Metal cap for shoelace tip and shoelace including same

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention provides a metal cap for a shoelace tip of a shoelace. The metal cap includes a cylindrical hollow body. The body has a substantially closed first end, an open second end opposite to the first end, and a peripheral wall extending between the first and the second ends. The peripheral wall includes a longitudinal slot extending from the first end to the second end and a plurality of dents aligned longitudinally at locations opposite to the longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot is defined by a first side edge and a second side edge of the peripheral wall, wherein a protrusion is formed at the first side edge and a notch is formed in the second side edge at a position corresponding to the protrusion. A number of radially inwardly protruding teeth are provided at a periphery of the open second end.

1 . A metal cap for a shoelace, comprising:
 a substantially hollow cylindrical body having an inner space and a length in a longitudinal direction that is substantially equal to a length of a tip portion of the shoelace, wherein the cylindrical body has a substantially closed first end, an open second end opposite to the first end, and a peripheral wall extending from the first end to the second end;   a fastening mechanism configured to allow the peripheral wall of the body to be circumferentially displaced with respect to the tip portion of the shoelace when subjected to a radial compression force so as to permit the inner space of the body to be reduced;   a first attaching mechanism provided in the peripheral wall of the body and configured to radially engage with a plastic hoop fit on the tip portion of the shoelace when the inner space of the body is reduced; and   a second attaching mechanism configured to bit into the shoelace and abut an end edge of the plastic hoop when the inner space of the body is reduced;   wherein the fastening mechanism includes a longitudinal slot in the peripheral wall extending substantially from the first end to the second end of the body and defined by a first side edge and a second side edge of the peripheral wall and having a width between the first and second side edges; and   wherein the peripheral wall further has a protrusion circumferentially protruding from the first side edge and a notch circumferentially recessed in the second side edge at a position corresponding to the protrusion.   
     
     
         2 . A metal cap for a shoelace according to  claim 1 , wherein the second attaching mechanism includes a number of teeth radially inwardly protruding from the open second end of the body. 
     
     
         3 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A metal cap for a shoelace according to  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment mechanism includes a number of dents radially inwardly recessed in the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         6 . A metal cap for a shoelace according to  claim 5 , wherein the dents are formed at longitudinally aligned positions opposite the longitudinal slot. 
     
     
         7 . A shoelace, comprising:
 a woven fabrics shoelace body;   two tip portions each formed at one end of the shoelace body and having a length;   two plastic hoops each fit and secured to one of the tip portions and has a length substantially equal to the length of the tip portion; and   two metal caps according to  claim 1  each fit and secured to one of the tip portions by means of the engagement between the first attachment mechanism and the plastic hoop and the abutment/engagement between the second attachment mechanism and the plastic hoop/the shoelace body.