Securing mechanisms for articles

Abstract

Articles of footwear often have securing mechanisms that allow wearers to adjust the size of the ankle opening so that wearers may be able to easily insert and remove their foot. Such securing mechanisms may have various physical characteristics. Many wearers are interested in changing the appearance of the articles that they use and wear. The disclosed securing mechanism permits a wearer to change its physical or aesthetic appearance to suit the wearer's changing fashion needs. Such changes in physical and aesthetic appearance may include changes to colors, logos, textures, images, and any other desirable physical or aesthetic characteristics.

1 . A securing mechanism for an article, comprising:
 a first end;   a second end opposite the first end;   a center portion interconnecting the first end and the second end; and   at least one twistable portion that is configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around at least one axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one twistable portion is positioned in at least one of the first end and the center portion.   
     
     
         2 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the article is an article of footwear. 
     
     
         3 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first position exposes a first appearance of the securing mechanism and the second position exposes a second appearance of the securing mechanism that is different than the first appearance. 
     
     
         4 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism is a strap having a first surface and a second surface. 
     
     
         5 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the twistable portion is positioned at the first end. 
     
     
         6 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the twistable portion is positioned in the center portion. 
     
     
         7 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the twistable portion comprises at least one elastic segment. 
     
     
         8 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the twistable portion comprises a first elastic segment and a second elastic segment. 
     
     
         9 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the twistable portion is configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around a first axis and a second axis. 
     
     
         10 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the article is an article of apparel. 
     
     
         11 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second end includes a securing element, and wherein the securing element is for selectively securing the second end to the article. 
     
     
         12 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 11 , wherein the securing element includes at least one of a portion of a hook and loop fastener, a portion of a snap, a portion of a magnet, and an opening for engaging a button or buckle. 
     
     
         13 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first end is permanently attached to the article and the second end is selectively securable to the article. 
     
     
         14 . The securing mechanism recited in  claim 1 , wherein the twistable portion includes an elastic material. 
     
     
         15 . An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 one or more textile elements defining a foot-receiving opening; and   a securing mechanism attached to at least one of the one or more textile elements at or near the foot-receiving opening, the securing mechanism comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite the first end; 
 a center portion interconnecting the first end and the second end; and 
 at least one twistable portion that is configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around at least one axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one twistable portion is positioned in at least one of the first end and the center portion. 
   
     
     
         16 . The upper recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first end of the securing mechanism is permanently attached to at least one of the textile elements at a first location at or near a throat area of the foot-receiving opening and the second end of the securing mechanism is selectively securable to at least one of the textile elements at a location at or near the opposing side of the throat area. 
     
     
         17 . The upper recited in  claim 15 , wherein the twistable portion includes an elastic material. 
     
     
         18 . The upper recited in  claim 15 , wherein the twistable portion comprises one elastic segment. 
     
     
         19 . The upper recited in  claim 15 , wherein the twistable portion comprises two elastic segments. 
     
     
         20 . The upper recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first position exposes a first appearance of the securing mechanism and the second position exposes a second appearance of the securing mechanism that is different than the first appearance. 
     
     
         21 . The upper recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first end of the securing mechanism is attached to at least one of the textile elements at or near a throat area of the foot-receiving opening. 
     
     
         22 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper having a foot-receiving opening and a securing mechanism for selectively adjusting the size of the foot-receiving opening, the securing mechanism comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 a center portion interconnecting the first end and the second end; and 
 at least one twistable portion that is configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around at least one axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one twistable portion is positioned in at least one of the first end and the center portion; and 
   a sole structure attached to the upper.   
     
     
         23 . The article of footwear recited in  claim 22 , wherein the twistable portion comprises two elastic segments. 
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear recited in  claim 22 , wherein the first position exposes a first appearance of the securing mechanism and the second position exposes a second appearance of the securing mechanism that is different than the first appearance. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear recited in  claim 22 , wherein the securing mechanism is attached to at least one of the upper and the sole structure. 
     
     
         26 . The article of footwear recited in  claim 22 , wherein the first end of the securing mechanism is permanently attached to the upper at a first position at or near a throat area of the foot-receiving opening.