US20240130477A1

US20240130477A1 - Alternative Shoe-Lacing Device

Info

Publication number: US20240130477A1
Application number: US18/468,808
Authority: US
Inventors: Oliver Burrell; AnneMarie DiPaola
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2023-09-18
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: US20240225201A9

Abstract

An alternative shoe-lacing device is provided. The device is primarily comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to and through the eyelets of a shoe. As a result, the arms are placed in tension such that both sides of the upper of the shoe are pulled together such that the shoe is secured around the foot of the user. The body may be further adorned with a removable decorative element which attaches to the body via reciprocating fasteners.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/417,435, which was filed on Oct. 19, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of shoe-securing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alternative shoe-lacing device that can universally be applied to any shoe instead of conventional shoelaces, wherein the device does not require tying to secure a shoe around a user's foot. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Conventional shoelaces can be difficult and frustrating to deal with, especially if the laces constantly become untied. Untied shoelaces can lead to trips, falls, and serious injuries. In addition, young children and those with limited physical dexterity may have trouble tying their shoelaces. Furthermore, conventional shoelaces may be visually uninspiring to some users.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a conventional shoelace alternative. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an alternative shoe-lacing device that does not easily come untied. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an alternative shoe-lacing device that can be used to secure a shoe to a user's foot without said user having to tie any portion of the device. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an alternative shoe-lacing device that is visually appealing and that has a variety of interchangeable style elements.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an alternative shoe-lacing device. The device is primarily comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to and through the eyelets of a shoe. The device is intended to be used as an alternative to traditional shoelaces on a shoe, wherein the arms are made of an elastic material that provides tension to pull both sides of a shoe together while the shoe is worn. The body may also receive at least one removable decorative element that can be added or removed as desired to change the appearance of the device.
In this manner, the alternative shoe-lacing device of the present invention accomplishes all the foregoing objectives and provides a conventional shoelace alternative that does not easily become untied. Further, the device can be used to secure a shoe to a user's foot without said user having to tie any portion of the device, which is advantageous to young users and users who lack dexterity. In addition, the device is visually appealing and has a variety of interchangeable style elements that can be removed from the body to change the appearance of the device.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an alternative shoe-lacing device. The device is primarily comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to the eyelet of a shoe. The device is intended to be used as an alternative to traditional shoelaces on a shoe.
The device is primarily comprised of a body. The body may be made from an elastic material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, in one embodiment. The body may be comprised of at least one indicia in the form of a pattern, color, logo, letter, number, image, symbol, etc. In a further embodiment, at least one decorative element may removably attach to the body. The decorative element may be in the form of a patch, shape, object, item, jewel, or other ornamental/decorative element of the like. The element is preferably comprised of at least one fastener that attaches to at least one reciprocal fastener of the body. In this manner, a user can interchange decorative elements to achieve a plurality of different aesthetic looks.
The body is also comprised of at least two arms, wherein a first arm is positioned on and attached to the left side of the body and the second arm is positioned on and attached to the right side of the body. Both arms are preferably aligned horizontally with one another. Both arms are preferably made from an elastic material such as, but not limited to, rubber. This allows the arms to stretch when applied to different size shoes. Each arm is also comprised of at least one eyelet fastener that is preferably curved (i.e., hook-like) in shape such that it can be inserted into the eyelet of a shoe. In this manner, the arms can be attached to eyelets of a shoe. Once both arms are attached to eyelets on opposite sides of the shoe tongue, the arms are placed in tension which pulls the shoe upper together around the foot of the user in a manner similar to shoelaces.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to the eyelet of a shoe. Then, a user can place a foot into the shoe. Next, the body can be placed on the tongue of the shoe. Next, a user can secure the eyelet fastener of the first arm to a first eyelet of the shoe. Next, a user can then secure the eyelet fastener of the second arm to a second eyelet of the shoe, which is preferably the eyelet directly opposite the first eyelet across the shoe.
Accordingly, the alternative shoe-lacing device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a conventional shoelace alternative that does not easily become untied and that can be used to secure a shoe to a user's foot without said user having to tie any portion of the device, which is advantageous to young children and users who lack dexterity. In addition, the device is visually appealing and that has a variety of interchangeable style elements that can be removed from the body to change the appearance of the device. In this manner, the alternative shoe-lacing device overcomes the limitations of existing shoelaces known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an alternative shoe-lacing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an alternative shoe-lacing device of the present invention while attached to a shoe in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of an alternative shoe-lacing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a conventional shoelace alternative. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an alternative shoe-lacing device that does not easily become untied. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an alternative shoe-lacing device that can be used to secure a shoe to a user's foot without said user having to tie any portion of the device. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an alternative shoe-lacing device that is visually appealing and that has a variety of interchangeable style elements.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an alternative shoe-lacing device primarily comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to the eyelet of a shoe. The device is intended to be used as an alternative to traditional shoelaces on a shoe.
The device is primarily comprised of a body that may be made from an elastic material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, in one embodiment. The body may be comprised of at least one indicia in the form of a pattern, color, logo, letter, number, image, symbol, etc. In a further embodiment, at least one decorative element may removably attach to the body, wherein the decorative element may be in the form of a patch, shape, object, item, jewel, or other ornamental/decorative element of the like. The element is preferably comprised of at least one fastener that attaches to at least one reciprocal fastener of the body. In this manner, a user can interchange decorative elements to achieve a plurality of different aesthetic looks.
The body is also comprised of at least two arms. A first arm is positioned on and attached to the left side of the body and the second arm is positioned on and attached to the right side of the body, wherein both arms are preferably aligned horizontally with one another. Both arms are preferably made from an elastic material such as, but not limited to, rubber, to allow the arms to stretch when applied to different size shoes. Each arm is also comprised of at least one eyelet fastener that is preferably curved (i.e., hook-like) in shape such that it can be inserted into the eyelet of a shoe. In this manner, the arms can be attached to eyelets of a shoe. Once both arms are attached to eyelets on opposite sides of the shoe tongue, the arms are placed in tension which pulls the shoe upper together around the foot of the user in a manner similar to shoelaces.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to the eyelet of a shoe. Then, a user can place a foot into the shoe. Next, the body can be placed on the tongue of the shoe. Next, a user can secure the eyelet fastener of the first arm to a first eyelet of the shoe. Next, a user can then secure the eyelet fastener of the second arm to a second eyelet of the shoe, which is preferably the eyelet directly opposite the first eyelet across the shoe.
Accordingly, the alternative shoe-lacing device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a conventional shoelace alternative that does not easily become untied and that can be used to secure a shoe to a user's foot without said user having to tie any portion of the device, which is advantageous to young children and users who lack dexterity. In addition, the device is visually appealing and has a variety of interchangeable style elements that can be removed from the body to change the appearance of the device. In this manner, the alternative shoe-lacing device overcomes the limitations of existing shoelaces known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an alternative shoe-lacing device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110 and at least one pair of arms 140,150, each with at least one eyelet fastener 142,152, that can be secured to the eyelet 12 of a shoe 10. The device 100 is intended to be used as an alternative to traditional shoelaces on a shoe 10. In doing so, the device 100 provides a unique and distinctive style to any shoe 10 it is applied to.
The device 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110. In one embodiment, the body 100 is generally rectangular in shape. However, the body 110 may be any shape in different embodiments. This includes shapes that resemble various objects, items, characters, symbols, letters, numbers, logos, etc., which may enhance the aesthetic appearance of the device 100.
The body 110 may be made from an elastic material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the body 110 may be made from a plastic material. The body 110 may also be made from a metal material (or have a metallic finish).
In one embodiment, the body 110 may be comprised of at least one indicia 130. The indicia 130 may be in the form of a pattern, color, logo, letter, number, image, symbol, etc. In this manner, the body 110 can have a variety of appearances.
In a further embodiment, at least one decorative element 120 may removably attach to the body 110. The decorative element 120 may be in the form of a patch, shape, object, item, jewel, or other ornamental/decorative element of the like. The element 120 is preferably comprised of at least one fastener 122 that attaches to at least one reciprocal fastener 112 of the body 110. The fasteners 112,122 may be any type of reciprocal fasteners such as, but not limited to, magnets, snap button, hook and loop, etc. In this manner, a user can interchange decorative elements 120 to achieve a plurality of different aesthetic looks.
The body 110 is comprised of at least two arms 140,150. More specifically, the first arm 140 is positioned on and attached to the left side of the body 110 and the second arm 150 is positioned on and attached to the right side of the body 110. Both arms 140,150 are preferably aligned horizontally with one another.
The first arm 140 is preferably made from an elastic material such as, but not limited to, rubber. This allows the arm 140 to stretch when applied to different size shoes 10. The first arm 140 is also comprised of at least one eyelet fastener 142. The eyelet fastener 142 is preferably curved (i.e., hook-like) in shape such that it can be inserted into the eyelet 12 of a shoe 10. In this manner, the arm 140 is attached to the eyelet 12.
The second arm 150 is preferably made from an elastic material such as, but not limited to, rubber. This allows the arm 150 to stretch when applied to different size shoes 10. The first arm 150 is also comprised of at least one eyelet fastener 152. The eyelet fastener 152 is preferably curved (i.e., hook-like) in shape such that it can be inserted into the eyelet 12 of a shoe 10. In this manner, the arm 150 is attached to the eyelet 12.
As seen in FIG. 2 , both arms 140, 150 are attached to eyelets 12 on opposite sides of the shoe 10 tongue 14. This places the arms 140, 150 in tension, which pulls the shoe 10 upper together around the foot of the user in a manner similar to shoelaces.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 3 . First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a body 110 and at least one pair of arms 140,150, each with at least one eyelet fastener 142,152, that can be secured to the eyelet 12 of a shoe 10 [Step 202]. Then, a user can place a foot into the shoe 10 [Step 204]. Next, the body 110 can be placed on the tongue 14 of the shoe 10 [Step 206]. Next, a user can secure the eyelet fastener 142 of the first arm 140 to a first eyelet 12 of the shoe 10 [Step 208]. Next, a user can then secure the eyelet fastener 152 of the second arm 150 to a second eyelet 12 of the shoe 10, which is preferably the eyelet directly opposite the first eyelet 12 across the shoe 10 [Step 210].
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “alternative shoe-lacing device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the alternative shoe-lacing device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the alternative shoe-lacing device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the alternative shoe-lacing device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the alternative shoe-lacing device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the alternative shoe-lacing device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the alternative shoe-lacing device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An alternative shoe-lacing device comprising:

a body;

a first arm comprised of a first eyelet fastener, the first arm attached to a first side of the body; and

a second arm comprised of a second eyelet fastener, the second arm attached to a second side of the body.

2. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 1, wherein the first arm is comprised of an elastic material.

3. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 1, wherein the second arm is comprised of an elastic material.

4. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of an elastic material.

5. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 1, wherein the first eyelet fastener is comprised of a curved hook.

6. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 1, wherein the second eyelet fastener is comprised of a curved hook.

7. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of an indicia.

8. An alternative shoe-lacing device comprising:

a body comprised of a first fastener;

a decorative element comprised of a second fastener;

9. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 8, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are comprised of reciprocating fasteners.

10. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 9, wherein the reciprocating fasteners are comprised of a hook and loop fastener, a snap button fastener, or a magnet fastener.

11. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 8, wherein the first arm is horizontally aligned with the second arm.

12. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 8, wherein the body is comprised of a shape.

13. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 12, wherein the shape is comprised of an object, an item, a character, a symbol, a letter, a number, or a logo.

14. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 8, wherein the body is comprised of a metallic finish.

15. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 8, wherein the first arm is comprised of an elastic material.

16. The alternative shoe-lacing device of claim 8, wherein the second arm is comprised of an elastic material.

17. A method of using an alternative shoe-lacing device, the method comprising the following steps:

providing an alternative shoe-lacing device comprised of a body comprised of a first arm comprised of a first eyelet fastener and a second arm comprised of a second eyelet fastener;

placing a foot into a shoe;

placing the body onto a tongue of the shoe;

securing the first eyelet fastener to a first eyelet of the shoe; and

securing a second eyelet fastener to a second eyelet of the shoe.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first eyelet of the shoe is aligned horizontally with the second eyelet of the shoe.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first arm is comprised of an elastic material.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the second arm is comprised of an elastic material.