Importance

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Abstract

A device is provided for regulating the tension on shoelaces of the type worn in conventional footwear. The shoelace tension regulating device is mounted on the top of the shoe with which it is used, preferably by lacing the shoelace ends through a pair of apertures in the housing of the device. The shoelace ends which emanate from the uppermost eyelets of the shoe adjacent the wearers ankle are not tied, as in conventional practice, but are captured by a hook mechanism that is wound onto a drum within the device by means of a crank in the form of a rotatable cap. The drum is carried in rotation as the cap is turned until the desired level of tension on the shoelace ends has been achieved. A pawl and ratchet wheel in the device prevent counter-rotation until the user desires to release tension on the shoelace ends, at which time the pawl can be disengaged from the ratchet wheel by an actuating mechanism operable externally of the device. An internal helically wound band spring interposed between the drum and the crank permits slight reciprocal movement of the shoelace ends to avoid excessive tension when the footwear upper is severely flexed, and to also avoid excessively reduced tension when the users foot is relaxed.

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First Claim