ABOUT

The Grip_A_Lace® is an innovative shoelace fastener which has a patented* design that allows for easy installation and efficient tightening or loosening of shoelace. This invention which started in 2004, and has since evolved into a well engineered working prototype which is practical, convenient and more aesthetic in design. It is a knotless shoelace fastener which assists users to efficiently tighten their shoelaces while neatly clipping the excess length of shoelace into the device. The hook clip also allows for easy attachment of the device to any shoelace row/crossing in the shoe.

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In 2009, this device was presented on Australia’s ABC TV `The New Inventors’ on Episode 10. Since then, further improvements have been made to the original design such as reducing the number of parts from 10 to 3. This three components invention can be used on a variety of shoelaces and can be operated with single or both hands.

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Generally, most footwear, (that use laces threaded through eyelets of the footwear) are designed to enable a wearer to adjust the lace to a degree of tightness that maintains the footwear in place on the feet of the wearer via a ‘butterfly’ or bow knot.

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However, simple shoelaces have several disadvantages for people with learning or physical disabilities as they require the use of both hands. For those who have lost the use of a hand, tying their own laced footwear would be an impossible task.

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In comparison with conventional shoelaces, the Grip_A_Lace® can be fastened with a single or dual handed operation which makes it convenient for all users.

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Another disadvantage of conventional shoelaces is in the adjustment of the laces, whereby the knot needs to be loosened and untied completely before being adjusted and retied. A process made more difficult by a ‘double’ knot.

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In addition, slippage of lace occurs when completing the knot and optimal tension of the laces is not achieved. Unlike tying a conventional butterfly/bow knot on a shoe which can be inconvenient, the Grip_A_Lace® allows for continuous tightening of the shoelace to reach optimal tightness without any slippage during the process before locking it via its wedge locking system.

 

As this is a knotless invention, sufferers of arthritis or people with impaired or undeveloped motor control would benefit from this device.

For sufferers of arthritis or people with impaired or undeveloped motor control, the dexterity involved in manipulating a shoelace into a bow is simply not attainable or is too difficult and frustrating.

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Another feature of this invention is its flexibility to be used with most types of shoelaces whether it is thick, thin, round or flat.

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