Fastener for a lace

Abstract

A fastener includes a pull unit having first and second pull-lace portions, and an intermediate part connected between the pull-lace portions. A tightening unit includes first and second lace holders connected pivotally to each other, and two clamps connected slidably and respectively to the lace holders. The first lace holder has two first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings, and two first pull-lace connectors connected to the first pull-lace portion. The second lace holder has two second rod sections, two hook portions extending respectively through the hook-connecting rings and fixed to the intermediate part, and two second pull-lace connectors connected to the second pull-lace portion. Each clamp has two ends attached slidably to the respective first or second rod sections such that each clamp divides a space between the first or second rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole.

1 . A fastener for a lace having two spaced-apart lace segments, comprising:
 a pull unit having opposite first and second pull-lace portions, and an intermediate part connected between said first and second pull-lace portions; and   a tightening unit disposed below said pull unit and including a first lace holder extending beneath said first pull-lace portion, a second lace holder connected pivotally to said first lace holder and extending beneath said second pull-lace portion, and first and second clamps connected slidably and respectively to said first and second lace holders, said first lace holder having two spaced-apart first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings each connected to a respective one of said first rod sections, a first cross rod section opposite to said hook-connecting rings and transverse to said first rod sections, and two first pull-lace connectors each connected between said first cross rod section and one of said first rod sections, said hook-connecting rings being disposed beneath said intermediate part, said first pull-lace connectors being connected to said first pull-lace portion, said second lace holder having two spaced-apart second rod sections, two hook portions each connected to a respective one of said second rod sections, a second cross rod section opposite to said hook portions and transverse to said second rod sections, and two second pull-lace connectors each connected between said second cross rod section and one of said second rod sections, said hook portions extending respectively through said hook-connecting rings and said intermediate part and fixed to said intermediate part, said second pull-lace connectors being connected to said second pull-lace portion, said first clamp having two ends attached respectively and slidably to said first rod sections such that said first clamp divides a space between said first rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two opposite sides of said first clamp, said second clamp having two ends attached respectively and slidably to said second rod sections such that said second clamp divides a space between said second rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two opposite sides of said second clamp;   wherein said lace entry holes of said first and second clamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in a bottom-to-top direction, and said lace exit holes of said first and second clamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in a top-to-bottom direction.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein each of said hook portions has an inverted L-shaped configuration, and has a first hook segment connected transversely to a corresponding one of said second rod sections, and a second hook segment connected transversely to said first hook segment and extending from said first hook segment toward said first hook segment of the other one of said hook portions, said first hook segments of said hook portions extending respectively through said hook-connecting rings and penetrating through said intermediate part, said second hook segments of said hook portions pressing a top face of said intermediate part. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , further comprising a protective sleeve sleeved around said second hook segments of said hook portions. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 3 , wherein each of said first and second lace holders is formed by bending a one-piece metal rod, each of said first pull-lace connectors being formed as a loop when extending toward said first cross rod section and penetrating through said first pull-lace portion, each of said second pull-lace connectors being formed as a loop when extending toward said second cross rod section and penetrating through said second pull-lace portion. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 4 , wherein said hook-connecting rings lie substantially on a plane coplanar with said first rod sections and said first cross rod section, said hook-connecting rings lying below said intermediate part. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 5 , further comprising a retaining ring surrounding said intermediate part of said pull unit.