Lacing system methods and apparatuses

Abstract

The present invention is a lace locking system that eliminates the inconveniences of a conventional lacing system. The design reroutes laces behind the ankle to a “T pull” handle that incorporates a “lace lock” that allows length adjustment to the laces. When the “T-pull” handle is pulled upon, the laces cinch and the handle is then placed into its rest. This provides the user with a “memory lace system” so the laces do not have to be adjusted and tied every time a shoe or skate is placed onto a foot.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising: 
 a foot section having opposing sides;    a cuff section;    at least one lace;    the at least one lace woven between the opposing sides;    a pull, and    the pull having at least one lace lock, the at least one lace lock being couple to the cuff section such that when the at least one lace lock can be positioned in a tightened position,    wherein the at least one lace lock locks the at least one lace in the tightened position.    
     
     
         2 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull has at least one horizontal extension to facilitate positioning the pull in the tightened position.  
     
     
         3 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull further comprises: 
 a rest coupled to the cuff section; and    the rest is releasably coupled to the lace lock, such that the pull is in the tightened position.    
     
     
         4 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull further comprises: 
 a rest coupled to the cuff section;    the rest having a pivot; and    an extension,    wherein the lace lock is coupled to the extension such that the extension can pivot between a loosened positing and the tightened position.    
     
     
         5 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lace lock further comprises a release such that actuating the release unlocks the lace.  
     
     
         6 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lace lock is a clamp.  
     
     
         7 . The article according to  claim 5 , where the release is biased to maintain the at least one lace locked in the at least one lace lock.  
     
     
         8 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lace is a continuous loop.  
     
     
         9 . The article according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a rest, the rest comprising a channel that can be releasably couple to the at least one lace lock; and    the at least one lace lock further comprises a horizontal portion and a vertical portion to facilitate moving the at least one lace lock, such that    when the vertical portion of the at least one lace lock fits in the channel such that the at least one lace lock is releasably coupled to the rest and the pull is in the tightened position.    
     
     
         10 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the footwear comprises at least one of ice skates, hiking boots, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, sneakers, and biking shoes.  
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear, comprising: 
 a foot section having opposing sides;    a cuff section;    at least one lace;    means for locking the at least one lace coupled to the cuff section,    wherein means for locking the at least one lace locks the at least one lace in a tightened position.    
     
     
         12 . The article according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for locking further comprises means for unlocking the at least one lace such that actuation of the release unlocks the at least one lace.  
     
     
         13 . The article according to  claim 11 , wherein: 
 the means for locking includes at least one lace lock and at least one rest;    the at least one rest is coupled to the cuff; and    the at least one lace lock is releasably coupled to the at least one rest.    
     
     
         14 . The article according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one rest comprises a channel and the at least one lace lock comprises a plug portion capable of fitting in the channel to releasably couple the at least one lace lock to the at least one rest.  
     
     
         15 . The article according to  claim 13 , wherein the channel and plug are at least one of vertically oriented, horizontally oriented, or diagonally oriented.  
     
     
         16 . A method of lacing footwear, comprising the steps of 
 tightening at least one lace in an article of footwear;    locking the at least one lace in at least one lace lock;    releasably coupling the at least one lace lock to the cuff;    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 threading the at least one lace through the at least one lace lock.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the locking step comprises the step of pivoting the at least one lace lock between a loosened position and a tightened position.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: 
 decoupling the at least one lace lock from the cuff to allow the footwear to be loosened.