EP4205593A1 - Use of an annular elastic belt for securing a closed shoelace and kit consisting of a pair of shoes and an elastic elastic belt - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to prevent shoelaces from unintentionally loosening, the use of an annular, rubber-elastic band (10) to fix the ends (13) of a shoelace (11) of a lacing (12) of a shoe (14) in the lacing position is proposed, whereby the rubber-elastic band (10) surrounds the outsole (15) and the shoe upper (16) of the shoe (14) in such a way that it runs over the ends (13) of the shoelace (11). In addition, a kit consisting of a pair of shoes ( 14) with lacing (11) and at least two rubber-elastic bands (10).

Description

The invention relates to the use of an annular, rubber-elastic band and a kit comprising rubber-elastic bands.

A shoe is usually fixed by means of a shoelace or a shoelace, in that its free ends are connected to one another by means of a loop. To accommodate a shoelace, the shoe usually has two rows of eyelets or hooks located opposite one another, through which the shoelace is usually passed crosswise and the free ends are then fixed. The shoe upper can be narrowed individually in the area of the forefoot of a user by means of the lacing.

This way of guiding shoelaces and fixing them is regularly provided for a wide variety of shoe types, be it the most diverse types of sports shoes, shoes for everyday or evening wear and children's shoes.

The problem with using shoelaces is that they can become loose during use of the shoes and ultimately there is a risk of stepping on a loose end of the shoelace, which in the worst case results in a fall. A loose shoelace is usually noticed by the user and can be tied again. In the case of children, it is more likely that the child will not notice this, so that the consequences described will regularly occur.

Even with sports shoes, it is not possible to always check the correct function of the shoelaces during sporting activities, so that there is a high probability of a fall here as well.

The simplest solution to this problem is to tie the loop again. However, when the shoelace is untied, it is then difficult to simply untie this knot again, especially if the shoelace has become wet during outdoor exercise. This is particularly difficult for children.

Devices for clamping the laces are also known, which prevent accidental opening of the same, such as from DE 20 2020 001 049 U1 known. A separate clamping device for shoelaces and the knots created when they are tightened is described here, which has two parts, between which the knot of the shoelace is arranged and is fixed by means of a locking mechanism of both parts.

Instead of shoelaces, Velcro fasteners can also be used to fix shoes to the foot, but these do not necessarily offer the possibility of individually adjusting the narrowing along the forefoot.

Another alternative is in the DE 10 2015 219 614 A1 which relates to a laceless upper for a sports shoe, in which the shoe upper is designed with specific elasticity and rigidity in different areas so as to provide foot support. However, such shoes are expensive to manufacture and are only suitable for a limited area of use.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of enabling a laced shoelace to be fixed in a simple manner in order to prevent the shoelace from becoming unintentionally loose.

This object is solved by a use and a kit having the features of the main claims.

According to the invention, a use of an annular, rubber-elastic band for fixing the ends of a shoelace of a lacing of a shoe in the lacing position is provided.

The rubber-elastic band is pulled over the respective shoe in such a way that it is gripped in the area of the forefoot, with the rubber-elastic band running over the outsole and the shoe upper in such a way that the ends of the shoelace, i. H. the part of the shoelace that is tied into a loop are at least partially fixed by the rubber-elastic band.

Partial means that not all parts of the loop must be fixed to prevent loosening.

The at least partial fixation of the shoelace has the advantageous effect that the loop cannot become loose and there is therefore no risk of stepping on a loose end of a shoelace.

It is preferred if the rubber-elastic band fixes the loops of the loop; it is particularly preferred if, in addition to the loops of the loop, the free ends of the loop are also fixed.

The rubber-elastic strip preferably consists of a vulcanized natural or synthetic rubber, preferably a silicone elastomer, since these are available at low cost and have a smooth, attractive surface. In addition, they are easy to clean.

The rubber-elastic band preferably has a width in the range from 4 to 50 mm, preferably from 8 to 20 mm, particularly preferably from 12 to 15 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rubber-elastic band does not have the same width over the entire circumference. Thus, preferably half to a quarter of the circumference can be wider than the rest of the rubber-elastic band, with the wider area of the rubber-elastic band being particularly suitable for fixing the shoelace.

The rubber-elastic band preferably has a diameter in the range from 10 to 25 cm, particularly preferably from 15 to 20 cm, so that advantageously any shoe size can be provided with the rubber-elastic band according to the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rubber-elastic band is profiled on one or both sides, for example with a nub or rib profile, so that the rubber-elastic band is even better secured against slipping, for example due to mechanical influences during sport.

It is also preferred that the rubber-elastic band has an advertising imprint, for example in order to be able to offer advertising space for sponsors or the like in the field of sports.

An advertising imprint can preferably be provided in a wider part of the rubber-elastic band, since advantageously provided advertising imprints in this area are better optically perceptible.

The kit according to the invention consists of a pair of shoes with lacing and at least two rubber-elastic bands.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoes have heels so that the rubber-elastic band advantageously runs over the sole in the area directly next to the heel without the rubber-elastic band coming into contact with the ground and being damaged when the shoes are in use.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoes of the kit are designed as cleated shoes, for example soccer shoes or the like. Advantageously, it can also be prevented with such shoes that the rubber-elastic band comes into contact with the ground and is damaged by the rubber-elastic band running between the cleats.

In addition, there are usually shoes that have otherwise strongly profiled soles, which are also preferred within the scope of the invention, so that the rubber-elastic band can be accommodated in depressions in the profile in such a way that it does not run over the part of the tread that comes into contact with the ground has.

In the case of shoes, in particular sports shoes, for example indoor sports shoes, which simply have a smooth, continuous sole, it is provided according to the invention that these are provided with a mechanically introduced groove.

According to the invention, women's shoes, men's shoes, children's shoes and sports shoes are therefore provided within the scope of the kit.

The rubber-elastic band is designed in the same way as described for use.

Further advantageous configurations are characterized in the dependent claims.

The invention is further explained below with reference to drawings.

Fig. 1

in einer Seitenansicht ein mit einem gummielastischen Band versehener Schuh mit Stollen des erfindungsgemäßen Kits,

Fig. 2

in einer Seitenansicht ein mit einem gummielastischen Band nach einer zweiten Ausführungsform versehener Schuh mit Stollen,

Fig. 3

in einer Seitenansicht ein mit einem gummielastischen Band versehener Schuh nach einer zweiten Ausführungsform, und

Fig. 4

ein gummielastisches Band zur erfindungsgemäßen Verwendung.

Show it:

1

in a side view a shoe provided with a rubber-elastic band with cleats of the kit according to the invention,

2

in a side view a shoe with cleats provided with a rubber-elastic band according to a second embodiment,

3

in a side view a shoe provided with a rubber-elastic band according to a second embodiment, and

4

a rubber elastic band for use according to the invention.

In the Figures 1 to 3 shows how, according to the invention, a rubber-elastic band 10 is used to fix the ends 13 of a shoelace 11 of a lacing 12 of a shoe 14 in the lacing position.

When used according to the invention, the rubber-elastic band 10 encompasses the outsole 15 and the shoe upper 16 of the shoe 14 in such a way that it runs over the ends 13 of the shoelace 11 and thus fixes them. The loops 17 formed by the ends 13 of a loop 18 of the shoelace 11 or preferably the entire loop 18 are also fixed by the rubber-elastic band 10 so that a user can advantageously not get caught with them and thus the shoelace 11 is prevented from coming loose.

The shoe 14, which can also be part of a kit according to the invention, but not shown here, has Figures 1 and 2 Studs 19 so that the rubber-elastic band 10 cannot come into direct contact with the ground when running, so that it cannot be damaged and thus become useless. For shoes with a smooth outsole 15 ( 3 ), such as indoor sports shoes, a groove 20 is worked into the outsole 15, which receives the rubber-elastic band 10, so that also no contact with the ground can occur.

The rubber-elastic bands 10 of 1 or the 2 and 3 differ in color, this is a rubber elastic band 10 in 1 dark colored and has an advertising imprint 21, while the other rubber-elastic bands have a light color.

This in 4 The rubber-elastic band 10 shown has a width B in the range from 4 to 50 mm, preferably from 8 to 20, particularly preferably from 12 to 15 mm, and a diameter D in the range from 10 to 25 cm, preferably from 15 to 20.

Reference List

10

rubber elastic band

11

shoelaces

12

lacing

13

end of a shoelace

14

shoe

15

outsole

16

shoe upper

17

loops

18

Ribbon

19

stollen

20

groove

21

advertising imprint

Claims (15)

Use of an annular, rubber-elastic band (10) for fixing the ends (13) of a shoelace (11) of a lacing (12) of a shoe (14) in the lacing position, the rubber-elastic band (10) the outsole (15) and the shoe upper (16) of the shoe (14) in such a way that it extends over the ends (13) of the shoelace (11). Use according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rubber-elastic band (10) runs over the loops (17) formed by the ends (13) of the shoelace (11), preferably over the entire loop (18). Use according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rubber-elastic band (10) consists of vulcanized natural or synthetic rubber. Use according to Claim 3, characterized in that the rubber-elastic band (10) consists of a silicone elastomer. Use according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rubber-elastic band (10) has a width (B) in the range from 4 to 50 mm, preferably from 8 to 20, particularly preferably from 12 to 15 mm. Use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rubber-elastic band (10) has different widths over the entire circumference. Use according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rubber-elastic band (10) has a diameter (D) in the range from 10 to 25 cm, preferably from 15 to 20 cm. Use according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rubber-elastic strip (10) is profiled. Use according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rubber-elastic strip (10) has an advertising imprint (18). Kit consisting of a pair of shoes (14) with lacing (11) and at least two rubber-elastic bands (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9. Kit according to Claim 9, characterized in that the pair of shoes (14) each have a heel. Kit according to Claim 9, characterized in that the pair of shoes (14) are cleated shoes or shoes with spikes. Kit according to Claim 9, characterized in that the pair of shoes (14) each have a groove (20) in the outsole (15), designed to accommodate the rubber-elastic band (10), which runs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the respective outsole (15). Shoes (14) run. Kit according to Claim 12, characterized in that the groove (20) is formed as part of a profiling of the respective outsole (15) or is mechanically incorporated into the respective outsole (15). Kit according to one of Claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the pair of shoes (14) are women's shoes, men's shoes, children's shoes, sports shoes, sports shoes with cleats (17) or spikes or indoor sports shoes, preferably children's shoes, sports shoes, sports shoes with cleats (17) or spikes or indoor sports shoes, particularly preferably sports shoes, sports shoes with cleats (17) or spikes or indoor sports shoes.

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