Lacing aid and connector

A lacing aid, comprising:

• a first portion forming an opening larger than a lace that promotes slippage between a lace and the lacing aid;
• a second lace-restraining portion having a narrow channel extending from said opening for frictional engagement of a lace;
• and
• a U-shaped substrate-engaging portion having two legs and a curved portion between said legs, said lacing aid being rotatable connected to said curved portion of said substrate-engaging portion,
• said lacing aid being mitten-shaped, said first portion corresponding to the palm/finger portion of the mitten shape and said second portion corresponding to the thumb portion of the mitten shape,
• wherein said first and second portions are formed by a length of bent smooth wire, said first and second portions being joined by a smooth wire portion permitting a lace to slide from said first portion into said second portion.

A device for use in lacing footwear, comprising:

• a first portion for sliding engagement with a lace,
• a second portion for gripping engagement of a lace,
• said first and second portions being adjacent so said lace can be easily transferred from engagement with said first portion to engagement with said second portion, and
• a third portion connected to said first and second portions and adapted for connection with a substrate of said footwear,
• wherein said third portion comprises a U-shaped clip including two legs extending outwardly from the curved portion of the U, one of said legs including a sleeve and a detent, said sleeve rotatably engaging said first portion, said detent holding said first portion away from said leg when engaged with said first portion, said legs carrying, adjacent their extremities, means for fastening said U-shaped clip to said substrate.

An apparatus for use in lacing footwear, comprising:

• an axle portion having a central axis and being adapted for rotatable connection to footwear;
• a lace restraining portion integral with said axle portion, said lace-restraining portion forming a narrow channel extending substantially perpendicular to said axle portion, said channel being adapted so that a lace is frictionally gripped when placed in said channel;
• and
• a relatively friction-free lace engaging portion integral with said axle portion and said lace-restraining portion, said lace engaging portion forming an opening extending from said axle portion and communicating with said channel.

A lacing aid for footwear, comprising:

• a first portion for sliding engagement with a lace,
• a second portion for gripping engagement of a lace,
• said first and second portions being adjacent so said lace can be easily transferred from engagement with said first portion to engagement with said second portion, and
• a third portion connected to said first and second portions and adapted for connection with a substrate of said footwear,
• said first, second and third portions being formed by a discontinuous smooth wire, wherein said discontinuous wire has a first end, a second end and a gap between said ends, and said gap is in the middle of said third portion.