Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine for automated lace tightening. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine for automated lace tightening. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.

An interchangeable button system along with methods for its use and manufacture are disclosed. An interchangeable button system according to embodiments includes a base and a button. The base may comprise an attachment point for attaching the base to a piece of furniture and a fastener opposite the attachment point. The button may comprise a button base and a fastener. The base may be attached to a piece of furniture using the attachment point and a button may be removeably coupled to the base using the fasteners such that different buttons may be interchangeably coupled to the same affixed base. These different buttons may, for example, have buttons that are of different shapes or sizes, are covered with different upholstery, made from a material that may be left uncovered or that may differ from one another in some other type of aesthetic or functional manner.

An interchangeable button system along with methods for its use and manufacture are disclosed. An interchangeable button system according to embodiments includes a base and a button. The base may comprise an attachment point for attaching the base to a piece of furniture and a fastener opposite the attachment point. The button may comprise a button base and a fastener. The base may be attached to a piece of furniture using the attachment point and a button may be removeably coupled to the base using the fasteners such that different buttons may be interchangeably coupled to the same affixed base. These different buttons may, for example, have buttons that are of different shapes or sizes, are covered with different upholstery, made from a material that may be left uncovered or that may differ from one another in some other type of aesthetic or functional manner.

The coupler includes a male coupler formed with an annular groove, and a female coupler into which the male coupler is detachably inserted. The female coupler includes a first body part downwardly open, a second body part upwardly open, being rotatably connected with the first body part, and defining a hollow space together with the first body part, and a guide housed in the space, and supporting the male coupler inserted into the female coupler. The guide is composed of a material having elasticity, and exerts an elastic force on the first body part and the second body part such that they are closed to each other.

Wearable housings are configured in size and shape to be securely attached to a strap, such as a belt, suspender, backpack strap, rifle strap, shoulder bag strap, vest, carrier, or other strap with one or more clasping members. One or more magnets are positioned within the substantially hollow receptacle area(s) of the wearable housing. The magnet(s) have sufficient holding force to securely hold a handgun or other item against the wearable housing for ready access.

An improved hose clamp having an annular band having an inner face, tensioning means, and an annular spring liner; the spring liner having a circumferential shoulder near an edge of the liner; and a central, cylindrical, flat, contact portion of smaller circumference than the shoulder, and of smaller width than the inner face of the band. The shoulder is adapted to abut the inner face and the contact portion is adapted to contact a hose or other article to be clamped.

A fastening clip assembly is configured to securely connect a first panel to a second panel. The fastening clip assembly may include a collar, a securing support extending from the collar, and deflectable beams connected to the securing support. The deflectable beams are configured to move in first and second directions when the deflectable beams are mated with one or both of the first and second panels. The first direction differs from the second direction.

The present invention relates to a decorative functional closure device that is sewn into and applied to clothing. In one embodiment, a method of converting cultured pearls from a strand or necklace to the functional closure device is described. The method includes removing a pearl from a strand, drawing a thread through the pearl using a threader from a first side of the pearl, using a wire protector to create a horseshoe or loop shape at the other side of the pearl such that both ends of the thread are sticking out of the first side of the pearl, tying off and trimming the thread ends, and optionally attaching a seed bead, sewing the horseshoe or loop shape to the clothing such that the pearl can be used to pass through a buttonhole for securing one side of the clothing to another side of the clothing.

The present invention relates to a decorative functional closure device that is sewn into and applied to clothing. In one embodiment, a method of converting cultured pearls from a strand or necklace to the functional closure device is described. The method includes removing a pearl from a strand, drawing a thread through the pearl using a threader from a first side of the pearl, using a wire protector to create a horseshoe or loop shape at the other side of the pearl such that both ends of the thread are sticking out of the first side of the pearl, tying off and trimming the thread ends, and optionally attaching a seed bead, sewing the horseshoe or loop shape to the clothing such that the pearl can be used to pass through a buttonhole for securing one side of the clothing to another side of the clothing.

An ornamental swimsuit assembly interchanges ornamental members on a swimsuit through a snap fastening mechanism and extends colorful ribbons on to the swimsuit to enhance the visual appearance of the swimsuit. The ornamental members, such as rhinestones, are interchangeable and enhance the visual appearance of the swimsuit. A connector bracket enables straps on the swimsuit to be detachably attached to the body of the swimsuit. The assembly utilizes a snap fastening and thread mechanism to interchange the ornamental members to the swimsuit. The snap fastening mechanism involves a two-sided connection from the ribbon. The ribbon not only retains decorative caps and the ornamental members, but can also be extended in length through expander connectors to form bracelets, necklaces and other clothing types at a later date. In this manner, multiple ornamental combinations are possible between the swimsuit, the ribbon, decorative caps and the ornamental members.