Fastening devices and systems and methods thereof

A flexible fastening device for fastening a first hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on an article of footwear or apparel and a second hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on the article of footwear or apparel, the fastening device having a one-piece body comprising:

• first means for coupling, said first means for coupling including a first end portion;
• second means for coupling, said second means for coupling including a second end portion;
• and
• adjoining means for adjoining said first and second means for coupling, said adjoining means including a body portion between said first end portion and said second end portion,
• wherein the body portion is flexible and is configured and operative to flex such that said first and second end portions can be removably coupled together or such that said first end portion can be removably coupled to the first hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on an article of footwear or apparel and said second end portion can be removably coupled to the second hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on the article of footwear or apparel,
• wherein the body of said fastening device is a one-piece elastic body,
• wherein said second end portion includes an anchor portion having a first face and a second face opposite to the first face;
• the first face having an upstanding wall with a first aperture providing access to a tunnel and a generally cylindrical shaped anchor projecting upward therefrom, and a flange around the base of said anchor, said anchor having a continuous groove around its sidewall and a domed top;
• the second face being substantially smooth, wherein said first portion includes a ring portion having a first face and a second face opposite to the first face;
• said ring portion forming a ring with its hollow portion oriented such that an axis passing through a center of the hollow portion is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the one-piece elastic body, said ring portion having an elongate projection with a rounded tip projecting from a side thereof in the direction of the longitudinal axis,
• wherein said body portion has end portions that taper in both side and top views, said body portion having a longitudinal groove running along a portion of its length and a second aperture providing access to the tunnel,
• wherein the first face of the ring portion and the first face of the anchor portion are on a first side of the one-piece elastic body, and the second face of the ring portion and the second face of the anchor portion are on a second side of the one-piece elastic body,
• wherein the side of said ring portion from which the elongate projection extends is 180 degrees offset from the juncture where said ring portion and said elongate body meet, and
• wherein said ring portion and said anchor portion are sized to be arranged as follows when said ring portion and said anchor portion are properly coupled:
• the ring of said ring portion elastically fits around the groove of the anchor such that the hollow portion is taken up by the anchor, and on the side of the second face of said ring portion, the ring rests on the flange;
• and
• the elongate projection with a rounded tip is inside the tunnel, extending through the first aperture, while being visible through the second aperture in a bottom view of the one-piece elastic body, but without projecting from a plane defining the second aperture.

A fastening method comprising:

• providing an elastic device for fastening, the elastic device including:
• a. first portion defining a ring and having a flexible elongate projection as an extremity of the device;
• and
• a second portion coupled to said first portion and having a wall with a protrusion extending therefrom and defining a first opening which provides access to a tunnel formed by said second portion;
• and
• arranging said device by coupling together said first portion and said second portion,
• wherein said arranging includes placement of the ring of the first portion around the protrusion of the second portion such that the interior of the ring surrounds the protrusion and such that the flexible elongate projection of the first portion fits inside the tunnel via the first opening.

An elongated elastic device for fastening an article, said elastic device comprising:

• a first portion defining a ring and having a flexible elongate projection as an extremity thereof;
• a second portion coupled to said first portion, said second portion including a wall with a protrusion extending therefrom, said wall defining a first opening which provides access to a tunnel formed by said second portion;
• and
• an elongated connecting portion for coupling together said first portion and said second portion;
• wherein said first portion is configured to be positioned around said protrusion of said second portion such that an interior of said ring surrounds said protrusion and such that said flexible elongate projection of said first portion fits inside said tunnel via said first opening.