Elastic lace and attachment system for shoes

Abstract

A resilient securing system for shoes. The securing system is comprised of an elastic shoelace threaded through the eyelets of a traditional, lace-up style shoe tensioned and secured by an adjustable tensioner converting a traditional lace-up style shoe into a slip-on style shoe. Optional end pieces may also be used to secure and prevent laces from flopping as well as add an attractive, finished look to the shoe.

1 . A kit for securing a shoe to a foot, comprising: 
 a resilient shoelace member, said resilient shoelace member sized for being threaded through each eyelet of a standard lace-up style shoe; and    an adjustable tensioning member, said adjustable tensioning member sized such that each end of said resilient shoelace member can be threaded through said adjustable tensioning member, said adjustable tensioning member constructed for slidably, reversible engagement with said resilient shoelace member such that when engaged, said adjustable tensioning member tightly secures said resilient shoelace member.    
   
   
       2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said resilient shoelace member is comprised of a natural rubber core and an external nylon braid.  
   
   
       3 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable tensioning member is comprised of: 
 an outer member, said outer member containing two through holes such that each end of said resilient shoelace member can be inserted;    an inner member, said inner member containing two through holes such that each end of said resilient shoelace member can be inserted through both said outer member and said inner member when said outer member and said inner member are aligned such that said outer member and said inner member through holes are aligned; and    a biasing member wherein said biasing member provides secure, reversible engagement between said inner member, said resilient shoelace member ends and said outer member.    
   
   
       4 . A kit for securing a shoe to a foot, comprising: 
 a resilient shoelace member, said resilient shoelace member sized for being threaded through each eyelet of a standard lace-up style shoe;    an adjustable tensioning member, said adjustable tensioning member sized such that each end of said resilient shoelace member can be threaded through said adjustable tensioning member, said adjustable tensioning member constructed for slidably, reversible engagement with said resilient shoelace member such that when engaged, said adjustable tensioning member tightly secures said resilient shoelace member; and    an endpiece member, said endpiece member being sized such that each end of said resilient shoelace member can be inserted into and locked in place by said endpiece member.    
   
   
       5 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein said resilient shoelace member is comprised of a natural rubber core and an external nylon braid.  
   
   
       6 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein said adjustable tensioning member is comprised of: 
 an outer member, said outer member containing two through holes such that each end of said resilient shoelace member can be inserted;    an inner member, said inner member containing two through holes such that each end of said resilient shoelace member can be inserted through both said outer member and said inner member when said outer member and said inner member are aligned such that said outer member and said inner member through holes are aligned; and    a biasing member wherein said biasing member provides secure, reversible engagement between said inner member, said resilient shoelace member ends and said outer member.    
   
   
       7 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein said endpiece member contains a hook which can be reversibly engaged with a lower end of said resilient shoelace member.  
   
   
       8 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein said endpiece member is substantially rectangular and can be tucked under a lower end of said resilient shoelace member.  
   
   
       9 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein said endpiece member is substantially arrow shaped and contains a decorative insert which glows in the dark.