GB2466337A

GB2466337A - Apparatus for shortening a shoe lace whilst retaining the aglets

Info

Publication number: GB2466337A
Application number: GB0919391A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Lindow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-20
Filing date: 2009-11-05
Publication date: 2010-06-23
Also published as: GB2466303A; GB0919391D0; US20100154182A1; GB0823289D0

Abstract

A lace shortening device 1 comprises an oval housing 5 with a recess 6 in the underside. An internal wall 7 of recess 6 has conically shaped sides and holes 8A, 8B in the edge of the housing 5 communicate with recess 6. A method of shortening a shoe / boot lace while retaining the aglets 9A, 9B in place is disclosed. A portion is removed from the central part of the lace 2 between the aglets 9A, 9B and knots tied on both cut ends. The part laces are threaded through apertures 8A, 8B in the housing 5 to create a continuous, but shorter, lace. The shoe may now be re-laced with the housing located at a suitable point, usually midway between the first pair of eyelets. The device may also be used to lengthen a lace or to re-connected a broken lace.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHANGING THE LENGTH OF LACES

WHILE RETAINING THE AGLETS THEREON

This specification relates primarily to an apparatus and method by which a shoe or boot lace may be shortened, lengthened or joined to another lace, while still retaining the aglets at the ends of the laces, so that laces may subsequently be threaded through the eyelets without difficulty. The principle of the apparatus and method will have other applications all

falling within the scope of the disclosure.

Boots and shoes are usually sold with laces. Iii the case of shoes, the laces are normally of an appropriate length for the number of eyelets and, when tied, the loops in the bows and free ends usually use the full length of the lace so that there is no excess lace, which might otherwise cause the wearer to trip over. On certain types of dancing shoes, excessively long laces are supplied as the free ends are tied around the ankle (and calf) as a decorative feature.

With boots, trainers and the like, long laces are usually provided as wearers normally want to tie them around the ankles, for extra security. This is acceptable for those who wish to use the footwear for heavy duty working or running activities but not for those who merely want to use, say, trainers for normal everyday activities. Here, tying laces around the ankles is neither required nor desirable. Pulling the excess lace into large bows and double knotting the bows adds extra time to the duty of putting on trainers and taking them off again afterwards. Some people find such a large knot unattractive. Further, if, to save time, the knotting of the bows is not done properly and the knot becomes undone, the wearer risks tripping over the lace or treading on it while walking and having a nasty fall.

As one way of overcoming these problems and risks, many young people stuff the ends of the lace into the trainer before they put it on and use the foot to secure the lace and keep it in place. It is clearly uncomfortable to walk on laces crumpled up inside a shoe and an alternative is to put on the trainer and stuff the lace ends down between the ankle and the sides of the shoe. Unfortunately in this latter case, laces often come free and it is not uncommon to see a young person walking around with a lace trailing behind -a very dangerous practice.

Thus, on Health and Safety, aesthetic and convenience grounds a means of shortening laces, so that they may be tied correctly, is urgently needed In addition to shortening laces, there are occasions when laces may require lengthening, e.g. to tie around the ankles, or to use two laces of different colours as a fashion statement.

Additionally, when laces break, a means of joining the two ends, other than using a knot, may be advantageous. Thus, a means of shortening laces, which is adaptable to lengthening or joining two part laces end-to-end, is likely to have a number of other uses.

According a first embodiment to the invention, there is provided apparatus for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, comprising:-i) a lace having aglets thereon; and ii) a housing having an aperture(s); characterised in that a portion of the lace is cut from the lace between the aglets, thus creating two part laces each having an aglet thereon, and that a knot(s) is I are tied or a restriction(s) is / are placed adjacent to the cut ends of these part laces and that the aglets on the part laces are threaded through the aperture(s) in the housing and the part laces drawn through until the knots I restrictions reach the aperture(s) and become fast at I adjacent to the aperture(s) so that the resulting lace is shorter than before, has an aglet at each end and the housing is located at an intermediate point and it may be used for lacing a shoe I boot.

According to a first variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the lace is longer than that required for tying normally, unless the lace is also tied around the ankle.

According to a second variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the portion of the lace cut out is cut symmetrically from the centre of the lace.

According to a third variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two cut part laces have essentially equal lengths.

According to a fourth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the portion of the lace cut out is cut asymmetrically with respect to the centre of the lace.

According to a fifth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two cut part laces have unequal lengths.

According to a sixth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, simple basic knots are tied adjacent to the cut ends of the part laces.

According to a seventh variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two cut ends of the part laces are tied together by a single knot.

According to an eighth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, a restriction(s) is placed on the laces adjacent to the cut ends of the part laces.

According to a ninth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, any excess length of lace between the knot I restriction and cut end is removed.

According to a tenth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the housing is essentially oval and cylindrical in shape with apertures at opposite ends through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted / restricted lace may not.

According to an eleventh variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the housing has any appropriate shape with apertures at appropriate points through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted I restricted lace may not.

According to a twelfth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the housing has a continuous upper surface and a recess in the lower surface.

According to a thirteenth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the recess in the housing communicates with the lace apertures in the ends of the housing and the recess is sized to accommodate the knot(s) / Restriction(s) at the cut ends of the two part laces.

According to a fourteenth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the recess in the housing is so shaped that the tension in the laces draws the knot(s) / restriction(s) into the recess and compresses the knot(s) / restriction(s) to reduce any tendency for them to come untied I unsecured.

According to a fifteenth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two part laces used are from two different single laces.

According to a sixteenth variation of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two part laces are of different colours.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided apparatus for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, comprising:-i) two full laces having aglets thereon; and ii) a housing having an aperture(s); characterised in that a portion of each of the two full laces is cut off thus creating two part laces each having an aglet thereon, and that a knot(s) is / are tied, or a restriction(s) is I are placed, adjacent to the cut ends of these part laces and that the aglets on the part laces are threaded through the aperture(s) in the housing and the part laces drawn through until the knots / restrictions reach the aperture(s) and become fast at I adjacent to the aperture(s) so that the resulting lace is longer than before, has an aglet at each end and the housing is located at an intermediate point and it may be used for lacing a shoe I boot.

According to a first variation of the second embodiment of the invention, one / both of the full laces are pre-cut and thus are already part lace(s).

According to a second variation of the second embodiment of the invention, the two part laces are from a single broken lace.

According to a third variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two cut ends of the part laces are tied together by a single knot.

According to a fourth variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two cut ends of the part laces are secured together by a single restriction.

According to a fifth variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, any excess length of lace between the knot / restriction and cut end is removed.

According to a sixth variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the housing is essentially oval and cylindrical in shape with apertures at opposite ends through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted I restricted lace may not.

According to a seventh variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the housing has any appropriate shape with apertures at appropriate points through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted I restricted lace may not.

According to an eighth variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the housing has a continuous upper surface and a recess in the lower surface.

According to a ninth variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the recess in the housing communicates with the lace apertures in the ends of the housing and the recess is sized to accommodate the knot(s) I restriction(s) at the cut ends of the two part laces.

According to a tenth variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the recess in the housing is so shaped that the tension in the laces draws the knot(s) I restriction(s) into the recess and compresses the knot(s) / restriction(s) to reduce any tendency for them to come untied I unsecured.

According to an eleventh variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two part laces used are from two different full laces.

According to a twelfth variation of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the two part laces are of different colours.

According to the invention, there is provided a method for shortening I lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, comprising:-i) providing a full lace(s) and / or two part laces having an aglet(s) thereon; ii) cufting the full lace(s), according to the requirement of the first or second embodiment, so forming two part laces each having an aglet thereon; iii) tying a knot I placing a restriction adjacent to the cut end of each part lace; and iv) providing a housing and threading the aglets through an aperture(s) in the housing and drawing the two part laces through the aperture(s) until the knots / restrictions reach the aperture(s) and become fast at / adjacent to the aperture(s); charactensed in that the resulting lace is shorter / longer than before, has an aglet at each end and the housing is located at an intermediate point and it may be used for lacing a shoe / boot so that when laced and the ends of the laces are drawn tight, there will be sufficient free lace to tie the lace properly.

According to a first variation of the method of the invention, a long lace may be shortened, two short laces may be joined together to form a longer one, two part laces may be joined to form a single lace or a broken lace may be joined to form a continuous lace.

According to a second variation of the method of the invention, knots are tied I restrictions are placed adjacent to the cut ends of the part laces.

According to a third variation of the method of the invention, the two cut ends of the part laces are tied together by a single knot / secured together by a single restriction.

According to a fourth variation of the method of the invention, any excess lace between the knot I restriction and cut end is removed.

According to a fifth variation of the method of the invention, the two full laces or two part laces are of different colours.

In a preferred application of the invention, the excessively long laces, supplied with a pair of trainers or boots are removed from the trainers / boots. The two aglets on each lace are held together and the lace stretched out to find the midpoint. A predetermined length is now cut symmetrically from the middle and the cut ends knotted to create two part laces, with an aglet at one end and a knot at the other. Each of the part laces is now fed through a Lace Shortening Housing of the invention. Preferably, the housing has a recess giving access to two separate holes, sized to pass the laces but not when they are knotted. Each part lace is now fed, aglet first into the recess and out through one of the two holes. The part laces are drawn tight until the knots become fast in the recess, against the holes. The result is a shortened, continuous lace, from aglet to aglet, with the housing in the middle.

The shortened lace is now used to re-lace the trainer / boot, with the housing located between the first two eyelets, i.e. those nearest the toe on the trainer! boot. When lacing is complete and a foot is placed in the trainer / boot and the lace drawn tight, there will be adequate free lace to tie the knot properly but no undue excess to cause problems.

Variations in the use of the apparatus of the invention allow two laces to be joined end-to-end to form a longer lace or two part laces of different colours to be joined end-to-end to provide a fashion statement when the shoe I boot is laced and worn. Another variation allows a broken lace to be joined to restore a continuous lace.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe incorporating the apparatus of the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of one form of the apparatus of the invention.

If a person buys a pair of trainers 4 or boots, the laces 2 supplied therewith are likely to long enough to tie around the ankles when wearing the trainers I boots. Assuming that the trainers 4 are to be laced symmetrically, i.e. in the herringbone pattern (as shown in Fig. 1), the lacing will be such that, when pulled tight, the free ends of the lace will be approximately equal in length (as shown in Fig. 1). For example, assume that the lace 2 has a total length of 36 inches (approx. 900 mm). In this case, each half lace 2A, 2B, i.e. between midpoint 1A and aglets 9A, 9B respectively, would be about 18" (inches) (450 mm) long. Assuming that the half laces 2A, 2B could be laced and tied with an ideal length of 12" (300 mm), there would then be an excess of two 6" (150 mm) lengths of laces 2A, 2B.

To control this excess, the wearer has a number of options. He I she can enlarge the loops and hope that they do not catch on anything but, if they did, he / she would be likely to trip and pitch forward violently. He I she can extend the loops and double knot them together; this would give an excessively large knot, which some people would find ungainly. He / she could tuck the free ends inside the shoe, between the welt and against the ankle; this could be uncomfortable and, if the lace became free and the wearer accidently trod on it, they would risk a serious fall. Finally, he / she could cut off the excess. In this last case, the aglets would be lost, allowing the lace ends to fray and to be very difficult to re-lace, if they got pulled through the eyelets for any reason. None of these options is fully acceptable, having either safety, aesthetic or convenience drawbacks.

There is one other option. This is to remove lace 2 from trainer 4, cut a length out from the middle of the lace, i.e. symmetrically either side of midpoint IA, knot the cut ends together and re-lace trainer 4. This would leave a knot (not shown) at point 1A (Fig. 1) and so would spoil the appearance of the laced trainer 4 but it would allow the free ends of laces 2A, 2B to be tied properly and safely. The visual objection to this option may be overcome by this

disclosure.

The apparatus of the Lace Shortening Housing invention 1 is an oval cylindrical housing 5, with a continuous, upper surface 5A, a cylindrical edge 5B and a recess 6 in the underside (Fig. 2). The internal wall 7 of recess 6 has conically shaped sides and holes 8A, 8B, through edge 5B, communicate with recess 6.

To use the Lace Shortening Housing 1, the aglets 9 of lace 2 are held together and the two halves' 2A, 2B of lace 2 are paid out side-by-side along to midpoint IA. Using the example given above, a distance of, say, 5W (138 mm) is measured backwards (from midpoint 1A) along the parallel laces and both are cut through. The effect of this is to remove an 11" (275 mm) length of lace, symmetrically either side of midpoint 1A. Allowing for the tying of a simple knot 3 at the cut end of each separate lace 2A, 2B, each half lace 2A, 2B will now be essentially 12" long (300 mm). Using the aglet 9, each half lace 2A, 2B is threaded via recess 6 through one of the holes 8 and pulled tight so that knots 3 are drawn into recess 6 and locked into the conical void defined between internal walls 7. This confinement of knots 3 inside housing 1 will compress the knots and stop them coming undone. After tying knots 3, any excess length of lace 2 may be trimmed off or, in the case of nylon laces, sealed in a flame.

Housing 1 is placed on trainer 4 and half laces 2A, 2B re-laced using aglets 9, as shown (Fig. 1), leaving an essentially equal free length 2A, 2B on either side, which may conveniently be tied without having any surplus lace. Because any excess lace (between knot 3 and the cut end) is trimmed off, the underside of housing 1 will be essentially smooth and not cause any discomfort, through the tongue to the wearer.

In Fig. 2, two holes 8A, 8B are shown. If required, a single, elongated hole (not shown) may be provided, such that the knots 3A, 3B cannot pass through.

The replacement of an ugly knot with housing 1 (Fig. 1) gives an elegant solution to the excess lace problem. Housing 1 may be produced in different colours to provide an individual design feature to personalise a pair of trainers from the standard off-the-shelf versions. Optionally, two pairs of differently coloured laces 2 may be purchased and one lace 2A cut from the first colour of the other lace 2B cut from the second colour. Lacing with contrasting colours 2A, 2B will give highly personalised footwear. Such individualism may be employed even though the laces 2 originally provided may not need shortening.

As an alternative to tying separate knots in the ends of each part lace, the two part laces 2A, 2B may be joined together by a single knot. Ideally, the recess 6 is sized to accept either two separate knots 3A, 3B or a single knot (not shown). Ideally, the internal sides 7 of recess 6 are conical so that, as the knots 3A, 3B or single knot (not shown) are drawn into recess 6 by the tension in part laces 2A, 28, the knot(s) will be compressed, thus minimising any tendency for either knot / the knot to become untied.

Though knots 3 have been taught, other types of restriction are known. One possible restriction is formed by folding the lace back on itself and stapling through the two thicknesses. Another possible restriction is a U-shaped staple clamped around the lace.

In the example given, the herringbone pattern lacing has been taught. Other types of lacing are known and the apparatus of the invention is applicable to them all. In one different pattern of lacing, the laces run parallel to each other across the tongue (and parallel to the bottom lacing 2B, 1, 2A, shown in Fig. 1). In such a case, the portion of lace removed would not be cut symmetrically about midpoint 1A but asymmetrically at an appropriate part in lace 2. Apart from this, the application of the method is the same as taught above.

A further application of the apparatus of the invention is where a lace may be too short, for example, if the wearer wants to tie the lace around the ankle but it is long enough only for tying on the tongue. Assume that the lace is 24 inches long (600mm) and a desirable length is 36 inches (900mm). Two 24" laces are obtained and 6" is cut off one end of each lace to give two 18" (450mm) part laces, which are joined by the method of the invention to give a single 36 inch lace. By repeating the operation for the other shoe I boot, a pair of footwear is obtained, which may be laced around the ankles as required.

Another application of the apparatus of the invention is to join a lace which has broken, though here the repaired lace might have to be repositioned in the eyelets to accommodate the housing at the point of the breakage.

The invention disclosed above is a simple item, which is easy to use to effect a significant improvement in the safety of people wearing trainers and / or boots. It is particularly applicable to the footwear worn by children, where hurried attempts to put on and tie the footwear, with excessively long laces, have led to too many accidents and injuries. In addition to making a significant contribution to safety, it allows the child to personalise his / her footwear, which, of itself, should encourage the child to pay more attention to their trainers and tying the laces properly.

Though an essentially oval housing 5, 5A is shown, any basically planar shape is possible.

As a fashion statement, children might prefer images of, say, cartoon characters, famous footballers, flowers or other designs. Thus, housing 1 might be given a range of different designs and shapes but the recess 6, with its conical sides 7, would be essentially the same in every case. Alternatively, housings 1 could be sized so that the recess 6 would be big enough to take laces of a range of different thicknesses I diameters. In either case, housing 1, with its images could become fashion must haves' for children. Even where laces 2 do not need shortening, housings 1 could be used as fashion icons, with lace 2 being threaded in through hole 8A, via recess 6, out via hole 8B and housing 1 placed at midpoint IA and the shoe re-laced.

Thus, whether or not it is used as a safety feature, housings I of the invention could add to the design aestheticism of young people's footwear. The use of two differently coloured laces to lace a single trainer is a further way in which a child can enhance his / her footwear and there is even the option of using different combinations of colours for the two shoes of a single pair of footwear.

Another application of the principle of the invention would be to produce standard long laces and supply the apparatus of the invention with each pair so that the laces could be shortened, as required, to fit any pair of shoes or boots. A convenient way of shortening the lace to the required length would be to thread lace 2 through holes 8A and 8B in housing 1 and move it to the midpoint of the lace. The shoe 4 would then be laced normally so that free ends 2A and 2B were the right length to tie correctly (with the foot in the shoe and wearing appropriate thickness socks), without leaving any excess length of lace 2. Laces 2A and 2B would then be back-laced by, say, 50mm (so that free ends 2A and 2B (Fig. 1) would be 50mm too short). Housing I would be moved to position 1A (Fig. 1) and the central loop cut off, leaving, say, two 60mm long ends protruding through housing 1. Knots 3A and 3B would be tied in the very ends, using, say 10mm of each part lace 2A, 2B and leaving two 50mm long knotted ends. Knots 3 would be pulled into housing I (Fig. 2) and shoe 4 re-laced, leaving the correct length of free lace 2A and 2B (Fig. 1).

Parents and those concerned with footwear will appreciate the invention and its application and be aware of variations of the principle, all falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:- 1. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, comprising:-I) a lace having aglets thereon; and ii) a housing having an aperture(s); characterised in that a portion of the lace is cut from the lace between the aglets, thus creating two part laces each having an aglet thereon, and that a knot(s) is I are tied, or a restriction placed, adjacent to the cut ends of these part laces and that the aglets on the part laces are threaded through the aperture(s) in the housing and the part laces drawn through until the knots / restrictions reach the aperture(s) and become fast at / adjacent to the aperture(s) so that the resulting lace is shorter than before, has an aglet at each end and the housing is located at an intermediate point and it may be used for lacing a shoe I boot.
2. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lace is longer than that required for tying normally, unless the lace is also tied around the ankle.
3. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portion of the lace cut out is cut symmetrically from the centre of the lace.
4. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the two cut part laces have essentially equal lengths.
5. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portion of the lace cut out is cut asymmetrically with respect to the centre of the lace.
6. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two cut part laces have unequal lengths.
7. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 4 or 6, wherein simple basic knots are tied adjacent to the cut ends of the part laces.
8. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 4 or 6, wherein the two cut ends of the part laces are tied together by a single knot.
9. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 4 or 6, wherein a restriction(s) is placed on the laces adjacent to the cut ends of the part laces.
10. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 7 to 9, wherein any excess length of lace between the knot I restriction and cut end is removed.
11. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is essentially oval and cylindrical in shape with apertures at opposite ends through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted I restricted lace may not.
12. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe / boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims Ito 10, wherein the housing has any appropriate shape with apertures at appropriate points through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted I restricted lace may not.
13. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein the housing has a continuous upper surface and a recess in the lower surface.
14. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the recess in the housing communicates with the lace apertures in the ends of the housing and the recess is sized to accommodate the knot(s) I restriction(s) at the cut ends of the two part laces.
15. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the recess in the housing is so shaped that the tension in the laces draws the knot(s) / restriction(s) into the recess and compresses the knot(s) / restriction(s) to reduce any tendency for them to come untied I unsecured.
16. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the two part laces used are from two different full laces.
17. Apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for shortening a shoe I boot lace, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the two part laces are of different colours.
18. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, comprising:-i) two full laces having aglets thereon; and ii) a housing having an aperture(s); characterised in that a portion of each of the two full laces is cut off thus creating two part laces each having an aglet thereon, and that a knot(s) is I are tied, or a restriction placed, adjacent to the cut ends of these part laces and that the aglets on the part laces are threaded through the aperture(s) in the housing and the part laces drawn through until the knots / restrictions reach the aperture(s) and become fast at I adjacent to the aperture(s) so that the resulting lace is longer than before, has an aglet at each end and the housing is located at an intermediate point and it may be used for lacing a shoe I boot.
19. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 18, wherein one I both of the full laces are pie-cut and thus are already part lace(s).
20. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the two part laces are from a single broken lace.
21. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 19 or 20, wherein the two cut ends of the part laces are tied together by a single knot.
22. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 19 or 20, wherein the two cut ends of the part laces are secured together by a single restriction.
23. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein any excess length of lace between the knot I restriction and cut end is removed.
24. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 18-23, wherein the housing is essentially oval and cylindrical in shape with apertures at opposite ends through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted I restricted lace may not.
25. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 18-23, wherein the housing has any appropriate shape with apertures at appropriate points through which the aglet and a normal diameter lace may pass but a knotted / restricted lace may not.
26. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 24 or 25, wherein the housing has a continuous upper surface and a recess in the lower surface.
27. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 26, wherein the recess in the housing communicates with the lace apertures in the ends of the housing and the recess is sized to accommodate the knot(s) I restriction(s) at the cut ends of the two part laces.
28. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 27, wherein the recess in the housing is so shaped that the tension in the laces draws the knot(s) I restriction(s) into the recess and compresses the knot(s) I restriction(s) to reduce any tendency for them to come untied.
29. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 18-28, wherein the two part laces used are from two dWferent full laces.
30. Apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 29, wherein the two part laces are of different colours.
31. According to the invention, there is provided a method for shortening I lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, comprising:-i) providing a full lace(s) and I or two part laces having an aglet(s) thereon; ii) cutting the full lace(s), according to the requirement of the first or second embodiment, so forming two part laces each having an aglet thereon; iii) tying a knot I placing a restriction adjacent to the cut end of each part lace; and iv) providing a housing and threading the aglets through an aperture(s) in the housing and drawing the two part laces through the aperture(s) until the knots I restriction(s) reach the aperture(s) and become fast at I adjacent to the aperture(s); charactensed in that the resulting lace is shorter I longer than before, has an aglet at each end and the housing is located at an intermediate point and it may be used for lacing a shoe I boot so that when laced and the ends of the laces are drawn tight, there will be sufficient free lace to tie the lace propeily.
32. A method for shortening I lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 31, wherein a long lace may be shortened, two short laces may be joined together to form a longer one, two part laces may be joined to form a single lace or a broken lace may be joined to form a continuous lace.
33. A method for shortening / lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 31 or 32, wherein knots are tied I restriction(s) are placed adjacent to the cut ends of the part laces.
34. A method for shortening / lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 33, wherein the two cut ends of the part laces are tied / secured together by a single knot I restriction.
35. A method for shortening I lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claim 34, wherein any excess lace between the knot / restriction and cut end is removed.
36. A method for shortening I lengthening a shoe I boot lace or joining two part laces end-to-end, while retaining the aglets in place, as claimed in claims 31-35, wherein the two full aces or two part laces are of different colours.
37. Apparatus and method for shortening I lengthening a shoe / boot lace or joining two part laces, while retaining the aglets in place, as described in and by the above statement with reference to the accompanying drawings.