[0001] The present invention relates to a hook for footwear.
[0002] In particular, the hook for footwear in question offers advantageous constructional
features which allow reducing the time for the production thereof and, at the same
time, allow for a free sliding of the laces guided therein without narrowings. Moreover,
a hook for footwear according to the invention is easy to make and reliable even after
a prolonged service life.
[0003] 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 side view of a hook for footwear according to the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the hook of Fig. 1.
[0004] Reduced to its basic structure, and reference being made to the figures of the attached
drawings, a hook for footwear according to the present invention comprises:
- a base structure (1) able to be associated with the vamp of a shoe (not shown in the
drawings), formed by bending a metal strap and defining a channel (10) for the passage
of a lace;
- a body (2) facilitating the sliding of the lace, of substantially cylindrical shape
with a circumferential groove (20), the upper and lower bases (21; 22) of said body
(2) being convex and engaged for freely rotating in corresponding opposite seats exhibited
by the structure (1).
[0005] The said body (2) cooperates with said structure (1) for delimiting the channel (10)
within which the lace is made to slide, and its longitudinal axis intercepts the centres
of the two seats provided for the positioning of the bases (21) and (22).
[0006] According to the example shown in the figures of the attached drawings, the seats
for the said bases (21, 22) are made up of two through holes (15, 16) formed in the
strap of the structure (1): the said holes (15, 16) being positioned in such a way
that the axis (a-a) which ideally joins the centres thereof will result orthogonal
to the lower base (11) of the structure (1) after the bending of the strap.
[0007] Also shown in the drawings are two holes (12, 13) formed in the structure of the
strap (1) and which, after the bending of the same strap, result coaxial to allow
the attachment of the hook to the vamp by known means.
[0008] Moreover, the edges (14) of the strap may be suitably folded up outwardly or anyhow
rounded or chamfered to avoid sharp edges which may cause an excessive wear of the
lace. The rounding of the edges (14) may interest either only a limited region of
the strap, as shown in the drawings, or the whole development thereof.
[0009] The convexity of the bases (21, 22) of body (2) is of great help in the positioning
thereof into the seats (15, 26) thus resulting in a self-centering effect both before
and after the bending of the sheet with a significant advantage as far as the assembly
of the hook is concerned.
[0010] In the assembled condition, as shown in the attached drawings, the body (2) makes
it easy for the lace to slide through the channel (10), by rotating about its longitudinal
axis which corresponds to the axis (a-a) ideally joining the centres of the seats
provided for the bases (21, 22) of the same body.
[0011] The dimensions of the said bases (21, 22) are suitably chosen so that, in the assembled
condition, only a reduced portion thereof will come out of the holes (15, 16).
1. Hook for footwear
characterized in that it comprises :
- a base structure (1) able to be associated with the vamp of a shoe, formed by bending
a metal strap and defining a channel (10) for the passage of a lace;
- a body (2) facilitating the sliding of the lace, of substantially cylindrical shape
with a circumferential groove (20), the upper and lower bases (21; 22) of said body
(2) being convex and engaged for freely rotating in corresponding opposite seats exhibited
by the structure (1).
2. Hook according to claim 1, characterized in that the seats for said bases (21, 22) are made up of two through holes (15, 16) formed
in the strap of the structure (1): the said holes (15, 16) being positioned in such
a way that the axis (a-a) which ideally joins the centres thereof will result orthogonal
to the lower base (11) of the structure (1) after the bending of the strap.
3. Hook for footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the edges (14) of said sheet are folded over outwardly or rounded or chamfered in
part or along the whole development of the sheet.
4. Hook for footwear according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a portion of each of said bases (21, 22) comes partially out of the relevant receiving
hole (15, 16).
