US2359229A - Shoelace tip holding means - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 26,1944. B, ORD 2,359,229

" SHOE- LACE T171, HOLDING MEANS Filed Feb. 22, 1944 Inventor Patented Sept. 26, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOELACE TIP HOLDING MEANS Byron O. Lord, Clayton, Mich. 7 Application February 22, 1944, Serial No. 523,438

' 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to clasps, clips, and analogous holders and accessories such as are used on footwear for purposes of anchoring the free tip-equipped ends of a duly tied shoe lace'to prevent tangling and knotting, and the important purpose of the invention is to generally improve upon known as well as patented accessories in this category, this through the instrumentality of a unique and readily distinguishable form of retainer clip.

By way of introduction it is to be pointed out that in practice it is necessaryto use two keepers or clips though I have shown but a single one in Figure 1. Obviously, a description of one holding clip will sufiice for both for which reason the language will appear, generally, in the singular.

As implied in the preceding paragraphs, I am full well aware that the art to which theinvention relates is characterized by various styles and forms of fasteners and clips. Even so and notwithstanding this admitted development of the existing art, I have nevertheless devised one which, it is believed, is more aptly fitted for the purposes intended and susceptible of fulfilling the requirements of the trade and the users.

Briefly, I have accomplished the desired result through the adoption and use of a simple and inexpensive attaching and adapter clip capable of being readily applied and removed, this being provided with a reliable and readily usable detent for binding and holding the tip-equipped end of the lace with requisite security, the form of the detent being such that the lace may be quickly inserted and just as quickly detached.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a shoe provided with a lace-end retaining clasp constructed in accordance with the specific principles of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged outside or front elevation of the attachment detached from the shoe hopper.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation thereof.

Referring now to th drawing by distinguishing reference numerals it will be seen that the accessory is characterized by two main parts;

namely, the adapter and attaching clip 5 and the resilient associated lace clasp or detent 6. The part 5 is preferably of spring metal and of approximate U-shaped form, the same being bent between its ends as at l and defining inner and outer limbs 8 and 9 the free ends of which have struck-out prongs l0 and II. These are pointed to serve as anchoring spurs and are adapted to pierce opposite sides of the shoe upper at about the points indicated in Figure 1. It will be noticed that the intermediate portion of the outer limb 9 is provided with an indentation I2 which serves as a reinforcin bead as well as a seating depression for the inner free ends l3 of the metal wire clasp 6. The clasp is also a U-shaped member bent between its ends with the free ends of the limbs passing through apertures adjacent the bend 1 and seated in said depression formed by the bead [2. The bight portion of the wire is deflected laterally as indicated at M, this extending beyond the adjacent lower end of the bead l2. It facilitates placement and removal of the tip-equipped end l5 of the shoe lace.

Th intermediate portions of the limbs of said wire part 6 are formed into keeper bends l5 and these serve as keeper seats for the lace-end. These bends coact nicely with the bead in safely and securely holding said lace-end in the outof-the-way safety position shown in Figure 1. In the latter figure the shoe A is shown provided with the conventional lace which is tied into the customary bow B. The free tipped end I5 is the end which is slipped up between the bead l2 and keeper-bends l6. As stated the deflected or flared end l4 facilitates insertion and removal of said lace-end. It will be noticed too that the opposite free ends of the wire forming said part 6 are nicely nested and seated in the recess formed by the reinforcing bead l2 to prevent marring or scratching of the leather of the shoe upper.

In practice, all that is necessary is to drop the fork-like clip 5 down over the shoe upper and to seat it in place at the approximate point indicated in Figure 1, the spurs I0 and II piercing the leather and serving to hold the clip in place. Then the device is ready for use. The method of use is so simple as to obviate the necessity of including an extended explanation.

It is submitted that an accessory of this type is simple, economical and otherwise aptly fitted for the purposes intended. The inherent possibilities and features are such as to put the device in a class by itself compared to similar patented .clasps, clips and fasteners.

anchoring clip, a clasp carried by the outer member of the clip, said clasp being in the form of a U-shaped resilient wire element bent between its ends to provide an outwardly flaring element and further bent to provide opposed bends forming keeper seats for the lace-end.

2. A shoe lace retainer of the class described comprising a U-shaped adapter clip having anchoring spurs, the outer limb thereof being provided with an indentation defining a longitudinal reinforcing bead, the inner side of said bead constituting a recess, and a clasp constructed from wire having its free ends fastened upon the bent portion of the clip and extending inwardly between the limbs of the clip, the extremities thereof being arranged by nesting in said recess in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. A shoe lace retainer of the class described comprising an adapter and anchoring clip having an exteriorly disposable member provided with a longitudinally elongated indentation defining an outwardly projecting, longitudinal reinforcing bead, and a clasp mounted thereon, said clasp being in the form of a U-shaped resilient wire element, the bight end portion thereof being deflected and flaring outwardly and projecting beyond one end of said bead, the limbs thereof coacting with the longitudinal edge portions of said bead and the intermediate limb portions being provided with opposed bends forming keeper seats coacting with the bead and adapted to receive the associated lace-end.

BYRON C. LORD.

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