Adjustable Shoelace Fastener and Method of Use

Abstract

An improved method for fastening shoes with shoelaces having a first end and an opposing second end includes a spanning member having a hole to accommodate the first end, and a slot preferably sized for an interference fit with the second end. The first end is passed through the hole and knotted, preventing it from passing back through the hole. The second end is pulled to tighten the shoelace, knotted and anchored in the slot, maintaining, the taut shoelace securely in place. With multiple holes and multiple slots, the tautness of a shoelace can be adjusted. The spanning member remains in place on a shoe when not in use, held by the knot in the first end. For convenience, a user may tie another knot in the second end, with a loop sized to receive as finger, for easily grasping the second end and sliding it into a slot.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A device for adjustably tensioning a shoelace in a shoe having an upper medial eyelet and an upper lateral eyelet, the shoelace having a knotted first end, an opposing knotted second end, and an unknotted portion between the knotted first end and the opposing knotted second end, the device comprising:
 a flat spanning member having a longitudinal axis, the flat spanning member consisting of a planar top side, an opposing planar bottom side and, a perimeter wall between them;   a hole extending through the flat spanning member from the planar top side to the opposing planar bottom side, the hole positioned inward of the perimeter wall, the hole sized to prevent the knotted first end from passing through the hole;   at least one slot extending inward from the perimeter wall, the at least one slot disposed in the flat spanning member such that the at least one slot extends laterally away from the longitudinal axis in a direction perpendicular to the hole and the at least one slot sized to hold the opposing knotted second end in the at least one slot;   the at least one slot extending no less than half way across the flat spanning member; and   wherein the hole is sized to hold the knotted first end against the planar top side and the at least one slot is sized to hold the opposing knotted second end against the planar top side, such that the unknotted portion is disposed against the planar bottom side along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the flat spanning member is elongated, spanning across the upper medial eyelet and the upper lateral eyelet of the shoe. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the flat spanning member is arced along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the flat spanning member has multiple slots. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the flat spanning member has opposing slots having entrances along opposing sides of the flat spanning member extending inward from the perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the at least one slot has a narrowed entrance at the perimeter wall, and the at least one slot is slanted away from the direction of pull of the opposing knotted second end. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the at least one slot extends laterally at less than ninety degrees from the hole. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for adjustably tensioning a shoelace in a laced shoe, the shoe having an upper medial eyelet and an upper lateral eyelet, the shoelace having a knotted first end an opposing knotted second end, and an unknotted portion between the knotted first end and the opposing knotted second end, the apparatus comprising:
 a spanning member having a length along a longitudinal axis and a width, wherein the length is no less than two times greater than the width;   the longitudinal axis bisecting the upper medial eyelet and bisecting the upper lateral eyelet;   the spanning member having a planar top face, the planar top face facing away from the shoe;   the spanning member having a planar bottom face, the planar bottom face facing toward the shoe;   the planar top face and the planar bottom face separated by a perimeter wall extending peripherally around the spanning member between the planar top face and the planar bottom face;   a hole formed in the top face and formed in the bottom face, the hole extending through the spanning member, the hole disposed inward of the perimeter wall, and the longitudinal axis bisecting the hole;   at least one slot extending inward from the perimeter wall of the spanning member, the at least one slot extending lateral to the longitudinal axis between the planar top face and the planar bottom face;   the at least one slot having a narrowed entrance, and an enlarged rounded terminal end;   the enlarged rounded terminal end substantially equivalent in diameter and curvature to the hole;   the longitudinal axis bisecting the enlarged rounded terminal end   wherein the hole is sized to hold the knotted first end against the top side and the at least one slot is sized to hold the opposing knotted second end against the planar top face, with the unknotted portion disposed against the bottom face.