Devices and method are disclosed for provision of a quick release lacing system for shoes. A lace is fitted with a releasable connector that can be activated manually or automatically to disconnect the laces, allowing the wearer to then pull the laces party or fully off the shoe in a single movement. Such tools are particularly useful for sporting and tactical shoes, wherein the wearer may have a need to quickly extract their foot from the shoe, such as in an emergency situation.

An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and having a first region and a second region. The article of footwear also includes a sole structure attached to the upper. The article of footwear includes a cable including a first fastening segment extending across the first region to a first terminal end anchored on one of the upper and the sole structure, a second fastening segment extending across the second region to a second terminal end anchored on one of the upper and the sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a cable lock attached to one of the upper and the sole structure, the cable lock configured to receive the first fastening segment and the second fastening segment and operable to secure a position of each of the first fastening segment and the second fastening segment independently from one another.

A fastening device including a case unit and a spool is provided. The case unit includes a wall forming a receiving space, an upper opening communicated with the receiving space, and a lower opening opposite to the upper opening and communicated with the receiving space. The spool is within the receiving space. The spool is limited by the wall, and the wall prohibits the spool from leaving the receiving space from the upper opening.

A fastening device including a case unit and a spool is provided. The case unit includes a wall forming a receiving space, an upper opening communicated with the receiving space, and a lower opening opposite to the upper opening and communicated with the receiving space. The spool is within the receiving space. The spool is limited by the wall, and the wall prohibits the spool from leaving the receiving space from the upper opening.

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 cord lock includes various components used to slidably adjust a length of cord. The cord lock may include a first cord-clamp bar and a second cord-clamp bar that are movably coupled to each other, to allow control of frictional resistance on a cord threaded through various apertures and cord-receiving channels of the cord lock. The cord lock may be incorporated into an article such that it is at least partially concealed within an article layer.

A cord lock includes various components used to slidably adjust a length of cord. The cord lock may include a first cord-clamp bar and a second cord-clamp bar that are movably coupled to each other, to allow control of frictional resistance on a cord threaded through various apertures and cord-receiving channels of the cord lock. The cord lock may be incorporated into an article such that it is at least partially concealed within an article layer.

The Belt Ratcheting Device (BRD) facilitates unidirectional belt fastening and fast release. The BRD has a turning gate rotatably installed diagonally in a channel. The turning gate has a tapered front end with sharp edge with a smooth side. A preloaded spring keeps the BRD in active state when the release lever is not pulled. The BRD has two states: active and inactive. In the active state the device works as a belt ratchet i.e. allowing the belt to be pulled forwards but restricting any belt motion backwards. After fastening, the belt remains fastened until the BRD is switched into inactive state by manually pulling the lever. The BRD doesn't employ serrated surfaces, which cause accelerated belt wear. Instead, the BRD's smooth side and channel's smooth surfaces minimize belt wear. BRDs facilitate garment belt fastening or belt fastening of footwear.

The Belt Ratcheting Device (BRD) facilitates unidirectional belt fastening and fast release. The BRD has a turning gate rotatably installed diagonally in a channel. The turning gate has a tapered front end with sharp edge with a smooth side. A preloaded spring keeps the BRD in active state when the release lever is not pulled. The BRD has two states: active and inactive. In the active state the device works as a belt ratchet i.e. allowing the belt to be pulled forwards but restricting any belt motion backwards. After fastening, the belt remains fastened until the BRD is switched into inactive state by manually pulling the lever. The BRD doesn't employ serrated surfaces, which cause accelerated belt wear. Instead, the BRD's smooth side and channel's smooth surfaces minimize belt wear. BRDs facilitate garment belt fastening or belt fastening of footwear.

A lace adjuster assembly (12) is adapted to selectively adjust a shoelace (11) of a shoe (10) of a user. The lace adjuster assembly (12) comprises a lace adjuster (14) and a feedback assembly (19). The lace adjuster (14) is adapted to selectively adjust the shoelace (11) of the shoe (10) of the user. The feedback assembly (19) is coupled to the lace adjuster (14). Additionally, the feedback assembly (19) is configured to perform one of (i) selectively measuring statistical data of the user during an athletic performance, and (ii) selectively capturing an image of the user during the athletic performance.