SILICONE LACE WITH A STRONG VISUAL IDENTITY AND IMPROVED TEAR STRENGTH, AND LACING SYSTEM FORMED BY A PLATE FOR LOCKING THE LACE IN PLACE ON THE SHOE

Abstract

The invention is intended to provide silicone elastomer laces that are improved in terms of branding and/or ornamentation and/or tear strength and/or additional novel functions other than the mechanical properties and external appearance thereof, as well as a novel lacing solution. For this purpose, the invention relates first to a lace (1) for a shoe (2) equipped with a lace passage (3), the two edges (4, 5) of said passage having through-holes (7). The lace (1) essentially comprises at least one silicone elastomer that is at least partially cross-linked and includes one or more silicone polymers and fillers and, optionally, at least one of the following compounds: catalyst(s), cross-linking agent(s), pigment(s), parting agent(s), plasticiser(s), adhesion promoter(s). The lace is characterised in that it comprises, in the middle portion thereof, an identification zone (9) which is integral with the lace (1) and which, once the lace (1) has been passed through the through-holes (7, 7i) of the shoe (2), is intended to appear on the instep of the shoe (2), between the two lower through-holes (7i) located on either side, and at the base of, the lace passage (3) on the shoe (2). The invention also relates to a lace intended to be locked in place on the shoe (2) using a so-called BlocKnot plate (30) that is provided with multiple passages (20) for holding the lace (1) in place when the free ends of the strands (81) and (82) of the lace are interlaced through the passages (20) and gripped, preferably by passing the free ends of the strands (81) and (82) through the passages (20) in an alternating manner on the front and rear of the plate (30).

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. Lace (1) for a shoe (2) provided with a lace passage (3) the two edges of which (4, 5) have keepers (7, 7i), said lace (1) comprising at least one at least partially cross-linked silicone elastomer, comprising one or more silicone polymers and fillers, and optionally at least one of the following compounds: catalyst(s), cross-linking agent(s), pigment(s), anti-adhesion agent(s), plasticizer(s), adhesion promoter(s), wherein said lace (1) further comprises, in its median part, an identity zone (9) that forms a single piece with the lace (1), and which is adapted, once the lace (1) has been put in place through the keepers (7, 7i) of the shoe (2), to appear over the instep of the shoe (2), between the two lower keepers (7i) situated on either side and at the base of lace passage (3) of the lace (1) on the shoe (2).

17. Lace (1) according to claim 16, comprising two lengths (81) and (82) each joined together in the median portion of said lace (1) to the identity zone (9), which preferably forms, with the two lengths (81) and (82), one and the same molded piece, in particular an injection molded piece.

18. Lace (1) according to claim 17, wherein the two lengths (81) and (82) have substantially the same length and wherein the identity zone (9) is a means of centering the lace (1) between the two lower keepers (7i) situated on either side and at the base of the passage (3) of the lace (1) on the shoe (2).

19. Lace (1) according to claim 16, wherein the identity zone (9) has a generally polygonal shape, preferably rectangular, and comprises, on a visible outer face (13), at least one word and/or figurative identity and/or publicity sign (10) of the lace (1).

20. Lace (1) according to claim 19, wherein the word and/or figurative identity and/or publicity sign (10) is at least partially formed by recesses (14) of the identity zone (9).

21. Lace (1) according to claim 20, wherein the lace further comprises a support (11) having patterns (16) in relief corresponding to at least a part of the word and/or identity and/or publicity sign (10), and wherein said patterns (16) in relief are at least partially pushed into the recesses (14) of the identity zone (9), preferably so that the upper part of these patterns (16) in relief projects with respect to the visible outer face (13) of the identity zone (9), in order to display in relief at least part of the word and/or figurative identity and/or publicity sign (10).

22. Lace (1) according to claim 19, wherein the word and/or figurative identity and/or publicity sign (10) is at least partially formed by impressions, hollow and/or in relief (16), and/or by ink printing, carried out on the visible outer face of the identity zone (9).

23. Lace (1) according to claim 19, wherein at least part of the word and/or figurative identity and/or publicity sign (10) is of a different colour to the identity zone (9), so as to be visible by contrast.

24. Lace (1) according to claim 16, wherein the identity zone (9) is at least partially, preferably on a visible outer face (13), covered by a transparent cover (12), preferably constituted by a single part covering the visible outer face (13) of the identity zone (9), or two parts (121, 122), optionally hinged, covering respectively the visible outer face (13) and a hidden inner face (20) of the identity zone (9) or of the support (11).

25. Lace (1) according to claim 16, further comprising at least one of the elements (21) selected from the group comprising: one or more electronic devices preferably selected from: RFID chip, GPS chip, sensors for measuring the physical activity of the user: pedometer, accelerometer, speed indicator, physiological parameters, transmitter/receiver of signals; light(s), LED light(s), in particular for highlighting a word and/or figurative identity and/or publicity sign, by a lighting effect itself enhanced by the transparent plastic cover (12) covering at least partially, preferably at least the outer face (13) of the identity zone (9); electrical power source(s): battery cell(s), battery(ies), solar arrays; and anti-counterfeit authenticity markers.

26. Lace (1) according to claim 16, having a tear strength determined according to standard ASTM D 624, expressed in N/mm and given hereinafter in an increasing order of preference, greater than or equal to: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; this tear strength being even more preferably comprised between 5 and 20 N/mm.

27. Lace (1) according to claim 16, adapted to be locked with respect to the shoe (2) by a plate (30) equipped with several passages (20) that hold the lace (1) by interlocking of free end portions of the lengths (81) and (82) thereof in the passages (20) and thus by gripping, preferably by passing the free end portions of the lengths (81) and (82) thereof through the passages (20) alternatively on the face and on the reverse of the plate (30).

28. Lace (1) according to claim 27, wherein plate (30) has a generally rectangular or oblong shape, advantageously with a median region that is narrower than its end regions.

29. Lace (1) according to claim 27, wherein plate (30) has a curve conforming to the curvature of the foot.

30. Set of laces comprising a plate (30) for locking a lace (1) with respect to a shoe (2) provided with a lace passage (3), the two edges of which (4, 5) have keepers (7, 7i), said plate being defined in claim 27 and said lace (1) for a shoe (2) comprising at least one at least partially cross-linked silicone elastomer, comprising one or more silicone polymers and fillers, and optionally at least one of the following compounds: catalyst(s), cross-linking agent(s), pigment(s), anti-adhesion agent(s), plasticizer(s), adhesion promoter(s), wherein said lace (1) further comprises, in its median part, an identity zone (9) that forms a single piece with the lace (1), and which is adapted, once the lace (1) has been put in place through the keepers (7, 7i) of the shoe (2), to appear over the instep of the shoe (2), between the two lower keepers (7i) situated on either side and at the base of lace passage (3) of the lace (1) on the shoe (2).

Description

[0064] Embodiments of the lace according to the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the lace in place on a shoe;

[0066] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of two decorative variants of the identity zone of the lace according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the identity zone of the lace according to a preferred embodiment according to the invention;

[0068] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the transparent cover shown in FIG. 3;

[0069] FIG. 5 is a view of the identity zone of the lace in FIG. 3 in assembled mode;

[0070] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the identity zone of the lace showing the hidden rear face of the support for the relief patterns in FIG. 3;

[0071] FIGS. 7A 7B 7C 7D show a first variant embodiment of the lace according to the invention in which the transparent cover is in two parts;

[0072] FIGS. 8A 8B 8C 8D show a second variant embodiment of the lace according to the invention in which the transparent cover is in two parts with an identity zone having a central region that is narrowed with respect to its ends.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 1, the lace 1 according to the invention makes it possible to secure the fastening of the user's foot in a shoe 2, which in this case is for example a sports shoe. Conventionally, this lace 1 is arranged over a passage 3 provided over the instep of the shoe 2 and delimited by two lateral edges 4, 5 and by a tongue 6 of the shoe 2. These two lateral edges 4, 5 have keepers 7i into which the lace 7 is threaded in zigzag fashion, from the base of the passage 3 and more particularly the two lower keepers 7i.

[0074] This lace 1 is a strand made from cross-linked silicone elastomer constituted by two lengths 8.sub.1 et 8.sub.2 each joined in the median portion of the lace 1 to an identity zone 9, which is constituted in this case, as an example, by a rectangular-shaped plate, and which has a word identity and/or publicity sign 10, formed in FIGS. 2B, 3 and 5 by the name WOLF and in FIG. 2A by the name UNCIA.

[0075] The two lengths 8.sub.1 & 8.sub.2 of the lace 1 in this embodiment have a rectangular cross-section (e.g. length of 4 mm and width of 2 mm) forming with the identity plate/zone 9, one and the same injection-moulded piece.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the lace 1, and more particularly its identity plate/zone 9, is sandwiched between on the one hand, a rectangular support 11 situated below the identity plate/zone 9, and on the other hand, a transparent cover 12 (FIG. 4) shown arranged opposite the visible outer face 13 of the identity plate/zone 9.

[0077] Furthermore, the identity plate/zone 9 comprises recesses 14 that correspond to the word identity and/or publicity sign 10, in this case the name WOLF. The rectangular support 11 that has substantially the same dimensions as the new identity plate/zone and which is produced for example from a moulded plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene (PE), has on its upper face 15 (with reference to the arrangement of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3) a pattern 16 in relief corresponding to the word identity and/or publicity sign 10, in this case the name WOLF, which is pushed into the recesses 14 of the identity plate/zone 9 and has a height such that in relation to the thickness of the identity plate/zone 9 the upper portion of said pattern 16 projects with respect to the visible outer face 13 of the identity plate/zone 9.

[0078] These structural features create an aesthetically pleasing and attractive visual effect that particularly highlights the word identity and/or publicity sign 10, in this case the name WOLF.

[0079] This effect is further emphasized by the transparent cover 12 which is anchored in the identity plate/zone 9 by means of four pins 17 that are inserted and held in holes 18, 19 aligned and arranged, respectively, in the silicone elastomer identity plate/zone 9 and in the rectangular support 11, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0080] This relief pattern 16 and this transparent cover 12 optimize the commercial visibility of the lace 1.

[0081] FIG. 1 shows that the lace 1 equipped with its plate/zone 9 bearing the word and/or figurative and/or publicity sign 10, stands out from the shoe 1 and appears to the consumer as an accessory in its own right, independent of the shoe 2. The arrangement of the identity plate/zone 9 at the base of the passage 3 of the shoe 2, between the 2 lower keepers 7i, is a place of choice for highlighting the trade mark of the lace 1.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower face 20 of the rectangular support 11, resting on the tongue 6 of the shoe 2, between the two lower keepers 7i of the passage 3, can be used as support for identity information 21 or anti-counterfeiting marking/tracing.

[0083] Moreover, according to advantageous variants of the invention, the rectangular support 11 and/or the identity plate/zone 9 made from moulded silicone elastomer may contain or support miniaturized electronic devices (RFID, GPS, video capture, sensors of physiological parameters, meteorological sensors, transmitter/receiver, etc.), electrical power sources, lights, etc. Every one of them means making it possible to equip the lace (1) with multiple functionalities at the service of the user.

[0084] FIGS. 7A to 7D show a 1.sup.st variant of the cover 12 constituted by 2 hinged parts 12.sub.1 et 12.sub.2 and encapsulating the silicone elastomer identity plate/zone 9, extended by the 2 lengths 8.sub.1, 8.sub.2 produced from the same material and in a single piece. The word identity and/or publicity sign 10 is here constituted by the name S-LACE.

[0085] FIGS. 8A to 8D show a 2.sup.nd variant of the cover 12, again constituted by 2 hinged parts 12.sub.1 et 12.sub.2 and encapsulating the silicone elastomer identity plate/zone 9, extended by the two lengths 8.sub.1, 8.sub.2 produced from the same material and in a single piece. The word identity and/or publicity sign 10 is here again constituted by the name S-LACE. But, in a manner different from the first variant of FIGS. 7A-7D, the identity plate/zone 9 comprises 2 ends each forming an intermediate region 80.sub.1, 80.sub.2 connecting with the length 8.sub.1, 8.sub.2 respectively. These end regions 80.sub.1, 80.sub.2 are thicker than the rest of the identity plate/zone 9. The hinged transparent cover 12 covers this thinned zone situated between the two end regions 80.sub.1, 80.sub.2.

[0086] In the two variants in FIGS. 7A-7D and 8A to 8D, the two hinged parts 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 of the transparent cover 12 are assembled together for example by means of clips.

[0087] Manufacturing the Lace

[0088] The lace 1 is advantageously injection-moulded from a non cross-linked silicone raw material, for example of the type based on LSR or HCR and marketed under the name of ELASTOSIL R, FLR or LR, or also CENUSIL R 340 by the company WACKER.

[0089] The injection moulding device can be for example an injection moulding machine YIZUMI YL-V360L, YL-AB500L or YL-AB550L for silicone rubber.

[0090] A further subject of the invention is formed by a method for the manufacture of laces as defined in the present disclosure, said method consisting essentially of: [0091] utilizing a non cross-linked silicone raw material, comprising one or more silicone polymers and fillers, and optionally at least one of the following compounds: catalyst(s), cross-linking agent(s), pigment(s), anti-adhesion agent(s), plasticizer(s), adhesion promoter(s); [0092] carrying out the forming of the lace by extrusion or injection moulding of this silicone raw material, such that this raw material is cross-linked and converted to hardened silicone elastomer, after shaping within the extruder or mould; [0093] optionally cutting the lace to the correct length; [0094] collecting the laces thus obtained; [0095] cooling said laces; [0096] packaging said laces with a view to their sale.

[0097] The Plate for Locking the Free Ends of the Lengths of the Lace with Respect to the Shoe.

[0098] The Material of the BlocKnol Plate

[0099] The BlocKnot plate according to the invention is preferably produced in a single piece by different manufacturing techniques according to the selected material: for example moulding of a plastic material then perforation in order to produce the passages for the lace in the plate.

[0100] It is recommended according to the invention to use materials known as semi-rigid in order to obtain flexibility for harmonisation between the curvature of the foot and the plate and a minimum of rigidity in order to lock the lace by passing it through the succession of holes. By way of example of a suitable semi-rigid material, there may be mentioned: sheet polypropylene of approximately 1 mm in thickness.

[0101] According to a variant and in particular for aesthetic reasons, wood can be used as the material constituting the plate. A curve is machined in order to correspond to the shape of the foot, more particularly the instep.

[0102] According to another variant, a flexible material is used such as a silicone material, for example of the same type as that constituting the lace according to the invention. The flexibility of a silicone material allows very good adaptation to the shape of the foot. Moreover, the silicone of the locking plate, like the silicone of the lace, would contribute to the locking of these 2 elements with respect to one another (no slipping: high coefficient of friction).

[0103] For use on elastomer type laces calling for donning and doffing without undoing the knots, the use of a stretch-resistant material is recommended.

[0104] The Structure of the BlocKnot Plate

[0105] Said plate generally has a rectangular shape. But it can have variants such as triangle, circle etc. It can also have shapes known as personalized, that can adopt the contour of a trade mark logo, for example.

[0106] Its dimensions can vary according to the nature of the material or the size of the shoe. The invention is often produced in dimensions known as standard, of 20 mm wide by 50 mm long. The ends are 50 mm wide by 100 mm long.

[0107] Its thickness also varies according to the thickness of the selected material Taking polypropylene as an example, a 20 mm by 50 mm plate will have a thickness varying between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm thick, 0.8 being a good average.

[0108] The holes for passage of the laces can have different shapes. Their size is generally smaller than the lace used. Passing the lace into the succession of 3 holes (as a minimum), which furthermore are smaller, locks the lace by braking effect and by gripping.

[0109] Embodiments of the BlocKnot plate according to the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings in which: [0110] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the BlocKnot plate in place on a shoe; [0111] FIG. 10 shows a face view of the plate shown on FIG. 9. [0112] FIG. 11 shows a view of the plate free of the shoe, with laces of the elastomer type positioned above without the shoe. [0113] FIGS. 12 to 14 show the different steps of installing the lace. [0114] FIG. 15 shows use with a flat textile lace. [0115] FIGS. 16 and 17 show possible finishes. [0116] FIG. 18 demonstrates the strength of the BlocKnot plate and the efficiency of the gripping system for shoelaces via a succession of holes. [0117] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the BlocKnot plate in place on a shoe, [0118] FIG. 20 shows the locking plate and the ends of the laces locked in the passages of the plate. [0119] FIGS. 21 to 25 show a method of use of the locking plate. [0120] FIG. 26 shows a face view of a part of the shoe with a lacing carried out using the silicone lace according to the invention and the locking plate according to the invention.