A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

A cable lock adapted to temporarily maintain a static position along a cable strung through an article of footwear or apparel includes a housing and a compliant insert. The housing defines an aperture and is formed from a first material. The aperture extends through a thickness of the housing to provide access to the cable. The insert is provided at least partially within the aperture and defining an opening, the insert formed from a second material that is softer than the first material, the insert includes a plurality of cable engaging features extending radially inward from a perimeter of the aperture, the plurality of cable engaging features being adapted to deflect away from a neutral, unstressed plane when a cable is drawn through the opening.

The present application relates to a quick string-tying device including a first case body provided with a first bottom portion, a first open end, and a first sidewall extending and formed from the first bottom portion towards the first open end, the first bottom portion and the first sidewall forming a first accommodation space, the first bottom portion being provided with a first string-passing opening for two free ends of a string to pass therethrough, a slit formed on the first sidewall and extending from the first open end towards the first bottom portion, the slit being used to clamp the two free ends of the string which enter into the slit. The quick string-tying device is suitable for use on various items that require tying of a string, and can achieve quick tying and loosening of a string. A method for tying a string is also disclosed.

An article of footwear has a tubular structure. The tubular structure may include tab portions that extend away from a tunnel portion of the tubular structure. The tab portions may engage parts of the article of footwear. The tab portions may engage an upper or sole structure along a bite line. The tab portions may be attached to a heel counter, eyestay, or other structure on the article of footwear.

An article of footwear has a tubular structure. The tubular structure may include tab portions that extend away from a tunnel portion of the tubular structure. The tab portions may engage parts of the article of footwear. The tab portions may engage an upper or sole structure along a bite line. The tab portions may be attached to a heel counter, eyestay, or other structure on the article of footwear.

A shoelace arrangement is provided for a shoe. The shoelace arrangement is basically provided with an upper, a shoelace tightener and a shoelace. The upper includes a first surface and a second surface opposite side of the first surface. The shoelace tightener is disposed to the upper. The shoelace is coupled to the shoelace tightener. The shoelace includes a first shoelace portion entirely extending on the first surface, and a second shoelace portion entirely extending on the second surface. The first shoelace portion and the second shoelace portion cross one another via the first surface and the second surface.

A fastener that holds two portions of a cord-like material, which has ends, in a temporarily locked position until a prescribed force is applied to these ends to cause the material to slide though the fastener, includes (a) a rear enclosure having a cavity with two holes and two openings that each have a centerline, (b) a front enclosure having two apertures, each with a centerline, (c) a pair of movable posts, each having a centerline, and wherein the enclosures and posts are configured so that their respective centerlines can temporarily be brought into alignment so as to allow an end of the material to pass through the fastener, and (d) a pair of springs, each in contact with the bottom of a post. Wherein, the spring has a spring constant (k) and the post has a coefficient of friction (c.sub.f) with respect to the material, and k and c.sub.f are chosen to yield a prescribed force in the range of 2 to 25 pounds.

A fastener that holds two portions of a cord-like material, which has ends, in a temporarily locked position until a prescribed force is applied to these ends to cause the material to slide though the fastener, includes (a) a rear enclosure having a cavity with two holes and two openings that each have a centerline, (b) a front enclosure having two apertures, each with a centerline, (c) a pair of movable posts, each having a centerline, and wherein the enclosures and posts are configured so that their respective centerlines can temporarily be brought into alignment so as to allow an end of the material to pass through the fastener, and (d) a pair of springs, each in contact with the bottom of a post. Wherein, the spring has a spring constant (k) and the post has a coefficient of friction (c.sub.f) with respect to the material, and k and c.sub.f are chosen to yield a prescribed force in the range of 2 to 25 pounds.

A shoelace loosening prevention device includes a casing member including a cover part that has a front end cut-portion and a rear end cut-portion, a bottom that has a drawing-out member fixing portion, a guide hole, and a rear end cut-portion, sides that have fixed pressing-protrusions formed inside thereof, respectively, and a pressing member accommodation section and a feeding member accommodation section, a pressing member accommodated in the pressing member accommodation section, having a guide protrusion at a center of a bottom thereof, and having moving pressing-protrusions on both sides thereof, an elastic member having a first end accommodated in the elastic member accommodation section, a feeding member accommodated in the feeding member accommodation section, coupled to the pressing member, and forming a pair of left and right shoelace drawing-in holes, and sides coupled to a front end of the casing member and having shoelace drawing-out holes, respectively.