The present invention provides a shoelace as an aid for teaching an individual to tie a shoe. The shoelace comprises labels at segments along its length which indicate points of the shoelace which are manipulated during the tying of a bowknot. The invention further comprises methods of tying the shoelace and instructing an individual to tie the shoelace.

One aspect of the present invention provides a metal cap for a shoelace tip of a shoelace. The metal cap includes a cylindrical hollow body. The body has a substantially closed first end, an open second end opposite to the first end, and a peripheral wall extending between the first and the second ends. The peripheral wall includes a longitudinal slot extending from the first end to the second end and a plurality of dents aligned longitudinally at locations opposite to the longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot is defined by a first side edge and a second side edge of the peripheral wall, wherein a protrusion is formed at the first side edge and a notch is formed in the second side edge at a position corresponding to the protrusion. A number of radially inwardly protruding teeth are provided at a periphery of the open second end.

One aspect of the present invention provides a metal cap for a shoelace tip of a shoelace. The metal cap includes a cylindrical hollow body. The body has a substantially closed first end, an open second end opposite to the first end, and a peripheral wall extending between the first and the second ends. The peripheral wall includes a longitudinal slot extending from the first end to the second end and a plurality of dents aligned longitudinally at locations opposite to the longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot is defined by a first side edge and a second side edge of the peripheral wall, wherein a protrusion is formed at the first side edge and a notch is formed in the second side edge at a position corresponding to the protrusion. A number of radially inwardly protruding teeth are provided at a periphery of the open second end.

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).

A multicolored aglet connected to a shoelace has a unit slice, a pattern layer, and a white background layer. The unit slice is formed into two aglet bodies that are respectively sheathed on two ends of the shoelace, and has a mounting portion. The mounting portion of the unit slice is stuck to an outer side of the unit slice. The pattern layer is printed on and covers the inner side of the unit slice excluding the mounting portion, and is located between the unit slice and the shoelace. The white background layer is printed on the pattern layer and is located between the pattern layer and the shoelace. A method for producing the multicolored aglet is also provided.

A multicolored aglet connected to a shoelace has a unit slice, a pattern layer, and a white background layer. The unit slice is formed into two aglet bodies that are respectively sheathed on two ends of the shoelace, and has a mounting portion. The mounting portion of the unit slice is stuck to an outer side of the unit slice. The pattern layer is printed on and covers the inner side of the unit slice excluding the mounting portion, and is located between the unit slice and the shoelace. The white background layer is printed on the pattern layer and is located between the pattern layer and the shoelace. A method for producing the multicolored aglet is also provided.

An ornamental structure that is constructed and arranged to be coupled to an end of a cord includes a body with a through-hole and a cord-end receiving cavity that has a width about equal to a diameter of the cord, where the through hole and cavity are proximate one another.

The object of the invention is an elastic shoelace with an eye and a ring. The elastic shoelace of the invention can easily be passed through holes (B) in a shoe (A) and by increasing or decreasing the tightening of an elastic string (1) a ring (5) is hooked onto a threaded pin (4) thus achieving favorable shoe tying.

The object of the invention is an elastic shoelace with an eye and a ring. The elastic shoelace of the invention can easily be passed through holes (B) in a shoe (A) and by increasing or decreasing the tightening of an elastic string (1) a ring (5) is hooked onto a threaded pin (4) thus achieving favorable shoe tying.