Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Drawstring – laced-fastener – or separate essential... – Includes separate device for holding drawn portion of lacing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-07
2001-06-19
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Drawstring, laced-fastener, or separate essential...
Includes separate device for holding drawn portion of lacing
C024S712700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247214
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a fastening device for releasably securing two lace ends together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, for releasably fastening together the opposite ends of a shoe lace thereby avoiding the need to tie the shoe lace together using a conventional bow. The invention may have other applications such as where laces are employed in garments and bags.
The two lace ends may be the ends of two separate laces or the opposite ends of a single lace. The term “lace end” is taken to include the free portion of a lace extending beyond that portion of the lace which is in a lacing arrangement.
In the specification, the term “lace” shall be taken to include any cord or string for holding or drawing together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form the invention resides in a fastening device for releasably securing two lace ends together, comprising a body having a passage through which the lace ends can pass, and gripping means associated with the passage for gripping the lace ends in a manner which allows movement of the lace ends through the passage but selectively resists reverse movement.
Preferably, the fastening device further comprises a holding means for releasably holding the portion of each lace end extending beyond the passage. A loop formation may conveniently be formed in each lace end.
Preferably, the body includes first and second members defining said passage therebetween. Preferably, said passage includes aperture means provided in the first member through which the lace ends can enter the passage, the arrangement being such that in use the lace ends extend in substantially opposite directions within said passage and emerge from the passage at the periphery thereof.
Preferably, said first and second members define the gripping means. In this connection the first and second members are preferably mounted for movement towards and away from each other whereby they can assume an engaging condition in which they engage the lace ends in a manner which allows movement of the lace ends through the passage to emerge from said periphery but prevents movement in the reverse direction and a release condition in which they allow movement of the lace ends in the reverse direction.
Preferably, the gripping means comprises two clamping units each adapted to engage one of the lace ends. For preference, each clamping unit comprises two clamping jaws, one clamping jaw being defined by the first member and the other clamping jaw being defined by the second member whereby the clamping jaws move between said engaging and release conditions with movement of the first and second members towards and away from each other.
Preferably, each clamping unit comprises a clamping portion to assist in preventing movement of the lace ends in a reverse direction when the first and second members are in an engaging condition. The clamping portions are preferably in the form of elongate projections on the first member which are disposed laterally of the aperture means on opposed sides thereof. The clamping portion of each first member presents a clamping edge which cooperates with the corresponding edge of the second member to assist in clamping the respective lace end to inhibit movement of the lace end in a reverse direction.
Preferably, biasing means are provided for urging the first and second members in the direction towards each other thereby to influence the clamping jaws into the engaging condition.
Preferably, the biasing means comprises an elastic band attached to one of the first and second members and releasably attachable to the other of the first and second members whereby when so attached the elastic band resiliently resists movement of the first and second members in the direction away from each other. For preference, said one of the first and second members comprises the second member and the said other of the first or second members comprises the first member. The elastic band is preferably attached to one of the first or second members by being fitted onto said first or second member to extend therearound.
Preferably, said aperture means comprises two apertures each for receiving one of the lace ends.
Preferably, said aperture means are provided centrally within said first member and said clamping units are disposed laterally thereof.
Preferably, said clamping units are disposed adjacent the outer periphery of said passage.
Preferably, said holding means comprises a wedge provided on said second member. For preference, said wedge comprises a pair of inclined faces one of which is defined by said second member.
The two loop formations may be arranged to form a bow.
In another form the invention resides in a fastening device for releasably securing two lace ends together comprising a body having first and second members defining a space therebetween, aperture means provided in the first member and opening onto said space for receiving the lace ends whereby the lace ends can enter. said space through the aperture means and extend in substantially opposite directions to emerge at the outer periphery of said space, gripping means having a gripping condition and a release condition whereby in said gripping condition the gripping means allows movement of the lace ends from said aperture means through said space to emerge therefrom while resisting movement in the reverse direction and wherein in said released condition said gripping means allows movement of the lace ends in said reverse direction.
Preferably, said gripping means are defined by said first and second members.
The gripping means may comprise two clamping units each adapted to engage one of the lace ends.
Preferably, said aperture means is disposed centrally within said first member and said clamping units are disposed laterally of said aperture means to opposed sides thereof.
Preferably, said clamping units are located adjacent the outer periphery of said space.
Preferably, said aperture means comprises a pair of openings in the first member, each adapted to receive one of the lace ends.
Preferably, said fastening device further includes holding means for releasably holding the portions of each lace end extending outwardly from said space to establish a loop formation in the lace end.
With the exception of the biasing means, the components of the fastening device may be formed of integral construction and made of plastics material. In addition, the first and second members of the body may be pivotally connected by means of a film hinge or other suitable connecting means.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1624564 (1927-04-01), Shetzline, Jr. et al.
patent: 2911697 (1959-11-01), Henderson
patent: 3108343 (1963-10-01), Mo
patent: 3138839 (1964-06-01), Mathes
patent: 3176362 (1965-04-01), Tames
patent: 3225402 (1965-12-01), Altman et al.
patent: 3290745 (1966-12-01), Maxwell et al.
patent: 3537151 (1970-11-01), Sobel et al.
patent: 4805270 (1989-02-01), Kimbrough
patent: 5022127 (1991-06-01), Ang
patent: 271364 (1950-10-01), None
patent: 663 136 (1938-07-01), None
patent: 0 079 874 (1983-05-01), None
patent: WO 88/06011 (1988-08-01), None
patent: WO 89/05200 (1989-06-01), None
patent: WO 92/06609 (1992-04-01), None
Brittain James R.
Holland & Hart LLP
LandOfFree
Holding device for fastening laces does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Holding device for fastening laces, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Holding device for fastening laces will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2528095