In-line roller boot lacing system

• Main Authors: HANSEN, REINHARD, SALZBURG, AT, JETTMAR, WERNER, WEIDEN, AT
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; German
• Published: 17.09.1998
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; FOOTWEAR; HUMAN NECESSITIES; LACES IN GENERAL

A clamp (14) fixed to the boot prevents the lace (2) end moving open relatively at one end whilst allowing the lace to move in the closing direction (29). The lace deflectors (3) present a curved contact face (18) to the lace, with a radius of curvature greater than the lace diameter. The deflectors have a rotary roller presenting the curved specifically peripherally grooved contact face (18). The deflectors are so positioned in relation to the boot surface as to ensure that the lace runs parallel to the boot surface at each deflector (3). The clamp has a housing complete with lace hole, the clamp swivelling in the housing and fitted with a roughened or toothed surface (28) pointing towards the lace hole. The clamp swivel axis (15) is exocentric to the clamp housing and arranged near the lace hole entry (16). The clamp is swivelled open by a fitted tie (6) to allow lace movement both ways and the clamp is pre-loaded into closed setting by means of a spring. In the case of crossed lacing, the two lace ends are joined into a loop, using both clamps for both ends of the laces. In this case, both clamp ties are joined up to form a second loop to be passed in turn through a closed ring made of rubber and also traversed by the laces between the two fitted clamps.