US20090144953A1

US20090144953A1 - Lace having a Lower Cost of Fabrication

Info

Publication number: US20090144953A1
Application number: US12/168,309
Authority: US
Inventors: Dao-Long Tsai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-06
Filing date: 2008-07-07
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: TWM335958U

Abstract

A lace includes an inner foam layer, and an outer weaving layer covering the inner foam layer. Thus, the inner foam layer of the lace is made of a soft foamable material, so that the inner foam layer of the lace has a lower price, thereby decreasing the costs of fabrication. In addition, the inner foam layer of the lace can be broken and crashed when the lace is disposed of, so that the inner foam layer of the lace is recycled to satisfy the requirement of environmental protection.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lace and, more particularly, to a lace for a pair of shoes, a bag and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional lace 2 in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 5 comprises an inner weaving layer 21, and an outer weaving layer 20 covering the inner foam layer 21. However, the inner foam layer 21 has a higher price, thereby increasing the costs of fabrication. In addition, the inner foam layer 21 cannot be recycled or reused when the lace is disposed of, so that the lace easily causes an environmental pollution when the lace is burnt.
Referring to FIG. 6, the lace 2 functions as a shoelace of one of a pair of shoes. In such a manner, when the lace 2 is tied or bound to form at least two intersecting layers, the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 2 are not positioned exactly, so that the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 2 easily slip from each other, and the lace 2 is easily loosened.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a lace, comprising an inner foam layer, and an outer weaving layer covering the inner foam layer.
Preferably, the inner foam layer of the lace is made of a soft foamable material.
Preferably, the inner foam layer of the lace is made of PE.
Preferably, when the lace forms at least two intersecting layers, a contact part of the at least two intersecting layers of the lace forms a convex and concave engagement positioning portion by deforming the soft inner foam layer to provide a positioning effect to the at least two intersecting layers of the lace so that the at least two intersecting layers of the lace are positioned.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a lace having a lower cost of fabrication.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lace, wherein the inner foam layer of the lace is made of a soft foamable material, so that the inner foam layer of the lace has a lower price, thereby decreasing the costs of fabrication.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a lace, wherein the inner foam layer of the lace has a lighter weight, thereby decreasing the whole weight of the lace.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a lace, wherein the inner foam layer of the lace can be broken and crashed when the lace is disposed of, so that the inner foam layer of the lace is recycled to satisfy the requirement of environmental protection.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a lace, wherein when the lace is tied or bound to form at least two intersecting layers, a contact part of the at least two intersecting layers of the lace forms a convex and concave engagement positioning portion by deforming the soft inner foam layer to provide a positioning effect to the at least two intersecting layers of the lace so that the at least two intersecting layers of the lace are positioned exactly and closely, thereby facilitating a user tying or binding the lace.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a carefull reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lace in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially perspective broken view of the lace as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lace for one of a pair of shoes in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectional view of the lace for one of a pair of shoes as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional lace in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 6 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the lace for one of a pair of shoes in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a lace 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an inner foam layer 11, and an outer weaving layer 10 covering the inner foam layer 11. Preferably, the inner foam layer 11 of the lace 1 is made of a soft foamable material, such as PE and the like.
In practice, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lace 1 functions as a shoelace of one of a pair of shoes “A”. In such a manner, when the lace 1 is tied or bound to form at least two intersecting layers, a contact part of the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 1 forms a convex and concave engagement positioning portion 12 by deforming the soft inner foam layer 11 to provide a positioning effect to the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 1 so that the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 1 are positioned exactly and closely, thereby facilitating a user tying or binding the lace 1.
Accordingly, the inner foam layer 11 of the lace 1 is made of a soft foamable material, so that the inner foam layer 11 of the lace 1 has a lower price, thereby decreasing the costs of fabrication. In addition, the inner foam layer 11 of the lace 1 has a lighter weight, thereby decreasing the whole weight of the lace 1. Further, the inner foam layer 11 of the lace 1 can be broken and crashed when the lace 1 is disposed of, so that the inner foam layer 11 of the lace 1 is recycled to satisfy the requirement of environmental protection. Further, when the lace 1 is tied or bound to form at least two intersecting layers, a contact part of the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 1 forms a convex and concave engagement positioning portion 12 by deforming the soft inner foam layer 11 to provide a positioning effect to the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 1 so that the at least two intersecting layers of the lace 1 are positioned exactly and closely, thereby facilitating a user tying or binding the lace 1.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A lace, comprising:

an inner foam layer;

an outer weaving layer covering the inner foam layer.

2. The lace in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inner foam layer of the lace is made of a soft foamable material.

3. The lace in accordance with claim 2, wherein the inner foam layer of the lace is made of PE.

4. The lace in accordance with claim 1, wherein when the lace forms at least two intersecting layers, a contact part of the at least two intersecting layers of the lace forms a convex and concave engagement positioning portion by deforming the soft inner foam layer to provide a positioning effect to the at least two intersecting layers of the lace so that the at least two intersecting layers of the lace are positioned.