US20240023678A1 - Closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory - Google Patents
Closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory Download PDFInfo
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- US20240023678A1 US20240023678A1 US18/256,821 US202118256821A US2024023678A1 US 20240023678 A1 US20240023678 A1 US 20240023678A1 US 202118256821 A US202118256821 A US 202118256821A US 2024023678 A1 US2024023678 A1 US 2024023678A1
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- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 claims description 101
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 25
- 238000009958 sewing Methods 0.000 description 25
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000010985 leather Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 4
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- 230000014509 gene expression Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001464 adherent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
- A43C7/00—Holding-devices for laces
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
- A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
- A43C11/20—Fastenings with tightening devices mounted on the tongue
Definitions
- 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.
- 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 U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,431 B2.
- 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 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.
- a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory comprising:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- passage integral with the substrate 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- two restraining elements of the aforesaid type can be provided, each equipped with a respective opening.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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,
- 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.
- the aforesaid second passage and/or the aforesaid third passage and thus the aforesaid orienting means can be implemented directly on the aforesaid substrate.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FIG. 1 schematically depicts a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 3 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention, with a respective enlarged detail;
- FIG. 4 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 5 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 6 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 7 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 8 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 9 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 11 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 12 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 13 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 14 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 15 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 16 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 17 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention
- FIG. 18 schematically depicts a shoe comprising the closing system of FIG. 11 , according to the present invention.
- FIG. 19 schematically depicts a portion of a clothing item comprising the closing system of FIG. 11 , according to the present invention.
- 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 .
- 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 FIG. 1 , and an exposed face 6 opposite the aforesaid inner face.
- the lace-locking element 4 is adapted for adjusting the tension of the lace 2 and is arranged at the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 .
- the lace 2 along its extent and in succession, crosses the lace-locking element 4 , n, the passage or first passage 5 two times and the lace-locking element 4 again.
- 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 lace 2 downstream of the lace-locking element 4 has two intermediate lengths, each denoted by 2 a , 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 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.
- the latter is made to slide with respect to the lace-locking element 4 .
- 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.
- 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 2 a stays substantially unchanged.
- the length of the intermediate lengths 2 a and the length of the end portion of lace 7 can be determined according to contingent needs, thus ensuring notable freedom of design.
- 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 .
- 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 9 a comprised between the aforesaid ends and not constrained to the substrate 3 and under which the lace 2 passes.
- 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.
- 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 .
- FIG. 2 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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.
- the restraining element 9 comprises in this case two portions preferably defining a preset angle between them, respectively denoted by 9 b and 9 c , wherein the first passage 5 , i.e. the aforesaid hole or aforesaid through opening, is obtained on the portion 9 b proximal to the lace-locking element 4 .
- 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 2 a of the lace 2 and the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 are also depicted in the example of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 3 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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.
- the closing system 301 further comprises fastening means 311 for fastening the end portion of lace 7 to the substrate 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 .
- 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.
- 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 FIG. 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 FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 4 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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 FIG. 4 .
- 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 .
- 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 9 d 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 .
- the lace 2 crosses the first passages 5 by passing under the restraining element 9 .
- the restraining element 9 further has, in addition to the central portion 9 d fastened to the substrate 3 , two intermediate portions fastened to the substrate 3 , which are substantially symmetrical with respect to the middle portion 9 d , each denoted by 9 e.
- 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 FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 5 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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 FIG. 5 .
- 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 .
- 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 lace 2 crosses the first passages 5 by passing under the restraining element 9 .
- the restraining element 9 is also fastened to the substrate 3 at a central portion 9 d and at two intermediate portions substantially symmetrical with respect to the central portion 9 d , each denoted by 9 e.
- the first passages 5 extend along an axis substantially coplanar to the main direction of extension of the restraining element 9 .
- 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 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 FIG. 5 .
- lace 7 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 7 a.
- the two lace segments 7 a which in practice correspond to the free ends of the lace whenever the latter is not like a closed ring, have a respective enlargement 7 b such as not to be able to cross the respective first passage 5 advantageously implemented by a knot of the same end portion.
- FIG. 6 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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 FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 7 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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 FIG. 7 .
- 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 FIG. 7 , or two respective first passages 5 , depending on how the lace is arranged with respect to the two restraining elements 9 .
- 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.
- 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.
- the lace crosses two first passages 5 .
- 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.
- each of the first passages 5 is formed by a restraining element 9 and the substrate 3 .
- the restraining elements 9 in order to fasten to the substrate 3 , cross the latter in corresponding holes 3 a 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 3 a.
- FIG. 8 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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.
- 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 9 b and 9 c , 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 9 b proximal to the lace-locking element 4 , whereas the other first passage 5 is obtained on the other end portion 9 b distal from the lace-locking element 4 .
- 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 FIG. 8 .
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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 FIG. 8 increases the freedom of design and constitutes a particularly economic solution.
- the lace 2 comprises, in addition to the two intermediate lengths 2 a arranged between the lace-locking 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 2 b which can be defined as second intermediate lengths, as in the example of FIG. 1 , in addition to comprising the end portion of lace 7 .
- the second intermediate lengths 2 b 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 2 a : decreasing this way the possibility that the lace 2 can stay caught in outer objects.
- 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 .
- FIG. 9 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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.
- 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.
- the closing system 801 is valid for the closing system 901 , keeping into account that the end portions 9 b and the central portion 9 c of the restraining element 9 , the lace 2 with intermediate lengths 2 a and second intermediate lengths 2 b , 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 FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 10 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.
- 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 FIG. 10 .
- 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 3 b and also being crossed by the lace 2 .
- the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element 4 is partially extended on the inner side of the substrate 3 .
- 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 3 b 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 3 b.
- 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 2 a and of the end portion of lace 7 , as will become clearer hereunder.
- 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.
- 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 .
- the substrate 3 comprises two further through openings, each denoted by 3 c and also crossed by the lace 2 .
- 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 3 c 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 3 b , 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 3 c.
- the closing system 1010 further shows the button 8 of the lace-locking element 4 and the attachment 10 .
- FIG. 11 an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 and of the closing system of FIG. 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.
- 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.
- the restraining element 9 is in this case entirely similar to the restraining element 9 of the closing system depicted in the example of FIG. 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.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 90 a and under which the lace 2 passes.
- 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 .
- an optimal direction is the one that allows to reduce the tension components perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the intermediate lengths 2 a and of the end portion of lace 7 , herein denoted by L.
- the optimal direction is defined by an angle 3 between 45° and 90°, more preferably between 60° and 90°, still more preferably between 75° and 90°, where the angle ⁇ 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 .
- FIGS. 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 FIGS. 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.
- the closing systems of the FIGS. 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 .
- 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.
- 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.
- FIGS. 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 .
- 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 .
- the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band folded on itself at an end portion 9 f , and 90 f thereof which defines the aforesaid through opening, wherein the band is fastened to the substrate 3 by sewing or gluing.
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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 9 g and 90 g , defines the aforesaid passage.
- 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.
- 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.
- the filiform element can be substituted by a shoelace, lace, string or the like.
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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.
- FIG. 18 depicts a shoe 180 according to the present invention.
- the shoe 180 comprises the closing system 1011 depicted and described with reference to the example of FIG. 11 , although understood that any closing system according to what is set forth above can be provided.
- 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 FIG. 18 .
- FIG. 19 depicts a portion of a clothing item according to the present invention.
- 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 FIG. 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.
- 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 FIG. 19 .
- the solution of the example of FIG. 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.
- a further advantage lies in the reliability and durability of the present closing system, in addition to the notable freedom of design it allows.
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Abstract
A closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, including a lace, a substrate having an inner face and an exposed face opposite the inner face, a lace-locking element for adjusting the tension of the lace, which lace-locking element is arranged at the exposed face of the substrate and which is crossed by the lace thus defining a lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element comprising two lace segments coming out of the lace-locking element, one or more first passages integral with the substrate, wherein the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element crosses the one or more first passages thus defining, on the side of the exposed face, an end portion of lace extended beyond one or more first passages and which comprises one lace segment or two lace segments not contiguous to each other.
Description
- 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.
- 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 U.S. Pat. No. 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 U.S. Pat. No. 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 torn apart from the material of the “hook and loop” type. Moreover and disadvantageously, 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 U.S. Pat. No. 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 A1, 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 U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,454 are substantially noticed.
- 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.
- 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:
-
FIG. 1 schematically depicts a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention, with a respective enlarged detail; -
FIG. 4 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 11 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 13 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 14 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 15 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 16 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 17 schematically depicts the closing system ofFIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention; -
FIG. 18 schematically depicts a shoe comprising the closing system of FIG. 11, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 19 schematically depicts a portion of a clothing item comprising the closing system ofFIG. 11 , according to the present invention. - With reference to
FIG. 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 alace 2, asubstrate 3, a lace-lockingelement 4 and a passage orfirst passage 5 integral with thesubstrate 3 and engaged or anyhow crossed by thelace 2. - In detail, the
substrate 3 corresponds to a portion of the aforesaid shoe or the aforesaid item of clothing or accessory at which alace portion 2 is arranged, and has an inner face, not visible in the example ofFIG. 1 , and an exposedface 6 opposite the aforesaid inner face. - The lace-locking
element 4, of known type, is adapted for adjusting the tension of thelace 2 and is arranged at the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3. - In particular, the
lace 2, along its extent and in succession, crosses the lace-lockingelement 4, n, the passage orfirst passage 5 two times and the lace-lockingelement 4 again. In practice, according to the example ofFIG. 1 , thelace 2 defines, downstream of the lace-lockingelement 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-lockingelement 4, has two intermediate lengths, each denoted by 2 a, which are arranged between the lace-lockingelement 4 and thefirst passage 5, and an end portion oflace 7 extended beyond thefirst passage 5, i.e. downstream of the latter. - The
first passage 5, as mentioned integral with thesubstrate 3, is advantageous because it prevents thelace 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 oflace 7, sufficient to allow a user to grasp thelace 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-lockingelement 4. - According to the example of
FIG. 1 , the lace-lockingelement 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
FIG. 1 , it is possible to adjust the tension of thelace 2 by pressing on thebutton 8 such as the lace can slide with respect to the lace-lockingelement 4. In practice, by pressing on thebutton 8, thelace 2 is disengaged from the lace-lockingelement 4, thus being able to be released to loosen the tension or to be pulled such as to increase the tension, by acting on theintermediate lengths 2 a 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 thefirst passage 5, thus if the tension of thelace 2 is increased the length of the end portion oflace 7 is increased, or if the tension of thelace 2 is decreased the length of the end portion oflace 7 is decreased. The length of the twointermediate lengths 2 a stays substantially unchanged. Once the desired tension has been reached, thebutton 8 is released, thus locking the position of thelace 2 with respect to the lace-lockingelement 4. - It should be said that the length of the
intermediate lengths 2 a and the length of the end portion oflace 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 ofFIG. 1 , the present closing system comprises a restrainingelement 9 constrained to thesubstrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 which defines, with thesubstrate 3 itself, thefirst 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 thesubstrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and acentral portion 9 a comprised between the aforesaid ends and not constrained to thesubstrate 3 and under which thelace 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
FIG. 1 , theclosing system 1 further comprises anattachment 10 combined with the end portion oflace 7. - The
attachment 10 has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross thefirst passage 5, thus such as not to be able to pass under the restrainingelement 9. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, in the example of
FIG. 2 , aclosing system 201 is depicted, wherein the passage orfirst passage 5, integral with thesubstrate 3, is directly obtained on the restrainingelement 9, which is a sort of small plate constrained to thesubstrate 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 9 b and 9 c, wherein thefirst passage 5, i.e. the aforesaid hole or aforesaid through opening, is obtained on theportion 9 b proximal to the lace-lockingelement 4. - In practice, in this embodiment, the
first passage 5 is crossed by thelace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the surface of extension of the restrainingelement 9. - The
closing system 201 further shows theattachment 10 combined with the end portion oflace 7, which has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross thefirst passage 5, thus such as not to be able to cross the aforesaid through opening arranged on the restrainingelement 9. - The
button 8 of the lace-lockingelement 4, theintermediate lengths 2 a of thelace 2 and the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 are also depicted in the example ofFIG. 2 . - With reference to
FIG. 3 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, in the example of
FIG. 3 , aclosing system 301 is depicted, wherein the passage orfirst passage 5, integral with thesubstrate 3, is directly obtained on the restrainingelement 9 which is a bodkin ring fastened, for example by sewing or gluing, to thesubstrate 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 oflace 7 to thesubstrate 3. - According to the example of
FIG. 3 , the aforesaid fastening means take the form of a hook combined with thesubstrate 3, which locks the end portion oflace 7 by hooking onto thelace 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
FIG. 3 . - The lace-locking
element 4 with therespective button 8 and the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 are also depicted in the example ofFIG. 3 . - With reference to
FIG. 4 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, a
closing system 401 comprising twofirst passages 5, both integral with thesubstrate 3 and crossed by thelace 2, is depicted in the example ofFIG. 4 . - In this regard, it should be said that according to the invention, the
closing system 401 comprises a restrainingelement 9 constrained to thesubstrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 which defines, with thesubstrate 3 itself, the twofirst 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 thesubstrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and acentral portion 9 d comprised between the aforesaid ends and also fastened to thesubstrate 3 at a middle portion thereof, for example by gluing or sewing, thus forming two loops which make, with thesubstrate 3, twofirst passages 5 inside which thelace 2 passes, a lace segment for each of the twofirst passages 5. - In practice, the
lace 2 crosses thefirst passages 5 by passing under the restrainingelement 9. - In order to better define the two
first passages 5, the restrainingelement 9 further has, in addition to thecentral portion 9 d fastened to thesubstrate 3, two intermediate portions fastened to thesubstrate 3, which are substantially symmetrical with respect to themiddle portion 9 d, each denoted by 9 e. - 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 therespective button 8, the end portion oflace 7 extended beyond thefirst passages 5 and theattachment 10 combined with the end portion oflace 7 are also depicted in the example ofFIG. 4 . - With reference to
FIG. 5 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, a
closing system 501 comprising twofirst passages 5, both integral with thesubstrate 3 and crossed by thelace 2, is depicted in the example ofFIG. 5 . - In this regard, it should be said that according to the invention, the
closing system 501 comprises a restrainingelement 9 constrained to thesubstrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 which defines, with thesubstrate 3 itself, the twofirst 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 restrainingelement 9 with thesubstrate 3, for creating the aforesaid two loops, is thus discontinuous. - In practice, also in this case, the
lace 2 crosses thefirst passages 5 by passing under the restrainingelement 9. - In order to better define the two
first passages 5, the restrainingelement 9 is also fastened to thesubstrate 3 at acentral portion 9 d and at two intermediate portions substantially symmetrical with respect to thecentral portion 9 d, each denoted by 9 e. - In this case, the
first passages 5 extend along an axis substantially coplanar to the main direction of extension of the restrainingelement 9. In other words, thefirst passages 5 are crossed by thelace 2 along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the restrainingelement 9. This implementation is advantageous since the first passages are obtained without piercing the restrainingelement 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 therespective button 8 and the end portion oflace 7 extended beyond thefirst passages 5 are also depicted in the example ofFIG. 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 7 a. - According to the example of
FIG. 5 , the twolace segments 7 a, which in practice correspond to the free ends of the lace whenever the latter is not like a closed ring, have arespective enlargement 7 b such as not to be able to cross the respectivefirst passage 5 advantageously implemented by a knot of the same end portion. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, in the example of
FIG. 6 , aclosing system 601 is depicted, wherein twofirst passages 5, integral with thesubstrate 3, are directly obtained on the restrainingelement 9 constrained to thesubstrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, which comprises two through openings engaged by thelace 2. - The restraining
element 9 is in this case a band combined with thesubstrate 3 at its exposedface 6 in which the aforesaid two openings are crossed by thelace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the main surface of extension of the band, i.e. of the restrainingelement 9. - The lace-locking
element 4 with therespective button 8, the end portion oflace 7 extended beyond thefirst passages 5 and theattachment 10 combined with the end portion oflace 7 are also depicted in the example ofFIG. 6 . - With reference to
FIG. 7 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, a
closing system 701 comprisingfirst passages 5 integral with thesubstrate 3 and crossed by thelace 2 is depicted in the example ofFIG. 7 . - In detail, it should be said that in order to implement the aforesaid first passages the
closing system 701 comprises tworestraining elements 9 constrained to thesubstrate 3, each of which has a visible portion on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 which defines, with thesame substrate 3, a respective first passage as depicted in the example ofFIG. 7 , or two respectivefirst passages 5, depending on how the lace is arranged with respect to the tworestraining elements 9. - In fact, according to the example of
FIG. 7 , the tworestraining elements 9 are formed by two filiform elements, possibly elastic and criss-crossed between them, such as to make two eyelets under which thelace 2 can pass in different ways. - In detail, according to the example of
FIG. 7 , thelace 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 therestraining elements 9, such as to stay constrained, in use, to therestraining elements 9 themselves. In this case, as stated, the lace crosses twofirst 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 restrainingelement 9 and thesubstrate 3. - Moreover, according to the example of
FIG. 7 , it should be said that therestraining elements 9, in order to fasten to thesubstrate 3, cross the latter in correspondingholes 3 a provided on thesubstrate 3, since they can be like a closed ring or have ends of a size greater than the size of theholes 3 a. - The lace-locking
element 4 with therespective button 8, the end portion oflace 7 extended beyond thefirst passages 5 and theattachment 10 in this case having a size which allows it to cross thefirst passages 5, are also depicted in the example ofFIG. 7 . - With reference to
FIG. 8 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, in the example of
FIG. 8 , aclosing system 801 comprising twofirst passages 5 integral with thesubstrate 3 and directly obtained on the restrainingelement 9, is depicted, which is a sort of small plate constrained to thesubstrate 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 9 b and 9 c, and preferably defining two respective preset angles, wherein afirst passage 5, i.e. one of the two through openings, is obtained on anend portion 9 b proximal to the lace-lockingelement 4, whereas the otherfirst passage 5 is obtained on theother end portion 9 b distal from the lace-lockingelement 4. - Similarly to what previously described, the
first passages 5 are also in this case crossed by thelace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the surface of extension of the restrainingelement 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 ofFIG. 8 . In particular, the lace-lockingelement 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 thelace 2. In this case, the lace-lockingelement 4 conveniently locks thelace 2 thanks to the friction generated between the two, once thelace 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 thelace 2 or for anyhow increasing such force, it is sufficient that the surface of the lace-lockingelement 4 facing thelace 2 is for example made of rubbery material or coated with rubbery varnish. The embodiment of the lace-lockingelement 4 shown in the example ofFIG. 8 increases the freedom of design and constitutes a particularly economic solution. - Moreover, according to the example of
FIG. 8 , it should be said that thelace 2 comprises, in addition to the twointermediate lengths 2 a arranged between the lace-lockingelement 4 and afirst passage 5, in this case thefirst passage 5 proximal to the lace-lockingelement 4, also two further visible lengths denoted by 2 b which can be defined as second intermediate lengths, as in the example ofFIG. 1 , in addition to comprising the end portion oflace 7. - In particular, the second
intermediate lengths 2 b are comprised between the twofirst passages 5 and thus extend between the two aforesaid through openings of the restrainingelement 9. - This solution is advantageous because it reduces the length of the
lace 2 comprised between the lace-lockingelement 4 and the restrainingelement 9, thus in practice reducing the length of theintermediate lengths 2 a: decreasing this way the possibility that thelace 2 can stay caught in outer objects. - In the example of
FIG. 8 , theclosing system 801 also shows theattachment 10 combined with the end portion oflace 7, which has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the openings of the restrainingelement 9, and the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3. - With reference to
FIG. 9 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, in the example of
FIG. 9 , aclosing system 901 comprising fourfirst passages 5 integral with thesubstrate 3 and directly obtained on the restrainingelement 9 is depicted, which is a sort of small plate constrained to thesubstrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising four through openings or holes. - In addition to the example of
FIG. 1 , as set forth above, as far as theclosing system 901 is concerned, reference can be made to the example ofFIG. 8 set forth above and to whose description reference is made, the restrainingelement 9 of theclosing system 901 being entirely similar to the restrainingelement 9 of theclosing system 801, with the exception of the number offirst passages 5 provided on the restrainingelement 9, and of the lace-lockingelement 4 provided in this case similar to the one depicted in the example ofFIG. 1 , thus provided with thebutton 8. - In particular, as far as the
first passages 5 are concerned, it should be said that each of thefirst passages 5 of the restrainingelement 9 of theclosing system 801 was divided into twofirst passages 5 within the restrainingelement 9 of theclosing system 901, wherein the first passages were further transformed from elongated slits into substantially circular holes. Thus, what is set forth above for theclosing system 801 is valid for theclosing system 901, keeping into account that theend portions 9 b and thecentral portion 9 c of the restrainingelement 9, thelace 2 withintermediate lengths 2 a and secondintermediate lengths 2 b, the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3, the end portion oflace 7 and theattachment 10 are also depicted in the example ofFIG. 9 . - With reference to
FIG. 10 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, a
closing system 1010 comprising twofirst passages 5 integral with thesubstrate 3 and directly obtained on thesubstrate 3, inside which thelace 2 passes, is depicted in the example ofFIG. 10 . - In this case the
substrate 3, in addition to being provided with two through openings corresponding to the twofirst passages 5 beyond which the end portion oflace 7 of thelace 2 extends on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3, comprises two further through openings, each denoted by 3 b and also being crossed by thelace 2. - In practice, according to the example of
FIG. 10 , the lace portion downstream of the lace-lockingelement 4 is partially extended on the inner side of thesubstrate 3. - In specific the
lace 2, in its extension, passes from the exposedface 6 to the inner face of thesubstrate 3 through one of the throughopenings 3 b to then pass on the exposedface 6 again through one of the twofirst passages 5, to then pass on the inner face of thesubstrate 3 again through the other of the twofirst passages 5 and to finally return visible on the exposedface 6 by passing within the second through opening 3 b. - According to the invention and as shown in the example of
FIG. 10 , the present closing system further comprises asecond passage 25 and athird passage 35, both integral with thesubstrate 3 and which are arranged with respect to the lace-lockingelement 4 on the opposite part of thefirst passages 5, which are crossed by thelace 2. - This solution is advantageous because it allows to guide the
lace 2 in an optimal direction for entering the lace-lockingelement 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 2 a and of the end portion oflace 7, as will become clearer hereunder. - According to the example of
FIG. 10 , thesecond passage 25 and thethird passage 35 are obtained, as thefirst passages 5, directly on thesubstrate 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 theinner face 6 of thesubstrate 3 also upstream of the lace-lockingelement 4. - In particular, in order that the
lace 2 crosses thesecond passage 25 and thethird passage 35, thesubstrate 3 comprises two further through openings, each denoted by 3 c and also crossed by thelace 2. - Thus the
lace 2, upstream of the lace-lockingelement 4 and in this case with a so to say broken extension, i.e. not continuous, passes from the exposedface 6 to the inner face of thesubstrate 3 through one of the throughopenings 3 c to then pass on the exposedface 6 again through thesecond passage 25, to then reach the lace-lockingelement 4, thus crosses, as described above, thefirst passages 5 and throughopenings 3 b, thus passes within the lace-lockingelement 4 again, thus passes from the exposedface 6 to the inner face of thesubstrate 3 through thethird passage 35 and finally returns visible on the exposedface 6 by passing within the other throughopening 3 c. - The
closing system 1010 further shows thebutton 8 of the lace-lockingelement 4 and theattachment 10. - With reference to
FIG. 11 , an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system ofFIG. 1 and of the closing system ofFIG. 10 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing system 1 and for theclosing system 1010 described above and to whose description reference is made. - In particular, in the example of
FIG. 11 , aclosing system 1011 comprising twofirst passages 5 integral with thesubstrate 3 and crossed by thelace 2 and directly obtained on the restrainingelement 9 is depicted, in which the restrainingelement 9 is a sort of small plate constrained to thesubstrate 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 restrainingelement 9 of the closing system depicted in the example ofFIG. 2 , with the exception of comprising twofirst 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 restrainingelement 9 are concerned, reference can in this case also be made, in addition to the examples ofFIGS. 1 and 10 as described above, to the example ofFIG. 2 . - The
closing system 1011 further comprises thesecond passage 25 and thethird passage 35 integral with thesubstrate 3 and crossed by thelace 2. - As far as the
second passage 25 and thethird passage 35 are concerned, it should be said that, according to the example ofFIG. 11 , the present closing system comprises an orientingelement 90 constrained to thesubstrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 which defines, with thesubstrate 3 itself, thesecond passage 25 and thethird 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 thesubstrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and comprising two portions facing each other, each denoted by 90 a and under which thelace 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-lockingelement 4, in this case shown with thebutton 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 2 a and of the end portion oflace 7, herein denoted by L. - In detail, the optimal direction is defined by an
angle 3 between 45° and 90°, more preferably between 60° and 90°, still more preferably between 75° and 90°, where the angle ϑ is the one comprised between the line perpendicular to the direction L along the center line of the lace-lockingelement 4 and the half line joining the center line to thesecond passage 25 or thethird passage 35. - The
closing system 1011 further shows theattachment 10. - With reference to
FIGS. 12-17 , respective implementation variants of the present invention are depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing systems ofFIGS. 1, 10 and 11 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for theclosing systems - In particular, the closing systems of the
FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively denoted by 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are similar in that they each comprise twofirst passages 5, thesecond passage 25 and thethird passage 35. - Moreover, the
closing systems first passages 5 are obtained from tworestraining elements 9 separated from each other and substantially equal and symmetrical to each other, as thesecond passage 25 and thethird passage 25 are obtained from two orientingelements 90 separated from each other and substantially equal and symmetrical to each other. - Moreover, the
closing systems restraining elements 9 and the orientingelements 90 are made substantially in the same way. - Moreover, in the examples of
FIGS. 12-17 , the respective closing systems are shown each with the lace-lockingelement 4 provided with thebutton 8, with the end portion oflace 7 comprising a single lace segment and with theattachment 10. - Briefly, in the example of
FIG. 12 , therestraining elements 9 and the orientingelements 90, constrained to thesubstrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 and provided with a through opening crossed by thelace 2. - In this case, the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band folded on itself at an
end portion 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 restrainingelement 9. In other words, thefirst passages 5 are crossed by thelace 2 along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the restrainingelement 9. This embodiment is advantageous since thefirst passages 5 are obtained on the restrainingelement 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
FIG. 13 , therestraining elements 9 and the orientingelements 90, constrained to thesubstrate 3, each comprise a folded visible portion arranged on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 and defining a first, second or third passage crossed by thelace 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 thefold portion - Briefly, in the example of
FIG. 14 , therestraining elements 9 and the orientingelements 90, constrained to thesubstrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 which defines, together with thesubstrate 3 or by being folded, a first, second or third passage crossed by thelace 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
FIG. 15 , therestraining elements 9 and the orientingelements 90, constrained to thesubstrate 3, each comprise a visible portion fastened to the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3, which is provided with a through opening defining a first, second or third passage crossed by thelace 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
FIG. 16 , therestraining elements 9 and the orientingelements 90, constrained to thesubstrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 and a pierced element combined with the visible portion, which defines a first, second or third passage crossed by thelace 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
FIG. 17 , therestraining elements 9 and the orientingelements 90, constrained to thesubstrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposedface 6 of thesubstrate 3 and provided with a through opening defining a first, second or third passage crossed by thelace 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. -
FIG. 18 depicts ashoe 180 according to the present invention. - In particular, according to the example of
FIG. 18 , theshoe 180 comprises theclosing system 1011 depicted and described with reference to the example ofFIG. 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 theshoe 180, which flap corresponds in this case to thesubstrate 3 of theclosing system 1011, the possibility to provide theclosing 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 restrainingelement 9, the orientingelement 90, the lace-lockingelement 4 and the end portion oflace 7 are further well visible in the example ofFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 19 depicts a portion of a clothing item according to the present invention. - In detail, in the example of
FIG. 19 , ahood 190, for example of a sweatshirt or jacket, is shown and comprises theclosing system 1011 depicted and described with reference to the example ofFIG. 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
FIG. 19 , thehood 190, of which one portion, in practice, constitutes thesubstrate 3 of theclosing system 1011, comprises a closing lace which corresponds to thelace 2 of theclosing 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 orientingelement 90, the lace-lockingelement 4 provided with thebutton 8 and the end portion oflace 7 are further well visible in the example ofFIG. 19 . - The solution of the example of
FIG. 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 oflace 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 (15)
1. A closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, comprising:
a lace,
a substrate having an inner face and an exposed face opposite said inner face,
a lace-locking element for adjusting the tension of said lace, arranged at said exposed face of said substrate and wherein said lace crosses said lace-locking element thus defining a lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element comprising two lace segments coming out of said lace-locking element,
one or more first passages integral with said substrate, wherein said lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element crosses said one or more first passages thus defining, on the side of said exposed face,
an end portion of lace extended beyond said one or more first passages, comprising one lace segment or two lace segments not contiguous to each other.
2. The system according to claim 1 , comprising a second passage and a third passage integral with said substrate and which are arranged on the opposite part of said one or more first passages with respect to said lace-locking element, wherein said lace crosses said second passage and said third passage.
3. The system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one attachment combined with said end portion of lace, wherein said at least one attachment preferably has dimensions such as not to be able to cross said one or more first passages.
4. The system according to claim 1 , comprising fastening means for fastening said end portion of lace to said substrate, 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.
5. The system according to claim 1 , 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. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said lace-locking element 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.
7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element is partially extended on the side of said inner face of said substrate, said substrate being provided with at least one opening for the passage of said lace from said exposed face to said inner face.
8. The system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face defining, with said substrate, said at least one or more first passages.
9. The system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face which is provided with at least one opening defining said one or more first passages.
10. The system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate 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.
11. The system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible 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.
12. The system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate 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. The system according to claim 2 , wherein said substrate is provided with at least one opening for the passage of said lace from said exposed face to said inner face.
14. The system according to claim 2 , comprising at least one orienting element for directing said lace,
wherein said at least one orienting element is constrained to said substrate and has at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face,
wherein said at least one visible portion defines, with said substrate, said second passage and/or said third passage, or
wherein said at least one visible portion is provided with at least one opening defining said second passage or said third passage, or
wherein said at least one visible portion is folded, possibly on itself, thus defining said second passage or said third passage, or
wherein said at least one orienting element comprises a pierced element combined with said at least one visible portion, which pierced element defines said second passage or said third passage.
15. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said lace is elastic and/or like a closed ring.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102020000030926 | 2020-12-15 | ||
IT102020000030926A IT202000030926A1 (en) | 2020-12-15 | 2020-12-15 | CLOSURE SYSTEM OF A SHOE OR ARTICLE OR CLOTHING ACCESSORY |
PCT/IB2021/061680 WO2022130190A1 (en) | 2020-12-15 | 2021-12-14 | Closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory |
Publications (1)
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US20240023678A1 true US20240023678A1 (en) | 2024-01-25 |
Family
ID=74759393
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US18/256,821 Pending US20240023678A1 (en) | 2020-12-15 | 2021-12-14 | Closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory |
Country Status (5)
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US (1) | US20240023678A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4262468A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN116583203A (en) |
IT (1) | IT202000030926A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022130190A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4967454A (en) | 1989-02-17 | 1990-11-06 | Elieff Paul J | Shoe closure system and method |
US4999888A (en) | 1990-01-29 | 1991-03-19 | Miller Cathy S | Shoelace retainer |
FR2810514B1 (en) * | 2000-06-27 | 2002-10-11 | Salomon Sa | LACE TIGHTENING DEVICE COMPRISING A STORAGE POCKET OF A LOCKER |
US20060143949A1 (en) | 2004-12-30 | 2006-07-06 | Anne Wiper | Shoelace lockdown system |
JP4616920B2 (en) * | 2009-06-17 | 2011-01-19 | 株式会社クレブ | shoes |
IT1403347B1 (en) * | 2010-12-03 | 2013-10-17 | Geox Spa | LOCKING DEVICE FOR LACES, STRINGS, STRINGS AND THE LIKE, PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR THE CLOSING OF FOOTWEAR, BACKPACKS, CLOTHING AND SIMILAR ITEMS |
WO2016022988A2 (en) | 2014-08-08 | 2016-02-11 | Harley Robert | Shoe cover storage apparatus to protect laces |
JP6788059B2 (en) * | 2019-03-29 | 2020-11-18 | 美津濃株式会社 | Tightening structure of footwear and shoes using it |
-
2020
- 2020-12-15 IT IT102020000030926A patent/IT202000030926A1/en unknown
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2021
- 2021-12-14 EP EP21847760.2A patent/EP4262468A1/en active Pending
- 2021-12-14 US US18/256,821 patent/US20240023678A1/en active Pending
- 2021-12-14 WO PCT/IB2021/061680 patent/WO2022130190A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-12-14 CN CN202180084358.5A patent/CN116583203A/en active Pending
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WO2022130190A1 (en) | 2022-06-23 |
EP4262468A1 (en) | 2023-10-25 |
IT202000030926A1 (en) | 2022-06-15 |
CN116583203A (en) | 2023-08-11 |
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