CLOSING SYSTEM OF A SHOE OR CLOTHING ITEM OR ACCESSORY

Abstract

A closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, including a lace, a substrate having an inner face and an exposed face opposite the inner face, a lace-locking element for adjusting the tension of the lace, which lace-locking element is arranged at the exposed face of the substrate and which is crossed by the lace thus defining a lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element comprising two lace segments coming out of the lace-locking element, one or more first passages integral with the substrate, wherein the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element crosses the one or more first passages thus defining, on the side of the exposed face, an end portion of lace extended beyond one or more first passages and which comprises one lace segment or two lace segments not contiguous to each other.

Claims

1. A closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, comprising: a lace, a substrate having an inner face and an exposed face opposite said inner face, a lace-locking element for adjusting the tension of said lace, arranged at said exposed face of said substrate and wherein said lace crosses said lace-locking element thus defining a lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element comprising two lace segments coming out of said lace-locking element, one or more first passages integral with said substrate, wherein said lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element crosses said one or more first passages thus defining, on the side of said exposed face, an end portion of lace extended beyond said one or more first passages, comprising one lace segment or two lace segments not contiguous to each other.

2. The system according to claim 1, comprising a second passage and a third passage integral with said substrate and which are arranged on the opposite part of said one or more first passages with respect to said lace-locking element, wherein said lace crosses said second passage and said third passage.

3. The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one attachment combined with said end portion of lace, wherein said at least one attachment preferably has dimensions such as not to be able to cross said one or more first passages.

4. The system according to claim 1, comprising fastening means for fastening said end portion of lace to said substrate, wherein said fastening means are selected from the group comprising: a hook combined with said substrate, a bitt combined with said substrate, a buckle combined with said substrate, a ring and a hook combined respectively with said end portion of lace and with said substrate or vice-versa, a couple of so-named hook and loop elements or elements with magnetic interaction, one combined with said substrate and the other combined with said end portion of lace.

5. The system according to claim 1, comprising signaling means for indicating the tension of said lace, wherein said signaling means are selected from the group comprising: notches arranged on said lace, markings drawn, colored or applied on said lace, lace portions having different colors from each other, and combinations thereof.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said lace-locking element is selected from the group comprising: a lace-locking element provided with a button for locking/releasing the lace, an elastic-ring-like lace-locking element, a lace-locking element provided with two passages in which said two passages preferably have an inner surface of a material with high coefficient of friction in contact with the lace.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said lace portion downstream of said lace-locking element is partially extended on the side of said inner face of said substrate, said substrate being provided with at least one opening for the passage of said lace from said exposed face to said inner face.

8. The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face defining, with said substrate, said at least one or more first passages.

9. The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face which is provided with at least one opening defining said one or more first passages.

10. The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face and folded, possibly on itself, thus defining said one or more first passages.

11. The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face and a pierced element combined with said at least one visible portion, wherein said at least one pierced element defines said one or more first passages.

12. The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one restraining element constrained to said substrate and having at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face, wherein said at least one restraining element is like a closed ring.

13. The system according to claim 2, wherein said substrate is provided with at least one opening for the passage of said lace from said exposed face to said inner face.

14. The system according to claim 2, comprising at least one orienting element for directing said lace, wherein said at least one orienting element is constrained to said substrate and has at least one visible portion arranged on said exposed face, wherein said at least one visible portion defines, with said substrate, said second passage and/or said third passage, or wherein said at least one visible portion is provided with at least one opening defining said second passage or said third passage, or wherein said at least one visible portion is folded, possibly on itself, thus defining said second passage or said third passage, or wherein said at least one orienting element comprises a pierced element combined with said at least one visible portion, which pierced element defines said second passage or said third passage.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said lace is elastic and/or like a closed ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0068] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer in the review of the following detailed description of some preferred, although not exclusive, embodiments illustrated by way of example and without limitations with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory, according to the present invention;

[0070] FIG. 2 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0071] FIG. 3 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention, with a respective enlarged detail;

[0072] FIG. 4 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0073] FIG. 5 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0074] FIG. 6 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0075] FIG. 7 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 8 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 9 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0078] FIG. 10 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0079] FIG. 11 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0080] FIG. 12 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0081] FIG. 13 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0082] FIG. 14 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0083] FIG. 15 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 16 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0085] FIG. 17 schematically depicts the closing system of FIG. 1 according to an implementation variant of the present invention;

[0086] FIG. 18 schematically depicts a shoe comprising the closing system of FIG. 11, according to the present invention;

[0087] FIG. 19 schematically depicts a portion of a clothing item comprising the closing system of FIG. 11, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0088] With reference to FIG. 1, a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory according to the present invention is generally denoted by 1.

[0089] The closing system 1 essentially comprises a lace 2, a substrate 3, a lace-locking element 4 and a passage or first passage 5 integral with the substrate 3 and engaged or anyhow crossed by the lace 2.

[0090] In detail, the substrate 3 corresponds to a portion of the aforesaid shoe or the aforesaid item of clothing or accessory at which a lace portion 2 is arranged, and has an inner face, not visible in the example of FIG. 1, and an exposed face 6 opposite the aforesaid inner face.

[0091] The lace-locking element 4, of known type, is adapted for adjusting the tension of the lace 2 and is arranged at the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3.

[0092] In particular, the lace 2, along its extent and in succession, crosses the lace-locking element 4, n, the passage or first passage 5 two times and the lace-locking element 4 again. In practice, according to the example of FIG. 1, the lace 2 defines, downstream of the lace-locking element 4, a closed path, the possibility of providing, downstream of the aforesaid lace-locking element, two lace segments not contiguous to each other, as will become clearer hereunder, not however being excluded.

[0093] The aforesaid closed path, thus the lace 2 downstream of the lace-locking element 4, has two intermediate lengths, each denoted by 2a, which are arranged between the lace-locking element 4 and the first passage 5, and an end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passage 5, i.e. downstream of the latter.

[0094] The first passage 5, as mentioned integral with the substrate 3, is advantageous because it prevents the lace 2, when the present closing system is in use, to be completely disengaged from the latter, thus always keeping an end length of lace, i.e. the aforesaid end portion of lace 7, sufficient to allow a user to grasp the lace 2 for carrying out the appropriate adjustments.

[0095] In this regard, for adjusting the tension of the lace 2, the latter is made to slide with respect to the lace-locking element 4.

[0096] According to the example of FIG. 1, the lace-locking element 4 is of the type comprising a button for locking/releasing the lace, denoted by 8, the possibility to provide an appropriately elastic ring-like lace-locking element made of metal or polymeric material and able to generate sufficient friction in contact with the lace such as to prevent the lace from sliding by keeping the desired tension, not however being excluded. It is further possible to provide a lace-locking element provided with two passages having respective inner surfaces of a material with high coefficient of friction in contact with the lace.

[0097] Thus, according to the example of FIG. 1, it is possible to adjust the tension of the lace 2 by pressing on the button 8 such as the lace can slide with respect to the lace-locking element 4. In practice, by pressing on the button 8, the lace 2 is disengaged from the lace-locking element 4, thus being able to be released to loosen the tension or to be pulled such as to increase the tension, by acting on the intermediate lengths 2a and/or on the end portion of lace. 7.

[0098] In other words, the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element 4 is made to slide with respect to the first passage 5, thus if the tension of the lace 2 is increased the length of the end portion of lace 7 is increased, or if the tension of the lace 2 is decreased the length of the end portion of lace 7 is decreased. The length of the two intermediate lengths 2a stays substantially unchanged. Once the desired tension has been reached, the button 8 is released, thus locking the position of the lace 2 with respect to the lace-locking element 4.

[0099] It should be said that the length of the intermediate lengths 2a and the length of the end portion of lace 7 can be determined according to contingent needs, thus ensuring notable freedom of design.

[0100] As far as the first passage 5 is concerned, it should be said that, according to the example of FIG. 1, the present closing system comprises a restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the first passage 5.

[0101] In particular, the restraining element 9 is in this case a sort of eyelet constituted by a band or strip, possibly elastic, comprising ends fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and a central portion 9a comprised between the aforesaid ends and not constrained to the substrate 3 and under which the lace 2 passes. As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid restraining element can be a sort of eyelet made by a filiform element, possibly like a closed ring, or by a closed-ring strip, which passes through the aforesaid substrate, thus fastening thereto.

[0102] According to the example of FIG. 1, the closing system 1 further comprises an attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7.

[0103] The attachment 10 has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the first passage 5, thus such as not to be able to pass under the restraining element 9.

[0104] With reference to FIG. 2, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0105] In particular, in the example of FIG. 2, a closing system 201 is depicted, wherein the passage or first passage 5, integral with the substrate 3, is directly obtained on the restraining element 9, which is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising a hole or through opening.

[0106] In detail, the restraining element 9 comprises in this case two portions preferably defining a preset angle between them, respectively denoted by 9b and 9c, wherein the first passage 5, i.e. the aforesaid hole or aforesaid through opening, is obtained on the portion 9b proximal to the lace-locking element 4.

[0107] In practice, in this embodiment, the first passage 5 is crossed by the lace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the surface of extension of the restraining element 9.

[0108] The closing system 201 further shows the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7, which has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the first passage 5, thus such as not to be able to cross the aforesaid through opening arranged on the restraining element 9.

[0109] The button 8 of the lace-locking element 4, the intermediate lengths 2a of the lace 2 and the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 are also depicted in the example of FIG. 2.

[0110] With reference to FIG. 3, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0111] In particular, in the example of FIG. 3, a closing system 301 is depicted, wherein the passage or first passage 5, integral with the substrate 3, is directly obtained on the restraining element 9 which is a bodkin ring fastened, for example by sewing or gluing, to the substrate 3, and comprising a hole or through opening.

[0112] According to the invention, the closing system 301 further comprises fastening means 311 for fastening the end portion of lace 7 to the substrate 3.

[0113] According to the example of FIG. 3, the aforesaid fastening means take the form of a hook combined with the substrate 3, which locks the end portion of lace 7 by hooking onto the lace 2. As an alternative to a hook, the aforesaid fastening means can be selected from the group comprising a bitt combined with the substrate, a buckle combined with the substrate, a ring and a hook combined respectively with the end portion of lace and with the substrate or vice-versa, a couple of so-named hook and loop elements or elements with magnetic interaction, one combined with the substrate and the other combined with the end portion of lace.

[0114] Moreover, it should be said that whenever the aforesaid fastening means comprise a couple of elements interacting with each other, for example a ring and a hook or a couple of so-named hook and hoop elements or elements with magnetic interaction as set forth above, an element of the couple of elements is combined with the substrate, as stated, whereas the other element of the couple of elements can possibly be combined with the aforesaid end portion of lace by means of an attachment of the type previously described, whenever present, not depicted in the example of FIG. 3.

[0115] The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8 and the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 are also depicted in the example of FIG. 3.

[0116] With reference to FIG. 4, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0117] In particular, a closing system 401 comprising two first passages 5, both integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2, is depicted in the example of FIG. 4.

[0118] In this regard, it should be said that according to the invention, the closing system 401 comprises a restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the two first passages 5.

[0119] In detail, the restraining element 9 is in this case a sort of eyelet constituted by a band or strip, possibly elastic, comprising ends fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and a central portion 9d comprised between the aforesaid ends and also fastened to the substrate 3 at a middle portion thereof, for example by gluing or sewing, thus forming two loops which make, with the substrate 3, two first passages 5 inside which the lace 2 passes, a lace segment for each of the two first passages 5.

[0120] In practice, the lace 2 crosses the first passages 5 by passing under the restraining element 9.

[0121] In order to better define the two first passages 5, the restraining element 9 further has, in addition to the central portion 9d fastened to the substrate 3, two intermediate portions fastened to the substrate 3, which are substantially symmetrical with respect to the middle portion 9d, each denoted by 9e.

[0122] As an alternative and similarly to what is set forth above, the aforesaid restraining element can be a sort of eyelet made by a filiform element, possibly like a closed ring, or by a closed-ring strip, which passes through the substrate, thus fastening thereto.

[0123] The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8, the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 and the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7 are also depicted in the example of FIG. 4.

[0124] With reference to FIG. 5, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0125] In particular, a closing system 501 comprising two first passages 5, both integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2, is depicted in the example of FIG. 5.

[0126] In this regard, it should be said that according to the invention, the closing system 501 comprises a restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the two first passages 5.

[0127] In detail, the restraining element 9 is in this case a sort of band having longitudinal edges fastened to the substrate, for example by gluing or sewing, such as to form two loops which make, with the substrate, two first passages inside which the lace passes, a lace segment for each of the aforesaid two first passages. The combining of the aforesaid longitudinal edges of the restraining element 9 with the substrate 3, for creating the aforesaid two loops, is thus discontinuous.

[0128] In practice, also in this case, the lace 2 crosses the first passages 5 by passing under the restraining element 9.

[0129] In order to better define the two first passages 5, the restraining element 9 is also fastened to the substrate 3 at a central portion 9d and at two intermediate portions substantially symmetrical with respect to the central portion 9d, each denoted by 9e.

[0130] In this case, the first passages 5 extend along an axis substantially coplanar to the main direction of extension of the restraining element 9. In other words, the first passages 5 are crossed by the lace 2 along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the restraining element 9. This implementation is advantageous since the first passages are obtained without piercing the restraining element 9 and thus without locally altering the structure thereof with the risk of ruining it, damaging it or affecting its duration over time.

[0131] The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8 and the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 are also depicted in the example of FIG. 5.

[0132] In detail, as far as the end portion of lace 7 is concerned, it should be said that, in this case according to the present invention, it comprises two lace segments not adjacent to each other, i.e. not contiguous to each other, each denoted by 7a.

[0133] According to the example of FIG. 5, the two lace segments 7a, which in practice correspond to the free ends of the lace whenever the latter is not like a closed ring, have a respective enlargement 7b such as not to be able to cross the respective first passage 5 advantageously implemented by a knot of the same end portion.

[0134] With reference to FIG. 6, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0135] In particular, in the example of FIG. 6, a closing system 601 is depicted, wherein two first passages 5, integral with the substrate 3, are directly obtained on the restraining element 9 constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, which comprises two through openings engaged by the lace 2.

[0136] The restraining element 9 is in this case a band combined with the substrate 3 at its exposed face 6 in which the aforesaid two openings are crossed by the lace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the main surface of extension of the band, i.e. of the restraining element 9.

[0137] The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8, the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 and the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7 are also depicted in the example of FIG. 6.

[0138] With reference to FIG. 7, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0139] In particular, a closing system 701 comprising first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2 is depicted in the example of FIG. 7.

[0140] In detail, it should be said that in order to implement the aforesaid first passages the closing system 701 comprises two restraining elements 9 constrained to the substrate 3, each of which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the same substrate 3, a respective first passage as depicted in the example of FIG. 7, or two respective first passages 5, depending on how the lace is arranged with respect to the two restraining elements 9.

[0141] In fact, according to the example of FIG. 7, the two restraining elements 9 are formed by two filiform elements, possibly elastic and criss-crossed between them, such as to make two eyelets under which the lace 2 can pass in different ways.

[0142] In detail, according to the example of FIG. 7, the lace 2, in its extent, passes under and above the same filiform element, or vice-versa or, better yet, passes alternately under and above one and the other of the restraining elements 9, such as to stay constrained, in use, to the restraining elements 9 themselves. In this case, as stated, the lace crosses two first passages 5.

[0143] As an alternative, the lace can always pass, along its extent, under the restraining elements, in this case crossing four first passages, this embodiment not being depicted in the figures.

[0144] In any case, as also previously described, each of the first passages 5 is formed by a restraining element 9 and the substrate 3.

[0145] Moreover, according to the example of FIG. 7, it should be said that the restraining elements 9, in order to fasten to the substrate 3, cross the latter in corresponding holes 3a provided on the substrate 3, since they can be like a closed ring or have ends of a size greater than the size of the holes 3a.

[0146] The lace-locking element 4 with the respective button 8, the end portion of lace 7 extended beyond the first passages 5 and the attachment 10 in this case having a size which allows it to cross the first passages 5, are also depicted in the example of FIG. 7.

[0147] With reference to FIG. 8, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0148] In particular, in the example of FIG. 8, a closing system 801 comprising two first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and directly obtained on the restraining element 9, is depicted, which is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising two through openings or holes.

[0149] In detail, the restraining element 9 comprises in this case two end portions symmetrical to each other with respect to a central portion, which are denoted respectively by 9b and 9c, and preferably defining two respective preset angles, wherein a first passage 5, i.e. one of the two through openings, is obtained on an end portion 9b proximal to the lace-locking element 4, whereas the other first passage 5 is obtained on the other end portion 9b distal from the lace-locking element 4.

[0150] Similarly to what previously described, the first passages 5 are also in this case crossed by the lace 2 along an axis locally perpendicular to the surface of extension of the restraining element 9 at the aforesaid through openings.

[0151] This solution provides a further implementation mode which increases the freedom of design of shoes or clothing items or accessories provided with the present closing system.

[0152] The lace-locking element 4 according to an implementation variant thereof is also shown in the example of FIG. 8. In particular, the lace-locking element 4 is in this case constituted by a strap, for example made of leather, fabric or synthetic material, folded on itself and joined in the center such as to create two tubular passages for the lace 2. In this case, the lace-locking element 4 conveniently locks the lace 2 thanks to the friction generated between the two, once the lace 2 is in tension, for example when the present closing system is part of a shoe that is worn by a user. In order to generate a force of friction sufficient for locking the lace 2 or for anyhow increasing such force, it is sufficient that the surface of the lace-locking element 4 facing the lace 2 is for example made of rubbery material or coated with rubbery varnish. The embodiment of the lace-locking element 4 shown in the example of FIG. 8 increases the freedom of design and constitutes a particularly economic solution.

[0153] Moreover, according to the example of FIG. 8, it should be said that the lace 2 comprises, in addition to the two intermediate lengths 2a arranged between the lace-locking element 4 and a first passage 5, in this case the first passage 5 proximal to the lace-locking element 4, also two further visible lengths denoted by 2b which can be defined as second intermediate lengths, as in the example of FIG. 1, in addition to comprising the end portion of lace 7.

[0154] In particular, the second intermediate lengths 2b are comprised between the two first passages 5 and thus extend between the two aforesaid through openings of the restraining element 9.

[0155] This solution is advantageous because it reduces the length of the lace 2 comprised between the lace-locking element 4 and the restraining element 9, thus in practice reducing the length of the intermediate lengths 2a: decreasing this way the possibility that the lace 2 can stay caught in outer objects.

[0156] In the example of FIG. 8, the closing system 801 also shows the attachment 10 combined with the end portion of lace 7, which has dimensions such as not to be able to completely cross the openings of the restraining element 9, and the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3.

[0157] With reference to FIG. 9, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0158] In particular, in the example of FIG. 9, a closing system 901 comprising four first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and directly obtained on the restraining element 9 is depicted, which is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising four through openings or holes.

[0159] In addition to the example of FIG. 1, as set forth above, as far as the closing system 901 is concerned, reference can be made to the example of FIG. 8 set forth above and to whose description reference is made, the restraining element 9 of the closing system 901 being entirely similar to the restraining element 9 of the closing system 801, with the exception of the number of first passages 5 provided on the restraining element 9, and of the lace-locking element 4 provided in this case similar to the one depicted in the example of FIG. 1, thus provided with the button 8.

[0160] In particular, as far as the first passages 5 are concerned, it should be said that each of the first passages 5 of the restraining element 9 of the closing system 801 was divided into two first passages 5 within the restraining element 9 of the closing system 901, wherein the first passages were further transformed from elongated slits into substantially circular holes. Thus, what is set forth above for the closing system 801 is valid for the closing system 901, keeping into account that the end portions 9b and the central portion 9c of the restraining element 9, the lace 2 with intermediate lengths 2a and second intermediate lengths 2b, the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3, the end portion of lace 7 and the attachment 10 are also depicted in the example of FIG. 9.

[0161] With reference to FIG. 10, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0162] In particular, a closing system 1010 comprising two first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and directly obtained on the substrate 3, inside which the lace 2 passes, is depicted in the example of FIG. 10.

[0163] In this case the substrate 3, in addition to being provided with two through openings corresponding to the two first passages 5 beyond which the end portion of lace 7 of the lace 2 extends on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3, comprises two further through openings, each denoted by 3b and also being crossed by the lace 2.

[0164] In practice, according to the example of FIG. 10, the lace portion downstream of the lace-locking element 4 is partially extended on the inner side of the substrate 3.

[0165] In specific the lace 2, in its extension, passes from the exposed face 6 to the inner face of the substrate 3 through one of the through openings 3b to then pass on the exposed face 6 again through one of the two first passages 5, to then pass on the inner face of the substrate 3 again through the other of the two first passages 5 and to finally return visible on the exposed face 6 by passing within the second through opening 3b.

[0166] According to the invention and as shown in the example of FIG. 10, the present closing system further comprises a second passage 25 and a third passage 35, both integral with the substrate 3 and which are arranged with respect to the lace-locking element 4 on the opposite part of the first passages 5, which are crossed by the lace 2.

[0167] This solution is advantageous because it allows to guide the lace 2 in an optimal direction for entering the lace-locking element 4.

[0168] An optimal direction is the one that allows to reduce the tension components perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the intermediate lengths 2a and of the end portion of lace 7, as will become clearer hereunder.

[0169] According to the example of FIG. 10, the second passage 25 and the third passage 35 are obtained, as the first passages 5, directly on the substrate 3 which thus has two respective through openings.

[0170] Thus, similarly to what is set forth above, the lace 2 extends partially on the side of the inner face 6 of the substrate 3 also upstream of the lace-locking element 4.

[0171] In particular, in order that the lace 2 crosses the second passage 25 and the third passage 35, the substrate 3 comprises two further through openings, each denoted by 3c and also crossed by the lace 2.

[0172] Thus the lace 2, upstream of the lace-locking element 4 and in this case with a so to say broken extension, i.e. not continuous, passes from the exposed face 6 to the inner face of the substrate 3 through one of the through openings 3c to then pass on the exposed face 6 again through the second passage 25, to then reach the lace-locking element 4, thus crosses, as described above, the first passages 5 and through openings 3b, thus passes within the lace-locking element 4 again, thus passes from the exposed face 6 to the inner face of the substrate 3 through the third passage 35 and finally returns visible on the exposed face 6 by passing within the other through opening 3c.

[0173] The closing system 1010 further shows the button 8 of the lace-locking element 4 and the attachment 10.

[0174] With reference to FIG. 11, an implementation variant of the present invention is depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing system of FIG. 1 and of the closing system of FIG. 10 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing system 1 and for the closing system 1010 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0175] In particular, in the example of FIG. 11, a closing system 1011 comprising two first passages 5 integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2 and directly obtained on the restraining element 9 is depicted, in which the restraining element 9 is a sort of small plate constrained to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and comprising two through openings or holes.

[0176] In detail, it should be noted that the restraining element 9 is in this case entirely similar to the restraining element 9 of the closing system depicted in the example of FIG. 2, with the exception of comprising two first passages 5 shaped like substantially circular holes instead of a first passage shaped like an elongated slit.

[0177] Thus, as far as the first passages 5 and the restraining element 9 are concerned, reference can in this case also be made, in addition to the examples of FIGS. 1 and 10 as described above, to the example of FIG. 2.

[0178] The closing system 1011 further comprises the second passage 25 and the third passage 35 integral with the substrate 3 and crossed by the lace 2.

[0179] As far as the second passage 25 and the third passage 35 are concerned, it should be said that, according to the example of FIG. 11, the present closing system comprises an orienting element 90 constrained to the substrate 3, which has a visible portion on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, with the substrate 3 itself, the second passage 25 and the third passage 35.

[0180] In particular, the orienting element 90 is in this case a sort of double eyelet, possibly elastic and constituted by a shaped band or strip fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing, and comprising two portions facing each other, each denoted by 90a and under which the lace 2 passes.

[0181] As stated, the second passage and the third passage are advantageous because they allow to guide the lace 2 in an optimal direction for entering the lace-locking element 4, in this case shown with the button 8.

[0182] In particular, an optimal direction is the one that allows to reduce the tension components perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the intermediate lengths 2a and of the end portion of lace 7, herein denoted by L.

[0183] In detail, the optimal direction is defined by an angle 3 between 45 and 90, more preferably between 60 and 90, still more preferably between 75 and 90, where the angle is the one comprised between the line perpendicular to the direction L along the center line of the lace-locking element 4 and the half line joining the center line to the second passage 25 or the third passage 35.

[0184] The closing system 1011 further shows the attachment 10.

[0185] With reference to FIGS. 12-17, respective implementation variants of the present invention are depicted, wherein parts structurally and/or functionally corresponding to those of the closing systems of FIGS. 1, 10 and 11 maintain the same reference numbers as those used for the closing systems 1, 1010 and 1011 described above and to whose description reference is made.

[0186] In particular, the closing systems of the FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively denoted by 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are similar in that they each comprise two first passages 5, the second passage 25 and the third passage 35.

[0187] Moreover, the closing systems 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are similar in that the two first passages 5 are obtained from two restraining elements 9 separated from each other and substantially equal and symmetrical to each other, as the second passage 25 and the third passage 25 are obtained from two orienting elements 90 separated from each other and substantially equal and symmetrical to each other.

[0188] Moreover, the closing systems 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are similar in that the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90 are made substantially in the same way.

[0189] Moreover, in the examples of FIGS. 12-17, the respective closing systems are shown each with the lace-locking element 4 provided with the button 8, with the end portion of lace 7 comprising a single lace segment and with the attachment 10.

[0190] Briefly, in the example of FIG. 12, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and provided with a through opening crossed by the lace 2.

[0191] In this case, the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band folded on itself at an end portion 9f, and 90f thereof which defines the aforesaid through opening, wherein the band is fastened to the substrate 3 by sewing or gluing.

[0192] In this case, the through openings defining the first passages 5 extend along an axis substantially coplanar to the main direction of extension of the restraining element 9. In other words, the first passages 5 are crossed by the lace 2 along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the restraining element 9. This embodiment is advantageous since the first passages 5 are obtained on the restraining element 9 without piercing it and thus without locally altering the structure thereof with the risk of ruining it, damaging it or affecting its duration over time. This embodiment further provides a variant which differs significantly from an aesthetic point of view from the embodiments above.

[0193] Briefly, in the example of FIG. 13, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a folded visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and defining a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

[0194] The aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band combined with the substrate 3 by gluing or sewing and folded substantially in a middle portion which, in the fold portion 9g and 90g, defines the aforesaid passage.

[0195] Briefly, in the example of FIG. 14, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 which defines, together with the substrate 3 or by being folded, a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

[0196] The aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a filiform element, for example a eyelet made of cord, leather, synthetic or metal material, possibly elastic and possibly like a closed ring, which in this case crosses the substrate 3, thus fastening thereto.

[0197] Similarly, the filiform element can be substituted by a shoelace, lace, string or the like.

[0198] Briefly, in the example of FIG. 15, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion fastened to the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3, which is provided with a through opening defining a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

[0199] The aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band or strip made of cord, leather, synthetic or metal material and fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing.

[0200] Briefly, in the example of FIG. 16, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and a pierced element combined with the visible portion, which defines a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

[0201] In this case, the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a band fastened to the substrate 3, for example by sewing or gluing, and the aforesaid pierced element is constituted by a bodkin ring.

[0202] Briefly, in the example of FIG. 17, the restraining elements 9 and the orienting elements 90, constrained to the substrate 3, each comprise a visible portion arranged on the exposed face 6 of the substrate 3 and provided with a through opening defining a first, second or third passage crossed by the lace 2.

[0203] In this case, the aforesaid visible portion is constituted by a so-named D-ring element made for example of a polymeric material generally more economic than the eyelets and fastened to the substrate 3, for example by gluing or sewing.

[0204] FIG. 18 depicts a shoe 180 according to the present invention.

[0205] In particular, according to the example of FIG. 18, the shoe 180 comprises the closing system 1011 depicted and described with reference to the example of FIG. 11, although understood that any closing system according to what is set forth above can be provided.

[0206] Moreover, it should be said that the closing system 1011 is placed at a flap of the shoe 180, which flap corresponds in this case to the substrate 3 of the closing system 1011, the possibility to provide the closing system 1011 and in general a closing system according to the present invention, in a different portion of the shoe, for example the shoe upper, not however being excluded.

[0207] The lace 2, the restraining element 9, the orienting element 90, the lace-locking element 4 and the end portion of lace 7 are further well visible in the example of FIG. 18.

[0208] FIG. 19 depicts a portion of a clothing item according to the present invention.

[0209] In detail, in the example of FIG. 19, a hood 190, for example of a sweatshirt or jacket, is shown and comprises the closing system 1011 depicted and described with reference to the example of FIG. 11, although understood that any closing system according to what is set forth above can be provided, as a closing system according to the present invention can be part of any clothing item or accessory.

[0210] According to the example of FIG. 19, the hood 190, of which one portion, in practice, constitutes the substrate 3 of the closing system 1011, comprises a closing lace which corresponds to the lace 2 of the closing system 1011, which is in this case a so-named circular drawstring, whose portion, not visible from the outside, is depicted with a dashed line.

[0211] The restraining element 9, the orienting element 90, the lace-locking element 4 provided with the button 8 and the end portion of lace 7 are further well visible in the example of FIG. 19.

[0212] The solution of the example of FIG. 19 is advantageous because it allows to reduce the circular drawstring portion, which would otherwise be free to float, and in particular allows to reduce the extent of the end portion of lace 7 whose length (circumference), when the hood is pulled or closed, must not exceed 150 mm in case of clothing for children from 7 to 14 years of age, according to the EN 14682 standard.

[0213] The advantages of the present invention, which appeared clear in the description set forth above, can be summarized by noting that a closing system of a shoe or clothing item or accessory comprising a lace whose tension can be adjusted and which reduces, after having been adjusted, the free lace portion, was provided.

[0214] A further advantage lies in the reliability and durability of the present closing system, in addition to the notable freedom of design it allows.

[0215] Further advantages are constituted by the limited manufacturing cost which characterizes the present closing system and by the possibility to use known technologies for its implementation.

[0216] In order to meet contingent and specific needs, a technician of the field can make numerous changes and modifications to the present invention in the embodiments shown and described, all however included in the scope of protection s of the invention as defined in the following claims.