Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including an actuator assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, an Lacing architectures for automated footwear assemblies are discussed. In an example, a footwear assembly can include a floating tongue within an upper assembly. The lacing architecture can include a first plurality or lace guides forming a first lacing zone and a second plurality of lace guides forming a second lacing zone. The lacing architecture can also include a tongue lace guide assembly secure to a proximal portion of the floating tongue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel incinerating system comprising a fuel injector, a multi-stage fuel-air mixing device comprising a plurality of fuel intake tubes stacked vertically and configured to provide annular gaps between one or more of the vertically stacked fuel intake tubes to entrain ambient air to form a fuel-air mixture; and a combustor in communication with the fuel-air mixing device and defining a combustion chamber and in communication with an ignition source. The combustor is configured to impede flow of the fuel-air mixture through the combustion chamber to achieve a desired retention time of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber to achieve substantially complete combustions of the fuel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a decorative cincher comprising a decorative element, a cincher, and a post, the cincher being useful in securing one or more shoe laces.

Abstract: A high load release device includes a line having a first portion and a second portion, a rope having a rope loop, a first ring coupled to the line and a second ring coupled to the rope, the second ring coupled to the first ring and the rope loop coupled to the first ring. The high load release device also includes a curved pin coupled to the second portion of the line, the curved pin coupled to the second ring with the rope loop thereby coupling the line to the rope. The high load release device also includes a pair of release handles disposed on the second portion of the line and the second end of the rope, the pair of release handles when pulled releases the coupled curved pin from the rope loop thereby releasing the coupled rope from the line.

Abstract: A lacing system for footwear includes a plurality of elastic strips each secured between a different one of a plurality of paired eyelets of the footwear. A pair of hooks is coupled to each of the plurality of strips at opposite ends of each strip. Each of the pair of hooks has a hook end. At least one of the pair of hooks is selectively attacheable along a length of the strip at an end of the strip to increase or decrease the spring force between the corresponding pair of eyelets.

Abstract: A knot retainer (1) for preventing a knot (2) comprising a knot body (8) from unintentionally becoming undone. The retainer comprises a plate-like member (3) and at least one thread-like member (4). The plate-like member (3) comprises a first end (5) and a second end (6) opposite the first end. The plate-like member further comprises first fastening means (10, 12, 13) for attaching and holding a first portion (16) of the thread-like member at or near the first end and second fastening means (11, 14, 15) for attaching and holding a second portion (17) of the thread-like member at or near the second end. The at least one thread-like member comprises at least a third portion (18) and a fourth portion (19) for being arranged adjacent the knot body on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the plate-like member and the thread-like member is elastic.

Abstract: A device for binding shoelaces is disclosed. The device is provided on shoes having hook rings oppositely formed on both side of the instep thereof, the device comprising a binding member having a clutching plate formed with a clutching recess with a constant distance according to one side thereof; a receiving member having an opened slot at one side thereof so that the clutching plate is inserted in, a magnetic body attached on one side of the slot, and an installing recess formed in the direction vertical to the slot; and an adjusting member having a board typed pressing plate rotatably installed in the installing recess to be selectively attached to the magnetic body and receiving the pressing force, and a stopper protruded from one side of the pressing plate and selectively clutched in the clutching recess.

Abstract: A shoelace fastening assembly includes a fastening device fixed on the tongue of a shoe and includes a main part which has a tubular member and a shoelace is wrapped on the tubular member. A knob is rotatably engaged with the main part and drives the tubular member to rotate in one direction. At least one intermediate member is fixed on the tongue and has a cruciform slot so that the shoelace is movably engaged with the cruciform slot. At least two hook members are respectively fixed on two flaps of the shoe and each hook member has an engaging groove with which the shoelace is movably engaged. The shoelace can be easily connected with the intermediate member and the hook members.

Abstract: A structure for adjusting the tightness of a shoe comprises: a shoe, a shoelace, and a plurality of fixing hooks. A plurality of inserting holes is formed at both end of the U-shaped gap of the shoe for insertion of the shoelace. The shoelace is formed with a plurality of fixing holes, and the fixing hooks are to be hooked in the fixing holes. A method for adjusting the tightness of a shoe comprises: inserting the shoelace through the inserting holes at the starting section and the fishing section, adjusting the degree of tightness of the starting and finishing sections of the shoelace, and fixing the hook in any of the fixing holes at the mid section to obtain a comfortable tightness at the mid section of the shoe.

Abstract: A lace device for tightening or closing an article such as a boot upper, garment, or backpack including a lace and at least two series of at least one guide for said lace, the sub-assembly constituted by the guides and the lace(s) defining a lacing zone, in the vicinity of which a blocking zone is located, in the area where the lace(s) extends from the lacing zone, the device further including a blocking element, a pocket adapted to receive the blocking element, the pocket being located in the blocking zone, and the pocket including passage(s) for the lace enabling the penetration of the lace between its exit from the lacing zone and its entry into the blocking element.