Fastener system for use in shoe-lasting applications

Abstract

A fastener system and for use in tying together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener system comprises a plastic fastener having a first cross-bar at a first end, a second cross-bar at a second end and a filament portion interconnecting the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar. The fastener system also comprises a plastic retaining tab, the retaining tab being appropriately constructed so that the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar may be inserted therethrough for securement thereto. The retaining tab may be provided with appropriately placed openings to facilitate insertion of the cross-bars through the retaining tab. In use for shoe-lasting applications, the first cross-bar is inserted first through a pair of opposing eyelets of a shoe upper and then through the retaining tab whereas the second cross-bar is inserted directly through the retaining tab. The filament portion is appropriately sized so that, once the cross-bars have been inserted through the retaining tab, the pair of opposing eyelets can be maintained at a desired spacing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.