WO2008026834A1

WO2008026834A1 - Shoelace accessory

Info

Publication number: WO2008026834A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang Hun Han
Original assignee: Chang Hun Han
Priority date: 2006-08-28
Filing date: 2007-08-06
Publication date: 2008-03-06
Also published as: KR100733818B1

Abstract

A shoelace accessory is used by being threaded on the shoelace of a shoe. The shoelace is inserted into insert holes provided in both ends of a body of the shoelace accessory in such a fashion that an 'I' shaped fastening bar is put over one of the insert holes, and the shoelace covers the upper part of the fastening bar while being twisted along the bar such that it is wound around the same. The accessory, after being threaded with the shoelace, does not move along the shoelace, and gives a good aesthetic appearance to the shoe.

Description

SHOELACE ACCESSORY

Technical Field

[I] The present invention relates to a shoelace accessory that is threaded on the shoelace of a shoe, and more particularly, to a shoelace accessory, in which the shoelace is inserted into insert holes provided in both ends of the body of the shoelace accessory in such a fashion that an "I" shaped fastening bar is put over one of the insert holes, and the shoelace covers the upper part of the fastening bar when twisted around the bar so as to be wound around the same, so that the accessory, after threaded with the shoelace, does not move along the shoelace and gives a good aesthetic appearance to the shoe.

Background Art [2] In general, an accessory is an object or device that is used to add to the beauty of something else. [3] Shoelace accessories are fabricated and used like various other articles, such as earrings, necklaces, anklets and bracelets.

[4] However, insignificant advances have been observed in shoe-decorating accessories.

[5] In the case of sneakers, the shape is almost fixed, and does not allow any significant changes. That is, sneakers have been used with substantially the same style and shape. [6] Lately, some new types of accessories have been introduced, which are designed to be used by being attached to a shoe, and more particularly, by being threaded with a shoelace. FIG. 1 illustrates a shoelace accessory 300 of this kind. [7] In this shoelace accessory 300, when a shoelace is threaded into shoelace holes of a shoe, it is also inserted into one insert hole 302 of the shoelace accessory 300, in one end of a body 301, and pulled out through the other insert hole 302, in order to attach the shoelace accessory 300 to the shoe.

[8] However, this shoelace accessory 300 has the following drawbacks.

[9] Since the insert holes 302 are somewhat wider than the thickness or the width of the shoelace, the shoelace accessory can move along the shoelace to the right or the left. [10] When the shoelace accessory 300 moves out of the desired position, it gives a bad appearance to the shoe.

[I I] Of course, the size of the insert holes 302 can be reduced in order to overcome such drawbacks. However, this makes it difficult to insert the shoelace into the insert holes 302 of the shoelace accessory.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [12] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the prior art, and therefore an aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a shoelace accessory which is used by being threaded on the shoelace of a shoe, in which the shoelace is inserted into insert holes provided in both ends of a body of the shoelace accessory in such a fashion that an "I" shaped fastening bar is put over one of the insert holes, and the shoelace covers the upper part of the fastening bar while being twisted around the bar so as to be wound around the same, so that the accessory, after threaded with the shoelace, does not move along the shoelace and gives a good aesthetic appearance to the shoe. Technical Solution

[13] According to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object, there is provided a shoelace accessory, including a curved body having an edge step in the back side thereof and insert holes in opposite ends thereof; and at least one "I" shaped fastening bar put on at least one of the insert holes, the fastening bar having a stem in a central portion thereof and extensions extending perpendicularly from both ends of the stem, wherein the shoelace accessory is threaded on a shoelace in such a fashion that the shoelace is passed through one of the insert holes of the body while covering the upper face of the "I" shaped fastening bar, thereby being tightly fastened to the shoelace accessory.

[14] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a shoelace accessory of a shoelace, including a curved body having an edge step in the back side thereof, insert holes in opposite ends thereof and support sections in both ends of the insert holes, each of the support sections having a recess indented from the outside and an insert groove in the middle portion thereof; and at least one "I" shaped fastening bar put on at least one of the insert holes, the fastening bar having a stem in a central portion thereof and extensions extending perpendicularly from both ends of the stem, wherein the shoelace accessory is threaded on a shoelace in such a fashion that the shoelace is passed through one of the insert holes of the body while covering the upper face of the "I" shaped fastening bar, thereby being tightly fastened with the shoelace accessory.

Advantageous Effects

[15] As set forth above, the shoelace accessory of the present invention is threaded with a shoelace to give an excellent aesthetic appearance to a shoe.

[16] The shoelace accessory of the present invention can be fastened with the shoelace through a very simple process, and once fastened, does not move unless the user intentionally manipulates it.

[17] Furthermore, it is possible to use the shoelace accessory of the present invention without making a change to existing shoes. Moreover, the shoelace accessory of the present invention can be manufactured through a simple process and attached to a shoe through a simple process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional shoelace accessory;

[19] FIG. 2 is perspective views illustrating a shoelace accessory according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the shoelace accessory according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in a state of being mounted on a shoelace; [21] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the shoelace accessory according to the first embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a shoelace; [22] FIG. 5 is cross-sectional views illustrating the shoelace accessory according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [23] FIG. 6 is perspective views illustrating a shoelace accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [24] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the shoelace accessory according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in a state of being mounted on a shoelace; [25] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the shoelace accessory according to the second embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a shoelace, [26] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe, to which the shoelace accessory according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached at an oblique angle; and [27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe, to which the shoelace accessory according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached horizontally.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [28] The present invention relates to an accessory that is threaded on a shoelace when it is used. [29] The shoelace accessory according to the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10, in which preferred embodiments thereof are shown. [30] The shoelace accessory 100 includes a curved body 10 and "I" shaped fastening bars

30. The body 30 has an edge step 11 in a back side thereof and insert holes 20 in opposite ends thereof. Each of the "I" shaped fastening bars 30 is put into at least one of the insert holes 20, and has a stem 32 in the center and extensions 31 extending perpendicularly from both ends of the stem 32. [31] The shoelace accessory 100 is threaded on a shoelace 1 as follows: The shoelace 1 is passed through the insert holes 20 of the body 10 while covering the upper face of the stem 32 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 30. In this way, the shoelace accessory 100 is tightly fastened with the shoelace 1.

[32] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the shoelace accessory 100 of the first embodiment includes the body 10 and the "I" shaped fastening bar 30.

[33] The body 10 is slightly curved, as shown in the drawings, and the edge step 11 is formed along the rear side edge of the body 10.

[34] Accordingly, when the shoelace 1 is inserted through the body 10, it is buried in the step edge 11 and concealed from the outside. This structure reduces the amount of metal material that is used, thereby reducing the unit price and decreasing the weight thereof.

[35] The insert holes 20 are formed in the opposite ends of the body 10.

[36] The insert holes 20 can be in various forms, such as a circle, an oval and a quadrangle, preferably, in the form of a rectangle.

[37] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the "I" shaped fastening bar 30 tightly contacts the upper part of the body 10.

[38] The shoelace 1 is passed through the insert hole 20, particularly, through one gap between the body 10 and the fastening bar 30, covering the upper part of the fastening bar 30, and is passed through the insert hole 20 again, particularly, through the other gap between the body 10 and the fastening bar 30.

[39] After the shoelace 1 is passed through the insert hole 20 while covering the upper part of the "I" shaped fastening bar 30, the shoelace 1 is pulled. As the shoelace 1 is pulled further, the fastening bar 30 and the body 10 contact each other more tightly to have increased friction with the shoelace 1, so that the shoelace cannot be easily moved.

[40] That is, even if the user takes heavy exercise or is bumped violently, there is no danger of the shoelace accessory 100 of the present invention moving to the right or the left along the shoelace 1.

[41] Accordingly, the shoelace accessory 100 of the present invention can achieve a desired object of decorating a shoe 99 in a designated position unless the user intentionally moves it.

[42] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, pluralities of accessories 100 can be threaded on the shoelace 1, which is tied in the shoe 99. Preferably, the accessories 100 can be fastened with all the sections of the shoelace 1 between shoelace holes.

[43] On the surface of the shoelace accessories 100, various trademarks or advertising patterns can be formed in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance or achieve an advertising effect.

[44] A single advertising pattern can be spread across a plurality of accessories as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a trademark or a pattern can be printed on a single accessory 100 in order to achieve an advertising effect.

[45] Also, in the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, tapers 21 are formed in the underside of the body 10 adjacent to the insert holes 20, so that the body 10 can be more tightly fastened with the shoelace 1.

[46] That is, the tapers act to increase the friction between the walls of the insert holes 20 and the shoelace 1, like an acute edge.

[47] This can further prevent the shoelace accessory 100 of the present invention from moving along the shoelace 1 to the right or the left.

[48] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the stem 32 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 30 is reduced in thickness from the bottom, thereby forming steps 35 in the extensions 31.

[49] That is, since the height of the stem 31 is smaller than that of the extensions 31, the

"I" shaped fastening bars 30 do not protrude over the body 10 out of the insert holes 20 when they are placed on the body 10.

[50] Of course, some portions of the body 10, which form the right and left edges of the insert hole 20, are also reduced in height so as to be the same size as the stem 32.

[51] Accordingly, when the I-shaped fastening bar 30 is pushed to the upper part of the insert hole 20, the reduced height of the edges of the insert hole 20 of the body 10 becomes the same as the height of the I-shaped fastening bar 30, so that the shoelace accessory 100 has a smooth shape without an upper protrusion when in an assembled state.

[52] The shoelace accessory according to the second embodiment of the present invention can also be realized in the form shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in which the shape of the body is slightly different from that of the first embodiment.

[53] That is, the shoelace accessory 200 includes a curved body 110 and "I" shaped fastening bars 130. The curved body 110 has an edge step 111 in a back side thereof, insert holes 120 in opposite ends thereof, and support sections 122 at both ends of the insert holes 120. Each of the support sections 122 has a recess 121 indented from the outside and an insert groove 123 in a middle portion thereof. Each of the "I" shaped fastening bars 130 is put on at least one of the insert holes 120, and has a stem 132 in a central portion thereof and extensions 31 extending perpendicularly from both ends of the stem 132.

[54] The shoelace accessory 200 is threaded on a shoelace 1 as follows: The shoelace 1 is passed through the insert holes 120 of the body 110 while covering the upper face of the stem 132 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 130. In this way, the shoelace accessory 200 is tightly fastened with the shoelace 1.

[55] The body 110 of the shoelace accessory 200 of this embodiment is similar to the body of the first embodiment, but differs in the shape of the insert holes 120 and surrounding portions. [56] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a pair of recesses 121 is formed in the body 110, from the outside toward the respective ends of an insert hole 120. [57] The insert grooves 123 are formed in the center of the support sections 122, which define the insert hole 120, so that the stem 132 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 can be inserted therein. [58] Accordingly, when the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 is placed on the insert grooves

123 of the body 110, the extensions 131 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 are stored in the recesses 121. Thus, the extensions 131 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 do not protrude outside, as in the first embodiment. [59] In addition, the stem 132 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 is buried in the insert grooves 123 without protruding from the body 110, so that the aesthetic appearance can be improved. [60] Regarding the aforementioned structure, the shoelace accessory 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has substantially the same functions and effects as the accessory 100 of the first embodiment. [61] In the second embodiment of the present invention, tapers (see 121 in FIG. 5) are formed in the underside of the body 110 adjacent to the insert holes 120, so that the body 110 can be more tightly fastened with the shoelace 1. [62] That is, some edge portions of the body 110, which are made sharper by the tapers, are in facial contact with the shoelace 1, thereby preventing the accessory 200 from moving along the shoelace 1. [63] The stem 132 of the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 is reduced in thickness from the bottom, thereby forming steps 135 in the extensions 131. [64] The steps 135 have the same structure as those in the first embodiment, and thus the same effect can be achieved. [65] That is, when the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 is placed on the insert hole 120 of the body 110, the steps 135 act to prevent the "I" shaped fastening bar 130 from protruding above the upper surface of the body 110.

[66] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Industrial Applicability [67] As set forth above, the shoelace accessory of the present invention is threaded with a shoelace to give an excellent aesthetic appearance to a shoe. [68] The shoelace accessory of the present invention can be fastened with the shoelace through a very simple process, and once fastened, does not move unless the user intentionally manipulates it.

[69] Furthermore, it is possible to use the shoelace accessory of the present invention without making a change to existing shoes. Moreover, the shoelace accessory of the present invention can be manufactured through a simple process and attached to a shoe through a simple process.

Claims

[1] A shoelace accessory, comprising: a curved body having an edge step in a back side thereof and insert holes in opposite ends thereof; and at least one "I" shaped fastening bar put on at least one of the insert holes, the fastening bar having a stem in a central portion thereof and extensions extending perpendicularly from both ends of the stem, wherein the shoelace accessory is threaded on a shoelace 1 in such a fashion that the shoelace is passed through one of the insert holes of the body while covering an upper face of the "I" shaped fastening bar, thereby being tightly fastened with the shoelace accessory. [2] The shoelace accessory according to claim 1, wherein the body has tapers in underside portions thereof, adjacent to the insert holes, in order to more tightly fasten the body with the shoelace. [3] The shoelace accessory according to claim 1, wherein the stem of the "I" shaped fastening bar is reduced in thickness from the bottom thereof, thereby forming steps in the extensions. [4] A shoelace accessory of a shoelace, comprising: a curved body having an edge step in a back side thereof, insert holes in opposite ends thereof and support sections at both ends of the insert holes, each of the support sections having a recess indented from outside and an insert groove in a middle portion thereof; and at least one "I" shaped fastening bar put on at least one of the insert holes, the fastening bar having a stem in a central portion thereof and extensions 1 extending perpendicularly from both ends of the stem, wherein the shoelace accessory is threaded on a shoelace 1 in such a fashion that the shoelace is passed through one of the insert holes of the body while covering an upper face of the "I" shaped fastening bar, thereby being tightly fastened with the shoelace accessory. [5] The shoelace accessory according to claim 4, wherein the body has tapers in underside portions thereof, adjacent to the insert holes, in order to more tightly fasten the body with the shoelace. [6] The shoelace accessory according to claim 4, wherein the stem of the "I" shaped fastening bar is reduced in thickness from the bottom thereof, thereby forming steps in the extensions.