WO2013072097A1

WO2013072097A1 - Shoe closure system

Info

Publication number: WO2013072097A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/068265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michiel Cornelissen; Dries VANDECRUYS
Original assignee: Materialise
Priority date: 2011-11-14
Filing date: 2012-09-17
Publication date: 2013-05-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to shoe fasteners (1) for extending between at least three pairs of attachment points such as eyelets (7) of a shoe (6), one embodiment comprising two or more serially interconnected fastener units (2) of a resilient material, each fastener unit comprising a pair of elongated members (3) which are coupled in a crosswise configuration, wherein each end of said elongated members (3) is provided with a gripping member (4) which is engageable in one of said attachment points (eyelets 7). The present invention further relates to methods for manufacturing said shoe fasteners (1).

Description

SHOE CLOSURE SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoe fasteners replacing the laces in a shoe, to the use thereof and to methods for manufacturing thereof.

BACKGROUND

Many types of shoes are provided with shoelaces to secure the shoe around the foot. The shoelaces typically pass through a series of cooperating holes, eyelets, loops or hooks on either side of the vamp of the shoe, thereby following a crisscross pattern. Although the primary functionality of shoelaces is to secure the foot in the shoe, they often also have an aesthetical functionality.

The use of shoelaces however has various drawbacks. For example, they are difficult to use by younger children, the elderly and the disabled. Furthermore, the possibility for the user to trip over a protruding shoelace constitutes a safety risk. US patent application 2010/0018018 proposes a solution to these problems in the form of a closure for securing shoelaces, which eliminates the need of knotting the shoelaces and has a chamber for receiving the ends of the shoelaces.

A further problem is that the tensile strength obtained with shoelaces is not reproducible. Indeed, the tensile strength is influenced by how strongly the laces are pulled, which can vary considerably with every use. A reproducible and controlled tensile strength may be particularly desirable for athletes, and for medical applications. Indeed, in certain cases a certain tensile strength is favorable for a patient, or a certain range of motion for the foot needs to be obtained. US patent 4,210,983 discloses eyelet clamps for shoes, which replace the shoelaces of a shoe and are adaptable to the wearer of the shoe. However, every pair of eyelets requires a separate eyelet clamp, which makes the use of the eyelet clamps impractical and time consuming.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved shoe closure systems, which at least partially mitigate the problems stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoe fasteners replacing the laces in a shoe, to the use thereof and to methods for manufacturing thereof. In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a shoe fastener which comprises a resilient structure extending between at least three (cooperating) pairs of attachment points of a shoe.

More particularly, the shoe fastener comprises at least three pairs of gripping members or grip-features, which are interconnected via a resilient structure comprising at least a first type of elongated members which interconnect attachment points on opposite sides of a shoe thereby crossing the instep of the shoe and wherein these first type of elongated members are interconnected. More particularly, said first type of elongated members are connected by one or more members each interconnecting at least two of said first type of elongated members at or near to the gripping members or grip-features. More particularly, said first type of elongated members are connected by one or more second type of elongated members interconnecting the gripping members or grip- features on the same side of the shoe fastener, thereby running parallel to the side of the shoe upon placement on the shoe.

In particular embodiments, said elongated members form individual units between the attachment points of the shoe. More particularly, said members form an integrated and continuous structure extending along several sets of attachment points of the shoe. In particular embodiments, said shoe fastener extends between at least N pairs of attachment points, N being an integer equal or larger than three, said shoe fastener further comprising at least N elongated members of the first type and at least (N-1 )*2 elongated members of the second type. More particularly, the elongated members have a straight and/or curved shape.

In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener comprises at least three pairs of gripping members which are which are interconnected via a resilient structure, each gripping member being engageable in one of said attachment points. In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener comprises two or more fastener units of a resilient material, each fastener unit comprising a pair of elongated members which are coupled in a crosswise configuration, wherein each end of said elongated members is provided with a gripping member which is engageable in one of said attachment points and wherein said two or more fastener units are serially interconnected.

In particular embodiments, the two or more fastener units are serially interconnected through the coupling of ends of the elongated members of a first fastener unit with ends of the elongated members of a second fastener unit serially connected thereto. In certain embodiments, the coupling of the ends of at least two elongated members of a first and second interconnected fastener unit is via a connection element which ensures additional resilience.

In particular embodiments, the connection between the end of an elongated member of a first fastener unit with the end of an elongated member of the second fastener unit forms a loop.

In certain embodiments, the end of an elongated member of a first fastener unit shares a gripping member with the end of an elongated member of a second fastener unit serially connected thereto.

In particular embodiments, the pair of elongated members of at least one fastener unit are coupled through a coupling element providing additional resilience.

In certain embodiments, said shoe fastener is made of a polymer.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a shoe comprising:

- at least three (cooperating) pairs of attachment points; and

- a shoe fastener according to the embodiments provided herein.

A further aspect provides the use of a shoe fastener as described herein to fasten a shoe.

Yet a further aspect provides a method for manufacturing a shoe fastener as described herein, comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining information about the size and type of said shoe and the position of attachment points provided for fastening the shoe;

b) optionally, obtaining information about a user of said shoe;

c) designing and manufacturing said shoe fastener based on the information obtained in step a) and b) wherein the resilience of one or more of said elongated members, connection elements and coupling elements is adjusted to ensure suitable fastening of the shoe.

The shoe fasteners as disclosed herein provide an efficient, durable and attractive alternative to shoelaces. The shoe fasteners can easily be positioned on the shoe by positioning the gripping members into or onto the lace attachment points such as eyelets. By reversing the process, the shoe fastener can easily be taken off the foot. The use of the shoe fasteners further ensures a reproducible fastening of a shoe. Moreover, the shoe fasteners may be adapted to fit any type of shoe, and the tensile strength of the shoe fastener can be adapted.

Furthermore, the methods for manufacturing a shoe fastener offer the ability to adapt the shape, flexibility and tensile strength of the shoe fastener to the shoe wearer's anatomy, thereby ensuring an optimal fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the figures of specific embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present teachings, their application or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

Figure 1 Shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment.

Figure 2 Shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment, fastening a shoe (6).

Figure 3 Shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment.

Figure 4 Shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment.

Figure 5 V-shaped shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment.

Figure 6 Illustration of the gripping members used for shoe fasteners according to particular embodiments.

Figure 7 V-shaped structure for use in shoe fasteners according to particular embodiments.

Figure 8 Loop-shaped structure for use in shoe fasteners according to particular embodiments.

Figure 9 V- and Loop shaped assemblies for use in shoe fasteners according to particular embodiments.

Figure 10 Circular structure for use in shoe fasteners according to particular embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope thereof. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised of as used herein are synonymous with "including", "includes" or "containing", "contains", and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements or method steps. The terms "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised of when referring to recited members, elements or method steps also include embodiments which "consist of said recited members, elements or method steps.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order, unless specified. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The term "about" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/-10% or less, preferably +1-5% or less, more preferably +/-1 % or less, and still more preferably +/-0.1 % or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself also specifically, and preferably, disclosed.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recited endpoints.

All documents cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, definitions for the terms used in the description are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention. The terms or definitions used herein are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides shoe fasteners. The shoe fasteners can typically be reversibly mounted onto pairs of attachment points of a shoe, e.g. by way of gripping members which are engageable with or grip-features which allow engagement with the attachment points of a shoe. A shoe fastener as provided herein extends between at least three pairs of attachment points of a shoe. Therefore, the shoe fastener comprises at least three pairs of gripping members or grip-features, which are interconnected via a resilient structure, which is typically a lattice structure.

The resilient structure typically provides sufficient tensile strength to fasten the shoe and to increase comfort to the user. Preferably, the resilience of the resilient structure is sufficient to push the shoe tightly to the shape of the foot, while still allowing a reversible deformation of the fastener units which is sufficient to enable the user to put on and take of the shoe. In particular embodiments, the resilience of the fastener units allows an increase of the distance between the gripping members on both sides of the shoe fastener by 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% or more.

Typically, the resilient structure has a geometry which adds resilience, such as an accordion shape, a spiral or helical shape, a convolute shape, etc.

In certain embodiments, the resilient structure forms a lattice structure, i.e. a structure which consists of an open framework, for example made of strips, bars, girders, beams or the like, which are contacting, crossing or overlapping in a regular pattern. The strips, bars, girders, beams or the like may have a straight shape, but may also have a curved shape. Accordingly, the lattice structure is typically a framework which contains a regular, repeating pattern, wherein the pattern can be defined by a certain unit cell. A unit cell is the simplest repeat unit of the pattern. Thus, the lattice structure is defined by a plurality of unit cells. The unit cell shape may depend on the required stiffness and can for example be triclinic, monoclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, rhombohedral, hexagonal or cubic. In particular embodiments, the units are non-overlapping and have a distinct size. Typically, in these embodiments the unit cells of the lattice structures have a volume ranging from 1 to 1000 mm³, preferably from 1 to 125 mm³. Where very small units are used, this is also referred to as a microstructure. Local variations in the unit cell geometry and/or unit cell size may occur, for example in order to provide regions with a certain resilience. Therefore, the lattice may comprise one or more repeated unit cells and one or more unique unit cells. In particular embodiments, the lattice is formed by (partially) overlapping units and/or irregular shaped units.

In particular embodiments the beams forming the lattice structure are all interconnected. Thus, while "members" of the lattice structure can be identified, as will be detailed below, the ends of the members are in fact connected such that a one-piece lattice structure is formed. In particular embodiments, the resilient structure is made via additive manufacturing. More particularly, the resilient structure is made in one piece.

The shoe fasteners envisaged herein are envisaged for placement on a shoe, typically for ensuring the connection between the left (outer) and right (inner) quarter of the shoe. Positioning on the shoe is provided for by gripping members or grip-features as described herein below, which typically, but not necessarily interact with attachment points on the shoe (or are in some other way attached to the left and right quarter of the shoe. Typically attachment points will be placed on a shoe along the edges of the left (outer) and right (inner) quarter of the shoe. The sets of attachment points will be referred to herein as being place on "one side" and "(an)other side" of the shoe or as left and right sets of attachment points. As the shoe fasteners envisaged herein typically extend, when placed on the shoe, between the edges of the left and right quarter of the shoe, reference can be made to gripping members or grip features positioned on the (left or right) side of the shoe fastener and/or on the (left or right) side of the shoe fastener or to "left" and "right" set of gripping members or grip-features. Similarly, (elongated) members can be interconnected at the left or right side of the shoe fastener. In the latter case this implies that the connection is not made centrally on the members between the left and right edges of the shoe fastener.

Similarly, reference herein will be made to members of the lattice structure which extend across (i.e. between the left and right side of) the shoe fastener or shoe (i.e. when positioned on the shoe) and to members which extend alongside of the shoe fastener or parallel to the shoe side (when positioned on the shoe).

Depending on the type of shoes and uses of the shoe fastener, the resilience of the material may be adapted. For instance, for shoes requiring a rigid fit, the tensile strength of the resilient structure can be high. Other shoes, however, may require a higher degree of flexibility. Therefore, in particular embodiments the resilient structure may be made of an elastic material. Accordingly, in particular embodiments the shoe fastener is made from a single type of material, more particularly said material can be either a resilient material, more preferably an elastic material such as thermoplastic rubber or elastomer, including but not limited to, fluoro-elastomers, silicones, polyether block amides (PEBA), ethyl-vinyl acetates (EVA), polyamides, polyurethanes (PU) and polyesters (PE), and cross linked polymers, including but not limited to polybutadiene and nitrile rubbers. According to other particular embodiments the shoe fastener is made from at least two types of materials wherein the first type of material is less elastic compared to the second type of material. The less elastic material is particularly used for the parts of the shoe fastener that require a higher degree of rigidity such as for instance at or near the gripping members, whereas the second type of material is particularly used for the parts or the shoe fastener that require elasticity, such as for instance the parts of the shoe fastener corresponding to the instep of the foot.

In particular embodiments, the resilient structure is formed of serially interconnected units, each unit comprising a pair of elongated members. These units are herein further referred to as "fastener units". Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the shoe fastener as provided herein comprises two or more serially interconnected fastener units. More particularly, each fastener unit comprises a pair of elongated members which are coupled in a crosswise configuration. Thus, each fastener unit forms a cross, extending over at least two (neighboring) pairs of attachment points on the shoe. At least three pairs of ends of the elongated members are provided with or extend into a gripping member which is engageable with one of the attachment points.

The fastener units of the shoe fastener are serially interconnected. For the purposes of the present invention fastener units extending between subsequent or neighboring pairs of attachment points on the shoe can be referred to as first and second fastener units. The shoe fastener envisaged herein typically contains at least three fastener units which are serially connected, such that two fastener units (at the ends of the shoe fastener) are directly connected to one neighboring fastener unit only, whereas any other fastener unit of the shoe fastener is directly interconnected to two neighboring fastener units.

In particular embodiments, the fastener units are serially interconnected through the coupling of ends of the elongated members of a first fastener unit with ends of the elongated members of a second fastener unit serially connected thereto. More particularly, one end of a first elongated member of a first fastener unit is connected to one end of an elongated member of a second fastener unit and one end of the second elongated member of the first fastener unit is connected to an end of the second elongated member of the second fastener unit. Thus, in further particular embodiments, each connection between two neighboring fastener units is obtained via a coupling of one pair of ends of elongated members of one fastener unit with one pair of ends of elongated members of the neighboring fastener unit. Additionally or alternatively, the neighboring fastener units are serially interconnected through other parts of the elongated members. For instance, the shoe fastener may comprise a connection part between the connection points of subsequent elongated members in each fastener unit (the centers of the cross). Alternatively, the shoe fastener may comprise a first set of elongated members which extend between two opposite attachment points of the shoe and a second set of elongated members which extend between two or more attachment points on the same side of the shoe, thereby connecting the ends of different elongated members of the first set. In particular embodiments, the subsequent fastener units are interconnected only by the opposite ends of the elongated members. The shoe fastener as disclosed herein may be attached to the shoe by at least four, more particularly at least six gripping members or grip-features. Gripping members are structures which are directly are engageable with the attachment points of the shoe. As will be described herein, the gripping members are typically structures provided for manual attachment to pre-existing attachment points of the shoe, such as a hook which can be inserted into a hole. A grip-feature is a feature which allows attachment to an attachment point by way of a fastener. Typically this is a hole or eyelet.

It is also envisaged that the gripping members or grip-features are for permanent engagement on the shoe, and can be, for instance sewn into the shoe, in which case the shoe may not be provided with dedicated attachment points. In these embodiments, the "attachment points" should be considered as points on the shoe corresponding to where an attachment point would be located.

Where the gripping member or grip-feature is such that it is engageable into or with an attachment point of the shoe, preferably, the shoe fastener comprises one gripping member or grip-feature for each of the attachment points of the shoe, but it is possible that the shoe fastener comprises fewer gripping members or grip-features than there are attachment points of the shoe. In particular embodiments, the gripping members or grip- features are engageable to three or more neighboring pairs of (cooperating) attachment points, but it can be envisaged that the pairs of (cooperating) attachment points are not neighboring pairs. In preferred embodiments, the gripping members or grip-features are engageable to three or more pairs of attachment points, including the two outer pairs of cooperating attachment points provided on the shoe. In particular embodiments, each gripping member or grip-feature is reversibly engageable with an attachment point of the shoe. However, it can be envisioned to allow reversible engagement of only some of the gripping members or grip-features. Each of the six or more gripping members or grip- features is preferably located at the end of an elongated member. Typically, the shoe fastener comprises a gripping member or grip-feature at the end of each elongated member. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the two opposite ends of each of the elongated members extending across from one attachment point to an opposite attachment point are provided with or extend into a gripping member or grip-feature which is engageable with one of the attachment points. The ends of coupled elongated members or grip-features may share a gripping member, or may each be provided with a separate gripping member or grip-features. Similarly, elongated members extending across two or more attachment points on the same side of the throat or vamp of the shoe, can share gripping members or grip-features with one or more elongated members extending from an attachment point on one side of the shoe to one on the other side of the shoe. In particular embodiments, the end of an elongated member of a first fastener unit shares a gripping member or grip-feature with the end of an elongated member of a second fastener unit serially connected thereto, such that a gripping member or grip-member is provided at the point where the subsequent fastener units are interconnected.

The function of the gripping members or grip-features of the shoe fasteners is to ensure fixation onto the shoe. The shape of the gripping members is not critical to the invention and may depend on the nature of the attachment points. In particular embodiments, the gripping members are hook-shaped. Hook-shaped gripping members are easy to engage in attachment points selected from eyelets, hooks, holes or loops. Where the shoe fastener is provided with grip-features, such as holes, the use of dedicated gripping tools can be envisaged which may or may not be integrated or attached to the shoe fastener. The attachment points are typically the eyelets of the shoe. Figure 6 illustrates different types of dedicated gripping tools or structures (20) that could be envisaged either as separate parts for fixing the shoe fastener onto e.g. eyelets of a shoe or integrated into the shoe fastener as gripping members. The structures are shaped such that a gripping interaction with the attachment points on the shoe is made. Different shapes and sizes can be envisaged including but not limited to for instance the shapes as illustrated in figure 6 comprising a cotter pin-shaped structure (20a), a pawn-shaped gripping structure (20b), wherein the pawn head is divided in two resilient parts by a slit, such that the two parts can be pushed towards each other, thereby enabling engagement of the gripping member or grip-feature to an attachment point of the shoe, a pawn-shaped structure (rounded conical body with spherical head) (20c), a structure having the shape of a round-headed screw rounded (20d), i.e. with a cylindrical shaft and a hemispherical head, the latter being slightly wider than the eyelet diameter; the head (and optionally a part of the shaft) being divided in four (resilient) parts by a cruciform notch, which facilitates engagement of the structure into the eyelet, a rook- shaped structure (20e), with a broadened top relative to the body; the top being divided in four (resilient) parts by a cruciform notch, which facilitates engagement of the structure into the eyelet and a undulating arc (20f).

The gripping members or gripping tools may engage the attachment points of the shoe in any direction. In some embodiments, the gripping members or gripping tools engage the attachment points from the outside of the shoe towards the inside. However, in other embodiments, the shoes the engagement may also occur in the opposite direction from the inside out.

In a further particular embodiment, the shoe fastener comprises a first part comprising the gripping members or grip-features engaging with or capable of being engaged with attachment points of the shoe and a second part spanning the instep of the foot, the second part providing the resilience to the shoe fastener. Particularly, said first part of the shoe fastener comprising the gripping members (or grip-features) grips under the vamps of the shoe comprising the attachment points (eyelets) of the shoe, wherein the gripping members (or grip-features) engage with the attachment points from the inside of the shoe towards the outside.

As detailed above, in particular embodiments, the gripping members or grip-features are intended for permanent engagement with the attachment points of the shoe, for example by sewing or gluing the gripping members or grip-features on the shoe.

In a particular embodiment, the shoe fastener as described herein extends between at least three pairs of attachment points of a shoe. More particularly, the shoe fastener comprises at least three pairs of gripping members or grip-features, which are interconnected via a resilient structure comprising a first type of elongated members that interconnect between gripping members or grip-features on the opposite side of the shoe fastener (and thus when placed on the shoe cross the instep of the shoe) and whereby this first type of elongated members are interconnected. More particularly the first type of elongated members can be interconnected by one or more members interconnecting at least two of the first type of elongated members. Typically the interconnecting members are located towards the outer ends of the elongated members and extend between two or more gripping members or grip-features on the same end of the shoe fastener.

In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener comprises at least two types of elongated members. The first type of elongated members are elongated members that interconnect between attachment points on the opposite side of a shoe thereby crossing the instep of the shoe. The second type of elongated members are elongated members that interconnect between attachment points on the same side of the shoe.

In further particular embodiments, the first type of elongated members as described above, are members which extend horizontally, i.e. follow the surface of the throat or vamp of the shoe, while the second type of elongated members are members which extend vertically, i.e. parallel to the side of the shoe.

As described above, the elongated members can be clearly distinguishable as forming individual units between specific sets of attachment points of the shoe, but may also be integrated in a continuous structure extending along several sets of attachment points of the shoe. More particularly, elongated members extending between multiple attachment points on the same side of the shoe may not be clearly distinguishable but may be comprised in one continuous elongated member. In these cases however, one can consider a unit of an elongated member, the section extending between the two closest attachment points. In further particular embodiments, the shoe fastener as described above comprises an assembly of at least three elongated members (or units of an elongated member) of the first type and at least four elongated members (or units of an elongated member) of the second type. Depending on the number of attachment point on the shoe onto which the shoe fastener engages, the number of elongated members may vary. Typically, the number of elongated members (or units thereof) of the first type (crossing to the other side of the shoe) is equal or larger than the number of pairs of attachment points of a shoe and the number of elongated members (or units thereof) of the second type (engaging attachment points on the same side of the shoe) is equal or larger than twice the number of pairs of attachment points of a shoe deducted with 1. For instance a shoe fastener interconnecting between at N pairs of attachment points of a shoe requires N elongated members of the first type en (N-1 )*2 elongated members of the second type. In particular embodiments the elongated members are connected with each other through a hinge system enabling the independent movement of each elongated member separately. In further embodiments at least part of the elongated members are attached to each other through a rigid connection. In a particular embodiment the shoe fastener is made as a single piece of material. More particularly, said shoe fastener is a monolithic structure as it constitutes out of one solid and unbroken piece of material. The elongated members of the shoe fasteners envisaged herein can have either a straight or curved shape. A straight shape provides a lower degree of resilience to the structure. A curved elongation member provides the structure with more resilience and a higher degree of flexibility. In particular embodiments, the elongated members of the first type as described above have a curved shape. In further particular embodiments, said curved elongated member has a V-shape or a loop shape as illustrated in figures 7 and 8.

In particular embodiments the shoe fastener comprises both straight and curved elongated members of the first type.

In particular embodiments, the part of the shoe fastener comprising the gripping members or grip-features, are placed under the vamps of the shoe comprising the attachment points (eyelets), whereby the gripping members engage with the attachment points or the grip-features are engaged with the attachment points using a gripping tool from the inside of the shoe outwards. The shoe fastener as provided herein extends between at least three pairs of attachment points of a shoe. The pairs of attachment points are referred to herein as "cooperating attachment points", if they are located on opposite sides of the shoe, more particularly on opposite sides of the vamp of a shoe. In particular embodiments, the attachment points are attachment points provided for fastening shoelaces, such as eyelets, hooks, holes or loops. In certain embodiments, the attachment points may be designed to match the gripping members. In further embodiments, the attachment points and the gripping members or grip-features and gripping tools comprise elements or combinations of elements selected from the group consisting of interlocking features and a snap-fit system. However, it is not required for the present invention, as the shoe fasteners can be used with classical attachment points. Attachment points are referred to as neighboring or subsequent attachment points if they are located in ascending/descending order on the vamp of the shoe (i.e. in the orientation extending from the toes to the leg on the top of the foot)

The fastener units are resilient to provide sufficient tensile strength to fasten the shoe and to increase comfort to the user. Preferably, the resilience of the fastener units is sufficient to push the shoe tightly to the shape of the foot, while still allowing a reversible deformation of the fastener units which is sufficient to enable the user to put on and to take of the shoe. In particular embodiments, the resilience of the fastener units allows an increase of the distance between the gripping members on opposite sides of the shoe fastener by 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% or more.

A first factor influencing the resilience is the shape and interconnection of the fastener units. Indeed, the crosswise configuration of the elongated members allows for a high degree of resilience. Moreover, where the elongated members of the neighboring fastener units are interconnected by a connection of the ends of the elongated members only, this ensures further resilience. The resilience of the fastener units is further influenced by the composition of the fastener units. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the fastener units are made of a resilient material, or comprise a resilient material. A suitable resilient material is any material which is elastic enough to firmly hold its position when adjusted to fit between a given set of attachment points, but comfortable when the wearer of the shoe bends or twists his or her foot. In particular embodiments, the fastener units comprise a (co)polymer. Suitable (co)polymers include polyamides, epoxy, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyesters, aramides, polyethyleneterephthalate, polymethylmethacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate or blends thereof. In particular embodiments, the polymer is a polyamide, e.g. nylon. In particular embodiments, the copolymer is epoxy. In particular the fastener units comprise Digital Materials™ as provided by Objet (see further).

In particular embodiments, the fastener units are made of a polymer in which glass particles and/or metal particles are suspended. In particular embodiments, the polymer is a polyamide, e.g. nylon. In particular embodiments, the metal particles are aluminium particles. The glass or metal particles typically have a size between 1 μηι and 100 μηι, for example 60 μηι. An example of such a material is Alumide^®, available from EOS Gmbh, Germany. Alumide^® is made up of 50 (weight)% fine aluminium powder suspended in polyamide (Nylon 12).

In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener may be formed of a material which is precolored, for example to match the color of the shoe.

The tensile strength of the shoe fastener may be adapted further by providing crumple zones or zones with different resilience. In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener as provided herein comprises one or more differently resilient zones. Thus, in certain embodiments, at least one zone of the shoe fastener has a different resilience than another zone of the shoe fastener. Zones with different resilience may be obtained in various ways. For example, where the shoe fastener comprises elongated members, one or more elongated members may be provided with a varying thickness along their length. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the thickness or diameter of at least one of said elongated members is not uniform. Additionally or alternatively, zones with different resilience may be obtained by providing the shoe fastener with zones with a different composition.

Additionally or alternatively, an increased resilience and flexibility of the shoe fastener may be obtained by providing a resilient coupling within the different elements making up the lattice structure. For instance, increased resilience and flexibility can be provided by providing resilient coupling elements between the two elongated members of one or more of the fastener units. Thus, in particular embodiments, the pair of elongated members of at least one fastener unit are coupled through a coupling element providing additional resilience. In particular embodiments, resilience and flexibility is ensured by providing a resilient connection between the different units of the lattice structure. For instance, where the lattice structure is obtained by interconnected fastening units, the coupling of the ends of at least two elongated members of a first and second interconnected fastener unit can be obtained via a connection element which ensures (additional) resilience. In certain embodiments, additional resilience may be obtained by providing a connection element with a different thickness, preferably a lower thickness, than the elongated members. Additionally or alternatively, the connection element may have another composition than the elongated members.

Additionally or alternatively, increased resilience may be obtained by the shape of the connections, for example a loop-shaped connection between different elements of the lattice structure. A loop-shaped connection may act as a spring, thereby increasing the resilience of the shoe fastener. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the connection between an end of an elongated member of a first fastener unit with an end of an elongated member of the second fastener unit forms a loop.

In certain embodiments, the resilience of the shoe fastener is user-specific. This optimizes the comfort to the user, which is particularly useful in sports, and for medical applications. The shape of the elongated members of the fastener units may vary. The elongated members may have a straight or curved shape. As described hereabove, the thickness of the elongated members may or may not be uniform. In particular embodiments, the thickness or diameter of the elongated members ranges between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more particularly between 1 mm and 5 mm.

In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener comprises two or more parts, which can be reversibly connected to each other, each part comprising gripping members engageable to attachment points on one side of the vamp of the shoe. When these parts are connected to each other, they form the resilient structure described herein. Such a reversible connection offers the ability to open the shoe without disengaging the gripping members from the attachment points. In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener comprises two parts which connect centrally on the vamp of the shoe.

In further embodiments, the two or more parts remain connected in at least one point in a V-shape. This facilitates the connection of the two top parts to each other. Typically, the shoe fastener will be in one part in the area of the shoe fastener which is to be placed on the shoe nearer to the toes and the separating parts are provided in the area which is to be placed closer to the leg;

In particular embodiments, when connected, the two or more parts form two or more serially interconnected fastener units as described herein. In certain embodiments, the connections between the two or more parts form the intersections between the elongated members.

In particular embodiments, the coupling of the two or more parts is obtained via a mechanism such as, but not limited to interlocking features, a snap-fit system, a dovetail system, a pinned system, a zipper or a magnetic system.

In certain embodiments, the shoe fastener is made as a single piece. This reduces production costs and avoids dismembering during use. In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener is partially or completely made via additive manufacturing (AM). AM techniques are particularly useful to manufacture custom shoe fasteners, or to produce the shoe fastener as a single piece.

AM can be defined as a group of techniques used to fabricate a tangible model of an object typically using three-dimensional (3-D) computer aided design (CAD) data of the object. Currently, a multitude of Additive Manufacturing techniques is available, including stereolithography, Selective Laser Sintering, Fused Deposition Modeling, foil-based techniques, etc.

Selective laser sintering uses a high power laser or another focused heat source to sinter or weld small particles of plastic, metal, or ceramic powders into a mass representing the 3-dimensional object to be formed.

Fused deposition modeling and related techniques make use of a temporary transition from a solid material to a liquid state, usually due to heating. The material is driven through an extrusion nozzle in a controlled way and deposited in the required place as described among others in U.S. Pat. No. 5.141.680.

Foil-based techniques fix coats to one another by means of gluing or photo polymerization or other techniques and cut the object from these coats or polymerize the object. Such a technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5.192.539.

Typically AM techniques start from a digital representation of the 3-D object to be formed. Generally, the digital representation is sliced into a series of cross-sectional layers which can be overlaid to form the object as a whole. The AM apparatus uses this data for building the object on a layer-by-layer basis. The cross-sectional data representing the layer data of the 3-D object may be generated using a computer system and computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software.

In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener as provided herein is manufactured using the method described in US patent application 2010140852 (Objet Geometries Ltd), which is hereby incorporated by reference. In specific embodiments, the shoe fastener is manufactured using the Objet Connex™ 3D printing system, which offers the ability to fabricate composite materials (so-called Digital Materials™) with pre-determined mechanical properties, e.g. a pre-determined resilience. This system further offers the ability to manufacture an object comprising zones with different compositions as a single piece.

A further aspect provides methods for manufacturing a shoe fastener as described herein above, more particularly methods which allow the production of shoe fasteners having a predetermined tensile strength adjusted to a specific requirement. The methods for manufacturing comprise the steps of:

b) optionally, obtaining information about the user of said shoe and/or the intended use of the shoe;

c) designing and manufacturing a shoe fastener for extending between at least three pairs of attachment points of a shoe based on the information obtained in step a) and b).

In particular embodiments said shoe fastener extends between at least three pairs of attachment points of a shoe and comprises a structure of a resilient material and three pairs of gripping members or grip-features, wherein the resilience of said lattice structure is adjusted to ensure suitable fastening of the shoe fastener.

In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener comprises a structure comprising at least three pairs of gripping members or grip-features and at least three elongated members extending between said gripping members or grip-features, whereby said elongated members are connected to each other and wherein the resilience of one or more of said elongated members is adjusted to ensure suitable fastening of a shoe when said gripping members or grip features are engaged with the attachment points of said shoe. In particular embodiments, the shoe fastener comprises:

two or more fastener units of a resilient material, each fastener unit comprising a pair of elongated members which are coupled in a crosswise configuration, provided with gripping members or grip-features which are engageable in said attachment points and wherein said two or more fastener units are serially interconnected;

wherein the resilience of one or more of said elongated members, connection elements and coupling elements is adjusted to ensure suitable fastening of the shoe. The information obtained in step a) ensures that the relative position of the attachment points is known. This information can then be used in step c) to determine the relative position of the gripping members. Where no further information is obtained, the shoe is designed to ensure suitable fastening for the average wearer, i.e. tensile strength which will allow sufficient movement of the foot in the shoe but ensures that the shoe is maintained on the foot. This may require, for each shoe of interest, an adjustment of the tensile strength of the shoe fastener, which can be adjusted as described above by adjustment of the shape and/or material of the different elements.

The information obtained in step b) of the methods described above is optional, and may be used for the design and manufacture of a custom, user-specific shoe fastener. Relevant information about the user is for example volume information about the anatomy of the foot of said user and/or information about the desired movement of the foot within the shoe. It will be understood that in particular embodiments, the information obtained in step (b) may be such that it requires adjustment of the shoe and/or the attachment points thereon so as to be able to design a shoe fastener having the desired properties. Again the information obtained in step b) can be used to determine the size and required tensile strength of the different parts of the shoe fastener, which can be determined based thereon. The step of obtaining volume information of the anatomical part may comprise obtaining digital user-specific image information, for example a 3D model of (a part of) the user's foot. Such a (digital) 3D model may be obtained via a software program from a series of 2D images of the foot. The images may be taken with a standard camera, and calibration element may be used during imaging. In certain embodiments, the volume information may be obtained using medical imaging devices such as a computer tomography (CT) scanner, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, an ultrasound scanner, or a combination of Roentgenograms. A summary of medical imaging has been described in "Fundamentals of Medical imaging", by P. Suetens, Cambridge University Press, 2002.

In particular embodiments, step c) includes manufactured the shoe fastener via additive manufacturing, as described hereabove.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a shoe comprising at least three (cooperating) pairs of attachment points and one or more shoe fasteners as described herein. The shoe fastener typically extends between the three or more (cooperating) pairs of attachment points of the shoe. The attachment points are typically provided on the upper or vamp of the shoe, i.e. the top layer of material that holds the foot to the sole. In particular embodiments, the attachment points are selected from eyelets, hooks, holes and loops. In particular embodiments combinations of a shoe with different shoe fasteners are provided, such as combinations with 1 , 2, 3 or more shoe fasteners having different appearance (e.g. color) and/or having different tensile strength (for different uses).

In particular embodiments, the gripping members are permanently engaged with the attachment points of the shoe. In further embodiments, the gripping members of the shoe fastener are sewn or glued onto the shoe.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of a shoe fastener as described herein to fasten a shoe. In particular embodiments, the use involves positioning the gripping members onto the attachment points of a shoe, typically lace attachment points such as eyelets. Typically this involves applying pressure to the shoe fastener to allow positioning of the gripping members. Once the gripping members are in the correct position, the shoe fastener can be released, thereby fastening the shoe. The shoe fastener can be released from the shoe by reversing the process.

The resilience of the shoe fastener may be such that it is not necessary to release the shoe fastener from the shoe. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the gripping members are not removed from the attachment points once engaged thereto.

The present invention will be illustrated by the following non-limiting embodiments. EXAMPLES

Figure 1 shows a shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment. The shoe fastener comprises three serially coupled fastener units (2), each comprising a pair of elongated members (3) which are coupled in a crosswise configuration. The fastener units (2) are provided with griping members (4) at the ends of the elongated members (3). The gripping members are hook-shaped and are engageable in eyelets of a shoe. Each fastener unit is coupled to its neighboring fastener unit(s) via two ends of its elongated members. Each connection between two ends of elongated members forms a loop (5), thereby providing additional resilience to the shoe fastener.

Figure 2 shows the same shoe fastener (1 ) while fastening a shoe (6). The shoe is provided with cooperating pairs of eyelets (7) on opposing sides of the shoe. The shoe fastener is engaged on the eyelets (7) of the shoe via its gripping members (3).

Figure 3 shows a shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment. The fastener unit is comprised of two parts (8, 9), which are reversibly coupled to each other. When coupled, the parts form three serially coupled fastener units (2), each comprising a pair of elongated members (3) which are coupled in a crosswise configuration. The two parts remain connected in one point (11 ). The connections between the two parts (8, 9) form the intersections between the elongated members. The fastener units (2) are provided with griping members (4) at the ends of the elongated members (3). The gripping members are hook-shaped. Each fastener unit is coupled to its neighboring fastener unit(s) via two ends of its elongated members. Each connection between two ends of elongated members forms a loop (5).

Figure 4 shows a particular embodiment of a shoe fastener (1 ) . The shoe fastener comprises gripping members (4), which are connected through a resilient structure (10), which is a resilient lattice structure.

Figure 5 shows a V-shaped shoe fastener (1 ) according to a particular embodiment from a frontal viewpoint (A) and from the side (B). The shoe fastener comprises gripping members (4), which are connected through a resilient structure (10). The resilient structure comprises horizontally connecting elongated members (15) of the first type (as described herein) and vertically connecting elongated members (16) of the second type (as described herein). The horizontally connecting elongated members (15) of the first type may provide a straight shape (17) or a curved V-shape (18). Figure 6 illustrates different types of gripping tools (which can optionally be incorporated into the shoe fastener as gripping members) (20) that are envisaged. The gripping tools are shaped such that a gripping interaction with the attachment points such as eyelets on the shoe (and optionally with the shoe fastener) can be made. Different shapes and sizes are envisaged including a cotter pin-shaped gripping tool or member (20a), a pawn-shaped gripping tool or member with a slit (20b), a pawn-shaped gripping tool or member (20c), gripping tool or member having the shape of a round-headed screw (20d), a rook-shaped gripping tool or member (20e) and a undulating arc shaped gripping tool or member (20f). Figure 7 illustrates the forces and resilience provided by a V-shaped form (A) of the horizontally connecting elongated members. The V-shaped form (B) provides a resilient force (31 ) caused by the V shape and results in a force output (30) onto the part of the V-shape onto which the gripping members are attached. An additional structure moving along the V-shaped structure (21 ) or a locking mechanism (22) may be additionally provided to help in modifying and tuning the required force output (30).

Figure 8 illustrates the forces and resilience provided by a loop-shaped form (A) of the horizontally connecting elongation members. The loop-shaped form (B) provides a resilient force (31 ) caused by the V shape and results in a force output (30) onto the part of the loop-shape onto which the gripping members are attached.

Figure 9 illustrates V- (A) and Loop shaped (B-C) assemblies formed by multiple V- or loop shaped elongated members. Figure 10 illustrates a circular shaped shoe fastener comprising a circular shaped central feature onto which the elongation members are attached.

Claims

1. A shoe fastener extending between at least three pairs of attachment points of a shoe, comprising a structure of a resilient material and three pairs of gripping members or grip-features.

2. The shoe fastener according to claim 1 , comprising at least three pairs of gripping members or grip-features, which are interconnected via a resilient structure comprising at least a first type of elongated members which interconnect attachment points on opposite sides of a shoe thereby crossing the instep of the shoe and wherein these first type of elongated members are interconnected.

3. The shoe fastener according to claim 2, wherein said first type of elongated members are connected by one or more members each interconnecting at least two of said first type of elongated members at or near to the gripping members or grip-features.

4. The shoe fastener according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said first type of elongated members are connected by one or more second type of elongated members interconnecting the gripping members or grip-features on the same side of the shoe fastener, thereby running parallel to the side of the shoe upon placement on the shoe.

5. The shoe fastener according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said elongated members form individual units between the attachment points of the shoe.

6. The shoe fastener according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said members form an integrated and continuous structure extending along several sets of attachment points of the shoe.

7. The shoe fastener according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said shoe fastener extends between at least N pairs of attachment points, N being an integer equal or larger than three, said shoe fastener further comprising at least N elongated members of the first type and at least (N-1 )*2 elongated members of the second type.

8. The shoe fastener according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the elongated members have a straight and/or curved shape.

9. The shoe fastener according to claim 1 comprising two or more fastener units of a resilient material, each fastener unit comprising a pair of elongated members which are coupled in a crosswise configuration, wherein each end of said elongated members is provided with a gripping member or grip-feature which is engageable in one of said attachment points and wherein said two or more fastener units are serially interconnected.

10. The shoe fastener according to claim 9, wherein said two or more fastener units are serially interconnected through the coupling of ends of the elongated members of a first fastener unit with ends of the elongated members of a second fastener unit serially connected thereto.

1 1 . The shoe fastener according to claim 10, wherein the coupling of the ends of at least two elongated members of a first and second interconnected fastener unit is via a connection element which ensures additional resilience.

12. The shoe fastener according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the connection between the end of an elongated member of a first fastener unit with the end of an elongated member of the second fastener unit forms a loop.

13. The shoe fastener according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the end of an elongated member of a first fastener unit shares a gripping member with the end of an elongated member of a second fastener unit serially connected thereto.

14. The shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said gripping members engage with or the grip-features are engaged with the attachment points of a shoe from the inside of the shoe outwards.

15. The shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising one or more different resilient zones.

16. The shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the elongated members are coupled through a coupling element providing additional resilience.

17. The shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said shoe fastener is made as a single part.

18. The shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said shoe fastener is made of a polymer.

19. The shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said shoe fastener is made via additive manufacturing.

20. A shoe comprising:

at least three cooperating pairs of attachment points; and a shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21 . Use of a shoe fastener according to any one of clams 1 to 19 to fasten a shoe.

22. A method for manufacturing a shoe fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising the steps of:

b) optionally, obtaining information about a user of said shoe;