Abstract: Disclosed is a shoelace folding and releasing device, comprising: a thread reel used for winding thread, a knob device in transmission connection with the thread reel, and a position limiting device and arresting disk arranged between the thread reel and the knob device. After the knob device is pressed, both the thread reel and the arresting disk are locked with the knob device. The arresting disk restricts the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the knob device, and the knob device drives the thread reel to rotate so as to tighten a shoelace. When the knob device is pulled out, both the thread reel and the arresting disk are unlocked from the knob device, and the thread reel releases the shoelace, and at the same time, the position limiting device restricts the separation of the knob device.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper, and a reconfigurable fastening system. The upper is coupled to the sole and includes medial and lateral quarters. Disposed on the medial and lateral quarters are a plurality of eyelets. Each of the eyelets includes a pair of openings disposed in the upper. The plurality of eyelets further includes at least one elongate member threaded through the pair of openings of each eyelet. The elongate member includes a series of first, or unexposed, portions that are disposed on an inner surface of the upper, and a series of second, or exposed, portions that are disposed on the outer surface of the upper. As fastener or lacing may be selectively threaded through an eyelet of the plurality of eyelets, where the fastener may be threaded between the second portion of the elongate member and the outer surface of the upper.

Abstract: A boot laceable by means of a bootlace with a plurality of bootlace-deflecting elements and at least two separating units for dividing the bootlace into a bootlace portion extending in the forefoot region and a bootlace portion extending in the lower leg region, the separating units each comprising a base element fastenable to the boot and an eyelet element, fitted swivellably to the base element, in between which the bootlace may be clamped. The eyelet element comprises a substantially arched clip portion with a middle part and two clip legs. The two clip legs each comprise an opening, wherein the bootlace may be introduced through the one opening into the inside of the arch shape, passed under the middle part and passed back out of the arch shape through the other opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to the joining together of laces and laces with detachable applications and, in particular, to lace systems (100) for exchanging laces, joining parts especially suitable for this purpose and the attachment of applications to such an exchangeable lace. Such a lace system allows guided laces to be exchanged and comprises a device (110) with a lace guide (112), wherein the device is at least part of a shoe (182), a garment (184), a rucksack (186) or a bag (188). Furthermore, such a lace system comprises a first lace (120), which is guided in the lace guide and has a joining part (122), and a second lace (140), which has a joining part (142), wherein the first and second laces can be joined by means of the joining parts and the joining parts have a diameter that is not substantially any greater than the diameter of the first lace or the lace guide, such that the laces joined by means of the joining parts can be pulled through the lace guide together with the joined joining parts.

Abstract: A string securing device includes a base having a central post extending centrally therefrom. A shaft extends through the passage in the central post so as to be connected to the cap mounted to the base by a bolt which extends through the cap from a top of the cap. A ring and a spool are located between the base and the cap, wherein the spool is rotated with the cap by engagement of first and second teeth on the spool and the cap respectively. The ring has multiple ratchet teeth which are removably engaged with third teeth on the cap so as to allow the cap to rotate in one direction. The ring includes flexible members which are deformed to lower the ring and provides straight and upward force to the cap.

Abstract: A stepless fastening device includes a cap having a driving gear and multiple one-direction teeth connected to an underside thereof. The driving gear is engaged with a spool located in the base so that the strip or shoelace is wrapped to the spool. An operation unit is located beneath the cap and rotatable in a first direction for fastening and a second direction for loosening the strip or shoelace. An operation ring of the operation unit is connected to the underside of the cap and pushes an activation ring away from the cap when the operation ring is rotated in the second direction. An engaging member includes inclined teeth and pushed by the activation ring so that the inclined teeth are disengaged from the one-direction teeth of the cap when the operation ring is rotated in the second direction.

Abstract: A stepless fastening device includes a cap having a driving gear and multiple one-direction teeth connected to an underside thereof. The driving gear is engaged with a spool located in the base so that the strip or shoelace is wrapped to the spool. An operation unit is located beneath the cap and rotatable in a first direction for fastening and a second direction for loosening the strip or shoelace. An operation ring of the operation unit is connected to the underside of the cap and pushes an activation ring away from the cap when the operation ring is rotated in the second direction. An engaging member includes inclined teeth and pushed by the activation ring so that the inclined teeth are disengaged from the one-direction teeth of the cap when the operation ring is rotated in the second direction.

Abstract: A lace adjuster includes a longitudinal hollow body and two stop members. The hollow body defines a longitudinal passage, and has longitudinally opposite first and second ends, and an operating opening disposed between the first and second ends and communicated with the longitudinal passage. The longitudinal passage has first and second openings at the first and second ends, respectively. The stop members are pivotally and transversely mounted in the longitudinal passage and are respectively proximate to the first and second openings of the longitudinal passage. Each of the stop members has a lace-engaging portion, and a handle portion connected to the lace-engaging portion, and is operable so as to adjust the lengths of lace segments.

Abstract: A string securing device includes a base having a central post extending centrally therefrom. A shaft extends through the passage in the central post so as to be connected to the cap mounted to the base by a bolt which extends through the cap from a top of the cap. A ring and a spool are located between the base and the cap, wherein the spool is rotated with the cap by engagement of first and second teeth on the spool and the cap respectively. The ring has multiple ratchet teeth which are removably engaged with third teeth on the cap so as to allow the cap to rotate in one direction. The ring includes flexible members which are deformed to lower the ring and provides straight and upward force to the cap.

Abstract: A locking device for at least one strand, including a first portion and a second portion. The device includes an articulation which connects the portions to one another, the first portion having a first locking zone and a first biasing zone, the second portion having a second locking zone and a second biasing zone, the articulation enabling the locking zones to come relatively closer together when the biasing zones move away from one another, and vice versa, the locking device further including a primary guide which retains each strand between the locking zones, as well as an elastic mechanism which biases the locking zones toward one another.

Abstract: A lace tightening assembly is adapted for use with a shoe body having eyelet tabs, and includes a mounting seat mounted on one of the eyelet tabs, a tightening member mounted pivotally in the mounting seat, and an operating member for operating the tightening member to pivot between a shoe lace tightening position and a shoe lace loosening position.

Abstract: A lacing aid which assists in lacing two elements tightly together comprises a first open portion that is easily threaded and engages a lace with reduced friction, and a second portion for frictional restraint of the threaded lace. Such lacing aids of the invention may be formed by bending smooth and stiff but resilient wire to form a first portion providing an opening larger than a lace with smooth inner walls, permitting the lace to slip easily when it is being tightened, and a second lace-restraining portion formed adjacent to the first portion to which a tightened lace may be easily slipped and engaged.