On this day in 1903 the patent for Shoe Lacing Hook was granted. U.S. Patent No. 743,627.
The Shoe-Lacing Hook was invented by Joseph W. Edgerton, of Grand Island, Nebraska. This patent application was granted on November 10, 1903 as U.S. Patent No. 743,627.
The object of the Shoe-Lacing Hook is to provide a hook of the character specified which in use will permit the lacing to yield, and thus to cause the shoe to be easy and comfortable to the wearer, obviating binding over the instep and lateral cutting of the lacing.
A further object is to provide a shoe-lacing hook which shall embody simplicity of construction, efficiency and durability in use, readiness of manufacture, and ease of attachment to the shoe.
After celebrating “Back to the Future Day” I am left to wonder if this invention could be helpful in the patenting of the Automatic Lacing System for shoes. Although Mr. Edgerton was not cited in Nike’s version of this patent I feel as the patent develops his invention could plays a small part in it.
As fashion trends progress boots have been making a big comeback. Army boots are back in style, Doc Martins have also started making their way back in, thank God I saved all mine from high school! Almost all of these boots have the Shoe Lacing Hook on them. Boots are not just for fashion, you can see the Shoe Lacing Hook on work boots for military personnel, police and firemen, as well as workers doing manual labor. The Shoe Lacing Hook is designed for comfort and ease and those who are using boots for work can appreciate that.
Joseph Edgerton’s invention was able to impact more than just shoes. He has been cited in multiple patents, specifically No-Tie Sports Goal, U.S. Patent No. 4,241,916. The netting for the goal is passed through a series of cord loops which allows the net to be either spring-tight or loose depending on the sport.