TITLE: METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AN EYESTAY COUPLING

DEVICE

INVENTOR: HESTER LESHAWN CHARLES (CHANDLER, ARIZONA)

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/679,130, filed June 1, 2018, and incorporates the disclosure of the application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] Shoelaces are among the most common method of securing footwear to a user. Shoelaces represent a relatively simple method of ensuring a comfortable fit to various types of footwear from casual shoes to athletic shoes to formal shoes and boots. Shoelaces can present problems for users that suffer from arthritis or other medical conditions that may limit a person’s dexterity, mobility, and/or finer motor skills. For example, persons who suffer from back pain may have difficulty bending sufficiently to allow them to tie their shoes.

[0003] Alternative methods to secure footwear to a user exist and provide varying degrees of comfort and fit. For example, hook and loop fasteners have been used in place of shoelaces in athletic shoes, walking shoes, and general-purpose shoes. Although this type of fastening system works, it still requires that a user have the ability to bend downwards to adjust the hook and loop fastener. This type of fastener may also only provide limited points of adjustability since the typical width of a hook and loop type fastener results in two or possibly three fasteners being able to be positioned on a given shoe. Similarly, some shoes buckles may be used in place of shoelaces and provide similar benefits and drawbacks as those found with hook and loop fasteners. Furthermore, each of these systems require that the fastener be loosened or refastened each time a user puts on or takes off their shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0004] An eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology includes a center body portion and a plurality of coupling elements arranged along an outer edge or periphery of the center body portion. The coupling elements are configured to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe in place of a shoelace. The center body portion is flexible in at least one direction to allow a user to insert or remove their foot from the shoe. When a foot is positioned within the shoe, the center body portion pulls the coupling elements inwards towards each other to provide a secure fit around the user’s foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures. [0006] Figure 1A representatively illustrates a top view of an eyestay coupling device positioned on a shoe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0007] Figure 1B representatively illustrates the eyestay coupling device shown in

Figure 1A in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0008] Figure 2A representatively illustrates a top view of an alternative embodiment of the eyestay coupling device positioned on a shoe and covering the eyelets of the shoe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0009] Figure 2B representatively illustrates the eyestay coupling device shown in

Figure 1B in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0010] Figure 3 representatively illustrates a top view of an alternative embodiment of the eyestay coupling device positioned on a shoe and covering a smaller portion of a tongue section of the shoe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0011] Figure 4 representatively illustrates a cross-sectional view across line 4-4 of Figure 1B in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0012] Figure 5 representatively illustrates a cross-sectional view across line 5-5 of Figure 2B in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; [0013] Figure 6 representatively illustrates a top view of the eyestay coupling device having a double set of body eyelets on each side edge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0014] Figure 7 A representatively illustrates a top view of an alternatively shaped eyestay coupling device having a double set of body eyelets on each side edge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0015] Figure 7B representatively illustrates the eyestay coupling device of Figure

7 A with one set of body eyelets on each side edge folded over the adjacent set of body eyelets in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0016] Figure 8 representatively illustrates a top view of an alternatively shaped eyestay coupling device having a single set of body eyelets on each side edge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0017] Figure 9 representatively illustrates a side view of a coupling element in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0018] Figure 10 representatively illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the coupling element in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0019] Figure 11 representatively illustrates a side view of the coupling element of

Figure 10 coupled to an eyelet of the shoe and the center body in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; [0020] Figure 12 representatively illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the coupling element in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and

[0021] Figure 13 representatively illustrates a side view of the coupling element of

Figure 12 coupled to an eyelet of the shoe and the center body in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology.

[0022] Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in a different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various materials, coupling mechanisms, dimensions, and geometries, which may carry out a variety of functions for selective attachment to a textile. In addition, the technology described is merely one exemplary application for the invention. Further, the present technology may employ any number of conventional techniques for securing one device to another.

[0024] Methods and apparatus for an eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with various types of footwear such as shoes, boots, slippers, or other objects commonly tightened with laces. Various representative implementations of the present technology may be applied to various types of shoes or garments as a replacement for laces or lacing.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3, an eyestay coupling device

100 may comprise a center body portion 102 having a plurality of coupling elements 104 positioned along opposing side edges 106, 108 and/or an outer periphery of the center body portion 102. The center body portion 102 may comprise any suitable material capable of limiting an amount of displacement between opposing side edges 106, 108. For example, in one embodiment, the center body portion 102 may comprise a stretchable material or fabric configured to allow the opposing side edges 106, 108 to be stretched apart from each other under a tensile force to allow the coupling elements 104 to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe 110. The material may then tend to pull the opposing side edges 106, 108 back towards each other when the tensile force is removed to help maintain a secure fit of the shoe 110 on the user during use. The material or fabric may comprise any color or incorporate a decorative pattern or design onto a surface of the center body portion 102.

[0026] The center body portion 102 may comprise any suitable shape or dimension and may be selected according to any suitable criteria such as shoe size, type of footwear, or the like. For example, in one embodiment, the center body portion 102 may comprise a length of between about one inch and about seven inches and extend between a first eyelet 112 and a last eyelet 114 on each side of the shoe 110. The center body portion 102 may also comprise a sufficient width of between about one-eighth of an inch and about six inches to stretch across and cover at least a portion of a tongue 116 of the shoe 110.

[0027] Referring now to Figures 6-8, the center body portion 102 may be configured in varying shapes to accommodate specific types of shoes. For example, dress shoes may require a narrower width of the center portion 102 while athletic shoes may require a wider width of the center body portion 102. In addition, the center body portion 102 may be configured in varying geometric shapes to facilitate use with a particular type of shoe and/or a user’s personal fitting and/or style preference.

[0028] In one embodiment, the center body portion 102 may be configured to stretch and contract only along its width to draw the opposing eyelets of the shoe 110 towards each other during use. In an alternative embodiment, the center body portion 102 may be configured to stretch and contract along both its length and width to allow the eyestay coupling device 100 to fit a larger range of shoes.

[0029] Referring again to Figures 1-5, the opposing side edges 106, 108 may attach to the plurality of coupling elements 104 by any suitable method. For example, the coupling elements 104 may extend outwardly from the opposing side edges 106, 108 as shown in Figures 1B and 4. In an alternative embodiment, the coupling elements 104 may be disposed along an underside of the opposing side edges 106, 108 such that the coupling elements 104 and the eyelets of the shoe 110 are covered during use, as shown in Figures 2B and 5.

[0030] The opposing side edges 106, 108 may be integrated with the center body portion 102 as a single piece of fabric or the opposing side edges 106, 108 may be coupled to opposing sides of the center body portion 102. For example, in one embodiment, the opposing side edges 106, 108 may comprise a thicker section of material as compared to the center body portion 102 that is formed by layers of the material or fabric. Alternatively, the opposing side edges 106, 108 may comprise a different material or fabric that is configured to resist stretching and is more resistant to abrasions or wear.

[0031] Referring now to Figures 6-8, each of the opposing side edges 106, 108 may comprise a plurality of body eyelets 600 spaced between a top edge 602 and a bottom edge 604 of the center body portion 102. The spacing, number, and arrangement of the body eyelets 600 may be determined by any suitable criteria such as the type of shoe the eyestay coupling device 100 will be used with. For example, in one embodiment, each opposing side edge 106, 108 may comprise a single column of between two and eight body eyelets 600. In an alternative embodiment, each opposing side edge 106, 108 may comprise two columns of between two and eight body eyelets 600 to provide the user with additional options for how tight they would like the shoe 110 to fit during use. For example, and referring now to Figures 7A and 7B, in one embodiment, one column of body eyelets 600 may be folded over the adjacent column of body eyelets 600 to reduce the width of the center body portion 102 and to provide a tighter fit. Alternatively, a user may elect to fold over only a single column of body eyelets 600.

[0032] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the plurality of coupling elements 104 connect the eyestay coupling device 100 to a set of pre-existing eyelets of the shoe 110. The coupling elements 104 may comprise any suitable system or fastening device for selectively attaching or otherwise connecting to the eyelets such as a hook, clip, button, or the like. For example, in one embodiment, each coupling element 104 may comprise a hook having a first end 402 configured to be inserted through an eyelet of the shoe 110. The hook is generally held in place under the constrictive force of the center body portion 102 that tends to pull the opposing side edges 106, 108 towards each other. The hook may also comprise a locking element configured to inhibit movement of the first end 302 of the hook back through the eyelet. For example, the first end 302 of the hook may be separated from an upper portion of the hook by a distance less than that of an open center portion 404 of the hook. The open center portion 404 may be configured to be positioned against an inner edge of the eyelet such that the first end 302 is positioned against an inner surface of the eyestay portion of the quarter panel of the shoe 110. This locks the coupling element 104 in position and reduce the likelihood that the coupling element 104 inadvertently detaches from the eyelet.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, and referring now to Figure 8, each coupling element 104 may comprise a dual-sided hook that is configured to be connected to an eyelet 900 of the shoe 110 on a first end and a body eyelet 600 of the center body portion 102 on the opposing end. A body portion 802 of the coupling element 104 may be configured to resist stretching under the tensile force of the center body portion 102 to help maintain a tighter fit.

[0034] Alternatively, the body portion 802 may comprise a stretchable section that is configured to be more or less stretchable than the center body portion 102. For example, in one embodiment, the body portion 802 may be configured to require a larger tensile force be applied before stretching compared to the tensile force required to stretch the center body portion 102. This may be useful during installation to allow the coupling elements 104 to be connected to the eyelets 900 of the shoe 110. Conversely, the body portion 802 may be configured to require a lower tensile force be applied before stretching compared to the force required to stretch the center body portion 102. This may allow the coupling elements 104 to stretch and accommodate a narrower width of the center body portion 102 that would be unable to span the gap between the opposing eyestays of the shoe 110.

[0035] Referring now to Figures 9-11, in an alternative embodiment each coupling element 104 may be configured to directly connect a body eyelet 600 to a shoe eyelet 900. For example, each coupling element 104 may comprise a post element 1000, a locking element 1006, and a locking element engagement section 1008. The post element 1000 may comprise a post body 1002 and a head portion 1004. The locking element 1006 may be configured to be position around the post body 1002 to lock the coupling element 104 to the body and shoe eyelets 600, 900.

[0036] For example, and with particular reference to Figures 9 and 10, in one embodiment, the post body 1002 may comprise a substantially straight walled round shaft and the locking element engagement section 1008 may comprise a threaded section positioned along a center section of the post body 1002. A section of the post body 1002 adjacent the head portion 1004 may not be threaded and comprise a length at least equal to the combined widths of the body and shoe eyelets 600, 900 and the locking element 1006. The locking element 1006 may comprise a nut configured to engage the threaded section in a traditional rotational manner as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The shoe eyelet 900 and the body eyelet 600 may be slid over the post body 1002 towards the head portion 1004. The locking element 1006 may then be slid over the post body 1002 and rotated about the threaded section until the entire locking element 1006 has cleared the threaded section and is able to spin freely without being forced towards the head portion 1004. The freely spinning locking element 1006 may then secure the shoe 110 and the center body portion 102 together with a greatly reduced potential to come apart since the locking element 1006 is no longer in direct engagement with the threaded section as shown in Figure 10. If the user wishes to remove the eyestay coupling device 100 from the shoe 110, the user can cause the nut to reengage the threaded section and then rotate the nut in a manner causing it to come off of the post body 1002.

[0037] Alternatively, and with particular reference now to Figures 11 and 12, the locking element engagement section 108 may be configured to provide a more permanent attachment. For example, the locking element engagement section 108 may be positioned at an end of the post body 1002 opposite the head portion 1004 and comprise a protrusion or tab configured to allow the locking element 1006 to be slid onto the post body 1002 but prevent the locking element 1006, such as a button head from easily sliding back off of the post body 1002.

[0038] Referring now to Figure 3, in one embodiment, the center body portion 102 may comprise a shape that covers a smaller portion of the tongue 116 of the shoe 110 compared to the embodiments shown in Figures 1A-2B and 6-8. In this embodiment, the coupling elements 104 may further comprise a stretchable leg portion 302 extending between the outer periphery of the center body portion 102 and the portion of the coupling element 104 that engages the eyelets of the shoe 110

[0039] These and other embodiments for methods of creating an eyestay coupling device may incorporate concepts, embodiments, and configurations as described above. The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.

[0040] The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus embodiment may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present technology and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples.

[0041] As used herein, the terms“comprises”,“comprising”, or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.

[0042] The present technology has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology, as expressed in the following claims.