Apparatus and method for fastening a shoe

Abstract

A fastening apparatus for a shoe including an adjustable gap and a fastener with two elements, wherein one fastener element is attached to the first side of the adjustable gap. Two laces are attached at a first end to the second fastener element, and extending from the second fastener element to the second side of the adjustable gap, and at least one lace extends from the second side of the adjustable gap to the first side of the adjustable gap. For tightening the shoe, the second fastener element is pulled towards the first side of the adjustable gap, and is attached to the first fastener element for keeping the shoe fastened.

1 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe comprising:
 an adjustable gap defined in the instep area of a shoe, the adjustable gap of the shoe including a first side, a second side, a bottom side, and an open top side;   a fastener comprising at least two mating elements, wherein a first fastener element is attached to said first side of the adjustable gap;   at least two laces, each lace having a first end and a second end, and each lace being attached at a first end to a second fastener element and extending from said second fastener element to said second side of said adjustable gap;   wherein at least one lace extends from said second side of said adjustable gap to said first side thereof;   wherein by pulling said second fastener element towards said first side of the adjustable gap, said adjustable gap is caused to contract between said first side and said second side; and   wherein by attaching said second fastener element to said first fastener element said contraction is retained.   
   
   
       2 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one lace is attached at said second side of said adjustable gap. 
   
   
       3 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lace extending from said second side of said adjustable gap to said first side thereof is attached at said first side. 
   
   
       4 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 3 , wherein two laces extend from said second side of said adjustable gap to said first side thereof and are attached at said first side. 
   
   
       5 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one lace extends from said first side back to said second side of said adjustable gap. 
   
   
       6 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one lace extending from said first side back to said second side is attached at said second side. 
   
   
       7 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one lace extends again from said second side to said first side of said adjustable gap, and wherein at least one lace extends again from said first side to said second side of said adjustable gap. 
   
   
       8 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one lace extending again from said second side to said first side thereof is attached at said first side, and wherein said at least one lace extending again from said first side to said second side thereof is attached at said second side. 
   
   
       9 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein said two laces are connected to each other at the bottom of said adjustable gap to form an elongated lace. 
   
   
       10 . A fastening apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least two laces comprises four laces, and wherein said four laces are each attached at a first end to a second fastener element and extend from said second fastener element to said second side of said adjustable gap; and   wherein at least three laces extend from said second side to said first side of said adjustable gap   
   
   
       11 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one lace of said four laces extends back from said first side to said second side of said adjustable gap. 
   
   
       12 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein at least two laces of said four laces are connected to each other at a second end of each thereof, near the bottom of said adjustable gap. 
   
   
       13 . A fastening apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least two laces comprises three laces, and wherein said three laces are each attached at a first end to a second fastener element and extend from said second fastener element to said second side of said adjustable gap; and   wherein at least two laces extend from said second side to said first side of said adjustable gap.   
   
   
       14 . A fastening apparatus for a shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein at least two laces of said three laces are connected to each other at a second end of each thereof, near the bottom of said adjustable gap.