Shoestring with gripping regions

Abstract

A shoestring made from elastically deformable silicone defines a constant taper between opposite end portions and a center portion, is narrowest at the center portion, and increases in size in an axial direction between the center portion and each end portion. The center portion may be configured with a length which is approximately one half of the total length of the shoestring. The end portions may each be configured with a length which is approximately one quarter of the total length of the shoestring. Each end portion may also define a convex end with a tapering cross-section in an axial direction away from the center portion, and may be colored differently than the center portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoestring, comprising:
 a center portion;   a first end portion on a first side of the center portion; and   a second portion on a second side of the center portion opposite the first side,   wherein the shoestring is made from elastically deformable silicone and defines a first taper from the first end portion to the center portion.   
     
     
         2 . A shoestring according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoestring defines a second taper from the second end portion to the center portion. 
     
     
         3 . A shoestring according to  claim 2 , wherein the first taper and the second taper are identical. 
     
     
         4 . A shoestring according to  claim 2 , wherein the first taper and the second taper are constant. 
     
     
         5 . A shoestring according to  claim 4 , wherein the cross-section of the shoestring increases in size in an axial direction between the center portion and the first end portion. 
     
     
         6 . A shoestring according to  claim 5 , wherein the first end portion includes an additional taper defining a constant reduction in cross section in an axial direction at a convex end. 
     
     
         7 . A shoestring according to  claim 6 , wherein the convex end includes a cross-section no larger than a cross-section of the center portion. 
     
     
         8 . A shoestring according to  claim 1 , wherein the center portion is colored with a first color, and the first and second end portions are each colored with a second color different from the first color. 
     
     
         9 . A shoestring according to  claim 8 , wherein an intensity of the second color increases along each of the first and second end portions in an axial direction away from the center portion. 
     
     
         10 . A shoestring according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first aglet attached to the first end portion; and   a second aglet attached to the second end portion,   wherein the first and second aglets are colored with a third color different from the first and second colors.   
     
     
         11 . A shoestring according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second end portions each have a respective length which is approximately one quarter of a total length of the shoestring, and the center portion has a length which is approximately one half of the total length of the shoestring. 
     
     
         12 . A shoestring according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoestring is narrowest at the center portion, and progressively thicker toward each of the first and second end portions. 
     
     
         13 . A shoestring according to  claim 12 , wherein a cross section of the shoestring at a midpoint of the center portion defines an outer diameter which is less than half of an outer diameter of a cross section of the shoestring at the first end portion. 
     
     
         14 . A shoestring according to  claim 13 , wherein the shoestring has an overall length of approximately thirty-three inches, a cross-section with an outer diameter of approximately 0.25 inches at the midpoint, and a cross-section with an outer diameter of approximately 0.6 inches at the first end portion. 
     
     
         15 . A shoestring according to  claim 1 , wherein the center portion, the first end portion, and the second end portion are integrally formed with one another.