Closure for shoelaces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure for clamping shoelaces of shoes in place, having a clamping device, by means of which the shoelaces ( 18, 20 ) can be fixed in place, and which is arranged in a housing ( 312 ) forming a chamber for receiving the ends of the shoelaces ( 18, 20 ). For creating a shoelace closure, which prevents the ends of the shoelaces from dangling loosely, the shoelaces ( 18, 20 ) can be introduced through at least one opening ( 320, 322 ) into the chamber, and the clamping device is embodied in the chamber, where at least one clamping face is immovably maintained on the housing ( 312 ). A cover ( 316 ), closing off the chamber, is movable between an open position, in which the clamping device and the ends of the shoelaces are easily accessible, and a closed position, in which the chamber, along with the ends of the shoelaces located therein, is closed.

1 . A closure for securing shoelaces in place in shoes, having a housing constituting a chamber for receiving the ends of the shoelaces, and a clamping device holding the tightened shoelaces, wherein the shoelaces can be introduced into the chamber through at least one opening, characterized in that the clamping device is formed in the chamber, and at least one clamping face is immovably fixed on the housing, and that a cover, which closes the chamber off, is provided and is movable between an open position, in which the shoelaces and the clamping device are accessible, and a closed position, in which the chamber, with the ends of the shoelaces located in it, is closed. 
     
     
         2 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the cover is pivotably fastened on the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the housing is concavely shaped on its underside and is preferably flexibly elastic in such a way that it can be matched to the shape of the place of application. 
     
     
         4 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the housing is oblong, and that two openings are arranged on the underside for respectively one end of a shoelace. 
     
     
         5 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the clamping device for the shoelaces is embodied by respectively one gap, which tapers toward one end, so that the shoelace is clamped in the tapered area. 
     
     
         6 . The closure in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that the gaps point toward each other with their tapered ends. 
     
     
         7 . The closure in accordance with  claim 6 , characterized in that the openings are located between the gaps. 
     
     
         8 . The closure in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that the gaps are respectively formed by a strip protruding inward from the housing and by the housing bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The closure in accordance with  claim 8 , characterized that the loose ends of the shoelaces can be wound around the strips. 
     
     
         10 . The closure in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that a protrusion is formed on the housing, behind which the ends of the shoelaces can be fixed in place. 
     
     
         11 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the clamping device is constituted by at least one releasable clamping place having a rigid and a movable clamping face, and the rigid clamping face is formed directly on the housing, while a spring presses the movable clamping face in the direction of the rigid clamping face. 
     
     
         12 . The closure in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that a clamping device with self-locking properties or with a mechanical dead center device is provided for pushing the movable clamping face against the ends of the shoelaces and to fix the latter in place between the clamping faces in this way. 
     
     
         13 . The closure in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that a first and a second clamping place are provided at a defined distance from each other on the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The closure in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that the movable clamping faces of the first and second clamping places are provided on a single closure element. 
     
     
         15 . The closure in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized in that the closure element is movably maintained on the housing, so that the direction of movement of the movable clamping faces extends substantially parallel in respect to rigid clamping faces, and the shoelaces are thicker than the distance between the rigid and the movable clamping faces. 
     
     
         16 . The closure in accordance with  claim 15 , characterized in that the movable clamping faces are constituted by a first and a second closure element, each of which is pivotably fastened on the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that a releasable housing closure is provided between the cover and the housing.