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.

A shoelace system for an article of footwear may include an elastic shoelace having a metal tip with a rounded-rectangle cross section. Corresponding eyelets of the footwear have a similarly shaped opening. In some examples, the shoelace tip is configured to pass through the opening of the eyelet in only one orientation. In some examples, manufacturing the shoelace includes inserting the lace into a hollow tip and then stamping the tip into the desired shape.

Described herein is a flexible but resilient material comprising a soft outside shell and an internal flexible but resilient support core, as well as a method for constructing such a flexible but resilient material that can have multiple applications, including being used to manufacture an improved shoelace to help young children, individuals who are physically challenged, and/or who have a limiting physical disability.

Described herein is a flexible but resilient material comprising a soft outside shell and an internal flexible but resilient support core, as well as a method for constructing such a flexible but resilient material that can have multiple applications, including being used to manufacture an improved shoelace to help young children, individuals who are physically challenged, and/or who have a limiting physical disability.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a drawstring for drawing together a material, and a method for making the drawstring. In some aspects, the drawstring includes at least one flexible elongate cord having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a first aglet and the second end includes a second aglet, a first connector having a base end and a top end, the base end including a first cavity for receiving the first aglet, and the top end including a first male fastener, a second connector including a rotating element and a fixed element, the rotating element coupled to the fixed element via a swivel, the rotating element including a first female fastener configured to be removably attached to the first male fastener, and the fixed element having a second cavity for receiving the second aglet, wherein the first aglet is enclosed within the first cavity such that the opening to the first cavity is crimped to prevent removal of the first aglet from the first cavity, and wherein the second aglet is enclosed within the second cavity such that the opening to the second cavity is crimped to prevent removal of the second aglet from the second cavity.

Described is a shoe fastener for use with a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces. The shoe fastener includes a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape. The tape has a width on each side of the zipper clasp that is sized and shaped to accommodate tape eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp. Upon inserting the shoe fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the tape eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.