Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Drawstring – laced-fastener – or separate essential... – Includes separate device for holding drawn portion of lacing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-19
2001-06-05
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Drawstring, laced-fastener, or separate essential...
Includes separate device for holding drawn portion of lacing
C024S130000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240607
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to shoes and shoelaces and, more particularly, to a shoe string retaining device for use with any conventionally laced shoe.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, many attempts are known for restraining and containing the loose ends of shoe strings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,511 issued in the name of Kubo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,456 issued in the name of Thurston et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,345,707 issued in the name of Rita, and U.S. Pat. No. 528,464 issued in the name of Craig each disclose a shoelace fastening device mounted on the instep of the shoe.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,321 issued in the name of Holub and U.S. Pat. No. 1,315,860 issued in the name of Polouboyarenof describe a shoe lace end grip and locking device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,183 issued in the name of Posner discloses a shoe securement apparatus with lace and groove fasteners.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,517 issued in the name of Gourley describes a shoe lace safety guard to cover and retain.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,342 issued in the name of D'Andrade discloses a decorative device for attaching to and securing of shoelaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,127* issued in the name of Ang describes a shoelace locking device comprised of an elastic hinge and cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,270* issued in the name of Kimbrough discloses jaw members attached to a shoe to secure laces after tying.
While the general functionality these inventions as well as in other related references is accomplished by the present invention, other elements in combination are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over these related references.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to indicate a device of the type disclosed above which avoids the disadvantages inherent in the state of the art. In particular, the device is to prevent shoelaces from coming undone.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a shoe string retaining device that attaches to the shoe via the shoelaces themselves and preventing the lace ends from dragging on the ground.
Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a shoe string retaining device is provided having a connection eyelet forming a flat ring connected to a lower retaining tube affixed horizontally. The lower retaining tube forming a tapered interior sidewall having a lace entry orifice formed at one end and opposite a lace exit and impingement orifice.
An advantage of the present invention includes that it keeps the laces tied, thus preventing a user from repeatedly stopping and retying them.
Another advantage of the present invention includes that it prevents a falling hazard as would result from tripping on untied laces.
Yet another advantage of the present invention includes that it keeps the laces and the lace ends in a like new condition by preventing one from walking on them.
REFERENCES:
patent: 528464 (1894-10-01), Craig
patent: 1094262 (1914-04-01), Spangenberg
patent: 1315860 (1919-09-01), Polouboyarenof
patent: 3345707 (1967-10-01), Rita
patent: 4258456 (1981-03-01), Thurston et al.
patent: 4805270 (1989-02-01), Kimbrough
patent: 4884321 (1989-12-01), Holub
patent: 5022127 (1991-06-01), Ang
patent: 5467511 (1995-11-01), Kubo
patent: 5535531 (1996-07-01), Karabed et al.
patent: 5649342 (1997-07-01), D'Andrade et al.
patent: 5671517 (1997-09-01), Gourley
patent: 5873183 (1999-02-01), Posner
Gugliotta John D.
Sandy Robert J.
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