EP1810584B1 - Rope cleat - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shoe with a cord holder, ie a device for receiving a cord and blocking the cord in a certain position to maintain a tightening for example.

The document CH443970 describes a solution for tightening and closing a shoe that rests on a lace through several passers-shaped closed loop to allow the bringing together of two shoe parts separated by a notch to obtain the tightening of the shoe. This solution further comprises a last pass with a lace locking element in the upper part of the shoe to allow the maintenance of the tightening performed. This locking means can be manually unlocked for the opening of the shoe. The main disadvantage of this solution comes from the fact that as the tightening of the lace is done manually by pulling the two yarn strands coming out of the last blocker loop in the upper part of the boot, a minimum length of the lace is necessary to allow this manipulation. In addition, as the lace has a length allowing a fairly large clamping amplitude, these strands exceeding the clamping zone towards the top of the boot can have a significant length after tightening and represent a bulk and a significant disadvantage since they risk then accidentally hang on during the practice of a sport for example. In addition, this solution is not user friendly since the user must invent a way to hang these strands protruding excessively in the upper part of the shoe to limit the risks mentioned above, which also often has a detrimental effect on the overall aesthetics of the shoe. Finally, this solution requires manual intervention directly on the blocking pass at least to unlock it, which is not user friendly.

Another solution of the prior art is described in the document FR2473280 which rests on a specific lace having notches spaced along its length. A major disadvantage of this solution is to require this particular lace.

A general object of the present invention is a solution for locking a drawstring of a garment that does not include the foregoing disadvantages.

More specifically, a first object of the present invention is a solution for guiding and locking a bead which does not require a large length of the bead inducing the presence of troublesome strands outside the clamping zone.

A second object of the present invention is a solution for guiding and tightening a cord friendly.

A third object of the present invention is a guiding and clamping solution operating with any conventional cord such as a smooth and uniform shoe lace.

The invention is based on a shoe with a drawstring fastener according to claim 1.

The locking element can be rotatably mounted about an axis on the base with a biasing means which tends to maintain it in the first locking position. The blocking member may be rotatable about this axis by a force having a vertical component exerted by pulling the cord in a direction perpendicular to the base of the blocking passer so as to allow complete release and insertion. cord.

According to an advantageous variant, the locking element has a rounded upper surface at its proximity to the upper part of the passing element, which also has a rounded upper surface, in order to facilitate the total release and re-insertion of the bead.

The locking member may have a blocking surface including teeth for cooperating with a conventional smooth cord or lace. In addition, this blocking surface can form a cam promoting the sliding of the cord in the tightening direction only.

According to a first variant, the passing element may comprise a cylindrical base forming a smooth sliding surface and a cap positioned on the cylindrical base which prevents the escape of the cord vertically to the base in a locking configuration.

According to a second variant, the passing element and the base belong to the same part, the passing element having a gutter shape defining a curved hollow portion and smooth surface for the positioning and sliding of the cord and a flange.

According to a variant, the locking element is rotatably mounted on the base and comprises an opening in which is positioned a return spring whose one end is in abutment on a protuberance of the base and a second end is in abutment. on the blocking element.

Finally, the invention also relates to a sports shoe comprising a smooth lace and a cord holder as defined above placed in the upper part of the lacing zone of the shoe.

The lace of such a shoe may have a length such that the extreme strands exceed less than 10 centimeters beyond the blocking passer in the rest position of the shoe in which the lace is stretched.

• La figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un bloqueur de cordon selon un premier mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de face du bloqueur de cordon selon le premier mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de face d'un bloqueur de cordon selon un second mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue arrière en perspective éclatée du bloqueur de cordon selon le second mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une vue avant en perspective éclatée du bloqueur de cordon selon le second mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la figure 6 représente une chaussure implémentant un cordon bloqueur selon l'invention dans une phase de serrage ;
• la figure 7 représente la chaussure précédente en configuration de serrage et blocage.

These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given in a non-limiting manner in relation to the appended figures among which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of a cord locker according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a front view of the cord locker according to the first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 3 is a front view of a cord locker according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 4 is an exploded perspective rear view of the cord locker according to the second embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 5 is an exploded perspective front view of the cord locker according to the second embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 6 represents a shoe implementing a blocking cord according to the invention in a tightening phase;
• the figure 7 represents the previous shoe in clamping and locking configuration.

The cord blocker of the first embodiment of the invention, illustrated on the Figures 1 and 2 , comprises a first element 1 in the form of a mushroom whose function is a cord loop function, a second element 2 cooperating with this first element and whose function is more precisely the locking of the cord, these two elements 1, 2 being mounted on a base 3 for attachment to a shoe.

The first member passing 1 has a cylindrical base 4 intended to be at least partially traversed by a cord, surmounted by a cap 6 which ensures a maintenance of the cord against this base 4 and on the base 3, avoiding that it escapes too easily from above in case of unstretched cord for example. The cylindrical base 4 of the passage 1 has a smooth cylindrical surface which promotes the sliding of the bead and is close to a toothed portion 8 of the second locking element 2, these two elements 1, 2 thus delimiting a restricted space 5 for the passage cord. The locking element 2 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis 7 at the base 3, a not shown spring acting on this element in the direction of rotation towards the first passing element 1, to a stop position corresponding to a locking configuration of the cord blocking passer as illustrated on the figure 1 .

In the normal abutment configuration of the locking element 2, the space 5 between the teeth of the surface 8 of the locking element 2 and the cylindrical base 4 of the passer has a dimension slightly smaller than the diameter of the cord for to cooperate with this passing blocker to ensure the pressure of the teeth against the cord and obtain the maintenance of the cord. A pull of the cord in the tightening direction will allow to exert a force, illustrated by the arrow F on the figure 2 , opposing the return spring of the locking element 2 and causing its slight rotation to allow the sliding of the cord in the space 5 in the direction of the arrow F, inducing tightening of the shoe. The shape of the surface 8 and its teeth is adapted to facilitate the sliding of the cord in the direction of tightening by causing a slight rotation of the blocking element 2 about its axis 7 to allow and accompany this movement against the axis 4 which fulfills its guiding and passing function. For this, the end surface 8 of the blocking element forms a curved cam whose teeth are further and further away from the axis of rotation 7 when one moves away in the direction of arrow F.

On the contrary, any traction of the cord in the opposite direction to the tightening tends to cause, under the combined effect of the teeth and the shape of the surface 8 of the locking element 2 described above, the rotation of this element 2 towards its stop position against the passer 1, rotation assisted by the force of the return spring. When the stop is reached, this rotation is impossible and any traction in this direction opposite the arrow F causes a greater penetration of the teeth of the locking element 2 in the bead and the maintenance of the latter in its position. Thus, any tightening of a cord is well maintained by the cord lock device which allows only one direction of sliding of the cord.

According to the main characteristic of the invention, the blocking passer also allows the total release of the bead. For this, pulling the cord in a direction away vertically from the base 3 of the blocking passing device will cause the cord to the flange 6 of the upper part of the passer 1 and its sliding between the two elements 1, 2, favored by a curved shape of the element 6 on the one hand and secondly by the rounded upper portion 9 disposed at the end of the element 2 near the cap 6 of the passing element 1. These two Curved shapes form a funnel that promotes the sliding of the cord. The tensile force exerted on the cord creates a force having a component perpendicular to the base 3 and will cause a spacing of the locking element 2 by its rotation about the axis 7, opposing the force of return by the return spring to a position as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 in which the cord not shown will be able to completely escape the blocking device by the space created in the upper part of this device, between the upper parts 6 and 9 of the elements 1 and 2. Note, the pull on the cord in this release maneuver also comprises a component in the tightening direction which also participates in the rotation of the locking element 2.

Conversely, it is possible to reintroduce the cord into the device passing blocker, by a relatively inverse maneuver. For this, simply place the cord above the device in the border area between the two elements 1, 2 and exert traction on the cord with a vertical component to the base 3 of the device. Such a force will allow the sliding of the cord on the rounded portions at the top of the elements 1, 2, the spacing of the locking element 2 from its abutment position and the lowering of the cord in the space 5 against the base 4 of the passing element 1, the locking element 2 resuming its normal position of abutment and locking under the effect of its return spring. As a reminder, this reinsertion phase of the cord advantageously comprises pulling the cord with a component in the tightening direction F to promote the rotation of the locking element 2.

This blocking loop therefore has the advantage of allowing the complete release of the cord and its reinsertion in a user-friendly and easy manner, without requiring manipulation of the device itself, but only by pulling on the ends of the cord. This advantage of the blocking passer will be detailed when describing its application for a sports shoe, with reference to the Figures 6 and 7 .

A second embodiment of the cordon-on loop is illustrated on the Figures 3 to 5 , in which the base 13 and the passage 11 represent a single piece on which is mounted a cord locking element 12. The passing element 11 has the shape of a rounded gutter comprising a hollow portion smooth and curved 14 in which lodges a cord and an upper rim 16 to maintain it in its position. The base 13 comprises an axis 17 on which can cooperate an opening 22 of the locking element 12 for its rotational mounting on this base around this axis 17. This locking element 12 further comprises a second opening 21 in which a compression spring 19 is housed, one end of which is in abutment with a protuberance 20 of the base 13, positioned in the opening 21 of the locking element 12, while its second end bears against this element of Blocking 12. This spring 19 thus acts as a return spring which tends to maintain the locking element in a locking configuration in which its toothed surface 18 is close to the hollow portion 14 of the passer 11, at a slightly smaller distance. the diameter of the cord to be blocked, thereby defining a space 15 in which the cord is able to move in the direction of tightening. The base 13 of the device is suitable for attachment to a garment or shoe by a rivet through the opening 22 and the central opening of the axis 17 of the device.

The operation of this blocking cord is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above. The locking element 12 comprises a rounded surface 29 at the upper part of the toothed surface 18, which promotes the sliding of the cord during its release and re-insertion phases. Similarly, the channel 11 has a curved end to promote both the release and the insertion of a cord.

The Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the use of a passing blocker according to the invention on a sports shoe. However, an implementation on any other garment on which the same technical problem would arise would also be possible. The shoe comprises a central notch 30 occupied by a classic smooth lace 31 which goes back and forth between passers-by 32 distributed on both sides of the notch. On each side of the notch, the last passer is a blocking passer 33 according to the invention.

The figure 6 illustrates a clamping phase of the shoe, in which the two end strands 34 of the lace 31 are relatively short and are positioned outside the blocker 33 to facilitate their grip over a whole length beyond the last single pass 32. In note, the lace 31 can also be removed from some other loops 32 for a progressive tightening from bottom to top, for example. Once the tightening is done, the user holds the two strands 34 in his hands and positions them in their housing in the blocking loops 33 which will then maintain this clamping automatically. It will then be possible to finalize the tightening by a new traction on these strands 34, the blocking pass 33 authorizing the sliding of the lace 31 in the tightening direction. The figure 7 illustrates the final configuration of the shoe when the lace is tight. This solution therefore allows a good tightening of the shoe even with a lace 31 shorter than in the prior art, the two end strands 34 may only exceed a very short length of the blocking loops 33.

A rest position of the shoe is defined in which the two parts of the shoe around the notch 30 are in their natural position, on which the lace 31 exerts no stress. Thanks to the solution of the invention, it is possible to choose a lace length such that in this rest position of the shoe, the lace 31 stretched without exerting stress on the two parts 35 of the shoe travels all passersby 32 and has two strands 34 protruding blocking passers 33 of a few centimeters only, for example 5 centimeters, and preferably less than 10 centimeters.

An essential characteristic of the blocking passers according to the invention is therefore their ability to completely release a cord in a simple and user-friendly manner. For this, a space is released above the cord so as to remove or reposition in the blocking pass in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base of the blocking pass.

• la longueur du lacet est minimale tout en permettant un serrage efficace grâce à un élément de blocage ;
• la solution est conviviale puisque le passant bloqueur se comporte finalement de manière similaire à un passant classique. Un utilisateur peut enlever ou positionner un lacet contre le passant bloqueur par des manipulations très similaires avec celles effectuées avec un lacet et un passant sans élément de blocage ;
• la solution permet l'utilisation d'un lacet comprenant une poignée, voire un simple noeud, à l'extrémité de ses deux brins pour faciliter la traction manuelle, puisque le lacet n'a pas besoin d'être passé dans des boucles fermées de petites dimensions ;
• enfin, la solution est simple, peu coûteuse, et esthétique.

This solution thus makes it possible to respond to the objects of the invention and to offer the following advantages:

• the length of the lace is minimal while allowing effective tightening thanks to a locking element;
• the solution is user-friendly since the blocking pass-through finally behaves similarly to a conventional pass-through. A user can remove or position a lace against the blocking by manipulations very similar to those made with a lace and a passer without blocking element;
• the solution allows the use of a lace comprising a handle, or even a simple knot, at the end of its two strands to facilitate manual traction, since the lace does not need to be passed in closed loops of small dimensions;
• finally, the solution is simple, inexpensive, and aesthetic.

Claims (14)

1. A sports shoe, comprising a smooth shoestring (31) and a lace-blocking loop (33) placed at the top of the lacing zone of the sports shoe, characterized in that the lace-blocking loop comprises a seat (3; 13) on which is located a first loop member (1; 11) with a sliding zone (4; 14) for receiving and facilitating sliding of a lace, and a second blocking member (2; 12) having a blocking surface (8; 18) intended for cooperating with the lace so as to prevent sliding thereof in a loosening direction, and to allow sliding thereof in a tightening direction, and characterized in that the lace-blocking loop comprises a gap at the top adapted for completely releasing the lace in a direction substantially perpendicular to the seat (3; 13) of the lace-blocking loop, and in that the loop member comprises a flange at the top thereof preventing the lace in a blocking configuration from escaping vertically to the seat.
2. The sports shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the lace-blocking loop is adapted for inserting a lace in a direction substantially perpendicular to the seat (3; 13) of the lace-blocking loop.
3. The sports shoe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lace-blocking loop is adapted for completely releasing and automatically reinserting the lace simply by manually pulling the lace, without requiring any manual intervention on the device as such.
4. The sports shoe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking member (2; 12) is rotatingly mounted about an axis (7; 17) on the seat (3; 13) with a return means (19) tending to maintain the same in a first blocking position.
5. The sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the blocking member (2; 12) is adapted for rotating about the axis (7; 17) when it is subjected to a force having a vertical component applied by pulling the lace in a direction perpendicular to the seat (3; 13) of the blocking loop so as to allow for the lace to be completely released and inserted.
6. The sports shoe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking member (2; 12) has a top surface (9; 29) rounded where it is adjacent to the top part (6; 16) of the loop member (1; 11) which also has a rounded top surface, in order to facilitate complete release and reinsertion of the lace.
7. The sports shoe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking member (2; 12) has a blocking surface (8; 18) comprising teeth for cooperating with a conventional lace or smooth shoestring.
8. The sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the blocking surface (8; 18) forms a cam promoting sliding of the lace only in the tightening direction.
9. The sports shoe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loop member (1) is adapted for guiding the shoestring.
10. The sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the loop member (1) has a cylindrical base forming a smooth sliding surface (4) and a cap (6) positioned on the cylindrical base preventing the lace in a blocking configuration from escaping vertically to the seat.
11. The sports shoe according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the loop member (11) and the seat (13) belong to the same part.
12. The sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the loop member (11) has the shape of a groove delimiting a curved hollow portion (14) having a smooth surface for positioning and sliding of the lace, and a flange (16).
13. The sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the blocking member (12) is rotatingly mounted on the seat (13) and comprises an opening (21) wherein a return spring (19) is positioned a first end of which is in abutment against a protuberance (20) of the seat (13) and a second end is resting on the blocking member (12).
14. The sports shoe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoestring (31) has a length such that the outermost strands (34) extend by at least 10 centimeters beyond the blocking loop (33) in the resting position of the shoe wherein the shoestring (31) is tensioned.

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