false balls in the lacing means the traction is released and said false balls are reformed by the retraction effect of the lace provided by the elastic core of the lace. Since the diameter of the false balls is chosen to be greater than that of the lacing means of the boot, the slips of the yarn strands are then limited, said false balls abutting against the lacing means.

It is then sufficient to adjust the tightening of the shoe on the foot by adjusting the position of the false balls of the lace with respect to the lacing means and playing on the elasticity of the lace. The shoe is then perfectly held firmly on the foot, and it is possible to remove it and put it without touching the lace, the elasticity of it allowing a significant lengthening of the portions of laces connecting the two sides of the upper of the shoe between the opposite lacing means.

In addition, when the shoe is worn, this same elasticity of the lace allows an adaptation of the tightening morphological evolution (swelling - deflation mainly) of the foot during the time spent in the shoe.

Thus, the lace of the invention, by its elasticity and its false balls which permanently block the position relative to the lacing means of the shoe, somehow keeps, once it has been installed on the shoe, the memory of the shape of the foot at rest in the shoe and the tightening adapted to this state and is capable of automatically adjusting the tightening of the shoe according to the morphological variations of the foot upwards or downwards from and until this state respectively.

This characteristic of the lace of the invention proves particularly advantageous for sportsmen, especially for runners, middle distance, triathlon or orienteering and even fans of treks and hikes whose feet suffer significant trauma during the effort due to excessive tightening of the shoe with the traditional laces.

According to a first particular feature of the lace of the invention, said casing comprises, alternately with said false balls, filiform portions of diameter smaller than that of said false balls.

These filiform portions facilitate the positioning and adjustment of the lace during installation thereof on the shoe, and also reduce the lengthening properties of the lace between the false balls to limit the elasticity and ensure maintenance and performance tightening of the shoe by the lace.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, said false balls have a diameter at least 1.5 times larger than the diameter of said filiform portions. This diameter of the false balls corresponds to the minimum diameter capable of ensuring perfect blocking in abutment, and without sliding or jamming, of the lace with respect to the lacing means of the boot, whatever the nature of these locking means eyelets, holes or hooks. In practice, a diameter of 4 mm for the filiform portions of the lace and a diameter of 7 mm for the false balls are perfectly satisfactory.

Preferably, the length of said filiform portions between said false balls is chosen to be at least 1 cm, so as to allow a maximum of adjustment possibilities of the tightening of the shoe according to the morphology of the feet of the users at rest (strong feet , thin, curved or not, for example).

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, said elastic core consists of a variable number of elastic threads depending on the type of sports or other activities that are practiced with the shoes equipped with the lace of the invention. Taking sports activities as an example, the elastic core will be formed of at least five elastic yarns for sports practice where the necessary clamping force and the lateral stresses applied by the foot in the shoe are less, for example in running, and preferably at least seven elastic threads for sports where the tightening of the shoe and the lateral support of the foot are essential such as tennis, handball, basketball and hiking or mountain running.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, said non-elastic lace envelope is braided, said false balls being formed during the braiding of said envelope. Such a braided envelope gives it flexibility and resistance. More preferably, said envelope is made of braided polyester son, the polyester being a material customary in the field of manufacturing laces and whose price / performance ratio is particularly satisfactory for this type of products intended for everyday use and all types of users.

• la figure 1 représente le lacet de l'invention à l'état libre, comprenant des portions filiformes 111 et des fausses boules 12;
• la figure 2 représente une extrémité du lacet de la figure 1 lorsqu'un effort de traction est appliqué au lacet dans le sens longitudinal de celui-ci de manière à étirer et effacer les fausses boules 12 de celui-ci;
• la figure 3A représente en coupe transversale une extrémité du lacet de l'invention;
• la figure 3B représente une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale d'une extrémité du lacet de l'invention;
• la figure 4 représente le lacet de l'invention installé sur une chaussure avant réglage du serrage;
• la figure 5 représente le lacet après réglage du serrage de la chaussure sur le pied d'un utilisateur;
• la figure 6 représente schématiquement le mode d'ajustement par élasticité du serrage procuré par le lacet sur la chaussure lors des évolutions morphologiques du pied dans la chaussure.

Other features and advantages of the lace of the invention and its use will become more apparent from reading the detailed description of the invention which follows, with reference to the appended figures among which:

• FIG. 1 represents the yaw of the invention in the free state, comprising filiform portions 111 and false balls 12;
• Figure 2 shows an end of the lace of Figure 1 when a tensile force is applied to the lace in the longitudinal direction thereof so as to stretch and erase the false balls 12 thereof;
• Figure 3A shows in cross section an end of the lace of the invention;
• Figure 3B shows a partial view in longitudinal section of an end of the lace of the invention;
• Figure 4 shows the lace of the invention installed on a shoe before adjustment of the clamping;
• Figure 5 shows the lace after adjusting the tightening of the shoe on the foot of a user;
• FIG. 6 schematically represents the mode of adjustment by elasticity of the tightening provided by the lace on the shoe during the morphological evolutions of the foot in the shoe.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B, the lace 1 of the invention consists of an elongated, substantially cylindrical cord composed of an elastic core formed by rubber threads 3, or microelastics coated in an envelope 2 made of braided polyester son. At each end, the lace comprises a plastic tip 13 which tightens the envelope 2 strongly on the son 3 so as to avoid any deterioration of the lace structure.

The envelope 2 has filiform portions 11 and false balls 12 alternately distributed, preferably every centimeter, over the entire length of the lace 1. The filiform portions 11 have a diameter of preferably about 4 mm and the false balls 12 a diameter of about 7 mm preferably in the example given.

The number of microelastics 3 is a function of the use of the lace, that is to say, the more micro elastics, the more the lace will be firm. For example, there will be at least five elastic yarns for normal use and at least seven for intensive sports use and requiring a very important foot support or for use on shoes with relatively rigid upper and upper, such as for example safety shoes.

The false self-locking balls 12 of the casing 2 are formed during braiding of the casing around the elastic yarns 3 of the yarn 2, by alternating slowdowns in the braiding speed of the casing 2, slowing down generating spot clusters of yarns. braided forming the false balls 12. With these false balls 12 and elastic rubber son 3 forming the core of the lace 1, the latter is able to lie down, locally on the one hand if we pull in the direction longitudinal lace 1 on either side of one or more false balls 12, or along its entire length on the other hand if one pulls the end caps 13 at both ends of the lace.

As shown in Figure 2, when such tensile forces are applied in the longitudinal direction on the lace 1, it elongates by the elasticity of the son 3 embedded in the casing 2, the clusters of woven son forming the false balls 12 stretching and thinning under the effect of traction, which allows as will be described below to pass the lace 1 in the eyelets, rings, holes, or hooks forming the usual means lacing shoes.

Preferably, the alternation of filiform portions 11 and false balls 12 between end caps 13 over the entire length of the lace is regular. A spacing of 1cm between two consecutive false balls 12, is particularly suitable for making the lace 1 of the invention, such a spacing, and therefore such a length filiform portions, offering very good handling and ease of use and adjustment of the lace 1 with clamping performance also very good. However, of course, it is possible to vary this spacing between the false balls 12.

The installation and use of the lace 1 of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, each representing a boot 4 equipped with the lace 1.

The establishment of the lace 1 should, preferably be carried out with the foot already in the shoe 4. Lacing right or crossed, the principle remains the same. It is indeed preferable to laced foot in the shoe 4 so as to install and adjust once and for all the tightening of the lace with respect to the morphological state of the foot at rest in the shoe.

In a first step, therefore, a foot is inserted in the boot 4 without said lace 1, said boot comprising lacing means 42 such as eyelets or hooks located, in a conventional manner, at the upper level of the lateral flanks of the upper 41 of the shoe 4. Then, lace 1 is then passed through said lacing means 42 by exerting on both sides of the false balls 12 of the lace a pulling action to stretch said false balls as represented in FIG. described above, which allows the passage in lace in or around said lacing means 42. It proceeds from so that each of the strands of the lace 1 has been passed through all the eyelets or holes 42 in the flanks 41 of the upper of the boot as shown in FIG. 4.

Then, once this is achieved, the tightening of the boot 4 is adjusted on the foot by said lace 1 by adjusting, as shown in FIG. 5, by tightening the laces in a conventional manner by pulling on the strands of the lace between the eyelets 42. opposing two by two and adjusting the position of the false balls 12 relative to the eyelets 42 of the shoe 4 so that a false ball 12 abuts against an eyelet 42 after the proper level of tightening has been obtained . Thus, the false balls 12 make the lace 1 self-locking over its entire length. This placement in abutment of a false ball 12 against each of the eyelets 42 allows a permanent maintenance of the position of the lace 1 and the tightening of the shoe 4 on the foot.

In addition, even once the tightening done, it remains on the strands of the lace 1 connecting the eyelets 42 opposite two by two false balls 12 which allow the lace 1, after the shoe has been worn for several hours and that the foot inflated, to automatically adapt the tightening of the shoe to the morphological modification of the foot, the false balls 12 located between two eyelets 42 opposite and the elastics 3 in the lace allowing, as shown schematically in Figure 6, a lengthening of the lace 1 between the eyelets 42 by the capacity of the false balls and elastics 3 in the envelope 2 to extend, all without the user needs to touch the lace 1 and modify itself the tightening.

Thus, the lace 1 of the invention automatically adapts the tightening of the shoe 1 and regulates the pressure applied by it on the foot according to the morphology of the foot in the shoe which provides a great comfort to users, who no longer feel the sensation of restraint or associated pain during exertion. Subsequently, when the foot deflates, the lace retracts and returns to its position and its initial state as it was set during the installation of the lace 1 on the shoe 4.

It can thus be said that the lace of the invention retains the memory of the shape of the foot in the shoe and definitely retains, after installation, the appropriate tightening for the proper maintenance of the foot in the shoe, while having the ability to automatically adapt the morphological tightening of the foot in the shoe during efforts, which hitherto was completely impossible.

In addition, once the lace 1 installed on a shoe, it is possible thanks to the elasticity of the lace and the self-locking properties of the false balls 12, to put on and take off the shoe 4 without having to tie or untie the strands of the lace. These strands are always free, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Just simply pull on the tongue of the shoe to be able to pass the foot, the elasticity of the lace doing the rest and the tightening being already done once the foot in place in the shoe.

Although particularly suitable for recreational or professional sports, the lace of the invention can equip all models of shoes whose lacing means may be eyelets, loops, rings, loops or hooks. The length of the lace should simply be chosen, common, depending on the size, the type of vamp and stem (rising, semi-rising, low) and the specificity of the shoe.

It can of course without its functional characteristics being affected be realized in a wide range of colors to respect the overall aesthetics of the shoe.

Claims (10)

Stretchable and self-locking lace (1), comprising a flexible non-elastic envelope (2) encasing an elastic core, characterized in that said elastic core consists of elastic rubber threads (3) and that said envelope (2) comprises false balls (12), said false balls (12) being able, on the one hand, to stretch under a traction action applied to the lace on either side of said false balls (12) to allow the lacing and the tightening a shoe (4) on one foot and able, on the other hand, to reform after loosening said traction action to maintain the tightening of said shoe (4) by said lace (1), said elastic core and said false balls (12) allowing adaptation and distribution of the tightening of said shoe by said lace according to the morphological variations of the foot in said shoe. Shoe lace according to claim 1, characterized in that said casing (2) comprises alternately with said false balls (12) filiform portions (11) of smaller diameter than said false balls (12). The lace of claim 2, characterized in that said false balls (12) have a diameter at least 1.5 times larger than the diameter of said filiform portions (11). Lace according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said false balls (12) have a diameter at least 1.5 times greater than the diameter of said lace. Lace according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of said filiform portions (11) between said false balls (12) is at least 1 cm. Lace according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic core consists of at least five elastic threads (3), and preferably at least seven elastic threads (3). Lace according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said envelope (2) inelastic is braided, said false balls (12) being formed during the braiding of said envelope. Lace according to claim 7, characterized in that said casing (2) consists of braided polyester yarns. Use of a lace (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for lacing a shoe (4), characterized in that : at first a foot is inserted into the shoe (4) without said lace (1), said shoe comprising lacing means (42) such as eyelets or hooks, then, - The lace (1) is passed in said lacing means (42) of the shoe (4) by exerting on either side of said false balls (12) of the lace a pulling action able to stretch said false balls and allow them to pass in or around said lacing means (42), - Adjusting the tightening of said shoe (4) on the foot by said lace (1) by adjusting the position of said false balls (12) relative to said lacing means (42) of said shoe. Use of a lace (1) according to claim 9, according to which one maintains the position of the lace (1) and the tightening of the shoe (4) on the foot by an abutment placement of at least one said false ball ( 12) of said lace against each said lacing means (42) of the shoe.

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