Adjustable stop piece for lacings and method of use

A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, the stopper comprising;

• a body member having first and second sides, the body member being formed of a substantially rigid material;
• a plurality of through openings arranged substantially along a longitudinal axis of the body member, including:
• a first through opening formed entirely through the body member from the first side to the second side thereof and sized and dimensioned to permit passage of the lace therethrough from the eyelet;
• a second through opening formed entirely through the body member from the first side to the second side thereof and sized and dimensioned to permit the lace to pass substantially freely therethrough from the first through opening, the second through opening being located a spaced distance from the first opening;
• and
• a third rectangular through opening formed entirely through the body member from the first side to the second side thereof, the third rectangular through opening being located on a side of the first through opening opposite the second through opening and being sized and dimensioned to permit passage of the lace therethrough from the second through opening and to spread at least a portion of the lace in the third rectangular through opening into a flattened form;
• and
• a lace engaging edge extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis and defining a plurality of teeth for penetrating material of the lace on the body member adjacent to the second through opening and generally opposite the first through opening for passage of the lace thereover from the second through opening to the third rectangular through opening.