Abstract: A fastener for lace includes an upper plate, a lower plate and first, second, third and fourth rods extending between the upper and lower plates. The upper and lower plates both include a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The first and second rods extend between the first lateral edge of the upper plate and the first lateral edge of the lower plate. The third and fourth rods extend between the second lateral edge of the upper plate and the second lateral edge of the lower plate. A first length of lace is wound about the first rod and directed past the second rod. A second length of lace is wound about the third rod and directed past the fourth rod.

Abstract: A figurine is mounted on a shoe. On a preferred embodiment, the figurine stands upright on top of the toe portion of the shoe; is selectively removable from the shoe; and is capable of standing upright on a floor surface when removed from the shoe.

Abstract: A shoelace tying device including a body member having an elongated clasp and a closure member. The elongated clasp includes a first end coupled to the closure member and a free second end. The elongated clasp further includes structure for securing the elongated clasp to laces of footwear. The closure member includes a free first end and a second end coupled to the first end of the elongated clasp. The first end of the closure member and the second end of the closure member are respectively provided with mating connecting members such that the closure member may be folded along a central section to bring the connecting member of the first end of the closure member into contact with the connecting member of the second end of the closure member for selectively coupling the first end of the closure member to the second end of the closure member to form an enclosure in which shoelaces maybe retained.

Abstract: A double-bow shoe lace device for a shoe includes a shoe lace, a clamp member, a decorative knot, and a pair of pull members. The shoe lace has a first lace segment adapted to be strung on the shoe, and a second lace segment that includes first and second lace portions. The lower ends of the lace portions are anchored on eyelet tabs of the shoe. The clamp member is sleeved slidably on the lace portions. Downward and upward movements of the clamp member along the lace portions result in tightening and loosening of the shoe. The lace portions are anchored on the clamp member to form a pair of loops. The knot is positioned on the clamp member, and has a pair of distal lace ends. Each of the pull members is mounted slidably on a respective one of the loops.

Abstract: A double-bow shoe lace device for a shoe includes a shoe lace, a clamp member, and a positioning unit. The shoe lace has first and second lace portions, each of which has lower, upper, and medial sections. The lower sections of the lace portions are anchored on eyelet tabs of the shoe. The upper sections of the lace portions are tied together to form a knot and a pair of distal lace ends. The clamp member is sleeved slidably on the medial sections of the lace portions. Downward and upward movements of the clamp member along the lace portions permit the tightening and loosening of the shoe. The positioning unit positions the knot on the clamp member such that the medial sections of the lace portions form first and second loops between the knot and the clamp member.

Abstract: A double-bow shoe lace device for a shoe includes a shoe lace, a clamp member, and an assembly of two loops and a decorative knot. The shoe lace has a first lace segment that is strung on the shoe so as to form a criss-cross pattern on the eyelet tabs, and a second lace segment that includes first and second lace portions. Each of the lace portions has a lower end connected to the first lace segment so as to be anchored on a respective one of the eyelet tabs. The clamp member is sleeved slidably on at least one of the lace portions. Downward and upward movements of the clamp member along at least one of the lace portions result in tightening and loosening of the shoe. The assembly is disposed on and externally of the clamp member.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe body and a shoe lace device. The shoe body has a pair of eyelet tabs. The shoe lace device includes first, second, third, and fourth lace sections, a clamp member, and a decorative knot. Lower ends of the first to fourth lace sections are anchored on the shoe body. The upper ends of the first and second lace sections, and those of the third and fourth lace sections, are interconnected to form first and second loops, respectively. The clamp member is sleeved slidably on medial portions of the lace sections. The decorative knot is secured on and is disposed externally of the clamp member, is disposed between the first and second loops, and has a knot and two distal portions. Downward and upward movements of the clamp member along the lace sections permit the tightening and loosening of the shoe body.

Abstract: An apparatus to be secured to a person or an article of clothing includes a housing, at least one retaining member, and an elastic member. The housing is adapted to house at least one item. The at least one retaining member is supported by the housing. The elastic member is releasably engageable with the at least one retaining member and is adapted to stretchably encompass at least a portion of the person or article of clothing and to secure the housing to the person or article of clothing when engaged with the at least one retaining member. A method for securing a housing to a person or an article of clothing involves providing a housing and an elastic member, the housing having at least one retaining member supported thereby. The elastic member is wrapped about at least a portion of the person or article of clothing and is stretched.

Abstract: A device to prevent the unraveling of common bow-tie shoelace knots. The four ends of a standard bow-tie knot (two loops and two loose ends) are gathered together in a stalk-like shape, and encircled snugly with an adjustable restraining material, which can then be anchored to the shoe to prevent the knot stalk from flopping around or getting snagged on environmental materials (e.g., branches, twigs, weeds, etc.). Referred to herein as a “lace lasso,” the device is light-weight, simple, and rapidly installed and attached to simple and common shoelace knots. The restraining material can be chord, elastic material, or fabric; adjustment in snugness and tension can be accomplished by small spring-loaded ripstop cylinders commonly used in camping gear, or Velcro fabric strips. The device can be attached to the shoe by caribiner-type clips or Velcro fabric strips which are connected to the restraining material wrapped around the ends of the shoelace knot.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe body and a shoe lace device. The shoe body has a pair of eyelet tabs. The shoe lace device includes first, second, third, and fourth lace sections, a clamp member, and a decorative knot. Lower ends of the first to fourth lace sections are anchored on the shoe body. The upper ends of the first and second lace sections, and those of the third and fourth lace sections, are interconnected to form first and second loops, respectively. The clamp member is sleeved slidably on medial portions of the lace sections. The decorative knot is secured on and is disposed externally of the clamp member, is disposed between the first and second loops, and has a knot and two distal portions. Downward and upward movements of the clamp member along the lace sections permit the tightening and loosening of the shoe body.

Abstract: A shoelace tying device including a body member having an elongated clasp and a closure member. The elongated clasp includes a first end coupled to the closure member and a free second end. The elongated clasp further includes structure for securing the elongated clasp to laces of footwear. The closure member includes a free first end and a second end coupled to the first end of the elongated clasp. The first end of the closure member and the second end of the closure member are respectively provided with mating connecting members such that the closure member may be folded along a central section to bring the connecting member of the first end of the closure member into contact with the connecting member of the second end of the closure member for selectively coupling the first end of the closure member to the second end of the closure member to form an enclosure in which shoelaces maybe retained.

Abstract: A figurine is mounted on a shoe. On a preferred embodiment, the figurine stands upright on top of the toe portion of the shoe; is selectively removable from the shoe; and is capable of standing upright on a floor surface when removed from the shoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for retaining and/or blocking shoelaces, for sport shoes in particular. The device is in the shape of a tube portion (10), with two parts (11, 12) articulated about a hinge (13), that can be locked in the closed position and unlocked to allow for the insertion or removal of the shoelace in the shape of a bundle. The device is fastened by at least one fastening means to a part integral with the shoe, for instance to a shoelace passing through at least two holes (15, 16, 17, 18) formed in at least one (12) of the two parts of the tube.

Abstract: A lace-tensioning device which is a rigid cylindrical body (64) with two passages (58, 60) aligned parallel to the cylindrical axis and a handle element (62) projecting from the body (64) perpendicular to the cylindrical axis and functioning as a lever. The device is used in a laced closure by modifying the lacing pattern from the standard alternating pattern at one of the pairs of guide elements (68, 70) of the closure and threading the lace (75) through both passages (58, 60) of the tensioning device. A segment of lace (76) from one side (82) of the closure goes through one passage (60) in the device and then back to the same side (82) of the closure from which it came. A segment of lace (78) from the opposing side (84) of the closure goes through the other passage (58) in the tensioning device and back to the same opposing side (84) from which it came. The lace (75) is otherwise laced conventionally and its ends are tied together in a secure knot.

Abstract: An expandable, self-fastening strap includes a pair of fastening ends separated by a band, at least a portion of which is expandable. Located on one of the fastening ends is an eyelet. At least a portion of the laces of a boot may be forwarded through the eyelet. The strap and lace combination is wrapped around the boots, with the strap covering the laces, until the fastening ends of the strap meet. The fastening ends are then fastened together. Because at least a portion of the band is expandable, when the band is wrapped around the boot pressure is placed upon the laces, thereby precluding them from slipping under the strap. The strap thus secures the laces without undesirably constricting circulation of the wearer. As a result, wearer fatigue and discomfort is reduced. In addition, because the strap is tightly affixed to the boot, the device presents no extraneous protrusions that may become entangled in machinery or the like.

Abstract: A shoelace locking apparatus. The apparatus comprises a body attachable to a first end of a shoelace and a cup. The body defines a laterally opening locking passage therein for receiving a second end of the shoelace. The cup may be integral with the body or with a separate extension component. By tying a knot in a desired location in the second end of the shoelace and stretching the lace, the second end of the lace may be moved into an engaged position in which tension in the stretched lace tends to maintain the knot in the cup. The apparatus may also comprise a lock attachable to the second end of the shoelace such that the lock is also positioned in the cup and rotatable to a locking position preventing undesired longitudinal movement of the lock and shoelace.