GB2561206A

GB2561206A - Apparatus for securing shoelaces

Info

Publication number: GB2561206A
Application number: GB1705495.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Lund David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-05
Filing date: 2017-04-05
Publication date: 2018-10-10
Also published as: GB201705495D0

Abstract

The stopper 106 is for attachment to an aglet of a shoelace to prevent the shoelace from slipping through an eyelet. The stopper 106 has a housing 200 to receive the aglet and a gripper 204 to secure the aglet within the housing 200. The gripper 204 is biased towards a gripping position in which an aglet can be inserted into the housing 200 but is prevented from being removed. The gripper 204 may flex between the gripping position and a non-gripping position to allow removal of the aglet. The gripper 204 may have an annular component to grip around the aglet. An insert 202 may push the gripper 204 between said positions and be shaped to be retained within a cavity inside the housing 200. The housing 200 may include an engagement surface 290 which engages a flange of the insert 202 when the insert 202 has pushed the gripper 204 into the non-gripping position.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Apparatus for securing shoelaces Abstract Title: A stopper for securing shoelaces (57) The stopper 106 is for attachment to an aglet of a shoelace to prevent the shoelace from slipping through an eyelet. The stopper 106 has a housing 200 to receive the aglet and a gripper 204 to secure the aglet within the housing 200. The gripper 204 is biased towards a gripping position in which an aglet can be inserted into the housing 200 but is prevented from being removed. The gripper 204 may flex between the gripping position and a non-gripping position to allow removal of the aglet. The gripper 204 may have an annular component to grip around the aglet. An insert 202 may push the gripper 204 between said positions and be shaped to be retained within a cavity inside the housing 200. The housing 200 may include an engagement surface 290 which engages a flange of the insert 202 when the insert 202 has pushed the gripper 204 into the non-gripping position.

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APPARATUS FOR SECURING SHOELACES

The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing elastic shoelaces. In particular the present invention relates to an apparatus for attachment to an aglet of a shoelace to secure the shoelace in a shoe.

Traditionally shoes are fastened using shoelaces, which are laced through eyelets in opposing edges of a shoe and then tied into a knot so that a sufficient level of tension is maintained in the shoelace, thus preventing unwanted or accidental removal of the shoe from a foot. However, the knots can loosen or become untied such that the tension in the shoelace is reduced. Also loose ends of the shoelace can sometimes cause a tripping hazard.

Some known designs use alternative methods to fasten shoelaces without the necessity of tying a knot in a lace. In particular, some known designs use elasticated shoelaces, which are fixed in a tensioned position to prevent unwanted/accidental removal of the shoe.

US 2009/0077778 A1 discloses a shoelace ornamental apparatus having a first substantially permanent apparatus attached to the tip of the shoelace and the ornamental device with an attachment means designed to engage the first permanent apparatus.

US 6,026,548 discloses a system for securing a shoe, comprising an elastic shoelace having a pair of ends, each end having an elongated, covering of an elastomeric material, and a dual cord fastener adapted to allow shoelace ends to pass there through and to lock two prescribed points on the length of the shoelace from moving relative to the fastener.

US 2010/0186205 A1 discloses an enhanced aglet that can be attached to original aglets, or used as a replacement aglet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for attachment to an aglet of a shoelace, comprising:

a housing element configured to receive the aglet;

a gripping element configured to secure the aglet within the housing element, wherein the gripping element is biased towards a gripping position in which the gripping element is configured to permit insertion of an aglet into the housing element and prevent removal of an aglet from the housing element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for securing a shoelace onto a shoe, comprising:

a shoelace comprising an aglet at each end thereof;

at least one apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention for attachment to the aglet.

Certain embodiments provide the advantage that an apparatus is provided for securing shoelaces.

Certain embodiments provide the advantage that a desired level of tension in a shoelace is maintained without the use of a knot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a shoe including a shoelace secured with first and second stoppers;

Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate a stopper being attached onto the aglet of a shoelace;

Figs. 3a illustrates a cross-section of a stopper when the gripping element is in the gripping position;

Figs. 3b and 3c illustrate a cross-section of a stopper when an aglet is being inserted and removed from the stopper respectively;

Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a gripping element in a gripping position and a nongripping position respectively;

Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate another example of a stopper including a clip element;

and

Figs. 6a and 6b illustrate another example of a stopper including a retainer element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a shoe 100, fastened using a shoelace 104, which is fed through a plurality of eyelets 102 on opposing edges ofthe shoe 100. In this example the shoelace 104 is an elasticated shoelace.

A stopper 106 is attached to each opposing end of the shoelace 104 to prevent the shoelace 104, from slipping through the eyelets 102. The length of the shoelace is selected so that a desired level of tension is maintained in the shoelace when a foot (not shown) is inserted into the shoe. A ‘desired level of tension’ is user dependent but generally refers a level of tension that is sufficient to prevent unwanted/accidental removal of the shoe whilst being worn.

Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate the insertion of an end of the shoelace 104 into the stopper 106. The end ofthe shoelace 104 is contained within an aglet 108. Aglets are well known in the art and may be formed from a plastic or a metal, for example. They function to stiffen the end of the shoelace to allow easier threading of the shoelace through eyelets of the shoe. The aglet can also help to prevent fraying of the end of the shoelace. In this example, the aglet is fed from an internal side 110 ofthe shoe 100 (i.e. from within the shoe 100) through the eyelet 102 until part ofthe aglet 108 is accessible from an external side 112 of the shoe 100.

The stopper 106 is then pushed onto the aglet 108 (as indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 2a), such that an upper portion of the aglet 108 is received within the stopper 106, as shown in Fig. 2b. Upon receiving the aglet 108, the stopper 106 grips the aglet 108, thus securing the end of the shoelace from slipping through the eyelet.

In the example shown in Fig. 1, the aglets at both ends ofthe shoelace 104 are gripped by a corresponding stopper 106. When a foot is inserted into shoe 100 the shoelace 104 becomes tensioned. The stoppers 106 prevent each aglet from being retracted through the corresponding eyelet and therefore the tension in the shoelace 104 is maintained.

Figs. 3a to 3c illustrate a cross-section of the stopper 106. The stopper includes a housing element 200 configured to receive the aglet.

The housing element may be formed from any number of materials. In this example the housing element is made from a plastic material. Other materials may be suitable for the housing element, for example the housing element may be formed from any of wood, ceramics, precious stones, or metals including precious metals. In this example, the housing element is substantially cylindrical in shape, though other shapes may be possible.

The housing element may be of any suitable depth. For example, the housing element depth may be between about 2mm and 10mm. In general the housing element need only be of a sufficient depth to receive at least an upper portion of the aglet. In this example, the housing element has a depth of about 6mm. The housing element may be of any suitable cross sectional dimensions. For example, the housing element may have a cross-sectional width and/or length of between about 6mm and 20mm. In this example, the diameter of the housing element in cross-section is about 12mm.

The stopper 106 further includes a gripping element 204 configured to secure the aglet within the housing element. The gripping element is biased towards a gripping position, in which the gripping element is configured to permit insertion of an aglet into the housing element and prevent removal of an aglet from the housing element.

In this example, the gripping element 204 includes an annular element having an inner edge 220 configured to engage the aglet when the gripping element is in the gripping position, as shown in Fig. 4a.

That is, as the aglet is inserted into the housing element 200, the aglet is pushed through an annulus 240 of the gripping element 204, whilst the gripping element is in the gripping position and hence engages with the inner edge 220.

Fig. 3b illustrates an aglet 108 being inserted into the housing element 200 (the shoe 100 is not shown for clarity). The aglet 108 is pushed through a channel 208 (as shown in Fig. 3a), which connects an aglet entry portion 250 to the interior of the housing element 200. The aglet is pushed along the channel until it contacts the inner edge 220 of the gripping element 204. The aglet 108 may then be pushed through the annulus 240 (in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3b). It will be appreciated that a greater force may be needed to push the aglet through the annulus compared to the force needed to push the aglet through the channel.

Once the aglet is pushed through the annulus, the bias of the gripping element towards a gripping position prevents the aglet from being retracted back through the annulus 240. That is, the gripping element is configured such that it cannot be flexed to a non-gripping position by retraction of the aglet.

In this example, the gripping element is substantially frusto-conical, and the inner edge

220 of the of the gripping element faces away from the aglet entry portion 250 of the housing element 200, as shown in Fig. 3a. The frusto-conical shape of the annular element and the orientation of the inner edge relative to the aglet entry portion 250 help ensure that aglet cannot be retracted back through the annulus 240 after insertion.

In this example, the gripping element 204 is configured to flex between the gripping position and a non-gripping position in which the gripping element is configured to permit removal of an aglet from the housing element.

The non-gripping position of the gripping element 204 of this example is shown in Fig. 4b. To change from the gripping position to the non-gripping position the gripping element 204 is flexed such that the inner edge 220 is moved outwardly (i.e. the inner edge 220 moves away from the centre of the annulus 240 in a vertical and lateral direction). In doing so the diameter of the annulus 240 is increased. The non-gripping position in this example is any position in which the gripping element is flexed so that the diameter of the annulus is larger than the diameter of the aglet.

In this example, the inner edge 220, i.e. the edge which engages with the aglet when the gripping element is in the gripping position, comprises a plurality of protruding elements 230 configured to flex between the gripping position and the non-gripping position. That is, the inner edge is not in fact a continuous edge, but includes a plurality of edges at the tip of each protruding element 230.

The gripping element 204 may be made from any suitable material that allows the degree of flexure required in transition from a gripping position to a non-gripping position. In this example the gripping ring is made from spring steel. Other suitable materials include plastics or ceramics.

Referring back to Figs. 3a and 3b, in this example the stopper 106 further includes an insert 202 configured to push the gripping element from the gripping position to the nongripping position. The insert allows the stopper 106 to be easily removed from the aglet.

The insert 202 includes a first end 260 configured to push the inner edge 220 of the gripping element 204, such that the gripping element flexes to the non-gripping position.

That is, when pressure is applied to the insert 202 by a user, the first end 260 of the insert 202 engages the gripping element 204, such that the inner edge 220 is pushed by the insert and the gripping element 204 is flexed from the gripping position to the nongripping position. In this example the first end 260 of the insert 202 is configured to push the inner edge 220 of the gripping element 204 outwardly away from an aglet within the housing element 200. In this way, the diameter of the annulus is increased to release the aglet.

In this example the housing element 202 includes a cavity 206 inside thereof. As shown in Fig. 3c, the cavity 206 is shaped to provide a bearing surface 210, against which a portion of the gripping element 204 bears when pushed by the insert 202. The bearing surface 210 is angled such that the angle corresponds substantially to the angle of the gripping element when flexed to a non-gripping position.

The first end 260 of the insert is housed within an interior of the housing. In this example, a second end 270 of the insert extends outside the housing 200. An adjoining portion 280 connects the first and second ends. The adjoining portion 280 of the insert between the first end 260 and second end 270 extends through the channel 208. In this example the insert 202 is an annular element, such that the aglet may be inserted into the channel through the insert.

The insert 202 is coupled to the housing element 200. The first end 260 of the insert may be sized and/or shaped to be retained within the cavity 206 inside the housing element. In this example the first end 260 of the insert 202 is sized and shaped to be retained within the cavity 206. That is, the first end 260 includes flange 265, a lower surface 294 of which is configured to engage with a surface 292 of the cavity when the gripping element is in a gripping position, such that the first end 260 cannot pass from the cavity 206 to the channel 208.

The gripping element 204 is housed and retained within the cavity 206 inside the housing element 202. In this example the gripping element 204 is sized and shaped to be retained within the cavity 206. That is, the lateral dimensions (in this example the diameter) of the gripping element are larger than the lateral dimensions (in this example, the diameter) of the channel 208. In this way the gripping element 204 cannot pass from the cavity 206 to the channel 208 and is therefore retained within the cavity. In this example, the gripping element 204 is also retained within the cavity by the first end 260 of the insert, which is located between the gripping element 204 and the interface between the channel 208 and cavity.

The housing element includes an engagement surface 290 and the insert 202 includes a flange at the second end 270, such that the flange is configured to engage with the engagement surface 290 of the housing 200 when the insert 202 has pushed the gripping element 204 into the non-gripping position.

As shown in Fig. 3c, upon pressure by a user on the flange the second end 270 of the insert 202 is shifted towards the housing 200. As a result the first end 260 pushes the gripping element 204 towards the bearing surface 210. As the gripping element bears against the bearing surface the gripping element is flexed from a gripping position to a non-gripping position. When the flange of the second end of the insert engages with the engagement surface 290, the gripping element 204 is in the non-gripping position.

While in the non-gripping position, the aglet may be removed from the stopper 106, as shown by arrow B.

Upon removal of the pressure by the user on the flange of the second end 270, the second end 270 of the insert 202 is released and returns to its original position (i.e. that of Fig. 3a). The bias of the gripping element ensures it returns to its gripping position.

In this example the insert is made from plastic, although any suitable material may be used.

The stopper 106 may be provided as part of a system for securing a shoelace onto a shoe. The system includes an elasticated shoelace, having an aglet at either end, and first and second stoppers 106. The length of the elasticated shoelace may be selected according to the shoe. For example, a shoe having more pairs of eyelets may be better suited to a longer shoelace. The length of the shoelace is preferably selected so that when the shoelace is fastened in position with the stoppers, a suitable level of tension is applied to the shoelace to allow a foot to be inserted into the shoe, but to prevent accidental removal of the shoe from the foot.

Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate another example of a stopper. In the example, the stopper 106 is similar to the previous example, with corresponding features, which will not be described again in detail. This example further includes a clip element 500 configured to be inserted between the engagement surface 290 of the housing and the flange 270 to prevent the insert 202 from pushing the gripping element from the gripping position to the non-gripping position.

The clip element therefore prevents unwanted release of the stopper 106 from the aglet 108 as the insert is prevented from being accidentally compressed.

In this example, the clip element 500 is of a substantially horseshoe or semi-annular shape as shown in Fig. 5b to allow it to be removed by a user from between the flange

270 and the engagement surface 290 when a user wishes to remove the aglet from the stopper by pushing the insert to push the gripping element from the gripping position to the non-gripping position.

Fig. 6a illustrates another example of a stopper 106. Again, this stopper is similar to the previous examples, with corresponding features. This example further includes a retainer element 600. If tension is lost in the shoelace 104 (for example by removal of a foot from the shoe), the retainer element 600 prevents the aglet and hence the stopper from slipping out of/away from the eyelet.

The retainer element may be of any suitable size and shape, such that it can be slipped over the aglet prior to the aglets insertion through an eyelet, and retain the aglet in a predetermined position within the eyelet upon a loss of tension in the shoelace. For example the retainer element may be a ring shape.

The retainer element may be made from any suitable material that induces sufficient friction between the retainer element and the aglet, such that the retainer element stays in a predetermined position on the aglet. For example the retainer element may be made from rubber.

Fig. 6b illustrates another example of the present invention. This example corresponds to the example of Fig. 6a, however the aglet 108 further includes grooves 602 to couple with the retainer element 600.

Various modifications to the detailed arrangements described above are possible.

It is clear that the portion of the aglet accessible from an external side of the shoe may be of any length, for example the full aglet may be exposed through the eyelet. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 2a less than the full aglet may be accessible through the eyelet. The accessible portion is required only to be of a length to allow a sufficient portion of the aglet to be received by the stopper 106 to ensure the stopper can grip the aglet.

The example of Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate the aglet 108 being fed from an internal side 110 of the shoe 100 through the eyelet 102. It is clear that the aglet may be fed from an external side 110 of the shoe 100 to an internal side 110 of the shoe and the stopper 106 pushed onto the aglet accordingly.

The housing element may be of any suitable shape. For example the housing element may be a cube. Alternatively, the housing element may be an abstract shape. The housing element may be customised with a design on a surface thereof. The housing element may include an accessory attached thereto.

The examples above illustrate an aglet on the end of a shoelace. It will be appreciated that for some shoelaces it may not be necessary to include an aglet on an end thereof, specifically if the end of the shoelace itself is suitable for insertion into the housing element.

In the example of Figs. 3a to 3c, the gripping element is housed and retained within the cavity 206 as the gripping element is larger than the interface between the channel 208 and the cavity 206 and the insert is situated between the gripping element 204 and the interface between the channel 208 and cavity. In other examples the gripping element may be housed and retained within the cavity by either of these criteria separately. Alternatively the gripping element may be retained within the cavity by another suitable means, for example the gripping element may be coupled to the housing element.

The gripping element may be of any suitable shape, for example the gripping element may have a convex profile.

The inner edge 220 of the gripping element may be of any configuration suitable for engaging with an aglet. For example, the inner edge 220 may be a continuous edge.

The insert may be integral with the housing 200. The stopper 106 may not include an insert. In the absence of an insert a separate tool may be provided for removing the stopper 106 from an aglet.

The cavity may be of any suitable shape. For example the cavity may be of any shape that provides a bearing surface against which the gripping element can be pushed. The bearing surface may be of any suitable configuration, for example the bearing surface may be angled with respect to the gripping element. Alternatively, the bearing surface may not be angled with respect to the gripping element. The bearing surface may include only a bearing edge. Alternatively the cavity may not include a bearing surface, for example where the gripping element is fixed with respect to the housing element.

In some examples a stopper may be provided only on one end of the shoelace (e.g. securing the shoelace in position on the shoe at one end). The second end of the shoelace may extend through a second retaining means to allow adjustment and tightening of the shoelace to the correct length. For example, the second retaining means may be a buckle, ratchet or a clasping means through which the shoelace can extend and be secured in position at the desired length. Alternatively, the second end of the shoelace may be fastened in place using Velcro or similar fastening means.

The apparatus and systems described above may be used for securing other items, for examples on clothing, caps, shirts or the like.

The housing element may include a health tracking/fitness monitor device attached therein. The housing element may include LED lighting.

The insert allows the apparatus to be easily removed by the user.

The apparatus may be easily replaced with a customised apparatus of various shapes, sizes and colours.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the embodiments described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments described above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attachment to an aglet of a shoelace, comprising:

a housing element configured to receive the aglet;

a gripping element configured to secure the aglet within the housing element,

5 wherein the gripping element is biased towards a gripping position in which the gripping element is configured to permit insertion of an aglet into the housing element and prevent removal of an aglet from the housing element.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping element is configured to

10 flex between the gripping position and a non-gripping position in which the gripping element is configured to permit removal of an aglet from the housing element.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gripping element comprises an annular element having an inner edge configured to engage the aglet when the gripping

15 element is in the gripping position.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the annular element is substantially frusto-conical, and wherein the inner edge of the annular element faces away from an aglet entry portion of the housing element.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inner edge comprises a plurality of protruding elements configured to flex between the gripping position and the non-gripping position.

25

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, further comprising an insert configured to push the gripping element from the gripping position to the non-gripping position.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 when dependent on any of claims 3 to 5, wherein a first end of the insert is configured to push the inner edge of the gripping element to flex to the non-gripping position.

5

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first end of the insert is configured to push the inner edge of the gripping element outwardly away from an aglet within the housing element.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first end of the insert is

10 housed within an interior of the housing.

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the insert is coupled to the housing element.

15

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing element comprises a cavity inside thereof.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first end of the insert is sized and/or shaped to be retained within the cavity inside the housing element.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the gripping element is housed and retained within the cavity inside the housing element.

14. An apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 13,

25 wherein the housing element comprises an engagement surface;

wherein the insert comprises a flange at a second end thereof; and wherein the flange of the insert is configured to engage with the engagement surface of the housing when the insert has pushed the gripping element into the nongripping position.

15. An apparatus according to claims 14, further comprising a clip element configured to be inserted between the engagement surface of the housing and the flange to prevent the insert from pushing the gripping element from the gripping position to the

5 non-gripping position.

16. A system for securing a shoelace onto a shoe, comprising:

a shoelace comprising an aglet at each end thereof;

at least one apparatus according to any preceding claim for attachment to the

10 aglet.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the shoelace is elasticated.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1705495.8 Examiner: Dr Niall Deakin