Abstract: A closure system for a shoe includes a single shoelace which can be secured and tightened through the use of one hand. The shoe includes a button around which the shoelace is wrapped to facilitate easy removal of the shoe. In one embodiment one end of the shoelace is secured under the upper of the shoe near the toe and a second end of the shoelace is secured in a slider that is slidably mounted on the rear of the shoe to provide micro-adjustments of the tightness of the shoe. Alternatively, the shoe includes a strip of piping around the rear of the shoe and a slider in which the second end of the shoelace is secured slides along the piping when the user wants to make micro-adjustments.

Abstract: A device for retaining a shoe tongue in a fixed position includes a first portion adapted to be retained within an eyelet of a shoe and a second portion adapted to retain a shoe tongue in a fixed position.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an elastic shoelace with an eye and a ring. The elastic shoelace of the invention can easily be passed through holes (B) in a shoe (A) and by increasing or decreasing the tightening of an elastic string (1) a ring (5) is hooked onto a threaded pin (4) thus achieving favorable shoe tying.

Abstract: A foot habiliment (1) that allows for easily interchanging an outer (5) with varying designs and features (4). The foot habiliment (1) takes no steps to conceal the fact that an interchangeable outer is being worn and does not take away from the functionality of the body (3) of the foot habiliment. The interchangeable outer (5) attaches to the foot habiliment (1) by a cord (21) threaded through a loop (23) on the foot habiliment (1), the ends of the cord (21) being attached to the respective edges of the outer (5). This arrangement allows the user to easily remove and replace the outer with another having a different design or decoration.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for securing a shoelace are described. In accordance with embodiments, the shoelace is secured without forming a knot with the ends of the shoelace. In described examples, a shoe tie assembly includes a housing with at least two apertures configured to individually receive one of the ends of the shoelace that is inserted in a first direction along a lengthwise axis of the shoelace. A securing device is included in the assembly to secure the shoelace and housing to substantially permit movement of the shoelace in the first direction generally and to substantially prevent movement of the shoelace in a second direction that is generally opposite the first direction in the first configuration. The securing device is also operable to obtain a second configuration in which the securing device permits the shoelace to move in the second direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and of a method of preserving and protecting tassels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tassel protector accommodating at least one tassel, particularly when undergoing high wear operations, such as, but not limited to, machine laundry. The invention is concerned with an apparatus to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the tassel by placing and holding a plurality of component strands of decorative tassels into their original conditions during high wear operations.

Abstract: A shoe fastening device for use with lace-up shoes is disclosed. The device comprises a locking head having an aperture through a first side and a locking tab extending from the first side and below the aperture. The locking tab further comprises a plurality of locking ridges on a top surface. An elongated tie extending from a second side of the locking head has a tapered end. The elongated tie further comprises a plurality of locking ridges on a bottom surface. The device comprises a removable badge having a pair of slits near a pair of opposing edges for inserting the elongated tie. The tapered end of the elongated tie is inserted through the aperture of the locking head and pulled to engage the plurality of locking ridges of the locking tab with the plurality of locking ridges of the elongated tie thereby keeping the device in a locked position.

Abstract: A shoelace protector can include a fastening member, enclosure and upper section. The fastening member can be inserted into to an eyelet of a shoe to properly support the shoelace protector. The shoelace can be strung into the fastening member and through the enclosure. The enclosure can surround the shoe lace on an exterior portion of the shoe. The shoelace can then be placed through the upper section. The upper section can provide a narrow slit such that the shoelace can be fit therethrough. Two or more shoelace protectors can be fitted into the eyelets of the shoe. The protectors can be positioned on the lower eyelets such that the bend created by the eyelet on the shoelace can be protected during use.

Abstract: Shoe Laces and locking apparatus for locking laces without trying the laces, the apparatus including an opening for holding a lace or laces in a locked configuration. The apparatus may include a slit for passing a lace into the locking opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ornamental shoelace accessory for decorating shoes and sneakers Ornaments and charms can be securely and removably attached to the shoelace tip while has been adapted to receive the removable and interchangeable charms and ornaments. The accessory device of the present invention enables the removable and interchangeable charms to be also added to a standard shoelace.

Abstract: A shoe has a quick-tighten lacing system with a shoelace partially wound around lacing control elements in a pair of rows between an ankle opening and a toe. The lacing system has one or two locking elements for enabling a quick tightening of the shoelace.

Abstract: The invention is for a lace gripper comprising an upper body and a lower body that may be joined together whereby a tied lace is secured between the two bodies. Preferable the upper body is designed to receive inserts, charms, lights, recording devices, alarm and locating audible signals and locating devices, to allow the user to customize the lace gripper to their personal preference. The lace gripper can additionally be utilized to maintain a memo and would be secured to an object of daily use, such as a key ring or purse.

Abstract: A shoelace management and retainment device for temporarily retaining the loop and free ends of a shoelace bow formed on a shoe when tied. An open ended cylindrical sleeve of yieldable material is attached to portions of the shoelace extending through the eyelets of the shoe. An insertion opening is formed along the longitudinal length of the device into which the bow portion and shoelace ends of the shoelace is inserted translaterally so as to be positioned therewithin and extend partially out through corresponding respective distal end thereof.

Abstract: A shoelace fastener is provided for a shoe that includes a shoelace having a pair of distal lace segments. The shoelace fastener includes a pair of fastener bodies formed with a pair of through holes, respectively. Each of the fastener bodies has a clamping pin partitioning a respective through hole into a lace entry side and a lace exit side. The distal lace segments are extendable through the lace entry side, over a respective clamping pin, and into the lace exit side of the through hole in the respective fastener body. Tension applied by the shoe on the shoelace enables the clamping pins to clamp the distal lace segments against the fastener body. Pulling of the fastener bodies through a pull unit results in loosening of the shoe.

Abstract: An improved structure of a buckle to fasten shoelaces includes a box like arcuate main body having a longitudinal gap and a pair of flanges in the top, a pair of cross-shaped through holes in front and back walls for disposing a pair of sliders into the main body which further has an inverse U-shaped check plate at each end, a pair of inlets and pair of outlets spacedly formed in the bottom for inserting in and piercing out of a pair of tags of the shoelace, an elastic plate mounted on the main body having a pair of detent mean on each end wall held by the flanges of the main body and a colorful cap covering the elastic plate and the main body having a retaining flange inside a front and a back wall held by the bottom of the main body. The front wall of the cap further has a pair of retaining grooves in out surface for engage within the tags to make a butterfly configuration on the vamp of a shoe.

Abstract: A lace tightening assembly on a footwear body includes a base, a spool, a pull string, and a restricting unit. The base is mounted to the footwear body. The spool is mounted rotatably on the base. The pull string has a fixing portion secured to the spool, an intermediate portion connected to the fixing portion and wound on the spool, and a connecting portion connected to the intermediate portion and provided with a ring unit. The restricting unit restricts rotation of the spool relative to the base.

Abstract: 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 portions of the second eyelet tab is provided with at least one eyelet. A first fastener has a mounting section mounted securely on the intermediate eyelet-free portion of the second eyelet tab, and a fastener engaging section provided on the mounting section. A second fastener has a shoe lace stringing section formed with at least one eyelet, and a fastener engaging section extending from the shoe lace stringing section and capable of removable engagement with the fastener engaging section of the first fastener. A shoe lace unit is strung through the eyelets of the first and second eyelet tabs and the second fastener.