WO2020110037A1

WO2020110037A1 - Adjustable closing device

Info

Publication number: WO2020110037A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/060241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno Scipioni
Original assignee: Hawai Italia S.R.L.
Priority date: 2018-11-27
Filing date: 2019-11-27
Publication date: 2020-06-04
Also published as: EP3886638B1; EP3886638A1; IT201800010615A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to an adjustable closing device adapted to be used to maintain two portions of an article of clothing or footwear at a desired adjustable distance, or to obtain a quick release of these two portions.

Description

ADJUSTABLE CLOSING DEVICE

Specification

The present invention refers, in general, to an adjustable closing device. More particularly, the present invention refers to an adjustable closing device adapted to be used to maintain two portions of an article of clothing or footwear at a desired adjustable distance.

The present invention will be described below by way of a non-limiting embodiment when it is applied on a shoe. However, the present invention can be also used to couple or maintain two fabric pieces of an article of clothing, for example a jacket, adjacent at an adjustable distance, or used for other applications.

As it is known, in order to close a shoe, that is to bring closer the two flaps placed over the tongue of the shoe and to hold said flaps in position, in the area corresponding to the instep, laces are used which are passed through eyelets or bodkins which are provided on the aforesaid two flaps.

The closing operations of a shoe with laces such as the opening operations are often long and laborious. Often, the shoes laces struggle to pass through the eyelets; moreover, in order to carry out an aesthetically pleasing and safe closure, or to adjust the shoe to the foot, it is always necessary to lengthen or shorten each lace portion that goes from one flap to the other flap of the shoe.

Thus, closures have become widespread which use tongues which are fixed to one of the two flaps of the shoe and are coupled to the other flap of the shoe by means of a fastening with Velcro.

The aforesaid Velcro closures are undoubtedly more expensive because the shoe requires further processing and elements such as, for example, a ring or Velcro-pass.

Furthermore, the aforesaid closing mode is sometimes weak because due to involuntary bumps, or even with the normal use of the shoe, the tongues detach from the coupling flap.

Another problem of the closing devices for footwear refers to the safety footwear because often, said devices are not capable to guarantee, when necessary, rapid operations for opening the shoe.

Besides, closing devices are known such as the elosing device described in the patent document US2002178548A1 , applied to a shoe. These closing devices are not easily usable and require the use of both ends, do not guarantee a rapid release if used in safety shoes, and are provided with a tongue that protrudes dangerously from the front of the shoe.

An object and function of the present invention is to provide an adjustable closing device that is adapted to be used to maintain two portions of an article of clothing or footwear or other article at a desired adjustable distance so as to solve the problems of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable closing device which is practical and fast both in the closing operations and the releasing operations of the two portions which are coupled by the device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable closing device which is strong and secure and maintains the two shoe portions always at the desired distance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable closing device that allows a rapid opening of a shoe in the case the adjustable closing device is applied to a safety shoe. The aforesaid objects and others are achieved by an adjusting closing device which is adapted to be fixed to two portions of an article of clothing or footwear in order to maintain said two portions at a desired distance or to release said portions from each other.

In particular, the adjustable closing device is suitable to be applied to a first flap and to a second flap of a shoe or article of clothing, so as to keep the first flap and the second flap at a certain distance or to release them from each other, said adjustable closing device comprising a first connection element and a second connection element.

The first connection element includes:

a first fixing portion suitable for the connection of the first connection element with the first flap;

a tongue fixed to the first fixing portion.

The second connection element includes:

a second fixing portion suitable for the connection of the second connection element with the second flap;

a grasping device fixed to the second fixing portion and adapted to grasp the tongue and keep it fixed in a given position or release the tongue so as to free the first flap from the second flap.

The grasping device includes:

a box-shaped body which has a seat and in which a first slot and a second slot are formed through which the tongue can pass;

locking means suitable to be received in the seat so as to lock or release the tongue.

In particular, the first slot and the second slot are formed in the box-shaped body in a lower position than the second fixing portion, so that the tongue, once crossed the first slot and the second slot, is arranged below the second flap.

Through this feature, the tongue is not a hindrance because the tongue is always positioned below the second flap and does not form a dangerous foothold and the entire closing device as well as the relative coupling flaps are made more aesthetically pleasing.

The first connection element includes a first gripping portion and the second connection element may include a second gripping portion, so that the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion facilitate gripping by the user of the adjustable closing device.

Besides, in order to push with force, the first gripping portion includes a first wall and the second gripping portion includes a second wall.

A cavity with seizing means is formed in the first gripping portion and a cavity with seizing means is formed in the second gripping portion. In this way, the two gripping portions become ergonomic and easily identifiable and usable.

The tongue may include first slide teeth and the locking means may include at least one second slide tooth; in particular, the first slide teeth may be protruding from the lower face of the tongue so as to be in a protected position, so that the first slide teeth are not dirtied and are not an obstacle.

Advantageously, the tongue may include two protruding teeth which are placed at the respective sides of the tongue and are protruding laterally and are adapted to prevent the tongue from coming out once the tongue has passed through the first slot and second slot, formed in the box-shaped body.

Besides, the locking means may comprise a push button including a plate and a shell so as to form a through opening adapted to be crossed by the tongue, at least one second slide tooth facing the through opening being arranged on the plate.

The locking means may also include at least one elastic wing which protrudes from the push button and is in abutment on the bottom of the box- shaped body so as to push the push button upwards.

Advantageously, the locking means may include a horizontal body, placed in the seat of the box-shaped body, a second slide tooth protruding upwards from the horizontal body; the locking means may include also a first side push button, adapted to abut on the horizontal body so as to lower the horizontal body.

In addition, the horizontal body may include at least one inclined portion on which the first side push button is adapted to abut.

Further features and details of the invention will be better understood from the following specification that is provided by way of a non-limiting example as well as from the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an axonometric top view of an adjustable closing device, applied to two flaps and made according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric top view of the device in Figure 1 according to a total closing configuration;

Figure 3 is an axonometric top view of the device in Figure 1 according to a total opening configuration;

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the device in Figure 1 , sectioned according to a longitudinal plane;

Figure 5 is an exploded axonometric top view of the device in Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is an exploded axonometric bottom view of the device in Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is an axonometric top view of two elements of the device in Figure 1 , which are assembled together;

Figure 8 is a sectional side view of the two elements in Figure 7 according to a longitudinal plane;

Figure 9 is a sectional front view according to a transverse plane of a further element of the device in Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a sectional front view of the device in Figure 1 , sectioned according to a transverse plane;

Figure 11 is an axonometric top view of an adjustable closing device, applied to two flaps and made according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is an axonometric top view of the device in Figure 11 according to a total opening configuration;

Figure 13 is an axonometric top view of the device in Figure 11 according to a closing configuration;

Figure 14 is a sectional side view of the device in Figure 11 , sectioned according to a longitudinal plane;

Figure 15 is an exploded axonometric top view of the device in Figure 11 ;

Figure 16 is an exploded axonometric bottom view of the device in Figure

1 1 ;

Figure 17 is an axonometric view of an element of the device in Figure 11 ; Figure 18 is a sectional side view of the element in Figure 17 according to a longitudinal plane;

Figure 19 is a sectional front view according to a transverse plane of the device in Figure 11.

With reference to the annexed drawings, in particular Figures 1 to 10, reference number 10 denotes an adjustable closing device, applied with its two ends to a first flap A and to a second flap B of a shoe at the instep, respectively.

The adjustable closing device 10 comprises a first connection element 12 and a second connection element 14 which can be coupled together in an adjustable manner.

The first connection element 12 includes:

a first fixing portion 16 suitable for the connection of the first connection element 12 with the first flap A;

a first gripping portion 18, fixed on the first fixing portion 16;

a tongue 20 also fixed to the first fixing portion 16 and protruding from the first gripping portion 18.

A cavity 22 is formed in the first gripping portion 18 and small points in relief 24 are arranged in this cavity. Besides, the first gripping portion 18 includes a first wall 26 which separates the cavity 22 from the tongue 20.

The tongue 20, as shown in particular in the Figures 4 and 6, includes first slide teeth 28 arranged on the lower face of the same tongue 20.

The second connection element 14 includes:

a second fixing portion 30 suitable for the connection of the second connection element 14 with the second flap B;

a second gripping portion 32, fixed on the second fixing portion 30; a grasping device 34 also fixed to the second fixing portion 30 and protruding from the second gripping portion 32.

Like the first gripping portion 18, a cavity 36 is formed also in the second gripping portion 32 and small points in relief 38 are arranged in this cavity. Besides, the second gripping portion 32 includes a second wall 40 which separates the cavity 36 from the grasping device 34. The grasping device 34 includes:

- a box-shaped body 42 in which a seat 44 is formed;

- a push button 45 which is adapted to be received into the seat 44.

A first horizontal slot 46 and a second horizontal slot 48 are formed in the front wall and rear wall of the box-shaped body 42, respectively.

An invitation body 50 protrudes from the front wall of the box-shaped body 42. The first slot 46 is formed in said invitation body and proceeds from the front wall.

Besides, two vertical openings 54 are formed in the side walls of the box- shaped body 42.

The push button 45 is formed by a plate 56 and a shell 58 which are rigidly coupled together.

Two fixing walls 60 protrude from the plate 56 in which three second slide teeth 62 (of which only one is shown with its reference number in Figure 5) are formed and are designed to lock the teeth 28 of the tongue 20, as described below.

In addition, as shown in Figure 6, two elastic wings 52 protrude from the bottom of the plate 56 and act as a spring.

The shell 58 includes an upper concave portion 64 and side walls 66 from which reliefs 68 protrude.

The push button 45 is obtained by coupling the plate 56 with the shell 58, a through opening 70 being formed in the push button 45.

The push button 45 is received in the seat 44 of the box-shaped body 42 and here, it is bound to move in a vertical direction within set limits: in fact, the reliefs 68 of the shell 58 are received and can move in the vertical openings 54. Moreover, the push button 45 is pushed upwards by the two wings 52 that protrude from the lower part of the plate 56.

When the first connection element 12 and the second connection element 14 are coupled together to make closer and keep at the desired distance the first flap A and the second flap B, the tongue 20 of the first connection element 12 is inserted in the first slot 46 formed in the invitation body 50.

After passing through the first slot 46, the tongue 20 is passed through the through opening 70 formed into the push button 45 as well as through the second slot 48, and arrives below the second flap B, as shown in Figure 1.

In the closing phase of the adjustable closing device 10, that is in the approaching phase of the first connection element 12 to the second connection element 14, the first slide teeth 28 arranged on the tongue 20 overcome easily the second slide teeth 62 arranged on the plate 56 of the push button 45, because the slide portions of the various teeth face each other.

Once the desired position has been reached, the first slide teeth 28 arranged on the tongue 20 and the second slide teeth 62 arranged on the plate 56 face each other with their vertical surfaces so as to prevent the tongue 20 from being released unintentionally.

Such blocking is due also to the fact that the push button 45 is kept under pressure upwards by the two wings 52.

In case it is necessary to increase the distance between the first flap A and the second flap B, or in case it is necessary to release the first connection element 12 from the second connection element 14, it is sufficient to press the push button 45 downwards against the thrust of the two wings 52. In this way, the second slide teeth 62 of the plate 56 of the push button 45 are released from the first slide teeth 28 of the tongue 20 so that the tongue is no longer prevented from moving by any block.

To facilitate the closing operations of the adjustable closing device 10, that is the approaching of the first connection element 12 to the second connection element 14, the user can help himself by resting his thumb in the cavity 36 of the second gripping portion 32 of the second connection element 14, and his forefinger in the cavity 22 of the first gripping portion 18 of the first connection element 12, as well as by pushing his thumb and his forefinger toward each other against the second wall 40 of the second connection element 14, and against the first wall 26 of the first connection element 12, respectively.

The small points in relief 24 in the cavity 22 of the first gripping portion 18 and the small points in relief 38 in the cavity 36 of the second gripping portion 32 facilitate the gripping of the device 10 by the fingers of the user.

Naturally, other relief bodies, different from the small points in relief 24, 38 but still ensuring an excellent grip by the user, can be arranged in the cavity 22 of the first gripping portion 18 and in the cavity 36 of the second gripping portion 32.

Alternatively to the two wings 52, a steel spring or other elastic means in a plastic material or steel can be arranged between the push button 45 and the lower part of the plate 56.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 11 to 19, reference number 110 denotes an adjustable closing device, applied with its two ends, to a first flap C and to a second flap D of a shoe at the instep, respectively.

The adjustable closing device 110 comprises a first connection element 112 and a second connection element 114 which can be coupled together in an adjustable manner.

The first connection element 1 12 includes:

a first fixing portion 1 16 suitable for the connection of the first connection element 1 12 with the first flap C;

a tongue 120 fixed to the first fixing portion 116;

a first push wall 118 protruding from the tongue 120 adjacent to the first fixing portion 1 16.

The tongue 120, as shown in particular in the Figures 14 and 16, includes first slide teeth 122, arranged on the lower face of the tongue 120 itself.

The second connection element 114 includes:

a second fixing portion 124 suitable for the connection of the second connection element 114 with the second flap D;

a grasping device 126 fixed to the second fixing portion 124 and protruding from the second flap D.

The grasping device 126 includes:

a box-shaped body 128;

a first side push button 130 and a second side push button 132 which are adapted to be coupled to the box-shaped body 128.

The box-shaped body 128 includes a second push wall 133 protruding from the upper face of the box-shaped body 128 itself, and two side walls 134, a side opening 136 being formed in each of the two side walls 134, as shown in Figure 17.

Besides, a seat 138 is formed internally to the box-shaped body 128 and is open at one end by a first slot 137, and at the other end by a second slot 139. A vertical body 140 and a horizontal body 142, joined to the vertical body 140, are arranged in the seat 138.

At the free end of the horizontal body 142, a second slide tooth 144 is placed in relief, as shown in Figure 18, as well as two side portions 143 are placed inclined, as shown in Figure 19.

The first side push button 130 includes a wall 146 from which a lamina 148 protrudes internally with enlarged end, and two wings 150.

The second side push button 132 has a shape that is analogous to the shape of the first side push button 130.

The first side push button 130 and the second side push button 132 are coupled to the box-shaped body 128 by inserting the respective laminae 148 inside each of the two side openings 136.

Besides, once the laminae 148 are arranged inside the box-shaped body 128, the laminae can push the respective inclined side portion 143 and cause the lowering of the horizontal body 142 and, consequently the lowering of the slide tooth 144.

The pairs of wings 150 of the two side push buttons 130, 132 act as elastic means to counteract the thrust of the user on the walls of the push buttons 130, 132.

The first connection element 112 and the second connection element 114 are coupled to each other by passing the tongue 120 in the through opening 138 of the box-shaped body 128, above the horizontal body 142.

In the closing phase of the adjustable closing device 110, that is in the approaching phase of the first connection element 112 to the second connection element 114, the first slide teeth 122 arranged on the tongue 120 overcome easily the second slide tooth 144 arranged on the horizontal body 142, because the slide portions of the various teeth face each other and the horizontal body 142 itself is lowered with an elastic behavior due to its connection with the vertical body 140.

Once the desired position has been reached, the first slide teeth 122 arranged on the tongue 120 and the second slide tooth 144 arranged on the horizontal body 142 face each other with their vertical surfaces so as to prevent the tongue 120 from being released unintentionally.

In case it is necessary to increase the distance between the first flap C and the second flap D, or in case it is necessary to release the first connection element 1 12 from the second connection element 1 14, it is sufficient to press the first side push button 130 and the second side push button 132 inwards.

Doing so, as previously described, the two side push buttons 130, 132 push the respective inclined side portion 143 on which said buttons abut, thus causing the horizontal body 142 and consequently the slide tooth 144 to lower.

In this way, the second slide tooth 144 of the box-shaped body 128 is released from the first slide teeth 122 of the tongue 120 so that the tongue is no longer prevented from moving by any block.

To facilitate the closing operations of the adjustable closing device 1 10, that is the approaching of the first connection element 1 12 to the second connection element 114, the user can help himself by resting his thumb or forefinger on the first push wall 1 18 of the first connection element 112 and his forefinger or thumb on the second push wall 133 as well as by pushing his thumb and forefinger towards each other.

According to a variant of the invention, an adjustable closing device includes a first connection element with a tongue, and a second connection element with a grasping device. The tongue of the first connection element includes two protruding teeth, arranged at the respective sides of the same tongue and protruding laterally.

Through this conformation, once the tongue has been inserted in the second connection element and causing the protruding teeth to go beyond the grasping device, the tongue is prevented from releasing from the same grasping device and consequently from the second connection element.

The aforesaid feature is useful especially in the case of children’s shoes because the tongue has not to be inserted in the slot of the grasping device, which could be difficult for a child.

Other variants are possible which are to be considered as included in the scope of protection; for example, the number, size and shape of the teeth on the tongue and grasping device can be different from the number, size and shape of the teeth described.

Besides, the fixing portions for the fixing to the flaps of the various connection elements can have a different shape and configuration.

The elastic wings acting as a spring can be arranged so as to protrude from the bottom of the box-shaped body abutting on the plate.

The grasping device 34 and the grasping device 126 as previously described can have different shapes depending on their positioning on the shoe or article of clothing for which these devices are used.

Moreover, the adjustable closing device according to the invention can be arranged on footwear or articles of clothing. In the case of footwear, the adjustable closing device can be arranged not only on the front part of the shoe, in front of the tongue placed on the instep, but also in the rear part of the shoe, above the heel, or on the upper and front top, in the case of a boot. Furthermore, more adjustable closing devices according to the invention can be used on a shoe.

Moreover, it is possible to make more adjustable closing devices, placed side by side, which share a single first fixing portion and a single second fixing portion.

Claims

1) Adjustable closing device (10; 110) suitable to be applied to a first flap (A; C) and to a second flap (B; D) of a shoe or article of clothing, so as to keep the first flap (A; C) and the second flap (B; D) at a certain distance or to free them from each other, said adjustable closing device (10; 110) comprising a first connection element (12; 112) and a second connection element (14; 114),

the first connection element (12; 112) including:

- a first fixing portion (16; 116) suitable for the connection of the first connection element (12; 112) with the first flap (A; C);

- a tongue (20; 120) fixed to the first fixing portion (16; 116);

the second connection element (14; 114) including:

- a second fixing portion (30; 124) suitable for the connection of the second connection element (14; 114) with the second flap (B; D);

- a grasping device (34; 126) fixed to the second fixing portion (30; 124) and adapted to grasp the tongue (20; 120) and keep it fixed in a given position or release the tongue (20; 120) so as to free the first flap (A; C) from the second flap (B; D);

in which the grasping device (34; 126) includes:

- a box-shaped body (42; 128) which has a seat (44; 138) and in which a first slot (46; 137) and a second slot (48; 139) are formed through which the tongue (20; 120) can pass;

- locking means (45, 52, 62; 142, 144) suitable to be received in the seat (44; 138) so as to lock or release the tongue (20; 120);

wherein

the first slot (46; 137) and the second slot (48; 139) are formed in the box-shaped body (42; 128) in a lower position than the second fixing portion (30; 124), so that the tongue (20; 120), once crossed the first slot (46; 137) and the second slot (48; 139), is arranged below the second flap (B; D);

wherein the first connection element (12; 1 12) includes a first gripping portion (18; 1 18) and the second connection element (14; 1 14) includes a second gripping portion (32; 133), the first gripping portion (18; 1 18) and the second gripping portion (32; 133) being adapted to facilitate gripping by the user of the adjustable closing device (10; 1 10);

wherein the first gripping portion (18) includes a first wall (26; 1 18) and the second gripping portion (32) includes a second wall (40; 133);

characterized by the fact that

a cavity (22) with seizing means (24) is formed in the first gripping portion (18) and a cavity (36) with seizing means (38) is formed in the second gripping portion (32).

2) Adjustable closing device (10; 1 10) according to one the preceding claim, wherein the tongue(20; 120) includes first slide teeth (28; 122) and the locking means include at least one second slide tooth (62; 144), the first slide teeth (28; 122) being protruding from the lower face of the tongue (20; 120).

3) Adjustable closing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue includes two protruding teeth which are placed at the respective sides of the tongue and are protruding laterally and are adapted to prevent the tongue from coming out once the tongue has passed through the first slot and second slot, formed in the box-shaped body.

4) Adjustable closing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means comprise a push button (45) including a plate (56) and a shell (58), so as to form a through opening (70) adapted to be crossed by the tongue (20), at least one second slide tooth (62) facing the through opening (70) being arranged on the plate (56).

5) Adjustable closing device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking means include at least one elastic wing (52) which protrudes from the push button (45) and is in abutment on the box-shaped body (42) so as to push the push button (45) upwards.

6) Adjustable closing device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means include a horizontal body (142), placed in the seat (138) of the box-shaped body (128), a second slide tooth (144) protruding upwards from the horizontal body (142); the locking means including also a side push button (130), adapted to abut on the horizontal body (142) so as to lower the horizontal body (142).

7) Adjustable closing device (1 10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the horizontal body (142) includes at least one inclined portion (143) on which the side push button (130) is adapted to abut.