Quick release shoe laces

Abstract

Devices and method are disclosed for provision of a quick release lacing system for shoes. A lace is fitted with a releasable connector that can be activated manually or automatically to disconnect the laces, allowing the wearer to then pull the laces party or fully off the shoe in a single movement. Such tools are particularly useful for sporting and tactical shoes, wherein the wearer may have a need to quickly extract their foot from the shoe, such as in an emergency situation.

1 . A quick release shoe lace system comprising:
 (a) a shoe lace capable of being tightened on a shoe through two or more lace openings;   (b) said shoe lace having a releasable end with two loose ends;   (c) a releasable connector capable of holding together said two loose ends, and also capable of being manipulated to cause said two loose ends to separate from each other; and   (d) wherein said shoe lace is capable of being removed from said shoe by a single continuous pulling motion when said releasable connector is not holding together said two loose ends.   
     
     
         2 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 1 , wherein said releasable connector comprises a housing with two opposing walls, and wherein said two loose ends of said laces can be placed between said two opposing walls, and further including a friction element capable of holding said two loose ends within said releasable connector, wherein said friction element can also be manipulated to release said two loose ends from said releasable connector. 
     
     
         3 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 1 , wherein said releasable connector comprises a double-walled releasable connector. 
     
     
         4 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 1 , wherein said releasable connector comprises a toothed clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 1 , wherein said releasable connector includes an electronic release system that can be activated by a remote signal. 
     
     
         6 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 1 , wherein said releasable connector includes an automatic electronic release system that can be activated by an automatic electronic pressure sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 1 , wherein said releasable connector includes an automatic electronic release system that can be activated by an automatic mechanical pressure sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 7 , wherein said automatic mechanical pressure sensor comprises a piston housing and sliding piston, and wherein said piston housing contains a predetermined amount of fluid, and wherein said piston is arranged such that it can slide and activate a release button when the ambient pressure reaches a certain predetermined threshold relative to the pressure of the fluid within the piston housing. 
     
     
         9 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 7 , wherein said automatic mechanical pressure sensor comprises a release button containing a pocket of predetermined amount of fluid, and wherein the release button can move and active the release system when the ambient pressure reaches a certain predetermined threshold relative to the pressure of the fluid within the release button. 
     
     
         10 . A quick release shoe lace system comprising:
 (a) a shoe lace capable of being tightened on a shoe through two or more lace openings;   (b) said shoe lace having a releasable end with two loose ends;   (c) a releasable connector capable of holding together said two loose ends;   (d) a first of said two loose ends permanently fixed to said releasable connector;   (e) one loose end capable of sliding through said releasable connector when said releasable connector is not holding said one loose end; and,   (f) wherein said laces are capable of being removed from said shoe by a single continuous pulling motion when said releasable connector is not holding said one loose end.   
     
     
         11 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 10 , wherein said releasable connector comprises a housing with two opposing walls, and wherein said one loose ends can be placed between said two opposing walls, and further including a friction element capable of holding said one loose end within said releasable connector, wherein said friction element can also be manipulated to release said one loose end from said releasable connector. 
     
     
         12 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 10 , wherein said releasable connector comprises a double-walled releasable connector. 
     
     
         13 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 10 , wherein said releasable connector comprises a toothed clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 10 , wherein said releasable connector includes an electronic release system that can be activated by a remote signal. 
     
     
         15 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 10 , wherein said releasable connector includes an automatic electronic release system that can be activated by an automatic electronic pressure sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 10 , wherein said releasable connector includes an automatic electronic release system that can be activated by an automatic mechanical pressure sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 16 , wherein said automatic mechanical pressure sensor comprises a piston housing and sliding piston, and wherein said piston housing contains a predetermined amount of fluid, and wherein said piston is arranged such that it can slide and activate a release button when the ambient pressure reaches a certain predetermined threshold relative to the pressure of the fluid within the piston housing. 
     
     
         18 . The quick release shoe lace system of  claim 16 , wherein said automatic mechanical pressure sensor comprises a release button containing a pocket of predetermined amount of fluid, and wherein the release button can move and active the release system when the ambient pressure reaches a certain predetermined threshold relative to the pressure of the fluid within the release button.