EP4262468A1

EP4262468A1 - Closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory

Info

Publication number: EP4262468A1
Application number: EP21847760.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario Moretti Polegato; Luca SCHIAVO; Michele RAMPIN
Original assignee: Geox SpA
Current assignee: Geox SpA
Priority date: 2020-12-15
Filing date: 2021-12-14
Publication date: 2023-10-25
Also published as: US20240023678A1; CN116583203A; WO2022130190A1; IT202000030926A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a closing system (1) of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, comprising: a lace (2), a substrate (3) having an inner face and an exposed face (6) opposite the inner face, a lace-locking element (4) for adjusting the tension of the lace, which lace-locking element is arranged at the exposed face of the substrate (3) and which is crossed by the lace (2) thus defining a lace portion downstream of the lace¬ locking element (4) comprising two lace segments coming out of the lace-locking element (4), one or more first passages (5) integral with the substrate (3), wherein the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element crosses the one or more first passages (5) thus defining, on the side of the exposed face (6), an end portion of lace (7) extended beyond one or more first passages (5) and which comprises one lace segment or two lace segments not contiguous to each other.

Description

CLOSING SYSTEM OF A SHOE OR CLOTHING ITEM OR ACCESSORY

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The invention concerns a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, thus a shoe or clothing item or accessory, comprising a lace whose tension can be adjusted.

Known art

Nowadays, systems for adjusting the tension and/or closing of clothing items, shoes and accessories which use laces, strings and the like are known.

The most simple systems comprise a lace which, when used for example in a shoe item slipped on the foot of a user, is pulled such as to make the shoe item adhere to the foot. Subsequently, the lace is fastened with a knot to keep the desired tension, i.e. fastened, for example with buckles or sliders, such as to prevent its loosening which could cause the shoe item to slip off. The operations set forth above lead to having a so to say excess lace portion which is, whenever the lace is fastened with a knot, downstream of the latter and which can be more or less long. The excess portion lies outside of the show item and is free to float following the movements of the shoe item, thus constituting a potential danger since it can get caught in outer objects, thus loosening the knot or tearing, or even making the user trip. Moreover, the excess portion can annoyingly bounce on the outside of the shoe item while moving about. Finally, the excess portion constitutes an element which influences the aesthetic of the shoe item and which can limit its freedom of design.

Solutions for placing the excess lace portion inside a container or casing to be applied to a shoe item are also known, such as for example the solution described in the Patent US 9,867,431 B2. Although advantageous, such solution is not devoid of drawbacks, thus resulting, for example, rather complicated since the container comprises various components and also substantially changes the aspect of the shoe item onto which it is applied.

The solution suggested by the Patent US 4,999,888, which describes a device for retaining laces of a shoe, provided with strips of material of the “hook and loop” type which, after having been coupled to the excess portion of the lace, are rolled-up on themselves, is also known. Also this solution is not devoid of drawbacks since there is a real risk of ruining the lace, which can be tom apart from the material of the “hook and loop” type. Moreover and disadvantageous^, the lace retaining device takes on considerable volume once the aforesaid strips are rolled-up on themselves, thus making it difficult, for example, to drive vehicles, in addition to substantially changing the aspect of the shoe item onto which it is applied. Still disadvantageously, the lace retaining device does not allow to adjust the lace once the latter has been rolled-up.

The solution described in the Patent US 4,967,454, which allows to secure the free end of a lace whose tension is adjusted by a movable slider through removable connection means for connecting with the upper of a shoe, is also known. However, the free end of the lace can unexpectedly disconnect from the shoe upper, for example for the wearing or breaking of the connection means, or because the lace gets caught in an outer obstacle. Disadvantageously, in this case, the entire lace portion downstream of the movable slider is allowed to move freely and to dangerously and annoyingly dangle. Moreover, when desiring to increase the tension of the lace, such will inconveniently increase the excess lace portion with consequent increase of the risk that the lace gets caught in outer objects.

The solution described in the Patent application US 2006/0143949 Al, which depicts a shoe provided with a flap and a lace which comes in and out of a slider, which slider adjusts its tension, thus forming a slot at whose end a patch of material provided with removable connecting means for connecting with the flap is attached, is also known. In this case, the same drawbacks as those highlighted above with reference to the solution suggested in the document US 4,967,454 are substantially noticed.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem underlying the present invention was to provide a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, thus a shoe or clothing item or accessory, having features such as to overcome one or more of the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art. According to the invention, the aforesaid problem is solved by a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, comprising: a lace for closing said shoe or clothing item or accessory, a substrate at which at least one portion of the aforesaid lace is arranged, wherein the aforesaid substrate has an inner face or first face and an exposed face, also defined outer face or second face, opposite the aforesaid inner face, a lace-locking element for adjusting the tension of the aforesaid lace, wherein the aforesaid lace-locking element is arranged at the aforesaid exposed face of the aforesaid substrate and wherein the aforesaid lace crosses the aforesaid lace-locking element, thus defining a lace portion downstream of the aforesaid lace-locking element comprising two lace segments coming out of the aforesaid lace-locking element, one or more first passages integral with the aforesaid substrate, wherein the aforesaid lace portion downstream of the aforesaid lace-locking element crosses the aforesaid one or more first passages thus defining, on the side of the aforesaid exposed face, an end portion of lace extended beyond the aforesaid one or more first passages, comprising a lace segment or two lace segments not adjacent to each other, i.e. not contiguous to each other.

The term “lace” is used herein in its most general and common meaning and thus denotes any lace and the like of the type known in the known art, thus of the type of a cord, string, small string, shoelace, band and similar flexible elements, which can possibly be elastic or partially elastic and which can comprise two free ends or be like a closed ring.

The term “substrate” means a portion of the aforesaid shoe or a portion of the aforesaid clothing item or accessory at which at least one portion of the aforesaid lace is provided, thus the present closing system is provided adapted for lacing, fastening, tightening or stretching the aforesaid lace which thus somehow closes the aforesaid shoe or the aforesaid clothing item or accessory.

According to the above, the aforesaid substrate can thus be for example a flap or portion of a shoe flap, a shoe upper portion, a collar portion, a lapel portion, a chest portion, a hood portion, a waist portion or a leg portion of a clothing item, such as for example a jacket, a coat, a vest, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a pair of pants or shorts, a skirt and the like, or can be a portion of a hat or a glove or a bag or similar clothing accessories.

The expressions “inner face” and “first face”, which are equivalent to each other, mean a side of the aforesaid substrate essentially facing a user wearing the aforesaid shoe or wearing the aforesaid clothing item or accessory, or anyhow facing the inside of a clothing accessory whenever the latter is constituted by a bag or the like, for example.

The expressions “exposed face,” “second face” and “outer face,” which are equivalent to each other, mean a side of the aforesaid substrate essentially facing the opposite part with respect to a user wearing the aforesaid shoe or wearing the aforesaid clothing item or accessory, or anyhow facing the outside of a clothing accessory whenever the latter is constituted by a bag or the like, for example.

The term “passage” means any path or length, more or less extended, crossed by the aforesaid lace which thus extends both upstream and downstream of the path, wherein the path preferably, although not exclusively, comprises at least one respective portion fully surrounding the aforesaid lace.

In the scope of the present invention, the terms “passage” and “path”, being equivalent to each other, are thus interchangeable.

The expression “passage integral with the substrate” and the like means that the aforesaid passage is placed directly on the aforesaid substrate or placed at a fixed or almost fixed distance from the substrate since it cannot be separated therefrom, such as the aforesaid lace, when crossing the aforesaid passage, stays constrained at the latter to the substrate.

According to the above and according to the present invention, it can be stated, in generalized form, that the aforesaid end portion of lace extended beyond the aforesaid one or more first passages has an extent smaller than the extent of the aforesaid lace portion extended downstream of the aforesaid lace-blocking element. This is advantageous because it allows to reduce the possibly free to float lace portion which, in the known solutions, substantially corresponds to the entire lace length downstream of a lace-locking device, whenever present, whereas according to the invention the aforesaid possibly free to float lace portion is reduced to the aforesaid end portion of lace.

In practice, the aforesaid end portion of lace corresponds to an exposed lace portion extended on the aforesaid substrate beyond the aforesaid one or more first passages.

The present closing system is further advantageous because it allows to adjust the tension of the lace, thus keeping it substantially adherent to the shoe or clothing item or accessory.

The present closing system is further advantageous because it allows to adjust the tension of the lace in an almost immediate way, since it is sufficient to lengthen or shorten the aforesaid end portion of lace and to so to say “photograph” the optimal length for future uses with the visual memory.

The present closing system is further advantageous because it allows to provide, in an almost immediate way, the tension variation of the lace deriving from a given variation of the length of the aforesaid end portion of lace. This is possible from the moment that, as mentioned with respect to the known solutions, the free to float lace portion coincides substantially with the aforesaid end portion of lace, always of limited extent and anyhow less extended than the aforesaid lace portion extended downstream of the lace-locking element and thus easily perceivable, in a variation of its length, by the human eye.

Anyway, in order to further facilitate the above, the present closing system preferably comprises signaling means for indicating the tension of the aforesaid lace, the signaling means being selected from the group comprising: notches arranged on the lace, markings drawn, colored or applied on the lace, lace portions having different colors from each other, and combination thereof.

In practice, the aforesaid signaling means are distinctive signs of a given length or placed at a given distance one from the other and adapted to simplify the lace adjusting operations.

As far as the aforesaid end portion of lace is still concerned, and in particular the aforesaid one or more first passages delimiting it, it should be said that, according to the present invention, the aforesaid one or more first passages can be obtained in various ways.

According to an embodiment of the invention, for example, the aforesaid closing system comprises at least one restraining element, preferably of elongated shape, constrained to the aforesaid substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on the aforesaid exposed face defining, with the aforesaid substrate, the aforesaid one or more first passages.

The aforesaid at least one restraining element, or at least the aforesaid visible portion, is in this case a sort of eyelet preferably constituted by a band, eventually elastic, comprising ends fastened to the aforesaid substrate, for example by gluing or sewing, and a central portion comprised between the aforesaid ends which can be released from the substrate and under which the lace passes, or which can itself be fastened to the substrate at a middle portion thereof, for example by gluing or sewing, thus forming two loops which make, with the substrate, two first passages inside which the lace passes, i.e. a lace segment for each of the aforesaid two first passages. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid at least one restraining element can be a sort of eyelet constituted by a band having longitudinal edges fastened to the substrate, for example by gluing or sewing, such as to form two loops which make, with the substrate, two first passages inside which the lace passes, a lace segment for each of the aforesaid two first passages. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid at least one restraining element can be a sort of eyelet made by a filiform element, possibly like a closed ring and possibly elastic, which passes through the aforesaid substrate and fastens thereto. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, more than one restraining element can be provided, for example, two restraining elements of the aforesaid type can be provided, for example two separate bands, each defining a respective first passage, or two filiform elements, possibly criss-crossed, each defining at least one respective first passage.

As far as the aforesaid one or more first passages are still concerned, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the aforesaid closing system comprises at least one restraining element constrained to the aforesaid substrate and having at least one visible portion, possibly elongated, arranged on the aforesaid exposed face which is provided with at least one opening, i.e. with at least one through hole, defining at least one first passage, thus the aforesaid one or more first passages.

In this case, the aforesaid at least one restraining element can be a sort of small plate, patch, band or a so-named D-ring fastened to the aforesaid substrate for example by gluing or sewing and having an opening defining a first passage, or having several openings defining more than one first passage, for example two, three or four openings defining respectively two, three or four first passages, wherein the aforesaid several openings can be arranged on the aforesaid at least one restraining element at the same level or at different levels. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, more than one restraining element can be provided, for example two restraining elements of the aforesaid type can be provided, each equipped with a respective opening. In the event of several openings arranged at different levels from each other, according to the above, it is clear that the aforesaid end portion of lace or exposed portion of lace corresponds to the lace portion extending beyond all the aforesaid openings arranged at different levels, i.e. extending beyond all the first passages.

As far as the aforesaid one or more first passages are still concerned, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the aforesaid closing system comprises at least one restraining element constrained to the aforesaid substrate and having at least one visible portion, possibly elongated, arranged on the aforesaid exposed face which is folded, possibly on itself, and defines a first passage.

In this case, the aforesaid at least one restraining element and in particular the aforesaid at least one visible portion can be a band fastened to the aforesaid substrate for example by gluing or sewing, which band is folded on itself at an end portion, thus achieving a slot defining a first passage. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid at least one restraining element and in particular the aforesaid at least one visible portion can be a folded band, possibly elastic, fastened to the aforesaid substrate by sewing or gluing, or a folded filiform element, possibly elastic, fastened to the aforesaid substrate by sewing or gluing, thus defining, in the respective fold or folded portion, a first passage. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid at least one restraining element, in the shape of a folded band or a folded filiform element, can cross the aforesaid substrate to fasten to the latter and can possibly be like a closed ring. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, more than one restraining element can also be provided, for example two bands of the aforesaid type, two filiform elements of the aforesaid type or a band and a filiform element of the type considered above can be provided.

As far as the aforesaid one or more first passages are still concerned, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the aforesaid closing system comprises at least one restraining element constrained to the aforesaid substrate and having at least one visible portion, preferably elongated, arranged on the aforesaid exposed face, and a pierced element combined with the at least one visible portion, wherein the aforesaid at least one pierced element defines a first passage.

The aforesaid at least one restraining element and in particular the aforesaid at least one visible portion therein can be a band or a filiform element fastened to the aforesaid substrate, for example by gluing or sewing, with a bodkin ring which can define a first passage. As an alternative or similarly to what is set forth above, more than one restraining element can also be provided, for example two bands or two filiform elements or a band and a filiform element of the aforesaid type with two respective bodkin rings defining two first passages, can be provided.

As far as the aforesaid one or more first passages are still concerned, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the aforesaid closing system comprises at least one restraining element constrained to the aforesaid substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on the aforesaid exposed face, wherein the aforesaid at least one restraining element is like a closed ring.

In this case, the aforesaid at least one restraining element and possibly the aforesaid at least one visible portion can be a bodkin ring fastened, for example by sewing or gluing, to the aforesaid substrate.

As far as the aforesaid one or more first passages are still concerned, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, they can be made directly on the aforesaid substrate.

In this case, the aforesaid substrate is provided with through openings and is in particular provided with at least one opening for the passage of the aforesaid lace from the aforesaid exposed face to the aforesaid inner face and with at least one opening for the passage of the aforesaid lace from the aforesaid inner face to the aforesaid exposed face. In this case, the aforesaid lace portion downstream of the aforesaid lace-locking element is partially extended on the side of the aforesaid inner face of the substrate. Similarly to the above, it should be said that the aforesaid substrate is preferably provided with two through openings for the passage of the aforesaid lace from the aforesaid exposed face to the aforesaid inner face and with two through openings for the passage of the aforesaid lace from the aforesaid inner face to the aforesaid exposed face.

According to all the embodiments provided above, it should be said that according to the present invention, the aforesaid closing system preferably comprises a second passage and a third passage that are integral with the aforesaid substrate and arranged with respect to the aforesaid lace-locking element on the opposite part of the aforesaid one or more first passages, wherein the aforesaid lace crosses the aforesaid second passage and the aforesaid third passage.

The aforesaid second passage and the aforesaid third passage are advantageous since they allow to guide the lace in an optimal direction for entering the inside the aforesaid lace-locking element.

In practice, the aforesaid second path and the aforesaid third path constitute orienting means for orienting the aforesaid lace upstream of the lace-locking element, as the aforesaid one or more first passages constitute restraining means for constraining the aforesaid lace to the aforesaid substrate downstream of the lace-locking element, in particular in a position as distal as possible from the latter, thus reducing the visible lace portion which is possibly free to float, i.e. free to move.

In this regard, according to the above, it should be said that the aforesaid restraining means can be made symmetrically or can be asymmetrical, i.e. can comprise portions substantially corresponding to each other made in a different way, as the aforesaid third path and the aforesaid second path can be implemented in the same way, thus making the aforesaid orienting means symmetrical, or can be implemented in two ways different from each other, thus making the aforesaid orienting means asymmetrical.

Moreover, according to the above, the aforesaid orienting means and the aforesaid restraining means can be made substantially in the same way or can be made in ways different from each other. In other words, according to the invention, the aforesaid second passage and the aforesaid third passage can be implemented substantially equal to each other and equal, substantially equal, partially equal or different to/than the aforesaid one or more first passages.

Thus, according to the above and to the present invention, in some embodiments, the aforesaid closing system preferably comprises at least one orienting element for directing the aforesaid lace and which is constrained to the aforesaid substrate and has at least one visible portion arranged on the aforesaid exposed face, wherein the aforesaid at least one visible portion defines, with the aforesaid substrate, the aforesaid second passage and/or the aforesaid third passage; or wherein the aforesaid at least one visible portion is provided with at least one through opening defining the aforesaid second passage or the aforesaid third passage; or wherein the aforesaid at least one visible portion is folded, possibly on itself, thus defining the aforesaid second passage or the aforesaid third passage; or wherein the aforesaid at least one restraining element comprises a pierced element combined with the aforesaid at least one visible portion, which pierced element defines the aforesaid second passage or the aforesaid third passage.

Coherently with what has just been set forth, it is clear that what is described above for the aforesaid at least one restraining element is valid, mutatis mutandis, for the aforesaid at least one orienting element, wherein the aforesaid second passage and/or the aforesaid third passage is or are implemented similarly to the aforesaid one or more first passages, as further confirmed hereunder, keeping into account that the aforesaid lace crosses the aforesaid orienting means in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the aforesaid lace crosses the aforesaid restraining means. In other words, the aforesaid lace has portions locally perpendicular to each other or almost perpendicular to each other at the aforesaid second passage, at the aforesaid third passage and respectively at the aforesaid one or more first passages.

The aforesaid at least one orienting element is advantageous also because, by coming into contact with the lace, it absorbs part of the tension acting on the latter, consequently decreasing the overall stress acting on the aforesaid lace-locking element and thus decreasing the risk of damaging it or even breaking it.

According to the above and according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the aforesaid second passage and/or the aforesaid third passage and thus the aforesaid orienting means can be implemented directly on the aforesaid substrate.

In this case, the aforesaid substrate is provided with through openings and is in particular provided, at the aforesaid second passage, with two openings for the passage of the aforesaid lace from the aforesaid exposed face to the aforesaid inner face and respectively from the aforesaid inner face to the aforesaid exposed face and/or wherein the aforesaid substrate is provided, at the aforesaid third passage, with two openings for the passage of the aforesaid lace from the aforesaid exposed face to the aforesaid inner face and respectively from the aforesaid inner face to the aforesaid exposed face.

According to all the embodiments provided above, it should be said that according to the present invention, the aforesaid closing system preferably comprises at least one attachment combined with the aforesaid end portion of lace, wherein preferably the aforesaid at least one attachment has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the aforesaid restraining means, i.e. the aforesaid one or more first passages.

The aforesaid attachment is preferably constituted by a patch of fabric, leather or synthetic material.

The aforesaid at least one attachment is advantageous because it allows an improved grip, for example by a hand, on the lace such as to carry out the adjusting operations thereof.

Advantageously, the aforesaid at least one attachment further allows not to directly touch the lace when, for example, the hands are dirty or anyhow when wanting to avoid contaminating the lace, for example, with the grease naturally present on the skin of the hands.

According to the above, it should however be noted that the aforesaid at least one attachment is not necessary to allow a user to grasp the lace since, according to the present invention, the aforesaid end portion of lace, whether exposed or visible, is always provided in addition to the aforesaid one or more first passages, even though the presence of the aforesaid at least one attachment with dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the aforesaid restraining means further and constantly ensures the permanence of a lace portion extended beyond the aforesaid one or more first passages.

According to all the embodiments provided above, it should be said that according to the present invention, the aforesaid closing system preferably comprises fastening means for fastening the aforesaid end portion of lace to the aforesaid substrate, wherein the aforesaid fastening means are selected from the group comprising: a hook combined with the aforesaid substrate, a bitt combined with the aforesaid substrate, a buckle combined with the aforesaid substrate, a ring and a hook combined respectively with the aforesaid end portion of lace and with the aforesaid substrate or vice-versa, a couple of so-named hook and loop elements or elements with magnetic interaction, one combined with the aforesaid substrate and the other combined with the aforesaid end portion of lace.

Whenever the aforesaid fastening means comprise a couple of elements interacting with each other, for example a ring and a hook or a couple of so-named hook and hoop elements or elements with magnetic interaction as set forth above, an element of the couple of elements is combined with the aforesaid substrate, as stated, whereas the other element of the couple of elements can possibly be combined with the aforesaid end portion of lace by means of the aforesaid at least one attachment, whenever present, thus it can possibly be combined directly with the aforesaid at least one attachment, whenever present.

The aforesaid fastening means are advantageous since they allow to limit the floating of the aforesaid end portion of lace.

According to all the embodiments provided above, it should be said that the aforesaid lace-locking element, which is preferably, but not exclusively, so to say disengaged from the aforesaid substrate, the lace-locking element being in the preferred embodiments combined therewith only by means of the aforesaid lace, is selected from the group comprising: a lace-locking element provided with a button for locking/releasing the lace, an elastic-ring-like lace-locking element, a lace-locking element provided with two passages in which said two passages preferably have an inner surface of a material with high coefficient of friction in contact with the lace.

Preferably, the aforesaid at least one restraining element, which can be considered a sort of lace-returning element, and the aforesaid at least one orienting element are made of a material selected from the group comprising: leather, fabric, metal, natural or synthetic fibers, polymeric material or a combination thereof.

According to the above and according to the present invention, it should be added that whenever the aforesaid end portion of lace comprises two lace segments not adjacent to each other, i.e. the end portions or free ends of the lace, one or each of these can possibly have a respective enlargement such as not to be able to cross the aforesaid one or more first passages, which is implemented for example by a knot of the same end portion. Anyway, whenever the aforesaid end portion of lace comprises the aforesaid lace segments not adjacent to each other, what is set forth above with reference to the aforesaid at least one attachment and/or with reference to the aforesaid fastening means is valid for one and/or the other of the aforesaid lace segments.

Brief description of the figures

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer in the review of the following detailed description of some preferred, although not exclusive, embodiments illustrated by way of example and without limitations with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 schematically depicts a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, according to the present invention;

- figure 2 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 3 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention, with a respective enlarged detail;

- figure 4 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 5 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 6 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 7 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 8 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 9 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 10 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 11 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 12 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 13 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 14 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 15 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 16 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 17 schematically depicts the closing system of figure 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

- figure 18 schematically depicts a shoe comprising the closing system of figure 11, according to the present invention;

- figure 19 schematically depicts a portion of a clothing item comprising the closing system of figure 11, according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the invention

With reference to figure 1, a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory according to the present invention is generally denoted by 1.

The closing system 1 essentially comprises a lace 2, a substrate 3, a lace-locking element 4 and a passage or first passage 5 integral with the substrate 3 and engaged or anyhow crossed by the lace 2.

In detail, the substrate 3 corresponds to a portion of the aforesaid shoe or the aforesaid item of clothing or accessory at which a lace portion 2 is arranged, and has an inner face, not visible in the example of figure 1, and an exposed face 6 opposite the aforesaid inner face.

The lace-locking element 4, of known type, is adapted for adjusting the tension of the lace 2 and is arranged at the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3.

In particular, the lace 2, along its extent and in succession, crosses the lacelocking element 4, n, the passage or first passage 5 two times and the lace-locking element 4 again. In practice, according to the example of figure 1, the lace 2 defines, downstream of the lace-locking element 4, a closed path, the possibility of providing, downstream of the aforesaid lace-locking element, two lace segments not contiguous to each other, as will become clearer hereunder, not however being excluded.

The aforesaid closed path, thus the lace 2 downstream of the lace-locking element 4, has two intermediate lengths, each denoted by 2a, which are arranged between the lace-locking element 4 and the first passage 5, and an end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passage 5, i.e. downstream of the latter.

The first passage 5, as mentioned integral with the substrate 3, is advantageous because it prevents the lace 2, when the present closing system is in use, to be completely disengaged from the latter, thus always keeping an end length of lace, i.e. the aforesaid end portion of lace 7, sufficient to allow a user to grasp the lace 2 for carrying out the appropriate adjustments. In this regard, for adjusting the tension of the lace 2, the latter is made to slide with respect to the lace-locking element 4.

According to the example of figure 1, the lace-locking element 4 is of the type comprising a button for locking/releasing the lace, denoted by 8, the possibility to provide an appropriately elastic ring-like lace-locking element made of metal or polymeric material and able to generate sufficient friction in contact with the lace such as to prevent the lace from sliding by keeping the desired tension, not however being excluded. It is further possible to provide a lace-locking element provided with two passages having respective inner surfaces of a material with high coefficient of friction in contact with the lace.

Thus, according to the example of figure 1, it is possible to adjust the tension of the lace 2 by pressing on the button 8 such as the lace can slide with respect to the lacelocking element 4. In practice, by pressing on the button 8, the lace 2 is disengaged from the lace-locking element 4, thus being able to be released to loosen the tension or to be pulled such as to increase the tension, by acting on the intermediate lengths 2a and/or on the end portion of lace. 7.

In other words, the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element 4 is made to slide with respect to the first passage 5, thus if the tension of the lace 2 is increased the length of the end portion of lace 7 is increased, or if the tension of the lace 2 is decreased the length of the end portion of lace 7 is decreased. The length of the two intermediate lengths 2a stays substantially unchanged. Once the desired tension has been reached, the button 8 is released, thus locking the position of the lace 2 with respect to the lace-locking element 4.

It should be said that the length of the intermediate lengths 2a and the length of the end portion of lace 7 can be determined according to contingent needs, thus ensuring notable freedom of design.

As far as the first passage 5 is concerned, it should be said that, according to the example of figure 1, the present closing system comprises a restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the first passage 5. In particular, the restraining element 9 is in this case a sort of eyelet constituted by a band or strip, possibly elastic, comprising ends fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and a central portion 9a comprised between the aforesaid ends and not constrained to the substrate 3 and under which the lace 2 passes. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid restraining element can be a sort of eyelet made by a filiform element, possibly like a closed ring, or by a closed-ring strip, which passes through the aforesaid substrate, thus fastening thereto.

According to the example of figure 1, the closing system 1 further comprises an attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7.

The attachment 10 has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the first passage 5, thus such as not to be able to pass under the restraining element 9.

With reference to figure 2, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, in the example of figure 2, a closing system 201 is depicted, wherein the passage or first passage 5, integral with the substrate 3, is directly obtained on the restraining element 9, which is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising a hole or through opening.

In detail, the restraining element 9 comprises in this case two portions preferably defining a preset angle between them, respectively denoted by 9b and 9c, wherein the first passage 5, i.e. the aforesaid hole or aforesaid through opening, is obtained on the portion 9b proximal to the lace-locking element 4.

In practice, in this embodiment, the first passage 5 is crossed by the lace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the surface of extension of the restraining element 9.

The closing system 201 further shows the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7, which has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the first passage 5, thus such as not to be able to cross the aforesaid through opening arranged on the restraining element 9.

The button 8 of the lace-locking element 4, the intermediate lengths 2a of the lace 2 and the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 are also depicted in the example of figure 2.

With reference to figure 3, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, in the example of figure 3, a closing system 301 is depicted, wherein the passage or first passage 5, integral with the substrate 3, is directly obtained on the restraining element 9 which is a bodkin ring fastened, for example by sewing or gluing, to the substrate 3, and comprising a hole or through opening.

According to the invention, the closing system 301 further comprises fastening means 311 for fastening the end portion of lace 7 to the substrate 3.

According to the example of figure 3, the aforesaid fastening means take the form of a hook combined with the substrate 3, which locks the end portion of lace 7 by hooking onto the lace 2. As an alternative to a hook, the aforesaid fastening means can be selected from the group comprising a bitt combined with the substrate, a buckle combined with the substrate, a ring and a hook combined respectively with the end portion of lace and with the substrate or vice-versa, a couple of so-named hook and loop elements or elements with magnetic interaction, one combined with the substrate and the other combined with the end portion of lace.

Moreover, it should be said that whenever the aforesaid fastening means comprise a couple of elements interacting with each other, for example a ring and a hook or a couple of so-named hook and hoop elements or elements with magnetic interaction as set forth above, an element of the couple of elements is combined with the substrate, as stated, whereas the other element of the couple of elements can possibly be combined with the aforesaid end portion of lace by means of an attachment of the type previously described, whenever present, not depicted in the example of figure 3.

The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8 and the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 are also depicted in the example of figure 3.

With reference to figure 4, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, a closing system 401 comprising two first passages 5, both integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2, is depicted in the example of figure 4.

In this regard, it should be said that according to the invention, the closing system 401 comprises a restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the two first passages 5.

In detail, the restraining element 9 is in this case a sort of eyelet constituted by a band or strip, possibly elastic, comprising ends fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and a central portion 9d comprised between the aforesaid ends and also fastened to the substrate 3 at a middle portion thereof, for example by gluing or sewing, thus forming two loops which make, with the substrate 3, two first passages 5 inside which the lace 2 passes, a lace segment for each of the two first passages 5.

In practice, the lace 2 crosses the first passages 5 by passing under the restraining element 9.

In order to better define the two first passages 5, the restraining element 9 further has, in addition to the central portion 9d fastened to the substrate 3, two intermediate portions fastened to the substrate 3, which are substantially symmetrical with respect to the middle portion 9d, each denoted by 9e.

As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid restraining element can be a sort of eyelet made by a filiform element, possibly like a closed ring, or by a closed-ring strip, which passes through the substrate, thus fastening thereto.

The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8, the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 and the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7 are also depicted in the example of figure 4.

With reference to figure 5, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, a closing system 501 comprising two first passages 5, both integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2, is depicted in the example of figure 5.

In this regard, it should be said that according to the invention, the closing system 501 comprises a restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the two first passages 5.

In detail, the restraining element 9 is in this case a sort of band having longitudinal edges fastened to the substrate, for example by gluing or sewing, such as to form two loops which make, with the substrate, two first passages inside which the lace passes, a lace segment for each of the aforesaid two first passages. The combining of the aforesaid longitudinal edges of the restraining element 9 with the substrate 3, for creating the aforesaid two loops, is thus discontinuous.

In practice, also in this case, the lace 2 crosses the first passages 5 by passing under the restraining element 9.

In order to better define the two first passages 5, the restraining element 9 is also fastened to the substrate 3 at a central portion 9d and at two intermediate portions substantially symmetrical with respect to the central portion 9d, each denoted by 9e.

In this case, the first passages 5 extend along an axis substantially coplanar to the main direction of extension of the restraining element 9. In other words, the first passages 5 are crossed by the lace 2 along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the restraining element 9. This implementation is advantageous since the first passages 5 are obtained without piercing the restraining element 9 and thus without locally altering the structure thereof with the risk of ruining it, damaging it or affecting its duration over time.

The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8 and the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 are also depicted in the example of figure 5.

In detail, as far as the end portion of lace 7 is concerned, it should be said that, in this case according to the present invention, it comprises two lace segments not adjacent to each other, i.e. not contiguous to each other, each denoted by 7a.

According to the example of figure 5, the two lace segments 7a, which in practice correspond to the free ends of the lace whenever the latter is not like a closed ring, have a respective enlargement 7b such as not to be able to cross the respective first passage 5 advantageously implemented by a knot of the same end portion.

With reference to figure 6, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, in the example of figure 6, a closing system 601 is depicted, wherein two first passages 5, integral with the substrate 3, are directly obtained on the restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, which comprises two through openings engaged by the lace 2.

The restraining element 9 is in this case a band combined with the substrate 3 at its exposed face 6 in which the aforesaid two openings are crossed by the lace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the main surface of extension of the band, i.e. of the restraining element 9.

The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8, the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 and the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7 are also depicted in the example of figure 6.

With reference to figure 7, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, a closing system 701 comprising first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2 is depicted in the example of figure 7.

In detail, it should be said that in order to implement the aforesaid first passages 5, the closing system 701 comprises two restraining elements 9 constrained to the substrate 3, each of which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the same substrate 3, a respective first passage as depicted in the example of figure 7, or two respective first passages 5, depending on how the lace is arranged with respect to the two restraining elements 9.

In fact, according to the example of figure 7, the two restraining elements 9 are formed by two filiform elements, possibly elastic and criss-crossed between them, such as to make two eyelets under which the lace 2 can pass in different ways.

In detail, according to the example of figure 7, the lace 2, in its extent, passes under and above the same filiform element, or vice-versa or, better yet, passes alternately under and above one and the other of the restraining elements 9, such as to stay constrained, in use, to the restraining elements 9 themselves. In this case, as stated, the lace crosses two first passages 5.

As an alternative, the lace can always pass, along its extent, under the restraining elements, in this case crossing four first passages, this embodiment not being depicted in the figures.

In any case, as also previously described, each of the first passages 5 is formed by a restraining element 9 and the substrate 3.

Moreover, according to the example of figure 7, it should be said that the restraining elements 9, in order to fasten to the substrate 3, cross the latter in corresponding holes 3a provided on the substrate 3, since they can be like a closed ring or have ends of a size greater than the size of the holes 3a.

The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8, the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 and the attachment 10 in this case having a size which allows it to cross the first passages 5, are also depicted in the example of figure 7.

With reference to figure 8, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, in the example of figure 8, a closing system 801 comprising two first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and directly obtained on the restraining element 9, is depicted, which is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising two through openings or holes. In detail, the restraining element 9 comprises in this case two end portions symmetrical to each other with respect to a central portion, which are denoted respectively by 9b and 9c, and preferably defining two respective preset angles, wherein a first passage 5, i.e. one of the two through openings, is obtained on an end portion 9b proximal to the lace-locking element 4, whereas the other first passage 5 is obtained on the other end portion 9b distal from the lace-locking element 4.

Similarly to what previously described, the first passages 5 are also in this case crossed by the lace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the surface of extension of the restraining element 9 at the aforesaid through openings.

This solution provides a further implementation mode which increases the freedom of design of shoes or clothing items or accessories provided with the present closing system.

The lace-locking element 4 according to an implementation variant thereof is also shown in the example of figure 8. In particular, the lace-locking element 4 is in this case constituted by a strap, for example made of leather, fabric or synthetic material, folded on itself and joined in the center such as to create two tubular passages for the lace 2. In this case, the lace-locking element 4 conveniently locks the lace 2 thanks to the friction generated between the two, once the lace 2 is in tension, for example when the present closing system is part of a shoe that is worn by a user. In order to generate a force of friction sufficient for locking the lace 2 or for anyhow increasing such force, it is sufficient that the surface of the lace-locking element 4 facing the lace 2 is for example made of rubbery material or coated with rubbery varnish. The embodiment of the lace-locking element 4 shown in the example of figure 8 increases the freedom of design and constitutes a particularly economic solution.

Moreover, according to the example of figure 8, it should be said that the lace 2 comprises, in addition to the two intermediate lengths 2a arranged between the lacelocking element 4 and a first passage 5, in this case the first passage 5 proximal to the lace-locking element 4, also two further visible lengths denoted by 2b which can be defined as second intermediate lengths, as in the example of figure 1, in addition to comprising the end portion of lace 7. In particular, the second intermediate lengths 2b are comprised between the two first passages 5 and thus extend between the two aforesaid through openings of the restraining element 9.

This solution is advantageous because it reduces the length of the lace 2 comprised between the lace-locking element 4 and the restraining element 9, thus in practice reducing the length of the intermediate lengths 2a: decreasing this way the possibility that the lace 2 can stay caught in outer objects.

In the example of figure 8, the closing system 801 also shows the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7, which has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the openings of the restraining element 9, and the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3.

With reference to figure 9, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, in the example of figure 9, a closing system 901 comprising four first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and directly obtained on the restraining element 9 is depicted, which is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising four through openings or holes.

In addition to the example of figure 1, as set forth above, as far as the closing system 901 is concerned, reference can be made to the example of figure 8 set forth above and to whose description reference is made, the restraining element 9 of the closing system 901 being entirely similar to the restraining element 9 of the closing system 801, with the exception of the number of first passages 5 provided on the restraining element 9, and of the lace-locking element 4 provided in this case similar to the one depicted in the example of figure 1, thus provided with the button 8.

In particular, as far as the first passages 5 are concerned, it should be said that each of the first passages 5 of the restraining element 9 of the closing system 801 was divided into two first passages 5 within the restraining element 9 of the closing system 901, wherein the first passages were further transformed from elongated slits into substantially circular holes. Thus, what is set forth above for the closing system 801 is valid for the closing system 901, keeping into account that the end portions 9b and the central portion 9c of the restraining element 9, the lace 2 with intermediate lengths 2a and second intermediate lengths 2b, the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3, the end portion of lace 7 and the attachment 10 are also depicted in the example of figure 9.

With reference to figure 10, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, a closing system 1010 comprising two first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and directly obtained on the substrate 3, inside which the lace 2 passes, is depicted in the example of figure 10.

In this case the substrate 3, in addition to being provided with two through openings corresponding to the two first passages 5 beyond which the end portion of lace 7 of the lace 2 extends on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3, comprises two further through openings, each denoted by 3b and also being crossed by the lace 2.

In practice, according to the example of figure 10, the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element 4 is partially extended on the inner side of the substrate 3.

In specific the lace 2, in its extension, passes from the exposed face 6 to the inner face of the substrate 3 through one of the through openings 3b to then pass on the exposed face 6 again through one of the two first passages 5, to then pass on the inner face of the substrate 3 again through the other of the two first passages 5 and to finally return visible on the exposed face 6 by passing within the second through opening 3b.

According to the invention and as shown in the example of figure 10, the present closing system further comprises a second passage 25 and a third passage 35, both integral with the substrate 3 and which are arranged with respect to the lace-locking element 4 on the opposite part of the first passages 5, which are crossed by the lace 2.

This solution is advantageous because it allows to guide the lace 2 in an optimal direction for entering the lace-locking element 4.

An optimal direction is the one that allows to reduce the tension components perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the intermediate lengths 2a and of the end portion of lace 7, as will become clearer hereunder.

According to the example of figure 10, the second passage 25 and the third passage 35 are obtained, as the first passages 5, directly on the substrate 3 which thus has two respective through openings.

Thus, similarly to what is set forth above, the lace 2 extends partially on the side of the inner face 6 of the substrate 3 also upstream of the lace-locking element 4.

In particular, in order that the lace 2 crosses the second passage 25 and the third passage 35, the substrate 3 comprises two further through openings, each denoted by 3c and also crossed by the lace 2.

Thus the lace 2, upstream of the lace-locking element 4 and in this case with a so to say broken extension, i.e. not continuous, passes from the exposed face 6 to the inner face of the substrate 3 through one of the through openings 3c to then pass on the exposed face 6 again through the second passage 25, to then reach the lace-locking element 4, thus crosses, as described above, the first passages 5 and through openings 3b, thus passes within the lace-locking element 4 again, thus passes from the exposed face 6 to the inner face of the substrate 3 through the third passage 35 and finally returns visible on the exposed face 6 by passing within the other through opening 3c.

The closing system 1010 further shows the button 8 of the lace-locking element 4 and the attachment 10.

With reference to figure 11, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of figure 1 and of the closing system of figure 10 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 and for the closing system 1010 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, in the example of figure 11, a closing system 1011 comprising two first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2 and directly obtained on the restraining element 9 is depicted, in which the restraining element 9 is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising two through openings or holes. In detail, it should be noted that the restraining element 9 is in this case entirely similar to the restraining element 9 of the closing system depicted in the example of figure 2, with the exception of comprising two first passages 5 shaped like substantially circular holes instead of a first passage shaped like an elongated slit.

Thus, as far as the first passages 5 and the restraining element 9 are concerned, reference can in this case also be made, in addition to the examples of figures 1 and 10 as described above, to the example of figure 2.

The closing system 1011 further comprises the second passage 25 and the third passage 35 integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2.

As far as the second passage 25 and the third passage 35 are concerned, it should be said that, according to the example of figure 11, the present closing system comprises an orienting element 90 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the second passage 25 and the third passage 35.

In particular, the orienting element 90 is in this case a sort of double eyelet, possibly elastic and constituted by a shaped band or strip fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and comprising two portions facing each other, each denoted by 90a and under which the lace 2 passes.

As stated, the second passage and the third passage are advantageous because they allow to guide the lace 2 in an optimal direction for entering the lace-locking element 4, in this case shown with the button 8.

In particular, an optimal direction is the one that allows to reduce the tension components perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the intermediate lengths 2a and of the end portion of lace 7, herein denoted by L.

In detail, the optimal direction is defined by an angle 0 between 45° and 90°, more preferably between 60° and 90°, still more preferably between 75° and 90°, where the angle 0 is the one comprised between the line perpendicular to the direction L along the center line of the lace-locking element 4 and the half line joining the center line to the second passage 25 or the third passage 35.

The closing system 1011 further shows the attachment 10. With reference to figures 12-17, respective implementation variants of the present invention are depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing systems of figures 1, 10 and 11 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing systems 1, 1010 and 1011 described above and to whose description reference is made.

In particular, the closing systems of the figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively denoted by 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are similar in that they each comprise two first passages 5, the second passage 25 and the third passage 35.

Moreover, the closing systems 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are similar in that the two first passages 5 are obtained from two restraining elements 9 separated from each other and substantially equal and symmetrical to each other, as the second passage 25 and the third passage 25 are obtained from two orienting elements 90 separated from each other and substantially equal and symmetrical to each other.

Moreover, the closing systems 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are similar in that the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90 are made substantially in the same way.

Moreover, in the examples of figures 12-17, the respective closing systems are shown each with the lace-locking element 4 provided with the button 8, with the end portion of lace 7 comprising a single lace segment and with the attachment 10.

Briefly, in the example of figure 12, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and provided with a through opening crossed by the lace 2.

In this case, the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band folded on itself at an end portion 9f, and 90f thereof which defines the aforesaid through opening, wherein the band is fastened to the substrate 3 by sewing or gluing.

In this case, the through openings defining the first passages 5 extend along an axis substantially coplanar to the main direction of extension of the restraining element 9. In other words, the first passages 5 are crossed by the lace 2 along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the restraining element 9. This embodiment is advantageous since the first passages 5 are obtained on the restraining element 9 without piercing it and thus without locally altering the structure thereof with the risk of ruining it, damaging it or affecting its duration over time. This embodiment further provides a variant which differs significantly from an aesthetic point of view from the embodiments above.

Briefly, in the example of figure 13, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a folded visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and defining a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

The aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band combined with the substrate 3 by gluing or sewing and folded substantially in a middle portion which, in the fold portion 9g and 90g, defines the aforesaid passage.

Briefly, in the example of figure 14, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, together with the substrate 3 or by being folded, a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

The aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a filiform element, for example a eyelet made of cord, leather, synthetic or metal material, possibly elastic and possibly like a closed ring, which in this case crosses the substrate 3, thus fastening thereto.

Similarly, the filiform element can be substituted by a shoelace, lace, string or the like.

Briefly, in the example of figure 15, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion fastened to the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3, which is provided with a through opening defining a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

The aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band or strip made of cord, leather, synthetic or metal material and fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing.

Briefly, in the example of figure 16, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and a pierced element combined with the visible portion, which defines a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

In this case, the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band fastened to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and the aforesaid pierced element is constituted by a bodkin ring.

Briefly, in the example of figure 17, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and provided with a through opening defining a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

In this case, the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a so-named D-ring element made for example of a polymeric material generally more economic than the eyelets and fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing.

Figure 18 depicts a shoe 180 according to the present invention.

In particular, according to the example of figure 18, the shoe 180 comprises the closing system 1011 depicted and described with reference to the example of figure 11, although understood that any closing system according to what is set forth above can be provided.

Moreover, it should be said that the closing system 1011 is placed at a flap of the shoe 180, which flap corresponds in this case to the substrate 3 of the closing system 1011, the possibility to provide the closing system 1011 and in general a closing system according to the present invention, in a different portion of the shoe, for example the shoe upper, not however being excluded.

The lace 2, the restraining element 9, the orienting element 90, the lace-locking element 4 and the end portion of lace 7 are further well visible in the example of figure 18.

Figure 19 depicts a portion of a clothing item according to the present invention.

In detail, in the example of figure 19, a hood 190, for example of a sweatshirt or jacket, is shown and comprises the closing system 1011 depicted and described with reference to the example of figure 11, although understood that any closing system according to what is set forth above can be provided, as a closing system according to the present invention can be part of any clothing item or accessory.

According to the example of figure 19, the hood 190, of which one portion, in practice, constitutes the substrate 3 of the closing system 1011, comprises a closing lace which corresponds to the lace 2 of the closing system 1011, which is in this case a so- named circular drawstring, whose portion, not visible from the outside, is depicted with a dashed line.

The restraining element 9, the orienting element 90, the lace-locking element 4 provided with the button 8 and the end portion of lace 7 are further well visible in the example of figure 19.

The solution of the example of figure 19 is advantageous because it allows to reduce the circular drawstring portion, which would otherwise be free to float, and in particular allows to reduce the extent of the end portion of lace 7 whose length (circumference), when the hood is “pulled” or “closed”, must not exceed 150 mm in case of clothing for children from 7 to 14 years of age, according to the EN 14682 standard.

The advantages of the present invention, which appeared clear in the description set forth above, can be summarized by noting that a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory comprising a lace whose tension can be adjusted and which reduces, after having been adjusted, the free lace portion, was provided.

A further advantage lies in the reliability and durability of the present closing system, in addition to the notable freedom of design it allows.

Further advantages are constituted by the limited manufacturing cost which characterizes the present closing system and by the possibility to use known technologies for its implementation.

In order to meet contingent and specific needs, a technician of the field can make numerous changes and modifications to the present invention in the embodiments shown and described, all however included in the scope of protection s of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Closing system (1) of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, comprising: a lace (2), a substrate (3) having an inner face and an exposed face (6) opposite said inner face, a lace-locking element (4) for adjusting the tension of said lace (2), arranged at said exposed face (6) of said substrate (3) and wherein said lace (2) crosses said lacelocking element (4) thus defining a lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element (4) comprising two lace segments coming out of said lace-locking element (4), one or more first passages (5) integral with said substrate (3), wherein said lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element (4) crosses said one or more first passages (5) thus defining, on the side of said exposed face (6), an end portion of lace (7) extended beyond said one or more first passages (5), comprising one lace segment or two lace segments not contiguous to each other.

2. System according to claim 1, comprising a second passage (25) and a third passage (35) integral with said substrate (3) and which are arranged on the opposite part of said one or more first passages (5) with respect to said lace-locking element (4), wherein said lace (2) crosses said second passage (25) and said third passage (35).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one attachment (10) combined with said end portion of lace (7), wherein said at least one attachment (10) preferably has dimensions such as not to be able to cross said one or more first passages (5).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising fastening means (311) for fastening said end portion of lace (7) to said substrate (3), wherein said fastening means are selected from the group comprising: a hook combined with said substrate, a bitt combined with said substrate, a buckle combined with said substrate, a ring and a hook combined respectively with said end portion of lace and with said substrate or vice-versa, a couple of so-named hook and loop elements or elements with magnetic interaction, one combined with said substrate and the other combined with said end portion of lace.

- 32 -

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising signaling means for indicating the tension of said lace, wherein said signaling means are selected from the group comprising: notches arranged on said lace, markings drawn, colored or applied on said lace, lace portions having different colors from each other, and combinations thereof.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lacelocking element (4) is selected from the group comprising: a lace-locking element provided with a button (8) for locking/releasing the lace, an elastic-ring-like lacelocking element, a lace-locking element provided with two passages in which said two passages preferably have an inner surface of a material with high coefficient of friction in contact with the lace.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element is partially extended on the side of said inner face of said substrate (3), said substrate (3) being provided with at least one opening (3b) for the passage of said lace (2) from said exposed face (6) to said inner face.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one restraining element (9) constrained to said substrate (3) and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face (6) defining, with said substrate (3), said at least one or more first passages (5).

9. System according to any one of claims 1-7, comprising at least one restraining element (9) constrained to said substrate (3) and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face (6) which is provided with at least one opening defining said one or more first passages.

10. System according to any one of claims 1-7, comprising at least one restraining element (9) constrained to said substrate (3) and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face and folded, possibly on itself, thus defining said one or more first passages (5).

11. System according to any one of claims 1-7, comprising at least one restraining element (9) constrained to said substrate (3) and having at least one visible

- 33 - portion arranged on said exposed face and a pierced element combined with said at least one visible portion, wherein said at least one pierced element defines said one or more first passages (5).

12. System according to any one of claims 1-7, comprising at least one restraining element (9) constrained to said substrate (3) and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face, wherein said at least one restraining element is like a closed ring.

13. System according to any one of claims 2-12, wherein said substrate (3) is provided with at least one opening (3 c) for the passage of said lace from said exposed face (6) to said inner face.

14. System according to any one of claims 2-12, comprising at least one orienting element (90) for directing said lace (2), wherein said at least one orienting element (90) is constrained to said substrate (3) and has at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face (6) wherein said at least one visible portion defines, with said substrate, said second passage (25) and/or said third passage (35), or wherein said at least one visible portion is provided with at least one opening defining said second passage (25) or said third passage (35), or wherein said at least one visible portion is folded, possibly on itself, thus defining said second passage (25) or said third passage (35), or wherein said at least one orienting element (90) comprises a pierced element combined with said at least one visible portion, which pierced element defines said second passage (25) or said third passage (35).

15. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lace (4) is elastic and/or like a closed ring.