Lacing aid and connector
US6219891A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 21, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/3779
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A lacing aid which assists in lacing two elements tightly together comprises a first open portion that is easily threaded and engages a lace with reduced friction, and a second portion for frictional restraint of the threaded lace. Such lacing aids of the invention may be formed by bending smooth and stiff but resilient wire to form a first portion providing an opening larger than a lace with smooth inner walls, permitting the lace to slip easily when it is being tightened, and a second lace-restraining portion formed adjacent to the first portion to which a tightened lace may be easily slipped and engaged. An eyelet-connecting structure that may be used to fasten a lacing aid to a substrate element can be formed by two legs projecting from a junction, with one of the legs including a sleeve for rotatably carrying a first portion of the lacing aid and with the distal ends of the legs providing structure, such as a pair of mating fasteners, for fastening the lacing aid to a substrate, one mate being carried by each of the legs. Detent-forming structure adjacent the sleeve can hold the eyelet being carried so it extends upwardly and away from the leg. Such a connecting structure can …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.