LACET SILICONE A FORTE IDENTITE VISUELLE ET A RESISTANCE AU DECHIREMENT AMELIOREE SYSTEME DE LAÇAGE CONSTITUE PAR UNE PLAQUE DE BLOCAGE DU LACET PAR RAPPORT A LA CHAUSSURE

LACE SILICON HIGH IDENTITY AND RESISTANCE

IMPROVED TEAR LACING SYSTEM IS IN PLATE LOCK LACES

RELATION TO THE SHOE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to shoe laces. In particular, elastic laces, such as eg silicone elastomer, which, once placed on a shoe, allows the latter, for the sake of comfort, to adapt to changes in volume of the foot of the user and this without harming the necessary foothold and also allow the user to put on and remove the shoe repeatedly without untying the laces.

It may be sports shoes, orthopedic shoes, dress shoes, etc.

State of the art

The laces are flexible cords that are engaged in loops, eyelets, buckles, hooks ... and that is tied to fasten the shoe to the foot.

Classically, the laces are made of natural fabrics (cotton, jute or hemp) or synthetic (polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins: polyethylene ...), leather or elastic material.

Ends of laces comprise a rigid part to facilitate threading through the loops, and in the case of fabric winding, to avoid fraying of said ends.

Due to their elastic elongation properties, elastic laces are designed to prevent excessive tightening which traumatize the feet and impede blood circulation. Among the elastic laces already marketed include twisted lace or lace-locking beads.

Also known are silicone elastomer laces on sale under the brand Freelace® since 2013.

The silicone elastomers are silicon-based polymers, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. They exhibit elastic properties which are obtained after crosslinking and which enable them to withstand very large deformation before breaking. And they also have a capacity of elastic collisions, such bouncing and stretching elastic, allowing them to resume their original shape after the judgment of the solicitation.

These silicone elastomer laces have a further property of silicone which is non-stick, so that they are self-locking.

They are manufactured conventionally by injection molding or extrusion.

These silicone elastomer laces on the market are nevertheless improved, especially regarding their potential for communication and aesthetic appeal. Also of silicone elastomer known laces could be improved with regard to their resistance to tears.

Moreover, as regards the lace, the laces are tied on the kick, with loops or double loops. Rarely with double loop but often with the simple loop, knots come undone and forcing the carrier closed shoes with laces untied these, redoing the knot at the risk of damaging his shoelaces or drop by walking on it.

These nodes are not always attractive and can affect the attractiveness of the design of the shoe.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide improved silicone elastomer laces in terms of marking and / or ornamental term and / or in terms of improved tear resistance and / or in terms of providing new features other than property mechanical and external appearance.

The present invention also aims to provide a pragmatic solution, aesthetic and safe replacement of traditional knots shoes, for which also provides looping laces (lace) used to gather and block the ends of the lace over the shoe provided with said laces. It would be desirable that this solution eliminates the risk of unknotting laces and make finesse to the shoe.

This solution is a new lacing system.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention satisfies some or all of these objectives by providing a new yaw for a shoe provided with a lace passage whose two edges have loops, said yaw consisting essentially of at least one silicone elastomer at least partially crosslinked and comprising one or more silicone polymers and fillers, and optionally at least one of the following compounds: catalyst (s), crosslinker (s), pigment (s), agent (s) release (s), plasticizer ( s), promoter (s), adhesion, characterized in that it comprises, in its median part, an identification area which forms one piece with the yaw and which is intended, once the yaw set up through loops of the shoe, to appear on the instep of the foot of the shoe, between the two lower loops located to either side and at the base of the lace passage. This lace has a strong visual identification and seductive on the shoe, which highlights its distinctive character and therefore its commercial appeal. The yaw of the invention is therefore provided with a marking in the middle. This form of location for example rectangular highlights the mark chosen for the lace. Its location between the first two loops (eg eyes) and its shape perfectly identify the supplier of yaw differentiating the shoe and thus making a separate business purpose, with advantageous technical properties.

The lace according to the invention furthermore has at least one of the following characteristics:

^{® °} identification area has a generally polygonal shape, preferably rectangular.

^{® °} The identification zone has on its outer visible face, at least a verbal sign and / or figurative identification and / or yaw communication.

^{® °} This verbal sign and / or figurative identification and / or communication is at least partly formed by recesses of the identification area.

^{® °} This yaw comprises a carrier having relief patterns corresponding to at least a portion of the sign and / or figurative identification and / or communication, and in that the said relief patterns are at least partially pressed into the recesses in the identification zone, preferably such that the top of the relief patterns is protruding relative to the visible outer face of the identification area, to appear in relief at least a portion of the sign and / or figurative identification and / or communication.

^{® °} Alternatively, the word mark and / or figurative identification and / or communication is at least partly formed by intaglio and / or embossed, and / or printing ink, performed on the visible outer face of the identification area.

^ According to an advantageous possibility, at least a portion of the sign and / or figurative identification and / or communication of color different from the identification zone, so as to appear by contrast.

^{® °} The identification zone is at least in part, preferably its outer visible face, covered by a transparent shell, preferably made of one part overlying the visible outer face of the identification area, or two parts, possibly articulated, respectively covering the outer visible surface and the hidden inner face of the identification area or support.

^ To make other features to the laces, it is expected that it may include at least one element selected from the group consisting of:

• one or more electronic devices preferably selected from: RFID chip, satellite positioning chip, sensors for measuring physical activity of the user: pedometer, accelerometer, tachometer, physiological parameters; transmitter / receiver signal;

• lamp (s), lamp (s) LED including the development of the sign and / or figurative identification and / or communication, a light effect itself enhanced by the transparent plastic shell, covering at least in part, preferably at least the visible outer face of the identification area;

• source (s) of electrical energy: battery (s), battery (s), solar collectors;

• authenticity of anti-counterfeiting markers.

^ This lace can also be characterized by a tensile strength determined according to ASTM D 624, or greater, expressed in N / mm and given below in order of increasing preference: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; the tear strength is more preferably still between 5 and 20 N / mm. Preferably, the cable (1) according to the invention is characterized it is designed to be locked relative to the shoe plate by a named "BlocKnot" provided with several passages that hold the lace by interleaving the free end portions of the strands of the latter in the passages and thus grip, preferably by routing of the free end portions of the strands of the latter through the passages alternately on the top and on the underside of the plate.

Advantageously, the locking plate of the yaw relative to the shoe has a rectangular or generally oblong shape, and more preferably with a narrower central region than the end regions. In other embodiments, the plate may be circular trapezoidal rectangular ...

According to one noteworthy characteristic of the invention, the yaw of the locking plate relative to the shoe has a curvature respecting the curvature of the foot. To do this the material of the plate may be a flexible material or a rigid material preformed as wood or PVC. Preforming curve in a side view of the plate may be obtained by machining, bending, molding. The curvature of the plate approaches and best physiological curve of the foot and more specifically the instep of the foot.

On another of its aspects, the invention relates to a lacing assembly comprising a sheet called "BlocKnot" (30) lace lock (1) with respect to the boot (2), said plate being defined above and yaw including a cable (1) according to the invention.

The passages of the blocking plate of the lace, or more precisely the end of the strands of the lace relative to the shoe are, for example 6 in number to a maximum of 10.

Advantageously, said blocking plate may have identification marks and / or decoration, preferably on its place, that is to say its visible front face. This can be eg logos or other graphics on its flat surface. Such decoration can be achieved in particular by printing, welding, sublimation. The locking plate may be made from different materials, depending on the selected esthetic and / or depending on the desired ergonomics. This may be for example a semi-rigid material ensuring adaptation of the plate to the shape of the foot. This new laces tying solution for lace-ups (called "BlocKnot") is an advantageous substitute of traditional footwear knots. It is a safe lacing system.

This plate constitutes the essential means of the lacing solution is also designed to beautify the shoe shape and smoothness. This can be of different colors, different materials to marry well with the laces and the shoe. Its visible front face (RS) may provide support for logos, visual to enhance the boot / yaw / blocking plate. To contribute to the security, the lacing system according to the invention, namely the blocking plate, preferably includes visual signaling means, eg lights such as LEDs.

Advantageously, the through holes of the free ends of the strands of the lace, in the plate, may be of different shapes corresponding to the shape of the right cross section of the lace, eg: circular, oblong, trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The silicone elastomer material

The yaw of the invention is preferably made of one piece by a conventional forming process may be injection molding or extruding a silicone elastomer, which is in liquid form and curing in the mold or at the output An extruder die. The silicone elastomer or silicone rubber may be of the elastomer gum-type (CT), high temperature vulcanizing (HTV) under the action of a peroxide, or at room temperature (RTV) or under the action of a silicate of alkyl in the presence of an organo-stannous catalyst or in the presence of a crosslinking catalyst, in particular platinum-based salt. These silicone elastomers are also referred to as UNHCR: "High Consistency Silicone Rubber". There are HCR peroxide, platinum or fluorinated. It may alternatively be liquid-like (LSR) or liquid extra (XLR) vulcanizing generally hot through a crosslinking catalyst in particular based on platinum salt and the viscosity of which is for example between 30 and 200 Pa. s. and more precisely of the order of 100 Pa.s. It could also be of cellular silicone. To improve the tear strength of the cured silicone elastomer forming the lace, it is recommended according to the invention to incorporate in the formulation of the elastomer e.g., pyrogenic silicas whose BET surface areas are> 100 m ² / g, precipitated silicas, inactive fillers, for example based on quartz or diatomaceous earth, or carbon black.

After crosslinking, the Shore A hardness is for example between 30 and 100 and preferably between 40 and 80.

The lace structure

On either side of its median area identification, the yaw is a cord or an elastomeric silicone wire of polygonal right cross-section, for example rectangular, circular, or any other form suitable for threading through loops of the shoe.

Similarly, its dimensions in right cross-section should be such as to allow passage through the loops of the shoe, for example a few millimeters.

The lace can be of different lengths corresponding to current standards eg from 800 to 1800 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lace is formed of two strands each secured in the central portion of said yaw, of the identification area, which preferably forms with the two strands, a single molded part, in particular injected-molded.

For example, the identification area is an integral part of the lace. Yaw consisting of the identification area and the two strands is preferably made of a single material, namely silicone elastomer, and preferably in the same operation.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the two strands of the lace are substantially the same length and the identification area is thus a yaw of the centering means between the two lower loops located to either side and at the base of the passage the lace on the shoe.

Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, the strands of the lace hand side of the identification area may have, independently of one another, a constant or variable section in the shape or dimensions.

A model for the single running, may, for example two strands of rectangular section along their whole length and each terminated by a bevel of about 30 ° allowing the easy threading of the lace through the eyelets of shoes.

The lacing can be completed or not by a traditional knot or a small knot at the end of every last eyelet lace and cutting the surplus.

Instead of the traditional node, it is preferable, according to the invention to complete the lacing by blocking the free ends of the strands of the lace, over the shoe, using the plate according to invention named "BlocKnot" , which is provided with several passages that hold the lace by interleaving of the lace in the passages and therefore grip. The silicone lace to a friction coefficient as possible to keep the position of the yaw relative to the locking plate, after introduction of said lace in the passages of said plate, like a stitching seam .

A template for sports support, may, for example two strands each having different sections along their length distributed over several distinct zones.

This model can be available in three sizes, thus meeting the needs of users of different foot sizes: S - M - L. The size L may for example correspond to a length of 920 mm.

yaw exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the lace in place on a shoe;

- Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of two variants of the ornamental lace identification zone of the invention;

- Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the yaw identification field according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the transparent shell appearing on Figure 3;

- Figure 5 is a view of the lace of the ID field of Figure 3 in assembled mode;

- Figure 6 is a rear view of the yaw identification area showing the rear face of the embossed patterns of carrier appearing in Figure 3;

- 7A 7B 7C 7D show a first yaw embodiment according to the invention wherein the transparent shell is in two parts;

- Figures 8A 8B 8C 8D show a second yaw embodiment according to the invention wherein the transparent shell is in two parts with an identification area having a thinned central region relative to its ends.

As shown in Figure 1, the yaw 1 according to the invention provides for secure attachment of the wearer's foot in a shoe 2 which is, in this case, is for example, an athletic shoe. Conventionally, this lace 1 is disposed on a passage 3 provided on the instep of the foot of the shoe 2 and delimited by two side edges 4,5 and 6 by a tongue of the shoe 2. The two side edges 4,5 have passers 7 in which is threaded zigzag yaw 7, from the base of the passage 3 and more particularly 7i two lower loops.

This yaw 1 is a crosslinked silicone elastomer yarn consisting of two strands 8i and 8 ₂ each secured in the median part of the lace 1, an identification zone 9, which is constituted in this case for example by a plate of rectangular shape, and which has a sign 10 verbal identification and / or communication, formed in figures 2B, 3 and 5 by the designation "WOLF" and in Figure 2A by the designation "UNCIA".

Both strands 8i ₂ & 8 yaw 1 have in this embodiment a rectangular right cross-section (eg length of 4 mm and width of 2 mm) forming, with the plate / area identification 9, a single piece injected-molded. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the yaw 1, more particularly its plate / area identification 9, is sandwiched between, on one hand, an 11-rectangular support located below the plate / area identification 9, and, secondly, a transparent shell 12 (Figure 4) arranged facing the visible outer face 13 of the plate / area identification 9. in addition, the plate / area identification 9 comprises recesses 14 which correspond to the sign 10 verbal identification and / or communication, in this case the name "WOLF". The rectangular support 11 which is substantially the same size as the plate / yellow new identification and which is made for example of a molded plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene ( PE), has on its upper face 15 (with reference to the arrangement of figures 1, 2A, 2B and 3) a relief pattern 16 corresponding to the sign 10 verbal identification and / or communication, in this case the name "WOLF", which is pressed into the recesses 14 of the plate / identification area 9 and has such a height relative to the thickness of the plate / identification zone 9, the upper portion of said pattern 16 is projecting relative to the visible outer face 13 of the plate / area identification 9.

These structural features create an aesthetic and attractive visual effect that particularly highlights the sign 10 verbal identification and / or communication in this case the name "WOLF".

This effect is further accentuated by the transparent shell 12 which is anchored in the plate / identification area 9 by means of four pins 17 which are inserted and retained in holes

18,19 aligned and arranged, respectively, in the plate / area identification 9 silicone elastomer and in the rectangular support 11, as can be seen in Figure 3.

This pattern 16 in relief and the transparent shell 12 optimize the commercial visibility of lace

1.

Figure 1 shows that the yaw 1 equipped with its plate / carrier area 9 of the sign 10 verbal and / or figurative identification and / or communication, is detached from the shoe 1 and appears to the consumer as a separate accessory and independent of the shoe 2. the provision of the plate / identification area 9 at the base of the passage 3 of the shoe 2, between the two lower loops 7i is a place of choice for the development of the kind of lace 1. as shown in Figure 6, the underside 20 of the support 1 1 rectangular, based on the tongue 6 of the boot 2, between the two lower loops 7i of the passage 3, can be used as information carrier 21 of identifying or marking / anticontrefaçons tracing.

Further, according to advantageous embodiments of the invention, the rectangular support 11 and / or the plate / area identification 9 elastomer molded silicone, able (are) contain or support miniaturized electronic devices (RFID location sensors, kinematic sensors, physiological parameter sensors, weather sensors, transmitter / receiver, ...), sources of electrical energy, lamps. .. So many ways to provide yaw (1) multiple functionalities to the service user.

7A to 7D show a variant of the ^era shell 12 consists of two parts 12i and 12 _two articulated and encapsulating the plate / identification zone 9 silicone elastomer extending through the two strands 81,82 made of the same material and in one piece. The word sign 10 identification and / or communication is constituted by the name "S-LACE".

Figures 8 A to 8D show a 2 ^nd embodiment of the shell 12 again consists of two parts 12i and 12 _two articulated and encapsulating the plate / identification zone 9 silicone elastomer extending through the two strands 81,82 made in the same material and in one piece. The word sign 10 identification and / or communication is again made up the name "S-LACE". But, differently from the first embodiment of Figures 7A-7D, the plate / area identification 9 comprises two ends each forming a region 8O1 8Ο2 through association with the strand 81,82 respectively. These 8O1 8Ο2 terminal regions are thicker than the rest of the plate / identification zone 9. The articulated transparent shell 12 wraps the thinned region between the two regions terminal 8O1 8O2.

In both variants of Figures 7A-7D and 8A-8D, the two hinged parts 12i and 12 ₂ of the transparent shell 12 are assembled to each other for example by means of clips. The manufacture of lace

Yaw 1 is advantageously injected-molded from a first non-crosslinked silicone material, for example of the type based on LSR or HCR and sold under the name ELASTOSIL® R, FLR or RS, or R 340 CENUSIL® by Wacker.

The injection molding apparatus can be for example a rubber injection molding machine silicone YIZUMI YL-V360L, YL-YL-AB500L or AB550L.

Another object of the invention is formed by a method of manufacturing laces as defined in the present specification, said method consisting essentially of:

- implementing a first non-crosslinked silicone material comprising one or more silicone polymers and fillers, and optionally at least one of the following compounds: catalyst (s), crosslinker (s), pigment (s), agent ( s) release (s), plasticizer (s), promoter (s), adhesion;

- perform the forming of the lace by extrusion or injection molding this raw material silicon, so that this first reticle material and becomes cured silicone elastomer, after forming in the extruder or mold;

- optionally cut to length yaw;

- recover laces obtained;

- cooling said braid; - conditioning said laces for marketing.

Blocking the _plate. ends free, _{of. strands. the. shoelace.} compared _{to. the.} The shoe plate material "BlocKnot"

Plaque "BlocKnot" according to the invention is preferably carried out in a single piece by different manufacturing techniques depending on the material selected for example molding a plastic material and then punch to achieve the passages of the lace in the plate. It is recommended according to the invention to use semi-rigid materials known to obtain a flexibility to a harmonization of the curvature of the foot and of the plate and a minimum of rigidity to block the lace as it passes through the succession of holes. An example of semi-rigid material suitable include: the polypropylene plate about 1 mm thick.

According to an alternative and notably for aesthetic reasons, the timber can be used as material constituting the plate. Machining with a curvature is formed to meet the shape of the foot, in particular the instep.

According to another embodiment, a flexible material is brought out such as a silicone silicone material, for example of the same type as that constituting the yaw of the invention. The flexibility of a silicone material allows a very good adaptation to the shape of the foot. In addition, the silicone of the blocking plate contribute as silicone yaw blocking (no slip: high friction coefficient) of these two elements relative to each other.

For use on laces types elastomers claiming an entry and exit, without untying the knots, we recommend the use of a stretch resistant material.

The structure of the plate "BlocKnot"

Said plate is generally rectangular in shape. But it can have variations like the triangle, circle, etc. It can also have custom shapes called back up the outline of a logo of a brand, for example.

Its dimensions are also variations depending on the nature of the material or size of the shoe. The invention is often carried out in a so-called standard size of 20 mm wide by 50 mm long. The extremes are 50 mm wide and 100 mm long.

Its thickness is also variable depending on the selected material. If we take the example of a polypropylene plate of 20 mm by 50 mm will have a thickness varying between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm thick, 0.8mm being a good average. laces passing the holes can be of different shapes. Their size is typically smaller than the lace used. The portion of the lace in the succession of three holes (minimum), which moreover are smaller, blocking the braking yaw and grip.

Exemplary embodiments of the plate "BlocKnot" according to the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the plate "BlocKnot" set up on a shoe.

• Figure 10 shows a front view with a digital on-screen graphic.

• Figure 11 shows a clear view of the plate with elastomeric type laces positioned above without shoes.

• Figures 12 to 14 show the various stages of laying the lace.

• Figure 15 shows the use with a textile lace.

• Figures 16 and 17 show possible finishes.

• Figure 18 shows the resistance of the plate "BlocKnot" and the effectiveness of the holes of succession by grip system for shoelaces.

• Figure 19 shows a perspective view of the plate "BlocKnot" set up on a shoe,

• Figure 20 shows the locking plate and the ends of shoelaces stuck in the passages of the plate

• Figures 21 to 25 show a mode of use of the blocking plate.

• Figure 26 shows a front view of part of the shoe with a lacing performed using silicone lace according to the invention and of the locking plate according to the invention.