US20240237784A1

US20240237784A1 - Shoe Lace Buckle and System

Info

Publication number: US20240237784A1
Application number: US18/154,517
Authority: US
Inventors: Kipp Greene
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-01-13
Filing date: 2023-01-13
Publication date: 2024-07-18

Abstract

A lacing system for a shoe comprising one or a plurality of buckles positioned between opposing eyelets of a shoe. The lace passes between an eyelet and an opening on the buckle, and back to a next eyelet. The buckles of the lacing system provide both functional and aesthetic improvements and customization options to a shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for aiding in lacing of shoes. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a buckle or bracket type device to create a unique shoe lacing system for functional and aesthetic improvements.
Athletic shoes such as sneakers are a ubiquitous and stylish footwear increasingly worn not only in athletic settings, but also in casual, school settings, leisure, and even some formal settings. In these types of footwear, colors, stylization, and uniqueness are all highly desirable and allow the wearer to express themselves in interesting ways. While footwear companies sell many variations of sneakers, there is not much customization that can be done by a wearer.
Therefore, what is needed is a device that allow for a unique lacing arrangement of footwear which may also be decorative and stylish.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, a shoe is provided, the comprises a sole and an upper connected to the sole. The upper has a first plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a shoelace on a first side of the upper, and has a second plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a shoelace on a second side of the upper. The first plurality of eyelets and second plurality of eyelets are spaced apart from each other across a gap in which a tongue typically sits. A buckle is positioned in the gap between the first side of the upper and second side of the upper. The buckle is formed having a central body and defines two openings, one on each opposite side of the body. A shoelace passes through at least two of the first plurality of eyelets and the first of the two openings of the buckle. As such the shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the first plurality of eyelets, the first buckle opening, and then the second of the first plurality of eyelets. The shoelace further passes through at least two of the second plurality of eyelets and the second of the two openings of the buckle on the other side of the upper such that the shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the second plurality of eyelets, the second buckle opening, and then the second of the second plurality of eyelets. In this way, the buckle is held in place by the lace between eyelets.
In another aspect, a shoe is provided, the comprises a sole and an upper connected to the sole. The upper has a first plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a shoelace on a first side of the upper, and has a second plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a shoelace on a second side of the upper. The first plurality of eyelets and second plurality of eyelets are spaced apart from each other across a gap in which a tongue typically sits. A buckle is positioned in the gap between the first side of the upper and second side of the upper. The buckle is formed having a central body and defines two openings, one on each opposite side of the body. This embodiment of the shoe has two separate shoelaces used in the lacing system. A first lace passes through at least two of the first plurality of eyelets and the first of the two openings of the buckle. As such the first shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the first plurality of eyelets, the first buckle opening, and then the second of the first plurality of eyelets. On the other side of the buckle and gap, a second shoelace passes through at least two of the second plurality of eyelets and the second of the two openings of the buckle on the other side of the upper such that the second shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the second plurality of eyelets, the second buckle opening, and then the second of the second plurality of eyelets. In this way, the buckle is held in place between he eyelets by the two shoelaces, one shoelace passing through each opening.
In yet another aspect, a shoelace buckle is provided. The shoelace buckle has a body, and defines two openings, one opening on two opposite sides of the buckle body. A first shoelace passes through the first of the two openings, and a second separate shoelace passes through the second of the two openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an elevation view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a front view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 provides a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 provides a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 provides a view of an embodiment of the present disclosure in a shoe lacing system on a shoe.

FIG. 9 provides a view of another embodiment of the present disclosure in a shoe lacing system on a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Footwear, including laced footwear such as sneakers, dress shoes, and the like, are important components of style and dress. In the realm of laced footwear, laces are used to tighten and loosen the shoes. The laces also may serve a stylistic aspect. A lace may be swapped out for a different size/color/shape, and the lacing pattern may be varied such as a flat across lace or a zig zagging lace. The lace of the prior art is a single strand, extending from one end of the lace, through the eyelets of the shoe on one side, to the bottom eyelet and across to the opposite side eyelet, and then to the other end of the lace extending from a top eyelet. However, this leaves a fairly limited amount of customization and modification that is possible on a shoe. In turn, a wearer is largely limited to a style of whatever the shoe maker provides, and the minimal variation of a single lace change. The present disclosure provides a system and devices for a more customizable and stylish lacing system and arrangement, and also allows for the use of two different separate laces which may be of a different style from each other, for example two different colors, shapes/thicknesses, and the like.
Generally, the present disclosure concerns a buckle device for lacing a shoe in a unique manner with the lace being laced between eyelet of the shoe and one side of the buckle. The buckle may have a design, color, logo, or the like on its front face to provide an aesthetic enhancement and customization of a shoe having the buckle(s) and lacing.
The device of the present disclosure, referred to herein as a “buckle,” comprises a central body, and one opening on two opposite sides of the body. The openings are sized to allow the passage of a shoelace. When installed on a shoe, the buckles have a lace going through each opening and are generally centrally spaced between opposing eyestays which have the eyelets of the shoe. The body, in many embodiments, may comprise a design such as a coloring, pattern, picture, photo, logo, reflective material including but not limited to a gemstone or gemstone-like material, and the like. Such designs improve the visual appearance of the shoe on which the buckle is laced to. The buckle may be formed of any material able to support the laces and withstand tension applied to the laces during shoe tying and use. Typical materials of which the buckle may be made include, but are not limited to metals, plastics, woods, ceramics, composite materials, rubbers, leather, and the like. The openings of the buckle may be formed in any manner including by a mold, a folding or bending, stamping, and the like.
While the buckles contemplated herein are shown and discussed with use on sneakers and athletic shoes, they may similarly be applied to dress shoes, and any other laced shoe without straying from the scope of this invention.
Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of the shoelace buckle of the present disclosure is provided. The buckle 1 has a central body 4 with front and rear faces. The front and rear faces may, in some embodiments, be interchangeable such that the buckle 1 is reversable, or may be different allowing for two different appearances. The buckle 1 further defines two openings at opposite ends. In the embodiment shown, the opening 2 is defined by the cutout region 3. The opening 2 may be formed in any manner such as a molding, stamping, and the like. Shoelace 5 passes through each opening 2 of the buckle. In one embodiment, two different shoelaces 5 may connect to the buckle, such that a first shoelace passes through the first opening 2 and a second shoelace passes through the second opening 2. In another embodiment, two portions of a single shoelace may pass through the openings 2.
FIGS. 3-7 show another embodiment of the shoelace buckle. In this view, the buckle is formed of a single strip of material which is bent or otherwise folded over itself to form the buckle openings 12. In other words, the shoelace is configured to have a larger cross-sectional area than a cross sectional area of an eyelet, to prevent the end of the shoelace from passing through the eyelet. This may be achieved in any number of ways, such as by folding, knotting, adding a clip or anchor, and the like. The material of this buckle may be rigid, or flexible. In flexible embodiments, the end 14 of the strip of material may be attached to the central body 11 of the strip so as to retain the opening 12 in place. The buckle 10 of this embodiment has a body 11 with a front face 15. The body 11 is folded over in the folded end region 13 such that ends 14 are contacting, connected to, or close to a rear of the central body 11. As such, the buckle 10 is formed of a strip of material which defines two openings 12. These openings 12 are configured to contain a lace passed therethrough against forces applied during the wearing of the shoe, including intense athletic activity. In certain embodiments, the buckle 10 may be reinforced to strengthen the openings 12 such as by adhering bonding, or reinforcing the ends 14 against the rear of the body 11 to keep the openings 12 in a closed position to prevent the lace from escaping. As seen in FIG. 3 , shoelace 5 passes through each of the openings 12. In one embodiment, two different shoelaces 5 may connect to the buckle, such that a first shoelace passes through the first opening 12 and a second shoelace passes through the second opening 12. In such an embodiment, the first shoelace is separate and not connected to the second shoelace. In another embodiment, two portions of a single shoelace may pass through the openings 12 to connect to the buckle. As noted above, the front face 15 of the buckle may have a design, logo, decoration, and the like to provide a stylized and decorative element to a shoe on which the buckle is attached.
FIG. 8 provides a view of an embodiment of the buckle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 used in a lacing system on a shoe. The shoe 16 defines a plurality of eyelets 17 through which a shoe lace 5 passes, thereby connecting the lace to the shoe and allowing for a tightening and tying of the shoe. A plurality of buckles 1 are positioned between the opposing eyelets 17 over the tongue of the shoe. In this view the buckles 1 are centrally positioned between the opposing eyelets on either side of the tongue. The embodiment shown uses two different laces 5 which are not connected to each other. On the left side, a first lace 5 is knotted, folded, or otherwise thickened at one end so it cannot pass through the eyelet. Specifically, in the embodiment shown, the lacing system is configured such that the shoelace 5 passes through, in order, a first of the first plurality of eyelets 17, the first buckle opening 2, and then the second of the first plurality of eyelets 17 this lacing may continue from the second of the plurality of eyelets to an opening of another buckle, back to the eyelet, to another buckle opening, and so on. On the opposite side of the shoe, the shoelace 5 is laced through the second plurality of eyelets 17 and the second buckle opening 2 which is on the opposite side of the buckle in the same way. As such, the laces 5 on each side only extend between the eyelets on one side of the shoe to the buckle opening, and then back to the eyelets, without crossing over to opposite eyelets on the other side of the shoe.
The first lace 5 is then laced upward through the bottom-most eyelet 17 until reaching the knotted portion, which then prevents removal of the lace because the knotted or otherwise thickened portion cannot pass through the eyelet 17. The first lace 5 is then laced between the left opening 2 of the buckle 1 and adjacent left side eyelet 17 going back and forth progressing between eyelet 17 and buckle opening 2 up toward a top of the shoe where an extending part of the lace extends for tightening and tying of the shoe. Similarly, for the right side of the shoe, a second lace 5 is knotted, folded, or otherwise thickened at one end so it cannot pass through the eyelet. The second lace 5 is then laced upward through the bottom-most eyelet 17 until reaching the knotted portion, which then prevents removal of the lace 5 because the knotted or otherwise thickened portion cannot pass through the eyelet 17. The second lace 5 is then laced between the right opening 2 of the buckle 1 and adjacent right side eyelet 17 going back and forth progressing between eyelet 17 and buckle opening 2 up toward a top of the shoe where an extending part of the second lace extends for tightening and tying of the shoe. As such, the present system allows for two different shoelaces to be used to lace the shoe, as well as providing a unique and customizable appearance of the lacing as well as the buckles. In other embodiments, it should be noted that a single shoelace may be used as well, with the single lace extending across the bottom-most eyelets and then each side progressing up between eyelet 17 and opening 2 up towards the top. In the embodiment shown, there are six eyelets, and five buckles used in the lacing system. This is typical of many embodiments, which utilizes n eyelets, and n−1 buckles. Of course, fewer buckles may be used for a hybrid lacing system including both the buckles and traditional lacing across the gap between eyelets on opposing side of the shoe.
FIG. 9 provides a view of an embodiment of the buckle shown in FIGS. 3-7 used in a lacing system on a shoe. Like in FIG. 8 , the shoe 16 defines a plurality of eyelets 17 through which a shoelace 5 passes, thereby connecting the lace to the shoe and allowing for a tightening and tying of the shoe. A plurality of buckles 10 are positioned between the opposing eyelets 17 over the tongue of the shoe. In this view the buckles 10 are centrally positioned between the opposing eyelets on either side of the tongue.
The embodiment shown uses two different laces 5 which are not connected to each other. On the left side, a first lace 5 is knotted, folded, or otherwise thickened at one end so it cannot pass through the eyelet. In other words, the shoelace is configured to have a larger cross-sectional area than a cross sectional area of an eyelet 17, to prevent the end of the shoelace 5 from passing through the eyelet 17. This may be achieved in any number of ways, such as by folding, knotting, adding a clip or anchor, and the like. The first lace 5 is then laced upward through the bottom-most eyelet 17 until reaching the knotted portion, which then prevents removal of the lace because the knotted or otherwise thickened portion cannot pass through the eyelet 17. The first lace 5 is then laced between the left opening 12 of the buckle 10 and adjacent left side eyelet 17 going back and forth progressing between eyelet 17 and buckle opening 12 up toward a top of the shoe where an extending part of the lace 5 extends for tightening and tying of the shoe. Similarly, for the right side of the shoe 16, a second lace 5 is knotted, folded, or otherwise thickened at one end so it cannot pass through the bottom-most eyelet 17 at that end. The second lace 5 is then laced upward through the bottom-most eyelet 17 until reaching the knotted portion, which then prevents removal of the second lace 5 because the knotted or otherwise thickened portion cannot pass through the eyelet 17. The second lace 5 passes over a top of the shoe surface and over to the right opening 12 of the buckle 10 and then to the adjacent left side eyelet 17 going back and forth progressing between eyelet 17 and buckle opening 12 up toward a top of the shoe where an extending part of the lace extends for tightening and tying of the shoe 16. As such, the present system allows for two different shoelaces to be used to lace the shoe 16, as well as providing a unique and customizable appearance of the lacing as well as the buckles. In other embodiments, it should be noted that a single shoelace may be used as well, with the single lace extending across the bottom-most eyelets and then each side progressing up between eyelet 17 and opening 12 up towards the top.
In addition to the improved and customized appearances of the shoe using the buckle of the present disclosure, the lacing system with the buckle provides a number of functional improvements over the prior art. For example, the buckles provide a convenient place for a wearer to pull on to tighten up the shoe near the bottom and middle eyelets which are hard to tighten in a traditional lacing arrangement by just pulling on the free ends of the lace. By drawing the buckles outward, the shoe can be tightened at this point and then the free ends of the laces drawn tight to pull out any slack. Moreover, the lacing system provides a more efficient and smooth draw on the free ends of the laces to efficiently tighten the shoe along all of the eyelets top to bottom rather than just the first one or two sets of eyelets as is the case with traditional lacing systems. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that the lace has a shorter length to pass vertically between direction-change points compared to the prior art having the laces cross from one eyelet to opposite side eyelet. The lace is thus arranged in a closer to straight orientation. As such, the vertical force of pulling on the lace is able to apply force more efficiently to tighten the shoe, allowing for more efficient tightening and tying of the shoe. The present disclosure thus produces a series of functional changes and improvements compared to the prior art.
While several variations of the present disclosure have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe comprising:

a sole;

an upper connected to the sole;

a first plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a shoelace on a first side of the upper and a second plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a shoelace on a second side of the upper, such that the first plurality of eyelets and second plurality of eyelets are spaced apart from each other across a gap;

a buckle having a body, and defining two openings, the two openings on opposite sides of the buckle body, the buckle positioned in the gap between the first side of the upper and second side of the upper;

a shoelace passing through at least two of the first plurality of eyelets and the first of the two openings of the buckle such that the shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the first plurality of eyelets, the first buckle opening, and then the second of the first plurality of eyelets; and

the shoelace further passing through at least two of the second plurality of eyelets and the second of the two openings of the buckle, such that the shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the second plurality of eyelets, the second buckle opening, and then the second of the second plurality of eyelets.

2. The shoe of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of buckles each comprising a body, and defining two openings, the two openings on opposite sides of the buckle body, each of the plurality of buckles positioned in the gap between the first side of the upper and second side of the upper, and the shoe further comprising:

the shoelace passing through, in order on the first side of the upper, a third of the first plurality of eyelets, a first opening of one of the plurality of buckles, and a fourth of the first plurality of eyelets, and

the shoelace passing through, in order on the second side of the upper, a third of the second plurality of eyelets, a second opening of the one of the plurality of buckles, and a fourth of the second plurality of eyelets.

3. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the two openings of the buckle are molded by the body or stamped through the body.

4. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the buckle is formed of a strip of material, and the openings defined by the buckle being bent at a first end to define a first opening and bent at a second end to define the second opening.

5. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the buckle further comprises a layer attached to a front face of the body, the layer comprising a design on its exterior surface.

6. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the buckle further comprises a reflector attached to a front face of the body.

7. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the shoelace crosses directly from a bottom most of the first plurality of eyelets closest to a toe of the shoe, to a bottom most of the second plurality of eyelets closest to the toe of the shoe.

8. A shoe comprising:

a sole;

an upper connected to the sole;

a first plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a lace on a first side of the upper and a second plurality of eyelets defined by the upper for receiving a lace on a second side of the upper, such that the first plurality of eyelets and second plurality of eyelets are spaced apart from each other across a gap;

a first shoelace passing through at least two of the first plurality of eyelets and the first of the two openings of the buckle such that the first shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the first plurality of eyelets, the first buckle opening, and then the second of the first plurality of eyelets; and

a second shoelace passing through at least two of the second plurality of eyelets and the second of the two openings of the buckle, such that the second shoelace passes through, in order, a first of the second plurality of eyelets, the second buckle opening, and then the second of the second plurality of eyelets.

9. The shoe of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of buckles each comprising a body, and defining two openings, the two openings on opposite sides of the buckle body, each of the plurality of buckles positioned in the gap between the first side of the upper and second side of the upper, and the shoe further comprising:

the first shoelace passing through, in order on the first side of the upper, a third of the first plurality of eyelets, a first opening of one of the plurality of buckles, and a fourth of the first plurality of eyelets, and

the second shoelace passing through, in order on the second side of the upper, a third of the second plurality of eyelets, a second opening of the one of the plurality of buckles, and a fourth of the second plurality of eyelets.

10. The shoe of claim 8 wherein an end of the first shoelace has a larger cross-sectional area than a cross sectional area of a bottom-most of the first plurality of eyelets to prevent the end of the first shoelace from passing through the bottom-most of the first plurality of eyelets.

11. The shoe of claim 10 wherein an end of the second shoelace has a larger cross-sectional area than a cross sectional area of a bottom-most of the second plurality of eyelets to prevent the end of the second shoelace from passing through the bottom-most of the second plurality of eyelets.

12. The shoe of claim 8 wherein the two openings of the buckle are molded by the body or stamped through the body.

13. The shoe of claim 8 wherein the buckle is formed of a strip of material, and the openings defined by the buckle being bent at a first end to define a first opening and bent at a second end to define the second opening.

14. The shoe of claim 8 wherein the buckle further comprises a layer attached to a front face of the body, the layer comprising a design on its exterior surface.

15. The shoe of claim 8 wherein the buckle further comprises a reflector attached to a front face of the body.

16. A shoelace buckle comprising:

a body, and defining two openings, the two openings on opposite sides of the buckle body;

a first shoelace passing through a first of the two openings; and

a second shoelace being different and separate from the first shoelace passing through a second of the two openings.

17. The shoelace buckle of claim 16 wherein the first shoelace is connected to a shoe by passing through a first eyelet; and

wherein the second shoelace is connected to the shoe by passing through second eyelet.

18. The shoe of claim 16 wherein the two openings of the buckle are molded by the body or stamped through the body.

19. The shoe of claim 16 wherein the buckle is formed of a strip of material, and the openings defined by the buckle being bent at a first end to define a first opening and bent at a second end to define the second opening.

20. The shoe of claim 16 wherein the buckle further comprises a layer attached to a front face of the body, the layer comprising a design on its exterior surface.