Pull-cord and pulley lacing system

Abstract

A convenient lacing system including a drawing mechanism, pulleys or some other form of low friction lace paths, an attachment point, and a lace. The lace terminates at the attachment point, and follows a path around the outside hemispheres of the pulleys (or through the lace paths), criss-crossing between the two rows of pulleys without the lace overlapping. The pulleys are aligned generally in two rows on either side of an area to be drawn together. A drawing mechanism is attached at the non-terminating end of the path of the lace, and through use of a pull-cord draws in the lace and tightens the item to which the system is attached by drawing the pulleys (lace paths) closer together. The use of pulleys allows the system to distribute tension evenly along the path of the lace, and aids in the convenience of tightening.

1 . A lacing system used to secure items which can be tightened with laces (shoes, boxing gloves, etc.) comprising: 
 a plurality of pulleys, affixed to the sides of an area to be drawn shut, in two rows; an attachment point on the material of item at a point located at the end of the path of the lace through the pulleys; a cord (lace) having two ends, one end attaching to the attachment point and the other to a drawing mechanism, said lace following a path around the outward sides (from the area to be drawn shut) of the pulleys and crossing back and forth across the closure area; and a self-contained drawing mechanism, located at the end of path of the lace opposite from the attachment point, operable by a pull-cord to draw the lace into the drawing mechanism thereby tightening the item to which the entire system is mounted (herein referred to as simply the “item”).    
     
     
         2 . The lacing system of  claim 1  wherein: the pulleys of the lacing system can be interchanged with other types of low resistance lace paths (eyelets, etc.)  
     
     
         3 . The lacing system of  claim 1  wherein: the lace repeatedly crosses the area to be drawn together through as many pulleys are used on a particular item, without the lace overlapping its own path.  
     
     
         4 . The lacing system of  claim 1  wherein: the attachment point for the terminating end of the lace may be of any type that is secure and durable enough for its application.  
     
     
         5 . The lacing system of  claim 1  wherein: the pulleys act to balance the tension along the lace path during tightening and use of the item.  
     
     
         6 . The lacing system of  claim 1  wherein: the pulleys are mounted to the item in such a manner as to be unhindered in rotational movement.  
     
     
         7 . The lacing system of  claim 1  wherein: the drawing mechanism of the lacing system comprises mechanical parts which draw the lace into the drawing mechanism when a pull-cord (which is part of the mechanism) is pulled outward from the drawing mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . The lacing system as in  claim 7  wherein: the pull-cord is attached to a spring loaded reel.  
     
     
         9 . The lacing system as in  claim 8  wherein: the spring loaded reel resists (compresses) when the pull-cord is pulled (unwinding itself from the reel).  
     
     
         10 . The lacing system as in  claim 7  wherein: pulling the pull-cord effects the turning of a draw pulley (to which the lace is attached in the drawing mechanism).  
     
     
         11 . The lacing system as in  claim 10  wherein: the draw pulley is held in position by the mechanical parts of the drawing mechanism when the pull cord is released.  
     
     
         12 . The lacing system as in  claim 9  wherein: mechanical means allow the spring loaded reel to draw the pull-cord back into the drawing mechanism when the pull-cord is released by the user, free to decompress independent of the rest of the drawing mechanism.  
     
     
         13 . The lacing system as in  claim 1  wherein: the drawing mechanism of the lacing system has a release mechanism, allowing the tension on the tightened lace to be released, freeing the lace.  
     
     
         14 . The lacing system as in  claim 13  wherein: the release mechanism stays in the released position by mechanical means until the pull-cord is again pulled.  
     
     
         15 . The lacing system as in  claim 14  wherein: mechanical means cause the release mechanism to disengage when the pull-cord is pulled, reconnecting the drawing mechanism, allowing the pull-cord to effect the drawing of the lace by way of turning the draw pulley.  
     
     
         16 . The lacing system as in  claim 1  wherein: all surfaces which contact while moving are made of low resistance material (example: shoe tongue and lace).