Knot retainer

Abstract

The present invention provides a knot retainer apparatus. Said apparatus includes a first end, a second end, and at least three slots in the middle. A cord that is first threaded into a shoe is threaded into the slots of said apparatus wherein said cord is tied into a knot and said apparatus assists in keeping the knot from being untied.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A knot retainer apparatus comprising a body having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of slots numbering at least three opening through the body;
 wherein each slot of the plurality of slots opens through the body between the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The knot retainer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is oblong in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The knot retainer apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the body and the second end of the body are each substantially equal in width to the width of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The knot retainer apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the body is substantially equal in width to the width of the body and the second end of the body is substantially tapered in width compared to the width of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The knot retainer apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of three slots of the plurality of slots opens through the body along an axis aligned with the length of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The knot retainer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is oblong in shape towards the second end, and a wing protrudes from each lengthwise side of the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The knot retainer apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a first two slots of the plurality of slots each opens through the body at a first wing, and a second two slots of the plurality of slots each opens through the body at a second wing. 
     
     
         8 . A knot-retaining shoe system, comprising:
 a shoe comprising a first set of eyelets and a second set of eyelets;   a knot retainer apparatus comprising a body having a first end, a second end, a first face, a second face, and a plurality of slots numbering at least three opening through the body; and   a cord having a first cord end and a second cord end;   wherein each slot of the plurality of slots opens through the body between the first end and the second end;   wherein the cord is threaded through the first set of eyelets and the second set of eyelets;   wherein the first cord end is threaded from the first face of the knot retainer apparatus through a first slot of the plurality of slots;   wherein the second cord end is threaded from the first face of the knot retainer apparatus through a second slot of the plurality of slots;   wherein the first cord end and the second cord end are each threaded from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus through a slot of the plurality of slots other than the first slot and other than the second slot; and   wherein the first cord end and the second cord end are tied together at the first face of the knot retainer apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . The knot-retaining shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the first cord end and the second cord end are both threaded through a third slot of the plurality of slots from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The knot-retaining shoe system of  claim 8 , wherein the first cord end is threaded through a third slot of the plurality of slots from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus, and the second cord end is threaded through a fourth slot of the plurality of slots from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The knot-retaining shoe system of  claim 8 , further comprising a stopper;
 wherein the stopper is attached to one of the first cord end and the second cord end preventing the knot retainer apparatus from sliding off the cord.   
     
     
         12 . A knot retention method comprising:
 threading a cord through a first set of eyelets and a second set of eyelets of a shoe;   threading the cord at a first cord end from a first face of the knot retainer apparatus through a first slot of a plurality of slots numbering at least three opening through a knot retainer apparatus;   threading the cord at a second cord end from the first face of the knot retainer apparatus through a second slot of the plurality of slots opening through the knot retainer apparatus;   threading the cord at the first cord end from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus through a slot of the plurality of slots other than the first slot and other than the second slot;   threading the cord at the second cord end from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus through a slot of the plurality of slots other than the first slot and other than the second slot;   tying said first cord end and second cord end together at the first face of the knot retainer apparatus;   rotating the knot retainer apparatus to twist the first cord end and the second cord end about each other; and   inserting the knot retainer apparatus between the cord and a tongue of the shoe.   
     
     
         13 . The knot retention method of  claim 12 , wherein the first cord end and the second cord end are both threaded through a third slot of the plurality of slots from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The knot retention method of  claim 12 , wherein the first cord end is threaded through a third slot of the plurality of slots from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus, and the second cord end is threaded through a fourth slot of the plurality of slots from the second face of the knot retainer apparatus.