`
` To,
`PATENT
`SPECIFICATION
`
`Po be
`k
`
` ty
`
`596.56
`No, 19532/45,
`Application Date: fuly 30, 1745...
`
`Complete Specification Left: Dec, 18, 1945,
`Complete Specification Accepted: Jan, 6, 1948.
`
`
`2
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`PROVISIONAL SPECIPICATION,=72Ee
`- Laces and Method of Manufacturing the same
`T, Apotpn Rerrer, a citizen of
`the
`apply to the laces a surface configuration.
`which will
`improve their knotproofness 60
`_ United States ofAmerica, residing at 1038,
`.
`and embellish the same.
`West 87th Street; New York, New York,
`United States of America, do hereby
`It is an important object of the inven- ©
`declare the nature of this invention to he
`tion to, simplify the manufacturing process
`reduce the
`- of the laces and to greatly
`as follows: — -
`.
`The invention relates to the manufac-
`manufacturing - costs.
`-
`oe
`It has been found that these and other
`ture of laces used to connect two parts
`provided with eyelets forthe introduction
`objects which will become apparent as this
`of laces andparticularly to the manufac-
`specification proceeds may be successfully
`attained if the laces consist of
`sections
`ture of shoe laces.
`oo ,
`Articles of this type are generally made
`which are severed from thin continuous
`of cireular-or rectangular fabric or leather
`bodies, such as lacings, bands or rods of
`strips aud their union producing- the
`a pliable thermoplastic material having
`closure of individual parts is accomplished
`a restricted elasticity, the pliability being
`by the formation of a knot. A main
`improved by the admixture of suitable
`disadvantage of the customary laces con-.
`plasticizers;
`the sections are shaped or.
`sists therem that a reliable closure by the
`conditioned at their ends preferably in the
`knot is not obtainable; in other words, the
`course of the manufacture of the laces to
`customary laces and shoe strings are not
`be easily introduced into the eyelets.
`sufficiently knot-proof; the Imots - open
`-Thermoplastic materials of the vinyl,
`unintentionally and the shoes become
`vinylchloride, vinylchloride acetate, acryl
`unlaced; this deficiency makes itself
`and methacryl-type have been found to be
`particularly felt in the imitial periods of
`particularly suitable for the purposes of
`the invention, as these plastics acquire,
`use.
`ae
`.
`Another grave manufacturing difficulty
`when. heat shaped,. for
`instance heat-
`resides therein that the ends of shoe and
`extruded or heat-pressed into thin con-
`other laces must be rigidified or shaped or
`tinuous bodies, a high degree of a some-
`both in order to facilitate their introduc-
`what micro-rough surface character which
`tion into the eyelets and to protect un-
`results in perfect -knotproofness. -
`ravelling of the ends; this object is in the
`- The manufacture of shoe laceshas been
`case of shoe laces generally- accomplished
`chosen to illustrate the invention by way
`byencasing the ends in metal tubings.
`of example.
`ot
`oe
`Tt is theobject of
`the invention to
`In conformity with the same pliable
`produce binding’ laces and particularly
`thermoplastic materials are heat-extruded
`shoelaces which do not open unintention-
`into thin- continuous bodies,
`such
`as
`ally and are completely knot-proof from
`bands, tubes or rods in theusual gener-
`ally known manner.
`the first stage of their application.
`As the continuous 96
`It is another object of the invention to
`hody is discharged from the extruding
`shape the endsof the securing laces with-
`press it is severed-by suitable cutters, for
`outtheapplication of additional elements
`instance the known continuous saws used
`in such a manner that theycan beeasily
`for severing extruded metal wire,
`into
`introduced into the eyelets of the articles
`sections of the shoe lace length. The sec- 108
`to be’closed, for instance of shoe uppers.
`tions having, due to the chosen manufac-
`Itis another ‘object of the invention to
`turing material and in spite of their.
`reinforce the ends of the binding laces
`pliability, a substantial amount of body
`without the use of additional measures or
`at their ends, are teduced ineross area oy-
`pointed in order to impart to-them a shape 105
`elements.
`=
`~~
`Se
`It is also an object of the invention to
`which will facilitaté their introduetion
`properly condition theends of the laces
`into the eyelets.
`~~
`—--
`ot
`simultaneously with their manufacture.
`In accordance with another manner of:
`Ti is another object of the invention to
`production the thermoplastic materials
`[Price U]-]
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`66.
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`The knot proofing property may alse
`be improved by coarsening or roughening
`the surface of the continuous bodies by 30
`adding to the initial thermoplastic masses
`solid substances in powdered form, such
`as for instance a fine silica or clay powder.
`Customary plasticizers are preferably
`used at a percentage of about 5 to 40% 95
`to impart to the thermoplastic materials
`used in the realisation of this invention
`the desired pliahility and bendability; as
`preferable plasticizers butyl compounds
`may be employed.
`.
`. The extruding or pressing temperatures
`are not different from the working tem-
`peratures customarily used in the heat-
`shaping of thermoplastic materials;
`the
`severed sections are cured, if required, in 45
`the manner known in this art.
`
`40
`-
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`-
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`.
`
`are pressed inthe form of thin continuous
`bodies and provided in accordance with
`the standard length of shoe laces by a pair
`of correspondingly surfaces rollers with
`6 short portions of a reduced cross area; if
`these rods are then severed at the reduced
`places, thin ends are created which are
`adapted for the introduction into eyelets.
`The invention may be used te manu-
`10 facture laces and strings which are pro-
`vided with specific surface configuration,
`for instanee longitudinal spiral ribs, pro-
`jections,
`grooves, or with decorative
`designs. For this purpose the extrusion
`j§ nozzle may be shaped accordingly .or a
`pair of rollers may be used which are
`provided. with design applying surfaces.
`The
`thin continuous
`thermoplastic
`bodies used for the making of laces in
`20 accordance with the invention may have
`a circular, oval, elipsoidal, quadrangular,
`Dated the 30th day of July, 1945.
`rectangular cross area; the long sides of
`ELKINGTON & FIFE,
`the elipsoidal shapes may he straightened
`-Consulting Chemists and Chartered
`out and opposite sides of the quadran-
`Patent Agents,
`25 gular or the short sides of the rectangular
`.
`Bank Chambers,
`.
`shapes may. he rounded, whereby the knot
`329, High Holborn, London, W.C.1,
`proofness.is greatly enhanced..
`Agents for the Applicant.
`COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
`Laces and Method of Manufacturing the same
`_ J, Avotpa Rerrer, a .citizen of
`the
`and leather made shoe
`laces are the 80
`United States of America, residing at 108,
`following.
`.
`.
`West 87th Street, New. York, New York.
`These shoe laces have practically no
`0 United States of America, do hereby
`extensibility and no elastic
`elongation.
`declare the nature of this invention and
`Therefore, and in order to properly close
`the upper of a ready made shoe, the laces 88
`in what.manner. the same is to be per-
`formed, to be particularly described and
`are severely pulled together. As a conse-
`ascertained in and by thefollowing state-
`quence of the unyielding character of
`ment :—
`.
`.
`these shoe laces the foot is excessively
`The invention relates to strings and
`compressed and tires easily and quickly.
`laces for footwear; it is applicable to other
`The wearer must loosen the shoe after a 90
`types of tying strings and laces where
`comparatively short period of wear, the
`
`G0 similar and—conditionsrequirements
`
`strain.and pressure exerted by the tightly
`prevail.
`.
`_.
`.
`.
`pulled shoe strings becoming unbearable.
`Tt is an established rule in the manu-
`Tf, on the other hand, the strings are
`not properly tied and the upper, conse- 95
`facture of shoes and particularly ready.
`made shoes that the size of the shoes is
`quently, is not properly closed, the foot
`g5 mainly controlled by the length of the.
`has no hold.and the walking in a loosely
`sole; the varying configuration and dimen-
`fitting shoe is, not only annoying. but
`sions of the instep is not considered in
`dangerous.
`_
`_
`the ordinary shoe making art.
`|
`From this failure of fabric or leather 100
`Consequently, the proper closure of the
`made shoe strings the suggestion arose to
`7 shoe upper
`has more or less become
`a
`make the same from rubber bands.
`Rubber bands, however,
`are highly
`;
`mandate of the shoe laces.
`|
`This
`function cannot be properly
`elastic and the easily yielding shoe strings
`made of rubber bands will not produce a 105
`accomplished by a shoe lace which ismade
`of fabrics or leather; this is particularly
`sufficient hold of the foot.
`76 true if the foot of the shoewearer is sensi-
`The use of leather, fabric and rubber
`made shoe strings causes another grave
`tive to pressure or if he suffers from weak-.
`ness or sickness of the upper. foot liga-
`disadvantage which is insufficient knot-
`proofness. The knots made with. this type 110
`ments.
`.
`ae
`The reasons for the failure of fabric
`of laces often open wnintentionally: this
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`396,562
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`deficiency makes itself particularly felt
`elastic elongation of between about 5 to
`during the initial periods of use.
`175 per cent. when subjected to a load
`Moreover, fabric, leather and rubber
`of about 10 pounds; this load corresponds
`shoe strings have the tendency of twist-
`approximately to the average pressure
`5 ing and kinking.
`.
`used forthe tying of a shoe lace.
`“Tt
`is an object of the invention to
`In many cases an elastic elongation of
`remedy the above recited shortcomings of
`about between 10 to 150 and even down to
`unyielding fabric and leather made shoe
`100 per cent. will satisfactorily serve the
`laces.- St
`purposes of this invention.
`¥t is another object of the invention to
`The above given elastic elongation 75
`avoid the disadvantages of highly elastic
`refers to a cross area of about one hundred-
`rubber made shoe laces which do not effect
`thirtieth square inch, which is equal to
`a sufficient hold of the foot.
`the average thickness of a normal shoe
`ace.
`-
`It is an important object of the inven-
`15 tion to manufacture a shoe lace which
`It was not to be foreseen that a shoe 80
`possesses a surprising-knot-proofness and
`lace severed from a band made of plastics
`will not untie itself unintentionally.
`having the above recited elastic elonga-
`Tt is also an object of the invention to
`tion would create the proper “ give,” that
`provide a shoe lace which does not kink
`it would at the sametime comply with the
`20 and twist.
`ae Se
`severe
`requirements of knot-proofness, 85
`It is a further-object of the invention
`afford the desired hold of the foot with-
`to produce a shoe string which will com-
`out undue pressure on the instep in spite
`pensate imperfectly fitting shoe uppers,
`ofa scanty and ill-fitting shoe upper and
`which-will permit a proper closure of the
`that it would not twist or kink.
`-
`same-without undue compression of the
`- Thermoplastics, such as vinyl, vinyl. 90
`foot
`and therefore be
`a
`relief
`for
`chloride, vinylacetate, acryl and meth-
`persons who have pressure-sensitive foot
`acryl resins having admixed thereto about
`- ligaments. -
`-
`10 to 85 and preferably 20 to 32 per cent.
`It is also an object of the invention to
`plasticizers, such as butyl compounds,
`30 provide a shoe lace which is-water impreg-
`phialates such as for instance dioctyl- 95
`nable, therefore does not
`shrink in
`phtalate have been found to be of parti-
`contact -with water and does not become
`cular aptitude for the making of the shoe
`slippery in contradistinction to leather
`laces in conformity with the invention.
`and textile made shoe laces which under
`The ‘‘ give” of the shoe laces may be
`86 these conditions greatly lose in: knot-
`improved by making the cross section of 100
`proofness.
`--
`--
`- the strip-shaped , plastics
`substantially
`_
`It is a-further object of the invention
`circular, oval orelliptic. The application
`to produce a shoe lace which in itself hag
`of inner channels to the strips whereby
`sufficient body or stiffness to be directed
`tubular shoe laces result, further increase
`40 into the eyelet of the shoe upper, does not
`the knot-proofness.
`oe
`need to be reinforced and which does not
`The latter may also be improved by
`unravel,
`-
`roughening the surface of the bands -or
`It is an important object of the inven-
`‘applying to the same a slightly irregular
`,,
`tion-to create a shoe lace which can be
`surface configuration; this object may be
`45 easily manufactured and colored, which
`accomplished by mechanical-processes 110
`is colorproof and has.a great beauty
`such as sand-blasting or metallization:
`appeal.
`Oe
`-
`fine powders. such as powdered fine siliea
`A. shoe lace which, answersthese objects
`or clay may be blasted onto the same; the
`will be termed a shoe lace having a proper
`same purpose may be achieved by appli-
`50 “give” because-its main requirements
`cation of slight surface grooves, buckles 115
`are met by mechanical characteristics of
`or lumps; chemical methods may be used
`the material used for their manufacture.
`for the same purpose, such as the creation
`With the above
`recited and other
`of fitie surface Precipitates; for this pur-
`objects
`in view which will
`become
`pose a solution of barium chloride may be —
`55 apparent as this specification proceeds,
`added to the plastic compoundprior to its 120
`the invention consists in the use of
`extrusion into a strip and the extruded
`plasties and particularly of continuous
`strip may be immediately passed through
`bands ofplastics for the manufacture of
`diluted sulphuric acid whereby a strongly
`shoe laces; the thus produced shoe laces
`adherent fine precipitate of barium sul- —
`80 are knotproof, water impreenable, do not
`phate is produced onits surface.
`125
`twist or kink, can be easily colored and
`_ Thesurface dullness which is a clear
`are colorproof.
`-The plastic bands or
`indicator for the: desired toughening of
`strips used in accordance with the inven-
`the surface of the plastic band may also
`.
`tion for the manufacture of
`the laces
`be-obtained if the extrusion is-effected at
`65 should preferably have a certain critical
`a possibly low temperature.
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`AYS02
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`Another means to accomplish effects of
`the above described type consists in the
`applicationof coatings, for instance pare-
`rubber, laequer and varnish coatings to
`the <trips upon theif exit
`from the
`extrusion press, whereby adjustments may
`be obtained of the elongation and Imoet-
`proofness.
`The same purpose may be obtained by
`applying cores or inserts to the plastic
`hands of a material which has a different
`and preferably a lesser elongation. than
`the plastie band. Cores-or inserts made
`of
`textiles will successfully serve this
`purpose. These cores may be applied. te
`the plastie band duringits extrusion irom
`in extrusion press.
`:
`oe
`However,
`it may also he possible te
`superpose two thin plastic sheets and an
`intermediary textile layer
`to unite the
`three superposed layers. for instance by
`heat to form.a compensate sheet. and to
`separate this. sheet
`into a plurality of
`strips from which the laces are severed.
`‘A. shoe lace made of plasties in. accord-
`ance with the just explained principles is
`by way of example illustrated.
`in
`the
`secompanying drawing. in which.
`.
`Fig. 1
`is a-plan of one embodiment.
`. Fig. 4 is a plan of the end portion of a
`second embodiment,
`.
`.
`~ Figs. 2. 3, Sand 6-are cross sections of
`different laces.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`For the manufacture of a shoe laee as
`exemplified in the drawings a. thermo:
`plastic material such as for instance a
`vinyl resin containing 23 per cent... of .a
`butyl compound plasticizer is estruded
`from an extrusion press at a temperature
`which is sufficiently low to just permit
`the extrusion into a-strip having o cross
`section of approximately one hundred-
`thirtieth, square inch.
`Le
`Tf laces are used having a
`circular.
`elliptical, aval ar tubular cross section as
`shown in Figs. 2. 3, 5 and 6, a very satis-
`factory knot-proofness is obtained.
`Tn order to apply surface irregulations
`to, the plastie strips, such as grooves or
`ribs by mechanieal means. the extrusion
`nozzles of the press may. be correspond-
`ingly shaped or accordingly surfaced
`rollers may he used,
`.
`‘The laces are tapered at both ends and
`the ends do not require reinforcement:
`the ends do not unravel. A great advan-
`tage of the specific plastics used in the
`realization of the inyention is that they
`do not twist and kink during the tying
`procedure. 0
`he above given elastic elongation will,
`. of course. undergo a corresponding modi-
`fication if the cross section of the band is
`vuried or a different load is applied; how-
`65 ever, it is understood that any strip of a
`
`30
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`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`65
`
`60
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`plastic material is embraced by the inven-
`fon which has: the ubove recited elastic
`elongation.
`OO
`;
`"Havingnowparticularly deseribed and
`“nscertained the nature of my said inven- 70
`Hon and in. what manner the same is to —
`he performed, T declare that what T claim
`is:—
`1. A knot-proof
`lace for
`tying pur-
`poses, characterized therein that it con- J
`sists of a section severed from a continuous
`band made of a thermoplastic material.
`2. A knot-proof lace accordingto claim
`1, characterized therein that the thermo-
`plustie band has an elastie elongation of
`between about 5 to 174 per cent. when
`subjected to a load of about ten pounds.
`3. -.A knot-proof lace far tying purposes
`areording te claim 1, cha racterised there-
`in that the thermoplastie band has an
`elastic elongation of between about 10 to
`150 per cent. when subjected to a load of
`‘ahout ten pounds.
`-4, A knot-proof lace according to claim
`1. characterized therein that the thermo-
`plastic hand has an. elastic elongation of
`hetween about 10 to 100 per cent. when
`subjected to aload of aboutten pounds.
`_ 5, A knot-proof Jace according to claim
`j. characterized therein that the ends of
`the band-section are tapered.
`_ 6. A knot-proof lace according to claim
`1, characterized therein that
`fhe con-
`Hnnous-band of a thermoplastic material
`has an elliptical or oval or eireular or
`tubular cross: section.
`_ ¥. A knot-proof lace according to claim
`1, characterized therein that it
`is pro-
`vided with a ranghened surface configura-
`tion.
`-
`8. A knot-proof lace according to claim
`6, characterized therein that it is provided
`with a coating.to. control the elastic elon-
`aation ofthe thermoplastic band.
`9.. A knot-proof lace according to claim
`§. characterized therein that it is provided
`with 2 core to contro] the elastic elonga-
`toneof the plastic band.
`aceording to
`10. A knot-proof
`lace
`claim 1..characterized therein that it con-
`tains a core or insert of a textile material.
`11. A method of producing knot-provf
`shoe lace accordingto claim1, character-
`ized in shaping a-thermoplastic material
`having an elastic elongation of between 5
`to 175 per cent. into a continuous band
`and severing said band into sections of
`shoe lace length.
`.
`12. A method aceording to claim 11.
`characterized therein that a core or insert
`is applied to the thermoplastic band to
`control its elastic elongation.
`18. .4 method according to claim 11,
`characterized therein that a core or insert
`at a.textile material
`is applied to the
`
`80
`
`eh
`
`100
`
`106
`
`110
`
`115
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`125
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`130
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`

`

`. 596,562
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`5
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`10
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`thermoplastic band during its extrusion
`into a continuous band having an ellip-
`from an extrusion press.
`tical or quadrangular or oval or circular 25
`14. A method according to claim 11,
`or tubular cross section and an elastic
`characterized therein that sheets of
`a
`elongation of between 5 to 175 per cent.,
`5 thermoplastic material and a textile sheet
`severing said band into sections of shoe
`serving as an insert are superposed and
`lace length and tapering the ends of said
`sections.
`«80
`united and that the united sheet is severed
`into strips and the strips are cut into shoe
`17. A method of producing knot-proof
`lace length.
`shoe laces according io claim 15, charac-
`15. A method of producing knot-proof
`terized in imparting to the thermoplastic
`shoe laces according to claim 11, charac-
`band a roughened surface configuration.
`terized in extruding a
`thermoplastic
`18. A method of producing knot-proof 365
`material having about 10 to 85 per cent.
`shoe laces according to claim 15, charac-
`of a plasticizer admixed thereto into a
`terized in applying to the extensible
`45 continuous band having an elastie elon-
`thermoplastic band a coating to control
`gation of between 5 to 175 per cent., sever-
`its degree of elastic elongation.
`ing said band into sections of shoe lace
`Dated the 18th day of December, 1946.
`length and tapering the ends of the said
`ELKINGTON & FIFE,
`sections.
`Consulting Chemists and Chartered
`16. A method of producing knot-proof
`Patent Agents,
`shoe laces comprising extruding a thermo-
`Bank Chambers,
`plastic material having about 10 to 35
`329, High Holborn, London, W.C.1,
`per cent. of a plasticizer admixed thereto
`Agents for the Applicant.
`
`Leamington Spa: Printed for His Majesty’s Stationery Office, by the Courier Press—1948.
`Published at The Patent Office, 25, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.2, from which
`copies, price 1s. 0d. each (inland) 1s. 1d. (abroad> may be obtained.
`
`

`

`596,562 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
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`1 SHEET
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`[ThisDrawingisareproductionoftheOriginalonareducedscate]
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`H.M.S.Q.(Ty. P.)
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