Bizarre Patents
Pet Toilet-Like Water Disk and Food Storage
One pet-friendly inventor patented "a device for watering pets, e.g., a dog or cat." The device, he helpfully noted, "has the general shape of a toilet."
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7614126 | Footwear accessory A strap for a shoe has a first resilient and flexible fabric element extending from a first end to a second end and a clear flexible element substantially fixed at respective ends of the clear flexible element to corresponding ends of the first fabric element. Metho... | 11/10/2009 |
| 7559127 | Shoe clip A shoe clip (100) includes two members (10, 12) that attach together in positions above and beneath shoe laces (20), to grip the shoe laces (20) between them and position the clip (100) on the shoe (22). A first member (1... | 07/14/2009 |
| 7347403 | Ice screw having breakaway or flexing crank handle The present invention features an ice screw for use in ice climbing, wherein the ice screw comprises: a hollow shaft having a plurality of screw threads formed thereon for securing the ice screw to a body of ice; a hanger coupled to the hollow shaft for receiving a ... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7313849 | Fastener for a lace A fastener for a lace includes a fastening body and a pull unit. The fastening body includes a base, and at least one clamp assembly having a substantially U-shaped member which have two pivoting ends pivotally connected to the base to define an opening with the bas... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7251868 | Adjustable shoelace A stretchable string (100) having a first cross sectional diameter at rest and a second smaller cross sectional diameter when stretched. An aglet (200) positioned on the string. The aglet has an inner cross sectional diameter that is smaller than the c... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7237347 | Plush toy for mounting on a shoe The invention provides a plush toy and methods for associating the plush toy with a shoe having at least one shoe strap with hooks and loops on an interior surface of the shoe strap. To associate the plush toy with the shoe, the shoe strap is threaded through an ent... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7204042 | Integrated woven upper region and lacing system An article of footwear and a method of making it wherein a woven region is integrated with a lacing system. The woven region preferably is located in the forefoot/vamp region of the upper. The woven area may be formed by a diagonal weave or an alternative suitable w... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7202414 | Apparatus and method for manipulating a line such as a cable or cord Apparatus and method according to which a line extends through a sleeve so that a first amount of the line is disposed within the sleeve. After stretching and permitting the sleeve to retract, a second amount of the line is disposed within the sleeve, with the secon... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7162777 | Tightening strap for binding a boot to a sports apparatus Reinforcement element made of a composite material constituted of a layer of inextensible textile material and a layer of polymeric material assembled to the layer of textile material during a molding or vulcanizing step. The textile material is a woven or mesh mate... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7103994 | Automated tightening shoe An automated tightening shoe with crisscrossed laces and a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the crisscrossed laces to tighten the shoe about a wearer's foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can b... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7082701 | Footwear variable tension lacing systems Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards ea... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7073279 | Shoelace tightening structure Disclosed herein is a shoelace tightening device for making it easier for the wearer to tie shoelaces of shoelace-type shoes, including sports shoes. The shoelace tightening structure includes a tightening lace, a pair of locking devices, and a shoelace. The tighten... | 07/11/2006 |
| 7036193 | Shoe tightening device A shoe tightening device is provided for use with a shoe that includes a pair of eyelet tabs each having eyelets. The shoe tightening device includes a pair of lace units, a clamp unit, and a pull lace. Each of the lace units includes connecting end portions, operat... | 05/02/2006 |
| 6968602 | Enhanced shoelaces for maintaining tension with new process for manufacturing and products thereby Enhanced lace tightening system including a plurality of apertures extending through the main body of a shoelace and smoothly finished end caps allowing unimpeded passage therethrough. A process includes a finishing step whereby end caps are generated without frayed... | 11/29/2005 |
| 6964625 | Game ball lacing A game ball including a casing and a lacing. The casing has a laced region. The lacing is coupled to the laced region of the casing. The lacing has an exposed surface comprised of an outer material that is compressible, resilient, and tactile. The outer material has... | 11/15/2005 |
| 6952890 | Lace retainer for footwear The invention is an article of footwear that includes a retainer for securing end portions of the laces and limiting superfluous lace movement. The retainer is a strip of elastic material that is positioned on an upper of the footwear and secured in first and second... | 10/11/2005 |
| 6941683 | Lacing system A lacing system having a lace loop that forms multiple segments that extend from a strap and criss-cross each other in an adjustable opening. The lace is threaded through eyelets of a sneaker, in such a manner that, a single arcuate pull on the strap(s), causes the ... | 09/13/2005 |
| 6925965 | Omnidirectional reflective pet leash A flexible omnidirectionally reflective pet leash having a handle, central pet leash, and pet collar sections that reflect an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it was emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet owner'... | 08/09/2005 |
| 6826851 | Angled heel/shoes/low-friction coalescent dance shoes A heel for a shoe includes a first relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is walking while wearing a shoe having the heel and a second relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is dancing and wearing a shoe having the heel. A pai... | 12/07/2004 |
| 6796008 | Reflectorized lace and the like A reflectorized lace or the like includes an inner layer, a reflectorized outer layer encasing the inner layer, and a protective layer covering the reflectorized outer layer. The protective layer is made of a woven material having a number of open spaces to allow pa... | 09/28/2004 |
| 6701589 | Shoe fastening devices and methods of use The invention related to a shoe fastening device and methods for its use. The device comprises a double ended clip hook with a flattened, contoured c-shape hook at both its two ends. An elastomeric fastener is grasped at one hook end of the double ended c... | 03/09/2004 |
| 6681459 | Adjustable shoelace A stretchable string (100) having a first cross sectional diameter at rest and a second smaller cross sectional diameter when stretched. An aglet (200) positioned on the string. The aglet has an inner cross sectional diameter that is smaller than the cros... | 01/27/2004 |
| 6671980 | Easy-to-wear footwear An anchoring assembly on a footwear includes a stationary member, a pivotable member, a pivot unit, and a releasable fastener unit. The pivot unit is provided on the stationary and pivotable members to permit pivoting movement of the pivotable member rela... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6658765 | Easy-to-wear footwear A lace tightening assembly on a footwear body includes a base mounted to the footwear body, a rotary member mounted rotatably on the base about a rotary axis, a rotary disc unit mounted co-rotatably on the rotary member, and a lace guiding unit mounted on... | 12/09/2003 |
| 6622357 | Continual comfort adjusting fastener for a footwear article The present invention relates to a continual comfort adjusting fastener for a footwear article and provides an alternative to fasteners that necessitate periodic attention by the wearer in order to maintain a proper combination of support, fit and comfort... | 09/23/2003 |
| 6568104 | Easy-to-wear shoe A shoe body includes first and second eyelet tabs. The second eyelet tab includes a front portion proximate to a vamp, a rear portion proximate to a top shoe opening, and an intermediate eyelet-free portion therebetween. Each of the front and rear portion... | 05/27/2003 |
| 6513211 | Double helix shoe lacing process A process for lacing shoes, for use with any shoe with lace-holes and any shoelace. The process results in shoelaces that follow a path that describes a double-helix, resulting in reduced friction and faster and easier tightening and loosening.... | 02/04/2003 |
| 6513210 | Draw-tight elastic cordage A cordage for threading through an opening. An elastic cord is provided with an elongated shank component and at least one outwardly expandable component. When the cord is under tension, the expandable component shrinks to a diameter which is sufficient t... | 02/04/2003 |
| 6493910 | Shoelace with enhanced knot retention and method of manufacture The present invention relates to a sheath/core shoelace having enhanced knot retention and to the method of manufacture.... | 12/17/2002 |
| 6481070 | Fastening strap for sports shoes A fastening strap for sports shoes, particularly for in-line skates, comprising at least two elements made of materials having mutually different rigidities. This allows better adaptation to the outer shape of the shoe and eliminates pressure points, part... | 11/19/2002 |
| 6477754 | Decorative device attachable to a shoelace on a shoe A decorative device adapted to be slideably attached to a shoelace at its lowermost, horizontally transverse portion as it engages the eyelets of a shoe includes a structure foldably adjustable between open and closed states. The structure has a window to... | 11/12/2002 |
| 6427298 | Shoelace anglet A shoelace anglet having a front opening at one end thereof, a rounded head at an opposite end thereof, an end slot in the rounded head, a split extended between the end slot and the front opening, at least one protruding portion disposed at a first side ... | 08/06/2002 |
| 6370743 | Shoelace tightening device Disclosed is a shoelace tightening device. The device comprises a plate member attached to the tongue of a shoe; a longitudinal wall section and a transverse wall section disposed on an upper surface of the plate member; a main through hole and an auxilia... | 04/16/2002 |
| 6357093 | Shoelace fastener A fastener for preventing undesirable, accidental loosening of a shoelace during use. The fastener includes a holder piece made up of a serrate shank to be inserted through an eyelet of a shoe and an integral flat head adapted for pressure contact with th... | 03/19/2002 |
| 6212743 | Laces that thread easily and form a non-slip knot Laces for shoes, sneakers, or other wearing apparel that adjust easily, but stay tied. In one embodiment, the novel design is a flat lace having an upper and lower surface made from different materials. The surfaces have a relatively low coefficient of fr... | 04/10/2001 |
| 6173509 | Flexible securement means for securing a device or parts thereof to flaps of an associated shoe A means to secure a device or parts thereof to the flaps of an associated shoe is flexible, and comprises a plurality of flap attachments which can be fixedly or detachably secured to the flap(s) of a shoe. Each flap attachment is attached directly or via... | 01/16/2001 |
| 6168337 | Flattenable loop binder The pliable, readily flattenable loop binder for retaining loose-leaf sheets has a mounting strip with an elongated spine, an adhesive on the back of the spine, and a removable liner over the adhesive. Paired transversely aligned loop-forming elements pro... | 01/02/2001 |
| 6167599 | Light reflecting tag attached to ends of a shoelace A light reflecting tag for use on ends of a shoelace is made up of a transparent plastic plate, a light reflecting plate and a thin transparent film. The light reflecting plate has one side provided with faceful bead protrusions and the other side with ad... | 01/02/2001 |
| 6049955 | Lace substitute shoe fastening mechanism II This shoe fastening device particularly for conventional shoes such as sneakers and similar footwear comprises a pair of track members each longitudinally secured to a flap of an associated shoe, and a pair of corresponding slidable members each located w... | 04/18/2000 |
| 6026548 | Elastic shoelace and fastener A system for securing a shoe, of the type having an upper part with a pair of opposed edges with eyelets which are drawn together in securing the shoe, onto the foot of a wearer is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the system comprises an elastic shoel... | 02/22/2000 |
