Lace locking system

Abstract

A lace or draw string fastening system can include a clamping unit and a capture element. The clamping unit can clamp onto the laces, such as shoe laces, to tighten the shoes and the capture element can capture and contain the free ends of the laces that extend from the clamping unit to prevent tripping by securing them to other portions of the laces or the article that houses the laces. The fastening system can be used in a shoe lace fastening system without the need for knot tying. The clamping unit can clamp the laces together at the top of the shoe to hold the laces tight while the capture element can contain or secure the free ends of the shoe lace to the shoe or the laces adjacent the toe to prevent tripping.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastening system for fastening a lace on an article of clothing, the system comprising:
 a first clamping element, the first clamping element comprising a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled to the clamp base and adapted to clamp on to a lace positioned between the clamp base and the cam element;   the cam element including a cam lever and a cam, wherein the cam element can be rotated between an open position to a closed and the cam becomes closer to the clamp base as the cam element is rotated from the open position to the closed position to clamp on to a lace that can be placed between the cam and the clamp base; and   a second clamping element, the second clamping element including a first jaw connected to a second jaw by hinge enabling the second jaw to rotate between an open position and a closed position, the second clamping element including a latch, securing the second jaw in the closed position, and a hook enabling the second clamping element to be attached to the article of clothing.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening system according to  claim 1  wherein clamp base includes a bottom wall and a lace can be clamped between the cam and the bottom wall. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening system according to  claim 1  wherein clamp base includes a cross bar and a lace can be clamped between the cam and the cross bar. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening system according to  claim 1  further comprising a pivot element at one end of the cam lever and the pivot element extends transverse to the cam lever. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening system according to  claim 4  wherein the cam extends from the pivot element. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening system according to  claim 4  wherein the cam extends from the cam lever at a position between the pivot element and an end opposite the one end including the pivot element. 
     
     
         7 . The fastening system according to  claim 4  wherein the clamp base includes a pair of side walls and the pivot element extends into openings in the side walls. 
     
     
         8 . The fastening system according to  claim 7  wherein the cam lever includes at least one projecting portion, extending transverse to the cam lever and in the closed position, engages the side wall of the clamp base. 
     
     
         9 . The fastening system according to  claim 7  wherein the at least one projecting portion, when the cam lever is in the closed position, engages a depression in the side wall of the clamp base. 
     
     
         10 . A shoe lace fastening system comprising:
 a clamping unit and a capture element;   the clamping unit including a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled to the clamp base and adapted to clamp on to one or more laces positioned between the clamp base and the cam element; and   the capture element unit engaging a first portion of the one or more laces and coupling them to a second portion of the one or more laces of a shoe.   
     
     
         11 . The shoe lace fastening system according to  claim 10  wherein the capture element includes at least one hook adapted to capture the first portion of the one or more laces. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe lace fastening system according to  claim 10  wherein the capture element includes a closeable loop. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe lace fastening system according to  claim 10  wherein the capture element includes a wire wound in a loop. 
     
     
         14 . A method of fastening laces of a shoe comprising:
 providing a first clamping unit having a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled to the clamp base and adapted to clamp on to one or more laces positioned between the clamp base and the cam element;   threading the one or more laces through the first clamping unit between the clamp base and the cam element;   clamping the first clamping unit in position on the one or more laces while the one or more laces are pulled to a desired tightness to secure the shoe on the foot;   providing a second clamping unit having a first jaw connected to a second jaw by hinge enabling the second jaw to rotate between an open position and a closed position, the second clamp including at least one latch securing the second jaw in the closed position, and   clamping a second clamping unit to a portion of the one or more laces extending from the first clamping unit.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the second clamping unit includes a hook enabling the second clamping unit to hook on to a portion of the one or more laces of the shoe; and the method further includes hooking the second clamping unit on the one or more laces of the shoe.