Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and an adjustable lacing system. The adjustable lacing system includes a plurality of fastener engaging elements located at the medial and lateral sides of the upper, where at least one of the medial side and the lateral side includes sets of fastener engaging elements. Each set of fastener engaging elements is distanced from another set in a direction transverse a lengthwise direction of the upper, and the fastener engaging elements are configured to engage with and retain a fastener structure that extends between the medial and lateral sides of the upper such that the fastener structure can be selectively engaged with different sets of fastener engaging elements to adjust a fit of the upper around a width of the foot disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending across the upper, the lace having a securing member, a first segment of the lace having a first apparent length and a second segment of the lace, separated from the first segment by the securing member, having a second apparent length. A motorized lacing system is configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor and a spool, coupled to the motor, configured to spool and unspool the lace, the spool having a plurality of notches, each of the plurality of notches configured to seat the securing member, wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length is adjustable based on which of the plurality of notches the securing member is seated in.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a component for attachment to an article includes an upper component that is made of a thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature and a flange member that is molded onto the upper component and made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature of the upper component. The flange member extends laterally from a bottom end of the upper component so that a bottom surface of the flange member is flush with or positioned axially below a bottom surface of the upper component. The melting temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer material enables the flange member to be directly coupled to the article via heat welding and the like without substantially affecting the upper component.

Abstract: A figure skating boot has a monocoque structure formed of monocoque material including a sole portion to receive the foot thereon, inner and outer side wall portions, a heel cup portion about the heel, two ankle portions extending over the ankles, and front and rear mounting surfaces below the sole portion for connection to front and rear ends of a mounting frame, for example the mounting frame of a skate blade. A heel member is formed separately from the boot and is supported by the monocoque material to extend downwardly from the heel end of the sole portion so that the rear mounting surface is at the bottom of the heel member. Each ankle portion is joined to the respective side wall portion by a relief junction enabling the ankle portions of the monocoque structure to be flexed relative to the side wall portions of the monocoque structure.

Abstract: A lacing system of an article includes two laces that are routed through the article of footwear to provide two distinct fastening zones. A first lace can be routed through a first set of lace-receiving passages in a first fastening zone of a body of the article, and a second lace can be routed through a second fastening zone of the body. A method of lacing an article includes routing the first lace and the second lace through the lace-receiving passages of the respective zones.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a lace onto footwear includes a base portion having a top surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides, a hook portion extending from the top surface of the base portion adjacent to the first end of the base portion and overlying the top surface of the base portion, and side walls extending upwardly from the top surface of the base portion adjacent to the first and second sides of the base portion, the top surface of the base portion, the hook portion and the side walls forming a channel into which the lace can be inserted and securely held.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot, and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a ground-engaging outer member and the footwear may include a first strand configured to form at least a first lace receiving loop and extending through the outer member of the sole structure.

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: A fastener includes a pull unit having first and second pull-lace portions, and an intermediate part connected between the pull-lace portions. A tightening unit includes first and second lace holders connected pivotally to each other, and two clamps connected slidably and respectively to the lace holders. The first lace holder has two first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings, and two first pull-lace connectors connected to the first pull-lace portion. The second lace holder has two second rod sections, two hook portions extending respectively through the hook-connecting rings and fixed to the intermediate part, and two second pull-lace connectors connected to the second pull-lace portion. Each clamp has two ends attached slidably to the respective first or second rod sections such that each clamp divides a space between the first or second rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole.

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 shoelace anglet having a front opening at one end thereof, a rounded head at an opposite end thereof, an end slot in the rounded head, a split extended between the end slot and the front opening, at least one protruding portion disposed at a first side of the split, and at least one recessed portion disposed at a second side of the split and adapted to receive the at least one protruding portion respectively.

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.