Footwear lacing system

Abstract

A lacing system for footwear of a type having a pair of spaced-apart flaps that are pulled together by tightening a lace includes a plurality of lace-receiving elements which are attachable to the flaps at multiple locations which allows the user to tailor the location of the lace-receiving elements to obtain a comfortable fit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for lacing footwear having a pair of spaced-apart elongate flaps, which are pulled toward one another by laces: comprising
 a) a plurality of lace-receiving elements, at least some of said lace-receiving elements being attached to each of said flaps; wherein   b) at least some of said lace-receiving elements are attachable to the respective flap at multiple locations on said flap.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  including an attachment system for attaching said lace-receiving elements at desired locations on said flaps. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said attachment system comprises:
 a) a pair of rails, one of which extends longitudinally along a margin of each said flap; 
 b) one or more sliders, which are attached to and slidable along said rails; and 
 c) lace-receiving elements, which are located on said sliders. 
 
     
     
         4 . The lacing system of  claim 3  wherein said lace-receiving elements are hooks. 
     
     
         5 . The lacing system of  claim 3  wherein said lace-receiving elements are eyes. 
     
     
         6 . The lacing system of  claim 3  wherein said sliders include a lock, which prevents said sliders from sliding along said rails. 
     
     
         7 . The lacing system of  claim 6  wherein said sliders rotate around said rails between a first position where said lock is disengaged and a second position where said lock is engaged. 
     
     
         8 . The lacing system of  claim 7  wherein said slider is urged toward said second position when a lace on said lacing system is tightened. 
     
     
         9 . The lacing system of  claim 2  wherein said attachment system comprises:
 a) a plurality of receptacles located in said flaps; 
 b) a plurality of lace-receiving clips; wherein 
 c) said receptacles and said lace-receiving clips include an engagement system, which allows one of said lace-receiving clips to be removeably attached to one of said receptacles. 
 
     
     
         10 . The lacing system of  claim 9  wherein said lace-receiving clips are eyes. 
     
     
         11 . The lacing system of  claim 9  wherein said lace-receiving clips are hooks. 
     
     
         12 . The lacing system of  claim 2  wherein said attachment system comprises:
 a) a pair of rails, one of which extends longitudinally along a margin of each said flap; 
 b) each of said rails being divided into a plurality of discrete segments, which are separated from one another by stops; 
 c) a plurality of elastically deformable hooks each of which is constructed to releasably snap onto one of said rail segments; wherein 
 d) said lace-receiving elements are attached to said hooks. 
 
     
     
         13 . The lacing system of  claim 12  including rigid rods which are embedded in said rails. 
     
     
         14 . The lacing system of  claim 13  wherein said rods are metal.