Fastening device for footwear

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00011. Field of the Invention

0002The present invention relates to a fastening device, and more particularly to a fastening device for footwear.

00032. Description of Related Art

0004The conventional footwear is often fastened on the feet by the lace tightening on the footwear. However, to lace the footwear often costs a lot of time. In addition, the over tightening laces make people feel uncomfortable and the un-tightening laces make the conventional footwear escape from the feet easily.

0005In order to improve the shortcomings from the conventional lacing footwear, a manufacturer invents a controlled-release fastening device. The controlled-release fastening device includes a toothed strap with pitched teeth, a base on which is mounted at least one main hook pivotal with respect to the base between a retaining position, in which the hook is selectively engaged between contiguous teeth in order to hold the strap in one direction with respect to the base, and a release position, in which at least one hook is disengaged from the strap, allowing the sliding thereof relative to the base. A ratchet is mounted on the base for the gradual release of the strap by one or more teeth at a time. The ratchet includes a first and a second hooks mutually spaced by a non-integral multiple of the tooth pitch and capable of alternately engaging the teeth of the strap. The first hook of the escapement ratchet mechanism coincides with the main hook and the second hook is structurally independent of the first hook, hinged on the base coaxially with the first hook and operationally connected to the first hook in order to disengage it from the teeth of the strap when the second hook is engaged therein and vice versa.

0006However, there are still some shortcomings in the controlled-release fastening device as following:

0007First, the controlled-release fastening device is only adjustable in one direction, more specifically in the tightening direction; and

0008Second, the first hook and the second hook are respectively pivoted on the same axis to activate, one engaged the teeth on the strap and another disengaged from the strap to move the strap forward step by step; the combination of the first hook and the second hook might be destructed easily because there are at least three elements in the combination, and any one element in this combination broken will cause the adjusting mechanism not to work anymore.

0009The present invention poses one replaceable structure for footwear to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0010The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved fastening device for footwear.

0011To achieve the objective, the fastening device for footwear in accordance with the present invention comprises: a hook element, a major tooth formed on the front-bottom of the hook element, a miner tooth formed on the rear-bottom of the hook element, a first pivotal hole defined on the lateral of the hook element therethrough and located between the major tooth and the miner tooth, a releasing element having a receiving hole at one end thereof for receiving the hook element, two ribs formed on two sides of the releasing element and abutted against two sides of the receiving hole, a second pivotal hole defined on the lateral of the rib, the second pivotal holes of the ribs aligned to the first pivotal holes of the hook element, a first pin with a first torsion spring passing through the second pivotal holes and the first pivotal holes to pivot the hook element on the releasing element, two ends of first torsion spring abutted against the hook element and the releasing element respectively, a pair of pivotal protrusions formed at another end of the releasing element and the pivotal protrusions located between the two ribs, a boosting cover having a boosting tooth in front of the boosting cover, two pivotal portions extruded from the bottom of the boosting cover, a connecting member having a plurality of fourth pivotal holes at two ends therethrough, the fourth pivotal holes aligned to the pivotal portions and the pivotal protrusions respectively, a second pin with a second torsion spring and a third pin with a third torsion spring passing through the fourth pivotal holes and the pivotal portions, the pivotal protrusions and the fourth pivotal holes respectively to pivot the releasing element on the boosting cover, the second torsion spring being between the releasing element and the connecting member, the third torsion spring being between the connecting member and the boosting cover, a base having two lateral walls at two sides respectively, the boosting cover pivoted on the base by the second pin via the connecting member, the releasing element and the hook element located between the two lateral walls, a strap placed into the base and between the two lateral walls, a sequence of teeth formed on the strap, the miner tooth engaging with the teeth for fastening the strap; wherein the hook element is pressed so that the major tooth and the miner tooth is engaged with the inclining surface of the teeth alternately to push the strap to move backward; the boosting cover is bent up so that the boosting tooth is engaged with the vertical surface of the teeth to push the strap to move forward; the releasing element is pulled up so that the boosting cover and the hook element are both disengaged with the strap simultaneously and the strap is completely released from the base.

0012The connecting member is H-shaped, the fourth pivotal holes at one end of the connecting member aligned to the pivotal portions for connecting to the third pin, the fourth pivotal holes at another end of the connecting member aligned to the pivotal protrusions for connecting to the second pin.

0013The connecting member has a block portion, two ends of the second torsion spring being fastened at the block portion, a supporter disposed on the inner side of the lateral wall and located at one end of the base, the second pin positioned on the two supporters, two ends of the third torsion spring being fastened at the bottom of the supporters.

0014A rib space is defined on the lateral wall of the base for receiving the ribs of the releasing element.

0015A notch is defined on the inner side of the lateral wall at another end of the base and the shape of notch is corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the minor tooth for positioning the minor tooth of the hook element.

0016Each of the teeth has an inclining surface and a vertical surface, a trough formed between each pair of the neighboring teeth, the minor tooth being positioned in the trough for fastening the strap.

0017Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an exploded view of a fastening device for footwear of the present invention;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a partial exploded view of the fastening device for footwear of the present invention;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view of the fastening device for footwear and a strap in accordance with the present invention;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a cross-sectional view of the strap assembled into the fastening device for footwear in accordance with the present invention;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a cross-sectional view for showing a hook element being pressed in accordance with the present invention;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a cross-sectional view for showing the hook element recovering from pressing in accordance with the present invention;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a cross-sectional view for showing a boosting cover bending up to boost the strap forward in accordance with the present invention; and

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a cross-sectional view for showing a releasing element pulling up to completely release the strap from a base in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0026Referring to the drawings and initially to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-4</figref>, a fastening device for footwear in accordance with the present invention comprises a hook element <b>1</b>. The hook element <b>1</b> has a pressing button <b>10</b> on the top thereof. A major tooth <b>11</b> is formed on the front-bottom of the hook element <b>1</b>. A miner tooth <b>12</b> is formed on the rear-bottom of the hook element <b>1</b>. A first pivotal hole <b>13</b> is defined on the lateral of the hook element <b>1</b> therethrough and locates between the major tooth <b>11</b> and the miner tooth <b>12</b>.

0027A releasing element <b>2</b> has a receiving hole <b>20</b> at one end thereof for receiving the hook element <b>1</b>. Two ribs <b>21</b> are formed on two sides of the releasing element <b>2</b> and abut against two sides of the receiving hole <b>20</b>. A second pivotal hole <b>22</b> is defined on the lateral of the rib <b>21</b>. A pair of pivotal protrusions <b>23</b> is formed at another end of the releasing element <b>2</b> and the pivotal protrusions <b>23</b> locate between the two ribs <b>21</b>.

0028A boosting cover <b>3</b> has a boosting tooth <b>30</b> in front of the boosting cover <b>3</b>. Two pivotal portions <b>31</b> are extruded from the bottom of the boosting cover <b>3</b>. A base <b>4</b> has two lateral walls <b>40</b> at two sides respectively. A third pivotal hole <b>41</b> is defined on the lateral wall <b>40</b>. A supporter <b>42</b> is disposed on the inner side of the lateral wall <b>40</b> and locates at one end of the base <b>4</b>. A notch <b>43</b> is defined on the inner side of the lateral wall <b>40</b> at another end of the base <b>4</b> and the shape of notch <b>43</b> is corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the minor tooth <b>12</b>. A rib space <b>44</b> is defined on the lateral wall <b>40</b> at the middle of the base <b>4</b> for receiving the ribs <b>21</b> of the releasing element <b>2</b>.

0029A connecting member <b>5</b> is H-shaped. Each ends of the connecting member <b>5</b> has a fourth pivotal hole <b>50</b> therethrough. The connecting member <b>5</b> has a block portion <b>51</b>.

0030The second pivotal holes <b>22</b> of the ribs <b>21</b> are aligned to the first pivotal holes <b>13</b> of the hook element <b>1</b>. A first pin <b>6</b><i>b </i>with a first torsion spring <b>6</b><i>a </i>passes through the second pivotal holes <b>22</b> and the first pivotal holes <b>13</b> to pivot the hook element <b>1</b> on the releasing element <b>2</b>. Two ends of first torsion spring <b>6</b><i>a </i>are abutted against the hook element <b>1</b> and the releasing element <b>2</b> respectively.

0031The fourth pivotal holes <b>50</b> at one end of the connecting member <b>5</b> are aligned to the pivotal protrusions <b>23</b> of the releasing element <b>2</b> and the third pivotal holes <b>41</b> of the lateral walls <b>40</b> of the base <b>4</b>. A second pin <b>7</b><i>b </i>with a second torsion spring <b>7</b><i>a </i>passes through the third pivotal holes <b>41</b>, the fourth pivotal holes <b>50</b> at one end of the connecting member <b>5</b> and the pivotal protrusions <b>23</b> to pivot the releasing element <b>2</b> and one end of the connecting member <b>5</b> on the base <b>4</b>. The second pin <b>7</b><i>b </i>is positioned on the two supporters <b>42</b> of the lateral walls <b>40</b>. The second torsion spring <b>7</b><i>a </i>is between the releasing element <b>2</b> and the connecting member <b>5</b>. Two ends of the second torsion spring <b>7</b><i>a </i>are fastened at the block portion <b>51</b> of the connecting member <b>5</b>. The releasing element <b>2</b> and the hook element <b>1</b> are located between the two lateral walls <b>40</b>. The ribs <b>21</b> of the releasing element <b>2</b> are placed on the rib spaces <b>44</b> of the lateral walls <b>40</b> of the base <b>4</b>. The minor tooth <b>12</b> of the hook element <b>1</b> is placed at the notches <b>43</b> of the lateral walls <b>40</b> of the base <b>4</b>.

0032The fourth pivotal holes <b>50</b> at another end of the connecting member <b>5</b> are aligned to the pivotal portions <b>31</b> of the boosting cover <b>3</b>. A third pin <b>8</b><i>b </i>with a third torsion spring <b>8</b><i>a </i>passes through the fourth pivotal holes <b>50</b> at another end of the connecting member <b>5</b> and the pivotal portions <b>31</b> to pivot the releasing element <b>2</b> on the boosting cover <b>3</b> via the connecting member <b>5</b>. The third torsion spring <b>8</b><i>a </i>is between the connecting member <b>5</b> and the boosting cover <b>3</b>. Two ends of the third torsion spring <b>8</b><i>a </i>are fastened at the bottom of the supporters <b>42</b>.

0033A strap <b>9</b> is placed into the base <b>4</b> and between the two lateral walls <b>40</b>. A sequence of teeth <b>90</b> is formed on the strap <b>9</b>. Each of the teeth <b>90</b> has an inclining surface <b>901</b> and a vertical surface <b>902</b>. A trough <b>903</b> is formed between each pair of the neighboring teeth <b>90</b>. The miner tooth <b>12</b> is engaging with the teeth <b>90</b> for fastening the strap <b>9</b>, more specifically, the minor tooth <b>12</b> is positioned in the trough <b>903</b> for fastening the strap <b>9</b>.

0034Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5-6</figref>, the hook element <b>1</b> is pressed so that the major tooth <b>11</b> is engaged with the inclining surface <b>901</b> of the teeth <b>90</b> to push the strap <b>9</b> to move a half distance of the tooth <b>90</b> back. After the recovering force from the first torsion spring <b>6</b><i>a </i>acting, the miner tooth <b>12</b> is engaged with the inclining surface <b>901</b> of the teeth <b>90</b> to push the strap <b>9</b> to further move a half distance of the tooth <b>90</b> back. Consequently, the strap <b>9</b> is moving back step by step when a user presses the hook element <b>1</b>.

0035Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the boosting cover <b>3</b> is bent up so that the boosting tooth <b>30</b> is engaged with the vertical surface <b>902</b> of the teeth <b>90</b> to push the strap <b>9</b> to move forward. Consequently, the strap <b>9</b> is moving forward step by step when the user bends up the boosting cover <b>3</b>.

0036Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the releasing element <b>2</b> is pulled up so that the boosting cover <b>3</b> and the hook element <b>1</b> are both disengaged with the strap <b>9</b> simultaneously, more specifically, the miner tooth <b>12</b> of the hook element <b>1</b> totally escapes from the trough <b>903</b>. Consequently, the strap <b>9</b> is completely released from the base <b>4</b>.

0037All in all, the fastening device for footwear can used to adjust the strap <b>9</b> not only to move forward, more specifically in the tightening direction, but also to move backward for releasing the strap <b>9</b> step by step.

0038Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.