GB2505556A

GB2505556A - Fasteners for footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2505556A
Application number: GB201311817A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Perryment; Benjamin Hollingsworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-02
Filing date: 2013-07-02
Publication date: 2014-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-02
Also published as: GB2505556B; GB201311817D0; GB201211696D0

Abstract

Fastening means 1 suitable for footwear comprising a resilient member and first 9 and second 11 retaining means, the first and second retaining means being spaced apart along the resilient member. The retaining means are preferably the ends of the resilient member, and are located with opposing eyelets when used with a pair of shoes to retain the eyelets in a fixed fastening position. The retaining means may be provided as one elongate member 19, forming a first and second portion, the two portions being frangibly separable. There may be a third member 17 between the first and second members. Also claimed is a method of fastening an item of footwear using the fastener.

Description

Fastener The invention to which this application relates is a fastening means suitable for use in fastening a user's footwear.

It is known to provide various means for fastening items of footwear securely to a user's feet, enabling the user to move effectively and with adequate support according to the specific activity the user may be wearing the footwear for.

The most common form of fastening means for a user's footwear is the shoelace. These are provided as pairs of a string or cord-like material (one for each shoe) that can be threaded through a series of eyelets formed on either side of the upper of a shoe that run generally from near the toe-end of a shoe to the ankle-end. For ease of threading through the series of eyelets, shoelaces generally comprise stiff sections at either end, known as aglets. Shoelaces may be loosened appropriately to allow insertion of a user's foot and then may be subsequently tightened to provide secure fastening of the shoe to the user's foot. Upon tightening, the ends of the shoelaces are tied together in a bow or knot so as to prevent gradual loosening of previously tightened shoelaces.

A problem can arise when a shoelace is too long for a particular shoe and the resulting bow or knot hangs over the side of the shoe and potentially impedes the movement of the user.

Another common occurrence is when a user chooses to tuck the loose ends of a shoelace into the shoe, rather than tying the shoelace securely. These loose ends may regularly come out of the shoe leaving a substantial length of a loose end protruding from the shoe and, again, potentially impeding the movement of the user.

When shoelaces are not tied securely this also has the effect of allowing the shoe to loosen about the user's foot as they are moving. This weakens the support provided to the user by the shoe and can potentially cause harm to the user. Additionally, a user may require that the tension across a particular area of the foot, for example, near the toes, be tighter than that of another area of the foot. A problem exists when tightening and fastening shoelaces that a user cannot tighten one particular area greater than another. Shoelaces are generally tightened such that the tension is uniform throughout the shoe.

Another common form of fastening means for footwear Litilizes the hook and loop fastening arrangement, more commonly known by the name Velcro®. When the hook component is pressed together with the loop component, the t\vo fasten together temporarily. They may then be separated by pulling one of these components away from the other. This fastening means has the advantage of being a quicker and easier means by which to fasten a shoe to a user's foot. It does, however, have its own disadvantages. Over time and with regular use, this particular mechanism can lose effectiveness as dust and dirt accumulates in the Velcro® material. Furthermore, the hooks and/or loops can elongate and brake after extended use. This serves to weaken the bond between the hook component and the loop component, leading the fastening means to lose effectiveness.

Footwear may also be provided without any fastening means.

These "slip-on" forms of footwear generally comprise elasticised inserts in the sides of the shoe to allow a user to put on or remove the shoe easily, while retaining a relatively tight fit on the foot when worn. This particular type of footwear suffers from the problem that over time the elastic material may stretch beyond its tolerance, thus losing its required effect when a user is wearing the footwear. Furthermore, this particular style of footwear may not be practical for a wide range of activities, where secure fastening of the footwear is paramount.

There is therefore a need to provide a fastening means suitable for items of footwear that can be provided to overcome the aforementioned problems highlighted in the existing prior art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastening means for items of footwear that enables a user to adjust the tension across the foot at a desired location, that does not leave loose ends protruding from the item of footwear and is practical and applicable for most activities.

Tn a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fastening means suitable for use in an item of footwear, said fastening means comprising a resilient member, first and second retaining means, characteri>ed in that said first and second retaining means are spaced apart along said resilient member.

In one embodiment said first and second retaining means are first and second ends of said resilient member.

In one embodiment said resilient member has a longitudinal axis, and said first and second retaining means are located substantially at opposing ends of said longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment said resilient member can have a pre-determined resilience, allowing the provision of a plurality of fastening means with different degrees of resilience.

In one embodiment said fastening means can have a pre-determined length along said longitudinal axis.

Typically, the said first and second retaining means are provided to locate with opposing eyelets on a pair of shoes respectively, to thereby retain the eyelets in a relatively fixed, fastening position. Typically, subsequent fastening means are used with other pairs of eyelets to allow the shoe to be fastened.

In one embodiment said first retaining means and said second retaining means are provided as a single elongate member. In one embodiment said single elongate member comprises at least a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being frangibly separable. In one embodiment said first portion can be said first retaining means and said second portion can be said second retaining means.

In one embodiment said single elongate member can comprise a third portion. In one embodiment said third portion can be located between said first portion and said second portion.

Alternatively, said third portion can be located at an end of said elongate member, adjacent either said first portion or said second portion. In one embodiment said third portion can be frangibly separable from said first portion and/or said second p (1) r ti on.

In one embodiment said third portion can incorporate a secondary structure into its construction. In one embodiment said structure protrudes outwardly from a longitudinal axis of said third portion.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of fastening an item of footwear comprising: providing a fastening means including a resilient elongate member having first and second, spaced retaining means located on said resilient member; inserting said first retaining means through a first eyelet in said item of footwear; inserting said second retaining means through a second eyelet in said item of footwear; characterized in that said resilient member is retained between said first and second eyelets by said retaining means contacting the opposing side of said respective eyelets.

In one embodiment said first and said second eyelets, through which said first and second retaining means are inserted, are first and second opposing eyelets in said item of footwear. In one embodiment said first and second eyelets can be complementary eyelets in said item of footwear.

In one embodiment said first retaining means and said second retaining means ate provided as a single elongate member comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being inserted through said first aperture of said item of footwear and being frangibly separable such that said first portion can be separated from said second portion after insertion through said first aperture, allowing said second portion to be inserted through said second aperture.

In one embodiment said single elongate member can comprise a third portion, located either between said first portion and said second portion or, alternatively, located at an end of said elongate member, adjacent either said first portion or said second portion, and can be used as a guide to insert said first portion through said first aperture and said second portion through said second aperture, being frangibly separable from said first portion and/or said second portion.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein Figure 1 illustrates several fastening means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a and b illustrate one end of a fastening means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as it is inserted through an eyelet, and then in position through said eyelet; Figure 3 illustrates several fastening means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as applied to an item of footwear; Figure 4 illustrates one way in which a first and a second retaining means may be formed as a single elongate member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 illustrates the fastening means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein a third portion of the elongate member forms a medallion which can display various images.

Figure 6 illustrates the fastening means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein the fastening means is provided in pairs.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated a fastening means 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The fastening means includes a resilient member 3 having a first end and a second end 7. At or substantially near the first and second ends 5 and 7, there are provided first 9 and second 11 retaining means. The retaining means 9 and 11 are formed integrally with the first and second ends 5 and 7 of the resilient member 3, respectively. Forming the retaining means 9 and 11 in this manner prevents separation of either the first end 5 and the first retaining means 9 or the second end 7 and the second retaining means ii if a parting force were to be applied to either or both of the ends 5 and 7 of the resilient member 3. In another embodiment, the first and second retaining means 9 and 11 form the first and second ends 5 and 7 of the resilient member 3 themselves. The resilient member 3 has a longitudinal axis wherein the first and second ends 5 and 7, and thus, the first and second retaining means 9 and 11 are located at opposing ends of the resilient member's 3 longitudinal axis. The first and second retaining means 9 and 11 have longitudinal axes that are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the resilient member 3.

Referring now to Figure 2a there is provided a first end 5 of a fastening means 1, showing the first retaining means 9 being inserted through an eyelet 13. The first retaining means 9 is deformable to be inserted from the face 12 through an eyelet 13, such that when fully inserted, the first retaining means is braced against an opposing face 14 and the resilient member 3 takes its original form to extend away fni)m the eyelet 13, as shown in Figure 2b, which shows the resilient member 3 in its retaining position. A similar arrangement is applied to the second retaining means 11 at a second eyelet 13'.

Figure 3 illustrates items of footwear 15 and 15' with a series of fastening means 1 fastened in the manner described above. In this instance, the face 14 against which the first retaining means 9 is braced forms the inside of the item of footwear's 15 upper.

The fastening means 1 extends away from the eyelet 13 on the first face 12 (the outside of the item of footwear's 15 upper) and towards its opposing eyelet 13' across the top of the item of footwear 15 and towards its opposing side. As can be seen from Figure 3, each item of footwear 15 and 15' typically requires several fastening means 1. Depending on the desired purpose of the items of footwear 15 and 15' (leisure, sport, casual etc.) the resilient member 3 of the fastening means I can have a pre-determined resilience, which allows for the provision of a number of fastening means I having resilient members each with different degrees of resilience. The resilient member 3 is constructed from woven elastic, although it will be appreciated that other forms of resilient material may also be applied when constructing the resilient member 3. The provision of a number of fastening means 1 with resilient members 3 having varying degrees of resilience allows a user to adjust the tension across the top side of the item of footwear 15. For example, if a user has narrow feet, more tension may need to be applied to the atea over the toes of the user. Conversely, a user may requite increased support near the ankle and, therefore, increased tension in that area relative to the rest of the foot may be required. Similarly, the resilient members 3 can be provided in pre-determined lengths, which allows for the provision of a number of fastening means 1 of different lengths. Fastening means I may also be provided in various colours.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is provided the first and second ends 5 and 7 of a fastening means 1, wherein the first retaining means 9 and said second retaining means II are provided as first and second portions in a single elongate member 19, additionally comprising a third portion 17. Each portion 9, 11 and 17 is frangibly separable from an adjacent portion. Figure 4 displays the third portion 17 as being located between the first retaining means 9 and the second retaining means 11; however, it will also be appreciated that the third portion 17 can be located at an end of the elongate member 19, adjacent either the first retaining means 9 or the second retaining means Ii. Tt will also be appreciated that a third portion 17 is not required, and that the elongate member comprises two portions; the first retaining means 9 and the second retaining means 11. The fastening means I is provided with the retaining means formed in such a manner that it enables a user to insert more easily the first and second retaining means 9 and 11 into an eyelet 13 of an item of footwear 15. The third portion 17 is used as a guide to insert the first retaining means 9 through a first eyelet 13 and the second retaining means 11 through a corresponding eyelet 13' on the opposing side of the item of footwear, being frangibly separable from the first retaining means 9 and/or the second retaining means 11. Once the fastening means 1 is properly inserted into the item of footwear 15 and the third portion 17 is separated from both the first and second retaining means 9 and 11, the third portion is discarded.

Figure 5 displays the fastening means I prior to insertion into an item of footwear 15, as in Figure 4; however, Figure 5 shows the third portion 17 of the elongate member 19 as having a medallion/disc or other structure 21 included in its construction. The structure 21 can be provided with a short slogan, logo, company name etc. incorporated into it and may be used for advertising/promotional purposes.

Figure 6 displays an alternative embodiment of the fastening means, wherein the first 9 and second 11 retaining means, the third portion 17 and the resilient member 3 are provided in pairs with complementary members 3', 9', 11', and 17'. As can be seen from Figure 6, a first end of resilient member 3 is attached to first retaining means 9 and a first end of complementary resilient member 3' is attached to second retaining means 11.

the opposing ends of the resilient members 3 and 3' and subsequently attached to complementary retaining means 11' and 9' respectively. Just as before, each of the portions 9, 11, 17 and 9', Il', 17' are frangibly separable from their respective adjacent portions and the action of inserting the fastening means into an item of footwear remains the same, with the difference that fastening means are provided in pairs. Such pairs of fastening means may be provided as a single pair, or in bundles of a plurality of pairs.

The present invention therefore provides a fascening means for items of footwear that is practical, easy to use, easily replaced and provides adequate support to a user's feet across a desired area.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Fastening means suitable for use in an item of footwear, said fastening means comprising a resilient member, and first and second retaining means, characterized in that said first and second retaining means are spaced apart along said resilient member.
2. Fastening means according to claim 1, wherein said first and second retaining means are first and second ends of said resilient member.
3. Fastening means according to claim 1, wherein said resilient member has a longitudinal axis, and said first and second retaining means are located substantially at opposing ends of said longitudinal axis.
4. Fastening means according to claim 1, wherein said resilient member has a pre-determined resilience.
5. Fastening means according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means has a pre-determined length along said longitudinal axis.
6. Fastening means according to claim 1, wherein the said first and second retaining means are provided to be located with opposing eyelets on a pair of shoes respectively, retaining the eyelets in a relatively fixed, fastening position.
7. Fastening means according to claim 1, wherein said first retaining means and said second retaining means are provided as a single elongate member.
8. Fastening means according to claim 7, wherein said single elongate member comprises at least a first portion and a second portion.
9. Fastening means according to claim 8, wherein said first portion and said second portion are frangibly separable.
10. Fastening means according to claim 9, wherein said first portion is said first retaining means and said second portion is said second retaining means.
11. Fastening means according to claim 8, wherein said single elongate member comprises a third portion.
12. Fastening means according to claim 11, wherein said third portion is located between said first portion and said second portion.
13. Fastening means according to claim 11, wherein said third portion is located at an end of said elongate member, adjacent either said first portion or said second portion.
14. Fastening means according to claim 11, wherein said third portion is frangibly separable from said first portion and/or said second portion.
15. Fastening means according to claim 11, wherein said third portion incorporates a secondary structure in its construction.
16. Fastening means according to claim 15, wherein said structure protrudes outwardly from a longitudinal axis of said third portion.
17. A method of fastening an item of footwear comprising: providing a fastening means including a resilient elongate member having first and second, spaced retaining means located on said resilient member; inserting said first retaining means through a first eyelet in said item of footwear; inserting said second retaining means through a second eyelet in said item of footwear; characterized in that said resilient member is retained between said first and second eyelets by said retaining means contacting the opposing side of said respective eyelets.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said first and said second eyelets, through which said first and second retaining means are inserted, are first and second opposing eyelets in said item of footwear.
19. A method according to claim 17, wherein said first and second eyelets are complementary eyelets in said item of footwear.
20. A method according to claim 17, wherein said first retaining means and said second retaining means are provided as a single elongate member comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being inserted through said first aperture of said item of footwear and being frangibly separable from said second portion.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said single elongate member comprises a third portion, located between said first portion and said second portion being frangibly separable from said first portion and/or said second portion.
22. A method according to claim 20, wherein said single elongate member comprises a third portion, located at an end of said elongate member, adjacent either said first portion or said second portion, and is used as a guide to insert said first portion through said first aperture and said second portion through said second aperture, being frangibly separable from said first portion and/or said second portion.