2. Needs Addressed
• Laces hard to tie when
under high tension
• Difficult to get correct
lace tension
• Cold hands make tying
even harder
• Frequent adjustment not
practical with tied
laces – especially when
using double-knots
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
3. System Description
Laces slide freely
in one direction
and lock in groove
when released
Left lace in Right lace in
bottom groove top groove
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
4. Usage
• Start day—loose laces for
increased comfort
• Top of run—tighten laces to
optimum riding tension (with
gloves on!)
• When needed—release laces and
adjust tension
• Bottom of run—loosen laces for
chair ride or hiking
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
7. Robust Design
• Intuitive design
• Easy to use
• Laces pull in
opposing directions
in equal force to
minimize stress
placed on joint
between component and
boot tongue
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
8. Intellectual Property
• Apply proven sailing
technology to apparel
• Unique design—different
from other patents
– Simple design, fewer parts
– Multiple mfg and assy options
• Related patents
– Lace system for footwear, Burton, #7392602
– Locking system for elastic laces, #5029371
– Lace fastening cleat and shoe, #5333398
– Laced garment closure (not issued)
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
9. Competition
• Burton has 9 models with
patented cable and cleat system
• Salomon has cable cleat system
• Vans has cable cleat system
• K2 has ‘speedlace’ system
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
10. Low Risk enhancement
• No impact on core sole and boot
construction or assembly
• Low cost component and assembly
costs
• Customer can still tie laces if
preferred
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
11. Mfg & Assy Options
• Molded plastic component
– Rivet to boot tongue
– Sew to boot tongue
– Glue to boot tongue
• Molded into boot tongue
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
12. Estimates mfg & assy Costs
• Component costs
– No Tie Lace Component (2x) ~ $0.50
– Rivets (4x) ~ $0.04
• Labor time < 60 sec
• Est. incremental costs <$1.00
(per pair of boots)
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
13. Component Production
Phase Method Volume ~ Mold Lead
Cost Time
Single cavity Latex
Prototype 200 $1,000 2 wk
mold and epoxy resin
Single cavity
Limited
aluminum mold, ABS 10 K $10,000 8 wk
Production
plastic
4 cavity tool steel
Production 1.0 M $50,000 16 wk
mold, ABS plastic
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT | Ryan McMahon | (971) 219-5555 | mcmahonrw@gmail.com | ryanmcmahon.org
