[0001] The present invention relates to a hook for laces, especially a lace-guiding hook
for footwear to be used in the accident-prevention field.
[0002] It is known that the shoes used by those who operate in work environments with risk
of accidents must have special characteristics, among which the possibility of being
taken off as quickly as possible both after an accident and upon an impending danger
such as, for example, when a foot of the operator gets caught in a point of the work
environment exposed to the transit of vehicles, carriages or loads moved by other
machines, or exposed to the risk of toxic or high-temperature fluids leakage.
[0003] The main object of the present invention is to propose a hook for laces which is
practical, safe, cost-effective and allowing readily loosening the laces and, consequently,
taking off the shoe very quickly.
[0004] This result has been achieved, according to the invention, by adopting the idea of
making an apparatus having the characteristics disclosed in the claim 1. Further characteristics
of the present invention being set forth in the dependent claims.
[0005] The advantages deriving from the present invention lie in the fact that, in an emergency
situation, it is possible loosening the laces with maximum ease, rapidity and safety
and, at the same time, ensuring a proper ritention of the laces under normal conditions.
[0006] Besides, a hook for laces according to the invention is easy to make, cost-effective
and reliable also after a prolonged service life.
[0007] These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be best understood
by anyone skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction
with the attached drawings given as a practical exemplification of the invention,
but not to be considered in a limitative sense, wherein:
- Fig. 1 is a schematic, antero-lateral perspective view of a hook for footwear, according
to the invention, in closed condition;
- Fig. 2 is a schematic, perspective bottom view of the hook of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the hook of Fig. 1; and
- Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-section view of the front portion of the second element.
[0008] Reduced to its basic structure, and reference being made to the figures of the attached
drawings, a hook for footwear according to the invention is made up of a first and
second elements (1, 2). The first element (1) is intended to be attached to a preset
point of the vamp (3) of a shoe. For example, the said first element (1) can be attached
to the vamp (3) by means of a rivet or the like disposed through a hole (10) formed
in the same first element (1) in correspondence of its rear portion, that is, in correspondence
of a portion exhibiting a surface (12) intended to make contact with the vamp (3).
The said first element (1) is also provided with a front portion (13) having a profile
substantially hook-shaped, that is, a profile in the form of a circle arc with angular
extension larger than 180°, with the concavity facing said surface (12). For example,
the said first element (1) may be made in a single piece by die-casting technique.
[0009] The second element (2) of the present hook also has a front portion (20) and a rear
portion (21). It may be made in one moulded piece of plastic material, such as nylon
66, for example. The front portion (20) of said second element (2) has a crook-like
profile, that is, a profile of circle arc of angular extension larger than 180°. The
concavity of the front portion (20) of the second element (2) faces the axis of longitudinal
development of the rear portion (21). Provided in correspondence of the region (200)
joining the front and rear portions (20, 21) of the second element (2) is a slit (22)
whose width (a) corresponds substantially to that of the front portion (13) of the
first element (1).
[0010] In practice, when viewed in profile, each of said two elements (1, 2) has a shape
like the body of a question mark.
[0011] The outer diameter of the front portion (20) of the second element (2) is the same
as the inner diameter of the front portion (13) of the first element (1) so that,
as best described later on, these two portions are able to slide on each other.
[0012] When the rear portion (21) of the second element (2) lies on the corresponding portion
(11) of the first element (1), as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the two front portions (13,
20) of the two elements delimit, with the respective concavities facing one another,
a transverse bore (4) the axis of which is marked with (b) in Fig.3 and inside which
the lace (not shown) is made to pass to tighten the vamp on the foot.
[0013] When the rear portion (21) of the second element (2) is lifted as indicated by the
arrow (U) in Fig. 3, so that it results disposed like in Fig. 2, the corresponding
consequent rotation of the front portion (20) about the axis (b) causes the bore (4)
to open up on one side, which side is precisely that of the hook facing the vamp (3),
so that the lace can come out of it and become loose.
[0014] Advantageously, in correspondence of both its sides, the front portion (20) of the
second element (2) exhibits a projecting edge (23) which forms a groove (24) between
the sides of the same portion (20) which, during the rotation of the second element
(2) about the said axis (b), is able to slide with a slight friction onto the inner
surface (130) of the first element (1), thereby contributing to stabilizing the rotation.
[0015] Also advantageously, provision is made, as schematically shown in Fig. 4, that each
of the two sides of the front portion (20) of the second element (2) will converge
towards the groove (24) delimited by said edges (23).
[0016] Moreover, advantageously, the rear portion (21) of the second element (2) is longer
than the corresponding portion (11) of the first element (1), thereby projecting rearwardly
of the latter and allowing the said rotation to be performed easily by only a finger
of a hand. Alternatively, the rear portion (21) of the second element (2) is shorter
than the corresponding portion (11) of the first element (2) to allow holding it by
both sides with two fingers of one hand, instead of by a rear hold.
[0017] The assembly of the two elements (1, 2) is made as follows.
The second element (2) is made to rest on the first (1) so that one side of the respective
front portion (20) will result on one side of the front portion (13) of the first
element (1), and that the region (200), joining the front and rear portions of the
second element (2), will result between the two ends (131, 132) of the front arc-shape
portion (13) of the first element. Then, a slight pressure is exerted on the second
element (2), pushing it towards the first, thereby facilitating the flexing of said
side, that is, the flexing of the relevant edge (23), firstly in the direction of
the groove (24) and then in the opposite direction, so that the inner surface of the
portion (13) of the first element (1) will result in contact with the groove (24)
of the second element (2).
[0018] Finally, the second element (2) is pivoted about the said axis (b), by passing the
end (131) of the front portion (13) of the first element (1) through the slit (22)
of the second element (2).
[0019] In conclusion, a hook for laces according to the present invention is made up of
two elements (1, 2) having coaxial portions (13, 20) and engaged to each other, the
first element (1) intended to be fixed to the vamp of a shoe, while the second (2)
is pivotable about the common axis (b) of the coaxial portions: the coaxial portions
(13, 20) of said elements (1, 2) delimiting, in cooperation with each other, a bore
(4) for the passage of a lace which results either fully closed or open on one side,
depending on the mutual angular position of the two elements (1, 2).
[0020] The above description outlines the safe operation and simple construction of the
proposed hook, which hook is formed by only two pieces and does not exhibit or require
any auxiliary member, such as pins or the like for the interconnection thereof.
1. Hook for laces of footwear, characterized in that it is made up of a first and second elements (1, 2) having coaxial portions (13,
20) and engaged to each other, the first element (1) intended to be fixed to the vamp
of a shoe, while the second (2) is pivotable about the common axis (b) of the coaxial
portions: the coaxial portions (13, 20) of said elements (1, 2) delimiting, in cooperation
with each other, a bore (4) for the passage of a lace which results either fully closed
or open on one side, depending on the mutual angular position of the two elements
(1, 2).
2. Hook for laces according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said elements (1, 2) has a front portion (13, 20) and a rear portion (11,
21), the front portions (13, 20) of the two elements being coaxial with each other,
the second element (2) having a slit (22) in correspondence of the region joining
the respective front and rear portions, the front portion (13) of the first element
(1) going through the said slit.
3. Hook for laces according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the front portions (13, 20) of the said two elements (1, 2) have a profile like a
circle arc of angular extension larger than 180°, and in that the outer diameter of the front portion (20) of the second element (2) is equal to
the inner diameter of the front portion (13) of the first element (1).
4. Hook for laces according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the front portion (20) of the second element (2) has a groove (24) for sliding onto
the inner surface (130) of the first element (1).
5. Hook for laces according to claim 1, characterized in that the said groove (24) is delimited laterally by two sides with projecting edges (23)
of the rear portion (20) of the second element (2): the said sides being convergent
towards the said groove (24).
6. Hook for laces according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that the rear portion (21) of the second element (2) is longer than the corresponding
portion (11) of the first element (1).
7. Hook for laces according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rear portion (21) of the second element (2) is wider than the corresponding portion
(11) of the first element (1).