Lacing system

Abstract

A lacing system includes a lace loop attached to a strap. The lace loop is threaded through eyelets of a sneaker, in such a manner that, a single pull on the strap, causes the lace segments to move through the eyelets of the sneaker opening, so that the entire length of the opening contracts simultaneously. This pull lifts the entire arch area, thus providing better support. The lace segments converge at the strap, near the ankle, thus providing better support at the ankle. Additional lace segments could be disposed above the arch to provide better arch support. A strap or fastening member may attach to the sneaker by either a ratchet buckle, clasp, hook, snap, or a hook-and-loop fastener. The sneaker opens to it's maximum width, automatically when the user steps out.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lacing system comprising: 
 (a) at least three lace segments;    (b) a movable fastener, said at least three lace segments converging at said movable fastener;    (c) a shoe having a first side and a second side defining an adjustable opening therebetween, said first side having a plurality of eyelets, said second side having a plurality of eyelets;    (d) a fixed fastener disposed on said shoe;    (e) wherein at least two of said at least three lace segments extend radially from said movable fastener, and said at least three lace segments attach to said plurality of eyelets on said first side, and then said at least three lace segments attach to said plurality of eyelets on said second side, and then at least two of said at least three lace segments attach to said plurality of eyelets on said first side again, thereby crossing over each other;    (f) whereby pulling on said movable fastener during movement of said movable fastener towards said fixed fastener, causes said at least three lace segments to contract said adjustable opening; and    (g) said movable fastener being engagable with said fixed fastener to fasten said contraction of said adjustable opening.    
     
     
         2 . A lacing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least three lace segments have at least two ends and said at least two ends are secured.  
     
     
         3 . A lacing system according to  claim 1 , wherein additional lace segments are disposed across an area of said adjustable opening.  
     
     
         4 . A lacing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said eyelets on said first side are offset from said eyelets on said second side, causing said at least three lace segments to be diagonally disposed with respect to said adjustable opening, thus forming a V-shaped gap with said second side.  
     
     
         5 . A lacing system according to  claim 4 , wherein in said fastened position, said at least two of said at least three lace segments extend radially from said movable fastener through said eyelets on said first side, thereby closing said V-shaped gap and criss-crossing with respect to said at least three lace segments extending between said first side and said second side.  
     
     
         6 . A lacing system comprising: 
 (a) at least three lace segments;    (b) a movable fastener, said at least three lace segments converging at said movable fastener;    (c) an item having a first side and a second side defining an adjustable opening therebetween, said first side having a plurality of eyelets, said second side having a plurality of eyelets;    (d) a fixed fastener disposed on said item;    (e) wherein at least two of said at least three lace segments extend radially from said movable fastener, and said at least three lace segments attach to said plurality of eyelets on said first side, and then said at least three lace segments attach to said plurality of eyelets on said second side, and then at least two of said at least three lace segments attach to said plurality of eyelets on said first side again, thereby crossing over each other;    (f) whereby pulling on said movable fastener during movement of said movable fastener towards said fixed fastener, causes said at least three lace segments to contract said adjustable opening; and    (g) said movable fastener being engagable with said fixed fastener to fasten said contraction of said adjustable opening.    
     
     
         7 . A lacing system according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least three lace segments have at least two ends and said at least two ends are secured.  
     
     
         8 . A lacing system according to  claim 6 , wherein additional lace segments are disposed across an area of said adjustable opening.  
     
     
         9 . A lacing system according to  claim 6 , wherein said eyelets on said first side are offset from said eyelets on said second side, causing said at least three lace segments to be diagonally disposed with respect to said adjustable opening, thus forming a V-shaped gap with said second side.  
     
     
         10 . A lacing system according to  claim 9 , wherein in said fastened position, said at least two of said at least three lace segments extend radially from said movable fastener through said eyelets on said first side, thereby closing said V-shaped gap and criss-crossing with respect to said at least three lace segments extending between said first side and said second side.  
     
     
         11 . A method for operating a lacing system on a shoe, 
 said shoe having lace segments, said lace segments extending radially from a movable fastener, said movable fastener being engagable with a fixed fastener, said fixed fastener disposed on said shoe, said shoe having a first side and a second side defining an adjustable opening therebetween, the adjustable opening having a near portion and a far portion, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) adjusting said lace segments by moving said movable fastener and said lace segments until said lace segments extending radially from said movable fastener are taut;  
 (b) pulling the movable fastener to said first side of the shoe to contract the far portion of the adjustable opening;  
 (c) moving said movable fastener in a substantial arc, while maintaining tension on said movable fastener, to said second side of said shoe, thereby contracting the near portion of said adjustable opening; and  
 (d) engaging said movable fastener with said fixed fastener.  
   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: 
 after step (b) and before step (c), lifting said movable fastener to tighten the arch area of said shoe.    
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: 
 before step (d), choosing said fixed fastener to engage.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (e) disengaging said movable fastener from said fixed fastener;    (f) applying pressure to said lace segments to expand said adjustable opening.    
     
     
         15 . A method for lacing an adjustable opening of an shoe, the shoe having a first side and a second side defining an adjustable opening therebetween, said first side having a plurality of eyelets, said second side having a plurality of eyelets, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) attaching at least three lace segments to a moveable fastener;    (b) radiating at least two of said at least three lace segments from the movable fastener;    (c) attaching said at least three lace segments to plurality of eyelets on the first side;    (d) attaching said at least three lace segments to plurality of eyelets on the second side, so that said three lace segments are diagonally disposed with respect to said adjustable opening;    (e) attaching at least two of said at least three lace segments to a plurality of eyelets on said first side once again, thereby criss-crossing some of the lace segments over each other; and    (f) disposing at least one fixed fastener on the shoe for selectively engaging with said movable fastener.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 securing the ends of said at least three lace segments    
     
     
         17 . A method for operating a lacing system on an item, said item having lace segments, said lace segments extending radially from a movable fastener, said movable fastener being engagable with a fixed fastener, said fixed fastener disposed on said item, said item having a first side and a second side defining an adjustable opening therebetween, the adjustable opening having a near portion and a far portion, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) adjusting said lace segments by moving said movable fastener and said lace segments, until said lace segments extending radially from said movable fastener are taut;    (b) pulling the movable fastener to said first side of the item to contract the far portion of the adjustable opening;    (c) moving said movable fastener in a substantial arc, while maintaining tension on said movable fastener, to said second side of said item, thereby contracting the near portion of said adjustable opening; and    (d) engaging said movable fastener with said fixed fastener.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of: 
 after step (b) and before step (c), lifting said movable fastener to tighten an area of said item.    
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of: 
 before step (d), choosing said fixed fastener to engage.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (e) disengaging said movable fastener from said fixed fastener;    (f) applying pressure to said lace segments to expand said adjustable opening.    
     
     
         21 . A method for lacing an adjustable opening of an item, the item having a first side and a second side defining an adjustable opening therebetween, said first side having a plurality of eyelets, said second side having a plurality of eyelets, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) attaching at least three lace segments to a moveable fastener;    (b) radiating at least two of said at least three lace segments from the movable fastener;    (c) attaching said at least three lace segments to plurality of eyelets on the first side;    (d) attaching said at least three lace segments to plurality of eyelets on the second side, so that said three lace segments are diagonally disposed with respect to said adjustable opening;    (e) attaching at least two of said at least three lace segments to plurality of eyelets on said first side once again, thereby criss-crossing some of the lace segments over each other; and    (f) disposing at least one fixed fastener on the item for selectively engaging with said movable fastener.    
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , further comprising the step of: 
 securing the ends of said at least three lace segments.