Adjustable shoelace fastener and method of use

Abstract

An improved method for fastening shoes with shoelaces having a first end and an opposing second end includes a spanning member having a hole to accommodate the first end, and a slot preferably sized for an interference fit with the second end. The first end is passed through the hole and knotted, preventing it from passing back through the hole. The second end is pulled to tighten the shoelace, knotted and anchored in the slot, maintaining the taut shoelace securely in place. With multiple holes and multiple slots, the tautness of a shoelace can be adjusted. The spanning member remains in place on a shoe when not in use, held by the knot in the first end. For convenience, a user may tie another knot in the second end, with a loop sized to receive a finger, for easily grasping the second end and sliding it into a slot.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of fastening a tie shoe being worn on a user's foot, the shoe having a shoelace with a first end and an opposing second end, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a spanning member having a hole sized to allow the first end of the shoelace to pass through the hole, and a slot sized for an interference fit with the second end of the shoelace;   passing the first end through the hole;   forming a knot in the first end to prevent the first end from passing back through the hole; pulling the second end such that the shoelace is taut;   forming a knot in the second end; and   sliding the second end into the slot, thereby anchoring the second end and maintaining the shoelace taut and securing the tie shoe on the user's foot.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the spanning member has multiple slots such that the position of the second end is adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of forming a loop in the second end, the loop sized to receive a finger of the user for grasping the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of passing the first end through the slot. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of disengaging the second end from the slot, to loosen the shoelace while leaving the first end attached to the spanning member when unfastening the tie shoe. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of forming the hole closer to a medial side of the tie shoe, and forming the slot closer to a lateral side of the tie shoe. 
     
     
         7 . A method of fastening a tie shoe being worn on a user's foot, the tie shoe having a shoelace with a first end and an opposing second end, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a spanning member having a hole sized to allow the first end of the shoelace to pass through the hole, and a slot sized to accommodate the second end;   passing the first end through the hole;   forming a knot in the first end to prevent it from passing back through the hole; forming a loop in the second end;   pulling the second end such that the shoelace is taut;   placing the second end in the slot to prevent the loop from passing through the slot, thereby maintaining the shoelace taut and securing the shoe on the user's foot.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the spanning member has multiple slots. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of passing the first end through the slot. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of disengaging the second end from the slot to loosen the shoelace while leaving the first end attached to the spanning member. 
     
     
         11 . A device for adjustably tensioning a shoelace in a shoe having an upper medial eyelet and an upper lateral eyelet, the shoelace having a first end and an opposing second end, the device comprising:
 a spanning member having a perimeter;   at least one hole extending through the spanning member, the hole sized to allow the first end to pass freely through the hole;   at least one slot extending from the perimeter inward into the spanning member, the slot sized to hold the second end in an interference fit when secured therein.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the hole is sized to prevent a knot on the first end from passing through the hole. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the spanning member is elongated, spanning across the upper medial eyelet and the upper lateral eyelet of the shoe. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the spanning member is contoured to nest against the shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the spanning member has multiple slots. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the spanning member has multiple slots having entrances along opposite sides of the perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the slot and the second end are sized to prevent the second end from sliding through the slot. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the slot has a narrowed entrance at the perimeter. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the slot has a reduced width terminal end to constrict the second end.