Shoelace protector

Abstract

A shoelace protector that serves to protect a shoelace at or near the eyelet. The shoelace protector generally comprises a tube with a shaft and a base. The shaft protects the shoelace from damage and the base prevents the tube from being pushed or pulled completely through the eyelet. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the tube is detachably secured to the shoe by inserting said tube into the eyelet and lacing the shoelace therethrough. In another embodiment of the invention the tube is permanently secured to the eyelet or upper of the shoe.

1 . A protective shoelace enclosure for a shoe or the like that permits the majority of the shoelace to remain in full view, which generally comprises: 
 a tube that encloses said shoelace at or near the eyelet; and    a means of engaging said tube to said shoe.    
     
     
         2 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which said tube generally comprises a shaft and a base.  
     
     
         3 .The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which said means of engaging said shoelace protector to said shoe is to insert said tube into said eyelet and lace said shoelace through said tube.  
     
     
         4 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which said shoelace protector is permanently secured to said eyelet of said shoe.  
     
     
         5 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which said shoelace protector is permanently secured to said upper of said shoe.  
     
     
         6 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the shaft is constructed of a flexible material.  
     
     
         7 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the shaft is constructed of a rigid material  
     
     
         8 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the base is constructed of a flexible material.  
     
     
         9 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the base is constructed of a rigid material.  
     
     
         10 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the shaft is constructed of an opaque material.  
     
     
         11 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the shaft is constructed of a transparent material.  
     
     
         12 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the base is constructed of an opaque material.  
     
     
         13 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which the base is constructed of a transparent material.  
     
     
         14 . The shoelace protector of  claim 1  in which an insignia, emblem, logo, design, or other markings are be formed on said shoelace protector.  
     
     
         15 . A protective shoelace enclosure for a shoe or the like that permits the majority of the shoelace to remain in full view, which generally comprises: 
 a plurality of tubes joined to one another in any manner, said plurality of tubes enclosing said shoelace at or near a plurality of eyelets; and    a means of engaging said plurality of tubes to said shoe.    
     
     
         16 . The shoelace protector of  claim 15  in which said means of engaging said shoelace protector to said shoe is to insert at least one said tube into said eyelet and to lace said shoelace through said at least one tube.  
     
     
         17 . The shoelace protector of  claim 15  in which said shoelace protector is permanently secured to at least one said eyelet of said shoe.  
     
     
         18 . The shoelace protector of  claim 15  in which said shoelace protector is permanently secured to said upper of said shoe.  
     
     
         19 . The shoelace protector of  claim 15  in which an insignia, emblem, logo, design, or other markings are formed on said shoelace protector.  
     
     
         20 . A protective shoelace enclosure for a shoe or the like that permits the majority of the shoelace to remain in full view, which generally comprises: 
 a tube that encloses said shoelace at or near the eyelet, said tube generally comprising a shaft and a base; and    a means of engaging said tube to said shoe.    
     
     
         21 . The shoelace protector of  claim 20  in which said means of engaging said shoelace protector to said shoe is to insert said shaft of said shoelace protector into said eyelet with said base adjacent to said eyelet and to lace said shoelace through said shaft and said base  
     
     
         22 . The shoelace protector of  claim 20  in which said shoelace protector is permanently secured to said eyelet of said shoe.  
     
     
         23 . The shoelace protector of  claim 20  in which said shoelace protector is permanently secured to said upper of said shoe.  
     
     
         24 . The shoelace protector of  claim 20  in which an insignia, emblem, logo, design, or other markings are formed on said shoelace protector.