Abstract: Article of footwear comprised of an upper that includes a vamp, the vamp including a first wall, at least two keepers configured to receive a portion of a lace, each keeper being arranged on either side of a sagittal plane of the article of footwear. Each loop is defined by the following: the interstitial space between the first wall and a yoke locally covering an outer surface of the first wall, the interstitial space having an anterior opening and a posterior opening through which a portion of the lace extends, and an upper linkage between the first wall and the yoke, the upper linkage being achieved due to a first affixer located in a first connection zone close to the sagittal plane, whereby the yoke is superimposed on the first wall without folding.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps.

Abstract: A lacing system and unique eyelet construction adapted for use therein including an eyelet formed from wire or rod stock preferably of circular cross-section that is progressively formed into a generally U-shaped configuration having a semicircular central portion and a pair of legs terminating in flattened ears adapted for connection to a shoe flap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ringless eyelet (10?) comprising a plate (11) arranged on the display side (23) of the carrier strip (20), and a tube-shaped collar penetrating the hole in the carrier strip. The hem of the collar of the eyelet element (10?) is supported on the rear side (24) of the carrier strip (20). The aim of the invention is to connect the eyelet to the carrier strip (20) faster and in a more cost-effective manner. In order to achieve this, the free end part of the collar of the eyelet element (10?) is provided with projections (16). An essentially closed ring profile (50), into which the collar projections (16) are integrated, is created when the collar is hemmed. After hemming, pressure points (40) are created on the carrier strip (20) between the collar projections (16) and the abutment surfaces (49) formed by the plate (11), said pressure points reliably holding the carrier strip (20). Said carrier strip (20) extends namely inside (51) the ring profile (50) beyond the pressure points (40).

Abstract: A reflectorized lace or the like includes an inner layer, a reflectorized outer layer encasing the inner layer, and a protective layer covering the reflectorized outer layer. The protective layer is made of a woven material having a number of open spaces to allow passage of light rays. The protective layer is provided with one or more attachment patches by which the lace may be attached to an object.

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.