WO1993006758A1

WO1993006758A1 - Fastener for footwear or the like

Info

Publication number: WO1993006758A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/001801
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-30
Filing date: 1992-09-30
Publication date: 1993-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1994-03-30
Also published as: GB2259948A; GB9220629D0; AU2871492A; GB9120728D0

Abstract

An attachment for a boot or a shoe is intended to replace normal lace fastenings and to provide an easier and more weatherproof means for securing together the parts of the shoe around the foot. The attachment comprises two strip-like members (14) which are joined longitudinally by a slide fastener (2) and in which the outer portions of the strip have laterally extending fingers (15) selective ones of which are threaded through retaining means (18) each incorporating a hook (5). The surface of each finger (15) has a saw-tooth profile which engages with a detent on the part (18) whereby the hooks (5) may be slidably adjusted and retained at any position along a finger. In use, the hooks (5) are engaged with lace apertures (6) of a shoe (8) and laterally adjusted along the finger to provide appropriate positioning. The shoe may then be released and removed from the foot in an easy manner by releasing the slide fastener (2).

Description

ι _

T ITLE

FASTENER FOR FOOTWEAR OR THE LIKE.

This invention relates to detachable and interchangeable fasteners for shoes and boots otherwise designed to receive laces.

Laces are an accepted and well tried means for securing footwear. More recently, zip fasteners and hook and pile fasteners have been incorporated into some styles of footwear for fashion and more practical purposes. Also elasticated and slip-on'shoes are available. There are advantages and disadvantages inherent in the use of any one of the above mentioned fastening means, and in the use of slip-on shoes.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide means whereby an existing formerly laced shoe can receive a zip or hook and pile fastener or have slip-on characteristics by using non-permanent attachments so that shoes designed to be fastened with laces in effect become adaptable to the specific and changing requirements of a wearer.

According to this invention there is provided a fastening attachment for a shoe comprising a fastener means extending the length of the attachment and a plurality of spaced hooks mounted in rows and on each side thereof, each row of hooks being laterally opposed and engaging and drawing together the lace receiving apertures of a shoe as the fastener means is fastened.

Preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described as examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 shows an underside view of a zip fastener attachment when open, Figure 2 shows a top view of Figure 1 when closed, Figure 3 shows a transverse section along line 3-3 of Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a portion of the zip fastener attachment in use on the instep of a shoe, Figure 5 shows a top view of a hook and pile fastener attachment, Figure 6 shows an end-on view of Figure 5, Figure 7 shows a top view of an elasticated zip or slip-on attachment, Figure 8 shows an end-on view of Figure 7, Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a conventional shoe with laces removed, Figure 10 shows an end-on view of a slide fastener attached to the instep flaps of Figure 9, Figure 11 shows a plan view of Figure 10, Figure 12 shows an underside view of the slide fastener in Figures 9 and 11, Figure 13 shows an underside view of the slide fastener in Figures 9 and 11, Figure 14 shows a longitudinal section along line 6-

6 of Figure 13, Figure 15 shows an enlarged longitudinal section of a ratcheted hook member, Figure 16 shows a plan view of a slide fastener, unit attached to the instep flaps of a shoe, Figure 17 shows an end-on view of Figure 16 with the slide fastener unit removeα., Figure 18 shows a plan view of Figure 17, Figure 19 shows a side view of one of the fastener strips in Figure 18, Figure 20 shows a plan view of a fastener unit, Figure 21 shows an end-on view of Figure 20, Figure 22 shows a plan view of a fastener unit, Figure 23 shows an underside view of Figure 22, Figure 24 shows an end-on view of Figures 22 and 23, Figure 25 shows an enlarged longitudinal section of a centre slide fastener mechanism, Figure 26 shows an enlarged longitudinal section of a laterally adjustable eyelet hook mechanism, — u —

Figure 27 shows an enlarged longitudinal section of an alternative adjustable eyelet hook mechanism, Figure 28 shows a tilted side view of the unit with centre fastener and lateral hook removed, Figure 29 shows a plan view of Figure 28 with both halves of the unit separated, and Figure 30 shows a side view of the centre fastener member. Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the zip attachment la comprises a conventional heavy duty zip 2 having a fastener 3 and two laterally opposing rows of interconnecting teeth mounted on the meeting edges of two parallel linen strips 12. A protective hard wearing leather flap 4 is stitched to each of the linen strips 12 to form weather proof covers for the perforated instep flaps 7 of a shoe 8. A plurality of spaced hooks 5 are mounted on the underside of each leather flap 4 so that there are at least two rows of laterally opposing hooks 5, as illustrated in Figure 1, and each hook 5 corresponds with the position of a lace receiving aperture 6 formed through the instep flaps 7. The zip attachment la is removably connected to a shoe 8 by firstly inserting the hooks into their respective lace receiving apertures 6 while the fastener 3 is in an open position. The hooks 5 and instep flaps 7 are drawn together simultaneously as the hooks 5 latch into the lace receiving apertures 6 when the zip attachment is closed to secure the shoe 8 to the wearer's foot.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, the hook and pile or "Velcro" fastener lb comprises two flaps 4 which overlap one another. A plurality of spaced hooks 5 are arranged in at least two rows which are laterally opposed to each other as described previously, one row being situated on the underside of each flap 4. The overlapping meeting surfaces of the flaps 4 have mating Velcro strips 9 which are fastened togetήer after the hooks 5 have first been inserted into their respective lace receiving apertures 6. Separation of both flaps 4 from one another is implemented by pulling on the tongue 10 provided.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, an elasticated attachment lc comprises a basic elastic strap 11, or two narrow elastic straps 11 supporting a central zip fastener 2. A plurality of slideable hooks 5 are mounted and arranged in two laterally opposing rows on a pair of parallel tracks 13 forming the elongated outer edges of the straps 11. The hooks 5 are adjustable on the tracks 13 in the directions of arrows X. When a shoe lace has been removed, the hooks 5 are inserted into their appropriate lace receiving apertures 6 in their place while the zip fastener 2 is open. Assuming that the shoe 8 is now being worn, the instep flaps 7 are then drawn together around the foot by the hooks 5 as the zip 2 is closed. The elasticity of the strap(s) 11 allows sufficient variable movement potential of the hooks 5 in the directions of arrows Y to ensure that the product can be used effectively with shoes 8 of different width fittings or while a shoe 8 is being slipped off without opening the zip fastener 2. It is envisaged that the hooks 5 mentioned with reference to Figures 1 to 4 may also be adjustable for compatibility with^" different styles and sizes of shoe.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 15 of the drawings only, the slide fastener unit generally designated as Id comprises two laterally opposing rows of interconnecting teeth 2, commonly referred to as a zip fastener, having a slide member 3. The teeth 2 are mounted on the meeting edges of two parallel strips of outwardly extending equally spaced ties 14 formed from a flexible hard wearing plastics material such as Nylon for example. A plurality of cogs 15 are formed along the top surface of each tie 14. The ties 14 are designed to receive and support a ratcheted slide fastener 18 which is movable thereon in the directions of arrows Yl and Y2 perpendicular to the centre zip 2.

As illustrated in Figure 15, a flexible tongue 16 engages and interacts with the cogs 15 to allow a non¬ return movement of the slide fastener 18 in the direction of arrow Y2. Reverse movement of the slide fastener 18, in the direction of arrow Yl, is possible by lifting a lever 17 extending from the flexible tongue 16 to cause the latter to disengage the cogs 15. A short shaft 5 extends outwardly at an angle from the base of each ratcheted slide fastener 18, a plurality of which are used simultaneously, so that a plurality of angled shafts 5 extend from the fastener unit Id as two^' rows of laterally opposing hooks being illustrated in Figures 10, 13 and 14. The fastener unit Id is removably attached to a conventional shoe 8 by firstly matching a combinationOn of ties 14, bearing in mind that these are slightly flexible in a transverse plane, with their respective lace receiving apertures 6. A lateral slide fastener 18 is then attached to each of the ties 14 corresponding with the position of a lace aperture 6. In this way, the fasteners 18 are effectively adjustable in the directions of arrows X.

The hooks 5 are inserted and latched into their respective lace receiving apertures 6 while the zip slide fastener 3 is in a closed position, the lateral slide fasteners 18 being thereafter individually adjusted until the instep flaps 7 of the shoe 8 are pulled together to ensure a snug fit of the shoe 8 around the wearer^'s foot. When the lateral slide fasteners 18 are correctly positioned on the ties 14, general day to day fastening and unfastening of a shoe 8 is implemented by manipulating the zip fastener 3 to mesh or unmesh the teeth 2.

It is envisaged that the lateral fasteners 18 could be used on their own together with a simplified version of the attachment designated le which does not have a centre slide fastener 2/3. In fact item le could be dispensed from a continuous strip on a roll that is cut to any length as required, whether individual ties or a block of ties le are being used, as illustrated in Figure 12. Although the lateral slide fasteners 18 depicted have hooks 5, it is envisaged that the bases of these slide fasteners 18 may alternatively be self-adhesive, may incorporate safety-pin type attachment means or equivalent, so that items Id and le could be attached to many types of surface or material including skin.

In the latter case, it is envisaged that the lateral slide fasteners 18 could be used to close wounds as an alternative to stitching. The centre zip 2 and fastener 3 allowing occasional inspection and cleaning of the wound without necessarily removing the fastener unit Id from the patient.

Referring now to Figures 16 to 19 of the drawings only, the slide fastener unit generally designated as Id comprises two laterally opposing rows of interconnecting teeth 2, commonly referred to as a zip, having a slide member 3. The teeth 2 are mounted on the meeting edges of two parallel strips of outwardly extending equally spaced ties 14 formed of a flexible hard wearing plastics material such as Nylon for example. A plurality of cogs 15 are formed along the top surface of each tie 14, and a flexible tongue 16 engages and interacts 'with the cogs 15 to allow non-return slide movement of the tie 14 as it passes through a tie receiving aperture 21 in which the tongue 16 is located. Reverse slide movement of the tie 14 is possible by lifting a lever 17 extending from the flexible tongue 16 to cause the latter to disengage the cogs 15.

As an alternative arrangement to the slideably adjustable lace hole engagement means 18 mentioned previously, a plurality of tie receiving apertures 21 are formed instead through each of two fastener strips 19 having base flanges 20 which are permanently sewn or built into the instep flaps 7 of equivalent closable openings of items such as trousers, skirts, jackets or handbags, etc. where a variable width slide fastener might have advantages to compensate, for example, for waist measurements which can be variable.

The fastener strips 19 should be laterally opposed to one another during use with a gap therebetween, as illustrated in Figure 17, wherein the fastener unit Id is located. The ties 14 are inserted into their corresponding apertures 21 while the centre slide fastener 3 is in a closed position with the teeth 2 meshed. The strips 19 are thereafter drawn together by the user's thumb and forefinger to cause all of the strips 14 to pass simultaneously through^"their respective apertures 21 against the non-return action of the flexible tongues 16 until, for example, the instep flaps 7 of a shoe have been pulled tightly together around the user^'s foot, as illustrated in Figure 16. General day- to-day rapid fastening and unfastening of a shoe, having built-in strips 19, is implemented by manipulating the slide fastener 3 to mesh or unmesh the teeth 2.

It is envisaged that an alternative version of the fastener unit Id may have interconnecting teeth 2 which are mounted on the meeting edges of two strips. One of the strips not having ties 14 are being permanently attached to an article, and the opposing strip having a plurality of outwardly extending equally spaced ties 14 which are removably adjustable within a single fastener strip 19.

Any equivalent alternative centre fastening means may be used with fastener unit Id although the slide fastener means depicted is considered to be ideal for this type of product.

Referring now to Figures 20 to 30 of the drawings only, the unit generally designated as 1 comprises two parallel strips 2a and 2b of outwardly extending equally spaced ties 3 formed of a suitable semi-flexible hard wearing plastics material. The strips 2a and 2b, although apparently a right and left handed pair, are actually identical insofar as they are not in fact handed, both components being manufactured from a single mould. The meeting edges of both strips 2a and 2b are thickened, as illustrated in Figures 21 and 24, so that when they are together, a raised centre track is formed preferably having two outwardly extending parallel flanges 10 with a row of pitched teeth 4 formed along the top surface of each.

A locating pin 13 extends horizontally from one end of the meeting edges of both strips 2a and 2b and is received within a corresponding socket 14 when both meeting edges are brought together. The meeting edges of the strips 2a and 2b are releasably held together by an elongated slide fastener member 9 having an inside centrally located tracking groove 12 flanked by a pair of inverted flanges 23, which are segmented by equally spaced gaps 17 to facilitate adequate longitudinal flexibility of the unit 1 during use, for variable shoe instep contouring along the dotted line illustrated in Figure 30 for example. The dotted line 20 in Figure 21 illustrates variable contour potential of the ties 3.

A conventional sip type slide fastener may be used instead but may prove to be more expensive to manufacture, and less water and weather resistant than the fastener 9 illustrated. Due to the strips 2a and 2b not being handed, the teeth 4 on each flange 10 are angled in opposite directions when the meeting edges of the strips 2a and 2b are joined together. For example, the teeth 4 on the flange 10 of the strip 2b are angled in the direction of arrow 15, and the teeth 4 on the flange 10 of the strip 2a are angled in the direction of arrow 16, as illustrated in Figure 28.

Apart from being convenient to manufacture, a design feature such as a slide fastener track comprising two independent parallel rows of teeth 4 running in opposite directions, one row being a spare, effectively doubles the useful life of the unit 1. The dormant row of teeth 4 being used, for example if the first row wears out during use. The slide fastener member 9 has a simple built-in ratchet mechanism comprising a tongue 11 which extends upwardly in the form of a lever 7. The tongue 11 is offset from the centre line of the unit 1, as defined by the meeting edges of both strips 2a and 2b, and interacts with only one row of teeth 4. The tongue 11 allows for one-way non-return slide movement of the fastening member 9 as the unit 1 is fastened. Thereafter, the unit 1 is unfastened when the lever 7 is pressed against an adjacent counter lever 8.

In Figures 20 and 21, a row of teeth 4 is formed along the top surface of each of the ties 3, the latter serving as independently flexible or rigidly pre- contoured tracks, each designed to receive and support a lateral slide member 5. A tongue 11 is built into each of the slide members 5 and automatically interacts with the teeth 4 to allow one-way non-return feed of the slide members onto the ties 3 in the direction of arrow 21.

Reverse movement of the slide members, in the direction of arrow 22 is possible by pressing an extended top portion 7 of the tongue 11 against an adjacent counter lever 8 to cause the former to disengage the teeth 4. A hook 6 extends inwardly from the angled base of each of the slide members 5, and releasably anchors a tie 3 to a lace receiving eyelet of a shoe. In Figures 22 to 24 and 28 to 30, the teeth 4 are alternatively formed in the underside surface of each tie 3. As illustrated in Figure 27, the tongue 11 in this latter version engages and interacts with the teeth 4 to allow one-way non-return feed movement of the slide member 5x in the direction of arrow 21 when a finger is applied in that direction against an angled pressure point 19. The tongue 11 is extended inwardly parallel to the angled base of the slide member 5 in the form of a hook 6x which anchors a tie 3 to a lace receiving eyelet of a shoe. Reverse movement of the slide member in the direction of arrow 22 is achieved ^*by applying a finger in that direction against angled pressure point 18 which automatically causes the tongue 11 to disengage the teeth 4 as a rear vertical portion of the hook 6 abuts against a corresponding portion of the eyelet.

Cushioning pads 24 of a neoprene rubber may be provided as shown in Figures 21, 11 and 23.

Claims

CLA IMS

1. Fastening attachment for a shoe comprising a fastener means extending the length of the attachment and a plurality of spaced hooks mounted in rows and on each side thereof, each row of hooks being laterally opposed and engaging and drawing together the lace receiving apertures of a shoe as the fastener means is fastened.

2. fastening attachment in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the fastener means comprises a slide fastener having complementary engaging portions w ich may be secured together along the length thereof.

3. Fastening attachment in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastener means comprises complementary engaging portions extending along the sides of respective strip members whereby said strip members may be brought together into engagement by the fastener or progressively released and wherein each strip member carries said row of spaced hooks.

4. A fastening attachment in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the fastener means is fully releasable to enable the attachment to be separated into two parts each carrying respective rows of hooks.

5. Fastening attachment in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening means is operative to release the attachment into two portions each carrying respective rows of hooks with said portions being secured together at the one end thereof.

6. Fastening attachment in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastener means comprises a slide fastener having complementary engaging teeth.

7. Fastening attachment in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastening means comprises a hook and pile fastener which may be progressively brought into engagement from one end of the attachment to the other.

8. Fastening attachment in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastening means comprises complementary engaging profiled longitudinal parts which may be pressed into interlocking engagement.

9. Fastening attachment in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastening means comprises elongate profiled strip parts each side of a division along the attachment with said profiled parts being brought together and secured by a separate strip or slide fastening means.

10. Fastening attachment in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein each hook member is mounted on the attachment in a manner affording lateral adjustment.

11. Fastening attachment in accordance with Claim 10, wherein each said hook is slidably raounteα on the attachment and includes a releasable detent means whereby the hook may be released and adjusted in a lateral position and secured on the attachment by means of the detent.

12. Fastening attachment in accordance with Claim 10, wherein said detent means comprises a saw-tooth profiling provided on a strip part of the attachment with a co¬ operating tooth on-a slidable portion carrying a hook.

13. Fastening attachment in accordance with any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein each hook is mounted on a laterally extending finger of the attachment, each hook incorporating an aperture through which the finger projects with the finger and hook incorporating mutually co-operating detent means whereby the lateral position of the hook may be adjusted and locked.

14. Fastening attachment means for a laced shoe comprising two strip members, each having a plurality of spaced hooks mounted in a row on a surface thereof with adjacent sides of the strip members including a slide fastener means and with the surface of each strip member opposite to that to which the hooks are attached having a laterally extending protective strip member.

15. Fastening attachment for a shoe comprising two strip members of a flexible but hard plastics material wherein adjacent edges thereof are connected by a slide fastening means, each of said strips having laterally extending fingers embraced by slidably adjustable retaining means each incorporating a hook, the retaining means and fingers having mutually co-operating detents whereby the position of a retaining means along a finger may be adjusted and locked thereon, the hook members on each side of the slide fastener being mutually opposed and arranged to engage and draw together the lace receiving apertures of a shoe as the fastening means is fastened.

16. Fastening attachment for a shoe comprising two rigid plastic strip members wherein an edge of each strip incorporates a profiled channel or the like portion whereby said edges may be brought into engagement and secured by a fastening means comprising an elongate channel which embraces and interlocks said profiled portions, on each respective strip, each strip having laterally extending outwardly directed fingers with a plurality of hook members adjustably mounted thereon, the hook members on respective ones of the strips being laterally opposed and engaging and drawing together the lace receiving apertures of a shoe as the edges of the strip are brought together and connected by the channel member.

17. A fastening attachment in accordance with Claim 16, wherein the edges of the strips which are brought together into engagement incorporate detent means which co-operate with a releasable detent on the channel member whereby said channel member may be adjustably positioned along said strip members and preferably moved along said members in one direction only by virtue of co-operating parts of the detent means.

18. A fastening attachment for a shoe constructed and