The present invention relates to a hook for shoes or similar articles, in particular a hook or a loop allowing a shoe-string to pass through it for linking two opposite edges of vamps or of similar structures featuring two edges which are to be linked together by means of a shoe-string.

As is well-known, many types of shoes present vamps, the edges of which are linked together by means of shoe-strings passing through a plurality of open or closed ring hooks, arranged in couples on both edges. Said open ring hooks or open mouth hooks, as they are termed by those who use this technical jargon, feature an open seat for a shoe-string on one side, so the shoe-string may come out of said seat when it is not tightened. Closed ring hooks, instead, feature a ring-like seat, so a shoe-string previously inserted in said seat, can only be removed from the seat, if it is passed through it up to its end.

Well-known open ring and closed ring hooks and loops may prove disadvantageous, since it is impossible to vary their arrangement. In other words, both open ring hooks and closed ring hooks may always interact with the corresponding shoe-strings in the same way, once they are fixed on the vamps. If the shoe or the structure on which the hooks are fixed are observed in various configurations, the above inconvenience is really remarkable.For example,if the shoe-strings of a shoe provided with open ring hooks are loosened, they will come out of the open seat in which they are inserted. Similarly, if a closed ring hook is used, a shoe-string cannot be removed from the closed channel provided by the hook itself, unless the whole shoe-string is passed lengthwise through the channel. Moreover, well-known closed ring hooks always keep the shoe-string which is being passed through their interior at the same distance from the vamp, in other words, they keep it substantially in contact with said vamp. In some cases, when the shoe for example is partially unlaced, it is impossible to remove the shoe-string from the surface of the vamp concerned.

The document DE-112748-C discloses a hook for shoes consisting of a first portion for fixing the hook on a vamp and a second portion featuring a channel for the string; the hook is provided with connecting means disposed between the two portions for positioning the hook in at least a first operational configuration in which the two portions lie on the same plane, and in a second operational configuration in which said portions form an angle, said second portion having a seat providing an open channel which is closed when the hook is positioned in said first configuration. The hook described in DE-112748-C is relatively complex and the variation between the two configurations of the hook isn't very easy.

The main object of the present invention is to overcome the above inconveniences. This result has been achieved, in accordance with the invention, by building a hook for shoes or similar articles having the features described in claim 1. Further features are the subject of the dependant claims.

The advantages offered by the present invention basically arise from the fact that it is possible to obtain a hook for shoes the arrangement of which can be varied , as well as from the fact that said variation can be carried out in an easy manner. The above hook can have the same features as those of closed ring hooks and open ring hooks , it is easy to build , functional and relatively economical.

These and further advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by any technician operating in this field thanks to the enclosed pictures as a practical explanation of the invention, which, however, does not represent a limitation, wherein :1- Figs. 1, 2 ,3, 4 illustrate e possible embodiment of the hook subject of the present invention showing respectively the hook in a first operational configuration (Fig. 1), a lateral view showing the hook in a second operational configuration (Fig. 2), an exploded lateral view of the hook (Fig. 3) and an exploded top view (Fig. ) of the hook ; Figgs. 5, 6, 7, 8 illustrate respectively a lateral view of a further possible embodiment of the hook subject of the present invention showing the hook in a first operational configuration (Fig. 5), a lateral view of the hook in a second operational configuration (Fig. 6), an exploded lateral view of the hook (7), an exploded top view (Fig. 8).

As is shown in the enclosed figures, a hook for shoes or similar articles in accordance with the invention consists of a first portion (2) for fixing the hook to the vamp and of a second portion (3) featuring a channel (3) through which a shoe-string can be passed. The above portions are linked together corresponding to an axis of hinge (A), as is shown in the examples. The hook subject of the present invention may consist of two distinct portions or bodies linked together, as is shown in the examples, or it may consist of a single body made of suitable material (for example plastic material) the arrangement of which can be modified as described below.

In practice, in the illustrated examples, the first body (2) may feature a hole (29), through which a a rivet or a similar device for fixing the body to an vamp is passed, whilst the second body features an open seat (39) into which a shoe-string can be introduced. The second body (3) features a seat (39) providing an open channel, which is closed by the first body (2) when the hook (1) is positioned in the first configuration. In practice, the hook is open ring when it is positioned in the second operational configuration and becomes closed ring when it is positioned in the first operational configuration.In this way, for example, a shoe can partially be unlaced when the hook is in the first configuration (closed ring hook) without removing the shoe-string from the hook . When it is necessary to unlace a shoe completely, the shoe-string can be quickly removed since the hook is open ring in this configuration. Similarly, in this second configuration, in which the hook is raised, the shoe can quickly be laced, since the shoe-string can be passed around the hook , just like for a shoe provided with open-ring hooks.

As is shown in the illustrated examples, the hook (1) subject of the present invention is fitted with connecting means (4,20, 30) between the first (2) and the second portion (3), so that said portions assume at least the two operational configurations described above, in which the two bodies substantially lie on the same plane or they form an angle. Pictures 1 and 5 show the first operational configuration, whilst pictures 2 and 6 show the second operational configuration.

The two bodies (2) and (3), which can be made of metal, plastic material or similar materials, are linked together by means of a pin (4) positioned along the axis of hinge (A) and housed in a seat (24) foreseen on the first body (2) and in two seats foreseen on the second body (3) which is substantially fork shaped.

A second seat (25), which stably houses elastic means, consisting , for example, of an elastomeric block (5), is foreseen on the first body (2) adjacent to the seat (3) housing the pin. In case the two portions (2,3) consist of a single body (which is not illustrated in the examples) the elastic means may be made of the same material used for the hook (for example elastically deformable plastic material). The elastic means constantly keep the hook in the second operational configuration, in which the hook (1) is at rest, in a bent position. When a force is exerted for tightening the shoe-strings, the hook (1) will assume the first operational configuration, in which the two portions substantially lie on the same plane.

In the illustrated examples, the connecting means (4) between the two bodies (2,3) consist of two shaped portions (20,30) foreseen on two bodies (2, 3), as well as of a pin (4). The two shaped portions (20,30) are in contact with each other when the relative rotation of said second body (3) in relation to the first body (2) takes place. In particular, the contact portions (20,30) feature a profile providing two joining zones or coupling zones, in order to obtain a higher stability for positioning the hook (1) in the two above configurations. The elastomeric block (5) delivers a force of reaction which allows the release of said contact portions (20,30), so that the contact portion reciprocally approach In practice, the hook can constantly be kept at rest in the second operational configuration (Figs. 2 and 5) or the hook (1) can assume the two operational configurations after the coupling portions have been released (20,30) on account of the thrust exerted by the elastomeric block (5).

In the example shown in Figs. 5 to 8, the second body (3) features a partially open vamp surface (38) corresponding to the channel (39). Thanks to this feature, it is possible to see the shoe-string that passing through the hook.

The shoes-string may be either running or ficed within the channel (3).