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 reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.

A reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.

An accessory for lace-up shoes, including a body with a containing part and an anchoring part, wherein a pocket of predetermined width is formed in the containing part and wherein the anchoring part is adapted to be anchored to a lace-up shoe, where the anchoring part is provided with stable but reversible anchoring to the lace of the shoe, such that the body can be anchored to the lace-up shoe by the lace only.

A lock for an adjustment cord of a wearable article includes a body defining a first passage extending through the body from an entrance opening of the body to a first exit opening of the body, and the body defining a second passage extending from an intermediate portion of the first passage to a second exit opening of the body. The body is configured with a segment of the first passage extending from the intermediate portion to the first exit opening in communication with the second passage. At least a portion of the second passage is narrower than the first passage so that a portion of the cord disposed in the segment of the first passage is movable relative to the first passage when tensioned and is repositionable to the second passage where the cord locks to the body and retains tension. A wearable article includes the lock.

A retainer assembly for securing a knot defined by a pair of shoelaces of a shoe includes a base member, a clamping member, and a clip member. The clamping member is engaged with the base member and telescopically moves relative to the base member between an extended position and a retracted position. The clamping member includes a clasp. Moreover, the clip member is pivotally coupled to the base member and is adapted to engage with the clasp when the clamping member is arranged in the retracted position to secure the knot between the clip member and the clamping member.

A lace guide for an article of footwear comprises a base, a body protruding from the base, and an enlarged head at a distal end of the body. The body, the base, and the enlarged head define an external channel that extends at least partially around the body to receive and retain a lace. The base may be a heel counter, and the lace guide and the heel counter may be an integral, one-piece component. Alternatively, the base of the lace guide may be a wing extending along a side of the upper, or may be secured to a footwear upper.

A lace guide for an article of footwear comprises a base, a body protruding from the base, and an enlarged head at a distal end of the body. The body, the base, and the enlarged head define an external channel that extends at least partially around the body to receive and retain a lace. The base may be a heel counter, and the lace guide and the heel counter may be an integral, one-piece component. Alternatively, the base of the lace guide may be a wing extending along a side of the upper, or may be secured to a footwear upper.

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.