A cable lock includes a housing having a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface. The cable lock also includes a locking member slideably disposed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and including a first lock element opposing the first engagement surface and a second lock element opposing the second engagement surface. The first lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth. The first lock element is operable to engage a first portion of a cable. The second lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth of the second lock element. The second lock element is operable to engage a second portion of the cable.

Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

An article includes a receptacle defining an interior void and an adjustment element attached to the receptacle. The adjustment element includes bladder defining one or more chambers each having a compressible component disposed therein. The adjustment element is operable between a contracted configuration providing the receptacle with a first size and an expanded configuration providing the receptacle with a second size different than the first size by adjusting a pressure within the one or more chambers.

Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled with the sole structure. The upper has a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The closure includes a closure panel and a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the first side portion of the upper and the second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the unitary closure panel. A selective and reusable fastener is further provided to couple the closure panel to the second side panel of the upper.

In one embodiment, an article of footwear including an upper is described. The upper includes a braid body and at least one component. The braid body includes at least one braided layer. A reinforcement element is attached to the braid body along a connection area using a connecting stitch. The component is attached to the braid body at the connection area using a zigzag stitch including a thread that passes through the component at a first location and passes through the reinforcement element and the braid body at a second location. The second location extends beyond the connecting stitch attaching the reinforcement element to the braid body.

Universal shoe fastening systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are provided. In one embodiment, a shoe fastening system for a shoe includes an anchoring strap-clip configured to attach to a first pair of eyelets of the shoe, an adjustment strap-clip configured to attach to a second pair of eyelets of the shoe, and a strap closure that includes an anchoring end portion configured to attach the anchoring strap-clip, an adjustable end portion configured to traverse under a bar region of the adjustment strap-clip that allows for the shoe to be fasten, and a fastening portion configured to connect the anchoring end portion with the adjustable end portion.

A self-lacing system includes an air bag assembly and a vacuum pump respectively attached on an upper portion and a sole portion of the shoe. The vacuum pump includes a first cover and a second cover. A chamber is formed between the first cover and the second cover when the second cover is located at the first position relative to the first cover. Volume of the chamber changes during movement of the second cover relative to the first cover. The chamber is compressed to force fluid inside the chamber outwardly via a discharge communication channel when the second cover moves relative to the first cover from the first position to the second position, and fluid inside the air bag assembly is introduced to flow into the chamber via a suction communication channel when the second cover moves relative to the first cover from the second position to the first position.

Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

An article of footwear providing easy donning and doffing through a heel region. A heel cup is pivotably coupled with the footwear to articulate between an open configuration allowing easier access to a foot-receiving cavity and a closed configuration enclosing a heel region of the footwear. A tensioning strap extends from a first side of the footwear around the heel cup to an opposite second side of the footwear when the heel cup is in the closed configuration. The heel strap is effective to structurally secure the heel cup in the closed configuration. One or more tensioning strands may extend from the tensioning strap. The tensioning strands may be effective to convert force provided through the tensioning strap across a forefoot portion to generate a forefoot securing force through a lacing mechanism.