The invention relates to a shoe which has two rows of laceholes (4) in the planar upper (3) thereof and a shoelace (1) threaded into the laceholes (4) and an edging element (2, 9, 14) which is fastened to one of the laceholes (4) in the upper (3) and is fixed against movement away from the lacehole (4) and has a through-hole (5) through which the shoelace (1) extends. A rigid connection that is permanent, that is to say cannot be detached non-destructively, is provided between the edging element (2, 9, 14) and the longitudinal region of the shoelace (1) passing through said element.

Systems and apparatus related to automated tightening of a footwear platform including a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, a footwear lacing apparatus can include a housing structure, a spool, and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can include a top section and a bottom section. The spool can include a superior surface, a lace spool under the superior surface and a spool shaft with a keyed connection pin. The spool can also be integrated into the top section of the housing structure. The drive mechanism can couple with the spool via the keyed connection pin on the spool shaft. The drive mechanism can be adapted to rotate the spool to tighten or loosen a lace cable integrated into the footwear.

Systems and apparatus related to automated tightening of a footwear platform including a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, a footwear lacing apparatus can include a housing structure, a spool, and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can include a top section and a bottom section. The spool can include a superior surface, a lace spool under the superior surface and a spool shaft with a keyed connection pin. The spool can also be integrated into the top section of the housing structure. The drive mechanism can couple with the spool via the keyed connection pin on the spool shaft. The drive mechanism can be adapted to rotate the spool to tighten or loosen a lace cable integrated into the footwear.

A string fastening device which may be used for easily winding and fastening strings provided in shoes, bags, clothes, or the like is provided. The string fastening device includes a base; a fixation member coupled to the base to maintain state in which the bobbin is stored in the base; a rotational member coupled to the fixation member and rotating the bobbin; and a string suspension member provided in the bobbin and fixing a string.

A cord-lock assembly for slidably adjusting a length of cord is provided. The assembly may include various components such as a cord, a cord lock, and an article layer into which the cord lock and cord may be at least partially integrated. The cord lock may include one or more components that releasably clamp onto the cord and engage the cord through resistance provided by a biasing element. The cord-lock assembly may be configured such that a force applied to the cord lock in axial alignment with an aperture in which the cord lock is positioned allows adjustment of a length of cord extending through the cord lock and/or through the aperture layer.

A cord-lock assembly for slidably adjusting a length of cord is provided. The assembly may include various components such as a cord, a cord lock, and an article layer into which the cord lock and cord may be at least partially integrated. The cord lock may include one or more components that releasably clamp onto the cord and engage the cord through resistance provided by a biasing element. The cord-lock assembly may be configured such that a force applied to the cord lock in axial alignment with an aperture in which the cord lock is positioned allows adjustment of a length of cord extending through the cord lock and/or through the aperture layer.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A lace tensioning device includes a housing component having an interior region, a first aperture, and a second aperture, and a spool component that is rotatably positionable within the interior region of the housing component. The spool component has a central cylindrical member and a lumen that extends through the central cylindrical portion. The spool component is rotatable within the interior region of the housing component to align one end of the lumen with the first aperture and to align an opposite end of the lumen with the second aperture to enable a lace to be inserted through the first aperture, the lumen, and the second aperture so that opposing ends of the lace are positioned exterior to the housing component. A knot may then be tied in the lace and the lace retracted to couple the lace with the housing component and spool component.

A lace tensioning device includes a housing component having an interior region, a first aperture, and a second aperture, and a spool component that is rotatably positionable within the interior region of the housing component. The spool component has a central cylindrical member and a lumen that extends through the central cylindrical portion. The spool component is rotatable within the interior region of the housing component to align one end of the lumen with the first aperture and to align an opposite end of the lumen with the second aperture to enable a lace to be inserted through the first aperture, the lumen, and the second aperture so that opposing ends of the lace are positioned exterior to the housing component. A knot may then be tied in the lace and the lace retracted to couple the lace with the housing component and spool component.