Shoelace knot retaining apparatus

Abstract

A shoelace knot retaining apparatus includes a first arm and a second arm connected by a living hinge positioned therebetween. The first arm includes a free first end and a second end, and the second arm includes a free first end and a second end. The second end of the first arm is connected to the second end of the second arm via the living hinge, and the first end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm are respectively provided with mating snap connection members. The living hinge connecting the first arm to the second arm is integrally formed with the first and second arms and forms a portion of the first and second arms to create a knot recess in which a shoelace knot is positioned for retaining.

1 . A shoelace knot retaining apparatus, comprising:
 a first arm and a second arm connected by a living hinge positioned therebetween;   the first arm includes a free first end and a second end, and the second arm includes a free first end and a second end, the second end of the first arm is connected to the second end of the second arm via the living hinge, and the first end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm are respectively provided with mating snap connection members;   wherein the living hinge connecting the first arm to the second arm is integrally formed with the first and second arms and forms a portion of the first and second arms to create a knot recess in which a shoelace knot is positioned for retaining.   
   
   
       2 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the living hinge biases the first arm relative to the second arm such that a shoelace knot may be securely compressed between the first arm and the second arm to hold and retain it therebetween. 
   
   
       3 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the first arm and the second arm is from approximately 180° to approximately 45° when the mating snap connection members of the first arm and second arm are not secured. 
   
   
       4 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the first arm includes a lateral recess shaped and dimensioned to engage a lateral projection extending from the first end of the second arm. 
   
   
       5 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein when the first end of the second arm is pushed toward the first end of the first arm, the mating lateral recess of the first arm and the lateral projection of the second arm engage each other to hold the first end of the first arm relative to the first end of the second arm. 
   
   
       6 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the first arm is provided with a release member extending beyond the lateral recess, the release member is shaped and dimensioned to allow one to press thereon, causing the lateral recess to move away from the lateral projection of the second arm in a manner permitting the first end of the second arm to disengage from the first end of the first arm. 
   
   
       7 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the knot recess includes a cut out portion that reduces the weight of the shoelace knot retaining apparatus and grips the shoelace knot preventing lateral sliding of the shoelace knot retaining apparatus. 
   
   
       8 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first arm includes an outer surface shaped and dimensioned for attachment to a tongue of a conventional shoe. 
   
   
       9 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the outer surface of the first arm is substantially flat and is adhesively attached to a tongue of a shoe to which it is to be secured. 
   
   
       10 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second arm is substantially arcuate and creates the knot recess between the first arm and the second arm such that shoelace knots of various sizes may be held therebetween. 
   
   
       11 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the knot recess is defined by creating opposed concave surfaces along an inner portion of the first arm and an inner portion of the second arm, the concave surfaces along the inner portion of the first arm and the inner portion of second arm define a substantially cylindrical knot recess in which a shoelace knot may be retained. 
   
   
       12 . The shoelace knot retaining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoelace knot retaining apparatus is made of polypropylene, acetal, polyacetal, nylon, ABS, polyester, polybutylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate or steel.