A fastener assembly is provided including a fastener body having at least one aperture and a cavity formed at a top portion. A cap is provided configured to be removably inserted into the cavity. A method for fastening an article is provided including providing an article having holes in opposing edges of an article opening and a lace passed through said holes. At least one fastener body is provided having an attachment point, wherein the lace is secured to the attachment point, forming at least one slack portion. Each slack portion is pulled through a set of holes in the opposing edges of the article to form lace loop(s). Each lace loop is overlapped over the at least one fastener body.

In one embodiment, a storage device encloses the laces of footwear. The storage device comprises a lower member, an upper member, and a joint that permits articulated motion between the lower member and the upper member in a first direction along the longitudinal axis of the storage device. The upper member comprises an enclosure with an inner cavity that receives the laces therein. In one example, the outer member comprises a pair of closure members that articulate in a second direction toward the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, a storage device encloses the laces of footwear. The storage device comprises a lower member, an upper member, and a joint that permits articulated motion between the lower member and the upper member in a first direction along the longitudinal axis of the storage device. The upper member comprises an enclosure with an inner cavity that receives the laces therein. In one example, the outer member comprises a pair of closure members that articulate in a second direction toward the longitudinal axis.

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).

A system and method for connecting two loose shoelace ends, or for connecting two loose lace or cord ends in any lacing situation. A specific lace or cord orientation is used along with a heat-shrinkable tubular connector in order to easily and securely connect the two ends of the laces or other such cords.

A system and method for connecting two loose shoelace ends, or for connecting two loose lace or cord ends in any lacing situation. A specific lace or cord orientation is used along with a heat-shrinkable tubular connector in order to easily and securely connect the two ends of the laces or other such cords.

A tension member guide that is configured to direct or route a tension member about a path of an article includes a cover member and a guide member that is partially covered by the cover member. The cover member is attachable to the article and includes a pair of slits or incisions. The guide member is folded along a longitudinal length to form a loop or channel within which the tension member may be inserted. The guide member is positioned in relation to the cover member so that opposing end portions of the loop or channel are inserted through the slits or incisions such that the opposing end portions are positioned on an opposite side of the cover member from a remainder of the guide member.

A tension member guide that is configured to direct or route a tension member about a path of an article includes a cover member and a guide member that is partially covered by the cover member. The cover member is attachable to the article and includes a pair of slits or incisions. The guide member is folded along a longitudinal length to form a loop or channel within which the tension member may be inserted. The guide member is positioned in relation to the cover member so that opposing end portions of the loop or channel are inserted through the slits or incisions such that the opposing end portions are positioned on an opposite side of the cover member from a remainder of the guide member.

A shoe cover storage apparatus to protect shoelaces includes a flexible member coupled to the upper shoe region and having a pair of openings to permit a portion of the laces to pass through, a pocket coupled to the top face of the flexible member to store the portion of the laces, a first clip coupled to the bottom face of the flexible member, and a fastener assembly coupled to the bottom face of the flexible member and having channel members and an elastic cord slidably mounted to interior openings of the channel members, the elastic cord having a second clip on an exposed portion of the cord located proximate a lower portion of the flexible member. A user pulls the second clip to extend the cord along the flexible member to intertwine the cord with the shoelaces and permit the second clip to couple to the first clip.

A shoe cover storage apparatus to protect shoelaces includes a flexible member coupled to the upper shoe region and having a pair of openings to permit a portion of the laces to pass through, a pocket coupled to the top face of the flexible member to store the portion of the laces, a first clip coupled to the bottom face of the flexible member, and a fastener assembly coupled to the bottom face of the flexible member and having channel members and an elastic cord slidably mounted to interior openings of the channel members, the elastic cord having a second clip on an exposed portion of the cord located proximate a lower portion of the flexible member. A user pulls the second clip to extend the cord along the flexible member to intertwine the cord with the shoelaces and permit the second clip to couple to the first clip.