US 5,157,813 A · Shoelace tensioning device

Abstract

A device is provided for regulating the tension on shoelaces of the type worn in conventional footwear. The shoelace tension regulating device is mounted on the top of the shoe with which it is used, preferably by lacing the shoelace ends through a pair of apertures in the housing of the device. The shoelace ends which emanate from the uppermost eyelets of the shoe adjacent the wearers ankle are not tied, as in conventional practice, but are captured by a hook mechanism that is wound onto a drum within the device by means of a crank in the form of a rotatable cap. The drum is carried in rotation as the cap is turned until the desired level of tension on the shoelace ends has been achieved. A pawl and ratchet wheel in the device prevent counter-rotation until the user desires to release tension on the shoelace ends, at which time the pawl can be disengaged from the ratchet wheel by an actuating mechanism operable externally of the device. An internal helically wound band spring interposed between the drum and the crank permits slight reciprocal movement of the shoelace ends to avoid excessive tension when the footwear upper is severely flexed, and to also avoid excessively reduced tension when the users foot is relaxed.

Claims19

Dependent claims

In combination,

a shoe having an upper with a central division therein and a plurality of eyelets in said upper disposed on opposite sides of said central division,
a shoelace laced through said eyelets so as to repeatedly cross over said central division and having opposite untied free ends that emanate from said upper on opposite sides of said central division,
an apparatus for regulating tension on said untied free shoelace free ends comprising:
(a) a housing disposed atop said upper and having means secured to said shoe and an opening to receive said free ends of said shoelace,
(b) a take-up reel mounted for rotation within said housing and having shoelace capturing means releasably attached to both of said shoelace ends,
(c) crank means operable from the exterior of said housing to wind said ends of said shoelace onto said reel thereby increasing tension on said shoelace,
(d) a tensioning spring interposed between said crank means and said reel so as to undergo increased resilient deformation as said free ends of said shoelace are wound onto said reel, and
(e) releasable means for permitting rotation of said reel relative to said housing to increase resilient deformation of said tensioning spring and for impeding counter-rotation of said reel.

5 more elements

In combination,

a shoe having a centrally divided upper with a plurality of eyelets in opposite sides thereof,
a shoelace laced through said eyelets so as to repeatedly pass between said opposite sides of said upper and having a pair of opposite, untied free ends which emanate from said opposite sides of said upper,
a shoelace tensioning device housing having means secured to said shoe atop at least some of said eyelets and having an opening therein to receive said free shoelace ends,
a shoelace tensioning drum disposed for rotation within said housing and having attachment means which releasably captures said free shoelace ends, whereby rotation of said drum in a first direction of rotation winds said shoelace ends onto said drum,
rotatable means operable externally of said tensioning device housing to rotate said drum in said first direction,
a shoelace tensioning spring coupled to said drum and to said rotatable means so as to undergo increased resilient deformation upon rotation of said drum in said first direction of rotation, and
releasable means coupled to said shoelace tensioning device housing to permit said rotatable means to rotate said drum in said first direction and to prohibit counter-rotation of said drum in a direction opposite to said first direction.

4 more elements

In combination,

a shoe having an upper with a central division therein and a plurality of eyelets therein on the opposite sides of said central division,
a shoelace laced through said eyelets so as to repeatedly cross over said central division and having a pair of opposite, untied free ends which emanate from said upper on opposite sides of said central division,
a tension regulating device casing mounted on said shoe atop at least some of its said eyelets of said shoe and having an opening therein to receive said free ends of said shoelace,
a tensioning device drum mounted for rotation within said casing and having means capturing said free ends of said shoelace,
rotatable means operable externally of said casing to rotate said drum in a first direction so as to wind said free ends of said shoelace onto said drum,
a tensioning spring interposed between said rotatable means and said drum, whereby rotation of said rotatable means in said first direction progressively increases tension on said tensioning spring, and
releasable means interposed between said casing and said drum to permit said rotatable means to rotate said drum in said first direction while inhibiting counter-rotation of said drum in said direction opposite to said first direction.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shoelace tensioning device

Life of this patent

Shoelace tensioning device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19