Fastening conversion system for a shoe

• US 5,412,852 A
• Filed: 09/03/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur J. Smaragdas
• Original Assignee: Arthur J. Smaragdas
• Inventors: Smaragdas, Arthur J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US08/115,583
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 24/713.6, 24/713.8, 24/714.6, 24/715.1, 24/712, 24/712.1, 24/712.2, 24/714.5, 24/713.7, 24/715.7, 24/715.3, 24/306, 36/50.1, 36/51
• US Class Current: 24/713.6
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0072 made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/24 Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0078 provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration A43B23/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/00 Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes dress fastenings in general A44B
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1493 Strap fastenings having hook and loop-type fastening elements
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/22 Fastening devices with elastic tightening parts between pairs of eyelets, e.g. clamps, springs, bands
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 999/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/37 Drawstring, laced-fastener, or separate essential cooperating device therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3703 Includes separate device for holding drawn portion of lacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3742 having eyelet type directing means

Abstract

A fastening conversion system is provided for a shoe having a throat with a set of spaced apart eyelets on each side of the throat, which consists of a closure member. A device is for securing the closure member to the first set of the spaced apart eyelets. A first portion of a releasing retainer is affixed to the closure member. A second portion of the releasing retainer is also provided. An apparatus is for securing the second portion of the releasing retainer to the second set of the spaced apart eyelets. When the closure member is placed in a closed position over the throat of the shoe, the first portion of the releasing retainer will engage with the second portion of the releasing retainer, to help keep the shoe on a foot of a person wearing the shoe.

Claims

1. A fastening conversion system for a shoe having a throat with a set of spaced apart eyelets on each side of the throat which comprises:

a) a closure member having a plurality of straps;

b) means for securing said closure member to the first set of the spaced apart eyelets;

c) a first portion of a releasing retainer affixed to said closure member;

d) a second portion of said releasing retainer;

e) means for securing said second portion of said releasing retainer to a second set of the spaced apart eyelets, so that when said closure member is placed in a closed position over the throat of the shoe, said first portion of said releasing retainer will engage with said second portion of said releasing retainer, to help keep the shoe on a foot of a person wearing the shoe

f) said first portion of said releasing retainer is a plurality of hooked VELCRO strips, each affixed to underside of each said strap;

g) said second portion of said releasing retainer is a plurality of looped VELCRO pads in which each will engage with one said hooked VELCRO strip;

h) wherein said closure member securing means includes a plurality of externally threaded shanks, each affixed to an end of each said strap; and

i) a plurality of caps, each having a barrel with an internally threaded bore and a flange at the closed end of said barrel, each of said barrel can be inserted into each eyelet of the first set in the shoe, with said flange underneath the eyelet, so that each said shank can be screwed into each said barrel, to be removably attached thereto.

2. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said second portion of said releasing retainer securing means includes:

a) a plurality of externally threaded shanks, each affixed to an underside of each said looped VELCRO pad; and

b) a plurality of caps, each having a barrel with an internally threaded bore and a flange at the closed end of said barrel, each said barrel can be inserted into each eyelet of the second set in the shoe with said flange underneath the eyelet, so that each said shank can be screwed into each said barrel, to be removably attached thereto.

3. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said closure member securing means includes:

a) a plurality of externally ribbed lock grip shanks, each affixed to an end of each said strap; and

b) a plurality of caps, each having a barrel with an internally ribbed lock grip bore and a flange at the closed end of said barrel, each said barrel can be inserted into each eyelet of the first set in the shoe with said flange underneath the eyelet, so that each said shank can be pressed into each said barrel, to be permanently attached thereto.

4. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said closure member is a broad strap.

5. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 4, wherein said first portion of said releasing retainer is a hooked VELCRO strip affixed to an underside of said board strap.

6. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 5, wherein said second portion of said releasing retainer is a looped VELCRO strip, which will engage with said hooked VELCRO strip.

7. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 6, wherein said closure member securing means includes:

a) a plurality of externally threaded shanks, each affixed in a spaced apart relationship to an end of said broad strap, so that said shanks can be inserted into the eyelets of the first set in the shoe; and

b) a plurality of caps, each having a barrel with an internally threaded bore and a flange at the closed end of said barrel, each said barrel can be inserted into each eyelet of the first set in the shoe with said flange underneath the eyelet, so that each said barrel can be screwed onto each said shank, to be removably attached thereto.

8. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 7, wherein said second portion of said releasing retainer securing means includes:

a) a plurality of externally threaded shanks, each affixed in a spaced apart relationship to an underside of said looped VELCRO strip, so that said shanks can be inserted into the eyelets of the second set in the shoe; and

b) a plurality of caps, each having a barrel with an internally threaded bore and a flange at the closed end of said barrel, each said barrel can be inserted into each eyelet of the second set in the shoe with said flange underneath the eyelet, so that each said barrel can be screwed onto each said shank, to be removably attached thereto.

9. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first portion of said releasing retainer is a plurality of male snap fasteners, some of which are affixed in a spaced apart relationship to an underside of each said strap.

10. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 9, wherein said second portion of said releasing retainer is a plurality of female socket fasteners, in which each will engage with one said male snap fastener.

11. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 10, wherein said second portion of said releasing retainer securing means includes:

a) a plurality of externally threaded shanks, each affixed to an underside of each said female socket fastener; and

b) a plurality of caps, each having a barrel with an internally threaded bore and a flange at the closed end of said barrel, each said barrel can be inserted into each eyelet of the second set in the shoe with said flange underneath the eyelet, so that each said shank can be screwed into each said barrel, to be removably attached thereto.

12. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first portion of said releasing retainer is a plurality of hook type fasteners, some of which are affixed in a spaced apart relationship to an underside of each said strap.

13. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 12 wherein said second portion of said releasing retainer is a plurality of button heads, in which each will engage with one said hook type fastener.

14. A fastening conversion system as recited in claim 13, wherein said second portion of said releasing retainer securing means includes:

a) a plurality of externally threaded shanks, each affixed to an underside of each said button head; and

b) a plurality of caps, each having a barrel with an internally threaded bore and a flange at the closed end of said barrel, each said barrel can be inserted into each eyelet of the second set in the shoe with said flange underneath the eyelet, so that each said shank can be screwed into each said barrel, to be removably attached thereto.

15. A fastening conversion system s recited in claim 1, further including a packaged kit which includes:

a) a backing panel for mounting the various elements of said fastening conversion system thereto, so as to be displayed therefrom, said backing panel having an aperture located near its top edge, so that it can be hung therefrom; and

b) a transparent sheet retained over said backing panel and the various elements of said fastening conversion system for protection and sealing said kit.