Wire tightening device and providing method therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides a wire tightening device for improving the convenience of use by readily providing the device in shoes, comprising: a housing part fixed to the tongue of shoes to provide a ratchet-type gear in the inner circumference thereof, and having a cylindrical inner surface; a reel part rotatably arranged inside the housing part and providing tensile force to a wire for tightening both side covers of the shoes as the wire is wound; and a rotary cover for selectively rotating the reel part, wherein the housing part provides a coupling part placed on the top surface of the tongue in a position corresponding to a provision hole formed in the tongue, and a pressing surface part for pressing the bottom surface of the tongue according to the coupling, to the coupling part, of the coupling bar protruding from one surface for clamping and fixing the tongue by penetrating through the provision hole.

Claims

1. A wire tightening device on a shoe, comprising: the shoe including a tongue and side skins on either side of the tongue; a housing part including a cylindrical inner surface, wherein a ratchet gear is provided at an inner circumferential portion of the housing part, and a shaft extends from a lower inner surface of the housing part; a reel part which is rotatable and disposed at an inner portion of the housing part such that the shaft of the housing part extends through the reel part, and the reel part is able to supply a tensile force to a wire to tighten the side skins of the shoe as the wire is wound; and a rotary cover which is provided to selectively rotate the reel part, the rotary cover being located above the reel part, wherein the housing part is mounted on an upper surface of the tongue, and includes a coupling part formed at either side of the housing part that aligns with a provision hole formed at either side of the tongue and through the tongue, wherein the wire tightening device further includes a pressing surface part that is located under the tongue to pressurize a lower surface of the tongue and includes a coupling bar protruding from either side of the pressing surface part, the coupling bar on either side of the pressing surface part passing through the provision hole at either side of the tongue to engage with the coupling part so as to fixedly clamp the tongue, wherein the coupling part comprises an insertion groove part into which the coupling bar is inserted, wherein a coupling protrusion extends from an inner portion of the insertion groove part, wherein a lower surface of the coupling protrusion is inclined, and an upper surface of the coupling protrusion is flat, and wherein a ratchet protrusion extends from the coupling bar and engages with the coupling protrusion, such that the ratchet protrusion is configured to slide on the lower surface of the coupling protrusion when the coupling part is pressed downward toward the tongue to engage the pressing part and clamp the tongue, and wherein the ratchet protrusion is configured to provide resistance against the upper surface of the coupling protrusion when the coupling part is pulled upward away from the tongue, thus restricting upward movement and fixedly clamping the wire tightening device on the shoe.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the coupling protrusion is a multiple-step structure formed along a direction that the coupling bar is inserted, and wherein wedge protrusions extend from a lower surface of the housing part and from an upper surface of the pressing surface part so as to pressurize and restrict by gripping the tongue.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shoe further comprises shoestring holes formed along the side skins of the shoe, and a guide part engaged to each of the shoestring holes, the guide part comprising a lower body part, wherein an insertion protrusion of the guide part passes through each of the shoestring holes and the lower body part of the guide part is restricted from passing through each of the shoestring holes by a lower portion rim of each of the shoestring holes, the guide part further comprising an upper body part which is mounted on an upper portion rim of each of the shoestring holes, wherein the upper body part comprises a coupling hole to which the insertion protrusion is engaged, the coupling hole being located at one side of the upper body part, and a wire guide hole is formed at the other side of the upper body part such that the wire guide is perpendicular to the coupling hole in order for the wire to be inserted.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the shoe further comprises a pair of shoestring holes formed on the side skins of the shoe, wherein a guide part is engaged to each of the pair of the shoestring holes.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressing surface part is rounded such that it is configured to conform to a top of a user's foot, and includes a cushion part which is provided on a lower surface of the pressing surface part at a location corresponding to the coupling bar and is capable of bending when worn such that the cushion part is configured to conform with the top of the user's foot, and the cushion part is formed in a semispherical shape to allow for the pressing surface part to be mounted on the top of the foot.

6. A method for mounting a wire tightening device, comprising: a first step wherein a provision hole is formed through a tongue of a shoe, the shoe including side skins on either side of the tongue; a second step wherein a housing part is mounted on an upper surface of the tongue such that a coupling part of the housing part is aligned with the provision hole, wherein a reel part is provided to supply a tensile force to a wire to tighten the side skins of the shoe as it is wound, the reel part being rotatable and disposed at the housing part; and a third step wherein a pressing surface part that is located under the tongue and is configured to pressurize a lower surface of the tongue as a coupling bar protruding from either side of the pressing surface part passes through the provision hole and is engaged to the coupling part so as to fixedly clamp the tongue, wherein the coupling part comprises an insertion groove part into which the coupling bar is inserted, wherein a coupling protrusion extends from an inner portion of the insertion groove part, wherein a lower surface of the coupling protrusion is inclined, and an upper surface of the coupling protrusion is flat, and wherein a ratchet protrusion extends from the coupling bar and engages with the coupling protrusion, such that the ratchet protrusion is configured to slide on the lower surface of the coupling protrusion when the coupling part is pressed downward toward the tongue to engage the pressing part and clamp the tongue, and wherein the ratchet protrusion is configured to provide resistance against the upper surface of the coupling protrusion when the coupling part is pulled upward away from the tongue, thus fixedly clamping the wire tightening device on the shoe.

7. The method of claim 6, the method further comprises a fourth step wherein the wire is provided and an end portion of the wire is connected to the reel part in order for the wire to be wound during the rotation of the reel part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe on which a wire tightening device is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 9 is a plane view illustrating a state before a wire tightening device is mounted on a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 10 is a plane view illustrating a configuration wherein a guide part of a wire tightening device is mounted on a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a guide part of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a guide part of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a guide part of a wire tightening device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a guide part of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 15 is an example view illustrating an engagement of a guide part of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating a cushion part of a wire tightening device according to other embodiments of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(16) The wire tightening device may include, but is not limited to, a housing part which is fixed at a tongue of a shoe, wherein a ratchet type gear is provided at an inner circumferential portion thereof, and includes a cylindrical inner surface; a reel part which disposed rotatable at an inner portion of the housing part and is able to supply a tensile force to a wire to tighten side skins of both sides of the shoe as the wire is wound; and a rotary cover which is provided to selectively rotate the reel part,

(17) wherein the housing part is mounted on the upper surface of the tongue, and a coupling part is provided at a portion corresponding to a provision hole formed at the tongue, and

(18) the housing part includes a pressing surface part which will pressurize the lower surface of the tongue as a coupling bar protruding from one surface passes through and is engaged to the coupling part so as to fixedly clamp the tongue.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(19) The wire tightening device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(20) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe on which a wire tightening to device is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the wire tightening device 100 may apply to a device which is provided at shoes or a cap to help a user to wear or may apply to a tightening device which can be variously used for items, for example, clothes, accessory, an exercise equipment, etc. which could be put on in such a way to tighten a wire or a string, for example, a belt, gloves, a bag, a water ski, a snowboard, etc.

(21) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wire tightening device 100 may be applied to tightening a wire (w) of shoes 1 or a cap. In case of the shoes 1, it is preferred that the wire tightening device 100 is attached to the upper surface of a tongue to which the wire (w) is connected. For the sake of a good design, etc., it could be attached to a side portion of the shoe 1.

(22) The wire (w) is configured to be wound and tightened as the rotary cover of the wire tightening device 100 rotates. For this reason, the wire tightening device 100 of the present invention is able to allow a user to walk comfortably since the wire (w) can be appropriately tightened in response to the sizes including a user's foot width and height.

(23) Referring to FIG. 2, the wire tightening device 100 may include, but is not limited to, a housing part 60, a reel part 40, and a rotary cover 10.

(24) A ratchet type gear 62 is provided at an upper portion of the inner circumferential surface of the housing part 60, and the lower surface of the housing part 60 is fixed at the tongue of the shoe. Moreover, the housing part 60 may include a cylindrical inner space into which the reel part 40 is housed. A cam base part 50 is provided at an upper rim portion of the housing part 60.

(25) The cam base part 50 may be connected rotatable to an upper rim portion of the housing part 60, and it is preferred that the rotation of the cam base part 50 in the counterclockwise direction is limited by the ratchet type gear 62.

(26) Moreover, the reel part 40 is provided rotatable at an inner side of the housing part 60 and is able to provide a tensile force to the wire which is provided to tighten the side skin 2 of either side of the shoe 1 as it is wound. The reel part 40 is engaged to a rotary shaft and at a lower inner side of the housing part 60 and is disposed rotatable, and the cam base part 50 is disposed at an upper portion of the reel part 40.

(27) Moreover, a cam driving part 20 is provided at an upper end of the cam base part 50. A protrusion portion is formed at the cam driving part 20, so the cam driving part 20 is preferably engaged to an inner circumferential portion of an elevating cam part 30.

(28) The rotary cover 10 is engaged to an upper portion of the cam driving part 20 and is configured to rotate integrally, and it is preferred that a rim portion of the lower end of the rotary cover 10 is engaged to the cam base part 50.

(29) An coupling screw 80 is passing through the rotary cover 10 and the rotary shaft 70 and is engaged to the housing part 60. Moreover, the rotary shaft 70 is disposed covering the coupling screw while passing through the reel part 40, the cam base part 50, the elevating cam part 30 and the cam driving part 20.

(30) The elevating cam part 30 is housed at the inner circumferential portion of the cam base part 50. The elevating cam part 30 is able to ascend or descend in response to the rotation direction of the cam driving part 20, thus selectively coupling with the upper surface of the reel part 40.

(31) Moreover, a ratchet type protrusion 43 is formed at the upper surface of the reel part 40 while protruding upward in the counterclockwise direction along the circumferential direction, and a slide protrusion 33 is formed protruding from a lower end of the elevating cam part 30 and is engaged shape-matching with the ratchet type protrusion 43.

(32) The ratchet type protrusion 43 and the slide protrusion 33 are engaged or disengaged in response to the rotation direction of the cam driving part 20. Moreover, if the rotary cover 10 rotates in the clockwise direction, the elevating cam part 30 will descend by the cam driving part 20 which was integrally rotating, and is engaged to the reel part 40.

(33) Here, since the elevating cam part 30 and the reel part 40 rotate integrally, the wire (w) can be wound. The wire (w) may be engaged to a portion of the reel part 40 and may be wound around a reel winding part 42 formed in a concave groove shape at a rim portion of the reel part 40.

(34) Moreover, since the rotary cover 10 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the elevating cam part 30 will ascend, and the reel part 40 will rotate independently, thus driving the wire (w) to be pulled and loosened.

(35) FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(36) As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the wire tightening device may include a housing part 60 and a pressing surface part 110. Here, the housing part 60 is placed on the upper surface of the tongue 3, and a coupling part 120 is provided at a portion corresponding to a provision hole 3a formed at the tongue 3.

(37) Moreover, the pressing surface part 110 will pressurize the lower surface of the tongue 3 since the coupling bar 112 installed protruding from one surface 11 to fixedly clamp the tongue 3 is engaged to the coupling part 120 via the provision hole 3a.

(38) Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the coupling part 120 may include an insertion groove part 121 in which the coupling bar 112 is inserted, and an coupling protrusion 122 which is formed protruding from an inner portion of the insertion groove part 121, wherein the lower surface 122a thereof is formed inclined, and the upper surface 122b thereof is formed flat.

(39) It is preferred that a ratchet protrusion 113 is formed protruding from the coupling bar 112 in such a way that the ratchet protrusion 113 is able to slide on the lower surface 122a of the coupling protrusion 122 when pressed downward toward the tongue and is restricted on the upper surface 122b of the coupling protrusion 122 when pulled upward, thus fixedly clamping the wire tightening device on the shoe.

(40) Here, the coupling part 120 is formed at either side of the rim of the housing part 60, and the insertion groove part 121 is preferably formed at an inner portion of the coupling part 120. Here, the coupling protrusion 122 may be formed protruding from an inner and lower rim portion of the insertion groove part 121.

(41) Moreover, the pressing surface part 110 is equipped with a plate member which is engaged to a lower end of the housing part 60 mounted on the upper surface of the tongue 3 and is provided to pressurize the lower surface of the tongue 3, thus fixedly clamping the tongue 3.

(42) Since the pressing surface part 110 is disposed on the lower surface of the tongue 3 while contacting with the top of the feet of the user, it is preferred that the lower surface of the pressing surface part 110 is formed rounded to shape-match with the top of the foot, and it is preferably made of an elastic material to reduce any pressurization to the top of the foot.

(43) The coupling bar 112 inserted in the insertion groove part 121 via the provision hole 3a may be formed protruding from the upper surface 111 of the pressing surface part 110. The ratchet protrusion 113 is formed protruding from the surface facing the coupling protrusion 122 formed protruding from an inner portion of the insertion groove part 121 so that the coupling bar 112 can be fixedly inserted under a lower portion of the insertion groove part 121.

(44) It is preferred that either the coupling protrusion 122 or the ratchet protrusion 113 is formed in a multiple-step structure depending on the direction that the coupling bar 112 is inserted. In the preferred embodiment, an example where the ratchet protrusion 113 is formed in a multiple-step structure has been described, but the coupling protrusion 122 may be formed in a multiple-step structure or otherwise both the coupling protrusion 122 and the ratchet protrusion 113 may be formed in multiple-step structures.

(45) Referring to FIG. 5, it is preferred that the ratchet protrusion 113 is formed with the upper surface 113a thereof being formed inclined, and the lower surface 113b thereof being formed horizontal. For this reason, when the coupling bar 112 passes through the provision hole 3a and is inserted under the insertion groove part 121, the ratchet protrusion 113 will pass through while sliding along the lower surface 122a of the coupling protrusion 122. Moreover, the ratchet protrusion 113 can be fixedly hooked without moving downward since the lower surface 133b of the ratchet 113 surface-contacts with the upper surface 122a of the coupling protrusion 122.

(46) The lower surface of the housing part 60 and the upper surface of the pressing surface part 110 are able to fixedly clamp the tongue 3 in such a way that the housing part 60 is mounted on the upper surface of the tongue 3, and the pressing surface part 110 is disposed on the lower surface of the tongue 3, and the coupling bar 112 is inserted in the insertion groove part 121.

(47) Since the tongue 3 can be pressurized and fixedly clamped stable between the housing part 60 and the pressing surface part 110 in such a way to just push the coupling bar 112 in the insertion groove part 121 via the provision hole 3a of the tongue 3, the convenience when in use can be greatly improved.

(48) Furthermore, since either the coupling protrusion 122 or the ratchet protrusion 113 is formed in a multiple-step structure, they can be enhanced while adjusting the interval between the housing part 60 and the pressing surface part 110 in response to the thickness of the tongue 3. For this reason, they can be fixed stable in response to various thicknesses of the tongue 3, whereby the compatibility of the product can be improved.

(49) Moreover, it is preferred that wedge protrusions 114 and 123 may be formed protruding from the lower surface of the housing part 60 and the upper surface of the pressing surface part 111 so as to pressurize and restrict the tongue 3. Here, since the housing part 60 and the pressing surface part 110 fixedly clamp the tongue 3, the wedge protrusions 114 and 123 are inserted inside while contacting with the upper and lower surfaces of the tongue 3 which have cushions, thus restricting the tongue 3 not to move leftward or rightward.

(50) When the housing part 60 is fixed at the tongue 3, the pressure generated by the coupling bar 112 can be applied to an inner portion of the provision hole 3a during the procedure where the wire (w) is tightened by rotating the rotary cover 10. At this time, the provision hole 3a may be broken, and the tongue 3 may be torn apart, and the housing part 60 may separate from the tongue 3.

(51) In order to prevent the above-mentioned situation, the wedge protrusions 114 and 123 are provided to reduce the pressure being applied to the provision hole 3a in such a way to restrict the upper and lower surfaces of the tongue 3, whereby the provision hole 3a can be protected while maintaining a stably engaged state.

(52) Meanwhile, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement of the wire tightening device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configurations of the present embodiment except for the configurations of the insertion grooves 221a and 221b and the coupling bar 212 are same as the previously described configuration, the descriptions on the same components will be omitted.

(53) As illustrated in FIG. 6, the coupling part 220 may include a front side insertion groove part 221a and a rear side insertion groove part 221b. Here, the inner portions of the insertion groove parts 221a and 221b are formed exposed from either side of the rim surface of the housing part 60, and each insertion groove part formed at either side may be formed a dual-step structurer at the front portion and the rear portion. Moreover, the coupling bar 212 is disposed with the ends 212a of either side being bent and fixedly inserted in the front side insertion groove part 221a and the rear side insertion groove part 221b.

(54) An coupling protrusion 222 may be formed protruding from the front side insertion groove part 221a and the rear side insertion groove part 221b and along from the lower side to the upper side, wherein the end portion 212a of the coupling bar 212 is inserted in the lower side. Here, it is preferred that the coupling protrusion 222 is formed, with the lower surface 222b thereof being formed inclined, and the upper surface 222a thereof being formed flat.

(55) Moreover, the ratchet protrusion 213 is formed protruding from an inner portion of the bent end portion 212a of the coupling bar 212 and is able to slide on the lower surface 222b of the coupling protrusion 222 and is mounted on the upper surface 222a of the coupling protrusion 222 and then is hooked and restricted.

(56) It is preferred that the ratchet protrusion 213 is formed protruding with multiple steps and can be configured in such a way that a surface contact area where a restricting force generates as it is mounted on the upper surface 222a of the coupling protrusion 222 can increase. For this reason, the end portion 212a of the coupling bar 212 can be fixed stable without separating downward of the insertion groove parts 221a and 221b.

(57) Furthermore, it is preferred that a support protrusion 223 is formed on the surface facing the surface from which the coupling protrusion 222 is protruding in the front side insertion groove part 221a and the rear side insertion groove part 221b so as to pressurize the end portion 212a of the inserted coupling bar 212 toward the coupling protrusion 222. For this reason, the ratchet protrusion 213 of the coupling bar 212 can be mounted and fixed stable without separating from the coupling protrusion 222.

(58) FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an engagement of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

(59) In this embodiment, except for a configuration wherein a pressing surface part 310 is formed integral and bent at a coupling part 320, and a second coupling bar 311 is engaged to a binding hole 322 formed at the coupling part 320, the basic configurations are same as the previously described configurations, so the descriptions on the same components will be omitted.

(60) Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the coupling part 320 may include, but is not limited to, an coupling surface part 321 which is formed extending along a rim of a lower end of the housing part 60, and a hooking shoulder 323 which is formed along an inner circumferential portion of a binding hole 322 formed at the coupling surface part 321.

(61) Moreover, the pressing surface part 310 is formed extending along an outer end portion of the coupling surface part 321 and is bent covering a side end portion of the tongue 3, and the second coupling bar 311 is configured in such a way that a fixing protrusion 312 is formed protruding from a rim of an upper end so that it is inserted in the binding hole 322 and is engaged and restricted by the hooking shoulder 323.

(62) More specifically, the coupling surface part 321 is formed extending from a rim of a lower end of the housing part 60 and will mount on the upper surface of the tongue 3. In the coupling surface part 321, the binding hole 322 may be formed at a portion corresponding to the provision hole 3a formed at the tongue 3.

(63) The binding hole 322 may be formed in a dual-step structure at the front and rear portions of the coupling surface part 321, and the hooking shoulder 323 is preferably formed protruding along an inner circumferential portion of the binding hole 322. Moreover, the pressing surface part 310 formed extending along an outer end portion of the coupling surface part 321 may be bent covering the side end portion of the tongue 3.

(64) Referring to FIG. 8, a second coupling bar 311 is bent at the pressing surface part 310 and is formed protruding from a portion corresponding to a lower end portion of the provision hole 3a, and since the second coupling bar 311 is bent covering a side end portion of the tongue 3, it can pass through the provision hole 3a and can be inserted into the binding hole 322. Moreover, since the fixing protrusion 312 is restricted by the hooking shoulder 323, the second coupling bar 311 can be fixed at the binding hole 322.

(65) It is preferred that the second coupling bar 311 is provided in a dual-step structure corresponding to the binding hole 322 formed in a dual-step structure at the front and rear portions of the coupling surface part 321. The binding hole 322 and the second coupling bar 311 are not be limited to the dual-step structure, and may be formed in a multiple-step structure, for example, a triple-step or quad-step structure, and it may be disposed in parallel at a left or right side.

(66) Moreover, in the second coupling bar 311, a fixing protrusion 312 may be formed protruding from a rim so as to be fixedly hooked by the coupling shoulder 323 formed on an inner circumferential portion of the binding hole 332. Here, it is preferred that the fixing protrusion 312 is provided in a multiple-step structure in the upward and downward directions of the second coupling bar 311.

(67) The second coupling bar 311 can be hooked and fixed in such a way that it is simply inserted in the biding hole 322 via the provision hole 3a. Since it is inserted in a multiple-step way, the interval between the coupling surface part 321 and the pressing surface part 310 can be adjusted in response to the thickness of the tongue 3, so it can be fixed stable in response to various thicknesses of the tongue 3, thus improving product compatibilities.

(68) Moreover, the pressing surface part 310 is provided covering a side end portion of the tongue 3, and the side end portion of the tongue 3 can be fixedly clamped between the pressing surface part 310 and the coupling surface part 321, whereby the housing part 60 can be fixed stable, not moving leftward or rightward.

(69) The second coupling bar 311 is of course formed circular, and it is preferred that the provision hole 3a is formed in a circle sized for the second coupling bar 311 to pass through. The provision hole 3a, therefore, won't be torn apart while stably maintaining a fixed state even when pressure is applied to the provision hole 3a due to the pressure which is applied to the housing part 60 when the wire (w) is tightened or loosened.

(70) FIG. 9 is a plane view illustrating a state before a wire tightening device is mounted on a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plane view illustrating a configuration wherein a guide part of a wire tightening device is mounted on a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a guide part of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a guide part of a wire tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(71) Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the shoe 1 is equipped with shoestring holes 2a along the side skins 2 of either side thereof, and the guide part 90 is engaged to each shoestring hole 2a so as to guide the wire (w).

(72) More specifically, the shoe 1 in general is equipped with the shoestring holes 2a into which a common shoestring is inserted, and the wire tightening device 100 is equipped with a wire (w) instead of the common shoestring, wherein the wire (w) is wound around the reel part 40, thus adjusting the interval between the side skins 2 of either side thereof.

(73) The wire (w) may allow to adjust the interval between the side skins 2 of either side using a tensile force applied as the reel part 40 rotates, thus providing a wearing feeling based on the foot size of the wearer.

(74) In case of an ordinary shoe, six pairs of the shoestring holes 2a are provided facing each other at the side skins 2 of either side. The guide part 90 is engaged to each shoestring hole 2a, and it is preferred that the wire (w) is connected in a zigzag shape in a form where two guide parts 50 are grouped as a pair which are disposed downward and upward along the side skin 2 of one side.

(75) The wire (w) is inserted into two guide parts 90 which are disposed upward and downward at the top of the side skin 2 of one side, and passes through two guide parts 90 which are disposed upward and downward at an intermediate portion of the side skin of the other side and is inserted into two guide parts 90 disposed upward and downward at the bottom of the side skin 2 of one side.

(76) Alternatively, the wire (w) may be connected in a zigzag shape as it is inserted into two guide parts 90 disposed upward and downward at the bottom of the side skin of the other side, and pass through two guide parts 90 disposed upward and downward at an intermediate portion of the side skin 2 of one side, and is inserted into two guide parts 90 disposed upward and downward at the top of the side skin of the other side. Here, it is preferred that both ends of the wire (w) are engaged and wound around the reel part 40.

(77) As the wire (w) is wound in response to the rotation of the reel part 40, the side skins of both sides can be tightened inward. At this time, since each guide part 90 carries out a support function in such a way that two guide parts are distributing the pressure which is applied from the outer side to the inner side of the shoe, the wire (w) is able to stably support without separating from the shoestring hole 2a even though the tensile force applied to the wire (w) is over 60 kgf.

(78) Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the guide part 90 may include a lower body part 90b and an upper body part 90a. It is preferred that the lower body part 90b may be restricted by a lower rim of the shoestring hole 2, and an insertion protrusion 94 passing through the shoestring hole 2 is formed protruding.

(79) The upper body part 90a may be mounted on an upper rim of the shoestring hole 2, and an coupling hole 91 to which the insertion protrusion 94 is engaged may be formed at a portion thereof. Here, the coupling hole 91 may be preferably formed in response to the direction of the shoestring hole 2.

(80) If the upper body part 90a is mounted on the upper rim of the shoestring hole 2, the insertion protrusion 94 of the lower body part 90b disposed at the lower rim of the shoestring hole 2 will pass through the insertion protrusion 94 of the lower body part 90b and will be fixedly inserted in the coupling hole 91.

(81) It is, of course, preferred that a fixing shoulder 91a is provided in the circumferential direction at a circumferential portion of the coupling hole 91, and a fixing shoulder hooking protrusion 95 which is hooked by the fixing shoulder 91a is provided at the insertion protrusion 94.

(82) Since the fixing shoulder hooking protrusion 95 is provided in a multiple-step structure and is inserted in the coupling hole 91, the interval between the upper body part 90a and the lower body part 90b can be adjusted. It can be fixed stable in response to the thickness of the side skin 2.

(83) Moreover, a wire guide hole 93 may be formed at the other side of the upper body part 90a in the direction vertical to the coupling hole 91, and the wire (w) may be inserted in the wire guide hole 93 and may be guided.

(84) The wire (w) will be connected in a zigzag shape since the guide part 90 is engaged to each shoestring hole 2a, and both ends of the wire (w) may be connected to the reel part 40. Here, since the reel part 40 rotates, the wire (w) will be wound around the reel part 40, thus tightening the side skins 2 of both sides of the shoe 1.

(85) Since the wire guide hole 93 of the guide part 90 is provided in the direction vertical to the shoestring hole 2a, the wire (w) can be bent only in the leftward and rightward directions without bending upward and downward when it is inserted in the wire guide hole 93 and is connected in a zigzag shape.

(86) In this way, since the friction force between the wire guide hole 93 and the wire (w) is reduced, a force required to tighten or loosen the side skins 2 of both sides of the shoe 1 can be also reduced in such a way to tighten or loosen the wire (w), as a result of which the convenience when the product is used can be improved.

(87) Furthermore, the force can be evenly applied, thanks to the reduced friction force, in the directions of the top of the foot being near the wire tightening device 100 and of the toes being far from the wire tightening device 100 to which the tightening or loosening force is applied, for which the user can feel more stable and comfortable when wearing.

(88) Meanwhile, it is preferred that a central portion of the inner surface 92 of the wire guide hole is formed protruding in a bulged and rounded shape in the outward direction of the shoe 1. For this reason, when the wire (w) is guided in a zigzag shape by the guide part 90 and is connected to the side skins 2 of both sides of the shoe 1, it can contact inclined with an end portion of the wire guide hole 93, whereupon the friction force can be more reduced when the wire (w) is tightened or loosened in response to the rotation of the reel part 40.

(89) FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a guide part of the wire tightening device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, except for the configuration wherein an upper body part 190a and a lower body part 190b are provided integral, since the basic configurations are same as the previously described configurations, the descriptions on the same component will be omitted.

(90) As illustrated in FIG. 13, the guide part 90 may include a lower body part 190b and an upper body part 190a. It is preferred that the lower body part 190b is formed restricted by a lower rim of the shoestring hole 2, and the insertion protrusion 194 passing through the shoestring hole 2 is formed protruding.

(91) The upper body part 190a is provided integral with the lower body part 190b and is mounted on the upper rim of the shoestring hole 2, and an coupling hole 191 to which the insertion protrusion 194 is engaged may be formed at one side thereof. It is preferred that the coupling hole 191 is formed in response to the direction of the shoestring hole 2.

(92) When the upper body part 190a is mounted on the upper rim of the shoestring hole 2, the insertion protrusion 194 of the lower body part 190b disposed at the lower rim of the shoestring hole 2 will pass through the shoestring hole 2 and will be fixedly inserted in the coupling hole 191.

(93) it is preferred that a protruded hooking shoulder may be provided in the circumferential direction at an inner circumferential portion of the coupling hole 91, and a fixing shoulder hooking protrusion 195 which is hooked and engaged by the protruded coupling shoulder may be provided at the insertion protrusion 194.

(94) Since the fixing shoulder hooking protrusion 195 is formed in a multiple-step structure and is inserted in the coupling hole 191, the interval between the upper body part 190a and the lower body part 190b can be adjusted, and it is can fixed stable in response to the thickness of the side skin 2.

(95) Moreover, a wire guide hole 193 may be formed at the other side of the upper body part 190a in the direction vertical to the coupling hole 91, and the wire (w) will be inserted in the wire guide hole 193 and will be guided.

(96) Since the wire guide hole 193 of the guide part 90 is formed in the direction vertical to the shoestring hole 2a, the wire (w) can be bent only in the leftward and rightward direction, not bending upward or downward when it is inserted in the wire guide hole 193 and is connected in a zigzag shape.

(97) In this way, the friction force between the wire guide hole 193 and the wire (w) can be reduced, so the force required to tighten and loosen the side skins 2 of both sides of the shoe 1 can be reduced by tightening or loosening the wire (w), whereby the convenience when in use of the product can be improved.

(98) The force can be evenly applied, thanks to the reduced friction force, in the directions of the top of the foot being near the wire tightening device 100 and of the toes being far from the wire tightening device 100 to which the tightening or loosening force is applied, for which the user can feel more stable and comfortable when wearing.

(99) FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a guide part of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an example view illustrating an engagement of a guide part of a wire tightening device according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

(100) In this embodiment, except for the configuration wherein the guide part 90 is formed of a guide band 290 and is engaged to a pair of the shoestring holes 2a, the basic configurations are same as the previously described configuration, so the descriptions on the same component will be omitted.

(101) As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the guide part 90 is engaged to each pair of the shoestring holes 2a which are disposed facing each other, at the side skins 2 of both sides of the shoe 1. The guide part 90 is formed of a guide band 290, so both ends 291 will pass through from the lower side to the upper side of each pair of the shoestring holes 2a and will expose to the outside of the shoestring hole 2a.

(102) The wire (w) may be inserted in the both ends 291 and will be guided. The wire (w) can be bent only in the leftward and rightward directions, not bending upward or downward since the wire (w) is inserted in the both ends 291 and is connected in a zigzag shape.

(103) Since the friction force between the inner sides of the both ends 291 and the wire (w) can be reduced in the above mentioned way, the force required to tighten or loosen the side skins 2 of both sides of the shoe 1 can be reduced by tightening or loosening the wire (w), for which it is possible to improve the use convenience of the product.

(104) FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating a cushion part of the wire tightening device according to other embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, except for the configuration wherein a cushion part 119 is formed protruding from the lower surface of the pressing surface part 110, the basic configurations are same as the previously described configurations, so the descriptions on the same components will be omitted.

(105) As illustrated in FIG. 16, it is preferred that the pressing surface part 110 is formed rounded in response to the shape of the top of the user's foot. Moreover, a cushion part 119 may be provided on the lower surface of the pressing surface part 110 and at a portion corresponding to the coupling bar, wherein the cushion part 119 can elastically transform when it contacts with the top of the user's foot.

(106) It is preferred that the cushion part 119 is formed protruding in a semispherical shape for the cushion part 119 to be mounted on the upper side of the top of the foot. Since the top of the ordinary foot is formed inclined in terms of the shape of the top of the foot, the tongue 3 of the shoe in general tends to lean outward along the inclination of the top of the foot after a predetermined time passes after wearing.

(107) When the wire (w) is tightened by rotating the rotary cover 10 of the wire tightening device 100, the pressing surface part 100 will contact close with the top of the user's foot. The portion protruding from the upper side of the top of the foot can be mounted and supported between the cushion parts 119 which are formed in parallel protruding in the semispherical shapes from both lower sides of the pressing surface part 110.

(108) Since the cushion parts 119 are able to support from both sides the portion protruding from the top of the foot in the above described way, the pressing surface part 110 can be fixed in place without separating from the upper side of the top of the foot. For this reason, since the tongue 3 does not lean outward of the top of the foot even though a predetermine time passes after wearing, any muscle ache can be prevented, and a comfortable wearing feeling can be provided.

(109) Since the cushion part 119 is disposed at a lower portion of the coupling part and is elastically transformed, any pressing feeling and impact applied to the top of the foot due to the coupling part can be alleviated, whereupon the top of the foot can be supported comfortable even though the wire (w) is tightly tightened, thus improving the convenience of the product.

(110) Moreover, since the cushion part 119 is supported by the top of the user's foot in order to prevent the tongue 3 from moving when the rotary cover 10 rotates in one direction to tighten the wire (w), the driving to tighten the wire (w) can be stably carried out, which may result in the improved convenience when in use of the product.

(111) Since the cushion part 119 forms a space between the tongue 3 and the top of the user's foot as the cushion part 119 elastically recovers when the wire (w) is loosened by rotating the rotary cover 19 in the other direction, the wire (w) can be loosened by easily pulling the tongue 3, by means of which the use convenience of the product can be improved.

(112) The mounting method of the wire tightening device 100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9.

(113) First, a provision hole 3a is formed at the tongue 3 of the shoe 1 at a previously set interval. It is preferred that the provision hole 3a is formed in response to the positions of the coupling parts 120 and 220 formed at the rim of the housing part 60.

(114) The provision hole 3a may be formed in such a way to cut using a knife or may be formed using a punch, etc. The rim of the formed provision hole 3a can be fixed not to be torn off in such a way to melt it with heat.

(115) If the provision hole 3a is formed, the housing part 60 is mounted on the upper surface of the tongue 3 in order for the coupling parts 120, 220 and 320 formed at the housing part 60 to be disposed in response to the provision hole 3a.

(116) Thereafter, the pressing surface parts 110, 210 and 310 are disposed on the lower surface of the tongue 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the pressing surface parts 110 and 210 may be provided separate, and may be disposed on the lower surface of the tongue 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pressing surface part 310 may be bent covering a side end portion of the tongue 3, and then the pressing surface part 310 may be disposed on the lower surface of the tongue 3.

(117) The coupling bars 112, 212 and the second coupling bar 311 formed protruding from the pressing surface parts 110, 210 and 310 may pass through the provision hole 3a and may be engaged to the coupling parts 120, 220 and 320, thus fixing the wire tightening device 100 at the tongue.

(118) Since the user is able to form the provision hole 3a at the tongue 3 irrespective of the thickness of the tongue 3, and the coupling bars 112, 212 and the second coupling bar 311 may pass through the provision hole 3a and then may be inserted into the coupling parts 120, 220 and 320, which can be carried via a simplified procedure, so the present invention can be employed to various shoes 1, thus improving product compatibility and convenience during mounting.

(119) The wire tightening device can be inserted in stages with the aid of the protrusions formed in a multiple-step structure so as to adjust the intervals between the pressing surface parts 110, 210 and 310 and the coupling parts 120, 220 and 320. In this way, the wire tightening device can be fixed stable in response to the tongue 3 having different thicknesses without carrying out any sewing procedure, for which the wire (w) can be stably tightened or loosened, thus improving the safety of the product.

(120) Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an end portion of the wire (w) is connected to the reel part 40 so that the wire (w) to which the guide part 90 is engaged can be wound during the rotation of the reel part 40.

(121) More specifically, the wire tightening device 100 is provided in a state where the wire (w) is connected to the reel part 40. A plurality of the guide parts 90 are engaged to the wire (w).

(122) The upper body part 90a of each guide part 90 may be disposed at the rim of the upper portion of each shoestring hole 2a in order for the wire (w) to be connected to the side skins 2 of both sides of the shoe 1 in a zigzag shape, and the lower body part 90b may be disposed at the rim of the lower portion.

(123) The guide part 90 can be fixed at the shoestring hole 2a in such a way that the insertion protrusion 94 passes through the shoestring hole 2a and is engaged to the coupling hole 91. When the wire (w) fixed at the wire tightening device 100 is connected in a zigzag shape, the guide part 90 is disposed at each shoestring hole 2a, and the insertion protrusion 94 is inserted, thus finishing an assembling procedure, which makes it possible to improve the use convenience of the product.

(124) As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.