SHOELACING EYELET DEVICE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit from currently pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/736,839 titled “Pulley Eyelet” and having a filing date of Dec. 20, 2024, all of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pulley mechanism integrated into an eyelet for shoelaces, and more specifically, to a simplified pulley system designed to improve tension distribution and ease of lacing in footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional shoe eyelets consist of simple circular openings, often reinforced with metal or plastic rings, through which shoelaces are threaded. While functional for basic lacing needs, conventional eyelets present several limitations that affect both comfort and performance in footwear applications.

One significant problem with traditional eyelets is uneven tension distribution along the length of the shoelace. When a shoe is laced and tightened, certain sections of the lace experience higher tension than others, particularly at pivot points and areas where the lace changes direction. This uneven tension can result in pressure points on the foot, reduced comfort during extended wear, and premature wear of the shoelace at high-stress locations. Additionally, conventional eyelets create friction points where the shoelace contacts the eyelet material during tightening and loosening operations. This friction not only makes it more difficult to adjust lace tension but also contributes to accelerated wear of both the lace and the eyelet. The resulting fraying and deterioration can compromise the integrity of the lacing system over time.

Athletes and individuals engaged in high-performance activities are particularly affected by these limitations. Uneven lace tension can impact foot stability within the shoe, potentially affecting performance and increasing the risk of injury. The inability to easily fine-tune lace tension across different areas of the foot further compounds these issues. Various attempts have been made to address tension distribution in footwear lacing systems. Some solutions have incorporated complex cable and pulley systems, but these approaches typically add significant bulk, weight, and manufacturing complexity to the shoe design. Other solutions have focused on alternative lacing patterns or specialized lace materials, but these approaches fail to address the fundamental issue of friction and uneven tension at the eyelet interface.

Existing pulley-based lacing systems, where they exist, generally require substantial modifications to shoe construction and often involve external hardware that can be prone to damage or interference during normal use. These systems are typically expensive to manufacture and difficult to integrate into standard footwear production processes.

Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a simple, effective, and economical solution that addresses the problems of uneven lace tension and friction at the eyelet interface while being easily integrated into conventional shoe manufacturing processes. Such a solution should provide improved comfort and performance characteristics without adding significant complexity, weight, or cost to the finished product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a shoelacing eyelet device for footwear having a shoelace, a tongue, a first tongue space edge and a second tongue space edge defining a tongue space, each tongue space edge having a plurality of shoelace holes. The device can comprise a plurality of pulley eyelets. Each pulley eyelet can comprise a main body forming a slot, a hole extension extending from the main body and configured to be inserted into one of the plurality of shoelace holes, an edge connector coupled to the main body and configured to engage with the first tongue space edge or the second tongue space edge to prevent the main body from rotating relative to the tongue space edge the edge connector engages, and a pulley residing in the slot of the main body.

The hole extension can be button shaped. The edge connector can be a hook. The hook can be integral with the main body. The hook and the main body forming the slot can have an S shape. The pulley can have a pulley axis and the button has a button axis, and the button axis and the pulley axis can form a single extended axis. The slot can be formed from a middle section and a top section of the main body. A first pulley support can extend down from the top section and a second pulley support extends up from the middle section. The pulley can have a pulley axis, and the device further comprises a fastener residing in the pulley axis and a pulley shaft having a threaded end, where the fastener is configured to accept the threaded end.

The hole extension can be button shaped and has a button axis, and the button axis and the pulley axis share a central axis. The fastener can be coupled to the hole extension such that threading the pulley shaft into the fastener shortens a distance between the button and the main body. The device can comprise a main body having a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section, a first vertical section extending between the top section and the middle section, a second vertical section extending between the middle section and the bottom section, a first hole in the top section and a second hole in the middle section where the first hole and the second hole are aligned along the same axis, a first pulley support extending from a bottom surface of the top section toward the middle section, a second pulley support extending from the middle section toward the top section, a pulley wheel rotatably coupled between the first pulley support and the second pulley support, a pulley shaft having a shaft bottom and a threaded section where the pulley wheel rotates on the pulley shaft, and a fastener having a threaded end configured to couple with the threaded section of the pulley shaft to secure the pulley wheel between the top section and the middle section, thereby creating a path for a shoelace between the pulley wheel and the first vertical section.

The top section can have a top end with radius corners, beveled corners, or chamfered corners. The first vertical section extends from the middle section into the top section, and the top section extends back in the same direction as the middle section. The diameter of the pulley shaft can be sized to fit within and be supported by the first hole and the second hole. The device can further comprise a bottom section forming a hook with the middle section, the hook configured to accommodate one of the first tongue space edge or the second tongue space edge. The device can further comprise a hole extension extending from the middle section, where the hole extension can extend to substantially near the bottom section and the fastener resides within the hole extension allowing an end of the shaft threaded section to be positioned at substantially the same height as the bottom section.

The method of manufacturing can comprise forming a multi-section main body can have at least a middle section and a top section forming a slot, forming a wheel with a central opening configured to reside within the slot, providing a pulley shaft with a connector end and providing a fastener configured to connect to the connector end, securing the wheel in the slot by connecting the connector end to the fastener to create a functional pulley system for lace management, and configuring a portion of the main body to pass through and reside in the shoelace hole to secure the eyelet to the shoelace hole.

Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors'intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.

Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of . . . ”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of another embodiment of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4a shows a front view of another embodiment of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4b shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4b of another embodiment of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of another embodiment of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of another embodiment of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of another embodiment of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 8 shows a top view of another embodiment of the shoelacing eyelet device in accordance to one or more embodiments.

Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices, and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

Referring to FIG. 1-2, a shoelace eyelet device for footwear having a shoelace hole and a shoelace is shown generally at 10. The shoelace eyelet device 10 can comprise an upper body 12 wherein the upper body can have a top surface 14 and a first middle surface 16 creating a thickness between the top surface and the first middle surface. A first wall 18 can extend from the first middle surface 16 wherein the first wall can define a first opening 22 in the upper body 12. The first wall 18 can extend such as, for example, 0.125 inch to 3 inches and even more preferably 0.25 inch to 2 inch and still even more preferably 1 inch. The upper body 12 can form the primary structural component of the assembly and can provide a secure mounting platform for the internal pulley mechanism. The thickness between the top surface 14 and the first middle surface 16 can accommodate the specific requirements of different footwear applications, typically ranging from such as, for example, 0.050 inch to 0.500 inch, and even more preferably 0.125 inch to 0.250 inch wherein the thickness can provide sufficient material to support the loads imposed during lacing operations while maintaining a low profile that does not interfere with normal footwear aesthetics or function. The first wall 18 extension can provide sufficient wall height to contain and support the pulley mechanism while allowing for proper lace routing, while extensions in the range of 0.25 inch to 2 inches can accommodate most footwear applications from lightweight athletic shoes to heavy-duty work boots.

The shoelace eyelet device 10 can further comprise a lower body 30 having a bottom surface 34 and second middle surface 32 wherein a second wall 36 can extend from the second middle surface 32 creating a second opening 46. The second wall can have an inner surface 38 wherein the inner surface has at least one divot 42. The first wall 18 can be sized to allow the second wall 36 to sit within the first wall. The lower body 30 can house the pulley wheel 50 and can enable the rotational functionality of the device. The second middle surface 32 can be the lower interface surface when the eyelet device is installed in footwear and can be configured with various surface treatments or textures to enhance grip or prevent rotation of the entire eyelet assembly within the footwear material.

The second middle surface 32 can create a bearing surface between the first middle surface 16 of the upper body 12 for the shoelace hole or shoelace eyelet, which can help establish proper alignment and load distribution between the upper and lower body components. The second wall 36 can extend upwardly from the second middle surface 32 and can be dimensioned to fit within the first opening 22 defined by the first wall 18, creating a nested assembly that provides both structural integrity and precise alignment of the pulley mechanism. The second opening 46 created by the second wall 36 can serve as the primary passage for the shoelace and houses the pulley wheel that provides the functional advantage of the device.

The inner surface 38 of the second wall 36 can be machined or molded to include the at least one divot 42, which can serve as a bearing surface for the pulley wheel's mounting protrusions. The divot 42 can be formed as a semi-circular or spherical depression in the inner surface 38, positioned to receive and support the corresponding semi-spherical protrusion of the pulley wheel while allowing free rotation thereof. The sizing relationship between the first wall 18 and second wall 36 is critical for proper assembly and function, as the second wall must fit within the first wall with appropriate clearances to allow for manufacturing tolerances while maintaining proper alignment and preventing unwanted movement between the components.

The pulley wheel 50 component of the shoelace eyelet device 10 can comprise a circular disc-shaped member that is rotatably coupled within the second opening 46 through engagement with the divots 42 formed in the inner surface 38 of the second wall 36. The wheel 50 can have an axis of rotation and features at least one protrusion, and more preferably protrusions 52 extending from each side of the wheel, extending outwardly from opposite sides of the axis of rotation wherein the protrusions are typically semi-spherical in configuration and are dimensioned to engage with corresponding divots 42 in the inner surface 38 of the second wall 36. The wheel 50 can be manufactured from materials selected for low friction characteristics, durability, and compatibility with the overall eyelet assembly, including such as, for example, metals such as stainless steel or brass, or engineering plastics such as nylon, polyoxymethylene, or the like.

The wheel 50 diameter can be selected to provide optimal lace contact while fitting within the confines of the second opening 46, typically ranging from approximately 0.150 inch to 0.750 inch depending on the overall size of the eyelet device and the intended application. The wheel 50 surface can come into contact with the shoelace and can have such as, for example, smooth, textured, configured with specific surface treatments, or the like to optimize the interaction with various lace materials while minimizing wear on both the wheel and the lace. The protrusions 42 extending from the wheel can be dimensioned to provide the necessary retention force when engaged with the divots 42 while allowing for easy installation through elastic deformation of either the wheel protrusions, the eyelet body, or both components during assembly.

The divots 42 can have a radius larger than the at least one protrusion 52 to provide clearance for rotation while maintaining secure positioning of the wheel wherein the dimensional relationship can be critical to the proper function of the pulley mechanism, as insufficient clearance would result in binding or excessive friction during wheel rotation, while excessive clearance could allow unwanted axial movement of the wheel or create play that would compromise the smooth operation of the device. The clearance between the divot 42 radius and the protrusion 52 radius can be such as, for example, approximately 0.002 inch to 0.020 inch, with most applications utilizing a clearance of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.010 inch wherein the clearance accommodates normal manufacturing tolerances while ensuring smooth rotation under load.

The divots 42 can be typically formed as partial spherical depressions in the inner surface 38 of the second wall 36, with the center of each divot positioned to align with the axis of rotation of the wheel 50 when properly installed. The depth of each divot 42 can provide adequate retention of the wheel protrusions 42 while allowing for the necessary rotational clearance, typically ranging from approximately 25% to 75% of the protrusion radius, with a preferred depth of approximately 40% to 60% of the protrusion radius. The surface finish of the divots 42 can minimize friction with the wheel protrusions 52 during rotation, and can include surface treatments such as, for example, polishing, coating, the application of low-friction materials, or the like. The geometric relationship between the divots 42 and protrusions 52 creates where the protrusions can self-center on the divot allowing for proper wheel alignment during operation while accommodating the loads imposed by shoelace tension and the dynamic forces encountered during normal use of the footwear. The retention mechanism formed by the interaction between the protrusions 52 and divots 44 can prevent removal of the wheel during normal use while permitting disassembly if required for maintenance or replacement, achieved through the elastic deformation characteristics of the materials and the specific dimensional relationships between the components.

The shoelace eyelet device 10 comprises an upper body 12 that forms the primary structural component of the assembly. The upper body 12 can interface with the footwear material and provide a secure mounting platform for the internal pulley mechanism. The upper body 12 can have a top surface 14 and a first middle surface 16, creating a thickness between the top surface and the first middle surface that provides structural integrity and proper dimensional relationships for the eyelet assembly. The thickness can range .0050 inch to 3 inches and even more preferably 0.25 inch to 2 inch and still even more preferably 0.50 inch. The thickness provides sufficient material to support the loads imposed during lacing operations while maintaining a low profile that does not interfere with normal footwear aesthetics or function.

A first wall 18 can extends from the first middle surface 16, wherein the first wall defines a first opening 22 in the upper body 12. The first wall 18 can provide structural support for the pulley mechanism, defining the lace path through the device, and establishing the mounting interface with the footwear material. The first wall 18 can extend such as, for example, 0.125 inch to 3 inches, and even more preferably 0.25 inch to 2 inches, and still even more preferably 1 inch from the first middle surface 16. The minimum extension of 0.125 inch provides sufficient wall height to contain and support the pulley mechanism while allowing for proper lace routing. Extensions in the range of 0.25 inch to 2 inches accommodate the majority of footwear applications, from lightweight athletic shoes to heavy-duty work boots. The preferred extension of approximately 1 inch represents the optimal balance for most applications, providing excellent structural support without adding unnecessary bulk or weight to the footwear.

Referring to FIG. 3-FIG. 8 another embodiment is shown of a shoelace eyelet device for footwear having a shoelace hole and a shoelace is shown generally at 100. The device 100 can be used for integration with footwear to facilitate enhanced shoelace management and threading capabilities. The device 100 can comprise a main body 102 that has a top section 104, and middle section 108 forming a slot 118. A bottom section may define a hook 112 configured to engaged with the edge of the shoe near the shoelace hole. The top section 104 can have a first vertical section 106 that can be a connecting element extending between the top and middle sections 108 defining the slot 118. The hook 112 is similarly defined by a second vertical section 110. The main body 102 can be manufactured in various suitable shapes and sizes depending on the specific application requirements, though the preferred embodiment demonstrates the optimal configuration as depicted in FIG. 3. The first vertical section 106 extends upward from the middle section 108 into the top section 104, with the top section then extending back in the same direction as the middle section, creating a distinctive stepped configuration. Top section 104 can terminate in a top end 114 that features refined edge treatments such as, for example, radius corners, beveled corners, chamfered corners, or the like that eliminate sharp edges and provide a smooth, professional appearance.

The device can incorporate a sophisticated pulley system that enables smooth shoelace operation through the integration of precisely aligned holes and supporting elements. The top section 104 can have a first hole 121 and middle section 108 can have a second hole 141 that can be aligned along the same axis. The top section 104 can have a bottom surface from which a first pulley support 123 extends partially downward toward the middle section 108, while the middle section 108 reciprocally features a second pulley support 119 that extends partially upward toward the top section wherein the pulley supports can work in conjunction to create a stable mounting system for a pulley wheel 130 wherein the pully wheel can be rotatably coupled between the first pulley support 123 and the second pulley support 119, allowing for smooth rotational movement that facilitates easy shoelace threading and adjustment. The pulley wheel 130 can operate on a pulley shaft 142 that can have a shaft bottom 140 and a threaded section 144 positioned at the top of the shaft. The diameter of the pulley shaft 142 can fit securely within and be properly supported by both the first hole 121 and the second hole 141.

A fastener 120 can have a threaded end 122 that can be securely coupled with the threaded section 144 of the pulley shaft 142, thereby rotatably coupling the pulley wheel 130 between the top section 104 and the middle section 108 in the slot 109. This configuration creates a clear and unobstructed path for the shoelace to travel between the pulley wheel 130 and the first vertical section 106, allowing for smooth threading and adjustment operations. The middle section 108 can further incorporate a hole extension 116 that extends downward from the bottom surface of the middle section, providing additional structural support and proper positioning for the overall assembly. The hole extension 116 can extend to substantially near the bottom section 112, which can allow the hole extension 116 to be positioned at substantially the same height as the bottom section, creating optimal alignment for the device's operation. The bottom section 112 can extend from the second vertical section 110 back toward the first vertical section 106, creating a hook gap between the hole extension 116 and the bottom section 112.

The hole extension can have a flat expansion 140 that may serve as a button wherein the flat expansion 140 is passed through the shoelace hole and rotates such that a portion of the hole extension 117 resides within the shoelace hole and a portion of the edge of the shoe resides within the hook 112.

A method of manufacturing a shoelace eyelet device is also provided comprising forming a body either as one piece as shown in FIG. 3 or that can incorporate an interior wall having a plurality of circular divots strategically positioned to facilitate mechanical engagement with corresponding components. The divots 42 can be formed through various manufacturing processes including machining, molding, stamping, or other suitable fabrication techniques, and can be dimensioned to provide optimal engagement characteristics for the intended application. The body can be configured as a multi-section body having support structures, wherein the multi-section body comprises sections each serving specific structural and functional purposes in the completed eyelet assembly or it can be manufactured as two pieces that can be coupled together from both sides of the shoelace hole to be secured within the shoelace hole. A wheel component 50, 130 can be provided that can include semi-spherical protrusions 52 that are precisely sized and configured for press fit engagement with the circular divots 42 of the body, or in another embodiment the wheel component 130 can have a central opening configured for shaft engagement. The semi-spherical protrusions 52 can be integrally formed with the wheel 50 or can be separately manufactured and subsequently attached through welding, adhesive bonding, mechanical fastening, or other suitable attachment methods. Additionally, a pulley shaft 142 can be provided having at least one threaded portion 122, and a corresponding threaded fastener 144 is manufactured to complete the assembly components.

The wheel can be assembled within the eyelet body by press fitting the semi-spherical protrusions into the corresponding circular divots, or creating a secure mechanical connection that maintains proper positioning while allowing rotational movement of the wheel. The pulley shaft can be positioned through the central opening of the wheel, and the assembly is secured with the threaded fastener to create a functional pulley system for lace management. The semi-spherical protrusions and circular divots form a snap-fit retention mechanism that prevents removal of the wheel during normal use while permitting free rotation necessary for proper pulley operation. Upon completion of the assembly process, the resulting eyelet assembly provides a pulley function for laces passing therethrough, enabling smooth lace adjustment and reduced friction during use, wherein the wheel distributes lacing loads across the semi-spherical protrusions and circular divots to prevent stress concentration in the eyelet body and ensure long-term durability and performance.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.

Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.