In the lace arrangement of the type used in this invention the lace is held on one flap of the shoe frontal opening through holes and retained on the opposite flap around grooves. By disengaging the lace from the grooves, the shoe frontal opening is no longer restricted by the lace.
In Dorr U.S. Pat. No. 470,183 of 03/08/1892 the lace goes from twin eyelets on one flap to hooks on the opposite flap for the purpose of overlapping the margins of the flaps. Dorr's lace arrangement is tied by a bow knot.
In Dorothy U.S. Pat. No. 889,770 of 06/02/1908 a series of spring loaded fasteners along both flaps, tension the lace across the margins. The lace can be disengaged from the fasteners to remove the shoe without having to un-tie the bow knots.
In Clarke U.S. Pat. No. 1,995,243 of 03/19/1935, the lace goes from a raised eyelet on one margin to a raised hook on the opposite margin in a number of patterns. Clarke uses bow knots.
In Martin U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,465 of 01/27/1970, the lace arrangement is tightened by fasteners of the type implemented in Martin U.S. Pat. No. 2,861,310 of 11/25/1958. This type of fastener lacks a locking mechanism and would not be reliable on a shoe with a soft shoe upper.
In Lecouturier U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,889 granted 3/19/91, a hinged fastener, added to the lace arrangement, tightens the lace along the shoe frontal opening and provides a locking mechanism different from the present invention.
In recent years, several improvements have been introduced in the market place to remedy some of the drawbacks of the conventional lace and bow knots.
VELCRO (Trade mark) aims at replacing the lace in part or entirely. However, it cannot distribute tension the way lace does; it does not perform when dirty; it is not durable; it cannot be replaced when it is worn out.
A device of the type improved by Lott U.S. Pat. No. 4.261,081 of 04/14/1981 eliminates the bow knots but restricts the opening of the shoe frontal opening.
Another device found in stores is limited to holding the tension in the lace prior to making the bow knots.
These improvements for a suitable substitute to the bow knots and/or the lace, illustrate the need to re-design shoes equipped with long laces, more specifically athletic shoes, allowing for the convenience of a fastener.