A polymeric composition which can be used for the manufacture of rubber articles, in general, such as soles, shoes, boots, sealing rings, rugs, footwear straps and sandals, by the same thermoplastic injection process in equipment (injectors) used for plastics without the need for vulcanization or crosslinking and with different embodiments, according to the final product of interest. The basic components of the present polymeric composition are ethylene vinyl acetate, which may be a combination of ethylene vinyl acetate having a VA content of 19% and ethylene vinyl acetate having a VA content of 28%, and a copolymer of alpha olefin ethylene.

Article and method are provided to increase surface friction and gription of shoelaces and bootlaces to prevent untying of the knots of shoelaces and bootlaces and make the surfaces of the shoelaces and bootlaces bitter in taste to deter pets from chewing them. An applicator comprising a wax-based compound formulated from vegetable oils, beeswax, coconut oil and bitter apple extract increases the surface friction and gription of shoelaces and bootlaces as well as make them bitter in taste for pets when applied on the surfaces of the shoelaces and bootlaces. The wax-based compound of the applicator may also function as water and moisture repellant on the surfaces of footwear, garments, and sports equipment in addition to shoe and boot laces under all types of conditions and climates.

Article and method are provided to increase surface friction and gription of shoelaces and bootlaces to prevent untying of the knots of shoelaces and bootlaces and make the surfaces of the shoelaces and bootlaces bitter in taste to deter pets from chewing them. An applicator comprising a wax-based compound formulated from vegetable oils, beeswax, coconut oil and bitter apple extract increases the surface friction and gription of shoelaces and bootlaces as well as make them bitter in taste for pets when applied on the surfaces of the shoelaces and bootlaces. The wax-based compound of the applicator may also function as water and moisture repellant on the surfaces of footwear, garments, and sports equipment in addition to shoe and boot laces under all types of conditions and climates.

A lacing system is provided including a length of string, each string divided into a center region and a plurality of equal length regions. Each equal length region is designated by a color, pattern or indicia. The center region has a length equal to a distance between a bottom-most pair of left-side and right-side eyelets, the equal length regions each have a length equal to a diagonal distance between a left-side eyelet and a right-side eyelet. End lengths of each lace measure half the remainder of each lace remaining from the total length of the lace minus the summation of the center region plus the equal length regions. Each equal length region has a different color, pattern or indicia from its adjacent equal length region. Each of the end lengths has a different color, pattern or indicia from the equal length regions that is immediately adjacent to the end length.

A lacing system is provided including a length of string, each string divided into a center region and a plurality of equal length regions. Each equal length region is designated by a color, pattern or indicia. The center region has a length equal to a distance between a bottom-most pair of left-side and right-side eyelets, the equal length regions each have a length equal to a diagonal distance between a left-side eyelet and a right-side eyelet. End lengths of each lace measure half the remainder of each lace remaining from the total length of the lace minus the summation of the center region plus the equal length regions. Each equal length region has a different color, pattern or indicia from its adjacent equal length region. Each of the end lengths has a different color, pattern or indicia from the equal length regions that is immediately adjacent to the end length.

The present invention is for a slip resistant shoelace comprising a shoelace tube and one or more friction inducing features such as a plurality of bumps made of rubber or silicone disposed over at least a portion of the length of the shoelace tube. The bumps can also be disposed over a rope in any desired manner to make it a slippage resistant rope. The plurality of bumps, when come in contact with each other or with any other surfaces in a tied knot, offer higher co-efficient of friction and thus resist slipping of the knot. A knot tied with the slip-resistant shoelace or the slip-resistant rope prevents slipping and prevents from getting loosened and untied inadvertently.

The present invention is for a slip resistant shoelace comprising a shoelace tube and one or more friction inducing features such as a plurality of bumps made of rubber or silicone disposed over at least a portion of the length of the shoelace tube. The bumps can also be disposed over a rope in any desired manner to make it a slippage resistant rope. The plurality of bumps, when come in contact with each other or with any other surfaces in a tied knot, offer higher co-efficient of friction and thus resist slipping of the knot. A knot tied with the slip-resistant shoelace or the slip-resistant rope prevents slipping and prevents from getting loosened and untied inadvertently.

A magnetic clip, a system including one or more such magnetic clips, and a method for their use are provided. The two-part magnetic clip includes a clip body and a post that is separate from, and completely detachable from, the clip body, the post not being integrally formed with the clip body. The clip body and post are configured to magnetically mate with one another with a portion of an attaching material captured between them. Each clip body is formed to include at least one loop for attaching a connector, decorative element or tying material to the clip body.

A magnetic clip, a system including one or more such magnetic clips, and a method for their use are provided. The two-part magnetic clip includes a clip body and a post that is separate from, and completely detachable from, the clip body, the post not being integrally formed with the clip body. The clip body and post are configured to magnetically mate with one another with a portion of an attaching material captured between them. Each clip body is formed to include at least one loop for attaching a connector, decorative element or tying material to the clip body.

A rate dependent tether for securing a shoe to a user, and footwear incorporating the rate dependent tether. The rate dependent tether may include a tube filled with a shear-thickening material and at least one cable or ribbon. In conditions of normal, low, or no intense activity by the user, the rate dependent tether's deformation resistance is low allowing the rate dependent tether to be extended to allow insertion or removal of the foot. At active levels, for example, participating in sporting events or intense activities, the rate dependent tether's deformation resistance is high preventing the rate dependent tether from loosening and securing the shoe on the user. The rate dependent tether may be connected to a saddle. A rate dependent insole for footwear, a support impregnated with a shear-thickening fluid, a rate dependent footcone, and rate dependent bands are also described.