Methods and apparatus for an eyestay coupling device

Abstract

An eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology include a center body portion and a plurality of coupling elements arranged along an outer edge or periphery of the center body portion. The coupling elements are configured to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe in place of a shoelace. The center body portion is flexible in at least one direction to allow a user to insert or remove their foot from the shoe. When a foot is positioned within the shoe, the center body portion pulls the coupling elements inwards towards each other to provide a secure fit around the user's foot.

1 . An eyestay coupling device for a shoe having multiple eyelets, comprising:
 a stretchable center body; and   a plurality of coupling elements disposed along an outer peripheral edge of the flexible body, wherein each coupling element is configured to be connected to an eyelet of the shoe.   
     
     
         2 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stretchable body comprises a plurality of body eyelets disposed along the outer peripheral edge; and   each of the plurality of coupling elements is configured to couple a single body eyelet to a single shoe eyelet.   
     
     
         3 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second plurality of body eyelets disposed adjacent to the first plurality of eyelets. 
     
     
         4 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 2 , wherein each coupling element comprises a dual-sided hook, wherein:
 a first end of the dual-sided hook is configured to connect to one of the body eyelets; and   a second end of the dual-sided hook if configured to connect to one of the shoe eyelets.   
     
     
         5 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a stretchable leg portion extending between the first and second ends of the dual-sided hook. 
     
     
         6 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 2 , wherein each coupling element comprises:
 a post element configured to be slid through a body eyelet and a shoe eyelet; and   a locking element configured to be positioned around the post element to secure the post element to the body eyelet and the shoe eyelet.   
     
     
         7 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 6 , wherein the post element comprises:
 a head portion; and   a post body having a locking element engagement section configured to hold the locking element in place on the post.   
     
     
         8 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the locking element engagement section comprises a threaded section disposed along a middle portion of the post body; and   the locking element comprises a nut configured to matably engage the threaded section.   
     
     
         9 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 8 , wherein the threaded section does not extend all of the way to the head portion. 
     
     
         10 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the locking element comprises a connector having an open center portion configured to fit around the post body; and   the locking element engagement section comprises a protrusion disposed along an end portion of the post body opposite the head portion that is configured to prevent the locking element from sliding off of the post body.   
     
     
         11 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of coupling elements are disposed along opposing first and second side edges of the stretchable body. 
     
     
         12 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements comprise a hook extending outwardly from the opposing first and second side edges of the stretchable body that is configured to be connected to an eyelet of the shoe. 
     
     
         13 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a stretchable leg portion extending between the side edge and the hook. 
     
     
         14 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of coupling elements comprise:
 a post element configured to be slid through a body eyelet and a shoe eyelet; and   a locking element configured to be positioned around the post element to secure the post element to the body eyelet and the shoe eyelet.   
     
     
         15 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 14 , wherein the post element comprises:
 a head portion; and   a post body having a locking element engagement section configured to hold the locking element in place on the post.   
     
     
         16 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the locking element engagement section comprises a threaded section disposed along a middle portion of the post body; and   the locking element comprises a nut configured to matably engage the threaded section.   
     
     
         17 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 16 , wherein the threaded section does not extend all of the way to the head portion. 
     
     
         18 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 14 , further comprising a stretchable leg portion extending between the side edge and the coupling element. 
     
     
         19 . An eyestay coupling device according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the locking element comprises a connector having an open center portion configured to fit around the post body; and   the locking element engagement section comprises a protrusion disposed along an end portion of the post body opposite the head portion that is configured to prevent the locking element from sliding off of the post body.