WO2009084812A2

WO2009084812A2 - Apparatus for adjusting length of lace

Info

Publication number: WO2009084812A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/006708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Youn-Seo So
Original assignee: Youn-Seo So
Priority date: 2008-01-02
Filing date: 2008-11-14
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: WO2009084812A3; KR100828906B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a lace, more particularly an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace that makes it possible to conveniently and effectively adjust laces of jumpers, sportswear, hats, sports shoes, and bags, having a simple structure.

Description

APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING LENGTH OF LACE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a lace, more particularly an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace that makes it possible to conveniently and effectively adjust laces of jumpers, sportswear, hats, sports shoes, and bags, having a simple structure. The apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to the present invention can also be used to adjust the length of cables of a variety of electric and electronic devices, such as headsets and earphones, other than clothes and sports shoes which are described above.

[2] The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0000029, filed on January 2, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety Background Art

[3] In general, jumpers, sportswear, and hats are provided with laces for adjusting the girths of the waist and head to fit the user's bodies after being put on. The laces are generally provided with fixing clips at each end, which move along the laces, to maintain predetermined lengths of the laces.

[4] The clip is locked on the lace that passes through the center portion of the clip in order not to move along the lace and it is unlocked to be able to move along the lace when pushed by a user. Accordingly, the user can wear cloths and hats by adjusting the girths and the shapes to the user's preference.

[5] However, according to the configuration of the clip, the user needs to individually adjust every time the lengths of the laces and the excess remaining portions of the laces become entangled with each other because the entire lengths of the laces are fixed.

[6] In addition, because it is difficult to separate the clip from the lace, the clip hits the inside of a washing machine and is broken or the washing machine is damaged when the clothes are washed.

[7] Accordingly, the present applicant has been granted a Utility Model Registration for an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace, from Korean Intellectual Property Office (Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0436011).

[8] The registered technology is to adjust the length of a lace attached to clothes while the lace is automatically wound, by operating a switch.

[9] However, in consideration that another element, such as a spring, is required for the above technology, the present applicants has proposed a new technology that makes it possible to conveniently and effectively adjust the length of a lace, using a simple structure.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[10] It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace that makes it possible to conveniently and effectively adjust laces of jumpers, sportswear, hats, sports shoes, and bags, having a simple structure. Technical Solution

[11] In order to achieve the object of the invention, an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace, includes: a hollow case having at least one through-hole through which a lace passes; an elastic plate forming one side of the case and elastically biased inside in the longitudinal direction of the case; a cap detachably attached to the other side of the case and having a through-hole at the center portion; a winding unit including a rotary plate that is disposed in the case, a rod that extends from one side of the rotary plate such that the end is supported by the inner side of the elastic plate and the lace is selectively wound and unwound around/from the outer surface of the rod, and a handle that extends from the other side of the rotary plate to be exposed outside the case through the through-hole and rotates the rotary plate and the rod in the normal or reverse direction; grooves that are formed at any one of the rotary plate and the cap, which are in contact with each other, to prevent the winding unit from rotating; and p rotrusions that are formed at the other one of the rotary plate and the cap and inserted in the grooves.

[12] A winding portion where the lace is wound may be further formed in the rod of the winding unit.

[13] The 'at least one through-hole' may be two first and second through-holes, and the first and second through-holes may be disposed in the diagonal direction of the case.

[14] The center portion of the elastic plate may be manufactured to be convex toward the cap such that the protrusions are elastically supported in the grooves to have elastic force pressing the rod, and the elastic plate may be integrally formed with the case.

[15] A hinge unit that allows the cap to pivot about the case may be provided at one side of each of the case and the cap, whereas a locking unit that locks and unlocks the cap to/from the case may be provided at the other side of each of the case and the cap.

[16] An unexpected-rotation-preventing part that prevents unexpected rotation of the winding unit may be further provided.

[17] The unexpected-rotation-preventing part may have a plurality of ribs disposed on the rear side of the cap and a locker that is locked to the handle together with any one selected from the ribs.

Advantageous Effects [18] According to the present invention, it is possible to more conveniently and effectively adjust the length of laces of jumpers, sportswear, hats, sports shoes, and bags, using a simple structure. Further, the apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to the present invention can also be used to adjust the length of cables of headsets, earphones, and a variety of electric and electronic devices, other than clothes and sports shoes which are described above. Brief Description of Drawings

[19] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to an embodiment of the present invention

[20] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a cap, which is open, shown in FIG. 1.

[21] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1

[22] FIGS. 4 to 6 are views showing those of FIGS. 1 to 3 at different angles, respectively.

[23] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace shown in FIG. 1.

[24] FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[25] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[26] The same components herein are designated by the same reference numerals.

[27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a cap, which is open, shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, FIGS. 4 to 6 are views showing those of FIGS. 1 to 3 at different angles, respectively, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace shown in FIG. 1.

[28] Before describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to this embodiment can be primarily used for clothes, such as jumpers and sportswear, but aspects of the invention are not limited thereto. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to hats, sports shoes, and bags, and in addition, may be used for a variety of electric and electronic devices that are provided with laces and need to adjust the length of the laces, such as headsets and earphones.

[29] However, clothes are exemplified hereafter for the convenience of description.

[30] An apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to this embodiment largely includes a case 10 and a winding unit 40, as shown in the accompanying drawings. [31] The case 10, as a unit partially accommodating the winding unit 40, may be formed in a hollow pipe shape. However, the aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto and the shape may be changed, other than those shown in the figures.

[32] First and second through-holes 10a, 10b are formed at different positions through the outer surface of the case 10, that is, in the diagonal direction of the case 10. As show in FIG. 7, a lace W passes through the first and second through-holes 10a, 10b and is wounded around the center portion of a rod 43.

[33] However, unlike FIG. 7, only one of the first and second through-holes 10a, 10b may be formed, in which the lace W passes through one through-hole (not shown) and is wounded on the rod 43.

[34] For reference, the configuration having two first and second through-holes 10a, 10b is applied to when the length of the lace W is adjusted while the lace W is pulled in B and B' directions in FIG. 7, for example, used in clothes, whereas the configuration having one through-hole (not shown) is applied to when the length of the lace W is adjusted while the lace is pulled from only one side, for example, used in a hat.

[35] An elastic plate 20 is formed at one side of the case 10. The elastic plate 20 is elastically biased inside in the longitudinal direction of the case 10. In other words, the elastic plate 20 functions as a leaf spring for example, which presses the rod 43 of the winding unit 40 against a cap 30.

[36] Therefore, it may be possible to dispose a leaf spring, which can be easily obtained around instead of the elastic plate 20, to the area where the elastic plate 20 is disposed. However, using a leaf spring may increases cost.

[37] Accordingly, in this embodiment, the elastic plate 20 is formed such that the center portion is partially cut and convex toward the cap 30 to integrally form the elastic member 20, which functions as a leaf spring, with one side of the case 10 when the case 10 is manufactured. When the elastic member 20 is manufactured in the above shape, the elastic plate 20 has predetermined elastic force due to its structural or physical properties, such that it has a force that elastically pressing the rod 43 in a C- direction in FIG. 7.

[38] The cap 30 is detachably attached to the other side, facing the elastic member 20, of the case 10. In addition to closing the other side of the case 10, the cap 30 prevents the winding unit 40 from separating from the case 10. A through-hole 30a through which a handle of the winding unit 40 is partially exposed is formed at the center portion of the cap 30.

[39] A hinge unit 31 that allows the cap 30 to pivot about the case 10 is provided at one side of each of the case 10 and the cap 30 such that the cap 30 can be detached while pivoting about the case 10, while a locking unit 33 that locks and unlocks the cap 30 to/from the case 10 is provided at the other side of each of the case 10 and the cap 30. It should be understood that the aspects of the present invention are not limited to this configuration and the cap 30 may be completely detached from the other side of the case 10.

[40] On the other hand, the winding unit 40 is a unit that substantially winds and unwinds the lace W to adjust the length of a lace of clothes, in addition to the case 10.

[41] The winding unit 40 includes a rotary plate 41 that is disposed in the case 10, the rod

43 that extends from one side of the rotary plate 41 such that the end is supported by the inner side of the elastic plate 20 and the lace W is selectively wound and unwound around/from the outer surface of the rod 43, and a handle 45 that extends from the other side of the rotary plate 41 to be exposed outside the case 10 through the through- hole 30a and rotates the rotary plate 41 and the rod 43 in the normal or reverse direction.

[42] The rotary plate 41 is a unit that is accommodated in the case 10 and preferably formed substantially smaller than the area of the cap 30. A plurality of grooves 42 is circumferentially formed on the outer side of the rotary plate 41, that is, one side of the rotary plate 41 facing the cap 30. The grooves 42 are fitted on protrusions 34 circumferentially formed on the inner side of the cap 30 to prevent rotation of the winding unit 40.

[43] The rod 43 extends from the rotary plate 41 while the end contacts with the elastic plate 20. As described above, since the elastic plate 43 elastically presses the rod 43 against the cap 30, the rod 43 is elastically pressed in the C-direction in FIG. 7 by the elastic plate 20 after assembly is finished as shown in FIG. 1, such that the protrusions 34 are engaged with the grooves 42.

[44] Therefore, the protrusions 34 are not disengaged from the grooves 42 unless the handle 45 is rotated in the A or A' direction shown in FIG. 7, such that the lace W wound around the outer surface of the rod 43 is not unexpectedly unwound.

[45] A winding portion 44 where the lace W is wound is further formed in the rod 43.

Although the winding portion 44 is formed in a hole shape in this embodiment, it may be a ring. The end of the rod 43 may not be held at a predetermined position, but slide or move, when the end of the rod 43 is supported by the inner side of the elastic plate 20 under the above condition.

[46] In order to prevent the end from sliding or moving, as shown in the enlarged section in FIG. 7, it is possible to form a specific groove 20a on the inner side of the elastic plate 20 and dispose the end of the rod 43 in the groove 20a. Further, it should be understood that the aspects of the present invention are not limited to this configuration and the groove 20a is not necessarily formed on the inner side of the elastic plate 20.

[47] The handle 45 is a unit that substantially rotates the winding unit 40 in the A or A' direction shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the handle 45 should be exposed outside the case 10.

[48] In order to expose the handle 45 outside the case 10, the handle 45 is disposed to be partially exposed through the through-hole 30a of the cap 30 in this embodiment. In this configuration, the larger the area of the handle 45, the easier it is to grip the handle 45; therefore, it is preferable for the handle 45 to have a long rectangular shape as shown in the figure. Therefore, the through-hole 30a should be formed larger in diameter than the maximum length of the handle 45.

[49] The operation of an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace having the above configuration is described hereafter.

[50] The cap 30 is opened, the winding unit 40 is installed, and the lace W is disposed.

Thereafter, the cap 30 is closed such that the end of the rod 43 of the winding unit 40 is supported by the elastic plate 20.

[51] As shown in FIG. 7, as the handle 45 is turned in the A-direction after assembly is finished, the lace W is wound around the outer surface of the rod 43, such that the entire length of the lace of clothes is decreased. When the rotation of the handle 45 is stopped, the protrusions 34 are inserted into the grooves 42 and the winding unit 40 cannot rotate.

[52] A user pulls both sides of the lace W in the B and B' directions from the position shown in FIG. 7 if the length of the lace of the clothes is to be desirably increased. The winding unit 40 then rotates in the A' direction and the lace W wound around the outer surface of the rod 43 is correspondingly unwound.

[53] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to more conveniently and effectively adjust the length of the lace W, using a simple structure.

[54] FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing an apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[55] Unlike the above embodiment, an unexpected-rotation-preventing part 50 is further provided in this embodiment. The unexpected-rotation-preventing part 50 is a part that is specifically further provided to prevent unexpected rotation of the winding unit 40.

[56] The unexpected-rotation-preventing part 50 has a plurality of ribs 51 disposed on the rear side of the cap 30 and a locker 52 that is locked to the handle 45 together with any one selected from the ribs 51.

[57] It is preferable that the ribs 51 are formed in the same number and positions as the protrusions 34, but it is not necessary.

[58] The locker 52 may be formed in a U-shape and is engaged with the ribs 51 and the handle 45 in a dove tail shape.

[59] Accordingly, it is possible to substantially completely prevent unexpected rotation of the winding unit 40 by moving the locker 52 to be engaged with the handle 45 together with any one selected from the ribs 51, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. [60] An example of forming the grooves 42 in the rotary plate 41 and the protrusions 34 on the cap 30 were described in the above embodiment. However, instead of engaging the grooves 42 with the protrusions 34, for example, it is possible to use a threaded type or a gear engagement type and these types are also enough to achieve the effect of the present invention.

[61] Further, although it was described that the number of grooves 42 is the same as that of the protrusions 34 in the above embodiment, the operation is not substantially influenced even if the number of protrusions 34 are smaller than that of the grooves 42. In particular, the operation is not influenced even if one protrusion 34 and a plurality of grooves 42 are provided, and if the number of protrusion 34 is smaller, smaller force is required to rotate the winding unit 40.

[62] The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified and rearranged in various ways, without departing from the scope and aspect of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that modifications and rearrangements are included in claims of the present invention.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace, comprising: a hollow case having at least one through-hole through which a lace passes; an elastic plate forming one side of the case and elastically biased inside in the longitudinal direction of the case; a cap detachably attached to the other side of the case and having a through-hole at the center portion; a winding unit including a rotary plate that is disposed in the case, a rod that extends from one side of the rotary plate such that the end is supported by the inner side of the elastic plate and the lace is selectively wound and unwound around/from the outer surface of the rod, and a handle that extends from the other side of the rotary plate to be exposed outside the case through the through-hole and rotates the rotary plate and the rod in the normal or reverse direction; grooves that are formed at any one of the rotary plate and the cap, which are in contact with each other, to prevent the winding unit from rotating; and protrusions that are formed at the other one of the rotary plate and the cap and inserted in the grooves.

[2] The apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to claim 1, wherein a winding portion where the lace is wound is further formed in the rod of the winding unit.

[3] The apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to claim 1, the 'at least one through-hole' implements two first and second through-holes, and the first and second through-holes are disposed in the diagonal direction of the case.

[4] The apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to claim 1, wherein the center portion of the elastic plate is manufactured to be convex toward the cap such that the protrusions are elastically supported in the grooves to have elastic force pressing the rod, and the elastic plate is integrally formed with the case.

[5] The apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to claim 1, wherein a hinge unit that allows the cap to pivot about the case is provided at one side of each of the case and the cap, whereas a locking unit that locks and unlocks the cap to/from the case is provided at the other side of each of the case and the cap.

[6] The apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to claim 1, further comprising an unexpected-rotation-preventing part that prevents unexpected rotation of the winding unit.

[7] The apparatus for adjusting the length of a lace according to claim 1, wherein the unexpected-rotation-preventing part has a plurality of ribs disposed on the rear side of the cap and a locker that is locked to the handle together with any one selected from the ribs.