Shoelace replacement system and method

Abstract

A shoelace substitute approximates the look and function of a shoelace and includes a length of elastic material and two barbs. The barbs are each placed at and contain one of the ends of the elastic material, being crimped around the end of the elastic material to form a T. The barbs are sized to be inserted through eyelets of the shoe to connect opposite eyelets in the same manner as a shoelace. An associated method allows for replacement of the shoelace with a number of such shoelace substitutes, each connecting a pair of eyelets. The color and shape of the elastic material may be varied to coordinate with various kinds of shoes. The effect is to create a “slip-on” shoe from a “lace-up” shoe.

1 . A shoelace substitute for approximating the look and function of a shoelace in a shoe, comprising:
 a length of elastic material having first and second ends; and   two barbs each disposed at and containing one of the ends of the elastic material, each of the barbs being crimped about its respective end of the elastic material to form a T;   wherein each of the barbs is sized for linear insertion through an eyelet of the shoe and rotation whereby the barb is prevented from withdrawal from the eyelet and respective eyelets are connected by the elastic material.   
     
     
         2 . A shoelace substitute according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic material is substantially flat to approximate the appearance of an athletic shoelace. 
     
     
         3 . A shoelace substitute according to  claim 2 , wherein the elastic material defines a plane, and the barb is linearly oriented substantially orthogonal to the plane of the elastic material during crimping. 
     
     
         4 . A shoelace substitute according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic material is substantially round in cross-section to approximate the appearance of a dress shoelace. 
     
     
         5 . A shoelace substitute according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of elastic material is selected to resist casual separation of the respective eyelets to prevent the shoe from being easily dislodged from a wearer's foot during use. 
     
     
         6 . A shoelace substitute according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic material is colored to match the shoe. 
     
     
         7 . A shoelace system for approximating the look and function of a shoelace in a shoe, comprising:
 a plurality of shoelace substitutes, each comprising a length of elastic material having first and second ends and two barbs each disposed at and containing one of the ends of the elastic material, each of the barbs being crimped about its respective end of the elastic material to form a T;   wherein each of the barbs is sized for linear insertion through an eyelet of the shoe and rotation whereby the barb is prevented from withdrawal from the eyelet and respective eyelets are connected by the elastic material; and   wherein each of the shoelace substitutes is disposable to connect opposite eyelets of the shoe to prevent the shoe from being easily dislodged from the wearer's foot.   
     
     
         8 . A shoelace system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the lengths of elastic material is substantially flat to approximate the appearance of an athletic shoelace. 
     
     
         9 . A shoelace system according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the lengths of elastic material defines a plane, and each of the associated barbs is linearly oriented substantially orthogonal to the plane of the respective elastic material. 
     
     
         10 . A shoelace system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the lengths of elastic material is substantially round in cross-section to approximate the appearance of a dress shoelace. 
     
     
         11 . A shoelace system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the lengths of elastic material are long enough to permit the shoe to be easily donned by elongating the elastic material and short enough to prevent the shoe from being easily dislodged from a wearer's foot during use. 
     
     
         12 . A shoelace system according to  claim 7 , wherein the elastic material is colored to match the shoe. 
     
     
         13 . A method of replacing a shoelace in a shoe having a plurality of eyelets disposed sequentially in pairs along left and right sides of an upper portion of the shoe disposed along and above a tongue, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a length of elastic material having a cross-sectional profile approximately the same as that of the shoelace, the length being selected so as to traverse the distance between one of the eyelets along one of the sides and a corresponding eyelet along the other of the sides under slight elastic elongation, and each end of the elastic material being provided with a barb disposed to form a T with the elastic material;   (b) inserting one of the barbs through the one of the eyelets to dispose the barb between the eyelet and the tongue;   (c) elongating the elastic material; and   (d) inserting the other of the barb through the corresponding eyelet to dispose the barb between the corresponding eyelet and the tongue;   whereby the eyelets are joined by the elastic material to approximate the look and function of the shoelace.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , comprising the further step of:
 (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of the pairs of eyelets.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the color and shape of the elastic material are selected to coordinate with the type and color of the shoe.