Abstract: A drawstring puller and fastener that laces separable members of a shoe or the like. The free ends of a shoelace pass through openings formed in a hollow, bell-shaped socket and are formed with a knot disposed in an axial opening of the tapered plug. The axial opening is formed with an oval cross-sectional area. The plug draws the shoelace for the tightening of the shoelace lacing the separable members. While the plug draws the shoelace for the tightening of the shoelace, the knot engages the inner wall of the plug surrounding the axial opening at the oval cross-sectional area. While the shoelace is tightened by the pulling of the plug, the socket is in abutment with the separable members. While the loop of the shoelace extending from the socket is held taut, the plug, which is formed with ridges on the outer wall, is inserted and press fitted into the socket wedging securely the shoelace therebetween. The inner wall of the socket is free of ridges to enable the ridged plug to enter the socket freely.

Abstract: For a draw string in which the looped mid portion operatively associated with a closable member has its ends slidably passing into one closed end and out of an open end of a thimble-like slide fastener, the closed end of which is adapted to abut the closable member while the ends of the cord are pulled, and a knob on the terminal ends of the cord having a tapered end insertable into the open end of the slide fastener for securing the portions of the pull cord therein and the looped mid portion of the cord in closed condition relative to the closable member.