DE20219280U1 - Coupling element, especially for shoelaces - Google Patents

Description

Coupling element, especially for shoelaces

The present invention relates to a coupling element for the ends of the shoelace or shoelaces used to lace shoes around the wearer's foot.

Today, many well-known types of shoes, and especially sports shoes such as roller skates, ice skates or trekking boots, have an upper shoe whose opposing side parts can be laced together using a shoelace.

Such laces are conveniently passed through a series of eyelets arranged in a row along both sides of the upper. Once the two ends of the lace are tightened to the desired degree of fastening, the lace is locked. This is done by means of a knot or by using known sliding and locking devices.

Such known devices have, for example, an opening for the passage of the shoelace and a push button for deactivating the means which block the displacement of the device itself along the shoelace.

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The disadvantage of fastening in this way is that a large part of the shoelace, especially the two free ends, often hang down on the two sides of the upper shoe.

This is because the shoelaces must be long enough so that the two side parts can be opened further, so that even a wearer with larger feet can put the shoe on without the free ends of the shoelace slipping out of the eyelets of the upper shoe.

With narrower feet, the problem arises that a longer section of the shoelace hangs down from the upper shoe, with the free ends also coming dangerously close to the wheels of the roller skate or the sole of the boot.

This disadvantage is not only undesirable from an aesthetic point of view, but also represents a risk of injury to the wearer, as it could cause the wearer to lose their balance or even fall.

As a partial solution to the above-mentioned problems, it is known to realize coupling devices for the free ends of shoelaces, which usually consist of a first element for connecting the two ends together, which can be connected to a second element which is fixed to a fastening strap or to the upper of the shoe.

For example, it is known to use two sections of the material known under the trade name "VELCRO" to create the first and second elements, which can be releasably connected to one another.

However, such a known coupling device is disadvantageous because the two ends must be positioned clearly and precisely according to the second element.

The main object of the present invention is therefore to solve the technical problems mentioned by eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art and by providing a device which allows easy coupling of the free ends of the shoelace in a region of the shoe which can be freely selected by the wearer of the shoe.

Within the scope of this task, another important task is to realize a device that can be detachably connected to the ends of the shoelace in order to enable, for example, the shoelace to be replaced.

Finally, a device must be provided which is structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.

The above and other objects which will become clearer hereinafter are achieved by a coupling device, in particular for shoelaces, which is characterized in that it consists of a first body which can be detachably attached to the shoe, is provided with clamping fastening elements for the shoelaces and cooperates with a second body for blocking these elements.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in large part from the detailed description of a particular embodiment thereof, illustrated as a non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figures 3 to 5

a sectional view of the device according to the invention;

an application of the device according to the invention to the shoelaces of a roller skate in an oblique view;

three steps of using the coupling device, each in an oblique view.

In the above figures, the reference numeral 1 generally indicates a coupling device for use with a shoelace 2 used to close the sides of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe such as the roller skate indicated by the reference numeral 3 in Fig. 2.

The coupling device 1 consists of a first body 4 with a first end 5a which contains an element for connecting to the shoe 3, which expediently consists of a preferably U-shaped hook 6.

The hook 6 enables a detachable connection to a part of the shoe 3, such as the fastening strap, which is designated by the reference numeral 7 in Fig. 2, or to the edge of a side part or the shaft 8 of the shoe.

In addition, one or more seats or receiving means for connecting to the coupling element 1 can be formed in the shoe 3.

The first body 4 has, at its second end 5b facing away from the first, clamping fastening elements which expediently consist of two wings 9a and 9b which are preferably rectangular in shape and are opposite one another.

These two wings 9a and 9b form a space 10 for receiving the shoelace 2, and in particular the ends 11a and 11b thereof.

The clamping-fastening elements consisting of the two wings 9a and 9b are suitable for cooperating with a second body 12 which serves to block the elements themselves in a state in which the mutual distance or approach of the two wings 9a and 9b is maintained.

In the embodiment shown, the second body 12 has approximately the shape of a parallelepiped with an axial opening 13 through which the ends 11a and 11b of the shoelace 2 can be inserted.

The second body 12 can therefore be connected axially to the first body 4 by wrapping itself around the fastening elements or the two wings 9a and 9b.

In particular, the fastening elements of the first body 4 can be received almost exactly in the opening 13 in order to produce a connection by interference.

Thus, when the ends 11a and 11b of the shoelace 2 have been passed through the second body 12 and positioned between the two wings 9a and 9b (Fig. 4), the connection between the first body 4 and the second body 12 (shown in Figures 1 and 5) leads to a deformation and a mutual approach of the two wings 9a and 9b in order to clamp and releasably fasten the ends 11a and 11b of the shoelace 2 to the coupling device 1.

On the inside of the two wings 9a and 9b, several small teeth or projections, generally designated by the reference numeral 14, can be formed, which serve to produce an optimal connection between the shoelace 2 and the device 1.

These teeth or projections 14 are preferably arranged approximately transversely to the two wings 9a and 9b.

The operation is therefore as follows: As shown in Figures 1 and 2, once the connection between the shoelace 2 and the device 1 is made, the device 1 can be used to fasten the ends 11a and 11b of the shoelace to the strap 7 or to another part of the shoe, in order to prevent the shoelace from causing uncomfortable or dangerous situations after the upper of the shoe has been closed around the foot.

The device 1 can optionally be connected to the shoelace 2 at a point on the shoelace near the ends 11a and 11b, or even away from them, depending on the needs of the wearer.

Should the wearer want or need to replace the coupling device 1 or the shoelace 2, the connection between the first body 4 and the second body 12 can be easily released by pulling them in opposite directions.

It has thus been found that the invention achieves the stated objectives by providing a coupling device which enables the free ends of the shoelace to be easily and quickly attached to a selected area of the shoe.

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The device can be easily detachably connected to the ends of the shoelace to allow the shoelace to be replaced and the connection between the coupling device and the shoelace to be re-established in the shortest possible time.

Finally, the present coupling device is relatively simple in terms of its structure and thus has very low manufacturing costs.

Of course, the materials used and the dimensions of the individual components of the device can be those that best suit the specific requirements.

Of course, the various means for carrying out certain different functions do not necessarily have to exist in the embodiment shown, but can in themselves exist in many embodiments, even those which are not shown.

Claims (15)

1. Coupling device, in particular for shoelaces (2), characterized in that it consists of a first body (4) which has at one end (5a) a preferably U-shaped hook (6) which can be detachably connected to the shoe (3). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element is detachably connectable to a component of the shoe (3), such as a fastening strap (7). 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element is detachably connectable to a component of the shoe (3), such as the edge of a side part of the upper shoe. 4. Coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element is detachably connectable to a component of the shoe (3), such as an edge of the shaft (8). 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element is detachably connectable to a component of the shoe (3), such as a seat provided for this purpose in the shaft. 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element is detachably connectable to a component of the shoe (3), such as receiving means formed on the shoe (3). 7. Coupling device, in particular for shoe laces (2), characterized in that it consists of a first body (4) which can be detachably connected to the shoe (3), has clamping fastening elements for the shoe laces (2) and cooperates with a second body (12) for blocking these elements. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping fastening elements which protrude from a second end (5b) of the first body (4) advantageously consist of two mutually opposite wings (9a, 9b). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the two wings (9a, 9b), which are preferably rectangular, form an intermediate space (10) for receiving the shoelace (2), in particular for the ends (11a, 11b) thereof. 10. Device according to the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second body (12) has an axial opening (13) which forms a seat for the introduction of the fastening elements (9a, 9b). 11. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the second body (12), which advantageously has approximately the shape of a parallelepiped, can be connected axially to the first body (4) so that it wraps around the outside of the fastening elements or the two wings (9a, 9b). 12. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the axial opening (13) of the second body (12) suitable for the passage of the ends (11a, 11b) of the shoelace (2) is shaped complementarily to the fastening elements (9a, 9b) in order to produce an interference connection. 13. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the connection between the second body (12) and the clamping fastening elements leads to a deformation of the latter in order to achieve a mutual approach of the two wings (9a, 9b). 14. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 10 to 13, characterized in that after positioning the ends (11b, 11b) of the shoelace (2) in the axial opening (13) of the second body (12) and in the intermediate space (10) between the two wings (9a, 9b), the connection between the first body (4) and the second body (12) leads to the blocking of the shoelace (2) and the coupling device (1). 15. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 7 to 14, characterized in that on the inside of the two wings (9a, 9b) several small teeth or projections (14) can be formed, which are suitable for ensuring a firm clamping connection between the shoelace (2) and the coupling device (1).