Adjustable and Interchangeable Shoe Fastening Device and Methods of Use

Abstract

An adjustable, interchangeable, and customizable shoe fastening device and its methods of use, to be used in articles of footwear designed for shoelaces, but not limited to such. The shoe fastening devices are comprised of an elongated looped cord with a removable one-piece holding device or a non-removable one-piece or two-part holding device, and an adjusting device to cater to different types of feet, footwear, and activity. The shoe fastening device offers users the ability to customize, interchange, decorate, and adjust the user's shoe fit to make it “just right.” The shoe fastening devices come as a set, package, pre-assembled kit, or a do-it-yourself kit. The shoe fastening and holding devices can be decorated with paint, nail polish, stickers, glitter, or the like, and can be easily removed, replaced or swapped with family and friends.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe fastening device to be used in an article of footwear designed for lacing comprising:
 an elongated elastic body;   a holding device;   and an adjusting device.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoe fastening device is for use as a fastener for footwear. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated elastic body comprised of a flexible and elastic cord or string. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated elastic body forms a loop by affixing the first and second ends together. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated elastic body forms a loop through the means of knotting, tying, sewing, bonding, or melting the first and second ends together. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated elastic body is easily removable, replaceable, and interchangeable. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding device comprises of:
 a one-piece, two-piece, or   multiple-piece,   removable or non-removable,   decorative or non-decorative   device,   with an opening for insertion of the elastic body.   
     
     
         8 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding device is made of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, or any other material. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening of said holding device is a shank, hole, loop, hook, slit, or slot. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein said holding device can be one-piece, two-piece, or multiple-piece device. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said holding device can be removable or non-removable. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein said holding device is one-piece includes a whole portion that can be of any shape, color, size, texture and material. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein said holding device is one-piece can be removable, non-removable, replaceable, or non-replaceable. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein said holding device is a two-piece or multiple-piece device is composed of a removable, exchangeable, and replaceable top/male part that is attached to the removable or non-removable bottom/female part of the two-piece or multiple-piece device. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein said holding device can be decorated and personalized through the means of paint, stickers, glitter, letters, crayons, markers, and the like. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting device comprises of a bead, clamp, stopper, or similar device to assist in adjusting the length, size, and fit of the shoe fastening device on an article of footwear. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting device slides up\ and down and/or left and right on the elastic cord to adjust and customize the perfect fit. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting device can be comprised of a single one-piece part, two-piece, or multiple pieces such as a bead with inner rubber, silicone or other similar material. 
     
     
         19 . A shoe fastening method comprising:
 a. Providing a shoe fastening device for fastening an article of footwear,   b. Inserting the shoe fastening device into a pair of eyelets, holes, loops, hooks or openings of an article of footwear,   c. Arranging said shoe fastening device onto the article of footwear, and   d. Customizing the fit of the footwear by adjusting the shoe fastening device through the use of the adjusting device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the item is one of footwear that is designed for lacing. 
     
     
         21 . A set, kit, or package comprising a plurality of shoe fastening devices, including comprising:
 a. an elongated elastic body,   b. a holding device,   c. an adjusting device.   
     
     
         22 . The set, kit, or package of  claim 21 , wherein a plurality of shoe fastening devices are provided, can also include a threading device.