An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including an actuator assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, an Lacing architectures for automated footwear assemblies are discussed. In an example, a footwear assembly can include a floating tongue within an upper assembly. The lacing architecture can include a first plurality or lace guides forming a first lacing zone and a second plurality of lace guides forming a second lacing zone. The lacing architecture can also include a tongue lace guide assembly secure to a proximal portion of the floating tongue.

An apparatus for convenient tightening and loosening of strings such as those found in shoelaces of footwear is provided. The apparatus includes a rotating portion within a base portion. A cover portion, when operated in a first position, provides a ratchet movement that allows rotation in a tightening direction while preventing movement in a loosening direction. When the cover is moved to a second position, the ratchet mechanism disengages, and the strings can then be easily loosened.

Provided is an apparatus for tightening wire, including: a housing (10); a spool (20) mounted to the housing to wind a wire; a winder (30) that engages with the spool to wind the wire or disengages from the same to unwind the wire; a ratchet (40) that allows axial rotation in one direction in which the wire is tightened; a spiral cam (50) where the winder and the ratchet are mounted; and a dial (60) mounted to the spiral cam to axially rotate the winder. The apparatus provides an engagement and disengagement structure that allows the spool and the winder to engage or disengage, so that, by forward and backward rotations, only the wire is wound when the spool and the winder engage and the wire is unwound when the spool and the winder disengage, thereby allowing the winding and unwinding of the wire by simple forward and backward rotating operation.

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.

A quick lacing machine is disclosed, including a base, a screw cap, a pulley, a rotating wheel, a rotary driving member, an elastic member, and a pressing member. The base is provided with a rotating cavity, a lace hole and a ratchet; the pulley is rotatably arranged in the rotating cavity, and the pulley is provided with a plurality of a first spiral teeth; the rotating wheel is provided with a pawl, the pawl is engaged with the ratchet, and the rotating wheel is provided with a sliding hole, the rotary driving member is slidably arranged in the sliding hole. The present disclosure can loosen a shoelace by pressing the pressing member, and tighten the shoelace by rotating the screw cap, which is simple and convenient to operate, saves time and effort, and thereby improving efficiency of a user taking off and putting on shoes.

A footwear is provided for preventing or treating a pathological deformity of a wearers foot, comprising a toe strap for being fastened to the great toe, an upper for being fastened to a metatarsus region of the foot and comprising a lateral section and a medial section, and an adjustment mechanism comprising a tension element coupled to the toe strap and configured for variably adjusting a pulling force applied to the toe strap, wherein the adjustment mechanism is arranged in or on the lateral section of the upper such that the tension element is guided to a lateral side of the footwear. The medial section of the upper extends from the adjustment mechanism in a medial direction to a medial side of the footwear and is adjustable in its circumferential length.

A footwear is provided for preventing or treating a pathological deformity of a wearers foot, comprising a toe strap for being fastened to the great toe, an upper for being fastened to a metatarsus region of the foot and comprising a lateral section and a medial section, and an adjustment mechanism comprising a tension element coupled to the toe strap and configured for variably adjusting a pulling force applied to the toe strap, wherein the adjustment mechanism is arranged in or on the lateral section of the upper such that the tension element is guided to a lateral side of the footwear. The medial section of the upper extends from the adjustment mechanism in a medial direction to a medial side of the footwear and is adjustable in its circumferential length.

An article of footwear has a tubular structure. The tubular structure may include tab portions that extend away from a tunnel portion of the tubular structure. The tab portions may engage parts of the article of footwear. The tab portions may engage an upper or sole structure along a bite line. The tab portions may be attached to a heel counter, eyestay, or other structure on the article of footwear.