Abstract: This disclosure is directed to lace-receiving structures that may be included in articles of footwear. The lace-receiving structure can include a first longitudinal portion, a second longitudinal portion spaced apart from the first longitudinal portion to define a gap therebetween, and an intermediate portion that includes a first folded region adjacent the first longitudinal portion and a second folded region adjacent the second longitudinal portion. The lace guide can be a continuous piece of material that includes the first portion, the intermediate portion, and the second portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole, an upper joined with the sole, and a lacing system. The lacing system is configured to secure the footwear to the wearer's foot and includes a lace support embroidered to the upper. The lace support has a plurality of turns forming at least one loops disposed on an exterior surface of the upper.

Abstract: Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A system for providing shade onto a surface is described herein. The system includes a canopy configured for engagement with, and aerial suspension by, a frame. The frame includes a plurality of sections configured for end-to-end alignment from a left end to a right end of the frame. Each section is configured to engage with any adjacent sections to form the frame. The ends of the frame are secured to the surface, thereby aerially suspending the canopy and providing shade to the surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole, an upper joined with the sole, and a lacing system. The lacing system is configured to secure the footwear to the wearer's foot and includes a primary lace support, a secondary lace support, and a lace. The primary lace support has a plurality of primary loops disposed on an exterior surface of the upper. Portions of the secondary lace support are inserted through the primary loops to form a plurality of secondary loops. A lace extends through the plurality of secondary loops. The lace is slidably adjustable within the secondary loops and the secondary loops are slidably adjustable within the primary loops to adjust the fit of the article of footwear on a wearer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a side lacing pattern features laces ending on the same side of the footwear with both lace ends exiting from the side of an intermediate row of the footwear. The lace travels in a single pass between the upper and lower rows of eyelets, beneath the outer surface of the upper such that the lacing uses each eyelet once without overlapping, using right angle turns at each eyelet within the lacing pattern.

Abstract: There is provided an instep cover in which various designs can be provided on a side surface portion of the instep cover even when a shoelace holding section is provided, and a shoe upper including the instep cover. In a shoe upper (100) configuring a shoe, an instep cover (1) that covers a portion on an instep side of a wearer includes a slit (5S) extending from a foot insertion opening for the wearer to insert a foot toward a toe, and a shoelace holding section (4) that holds a shoelace for adjusting a spacing of the slit (5S). The shoelace holding section (4) includes a holding unit (4U) configured by a hole (4h) formed in a slit edge region (11) that shapes the slit (5S), and an annular strap (4s) being formed to an annular shape by connecting one end and the other end of a lace-like body to the slit edge region (11) and having a length that can be pulled out from the hole (4h) when an intermediate portion of the lace-like body is brought to a position of the hole (4h).

Abstract: An object includes a body with a first portion having first eyelets and a second portion having second eyelets. The body includes a first surface and a second surface that face in opposite directions. The first surface includes an opening into a void that is defined between the first surface and the second surface. A first lace extends continuously through the plurality of first eyelets and continuously through the plurality of second eyelets. The first lace has a first bridge portion defined between a first pair of the first eyelets and a second bridge portion defined between a second pair of the second eyelets. The first lace includes an end that passes through the opening to be disposed within the void. A second lace engages both the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion.

Abstract: Described are self-tensioning girt assemblies with one or more straps that form loops that extend around opposing sides of an inflatable structure. The one or more strips are configured to apply multi-directional forces such that the girt assembly is self-tensioning. The self-tensioning girt assemblies may comprise at least two sleeves coupled to the inflatable structure and that receive the straps in a way that permits the straps to rotate around the inflatable structure. In some embodiments, the straps are attached to a panel that extends between the straps.

Abstract: A lacing element for a fastening system of an article of footwear is formed using a continuous strip of material that is folded across itself in a series of different directions to produce a plurality of folded loops. A first group of exposed folded loops form eyestays for a lace, with each eyestay being formed by a trailing edge of one exposed loop and a leading edge of an adjacent exposed loop. The trailing edge and the leading edge are formed by folded regions in the continuous strip of material that are points of contact for the lace. A second group of secured folded loops are disposed below the exposed loops and are used to attach the lacing element to an upper of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A closure system for an object having a first portion with first eyelets and a second portion with second eyelets includes a first lace that is resiliently flexible. The first lace is operable to extend continuously through the plurality of first eyelets and continuously through the plurality of second eyelets to define a first bridge portion and a second bridge portion of the first lace. The first bridge portion is defined between the plurality of first eyelets, and the second bridge portion is defined between the plurality of second eyelets. Additionally, the closure system includes a second lace that is substantially inelastic. The second lace engages both the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion to secure the first and second portions of the object together.