A cord lock device is provided, which includes a body having first and second faces, with a cord passage extending through the body between the first and second faces. First and second grip channels are formed in the first face and have respective first ends adjacent to the cord passage and second ends extending away from the cord passage. Each of the grip channels has a pair of grip teeth facing each other on opposite sides of the respective grip channel, ridges of the pairs of grip teeth extending from the first face toward the second face at an angle such that at the first face, the ridges are furthest from the cord passage, while at a point closest to the second face, the ridges are closest to the cord passage.

A cord lock device is provided, which includes a body having first and second faces, with a cord passage extending through the body between the first and second faces. First and second grip channels are formed in the first face and have respective first ends adjacent to the cord passage and second ends extending away from the cord passage. Each of the grip channels has a pair of grip teeth facing each other on opposite sides of the respective grip channel, ridges of the pairs of grip teeth extending from the first face toward the second face at an angle such that at the first face, the ridges are furthest from the cord passage, while at a point closest to the second face, the ridges are closest to the cord passage.

An article of footwear includes an upper that has a body extending over at least a portion of a first side and a second side of the upper. A laceless fastening system includes a strap having an anchored end fixed at the second side and a distal end selectively remote from the upper. A first fastener is fixed to an outer surface of the body on the first side. The first fastener is less elastic than the body. A segmented second fastener is fixed to the inner side of the strap. The segmented second fastener includes a proximal segment and a distal segment closer to the distal end of the strap than the proximal segment and spaced apart from the proximal segment along the strap by an exposed portion of the strap. The segmented second fastener is less elastic than the strap.

A lace structure includes a plurality of weaving threads and a plurality of resilient threads which are interlaced in a lengthwise direction to form an elongate lace which defines a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections arranged in an alternating manner. Each of the second sections of the lace has a weaving density greater than and a width smaller than that of each of the first sections. In such a manner, each of the first sections of the lace has a wide face with a low density, and each of the second sections of the lace has a narrow face with a high density. Thus, each of the first sections of the lace has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections, so that the lace has a stepwise elastic function.

A lace structure includes a plurality of weaving threads and a plurality of resilient threads which are interlaced in a lengthwise direction to form an elongate lace which defines a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections arranged in an alternating manner. Each of the second sections of the lace has a weaving density greater than and a width smaller than that of each of the first sections. In such a manner, each of the first sections of the lace has a wide face with a low density, and each of the second sections of the lace has a narrow face with a high density. Thus, each of the first sections of the lace has an elasticity greater than that of each of the second sections, so that the lace has a stepwise elastic function.

Slip-resistant laces for articles of dress, such as various types of footwear and clothing, and methods of making the same are provided. The slip-resistant laces include a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. A silicone composition is applied to the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion by spraying the silicone composition from an aerosol can. A slip-resistant knot is formed by engaging the first engagement portion having the silicone composition with the second engagement portion having the silicone composition.

The invention is intended to provide silicone elastomer laces that are improved in terms of branding and/or ornamentation and/or tear strength and/or additional novel functions other than the mechanical properties and external appearance thereof, as well as a novel lacing solution. For this purpose, the invention relates first to a lace (1) for a shoe (2) equipped with a lace passage (3), the two edges (4, 5) of said passage having through-holes (7). The lace (1) essentially comprises at least one silicone elastomer that is at least partially cross-linked and includes one or more silicone polymers and fillers and, optionally, at least one of the following compounds: catalyst(s), cross-linking agent(s), pigment(s), parting agent(s), plasticiser(s), adhesion promoter(s). The lace is characterised in that it comprises, in the middle portion thereof, an identification zone (9) which is integral with the lace (1) and which, once the lace (1) has been passed through the through-holes (7, 7i) of the shoe (2), is intended to appear on the instep of the shoe (2), between the two lower through-holes (7i) located on either side, and at the base of, the lace passage (3) on the shoe (2). The invention also relates to a lace intended to be locked in place on the shoe (2) using a so-called BlocKnot plate (30) that is provided with multiple passages (20) for holding the lace (1) in place when the free ends of the strands (81) and (82) of the lace are interlaced through the passages (20) and gripped, preferably by passing the free ends of the strands (81) and (82) through the passages (20) in an alternating manner on the front and rear of the plate (30).

The invention is intended to provide silicone elastomer laces that are improved in terms of branding and/or ornamentation and/or tear strength and/or additional novel functions other than the mechanical properties and external appearance thereof, as well as a novel lacing solution. For this purpose, the invention relates first to a lace (1) for a shoe (2) equipped with a lace passage (3), the two edges (4, 5) of said passage having through-holes (7). The lace (1) essentially comprises at least one silicone elastomer that is at least partially cross-linked and includes one or more silicone polymers and fillers and, optionally, at least one of the following compounds: catalyst(s), cross-linking agent(s), pigment(s), parting agent(s), plasticiser(s), adhesion promoter(s). The lace is characterised in that it comprises, in the middle portion thereof, an identification zone (9) which is integral with the lace (1) and which, once the lace (1) has been passed through the through-holes (7, 7i) of the shoe (2), is intended to appear on the instep of the shoe (2), between the two lower through-holes (7i) located on either side, and at the base of, the lace passage (3) on the shoe (2). The invention also relates to a lace intended to be locked in place on the shoe (2) using a so-called BlocKnot plate (30) that is provided with multiple passages (20) for holding the lace (1) in place when the free ends of the strands (81) and (82) of the lace are interlaced through the passages (20) and gripped, preferably by passing the free ends of the strands (81) and (82) through the passages (20) in an alternating manner on the front and rear of the plate (30).

According to one aspect, a shoe closure system and method for fastening a shoe closure system are provided. An exemplary system may comprise a shoe including at least two holes. A shoe lace may be configured to be threaded through each hole, where a first two-sided fastener has a first side integrated into the shoe lace and further has a second side integrated into a first location on the shoe. In an exemplary method, a first two-sided fastener may be fastened to a first location on a shoe having at least two holes. A second two-sided fastener may be threaded through the at least two holes. The second two-sided fastener may be fastened by coupling the first and second sides of the second two-sided fastener at a second location.

According to one aspect, a shoe closure system and method for fastening a shoe closure system are provided. An exemplary system may comprise a shoe including at least two holes. A shoe lace may be configured to be threaded through each hole, where a first two-sided fastener has a first side integrated into the shoe lace and further has a second side integrated into a first location on the shoe. In an exemplary method, a first two-sided fastener may be fastened to a first location on a shoe having at least two holes. A second two-sided fastener may be threaded through the at least two holes. The second two-sided fastener may be fastened by coupling the first and second sides of the second two-sided fastener at a second location.