Lacing or fastening boots, shoes, or the like

March 19, 1935. c. J. clarke 1,995,243

LACING OR FASTENING BOOTS, SHOES, OR THE LIKE

Filed June 12', 1934

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Patented Mar. 19, 1935

1,995,243

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,995,243

LACING OR FASTENING BOOTS, SHOES, OR THE LIKE

Charles J. Clarke, Kingsburg, Calif.

Application June 12, 1934, Serial No. 730,304

Claims. (Cl. 24—140)

This invention relates to improvements in lacing or fastening boots, shoes, and the like, and is directed more particularly and specifically to· a lacing means which obviates the use of open hooks 5 such as are commonly used in connection with high-top shoes or boots.

Hooks as a portion of the fastening or lacing means of boots and shoes have been found very objectionable in that they have a tendency to cut 10 the fingers of the operator.

The present invention has been devised to provide a means to release the shoe or boot from the foot quickly and easily without having to unlace the boot or shoe.

A further object of the invention is to provide an easy and quick means of releasing a boot or shoe from the foot without any danger of cutting or otherwise mutilating the fingers.

Another object of the invention is to avoid hav20 ing loose lacers or strings dangling from the boot or shoe when it is in an unlaced condition.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fastening or lacing means for boots and shoes which is not only convenient and reliable 25 but is also cheap to make, easy of application and highly effectual in performance of its functions.

Other specific objects, novel features of construction and improved results of the invention will appear in more detail from the following de30 scription when read in the light of the accompanying drawing.

There are numerous ways of carrying out my inventive idea and several of the methods as well as the particular constructional apparatus for 35 carrying out my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shoe showing the preferred embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view illustrating the construction of the connecting loop and the eyelet with which it cooperates.

Jig. 3 is a detail view partly in section illustrating in detail the connection of the loop with the 45 eyelet.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the construction and operation of the connecting loop and the ⁵⁰ eyelet used in the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a still further modified form of the invention.

⁵⁵¹ Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illus trating the manner of adapting an ordinary hightop boot or shoe to practice my improved invention.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the connecting loop used in conjunction with the three 5 forms of my invention as illustrated in Figures 4, 6 and 7.

_ Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modified form of lacing a shoe of the construction illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. 10

Referring now to the drawing and particularly Figures 1 to 3 thereof, 1 and 2 represent the upper portions of the shoe which are intended to be drawn together by a lace A.

Adjacent the bottom of the open portion of the 15 shoe top the shoe is provided at each of its sides with two eyelets 10 each of which is provided with an extending portion formed into a loop or eye 6 the opening of which parallels the edges 5 and 7 of the shoe top upper portions 1 and 2. 20

Above the eyelets 10 each of the shoe top portions are provided with a plurality of eyelets 3? arranged in vertical separated aligned relationship as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. 25

The eyelets 3 at the side 1 of the shoe are provided with extending tubular portions forming loops or eyes 4 the open ends of which are arranged at right angles to the edge 5 of this shoe portion. 30

The eyelets 3 carried by the shoe top portion 2 are each provided with loops or eyes 6 such as heretofore described in respect to the eyelets 10.

Referring particularly to Figure 3, D indicates a fastener formed with an eye or loop portion 11 35 forming a lace passageway and having a heartshaped portion 12 so as to provide what I have termed a tongue or hook 13. One of these fasteners D is provided for use in conjunction with each of the loops 4. 40

In utilizing the invention it will be seen that the shoe is laced as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawing and that the fasteners D are carried on the lace A by means of the lace passing through the eye portion 11 of the fasteners. 45

The ends 8 and 9 of the lace A are threaded in criss-cross form through the eyes 6 at the bottom of the shoe opening, thereafter passing alternately through an eye 6 and an eye 11 of the fastener D. 50

To secure the shoe tightly to the foot of the wearer the tongues 13 of the fastener D are positioned within the open ends of the loops 4 and the shoe lace then pulled tightly and tied as indicated at 14. . qq

1,995,243 form of the invention over the other forms of the invention resides in the fact that the end or side 34 of the lace A is threaded alternately through loops 33, at the shoe side 31, and the loops 26 of the fastener E. The lace end 35 passes only 5 through the eyes or loops 33 at the shoe side 30 with the result that this end of the lace parallels the edge of the shoe side 30 at the open portion of the shoe.

The hooked portions 29 of the connectors E jq each engage the lace end -35 at a point intermediate two of the eyes 33. To tighten the shoe upon the foot of the wearer the lace ends are pulled and knotted at the top of the shoe, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. To release j 5 the shoe it is necessary only to untie the lace . knot and disengage the hooked portions of the connectors E from the lace end 35. This can be readily and easily accomplished so that the shoe can be easily and quickly removed from the 20 foot.

Figure 7 is a further modification of the present invention and illustrates an easy manner of adapting an ordinary shoe construction to practice the invention, as illustrated in that form 25 appearing in Figure 7 of the drawing.

In this form of the invention 40 illustrates the hooks ordinarily used, in connection with hightopped shoes or boots but to practice my invention the free ends of these hooks have been bent 30 downwardly so as to form the hooks into loops or eyes. The lace A has its ends 41 and 42 threaded as illustrated and described in respect to Figure 6 of the drawing. The same connectors Ξ are used and the manner of securing the shoe to 35' and releasing the shoe from the foot is the same as described in respect to that form of the invention appearing in Figure 7 of the drawing.

By bending the hooks 40 into the form of loops the objectionable feature of the hooks is obviated 40 to some extent and by the use of the connectors E the shoe can be easily and quickly secured to and detached from the foot. Furthermore the long dangling and undesirable lace ends, when the shoe is off the foot, are done away with. 45;

Attention is directed to the fact that in connection with all forms of the invention the lace never passes to the under side or inner side of the shoe top and as a consequence any possibility of friction on the lace by the shoe is avoided, thus 50 assuring free movement of the lace in tightening and loosening the shoe.

In connection with the form of the invention shown in Figure 7 attention is called to the fact, that the shoe lace end 42 could be tied at the 55 top and bottom of its side of the shoe and that in tightening and loosening the shoe this would be accomplished by manipulation of only shoe lace end 41.

Attention is also called to the fact that con- 60 nectars D are so formed that they receive the tube-like portions of the loops 4 and that the side walls of the connectors closely parallel the side walls of the tubes when the tongues 13 are placed in connective relation with the loops. The 65 result of this construction is such as to overcome any possibility of the connectors becoming released from the tubes through any rocking motion. It is also to be specifically noted that when the connectors are in engagement with the 70 loops 4 they can not be disconnected by a mere horizontal movement because the opening of the connector is not sufficiently long to permit disengagement of the tongue with the loop by a mere horizontal movement. To disengage a 75

In the formation of the connectors D the tongue portion 13 is bent to incline downwardly and inwardly with the result that it can be connected to and detached from the loops 4 only by elevating 5 the eye portion 11 of the connector, as clearly illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawing. This construction prevents an accidental detachment of the connector.

The arrangement of the eyes or loops 6 and 11 JO is such that the lacers are free from any possibility of being friction bound by pressure of the foot or ankle of the wearer of the shoe. This is of material importance in rendering it easy to tighten or loosen the lace.

In releasing the foot from the shoe this is quickly accomplished by untying the. knot 14. The desired number of connectors can then be detached, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, from the loops 4 to permit withdrawal of the 20 foot from the shoe. These connectors are easily and quickly detached and when the shoe has been removed from the foot it will be found that there are no long dangling lace ends as is the case when shoes having the ordinary form of lacing are re25 moved from the. foot. Additionally there are no sharp edges to cut or mutilate the fingers as is the case in connection with shoes or boots utilizing open hooks. ·

Referring to Figure 4 which illustrates a modi30. fled form of the invention, 20 and 21 represent the two sides of the shoe upper. The side 20 carries the spaced eyelets 22 provided with extensions which form eyes or loops 23. The side 21 of the shoe is provided with spaced eyelets 24 having 35 extensions forming eyes or loops 25 which are of identical construction as the loops 6 heretofore described in respect to the preferred form of the invention.

In this particular modification the connectors 40 E, see Figures 5 and 8, are formed with an eye 26 having an extending portion 27 terminating in a hook 28 having a rounded end 29. This connector can be formed of wire, metal or any other material suitable for such use. Just as in connection 45 with the preferred form of the invention the lace A is threaded in a criss-cross manner alternately passing through an eye. 25 at one side of the shoe and a loop 26 of a connector E at the other side of the shoe. The hooked ends 28 of the connectors 50 are inserted in the eyes or loops 23 of the eyelets 22 and the shoe upper secured tightly about the foot of the wearer by pulling the lace and tying it at the top of the shoe as is clearly indicated in Figure 1 of the drawing.

To release the shoe from the foot it is necessary only to untie the knot in the lace and disconnect the connectors E with the eyes or loops 23. This modified form of the invention is merely illustrative of another specific construction of the 60 invention and functions just as does the preferred form of the invention.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawing illustrating a still further modification of the invention, 30 and 31 indicate the two ..sides of the shoe upper. 65 These shoe portions carry the eyelets 32 in spaced relationship and these eyelets have extensions formed into loops or eyes 33 which are of a construction exactly similar to the eyes 6 of the pre-, ferred form of the invention and the eyes 25 70 described in respect to the modification illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing.

In connection with this form of the invention the connector E, already described in connection with the form of the invention illustrated in Fig75: ure 5, is utilized. The main difference in this ,24:3 3 series of connectors each provided with a passageway, a lace , having its ends alternately threaded through the eyes at one side of the slit and the connector passageways, said connectors provided with an opening for the reception of 5 the eyes at the other side of the slit, and having a portion extending inwardly into said connector opening for detachable connection with said eyes, whereby the lace serves as a means of tightening’· the shoe upon a foot. io

4. In a boot or shoe having a slitted front to provide means for the insertion of a foot in the shoe, eyelets arranged in separated vertical alignment at each side of said slit, the eyelets at one side of the slit having extending portions form- 15 ing eyes lying wholly in front of the shoe to form passageways for the reception of a shoe lace, jhe eyelets at the opposite side of the slit having extending portions forming eyes the openings of which are horizontally disposed, a series of con- 20· nectors having vertically disposed passageways ior the reception of a shoe lace and having tongues adapted for detachable connection with the eyes at one side of the slit, and a shoe lace having its ends alternately threaded through the 25 eyes at the opposite side of the slit and through the connector lace passageways, for the purpose described.

5. For use with a laced boot or shoe having a slitted front having eyes arranged adjacent one 30 : edge of the slit, a connector having an eye for the passage of the shoe lace and a hook portion for detachable connection with the eyes at the side of the slitted shoe front.

6. In a boot or shoe having a slitted front to 35 provide means for the insertion of a foot in the shoe, eyes at one side of the slit for the reception of a shoe lace, eyes at the other side of the slit for detachably receiving a connector, a series of connectors each of which is provided with a lace pas- 40 sageway and an opening for the reception of one of said eyes, said connector having an inwardly and downwardly extending tongue adapted for detachable connection with one of said eyes, and a shoe lace threaded through the shoe eyes and 45 the passageways of the connectors for tightening the shoe upper upon a foot.

7. In a boot or shoe having a slitted front to provide means for the insertion of a foot in the shoe, eyes arranged in separated vertical aligned 50 relation at the opposite edges of the slit, connectors having a lace passageway and provided With a hooked end, a shoe lace having one end threaded alternately through the eyes at one side of the slit and the connector lace passageways and 55 having its other end threaded through the eyes at the opposite side of the slit, and the hooked ends of the connectors having engagement with the last named end of the lace at points intermediate the eyes through which said lace passes, 60 whereby the lace serves as a medium for tightening the shoe upper upon a foot.

8. In a construction such as defined in claim 7, wherein the shoe lace is disposed wholly at the front and outer side of the shoe to prevent 65 possibility of binding the lace by pressure of the foot within the shoe.

9. For use with a laced boot or shoe, a connector having an eye for the passage of the shoe lace and formed with a second opening two 70 sides of which are in parallelism, and one of the connecting walls between said parallel walls being bent inwardly to form a tongue.

10. A construction such as defined in claim 9, wherein the tongue is bent downwardly to ex- 75

1,99 connector from a loop it -is necessary to tilt the connector as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing.

From the foregoing description it will be clearly 5 apparent that the present invention has many advantages over the old and well known methods of lacing shoes and has all the advantages heretofore enumerated in the foregoing description.

Figure 9 of the drawing illustrates a modified 10 form of lacing the shoe illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. In this form of the invention the eyelets 3 at one side of the shoe opening are positioned opposite the spaces between the eyelets 10 at the opposite side of the shoe opening 15 rather than having the eyelets at both sides of the shoe opening directly in line with one another. In all other respects the modified form of the invention is identical with the form illustrated in Figure 1, that is to say, the same con20 nectors D are utilized in conjunction with the loops 4 of the eyelets 3 and the eyelets 10 are each provided with a loop or eye 6. The connectors D have the loop portion 11 just as is true' in respect to Figure 1 form of the invention. 25 The shoe lace however is threaded differently in this form of the invention as it will clearly appear that the lace end 8 is alternately threaded through a loop 6 of an eyelet 10 and a loop 11 of the connector D while the other end 9 of the lace par30 allels the side of the shoe opening and extends in a straight line through the loops 11 of the connectors D from the bottom of the shoe opening to the top of said opening. By threading the lace in this manner both ends of the lace pass 35 through the loops 11 of the connectors D yet I have found that there is no tendency of the lace to bind and there is adequate freedom of movement of the lace when the connectors D are disconnected for removal of the foot from the shoe.