Shoelace fastener

Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Drawstring – laced-fastener – or separate essential... – Includes separate device for holding drawn portion of lacing

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C024S11500R, C024S11500R, C024S13600R, C024S712500

Reexamination Certificate

active

06185798

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention pertains to devices for selectively fastening two string portions together which may be employed in place of tying a knot. More particularly, the field of the invention pertains to devices for selectively fastening two string portions together which can be advantageously employed in a movable environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Devices for selectively fastening two string portions together are known e.g. from the following U.S. Patents, all of which are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,770 to Boden; U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,593 to Leick; U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,835 to Horng; U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,544 to Boden; U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,144 to Boden; and Re. U.S. Pat. No. 31,052 to Adams. While these devices are suitable for their intended function, there is a possibility that some of these devices may be prone to “flip-flopping”, or may be subject to other undesirable movements, when employed in a movable environment. This arises from the fact that the string portions often enter the devices at one longitudinal end portion of the device (see e.g. FIG.1 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,593). Under these circumstances, no significant forces (other than gravity and inertial forces) may exist which will inhibit the device from pivoting back-and-forth about the longitudinal end portion (i.e. “flip-flopping”) when the device is subjected to external accelerations. Especially in the case where such a device is used with an athletic shoe, this may cause an inconvenience or an annoyance to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a device for selectively fastening two string portions together which is convenient to use and well-suited for use in movable environments (such as athletic wear, sporting goods and equipment, travel accessories, hand bags, carrying cases, etc.)
In one respect the invention relates to a device for releasably fastening two string portions together. The device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction which comprises a first longitudinal end portion, a second longitudinal end portion, and a midportion disposed between the first and second longitudinal end portions. A string holding cavity is formed within the housing, the string holding cavity being disposed between upper and lower housing walls and extending from an opening in the first longitudinal end portion of the housing to the midportion of the housing, the string holding cavity being configured such that the transverse width of the cavity decreases as the cavity extends to (or in the direction to) the midportion of the housing, and the string holding cavity defining a jamming zone, of decreased transverse width, adjacent the midportion of the housing. The jamming zone is delimited by converging inner housing sections, and an interconnection zone is formed in the housing for interconnecting the jamming zone of the string holding cavity with a control button guide channel formed in the housing. The control button guide channel extends from the midportion of the housing toward the second longitudinal end portion of the housing and is configured so as to interconnect the string holding cavity with a longitudinal opening in the upper housing wall. Additionally, a first string feeding passage is formed in housing, the first string feeding passage extending from a first string feeding opening in a first lateral side of the housing to the interconnection zone, and a second string feeding passage is formed in the housing, the second string feeding passage extending from a second string feeding opening in a second lateral side of the housing to the interconnection zone. The device further includes a movable locking member which is disposed within the housing, the locking member comprising a) a control button, b) a jamming device, and c) a connecting portion for interconnecting the control button and the jamming device. The control button is partly received within the control button guide channel and partly extends through the longitudinal opening in the upper housing wall so as to be both accessible from outside the housing and movable within the guide channel. The jamming device is disposed within the string holding cavity and includes wedge means, having a transverse width substantially corresponding to or larger than the decreased transverse width of the jamming zone of the string holding cavity, for selectively reacting against the converging inner housing sections that delimit the jamming zone of the string holding cavity. In this respect, the first and second string feeding openings are each formed in the midportion of the housing, wherein the housing is characterized by a longitudinal length L, and wherein each of the first and second longitudinal end portions occupy at least 25% of longitudinal length L of the housing.
In another respect, the invention relates to a device for releasably fastening two string portions together. The device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction which comprises a first longitudinal end portion, a second longitudinal end portion, and a midportion disposed between the first and second longitudinal end portions. A string holding cavity is formed within the housing, the string holding cavity being disposed between upper and lower housing walls and extending from an opening in the first longitudinal end portion of the housing to the midportion of the housing, the string holding cavity being configured such that the transverse width of the cavity decreases as the cavity extends to (or in the direction to) the midportion of the housing, and the string holding cavity defining a jamming zone, of decreased transverse width, adjacent the midportion of the housing. The jamming zone is delimited by converging inner housing sections, and an interconnection zone is formed in the housing for interconnecting the jamming zone of the string holding cavity with a control button guide channel formed in the housing. The control button guide channel extends from the midportion of the housing toward the second longitudinal end portion of the housing and is configured so as to interconnect the string holding cavity with a longitudinal opening in the upper housing wall. Additionally, a first string feeding passage is formed in housing, the first string feeding passage extending from a first string feeding opening in a first lateral side of the housing to the interconnection zone, and a second string feeding passage is formed in the housing, the second string feeding passage extending from a second string feeding opening in a second lateral side of the housing to the interconnection zone. The device further includes a movable locking member which is disposed within the housing, the locking member comprising a) a control button, b) a jamming device, and c) a connecting portion for interconnecting the control button and the jamming device. The control button is partly received within the control button guide channel and partly extends through the longitudinal opening in the upper housing wall so as to be both accessible from outside the housing and movable within the guide channel. The jamming device is disposed within the string holding cavity and includes wedge means, having a transverse width substantially corresponding to or larger than the decreased transverse width of the jamming zone of the string holding cavity, for selectively reacting against the converging inner housing sections that delimit the jamming zone of the string holding cavity. In this respect, the first string feeding opening is closed-form in shape, the second string feeding opening is closed form in shape, and the first string feeding opening is distinct from the second string feeding opening.
In yet another respect, the invention relates to a device for releasably fastening two string portions together. The device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction which comprises a first longitudinal end portion, a second longitudinal end portion, and a midportion dispo

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