Shoe fastening device

• US 5,894,640 A
• Filed: 01/27/1998
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharon L. Dewey
• Original Assignee: Sharon L. Dewey
• Inventors: Dewey, Sharon L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Application Number:
  US09/014,307
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 36/50.1, 24/442, 24/306, 24/712, 24/713, 24/713.1, 24/713.6, 24/573.1
• US Class Current: 24/306
• 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: Y10T 24/27 including readily dissociable fastener having numerous, protruding, unitary filaments randomly interlocking with, and simultaneously moving towards, mating structure [e.g., hook-loop type fastener]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2708 Combined with diverse fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/37 Drawstring, laced-fastener, or separate essential cooperating device therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3742 having eyelet type directing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45021 including eyelet [e.g., shoes]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45037 for apparel and related accessories

Abstract

A shoe fastening device designed to replace the laces of a shoe, made up of an eyelet member and an insert member, both being attachable to the eyelet tabs of a shoe using locking nylon cable ties. The eyelet member further has a slotted aperture for receiving a foldable insert tab of the insert member. Hook-and-loop-type fastening material is present along the upper surface of the insert member, whereby the insert tab may be inserted through the eyelet member and then folded upon itself, thereby allowing the shoe to be removably fastened without the complication of shoelaces.

Claims

1. A shoe fastening device for use with a shoe having a pair of opposed eyelet tabs containing a plurality of eyelets, the shoe fastening device comprising:

at least one eyelet member securable to one of the eyelet tabs on said shoe, said at least one eyelet member having a proximal end and a distal end comprising;

(1) a first pair of apertures at the said proximal end; and

(2) a slotted aperture at said distal end;

a locking nylon cable tie for securing said at least one eyelet member to said one of the eyelet tabs on said shoe, said locking nylon cable tie passing through said first pair of apertures and the eyelets of said one of the eyelet tabs;

at least one insert member securable to the other of the eyelet tabs on said shoe, said at least one insert member having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end comprising;

(1) an insert tab insertible through said slotted aperture of said eyelet member;

(2) a second pair of apertures at the said proximal end; and

(3) fastening means on the outer surface of said insert tab for removably securing said at least one insert member upon folding said at least one insert member upon itself;

means for securing said insert member to said other eyelet tab on said shoe, said means for securing said insert member to said other eyelet tab passing through said second pair of apertures and the eyelets of said other eyelet tab.

2. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 1 wherein said eyelet member and said insert member are comprised of vinyl.

3. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 1 wherein said eyelet member and said insert member are comprised of cloth.

4. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 1 wherein said eyelet member and said insert member are comprised of leather.

5. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastening means for removably securing said at least one insert member upon folding said at least one insert member back upon itself comprise hook-and-loop-type fasteners.

6. A shoe fastening device for use with a shoe having a pair of opposed eyelet tabs containing a plurality of eyelets, the shoe fastening device comprising:

at least one eyelet member securable to one of the eyelet tabs on said shoe, said at least one eyelet member having a proximal end and a distal end comprising;

(1) a first pair of apertures at the said proximal end; and

(2) a slotted aperture at said distal end;

means for securing said at least one eyelet member to said one of the eyelet tabs on said shoe, said means for securing said at least one eyelet member passing through said first pair of apertures and the eyelets of said one of the eyelet tabs;

at least one insert member securable to the other of the eyelet tabs on said shoe, said at least one insert member having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end comprising;

(1) an insert tab insertible through said slotted aperture of said eyelet member;

(2) a second pair of apertures at the said proximal end; and

(3) fastening means on the outer surface of said insert tab for removably securing said at least one insert member upon folding said at least one insert member upon itself;

a locking nylon cable tie for securing said insert member to said other eyelet tab on said shoe, said locking nylon cable tie passing through said second pair of apertures and the eyelets of said other eyelet tab.

7. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 6 wherein said eyelet member and said insert member are comprised of vinyl.

8. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 6 wherein said eyelet member and said insert member are comprised of cloth.

9. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 6 wherein said eyelet member and said insert member are comprised of leather.

10. The shoe fastening device as defined in claim 6 wherein said fastening means for removably securing said at least one insert member upon folding said at least one insert member back upon itself comprise hook-and-loop fasteners.